Luxury Japanese restaurant Queen opens in Miami Beach | The USA Print

The Paris Theater, built in 1945 by art deco architect Henry Hohauser, was once home to hedonistic pleasures, a backdrop to record covers and videos by stars like Madonna, U2, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin.

Now, the jewel of Hohauser, who also designed the Essex House hotel in Miami Beach, houses one of the most luxurious restaurants in Miami.

Queen Miami Beach, which opens February 2, aims to bring the space back to its glamorous past. Defining its offerings as “the ultimate dining experience”, the restaurant serves Japanese dishes and strives to offer first-class hospitality combined with incredible glamour.

Restaurateur Mathieu Massa, owner of Queen, said that after 15 years in the Miami market, the time had come to create a truly luxury establishment in South Beach.

“Miami has recently experienced the arrival of some of the most influential people in the country, so we decided to go for this group, a more sophisticated, educated, elevated and mature type of clientele,” he said. “Our goal is to create the most beautiful, interesting, diverse and fun mix of people possible every night.”

The journey begins with a design by Carlos Rodríguez of Miami studio ModPlay that highlights 1940s architectural details. Step through the gilt doors under a JT Kalmar chandelier. Through the Art Deco corridor, there is the Salon Lounge, where you will find some very elegant chandeliers (Lobmeyr, in fact). Here’s the main bar—marble, of course—which has its own craft cocktail list and a wine and champagne list that boasts its collaboration with the exclusive Louis XIII brand.

The main dining room will take your breath away, with a Mondrian wall you’ll have a hard time taking your eyes off. If you want to look elsewhere, look up at the dome ceiling with its LED panels. You will not regret.

In the midst of all this old school glamour, there is a menu. Chef Julien Jouhannaud oversees the kitchen and, together with local chef Mitchell Hess, has created a menu that combines French techniques and Japanese ingredients. Seafood dishes range from sushi platters to giant seafood towers, and a charcoal oven and Robata grill enhance a steak program that includes American and Japanese wagyu.

But wait, there’s more exclusivity to discover. On the second floor is a secret omakase bar that overlooks the main dining room. Patrons can also sit on private balconies and watch the culinary chaos.

And if none of this sounds exclusive enough for you, there will also be a members-only lounge.

queen miami beach

Where: 550 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Opening: February 2, 2023

Schedule: 6 pm-afternoon Tuesday through Saturday

Reservations: queenmiamibeach.com