Miami's 5 Hot New Restaurant Openings This Fall

Lippi (pictured), 600 Brickell Avenue, now open, the creation of Tuni Puri, partner and president at Zuma with French chef Philippe Cruz. Small plates are much on tap here with the cuisine inspired by the Mediterranean and Peru. Dishes include a wide selection of crudos, tartares, pastas and specialty grilled meats.It's pricey, but you can try it out with the two or three course business lunch special for $32 and can sit outside as well.

Semilla, 1330 Alton Road, now open, is the creation of charming Michelin pedigreed chef Frederic Joulin, his take on the hot new food category of gastropub, joining the likes of Perfecto and Bulla.It's comfortable yet hip, suiting its South Beach location, much like a neighborhood bistro. Judging by several visits both for dinner and happy hour, I see that diners have found out about the excellent food and reasonable prices, making this a destination in itself. Standouts are the lobster remoulade, braised short rib potstickers and to die for ice cream sliders,sure to be much imitated. Check out my review for more.

The Alchemist, 3252 Buena Vista Avenue, is not a restaurant in the much profiled boutique of the same name on Lincoln Road, but a new eatery opening this month in midtown. Chef is the Paul Bocuse Institute trained Christopher Chastang who will feature a seasonally changing menu, sensory dining meets high cuisine. The 50 seat restaurant will have two menu options: Petite Degustation of five courses at $90 a person or a seven course tasting at $125 per person. A look at the menu revealed dishes like nitro key lime and Matcha tea meringue; foie gras, rhubarb and strawberry; and lobster with green peas or wrap paper beef.

District Miami, 190 N.E. 40th Street, just joined its luxe neighbors in the Design District, offering “Pan American flavors”. Think creative ceviches and crudos, lobster malanga tacos, Afro Cuban pork, and cobia in a jerk adobo rub. For dessert try the 4 leches parfait with vanilla caramelized pineapple or “Black Magic”, semisweet chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache with housemade marshmallows. Executive chef Horacio Rivadero, formerly of Le Palme d'Or, was named Best New Chef for the Gulf Region by Food and Wine in 2012. The restaurant is the creation of Alexander Ringleb whose credits include Casa Tua here and Balthazar in New York. Indoor and outdoor seating. The décor is more northern than southern Florida, a décor trend of late.

Shikany, 251 NW 25th Street, is described as a ”multifunctional state-of-the-art creative culinary space, featuring contemporary and innovative global cuisine”, scheduled to open mid-month .The 4,000 square foot space will also be a “test kitchen and educational hub with cooking classes”. The food? “A multi-sensory dining experience like no other” is all they're letting on.

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