La Mar in Miami Celebrates 10th Anniversary with World's Top Culinary Talent This March
La Mar by Gastón Acurio, the acclaimed Peruvian restaurant at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, is thrilled to announce a two-night series of exclusive dining experiences to commemorate its 10th anniversary, taking place Thursday, March 28 and Friday, March 29, 2024. Led by the stellar talent of Executive Chef Diego Oka, La Mar by Gastón Acurio has consistently been lauded as one of the nation’s leading dining destinations since opening in 2014, earning accolades from the Florida MICHELIN Guide, the World's 50 Best Discovery, and recently named “Best Peruvian Restaurant in the U.S.” by El Comercio, Peru’s largest newspaper. To mark the occasion of a decade spent at the forefront of Miami’s vibrant dining scene representing the best of Peruvian cuisine, La Mar will host two evenings of exclusive gastronomic celebrations that will bring together the most renowned figures of the global culinary community.
The festivities are set to begin on March 28 when Oka and Gastòn Acurio, founder of La Mar and Acurio Restaurantes based in Peru, welcome fellow Peruvian luminaries Virgilio Martínez of Central, currently ranked the #1 restaurant in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants; Pia León of Kjolle, The World’s 50 Best “Best Female Chef” winner, ranked #28 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants and #8 in the Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants; and Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura from Maido, ranked #1 for three consecutive years in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants between 2017 and 2019 and back again in the #1 spot in 2023, as well as listed #6 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants. The show-stopping culinary lineup will feature a masterful six-course menu created by the world’s biggest icons of Peruvian cuisine. Priced at an accessible $180 per person, the once-in-a-lifetime evening promises to be an extraordinary dining experience produced as a gesture of gratitude to the Miami community for their years of loyal patronage, while also honoring Peruvian cuisine and the fusion of culinary artistry that has positioned La Mar as one of the nation’s unparalleled culinary jewels.
The festivities will culminate on Friday, March 29, as Oka will be joined by friends and visionaries in the local culinary community, including James Beard-nominated chef Valerie Chang of Maty’s; Carlos Garcia from Miami’s MICHELIN Guide-recommended Leku, as well as Alto in Venezuela, a regular in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list; Karla Hoyos from Tacotomia; and Alejandro Díaz, Chema Cárdenas and Santiago Huen from Miami Slice. The high-energy night will feature a vibrant array of hot and cold food stations hosted by some of Oka’s nearest and dearest chef friends, as well as a plethora of La Mar's signature bites that encapsulate the spirit and flavors of Peru. Inclusive of wine, spirits and bottomless Piscos, the 10th Anniversary party is priced at $250 per person. The celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will feature live music and entertainment from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., among other unmissable surprises.
"This 10th-anniversary dinner at La Mar is my heartfelt love letter to Miami—a vibrant city that has warmly embraced us from the very start,” says Acurio. “It's a gesture of thanks to our community and our most loyal guests, whose support has been the cornerstone of our success. Together, we've built not just a restaurant, but a family and a home. I am profoundly grateful for every moment, every meal, and for celebrating our journey together on this unforgettably special evening."
"As we celebrate La Mar's 10th anniversary, my heart is filled with gratitude towards my team, some of whom have been with me since the beginning. Their dedication and passion have been instrumental in our journey,” says Oka. “I'm also profoundly thankful for the Miami culinary community's unwavering support. It's truly humbling to see so many industry friends coming together to celebrate this milestone with us. This celebration is not just ours—it’s a testament to the bonds we've formed and the memories we've shared."
As La Mar steps into its next decade, it stands as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Peru and the innovative spirit of its modern menu. The 10th-anniversary events reflect this legacy, inviting guests to partake in a celebration of flavors, culture, and culinary artistry. Building on the momentum, Oka is poised to unveil a novel multi-course tasting menu at La Mar in the coming months, with each dish being served on uniquely crafted ceramic pottery molded by Oka himself. The gesture elegantly extends the restaurant's decennial celebrations, embodying its commitment to culinary innovation and excellence. More details on the anticipated launch of the tasting menu will be announced soon.
Tickets to La Mar’s 10th Anniversary celebrations are now available via the links below:
For more information, please visit La Mar’s website; call (305) 913-8358; email at momia-restaurants@mohg.com; and follow along on Instagram.
ABOUT LA MAR BY GASTÓN ACURIO
Helmed by Executive Chef Diego Oka and featuring the cuisine of acclaimed Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, La Mar by Gastón Acurio offers diners the chance to explore the authentic and diverse flavors of Peruvian gastronomy. With an atmospheric setting overlooking Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, the restaurant’s contemporary design provides the perfect backdrop for La Mar’s signature cebiches, freshly grilled anticuchos and specialty cocktails. Offering a mix of indoor and outdoor waterfront seating with three lively bars providing distinctive culinary experiences, the menu ranges from upscale novo-Andean fare to Asian-Peruvian fusion.
La Mar by Gastón Acurio is located at 500 Brickell Key Dr, Miami, FL 33131. Open for dinner seven nights a week: Sunday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to midnight. Brunch is served every Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please call (305) 913-8358; email at momia-restaurants@mohg.com; and follow along on Instagram.