Kuba on the Bay, a lively dining concept which stems from the beautiful traditions of Latin and Caribbean music, cuisine and culture, will debut at Miami’s bustling Bayside Marketplace on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021. UMG Hospitality Group’s Kuba Cabana at CityPlace Doral proved so successful that founders Dieuveny “DJ” Jean Louis and David Garretson are expanding the dining concept with a second location at Bayside Marketplace.
“Kuba Cabana, our flagship location at CityPlace Doral, has been so wildly popular that we are opening a second location at Bayside Marketplace,” said Louis. “Kuba on the Bay takes the vibe of Kuba Cabana to the next level with a few exciting twists. Our goal is to offer unique, dynamic, and memorable dining experiences for everyone to enjoy.”
The 2,000-square-foot restaurant boasts an additional 1,750 square-feet of terrace space overlooking Biscayne Bay and will be located at 401 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. R106, Miami, FL 33132.
“As a popular waterfront dining, entertainment and shopping complex, Bayside Marketplace is the ideal location for Kuba on the Bay,” said Garretson. “Situated in the former Latin American Bayside Cuban Café space, Kuba on the Bay fits in perfectly at this beautiful open-air, bayside setting, which embodies the ‘real Miami.’”
The energetic, culinary-focused venue will serve a modern Latin-inspired menu where “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami.” Reminiscent of a scene from Old Havana, the restaurant leaves no detail overlooked in both its interior and exterior spaces. Featuring unmistakable Cuban and Caribbean flair, the restaurant will boast vibrant décor from neon signs and tropical foliage to walls donned with Cuban-inspired art from local artists. Its walls and artwork are hand-painted. The outside bar is constructed from a shiny, vintage red Pontiac Star Chief Convertible, to allow guests to travel back in time when sipping a cocktail or enjoying dinner on the terrace. The restaurant features interior design by renowned Mexican design firm Concepto Visual Estudio, but the overall concept was imagined by the executive team, who traveled to Cuba for inspiration for the design.
Guests can choose to dine al fresco on the water-front terrace overlooking the bay, or they can opt for the more formal option, the Kuba Social Club, which features floor-to-ceiling drapery, hand-painted walls and canvases and a stage for a DJ and special performances. Kuba on the Bay will emanate a sultry soundtrack of rumba, salsa, flamenco and tunes from the rich musical cultures of Latin America, as well as local DJs.
Director of Operations Enrique Oropesa will lead the restaurant’s operation with the culinary team, who have both helped make Kuba Cabana a successful venture in the CityPlace Doral location.
The culinary program, led by Corporate Chef Jorge Mas and Executive Chef Pedro Sarracino, will bring Latin and Caribbean-style dining to an entirely new level. Both chefs have extensive experience in the international culinary world and Miami dining scene.
“We designed Kuba on the Bay’s Latin-inspired menu to bring the most popular menu items from KubaCabana, as well as showcase other savory new dishes representing Miami’s cultural scene,” said Chef Mas. “By incorporating the popular flavors of Cuban and Caribbean cuisines to bring out the best Latin fare, we are happy to offer our guests a truly unforgettable dining experience.”
The cocktail menu will feature specialty Latin-inspired cocktails such as mojitos, piña coladas and fresh fruit daiquiris, in addition to craft beers and an extensive wine list. Bottle service is also available.
A few signature dishes include:
- Tuna Tartare– Papaya, fermented adobo, burnt avocado, blue corn chips
- Kubiche – Fish ceviche, ají cachucha, leche de tigre, red onion, cilantro
- Swordfish Carpaccio – Lemon vinaigrette, Florida oranges, fried capers, leek oil
- Yuca Lote– Fried yuca ‘’Mexican Elote style,’’ mojo crema, cotija cheese, chili-lime
- Not Your Caesar – Charred iceberg lettuce, smoked roe dressing, rye-crumbs, chives
- Burrata y Papaya– Heirloom tomatoes, burnt papaya, pesto and balsamic glaze
- Short Rib – Asado negro style, boniato puree, apple gremolata
- Pesca’o Frito– Whole-fried snapper, charred yellow peppers, lemon
- Arroz de Mar – Corvina, octopus, squid, shrimp
Signature craft cocktails include:
- Melon Toast– Toast™ Vodka, lime juice, simple syrup and muddle watermelon
- Kuba Old Fashioned– Nativo™ Rum, angostura bitters, lightly sweetened by Kuba Cabana’s house made simple syrup
- Mojito– Cruzan Rum, lime, sugar, and mint topped with soda water and a choice of fresh blueberry, mango, passion fruit, strawberry, coconut, guava, raspberry or lychee
- Diablo Maracuja– Vida Mezcal, passion fruit, muddled lemon, sugar and a touch of jalapeno
- Kuba Lava– Powerful concoction of Tequilas Blanco, Reposado, Aneja and Mezcal, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup, finished with a splash of grapefruit juice
Delicious dessert dishes include:
- Chocoland – Nutella mousse, chocolate cookies, dark chocolate and guajillo dust
- Timba – Guava cheesecake, pastelito crumbs, spiced guava sauce, guava gel
- Arroz Con Leche – Coconut strudel, passion fruit, merengue
Kuba on the Bay’s initial hours of operation will be from 11 a.m.–close, seven days a week. Happy Hour will be offered Monday–Friday 4–6 p.m.
About Kuba on the Bay
Kuba on the Bay is an energetic, waterfront culinary experience-based venue serving a Latin-inspired menu, with flavors representing Miami’s cultural scene. It can best be described as an atmosphere where “Old World Cuba Meets Modern Miami.” The concept, which stems from the beautiful traditions of Latin music, cuisine and culture, is located at Bayside Marketplace, and was founded by Dieuveny “DJ” Jean Louis and David Garretson of UMG Hospitality Group. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m.–close, seven days a week. It is located at 401 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. R106, Miami, FL 33132. For more information, visit www.kubamiami.com, www.facebook.com/KubaOnTheBay, www.instagram.com/kubaonthebay/, or call 305.800.5822.
About UMG Hospitality Group
Building on their love of the restaurant and entertainment industry, Dieuveny “DJ” Jean Louis and David Garretson founded UMG Hospitality Group in 2018. The group includes Kuba Cabana, a lively dining concept which stems from the beautiful traditions of Latin and Caribbean music, cuisine and culture; Heaven Mykonos, a Mediterranean-themed restaurant focused on tapas and wine served in a dynamic, sexy lounge atmosphere; and Kuba on the Bay, a largely outdoor dining experience that combines the colorful cuisine and culture of CityPlace Doral’s Kuba Cabana with the stunning Downtown waterfront, located at Miami’s lively Bayside Marketplace. Kuba Cabana and Heaven Mykonos are located at the vibrant CityPlace Doral in Doral, Florida. A serial entrepreneur since age 19, the Haitian-born Louis, a resident of Miami since he was 10 years old, was a successful investor in the famous franchise Miami Subs in 2011, created Toast™ Vodka in 2014, founded Miami-based spirits conglomerate Toast Distillers, Inc. (“Toast”) in 2019, and much more. Garretsonbrings years of financial leadership as well as public company experience in the hospitality industry to thecompany. For more information, please contact info@umghosp.com.
About Bayside Marketplace
Located on Biscayne Bay in the heart of Downtown Miami, visitors of Bayside Marketplace can experience thereal Miami ― home to impeccable international cuisine, fine shops and exotic music in a beautiful, waterfront setting. This two-level, open-air festival center features more than 150 shops including unique and national retailers such as Guess, GAP, and Victoria’s Secret, as well as 12 delicious restaurants, such as Bubba Gump, Hard Rock Café, and The Knife. In addition to the numerous shopping and dining options, visitors can also enjoy free live music performances at Bayside Marketplace’s stage every day from Miami’s best local musicians. Visitors can enjoy a few drinks by the water or hop on a refreshing Bay cruise, from tours of thecelebrity homes on Star Island to gambling cruises, fishing and party charters. Water Taxi Miami service from Bayside to Miami Beach Marina, Key Biscayne, Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Eden Roc Miami Beach and Coconut Grove is also available. Bayside is the No. 1 most-visited tourist attraction in Miami, with an impressive No. 5 ranking statewide. Bayside Marketplace is located at 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132. Find out more information and get a complete list of retailers.
