Major Food Group and its co-founders, Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone, and Rich Torrisi, opened the restaurant and members-only club inside of Miami’s only known chateau this past December at the former Petit Douy estate, which was constructed as a private residence in 1931.
The building was deemed a designated historical structure in 1983, but this will be the first time the estate is open to the public.
Although the second level is restricted to members of ZZs Club based in the Miami Design District, don't fret — the restaurant on the first level is only one reservation away, albeit one of the most difficult reservations you may try to make in 2024. We promise you, it will be worth it.
Below, find everything you need to know about the glamorous restaurant before securing your reservation.
The estate was designed by legendary architect Martin L. Hampton and follows the architecture of the Priory of Saint-Julien in the village of Douy, France.
Photo by Kris Tamburello
It's almost hard to imagine a Miami before the hospitality group took over the Magic City. Carbone's Miami outpost, which was named Miami New Times' Best Italian Restaurant of 2023, started it all in South Beach in January 2021.
The first level of the reimagined chateau houses the luxurious Mexican restaurant, designed in collaboration with Ken Fulk, Inc., which has worked on multiple projects with the hospitality group. Inside, guests can expect various indoor and outdoor dining environments, including a solarium, bar, lounge, and beautiful gardens.
Chateau ZZ's has various indoor and outdoor dining environments, a solarium, bar, lounge, and gardens.
Photo by Kris Tamburello
The estate was designed by legendary architect Martin L. Hampton and follows the architecture of the Priory of Saint-Julien in the village of Douy, France. Dining here just may transport you to early-20th-century France.
“There’s no mansion in Miami that comes even close to matching the uniqueness of this property—an unbelievable destination that feels as if it was built for MFG and the creation of Chateau ZZ’s," explains Zalaznick. "The estate has never looked more glorious, and we’re about to open the exceptional Mexican restaurant that Miami has always needed but never had."
Expect tuxedo-clad service, nostalgic flair, and old Hollywood glamour while being served authentic Mexican cuisine.
Photo by Evan Sung
These offerings are followed by the original recipe for caesar salad, which was born in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920s. Other starters include sweet corn elote, albondigas diavolo, and gambas al ajillo, along with signature house-made tostadas topped with either spicy tuna, caviar and crema, wagyu and truffle, lobster and jalapeño, or fried egg and Iberico ham.
As for the entrées, two standouts are a whole branzino brushed with red and green sauces and the spicy lobster fideos. Each main course is served with freshly steamed flour tortillas made in-house, salsas, sauces, and other accompaniments.
Desserts stay true to Miami and Mexico cuisine, with renditions of coconut tres leches, mango cheesecake, and classic churros.
However, the real standout may be Chateau ZZs collection of more than 1,000 tequilas and mezcals, including dozens of rare bottles. The restaurant boasts a complete menu dedicated to margaritas, as well as a selection of other mezcal and tequila-based cocktails such as Palomas. For wine lovers, there's a full wine list.
Reservations are made exclusively on resy.com or via email at [email protected]. The reservation slots open 30 days in advance at exactly 10 a.m. Eastern time. Although they are booked almost in the blink of an eye, you may add yourself to a list on the website that will notify you if a time slot becomes available.
Chateau ZZs. 1500 Brickell Ave., Miami; chateauzzs.com. Tuesday through Saturday 5 to 11 p.m.
