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Serena Moxy South Beach MIAMI
Words: Eleanor Howard Photography: © Michael Kleinberg
IN A BITE Owner: Lightstone Operator: Coyo Taco Group Architecture: Kobi Karp Architecture Interior Design: Saladino Design Studios Head Chef: Scott Linquist F&B Director: John Eldridge Head Bartender: Christian Rubio Head Sommelier: John Eldridge www.serenamiami.com
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ighting up Miami’s Art Deco district is
arrangements of plush sofas, banquettes,
the newly opened Moxy South Beach.
swinging bar stools, cushioned wrought-iron
Marking a new chapter for hospitality in
chairs and ceramic-tile tabletops. A domed
Miami Beach, the 202-key, eight-storey hotel
cast-iron canopy strung with twinkling
celebrates the city’s cosmopolitan culture and
lights and fragrant bougainvillea evokes the
breezy outdoor living, as well as blending the
indigenous markets of Michoacán, Tepoztlán,
glamour of Mid-Century Havana with the
and other Mexican locales.
artistry of contemporary Mexico City.
An outdoor kitchen – featuring a large
Moxy’s first resort-style outpost offers a
circular stone mill and a traditional comal –
diverse culinary line-up that spans six new
enables diners to watch Chef Scott Linquist and
dining and drinking venues, all operated
his team make nixtamal (corn) by grinding and
by the founders of Miami’s Coyo Taco and
shaping it by hand into fresh tortillas before
1-800-Lucky. One of the first to make its
cooking on a comal. Serena is one of the few
debut is Serena, an open-air restaurant and bar
establishments in Miami to follow this detailed
designed Saladino Design Studios.
process to produce dishes such as Uni and Crab
Located on a vibrant, planted terrace on the
Tostadas and Squash Blossom Quesadillas.
second floor, Serena channels the enchanting
Creative cocktails devised by acclaimed
rooftop and patio restaurants of Oaxaca and
mixologist Christian Rubio, along with beers
Mexico City. Inspired by the brightly hued works
and wines, are prepared in the greenhouse-like
of the great Modernist architect Luis Barragán,
bar with glass garage-style doors that open to
Serena’s garden-like outdoor dining area is a
warm beach breezes. Inside, the lounge has
vibrant mosaic in bold shades of pink, orange,
blue-painted beam ceilings and mosaic tiles
coral and blue, with fun and eclectic seating
reminiscent of an antique fountain.
