Boulud Sud Miami Restaurant Opening
Boulud's former DB Bistro Moderne space receives an upgrade with a new Mediterranean concept
When James Beard Award-winning French chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud shuttered DB Bistro Moderne in September 2017, Miami wondered if he would return. This past January, Boulud kicked off round two with the opening of modern Mediterranean concept Boulud Sud.
Boulud Sud, which first launched in 2011 on New York's Upper West Side, brings together flavors rooted in nearly a dozen countries, from Italy and Greece to Tunisia, Lebanon and Turkey. The restaurant, located in the same space as Boulud's now-defunct DB Bistro Moderne, features a light and airy aesthetic with gold and neutral tones and pops of Moroccan-inspired tiles. It has a different layout as well, with multiple dining areas including a main room, bar and lounge; a terrace; and other private sections.
Similar to the NYC flagship, Boulud developed a menu centered on coastal-inspired spices, seasonings and cooking methods. Start with a crispy octopus á la plancha and the Arabic lamb flatbread topped with eggplant and pine nuts. Continue with a serving of Boulud's prized Moroccan chicken tagine—a slow-cooked stew of spiced meat and vegetables with couscous and cauliflower—with a side of patatas bravas drizzled in a garlic aioli. Finish with a grapefruit givré filled with sweet sorbet and topped with sesame foam and Turkish cotton candy. Find Miami flavor in the form of local brews, like La Rubia or Havana Lager from Concrete Beach. There are also tropical cocktails, such as the Jalisco Mule, blended with Suerte Tequila, hibiscus, lime and house-made ginger beer. The kitchen is led by chef Clark Bowen, who has worked with Boulud for nearly a decade.
"The design of Boulud Sud will bring together the charm of Provence, the warm spice and fragrant herbs of Mediterranean cuisine to pair with the casual elegance of Miami," Boulud says in a statement. "It will be the perfect backdrop for our vibrant Mediterranean menu."
In 2010, Boulud debuted French restaurant DB Bistro Moderne in Miami's JW Marriott Marquis downtown. In 2016, the restaurant hosted a short-lived Boulud Sud pop-up. At the time, there was no word it would replace DB Bistro. For now, Boulud Sud Miami is open for lunch and dinner. Happy hour and Sunday brunch will launch soon.
Clarissa Buch is a writer and editor who has covered Miami for more than half a decade. She focuses on food and culture (and food culture).