Six Michelin-Starred Chef Michael White Announces MIKA, His First Standalone Restaurant in Florida
Six Michelin-starred Chef Michael White — creator and founding chef of Marea, one of New York City’s most esteemed restaurants — has announced MIKA, his first standalone restaurant in Florida.
Located in Miami’s Coral Gables, MIKA will feature White’s classic Riviera style while celebrating South Florida’s exceptional bounty of local seafood and produce. The menu will include innovative carpaccio-style crudos, exceptional handmade pastas, and perfectly grilled proteins paired with some of White’s most legendary dishes like langoustine carpaccio, fusilli with octopus and bone marrow, and rosemary sea salt bistecca alla fiorentina.
While White is known for his fine dining, MIKA will be a fresh concept that unites his skillset with a focus on humble hospitality. As a result, the restaurant will be an inviting and sophisticated neighborhood restaurant offering unapologetic food in a convivial setting.
White has teamed up with partners Alex Pirez — founder of the luxury design-development firm Mocca Group and a restaurant investor responsible for Major Food Group’s Miami expansion — and Matt Safchik – a seasoned food and beverage operator from Miami — to bring this new culinary experience, MIKA, to Coral Gables. The partnership trio chose Coral Gables because it was an opportunity to serve a truly local audience and contribute to this burgeoning pocket of the local food culture.
Chef Michael White is a culinary icon whose journey has earned him six Michelin stars — including a coveted two-star rating at Marea, where he perfected his signature style of coastal cooking informed by nearly a decade spent living and cooking in Italy and studying classic culinary techniques.
A prodigy of his craft and dedicated disciple of Mediterranean coastal cuisine, White is known for his menus that celebrate the bounty of the Mediterranean Riviera drawing inspiration from the coasts of Italy, France and beyond. Awarded almost every significant recognition in the industry, his accolades include: Six Michelin stars, a three-star New York Times review and James Beard Award.
Nestled within The Plaza Coral Gables — the new placemaking neighborhood destination for upscale shopping, dining and entertainment — MIKA will open its doors later this year.
