One of 2015's most anticipated restaurants, the eatery by Piyarat Potha Arreeratn, known to most of Miami as Chef Bee, joins Pubbelly, Lucali, Icebox Cafe, La Moderna, and Barceloneta, making this the most exciting little neighborhood for food lovers.
Chef Bee came onto the Miami food scene in 2005 at Oishi Thai on Biscayne Boulevard but was hoisted into the spotlight during his tenure at Khong River House. The chef helped open the 50 Eggs restaurant in December 2012, then left about six months later, leading to a lawsuit filed against the chef. The lawsuit was settled. Bee managed to come out on top of the melee and can be found most evenings at Oishi Thai, stepping out of the kitchen to greet guests and take selfies with them.
Bee first announced the opening of the restaurant back in December 2013, with
The restaurant's name means "friendly, honest, and hardworking" in Thai. More than that, however, it's a tribute to his daughter, Naiya. The doting father calls the girl a miracle and a blessing. "We had been trying to conceive for a few years without any luck, and now that she's been here, Naiya is my inspiration, motivation and the main reason for me getting up in the morning."
NaiYaRa will differ from the more traditional Oishi Thai, as befits a SoBe restaurant. Bee explains, NaiYaRa's location,
In addition to the dining room and sushi bar, NaiYaRa will house a separate bar, fashioned from liquor boxes and topped with zinc. The mood will recreate Thailand's back street bars and will feature signature cocktails including the Mekhong OX and Tom Kha, made with traditional Thai ingredients like bird chili, lemongrass, and galangal. NaiYaRa will also have a well-planned sake menu featuring exclusive bottles and blends, and a large selection of whiskeys.
Dishes are influenced by what the chef ate as a child, and include Ob
NaiYaRa will be open daily for lunch from noon to 4 p.m., happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m., and dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. A late-night menu will be available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.