Breakwater and Grove Bay Hospitality Groups Announce the Highly Anticipated Opening of Ch’i
South Florida-based restaurant groups, Grove Bay Hospitality Group and Breakwater Hospitality Group are thrilled to announce the opening of their premiere collaborative concept, CH’I located in Miami’s Brickell City Centre. The multi-faceted entertainment venue fuses several immersive concepts – a Garden; Mercado; Lounge; and Main Dining Room – into one dynamic and incomparable experience. Beginning Thursday, June 3rd, patrons can preview the Garden and Mercado, with the entire space opening to the public on Friday, June 18. Advance reservations are now available online via Open Table.
“CH’I is by far and away one of the coolest, most unique concepts we’ve ever created,” said Francesco Balli, Co-CEO of Grove Bay. “We’re particularly excited about the dining component and to introduce our fresh take on Chino-Latino cuisine which celebrates all of our partners’ Hispanic roots with our shared love for Chinese food and culture.”
“Collaborating for the first time with our friends at Breakwater has made this particular opening that much more rewarding,” adds Ignacio Garcia-Menocal, Co-CEO of Grove Bay. “We have clearly each had success in our respective areas of expertise and this partnership allows us to combine our efforts to create something truly special.”
CH’I’s high-energy ambiance is felt throughout the massive 12,000 square foot indoor and outdoor space that boasts three full-service bars; two DJ booths; multiple lounge and dining areas; and a unique menu of Chino-Latino cuisine that is intensely flavored, imaginatively prepared, and equally celebratory of its heritage. Inspired by the Chinese cafes that first dotted the streets of Latin America, and then of Miami and New York, CH’I has created a style of entertainment, food, and service all its own.
“We are incredibly proud of the magic we’ve created at CH’I, blending four separate concepts into one amplified, jaw-dropping dining and nightlife experience,” says Emi Guerra, co-owner of Breakwater Hospitality. “Our guests have come to expect – and deserve – to be blown away; we’ve delivered something extraordinary that everyone will be able to enjoy, day and night.”
In CH’I’s Garden, guests can take advantage of Miami’s gorgeous tropical weather in the verdant open-air terrace. The full-service area features an island bar with plenty of outdoor seating and cozy cabanas centered around a large-scale dynamic light installation intertwined with lush greenery. Guests can order from the menu available from the adjacent Mercado, like dim sum and other casual bites. Energetic sounds from the DJ in the evenings and on weekends will set the mood and will make this space even more alluring for drinks and bites al fresco.
Guests access the main space through the Mercado, which is modeled after an Asian-themed market featuring casual menu offerings like Soups, Salads, Bao Buns, Rotisserie and Wok items available via grab-and-go or counter service. Upon entering, guests will feel transported to a secret market in New York’s Chinatown with bright neon signs mixed with retro design, dimmed lighting and a floor-to-ceiling display of antique objects and curious knick-knacks. For easy handheld options, Bao Buns are the perfect choice with selections like Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken made with fried chicken thighs, sweet chili sauce, jalapenos, pickled vegetables, and ginger aioli; and Lomo Saltado with beef tenderloin, pickled onions, tomato, cilantro, and aji amarillo mayo tucked into a steamed bun. From The Rotisserie, Habanero Char Sui Pork Ribs are made with Kurobuta pork ribs, scallions, sesame seeds, and habanero Chinese BBQ sauce and come with a choice of sides.
Through a large wooden door in the back of the Mercado, the cool and vibrant Lounge can be accessed. Here, guests are greeted with two impressive and vibrant murals by artist Mallory Dawn – pieces curated by The Art Plug –– atop a mirrored wall, and more than 150 paper lanterns strung overhead. Guests can partake in a vast selection of libations at a sprawling full-service bar while waiting for a table, or to simply enjoy drinks in the plush lounge seating while taking in the scene.
CH’I’s Main Dining Room menu further exemplifies the Chino-Latino fusion with an exceptional menu by Executive Chef Rafael Perez Cambana, who was inspired by traditional and contemporary Chinese and Latin cuisine. Formerly in the kitchen of such notable concepts as GKB in Wynwood, the Setai in South Beach, and the Mandarin Oriental Miami, the Peruvian-born chef looks to bring his distinguished gastronomic experience to this innovative concept. The menu, like the Mercado, features a variety of Soups, Salads, Dim Sum, and Small Plates, as well as more substantial Rotisserie; Wok items; and Signature Dishes. Here, Dim Sum options includes savory Shrimp Enchilados Dumplings filled with tiger shrimp, tomatoes, red bell peppers, and Spanish onions, served with huancaina sauce. Ropa Vieja Spring Rolls are a must-have from the Small Plates, with ropa vieja style braised Wagyu short ribs and served with cilantro mayo. Whereas more notable Signature Dishes include Peking Roasted Duck Tacos with whole Peking duck, flour tortillas, scallions, pickled vegetables, avocado, kimchi cream, and soy wasabi mayo; and a Porter House – 32-ounce fire-roasted porter house steak made with black pepper soy sauce, smoked chili sauce, and lemongrass ginger chimichurri.
The dining room is a chic and sophisticated space with large cushy booths, tropical décor, and Asian-inspired aesthetics. The variety of textures and visual components combine earthy brown and green velvets with hints of gold, vibrant jewel tones and sultry crimsons. Juxtaposing crystal chandeliers hang above with columns lined with wallpaper depicting tropical palm fronds running alongside wooden slats and exposed brick walls. Adjacent to the large luminescent main bar is additional seating perfect for large parties or celebrations. Music and lighting will play an integral part in the guest experience, controlled by an impressive indoor DJ booth; depending on the time of day the space will be lit up in radiant jewel tones, glowing shades of blues, and muted ambers. Following dinner service, the lights go down, the music turns up and the celebration begins. A full bar and bottle service is available until close, as well as the Mercado’s late-night selection of culinary delights.
From its décor to food and beverage, CH’I embodies the veritable melting pot that is South Florida. The vibe is the ultimate combination of laid-back meets heart thumping high energy. It’s the type of concept that you can visit when looking for a great meal with family, or to stay up late dancing and enjoying copious drinks with friends.
CH’I is located at 701 S Miami Ave #339a in Miami’s Brickell City Centre. Hours of operation: Mercado and Garden (beginning June 3rd): Sunday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m to 12 a.m. (extended to 3 a.m. June 18th); Dining Room and Lounge (beginning June 18th): Sunday-Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.; For reservations or more information, please visit chibrickell.com or call (305) 257-8726. Follow on Social Media via Instagram: @chibrickell; Facebook: @chibrickell; and Twitter: @chibrickell.