Mediterranean Restaurant, Aba, Opens Wednesday, November 2
MIAMI, FL (November 1, 2022) – Aba, the popular Mediterranean restaurant with outposts in Chicago and Austin, is opening its doors in Miami’s Bal Harbour Shops on Wednesday, November 2. As part of Chicago-based restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Aba will be the group’s first South Florida location. Created by Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs and Top Chef Alum, Chef Partner CJ Jacobson, Aba incorporates a lighter style of cooking with influences from around the Mediterranean.
“Lettuce Entertain You is excited to plant roots in South Florida for the first time with the opening of Aba. It means a lot to me to open our first location in Florida in a place like Bal Harbour Shops that was special to me growing up,” says R.J. Melman, President, Lettuce Entertain You. “The energy of the South Florida dining scene is incredible and we look forward to being a part of it with Aba and RPM Italian, which will open in West Palm Beach in 2023.”
Aba, which means father in Hebrew, features a menu that fuses flavors from across the Mediterranean with influences hailing from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. Highlights from the menu include the Carrot and Sunflower Dip, prepared with sunflower tahini; the Everything Jerusalem Bagel, served with smoked salmon spread, hamachi and charred avocado; and the Shawarma Spiced Skirt Steak with black garlic mushroom jus.
Aba’s bar program and wine list features selections from across the Mediterranean and Southern California with a focus on those utilizing sustainable, organic and/or biodynamic growing practices. Standout cocktails include the Aloe? It’s Me, Watermelon G & T and Girl On Fire, plus higher-end pours found on the reserve cocktail list as well as carefully crafted zero-proof options featuring local ingredients and fresh flavors.
Taken from a scene off the Mediterranean coast, the 250+ seat restaurant evokes Summer in the Mediterranean with its lush interior dining room featuring earthy tones and natural elements that brings the outside in. The restaurant is anchored by stunning olive trees, climbing ivy, hanging plants and potted trees, as well as vintage and found light fixtures including original holophane Parisian street lamps and gold Moroccan fixtures. A charming arched hallway connects both ends of the space, with ivory and cream textured walls surrounding furniture from rich brown leathers, wicker and teak. The outdoor meets the indoors by way of grand French-style operable windows and doors opening to a breezy ground-floor patio where guests can dine al fresco. Just a few steps upstairs leads guests to the second-floor mezzanine, featuring an intimate bar and additional outdoor seating, which makes for an ideal space for events and celebrations.
“We look forward to joining Miami’s growing culinary community, and are excited to bring Aba’s menu and service to Bal Harbour!” says Marc Jacobs. “Miami’s culinary scene continues to grow in flavor and creativity, and we look forward to being part of that community.”
Aba is located at the Bal Harbour Shops at 9700 Collins Ave, Suite 101, Bal Harbour, FL 33154. The restaurant will be open daily for dinner from 4:00 PM -11:00 PM with weekday lunch and weekend brunch to follow later this month. For more information and reservations, please visit www.abarestaurants.com or www.lettuce.com and follow the restaurant on Instagram: @abarestaurant.
