Michelle Bernstein's Cena by Michy to Open Friday

When Michelle Bernstein shuttered her MiMo standby, Michy's, last June, fans of the Miami chef lamented the closing of a restaurant that helped put Miami's culinary scene on the map.

Now, almost a year later, Michy's is reborn as Cena by Michy.

The restaurant, located at 6927 Biscayne Blvd., will open for dinner this Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m. and serve dinner nightly. The chef, clearly excited, tweeted about the opening date:

Almost there!! @MichysMiami soon to be #cenabymichy will be open this weekend! Ayayay oldy but a goody pic.twitter.com/DEjd9sYTda

— michelle bernstein (@chefmichy) May 4, 2015

Although located at the same address, much has changed about the restaurant. The slightly fussy floral cushions and feminine furnishings have been replaced by a simple, rustic decor that features an open kitchen and open dining room. A clean white palate will allow the chef's creations to shine at the intimate 63-seater.

Bernstein's kitchen staff includes chef de cuisine Mike Mayta, a Johnson & Wales graduate who previously worked with the chef at Michy's. Mayta is joined by his Illegal Bakery partner, Kelly Vazquez, who will serve as pastry chef at Cena.
Although the complete menu has not been made available, expect small plates (bites and starters) divided into categories like vegetables, meats, seafood, and pasta. The menu will change seasonally, and items on the opening menu will include roasted sunchokes with smoked almonds; Parmesan and Jerez; spinach and feta croquettes with Sicilian orange marmalade; crunchy porchetta with braised peaches; sweetbread tacos; and fettuccine carbonara with dashi and furikake. Entrées will include a burger made with a blend of brisket, short rib, and prime-aged ground beef, and snapper moqueca with chilies, shrimp, and farofa.

Yet to be answered is the big question on everyone's mind: Will Bernstein's famous fried chicken make a triumphant comeback?

We have contacted Bernstein and her people for answers to that burning question and will update this story with further news. 

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