Villa Mayfair opens tonight on Florida Avenue

It's sure not the News Cafe anymore. Villa Mayfair, the new upscale dining spot at 2901 Florida Avenue, is set to open tonight, December 2. There was a soft opening earlier in the week with family and friends trying the new spot out, but the public is invited to the new elegant restaurant tonight.


It's got an old-world elegance about it, sort of the 1920s. At least, that's what I get from seeing the bar and the main dining room layout, a vison of designer Francois Frossard, the master artist behind Miami Beach's The Forge, Liv and Arkadia. He also designed three dining spots inside Brickell's Icon building.


Executive Chef Frederic Joulin has created a Mediterranean menu for Villa Mayfair, which will include fresh seasonal products. Featured is jamon iberico, patanegra, with red and yellow roasted pepper confit as appetizers. There's an oyster and raw bar, too. And meals such as Arborio risotto with foi gras; poached Turbot flavored in lemon confit, Maltaise sauce and semolina coucous; and olive encrusted rack of lamb with tomato confit. There's an official dessert called the Villa Mayfair Raspberry Macaroon.


After hours the restaurant will become a club and offer bottle service and have a DJ spinning. Following the December 2 grand opening, the normal operating hours will be Tuesday through Saturday from 7 pm to 3 am. To make reservations, please call 305-774-1500 or 305-774-1555.