Tokyo energy
STAND., best Sunny Isles Beach restaurants, The Surf Club Restaurant, COTE Miami, L’Atelier des Augustins Lyon, Four Seasons Cartagena, MORE
RESTAURANTS • The Ask
Since we launched FOUND, we’ve been asking all new subscribers to tell us their favorite restaurant. Thousands of you have obliged, for which we are grateful. (It’s a great list!) Today, as we prepare to draft the first-ever canonical list of FOUND’s favorite Miami restaurants (the FOUND 45), we’re asking those of you who haven’t shared your favorite restaurant to reply to this email and give up the goods. A bonus line or two explaining why you love the restaurant is welcomed, but not essential.
WORK • Thursday Routine
Oui, monsieur
NII-AYI EVANS • pastry chef • The Surf Club Restaurant
Neighborhood you work in: Surfside
Neighborhood you live in: Miami Beach
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
My day typically starts around 10a at The Surf Club Restaurant. The first part of the morning is about getting the team aligned for the day. We hold a quick briefing to go over the prep list, the reservations for the evening, and any special events. From there, the pastry kitchen shifts into prep mode: setting up mise en place for service, organizing stations, and making sure all components, sauces, and garnishes are ready. Throughout the morning, I’m checking quality, tasting, testing desserts, and making adjustments where needed.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Miami has an incredible restaurant scene, and there are a few places I always enjoy. COTE Miami is a great experience, an elevated Korean steakhouse that holds a special place in my heart, as I celebrated my four-year anniversary with my fiancée there. Bouchon in the Gables is always a classic for French bistro cooking done at the highest level. It reminds me of my time in Paris.
How about a little leisure or culture?
When I’m not in the kitchen, I like to stay active. I enjoy playing soccer whenever I can — it’s a great way to unwind and stay connected with friends. Living in Miami also means the beach is never far away, so relaxing by the water is one of my favorite ways to reset after a busy week in the kitchen.
Any weekend getaways?
Two of my favorite quick escapes from Miami are Key West and Bimini in the Bahamas. It’s always nice to stay at a beach club and enjoy a well-made cocktail or two. Key West has a relaxed energy and beautiful scenery, as well as the great breakfast spot Breakfast Club, Too, which is a fantastic place to start my day. I’m a fan of watersports, so I usually jump on a jetski when I’m out there. The Bahamas offer crystal-clear water and an easy change of pace when you want to disconnect for a few days.
What was your last great vacation?
One of my favorite recent trips was traveling through France and England, visiting Lyon, Roanne, Paris, and London. Lyon, in particular, is an incredible city for food. I visit L’Atelier des Augustins every time I’m there and I recently discovered Regain. I also can’t mention Lyon without noting that the brioche aux pralines roses from Pralus is a must-try.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Recently, I bought the Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot, and it’s been fantastic.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Restaurant supply store Chef Rubber. It’s great to find professional equipment, ingredients, and tools used in real kitchens.
YOUR BRAND HERE: 93% of FOUND subscribers recommend products, services, and/or experiences to friends and family. Hit reply or email sales@itsfound.com, and we’ll get to work on your next great sponsorship campaign.
MIAMI RESTAURANT LINKS: New Mexican restaurant Cantina Leon opens at The Plaza Coral Gables • Toronto hospitality vets debut Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in former Planta Queen space in Coconut Grove • Miami Beach nightclub Mynt gets a facelift • How Willy’s Neighborhood Bar found a new home in Las Rosas after closing in Wynwood • I vibe-coded a personal restaurant reservation agent.
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Café
Standing energy
The Skinny: The new Japanese café from the team behind Coral Gables’ acclaimed SHINGO, STAND. is bringing Tokyo cafe scene energy, great matcha, housemade milk bread, and surprisingly affordable prices to Miracle Mile in a fast-casual setting. It opens for business today.
The Vibe: Tiny, quiet, and intentionally understated, the 24-seat café feels like the kind of neighborhood spot you’d stumble into in Tokyo, full of regulars. Minimalist interiors, warm natural light, and shelves lined with ceramics give the space a calm, quaint charm ideal for a slow breakfast or lingering coffee break.
The Food: When I stopped in last week for a pre-opening tasting, I found the milk bread to be the star, and in every form imaginable. Thick-cut and toasted, piled with sweet corn, cheesy miso béchamel, and kewpie mayo is exactly what I never knew I needed, while the curry shio pan (inspired by partner Kenzie Motai’s favorite childhood snack) is genuinely unforgettable. The sandos, ranging from egg salad to katsu and even sweet fruit, are also terrific. Bento boxes offer easy lunch options, while the onigiri (rice balls) make for a good on-the-go snack.
The Drinks: STAND.’s matcha might be the best in Miami right now. The café sources directly from farmers in Japan, and both the matcha and hojicha have a depth and richness that stands out in a city full of places to get Matcha. For those who like a touch of sweetness, the signature matcha can also be made with fresh strawberry puree.
The Verdict: Thoughtful, personal, and refreshingly accessible, it’s a surprising but welcome addition to Coral Gables. –Amber Love Bond
→ STAND. (Coral Gables) • 98 Miracle Mile • Daily 8a-4p • Walk-ins only.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale properties in Bal Harbour and Bay Harbor Islands that came to market asking ~$5M in the last 30 days.
→ 1177 Kane Concourse #405 (Bay Harbor Islands) • 3BR/4BA, 3262 SF condo • Ask: $4.699M • largest available 3BR in wellness-focused The Well Bay Harbor Islands w/ 3 private terraces and floor-to-ceiling doors • Annual taxes: N/A • HOA: $5276/mo • Days on market: 23 • Agent: Monica Defortuna, Fortune Christie’s.
→ 10141 Bay Harbor Dr #301 (Bay Harbor Islands, above) • 4BR/5BA, 3221 SF condo • Ask: $5.49M • corner unit in new 44-residence Bay Harbor Towers w/ east and west exposures, bay views from primary suite • Annual taxes: N/A • HOA: $4808/mo • Days on market: 4 • Agent: Miral Amar, Fortune Christie’s.
→ 10295 Collins Ave #2203 (Bal Harbour) • 3BR/2BA, 2228 SF condo • Ask: $5.5M • southeast corner residence at St. Regis Bal Harbour, unobstructed ocean, Intracoastal, and Miami skyline views from terraces • Annual taxes: $55,202 • HOA: $4091/mo • Days on market: 7 • Agent: Linda Gustafson, Douglas Elliman.
MIAMI WORK AND PLAY LINKS: Is South Florida’s branded condo boom reaching its limit? • Property tax cuts heading to statewide vote in November • Fisher Island residents sue to bar county from buying port fueling site • New 15-story development Regency Parc welcomes first residents in Coral Gables • Changes coming to delivery robots in Coral Gables • Prediction markets come to art auctions • Do you wanna look hot or do you wanna look cool?
CULTURE & LEISURE • Still Friendly
Haiti v Peru • friendly • Nu Stadium (Freedom Park) • Fri @ 730p • C145, $259 per
Charlie Puth • Hard Rock Live (Davie) • Fri @ 8p • sec 116, $204 per
Rosalía • Kaseya Center (Downtown) • Sat @ 830p, sec 107, $278 per
GETAWAYS • Colombia
Cartagena cloisters
The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena opened its doors in April. Instead of feeling like a shiny new build resort dropped into Cartagena, the hotel is folded into the city’s history, weaving together a 16th-century cloister, restored theaters, and the historic Club Cartagena into one sprawling luxury property in Getsemaní, on the edge of the walled city.
Spanning a series of restored landmark buildings, the developers assembled a team of architects, designers, restorers, and artisans focused on preserving the property’s sense of place. Some spaces feel grand and dramatic, while others are more quiet and intimate, with breezy courtyards, colorful tiles, and lush vignettes that draw guests in.
There are two broad categories of rooms to choose from: contemporary rooms that are classic, bright, and everything I’d expect at a Four Seasons, with a chaise lounge chair and desk area. Then there are the rooms located in the historic Cloister. These so-called Colonial rooms are darker and moodier, with high ceilings, four-poster beds, and a much more unique aesthetic, plus direct access to the property’s peaceful courtyard.
It’s also home to Major Food Group’s first South American outpost with The Grand Grill (a riff on The Grill in New York City) and Bar LeLarge. On my visit just a few days after opening, a glamorous steakhouse energy was already evident at the former, and I sipped tropical cocktails made with local fruits at the latter. There’s also a lovely rooftop with two pools and a separate restaurant with panoramic views of both the city and the sea, plus Pizzeria Della Chiesa on the ground floor with a patio that spills out into the street.
As far as exploring Cartagena goes, one morning we wandered through the colorful streets of Getsemaní and the Old City before shopping. Another day, we chartered a boat to the Islas de Rosario to snorkel in the perfectly clear blue waters before lunch on a private island. Locally loved restaurants, like Carmen and Celele, plus popular cocktail bars like El Baron, Havana Cafe, and Alquímico are all within walking distance. Back at the hotel, I enjoyed a relaxing Amazonian-inspired massage at UMARI Spa.
For a city already overflowing with beauty, energy, and culture, Four Seasons Cartagena feels like the start of a glamorous new chapter for the Colombian city’s luxury tourism market — and maybe even the hotel brand, too. –Amber Love Bond
→ Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena • Media Luna 8B #8B-44 • Rooms from $780/night.
GETAWAYS LINKS: In Palm Beach, The Breakers starts demolition work for expansion of family entertainment center • Record seaweed levels hitting Caribbean beaches, hotels cutting prices • Sneak peeking Amanvari, new Aman hotel on Baja’s East Cape • Avianca launching new Colombian routes from FLL this summer.
ASK FOUND
Two PROMPTS for which we seek your immediate attention:
I’m in search of a great knife sharpener. Intel?
Tell us about your favorite garden or plant store for spring.
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@itsfoundmiami.com.
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Restaurants, Sunny Isles Beach
Our 9 favorites in the neighborhood. Paid subscribers can access the full archive of neighborhood Nines.
Avra Miami (above), upscale Greek oceanfront at Acqualina w/ selection of whole fish displayed on ice, reserve