Abbale Telavivian Kitchen, an Israeli-inspired Mediterranean restaurant, is expanding its presence from Miami Beach to Aventura today. Co-owners Sam Gorenstein and Omer Horev, who also founded the casual café Pura Vida, initially established Abbale in South Beach in 2021. The new Aventura location, set in a 4,000 square-foot space formerly occupied by 800 Degrees Wood-Fire Kitchen, is near the bustling Aventura Mall. For Gorenstein, the chef and co-owner, this move to Aventura is particularly significant as he has been a resident of the area for seven years.
Gorenstein envisions the Aventura restaurant as a local dining haven, filling a gap in full-service, chef-driven dining experiences with an ambiance and top-notch service. The restaurant, double the size of its South Beach counterpart, includes a chef’s counter and will be led by Executive Chef Marcelo Palacios.
While retaining popular dishes like shakshuka and double-cut lamb chops, the expanded kitchen will allow for new offerings, including caviar and chips, various salads, and shared dishes like line-caught local fish and prime kosher ribeye. The Aventura location will also feature tableside service for whole fish, a testament to the restaurant's fine dining elements.
In addition to a private dining room suitable for special occasions, the Aventura venue introduces lunch and Sunday brunch options, including house-smoked beef pastrami and chicken schnitzel sandwiches, as well as steak and eggs and tahini pancakes.
The restaurant will also have a full bar, emphasizing Mediterranean flavors and a wine list focusing on boutique Israeli wines.
Abbale's expansion comes as Mediterranean cuisine gains popularity in Miami, known for its health benefits due to its use of vegetables and natural fats. However, Gorenstein emphasizes that Abbale offers more than just falafel and shawarma, aiming to provide a more comprehensive representation of Mediterranean culinary traditions.
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