In 2019, the lodge was offered to Brookfield Asset Management and acquired a $50 million makeover. The renamed Mayfair House Hotel & Garden has reopened. Though the lodge has gotten a noticeable refresh, the DNA has been (fortunately) retained and a few adjustments — made out of necessity — really enhance the property’s operate and allure.
Take, for instance, one of many glass elevators that soared above the atrium. After it was discovered to be irreparable, the shaft was become a mini tequila bar. And a part of the first-floor water fountain has been remodeled right into a eating patio that channels a stunning bistro in a seaside Mexican village.
What most Miamians will respect most in regards to the newly reopened lodge is the Mayfair Grill, certainly one of two meals and beverage shops by Lost Boy & Co., the proprietor/operator of downtown Miami’s Lost Boy Dry Goods. (The companions have additionally opened SipSip, a cocktail bar on the rooftop of the lodge.)
Cofounders Randy Alonso and Chris Hudnall have redone the once-awkward, first-floor restaurant house — transferring and increasing the bar to face the woodburning oven and opening the kitchen up for company to see government chef Sean Bernal and his group work in tandem to type a culinary ballet of types.
The restaurant serves American-Southwest delicacies that garners inspiration from Arizona, Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert. Chris Hudnall, an Arizona native, tells New Times when he moved to Miami he hadn’t discovered any restaurant that served the meals he grew up with. “When me and Randy (Alonso) and I have been going by our journey at Mayfair Grill, I had at all times thought that Miami actually does have such a wealthy worldwide meals scene, however I had but to seek out the Southwestern flavors of Arizona and the flavors of Mexico completed nicely.”
Alonso is fast to agree. “Being born and raised in Miami, as quickly as you say Southwestern, you suppose Tex-Mex, however Chris defined the meals was extra different,” he says.
Hudnall explains, “Arizona is an enormous agricultural state. There are locations on the facet of the highway the place you will get fire-roasted poblano peppers to make right into a mole. Markets supply contemporary artichokes, child squash, a variety of species of peppers. We wished to carry these flavors to Miami.”
Nearly all dishes are fired both within the wood-burning oven or the Josper grill, lending a refined smokiness to choices just like the picanha steak, the wood-oven cheese (an absolute must-order), and even the charred marshmallow dessert (a play on a campfire favourite).
The menu additionally presents two totally different Navajo breads — one topped with braised beef shank and the opposite with hen of the wooden mushrooms. Says Hudnall, “This bread is what you get once you cross into the Native American reservations. I would not say it is Sonoran delicacies, nevertheless it’s our personal variations of it.”
The companions tapped Sean Bernal to run the kitchen after an in depth search. “We introduced Sean in for a tasting and he did his analysis. The meals was nice,” says Hudnall, including, “Sean confirmed his true ardour for seafood and open-fire cooking. He was so captivated with it.”
The Mayfair Grill’s breads are baked by Helen Kim of the soon-to-open Oori Bake Shop. A former bartender at Lost Boy, Kim began baking throughout the pandemic. Hudnall says she introduced a number of loaves to share and was impressed by her abilities. “She began to essentially get her stride baking bread from her condo and promoting it to cooks round pandemic time.” As she transitioned from bartender to baker, the Lost Boy companions determined to assist her enterprise. “The sourdough is what we use for the wood-oven cheese and we use her Japanese milk bread at Fox’s. She’s really captivated with baking.”
On a latest Friday night, the eating room was crammed with individuals consuming cactus fries and wood-fired cheese. In the approaching weeks, because the climate turns into extra stunning, Mayfair Grill will supply a contented hour and brunch within the courtyard. “There’s one thing actually particular about sitting round lush landscaping and greenery,” says Hudnall.
Mayfair Grill. 3000 Florida Ave., Miami; 305-441-0000; mayfairhousemiami.com. Open for breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. each day; then from midday to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, midday to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.