VALENTINE’S DAY

THE NEW HAUTE SPOT

Globally acclaimed Israeli restaurant, HaSalon, is curating a dining experience like no other in Miami Beach.

BY ADRIENNE FAUROTE

MAJOR FOOD GROUP HAS DONE IT AGAIN. THE GROUP WELCOMED ELECTRIC Israeli restaurant, HaSalon, down to Miami Beach on the heels of its other successful South Florida openings like Carbone and Sadelle’s Coconut Grove. HaSalon, renowned for its energetic atmosphere, transports you to the Mediterranean through both the cuisine and attitude — and is quickly becoming Miami’s newest hot spot.

Formerly known as the iconic Miami Beach institution China Grill for over two decades, HaSalon found its new home on the corner of Washington Avenue, making the space more legendary than ever. Miami is the latest city to join the HaSalon brand, joining sister cities Tel Aviv, New York City, and Ibiza. Made for Miami indeed, HaSalon has garnered the attention of both locals and visitors for an outstanding, modern menu and an evening intricately curated to provide guests with a unique dining experience. “Everyone who comes to HaSalon for the first time tells me that they’ve never had an experience like it,” says HaSalon founder Eyal Shani, the beloved chef, MasterChef judge, and restaurateur with over 30 successful ventures to his name. “The mood gets more and more energetic and convivial as the night goes on and guests get comfortable, but one thing never changes: the line of cooks working very quietly, very consciously, on their food.”

Haute Living sat down with Jeff Zalaznick, co-founder of Major Food Group, to understand the secret behind HaSalon’s unparalleled dining experience.

Haute Living: HaSalon has curated a dining vibe like no other in Miami. How did you achieve this?

Jeff Zalaznick: It is the first high-energy fine dining destination in Miami that unites celebration with culinary excellence. There are a lot of fun restaurants, but very often, the food is overlooked; that is why we have focused on creating a high-energy fine dining experience that delivers both the fun and the food at the highest level. HaSalon is simply legendary.

HL: Why did you pinpoint Miami as the latest city to open HaSalon?

JZ: It is one of a kind and the best in class, which is the only way to describe it. It is vibrant, convivial, luxurious, and energetic, just like this incredible city. I fell in love with the food and with the overall concept of HaSalon after spending some time in Tel Aviv a few years ago. The way the restaurant values unparalleled cuisine and a sense of fun felt very Major Food Group to me. I knew instantly that we could do extraordinary things together and that it was a concept that was born in Israel but made for Miami.

HL: In your own words, how would you describe HaSalon to someone going for the first time? JZ: If you like great food and you like to party, come for the second seating. If you like great food and don’t want to party, come for the first seating. There is something for everyone as long as they enjoy eating the highest caliber Mediterranean and Israeli food in the world.