Chef Sánchez is a critically acclaimed Ecuadorian chef who is well known for her work as a judge on Master Chef in Ecuador. She met her husband, Chef Murua, from Álava, Spain, at the Basque Culinary Center in the Basque region of Spain. Together, the couple opened Ikaro in La Rioja, Spain, earning a Michelin star in 2018, which made Sánchez the first Ecuadorian chef to receive a Michelin star. In 2023, the chefs were honored as gastronomic ambassadors of La Rioja for their significant contributions to the region's culinary scene.
Together, they're combining their shared passion for Spanish cuisine with the opening of Momento by Ikaro in downtown Miami, which has officially opened along North Miami Avenue.
Renowned culinary couple Carolina Sanchez and Iñaki Murua have opened Momento by Ikaro, their first U.S. outpost, in downtown Miami.
Momento by Ikaro photo
A Love Story Told Through the Art of Spanish Cooking
Chefs Murua and Sánchez blended their professional and personal lives after meeting at the renowned Basque Culinary Center.Chef Sánchez pursued her education at the University of Cuenca in Ecuador and Le Cordon Bleu in Peru. She later advanced her expertise with a master's in cooking at the Basque Culinary Center and interned at El Celler de Can Roca, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Simultaneously, Chef Murua honed his skills at the Santo Domingo de La Calzada Hospitality School and the Basque Culinary Center. His culinary journey includes internships at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Martin Berasategui, Azurmendi, and Els Cassals. Together, they established Ikaro Restaurant in La Rioja.
Now, in Miami, they aim to showcase the harmony between rustic Spanish cuisine and Michelin-starred elegance in downtown Miami.
"I am filled with gratitude and excitement as our team prepares to make our international debut in one of the world's most diverse cities," says Sánchez, executive chef of Momento by Ikaro. "With Momento, we aspire to craft a relaxing space where guests can disconnect with friends while indulging in unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression. We invite you to join us at our table, experience our warm hospitality, and celebrate the joy of great food in the heart of Miami."
The corvina at Momento by Ikaro is just as beautiful to look at as it is to enjoy.
Momento by Ikaro photo
The Menu: Rustic Spanish Cuisine Meets Refined Elegance
The menu at Momento by Ikaro is an expression of the chefs' heritage and innovation, where their Ecuadorian and Basque roots combine with the vibrant, local flavors of Miami. The chefs aim to integrate traditional and modern cooking methods, elevating Miami's idea of Spanish cuisine.Utilizing a wood-fired oven and seasonal ingredients, the 25-dish menu includes dishes like "Amazonian Tiradito" with cured, smoked hamachi, Ikaro's signature smokey neapia sauce, and fresh salsa, as well as a wood-fired, Basque-style turbot cooked with garlic and vinegar-infused olive oil, which is paired with baked potatoes. The menu also features a glazed, boneless short rib that is slow-cooked in the wood-fired oven with tamarillo barbecue sauce, as well as roasted neapia-marinated cauliflower with brown butter sauce (neapia is a traditional Amazonian condiment made from cassava starch and chilies).
Plus, for fans of Ikaro in Spain, the restaurant's famed "Espuma de Abatonca" (tonka bean foam) with salted caramel ice cream, Ecuadorian chocolate chips, and agave is on the menu, as well as a Basque-style lotus cheesecake made with Biscoff cookies.
The Design of Momento: Timeless Elegance Meets Rustic Decor
Momento, by Ikaro's design, draws inspiration from the vibrancy of Miami and the timeless elegance of Spanish and Mediterranean architecture.Designed by CM Design Studio, guests can enjoy different spaces, such as an alfresco dining terrace and an intimate speakeasy cocktail lounge. The alfresco dining terrace, which is reminiscent of a Latin courtyard, features an open kitchen and creates an inviting social sanctuary.
The interior features handcrafted elements and unique pieces sourced from Cuenca, Ecuador (Sánchez's hometown), including metal lamps and wooden doors, as well as a mix of vintage and contemporary art, while the outside features vibrant pink bougainvilleas and greenery. Adorning the walls are handmade wooden mirrors, doors, lighting, and accessories, as well as intricate tile work and wrought iron accents evoking a Hispanic charm.
In the dining room, guests are immediately met with plush, upholstered furnishings in Spanish azure blue, which contrast the backdrop of muted pink wallpaper. Surrounding the dining tables are walls decked out in vines and potted plants. Plus, an entrance adorned with colorful bougainvillea sets a welcoming tone from the moment guests arrive.
Momento by Ikaro. 1306 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 786-909-5144; momentomiami.com. Wednesday through Saturday 6 to 11 p.m.
