Address: | 105 NE 24th St, Miami, FL 33137, USA |
Phone: | +1 305-814-5365 |
Site: | matthewkenneycuisine.com |
Rating: | 4.7 |
Working: | 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–11PM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–12AM 11:30AM–10PM |
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Chat Chow
A dead end in a dark and almost desolate street on the edge of Edgewater and Wynwood is the last place you’d expect to unearth a kingdom of plants, but this is exactly where raw guru and vegan authority Matthew Kenney has planted his much awaited (and delayed) Plant Food + Wine and adjoining Matthew Kenney Culinary Academy. The two times James Beard nominee, Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chef, 12-time cookbook author, and overall envoi for food and health (he even gave a TEDx Talk on the matter in 2011) has been working to bring this project with local events maven Karla Pascal to life for five years, and the result is pretty astounding. Understated elegance and minimalism is the overall theme here, from the stunning (to put it lightly) design of the sprawling indoor/outdoor space to the presentation and execution of dishes. Floor to ceiling windows and geometric mirrors create an optical illusion, bringing the outdoors inside whilst simultaneously eliciting a feeling of infiniteness. The same paradox applies to the food. Kenney’s ingenious use plants (a lot of which are local and sourced from nearby farms) challenge the palate’s preconceived notions of taste and nourishment. Items like the Flora Artisanal Cheese Plate (made with nuts of course); Kimchi Dumplings with ginger foam; Watermelon Poke doused in lime-ponzu and crowned with macadamia, pickled ginger and mint will have you saying dairy, pork, and tuna who? Likewise, Kenney’s rendition of the simple yet complex Italian dish Cacio e Pepe – which swaps white pasta for kelp noodles and is steeped in a cashew cream, green olive puree, sundried olives, and watercress – will leave you in utter amazement and wanting more. By no means is it authentically cacio e pepe (nor is it trying to be) but rather an innovative ode to the origins of gastronomy whilst crafting the future of food, which is Kenney’s philosophy. Of course Kenney isn’t in the kitchen himself as he’s got several other restaurants to manage throughout the country, so to carry out his culinary viewpoint he’s solicited the talents of local chef and fellow James Beard nominee Horacio Rivadero (formerly of The District and who we’re personally big fans of). He tells us that though the restaurant is fully vegan and plant-based, it is not for vegetarians but an alternative option for omnivores to relinquish their craving for animals without sacrificing flavor. Case in point, you can still have Tacos (with coconut ceviche and sunflower ceviche); Lasagna (only with zucchini, macadamia ricotta and spicy marinara); and Strawberry Hibiscus Cheesecake or a Vanilla Hemp and Chocolate Maca Banana Split (sans the dairy). Or you can opt in for the chef’s tasting menu like we did and take your taste buds on a gastronomic journey through the plant kingdom.
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Bernard K
As a vegetarian, one of the most amazing restaurant I have ever been to. The atmosphere of the restaurant is trendy and modern, and the service was incredibly friendly. We dont drink a lot, and the staff was attentive and took care of us as if we were VIPs. The food tasted fresh and was prepared unlike any restaurant weve ever been to. We are from NYC and next time we are back in Miami, we will surely come back.
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Aya Chacar
I could eat there everyday! Vegan/Vegeterian/Raw/Gluten Free heaven. Even my kid loves the food. The only problem is that sometimes I wish for more menu options - albeit the hubby is happy eating the lasagna every time, and we always order the dumplings. To top things off the setting is beautiful. Perhaps one of the most beautiful venue in Miami albeit in a iffy neighborhood.
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Jairo Garces
The best experience for a mothers day lunch. Everything so nice and done to perfection that for my wife her first taste of vegan food was amazing. The service from all the personnel was a dream, you do not find this much courtesy any more especially in a busy day like mothers day. Five stars could be little, the best.
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abel lera
The food was amazing. The space is very open and clean. Even for those who are not plant-based eaters the food is still an experience. It is incredible what they are able to do with a mostly raw menu. And they even offer "cooking" classes if you want to learn to prepare raw meals.
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Tim Brown
Best kept secret in Miami. Great service, great raw vegan food. No oven or fryer, only blenders and dehydrators. Zucchini lasagna, Bahn mi lettuce wraps were outstanding. Beautiful outdoor and indoor ambiance, a must try!!!!
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Mauricio Portillo
Creativity and Amazing flavors, Matthew Kenney has brought to Miami an amazing restaurant for those who love food, healthy food in a high level of gourmet cusine. Highly recommended!
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Dima Samra
Delicious gourmet vegan cuisine. The kimchi dumplings are amazing and I loved the desserts. I highly recommend this place if your looking to try something new.
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Bradley Coleman
Amazing food. Damn, those kimchi dumplings! Awesome, its such a beautiful location. Was amazing sitting outside in the garden. Cant wait to go back.
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Melisa Amo
Food was good. But as a vegan with an Hispanic background taste was kinda bland... Wonderful place to get drinks and hang out.
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Irene Zeldovich
Space and presentation was great, food was not note worthy. For tgat price, ut should be memorable.
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Marzolayde Medina
Great place. The best vegan place I found in Miami. Delicious food and beautiful environment.
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Alex Sharma
Interesting food. Its raw or minimally cooked/prepared vegan fare. Good cocktails.
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Graham Lubie
A beautiful venue with delicious food that looks as good as it tastes.
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Patricia Jaegerman
Plant based food that takes advantage of all natural flavors
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Craig Stein
They made this out of what? But it tastes....fantastic!
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Lutfu Yuksel
Wonderful ambiance, wonderful service, wonderful taste!
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Jose Luis Fassio
They have no idea or respect for time of their clients
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Lucia Freites
The wraps are amazing!! Fresh and clean food!!