Cult following
Double Knot, Normandy Isle listings, Portosole, Cognac, Casa Bake, Four Seasons Palm Beach, best breweries with food, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Tied fast
The Skinny: Prolific Philadelphia-based chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson has transformed the former Wynwood Kitchen & Bar space at Wynwood Walls into an outpost of his moody izakaya Double Knot. It opened its doors last month.
The Vibe: Deliberately dark and seductive. Warm brass sconces cast amber light over distressed mirror treatments, and rope-adorned fixtures allude to a nautical theme without laying it on too thick. A small host area opens to the bar, with a dining room sprawling beyond it.
The Food: There’s satisfying Japanese fried chicken, but you’re there for the robust robatayaki. Scallops arrive thinly sliced with a house seasoning that enhances without overwhelming their delicate flavor, while the Kobe skewer melts in your mouth. Wagyu soup dumplings deliver a perfect moment of liquid release, and the smoky duck leg with subtle barbecue notes is simple and memorable. Mushroom fried rice offers comforting umami without an excess of salt. A good way to get acquainted is through the $68 Chef’s Select menu, which offers a sampling of 10 dishes, plus soft serve for dessert.
The Drink: Cocktails play into the nautical knots theme with names like The Double Knot (bourbon, rye, vermouth) and The Uni Knot (citrus vodka, cucumber, shiso). I tried the Spice Knot, essentially a boozy vodka lemonade in a dainty coupe, and one that drinks easier than it should.
The Verdict: While Wynwood increasingly caters to tourists hunting for Instagram moments, Double Knot delivers substance worth seeking out. It’s thoughtful Japanese dining at a great value. –Olee Fowler
→ Double Knot (Wynwood) • 2550 NW 2nd Ave • Sun-Mon 5-10p, Tue-Thu 5-11p, Fri-Sat 5p-12a • Reserve.
Photo: DK Miami/Double Knot
MIAMI RESTAURANT LINKS: Macchialina team opening Fluke Martini & Crudo Bar in original Macchialina space • In Coconut Grove, Sereia pressing pause after Saturday’s service • EntreNos finishing its run at Tinta y Cafe at end of June • Reclaiming the neighborhood bar.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale properties on Normandy Isle that came to market in the last 30 days.
→ 1423 Biarritz Dr (Normandy Isle) • 5BR/4BA, 3452 SF house • Ask: $2.45M • includes separate 1BR and studio in back • Days on market: 23 • Annual taxes: $17,361 • Agents: Hiro Sumida & Mariyeli Guseman, Coldwell Banker.
→ 7300 Trouville Esplanade (Normandy Isle) • 4BR/3BA, 2770 SF townhome • Ask: $2.5M • in new, 5-unit complex with direct Intracoastal access • Days on market: 21 • Annual taxes: $21,113 • Agent: Javier Martinez, Miami Beach Real Estate Group.
→ 1930 Bay Rd 2nd Level Unit (Normandy Isle, above) • 3BR/3.1BA, 2210 SF condo • Ask: $3.699M • full floor w/ 1200 SF private patio • Days on market: 21 • Monthly HOA: $2200 • Annual taxes: NA • Agent: Ashley Cusack, BHHS EWM.
MIAMI WORK AND PLAY LINKS: Residential inventory continues its rise in Miami-Dade • Why Miami developers are courting crypto buyers again • Private equity recruiting is out of control • Why banana is summer’s hottest scent.
WORK • Thursday Routine
Cafe con Cognac
FRANCISCO TONARELY • CEO and co-founder • Grand Brulot
Neighborhood you work & live in: Key Biscayne
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I wake up grateful for what makes every day special: family, health, friends, and a passion for what I do, even when it's tough. Grand Brulot is a beautiful mix of logistics, relationships, and creating opportunities for people to discover our cognac that’s blended with Ecuadoran 100-percent Robusta coffee beans. From the vineyards in France to bars and restaurants around the world, it's all about ensuring every detail, so our customers can savor the result.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today, I’ll be touching base with our supply chain management in Cognac, France. We need to make sure our paper labels are printed and review how purchases and sales are tracking. We’ll go over the plans to increase touch points across the U.S. in our 10 state region, as well as new programs in France across Paris, Bordeaux, and Lyon, and also, our accounts in London. We’ve recently established new accounts in Florida with Total Wine and Crown Wine & Spirits.
After checking in with our teams, I usually take my “Forrest Gump walk,” a 5.5- to 7.5-mile trek through Key Biscayne’s scenic routes, where I get some fresh air, clear my head and catch up on calls with colleagues or touch base with our more challenging partners. It’s a productive and peaceful break that helps me reset and decompress.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I’m a big believer in enjoying the experiences around me, especially when it involves people I admire. Dining is about more than just the food; it’s about the connection, the atmosphere, and the stories shared. Today for lunch, I’ll either go to visit Xiomara at Portosole in Coral Gables, or Gerry at Smith & Wollensky in South Beach.
Later, I’ll meet friends and colleagues at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club for a Last Night in Paris cocktail, which is made with Grand Brulot, Bulleit, and a touch of banana liqueur; it’s delicious. Then we’ll head to Dōma in Wynwood, another favorite of mine.
Any weekend getaways?
We love New York; it’s my getaway. I’m usually there every week from Tuesday to Friday. It’s my battery charge, the perfect blend of business and pleasure. Everything revolves around all the things we enjoy, great restaurants, bars, shows, and sights.
What was your last great vacation?
My work takes me to beautiful vineyards in the Cognac region of France. It’s not just work; it’s a deep passion for the craft. To taste world-class Cognac while enjoying fresh oysters is a joy. After that, we’ll take a quick drive to Bordeaux for fine dining and wine.
CULTURE & LEISURE • ECF
Yandel • Arsht Center (Downtown) • Fri @ 8p, orchestra, $136 per
Giants v Marlins • loanDepot Park (Little Havana) • Fri @ 710p • section 9, $63 per
Columbus v Inter Miami CF • Chase Stadium (Ft Lauderdale) • Sat @ 730p • section 101, $318 per
GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Bakery
Tropical croissant
Tucked away inside a nondescript warehouse just west of Tropical Park, Casa Bake opened last summer and swiftly developed a cult following. Inside, the smell of caramelized butter lingers, and shelves are lined with jars of local honey and jam sourced from Miami’s small-batch makers. On weekends, it’s not unusual for a line to start forming out the door early.
It’s one of the few places in Miami-Dade where you can still get a solid cappuccino for under $4, but the real draw is the classic croissant that shatters on impact, leaving buttery flakes everywhere, and the pain au chocolat — all crisp edges and perfect crackle. The almond croissant is rich with frangipane and a hint of amaretto, while the Danish Lorraine truffle is a buttery, flaky bite at the intersection of umami, earthy, and sweet.
You might think you can wait until you’re home to dig in, but chances are you won’t be able to resist before you’re out the door. –Katelin Stecz
→ Casa Bake (Glenvar Heights) • 7165 SW 47th St • Tue-Fri 8a-4p, Sat-Sun 8a-1p.
GETAWAYS • Palm Beach
Ocean sanctuary
After a sweeping redesign, Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach stands as a coastal sanctuary where luxury never feels stuffy. Designer Martin Brudnizki nailed the Palm Beach vibe with a palette of soft green and coral in a refreshed lobby that feels both polished and disarming.
My ocean-facing room was outfitted with seafoam walls, plush textiles, and understated coastal touches. The poolscape splits between a family zone humming with activity and a serene adults-only pool. Attendants circled with frozen fruit and chilled towels while I sipped a delightful spicy margarita from my cabana. Below, beach butlers arranged chairs on the pristine sand. Tennis courts, yoga, and paddleboards keep more active guests busy, while I perfected the art of pool-to-beach rotation.
The dining highlight was our evening at the hotel’s marquee restaurant Florie's, operated in partnership with Italian-Argentinian chef Mauro Colagreco of the acclaimed Mirazur in Menton, France. The legendary chef was in special residence on this night, and his outdoor asado unfolded poolside, where he created a traditional gaucho-style feast. Large tables adorned with cascading flowers created an elegant garden setting, with more blooms suspended from above. The prime rib and lamb were cooked above flames on metal crosses — a time-honored South American technique not often seen stateside.
When Colagreco’s back in Europe, the restaurant operates as a sophisticated all-day dining destination. The beachy-elegant restaurant serves a Mediterranean menu with dishes like burrata with local citrus and sea bass. The breakfast buffet features tropical fruits, made-to-order omelettes, pastries, and breads. Later, I found myself drawn to the long marble bar, where I nursed an herb-infused cocktail as golden hour flooded the space.
After a weekend here, returning to the realities of the mainland and Miami-Dade happens only with much reluctance. –Olee Fowler
→ Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach (Palm Beach) • 2800 South Ocean Blvd • From $899/wknd night.
GETAWAYS LINKS: In BVIs, new overwater Sundara Spa + Studio opens at Oil Nut Bay • Aman plans new resort set across two private cays in Exuma • Concourse K coming to MIA in 2029 • Ranking hotel pet peeves.
ASK FOUND
Today, three FOUND subscriber PROMPTS for which we seek intel:
After London and Paris, where should FOUND launch next?
What shops are you keeping an eye on for spring lines?
What’s your go-to Miami weekday breakfast spot?
Got answers or more questions? Hit reply or email found@itsfoundmiami.com.
RESTAURANTS & BARS • The Nines
Breweries, with food
The Nines are FOUND's distilled lists of the best in Miami and surrounds. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundmiami.com.
Cerveceria la Tropical (Wynwood), Cuba’s oldest brewery meets Michelle Bernstein food truck fare in airy, indoor-outdoor setting