This past August, the team announced its closure after a few months of serving omakase in a hidden speakeasy inside Whitmans. The post shared on Instagram reads, "Due to some permitting issues, we will be temporarily closed until lawyers do what they do. We will reopen soon and also be on the lookout for a new concept. Gold Standard Market is coming soon. Thank you for all your continued support. Peace & Love, the Gold Standard Team."
Just a few short months later, the "soon" is finally here. Gold Standard is gearing up for its next residency inside the coveted members-only Bath Club in Miami Beach.
The Bath Club was founded in 1926. While at the time, no minorities were allowed to join, it all changed in 1999. When African-American real estate developer Don Peebles bought the club, he accomplished his mission to make the club "exclusively inclusive."
"It's almost a 100-year-old members club, and we're going to be the first project in there that's semi-open to the public," says Bill Spector, creator of Gold Standard. "The room is very beautiful. We're constructing a bar to seat ten people, and like before, we will have two seatings per night. We are bringing great service and a fun attitude. It's easygoing but very high quality."
The scenery isn't the only change for the omakase pop-up. Joining the team for the Bath Club residency is Chef Ronnie J., who has worked at Nobu, Makoto, and Wabi Sabi. Alongside him is Chef Soren Mendonza, who has worked with Spector at Gold Standard before.
While there's a new fancy location and new chefs leading the omakase, Spector guarantees the Gold Standard everyone knows and loves remains the same. The menu is still very similar, but the chefs will make it their own for a better omakase experience.
Another thing to be excited about in the new residency is the sake program.
"In the last residency, we only had three sakes," says Spector. "Now we're going to have a much more expensive sake offering with about ten to 11 and liquor. I think it'll be very interesting. With the sake program paired with good food in such a beautiful room with their very fancy members and our regular folks together, it'll make one big dysfunctional family."
Gold Standard is set to open during Miami's Art Basel week and then every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with two seatings every night.
Gold Standard Pop-Up at the Bath Club. 5937 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, at the Bath Club; instagram.com/goldstandardsushi.
