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Miamians in the know are already aware of an exciting new restaurant and cocktail bar near the Miami River called Casa Florida.
Here, amid swaying palm trees and historic buildings that make up the riverside resort of Selina, patrons sip handcrafted cocktails in a tropical atmosphere that is decidedly tasteful and unpretentious.
Casa Florida, which is open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch, dinner and evening revelry, opened in early 2020 at 437 SW Second St. The popular spot is located a stone’s throw from the Miami River two blocks from W. Flagler Street and I-95.
Upon entering the century-old building, a vibe unlike any other in Miami gently awakens your senses and invites you to relax and leave your worries behind. The décor was thoughtfully designed to remind patrons of Florida’s fascinating heritage. Lovingly restored hardwood floors, colorful tropical paintings, pineapple shaped lamps and tables fashioned from Miami River lobster traps provide a warm setting that is complemented by lush foliage in the expansive outdoor seating area in the back.
“The details are in the details,” said Eduardo Suarez who, with business partner Gaston Gonzalez and owner Avra Jain, spent years visiting Florida cities such as St. Augustine and Ybor City, searching for antiques, researching the state’s history and selecting Florida food and beverage products to offer on Casa Florida’s menu.
“Our goal was to create an oasis that is not pretentious, a purely Florida experience where one can eat and drink the flavors of Florida. The design and décor are authentic and appeal to every one of your senses,” he said.
The clientele has been clearly impressed, as even during the height of the pandemic, the outdoor garden has done a brisk business during business hours, which are Thursday-Sunday for brunch through dinner.
Casa Florida is part of the historic former Miami River Inn which opened in the golden age of Miami just after the turn of the 20th Century, and guests of the 61-unit resort mingle among the regulars who visit to enjoy signature Casa Florida craft cocktails such as the best-selling Canoe Club, named for the 1920s-era Miami Canoe Club, a photo of which appears on the Casa Florida website. Other favorites include the Pink Flamingo, which Suarez describes as “our take on the pina colada, Alligator Alley and Mango Mojito.
“We take our time and do it right, when it comes to our craft cocktails. We use Florida-made products wherever possible, and locally sourced specialty fruits from South Florida,” Suarez said. “We also have our own signature Casa Florida Rum and Casa Florida Vodka through a collaboration with Big Cypress Distillery in Kendall, and will soon offer our own brand of gin.”
One of the most interesting and popular seating areas is the full-size 1971 city bus parked in the rear which has been modified to accommodate tables and chairs.
Complementing Casa Florida’s delicious cocktails and craft beers is a menu full that offers Florida seafood, fruit and vegetables. The selection is varied and exotic, including delights Palmito Ceviche, Broiled or Raw East Coast Oysters, Key West Shrimp Cocktail, Atlantic Tuna Tostada and Octopus Capaccio.
“Gaston and I have worked in the food and beverage industry around the world for years and saw how restaurants in other cities have to go to extremes to stand out. We realized that Casa Florida would be special because it’s a cocktail bar and restaurant where the historic setting and focus on Florida’s food and drink set it apart from anyplace else. We just embraced that which makes Florida so special.”
Casa Miami is located at 437 SW Second St., Miami, FL 33131. Open Wednesday-Sunday. More information is available at www.casafloridamiami.com.
