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A neighborhood restaurant with Latin roots and a Grovite at heart
Step into the heart of Coconut Grove and discover the vibrant history behind one of its most beloved institutions – Jaguar Restaurant. With its roots dating back 18 years, this family-owned gem has been serving up Latin American cuisine with a flair that is distinctly its own.
Chef Oscar Del Rivero, the culinary maestro behind Jaguar, takes us on a journey through the restaurant’s evolution and its special place in the community. From a concept that began with ceviches served by the spoon to an extensive menu featuring dishes from Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, and beyond, Jaguar captures the essence of Latin American flavors and traditions.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the story of Jaguar Restaurant and explore what makes it one of the most beloved restaurants in the Grove dining scene. Today, we chat it up with Chef Oscar Del Rivero to uncover the secrets behind this culinary haven.
BID: Let’s get right to it and start from the beginning, with a quick rundown of the vibrant history of this revered Grove institution.
CHEF OSCAR: Jaguar’s rundown? 18 years ago, we opened a family-run restaurant in Coconut Grove. Our concept was to showcase the diversity within Latin American cuisine. We are featuring a Ceviche Spoon Bar and an assortment of choice Latin cuts of beef, ceviches, a variety of delectable sauces and of course some casual fare. Thru the years we have featured plenty of dishes from across the continent.
Our goal was and still is, to provide our guests a great experience and to enjoy our culture along with it. As with many Latin cultures, we wanted our guests to feel genuinely welcome, comfortable, and at home. Jaguar is also known for delicious drinks such as our Margaritas, Mojitos, Caipirinhas, and of course our wines! Jaguar has been a neighborhood restaurant with Latin roots and a Grovite at heart where everyone is welcome to have a great time since 2005.
BID: What sets Jaguar Restaurant apart from the other dining establishments in the Grove, and how does it infuse its own unique flair into the local culinary scene?
CHEF OSCAR: We offer a casual atmosphere with high-quality food, extraordinary flavors, and friendly service at a neighborhood price point.
BID: I’ve always been curious about this one: Why is the restaurant called Jaguar? Is there any symbolism or a particular sentiment attached to the graceful forest feline?
CHEF OSCAR: Respected and revered for thousands of years, the jaguar has played an important role in the ecosystems of its natural habitat, Central and South America. It is this region of the world, the Jaguar’s range that is the inspiration behind our cuisine and our restaurant. This Jaguar Spirit is alive in all Latin American Countries in one way or another. It represents strength, the warmth, and resilience.
BID: I feel most places specialize in one country or region’s cuisine, yet Jaguar offers dishes from Peru, Mexico, and Venezuela, as well as wines from Chile and Argentina. Is this on purpose? If so, why do you feel it’s important to present such a diverse menu?
CHEF OSCAR: Our family is originally from Mexico, and when we arrived in Miami, we were fascinated by the diversity of its population. We decided to honor the diversity in Latin American cuisine and showcase it as best we could, following timeless traditions, techniques, ingredients, and flavors.
BID: Among the array of tempting dishes on your menu, could you reveal some standout culinary gems that guests absolutely rave about — and a couple you wholeheartedly recommend?
CHEF OSCAR: I could go on and on about the food, as we are a chef-driven restaurant. That being said, our ceviches are the real stars at Jaguar. Using great quality fish delivers the quality that represents what we do for our guests. A crowd pleaser for the whole family is STEAK TACOS. We cut small size lean flank steak served in a hot skillet, fresh tortillas, guacamole, and salsas to build your own taco, and if not in the mood for steak, the fish tacos are extraordinary.
Lastly, I wholeheartedly recommend our CHICKEN PATAGONIA. Irresistibly crispy and juicy, this dish comes with a mango salsa criolla that is both refreshing and bold, and to compliment a Caribbean jerk aioli that is flavorful and creamy.
BID: South Florida is home to extensive quality farmland. Does Jaguar incorporate locally sourced ingredients into its dishes? If so, may you name a few?
CHEF OSCAR: During the summer we cannot get enough of the sweet ripe mangoes that Miami has to offer. Mangoes make it into a delicious Quinoa salad, our Chicken Patagonia mango criolla, and also turns up on Ceviche Specials created by our chefs.
BID: Jaguar has been an institution for almost two decades now. Behind that success must be an extraordinary culinary team as well as some involvement in the community. How have the neighborhood of Coconut Grove, the businesses here, and the BID team helped shape your journey?
CHEF OSCAR: The locals have always taken to Jaguar, their love and loyalty are unparalleled. The schools and businesses around the area have also always shown their support as well. We also love to participate in all the community events that make Coconut Grove an amazing place. From the Coconut Grove Art Festival to King Mango Strut and more! We could not have landed in a better place. The BID, neighbors, and locals have made Jaguar what it is now, and we hope we can continue to provide an excellent experience for all our guests and their loved ones.
BID: How has our magical neighborhood evolved since you first opened doors here?
CHEF OSCAR: Coconut Grove’s evolution as seen through Jaguar’s eyes has been exponential. Its growth has made this one of the most interesting places around Miami. It has beautiful new architecture as well as classic buildings and historic parks and buildings. This might be the only neighborhood that can be avant-garde and still have an authentic warm and relaxed vibe. As my dad always describes it, “Coconut Grove, Always Cool, Always Warm.” We love the Grove.
BID: As a beloved member of the Coconut Grove community, in what ways has Jaguar Restaurant given back and enriched the local neighborhood?
CHEF OSCAR: Since the beginning, giving back has been important. From the Buoniconti Foundation to Shake-a-Leg programs, we have been part of many wonderful organizations, and from a few years back also with the BID’s support, participating with GROVE STOVES was one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences where the Grove came together for a common good.
BID: Describe the ambiance and atmosphere of Jaguar Restaurant. How do the setting and “vibe” elevate the overall dining experience for guests?
CHEF OSCAR: The atmosphere at Jaguar has always been casual with special attention and care for our guests. Jaguar is comfortable and unpretentious. Come as you are and feel free to be yourself. We believe it is welcoming to both families and businesspeople and believe it or not we love pets as well. Our efforts are to provide a great experience from beginning to end. Honest service and welcoming attitudes from our managers are our goal.
BID: Speaking of vibes, are there any upcoming restaurant events and promotions on the horizon that you’d like to share with us?
CHEF OSCAR: I am happy you asked! Casa Latina is a series of events designed for the summer. We feature a special menu with wine pairings each designed to represent a Latin American City or Region. We had Casa San Juan for July 12 with Puerto Rican jewels that we love, like Mofongo. On July 26 we represented Patagonia with a nice ASADO representing Argentina & Uruguay. Lima and their cuisine will be featured on August 9. Ensenada and their seafood universe on August 23. Casa Rio will showcase Brazil’s amazing ingredients on September 6. Casa Guayaquil on Sept 20 and Casa Bogota on October 4. It’s going to be fun!
BID: There has been a distinct rise in the popularity of Latin American cuisine, even outside the magic city. Besides the growing community, what is it about the food that’s so desirable and keeps new faces coming back?
CHEF OSCAR: I believe there are a lot of great cuisines that have not been properly executed, and talented chefs are using their skills to represent each Latin American cuisine as best as possible. Also, people are now more open to new flavors and foods. It is a perfect combination to grow our knowledge of Latin Cuisines, learning about a region’s food is like traveling. We can learn a lot about a culture through food.
BID: Lastly, outside the restaurant life, what’s your passion?
CHEF OSCAR: Gardening. There is something refreshing that I enjoy about taking care of plants. I like to work with my hands and the soil. I find it rewarding and it brings me joy.
