Michelin adds two more outstanding Miami restaurants to its 2023 guide

Connie Ogle
·3 min read
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The Michelin Guide has just added two more Miami restaurants to its 2023 guide.

On Thursday, Rosie’s in Little River and Jaguar Sun in downtown Miami were named as “Bib Gourmand” selections.

The designation means that not only is the food of exceptional quality, the restaurants are “approachable in terms of price and atmosphere,” according to Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides.

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“These restaurant teams have a lot to be proud of,” he said in a statement.

According to the guide, Rosie’s, which serves Southern cuisine, “covers a generous amount of ground. Deviled eggs with chicharrones, biscuits in guanciale gravy and fluffy banana pancakes with vanilla custard are primo brunch favorites. Heartier hits, like fried hot chicken and waffles or a generous fried fish and grits with collard greens, satiate larger appetites.”

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Husband-and-wife team Jamila and Akino West of Rosie’s in Miami.
Husband-and-wife team Jamila and Akino West of Rosie’s in Miami.

Akino West, who runs Rosie’s his wife Jamila, heard the good news from friends.

“It’s always from my friends — they find out before me,” he said, laughing. “We’re super excited. We keep pushing ourselves every day to get better and be consistent. Now we have the accolades to help us keep driving. And what my team has done — I can’t do this by myself. They’ve been so supportive of what we’ve been able to create.”

Rosie’s was one of eight new Miami restaurants noted by the guide in February, along with Brasserie Laurel; Fiola Miami; Lido; Lion & the Rambler; Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt; The Gibson Room; and Walrus Rodeo.

Jaguar Sun, located in the downtown Miami Alea building and known for its homemade pastas and cocktails, “cooks as well as it shakes,” according to the guide. “Warm Parker House rolls and Caesar salads stacked to the sky are opening acts to an umami-packed mushroom tagliatelle or spicy strozzapreti with plump mussels, ‘nduja and breadcrumbs. A warm, personal staff makes everyone feel like a regular.”

Will Thompson, co-owner and manager of Jaguar Sun, said the fact that Michelin considered his tiny lobby restaurant was “amazing.”

“We’re thrilled to be on a list with so many of our peers, but I don’t know that it’s the end of the path for us,” he said. “We’re going to try and push ourselves to the highest levels. . . . Every day, we try to throw the best dinner party and the best cocktail party. We did that yesterday, and that’s what we’ll do tomorrow.”

Four Orlando restaurants also were named Bib Gourmands: Thai restaurant Isan Zaap; Norigama in Winter Garden, which serves Japanese fare and sushi; Cuban spot Otto’s High Dive; and Taste of Chengdu, which offers Chinese and Sichuan cuisine.

Two Tampa restaurants also made the guide: Gorkhali Kitchen, which serves cuisine from Nepal, and Greek restaurant Psomi.

The announcement comes in the run-up to the Michelin Guide Ceremony for 2023, which takes place May 11 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. In 2022, the first time the guide came to Miami, 11 local restaurants earned Michelin stars and 19 were recognized as Bib Gourmands.

The bar at Jaguar Sun, which was just named a Bib Gourmand by the 2023 Michelin Guide.
The bar at Jaguar Sun, which was just named a Bib Gourmand by the 2023 Michelin Guide.

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