This coming Monday, December 8th, Asia de Cuba
will debut in the Mondrian South Beach (1100 West Avenue). This China
Grill Management concept first appeared eleven years ago in New York
CIty's Morgans Hotel, and has since branched out to The Mondrian in Los
Angeles and Scottsdale, The Clift in San Francisco, and St. Martins
Lane in London. I had a great lunch at the eclectically decorated Clift
locale many years ago that included tuna tartare picadillo-style, with
Spanish olives, black currants, almonds and coconut in a soy-lime
vinaigrette (it is on the SoBe menu).
Executive chef Bryan Flyer will orchestrate Asia de Cuba's Latin-Asian
fare, which includes ropa vieja of duck; Cuban BBQ chicken with Thai
coconut sticky rice; char sui beef short ribs with tostones and
orange-chili mojo; and lobster Mai Tai with rum, coconut, red curry
and boniato.
The decor is a dazzling display of sunlight reflections on paneled
mirrors and white marble floor. At night Miami's "twinkling city lights
can be seen playing off every surface of the 102 seat dining room, or
at close range from the 90 seat terrace," says the pre-opening release.
There is also a 24-seat communal table, something of an Asia de Cuba
signature. The restaurant will be open seven days a week for breakfast,
lunch and dinner.
