6. Federal Donuts
Michael Solomonov's other Philadelphia-based fast-casual eatery, Federal Donuts, will open adjacent to Dizengoff. The shop, an obsession in the City of Brotherly Love, will serve freshly made doughnuts in the morning. When 11 a.m. rolls around, Korean-style fried chicken will be added to the offerings.
250 NW 24th St., Miami. Opening summer 2017.
7. Soul Tavern
When Soul Tavern opens in the next few weeks, it will offer indulgent comfort food such as burgers, liquid refreshments, and a chill, comfortable atmosphere. The thing that sets this gastropub apart from the others is that everything will be vegetarian. The eatery, set to open in Sunset Harbour, will offer 11 varieties of pizza, maki rolls, and internationally inspired burgers, along with a good craft beer selection. Founder Jason Gordon explains the reason behind his meat-free gastropub concept: "There are some great options, but the demand for high-quality vegetarian exceeds the supply. So there was a business opportunity, and it’s an extension of my lifestyle. I made it vegetarian and not vegan because it’s a larger market and more people can relate to it."
1801 West Ave., Miami Beach. Opening summer 2017.
8. El Bagel
You would think a city deemed "the sixth borough" of New York City would have more than a smattering of places for stellar bagels. Miami's dearth of dough led 25-year-old Matteson Koche to start El Bagel. The purveyor, at the moment only a delivery service, will turn up in Wynwood behind Boxelder as a pop-up in the next few weeks. The shop, open on weekends, will offer bagels with shmear, tentatively priced at $5 each or about $35 for a dozen with a pound of cream cheese. Expect El Bagel to also find permanent digs in Miami.
Pop-up to open behind Boxelder early summer 2017.
9. Le Chick Rotisserie
Coco Coig and partners are weeks away from opening Le Chick Rotisserie, a Wynwood eatery that will serve rotisserie chicken dishes, burgers, and other comfort foods with a twist. The restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor dining and an extensive bar serving craft beer and cocktails. Prices will be in the $15-to-$20 range to keep the eatery accessible and welcoming.
310 NW 24th St., Miami. Opening summer 2017
10. BLT Steak
When BLT Steak closed in May 2016, Miami Beach lost more than a steakhouse. The restaurant at the Betsy Hotel served some of the best beef, seafood, and popovers Miami had ever tasted. Now BLT Steak opens at the new Iberostar Berkeley Hotel. The restaurant will offer signature steaks, including a 28-day dry-aged New York strip, a Kansas City bone-in strip, and a porterhouse for two, as well as classics such as tuna tartare, a lobster Cobb salad, and the restaurant's famous warm Gruyère-laced popovers.
1610 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Slated to open by the end of summer 2017.