“People have a lot of expectations when they come here,” says Jonathan Gabbay, director of The Champagne Bar, the mythical Miami address at the Two-Michelin-Key Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club, “It’s a nearly 100-year-old bar and you don’t see that a lot here. I think the locals are proud to have a place like The Champagne Bar in Miami.”
Joining a Miami institution, which has seen the likes of Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor pass through its doors, certainly gave Gabbay the challenge he was looking for when he packed up his bags at the Four Seasons Geneva to head to the sun-soaked sands of Miami Beach, although the French bartender appears unfazed by the pressure of leading the bar into its next chapter. “Having all this history gives us even more tools to build with, it’s more a strength than a weakness,” says Gabbay, who has deftly brought his own creativity to the menu while respecting the bar’s storied past.
“The bar opened during a New Year’s Eve party, so we wanted to mix new cocktail trends with a festive feel and what we have as a legacy,” says Gabbay. The menu now offers three interpretations of one drink: the classic version and then a modern riff and champagne twist on the recipe. The champagne is of course apt given the setting—the bar has the largest selection of bubbles in Miami—but it’s also Gabbay’s more personal French touch. “Otherwise, it’s always trying to put some wine in the cocktail, if not champagne then vermouth for example. I think that’s what makes the cocktail really balanced.”
What Gabbay also found here was not only the opportunity to be a part of The Champagne Bar’s story but also be a part of a changing culinary scene in Miami. “I’ve only been here three years, but I’ve seen such a big evolution from three years ago to today,” he says, “Everyone works to have a better exposure for the whole city, we all support each other and try to grow together to show that Miami is not just a party city, she has so much more to offer.”
The same goes for the cocktail scene, which Gabbay says is also going from strength to strength. “I think Miami can easily compete today with a city like New York. New York has a bigger population of course, and more exposure, but more bars here are now getting recognition too, there is a lot of talent here.” Again, Gabbay thinks that whatever is good for the city is good for everyone, including the team at The Champagne Bar. “I hope this momentum is going to keep going and more people will hear about us. We have real mixologists here following the latest trends and trying new things. I want people to know we are more than just a hotel bar.”
Now he’s had a few years to get to know the city, MICHELIN has tapped Gabbay for his favorite bars, restaurants and more in Miami.
When you’re not behind the bar at Champagne Bar, where do you like to go for cocktails in Miami?
If I’m going for an apéro (what the French call an apéritif), I like ViceVersa, an Italian-style aperitivo bar that is actually run by the former bartender of Champagne Bar.
When I am in the mood for something more experimental, I go to Kaiju. It started as a pop-up by two friends and has since evolved into an actual bar. Each cocktail is themed after “Kiju” (Japanese for monster) and comes with a collectible card you can actually use in a game. It leans into the geeky side, but the cocktails are amazing. I think they are some of the best mixologists and cocktails in Miami.
For more of a Cuban experience and Latino spirit then of course, Cafe La Trova is a must. It’s a great place for Cuban vibes with live music, Cuban food and a nice daiquiri; the classics here are made to perfection.
For late-night cocktails, Sweet Liberty is a true Miami institution. I also like Swizzle, a speakeasy bar based around rum. It’s great for late nights because you can't see outside. It's cozy, nice service and there’s lots of rum to choose from.
Where do you like to go for a casual dinner with friends?
I would say my favorite place for a casual dinner is Tâm Tâm, a Vietnamese restaurant that for me is one of the best in Miami. It's not fancy, but the food is delicious, the service is on point and they have a great selection of wine and sake.
And what about when there’s a special occasion?
Right now, I like Macchialina, an Italian restaurant which, for me, has some of the best pasta in Miami. They also have an amazing wine selection and the sommelier, Jacqueline Pirolo, was named the MICHELIN Guide Florida Sommelier Award Winner this year.
I also really like LPM: good food, great cocktails and service. And 5pm to 7pm is the perfect time for a pre-dinner drink, with a special selection of cocktails.
Being French, where do you like to go for a goûter, the French version of tea time, with a sweet afternoon snack?
In the U.S., there’s not really this culture for tea time, it’s more about beer and maybe some oysters. So, if I am looking for a quick bite with a view in the afternoon I like Gramps Getaway. It’s a newer spot with great food, the best beer on draft and an amazing view of the city - perfect for a relaxed afternoon break. But if I am craving something sweet for a goûter, then Yann Couvreur, the French pastry chef, has opened a cafe in Wynwood, so that would be for my French afternoon break!
What about in the morning, where is your go to spot for coffee and pastries?
Magdalena Coffee Bar & Houseplants is a cozy, plant-filled café, known for its specialty Latin American coffee and chilled out tropical atmosphere.
Miami has great options for Cuban cuisine. What’s your favorite place?
Sanguich. It’s tiny, but it’s an iconic place and the best spot for an authentic Cuban Sandwich.
Hero image: Milagro for Four Seasons / Jonathan Gabbay
