Michelin-Recognized MIMI Chinese Arrives in Miami Beach: A Bold New Chapter for Regional Chinese Cuisine

For those seeking fresh perspectives on fine dining, Miami Beach welcomes a new gastronomic marvel that promises to capture the city’s adventurous culinary spirit. On December 21, 2024, the Michelin-recognized MIMI Chinese—originally a Toronto sensation—opened its first U.S. outpost at 1575 Alton Road. This milestone marks a new chapter for Big Hug Hospitality, the group that has quickly garnered acclaim across Canada’s food scene with concepts like MIMI Chinese, Sunnys Chinese, and Linny’s. Now poised to make waves in Miami, MIMI Chinese aims to enthrall discerning palates by blending time-honored Chinese traditions with inventive flair.

MIMI Chinese took Toronto by storm when it opened in 2020. Led by two pivotal figures—Culinary Director and Co-Founder David Schwartz (2023 Michelin Guide Toronto’s Young Chef Award recipient) and Executive Chef Braden Chong—the restaurant quickly rose to prominence for its nuanced takes on regional Chinese cuisine. Recognized by the Michelin Guide for two consecutive years, MIMI Chinese carved out a distinct identity: a respect for centuries-old methods paired with a distinct modern perspective. Dishes like their now-famous Shrimp Toast and the Grilled Chicken Thigh at sister concept Sunnys Chinese landed on the Michelin Guide’s top-seven list in Toronto, underscoring the team’s ability to unite authenticity with creativity.

Their success in Toronto accelerated Big Hug Hospitality’s expansion plans. Founded in 2019 by Schwartz and Brandon Marek of Harlo Entertainment, Big Hug Hospitality embraces a “Culture of Kindness,” ensuring employees thrive while delivering exceptional experiences to guests. The decision to unveil MIMI Chinese in Miami demonstrates the group’s eagerness to bring a dynamic new interpretation of Chinese cooking to one of North America’s most vibrant dining destinations.

While many contemporary Chinese eateries tout “modernization,” MIMI Chinese’s ethos is rooted in honoring heritage. The menu pays homage to the flavors of Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, and Hunan, reflecting the broad culinary canvas that shapes Chinese gastronomy. By highlighting the origins of each dish, guests are encouraged to savor the myriad regional influences that converge on the plate.

Culinary Director David Schwartz puts it best: “We’re not here to elevate a food culture—we’re here to honor it. We want to champion the depth and heritage of Chinese cooking, acknowledging its complexity and beauty while adding our own creative spin.” His words hint at a reverence for technique, tradition, and innovation, all wrapped in a warm, guest-centered approach.

Stepping into MIMI Chinese means encountering time-tested flavor profiles that have been reimagined for a contemporary audience. Signature plates—such as the delicately crisp Shrimp Toast, robust Hunan Chili Sea Bass, or the Four Foot Belt Noodle—encapsulate a forward-thinking style that remains deeply respectful of each dish’s historical roots.

Both David Schwartz and Executive Chef Braden Chong bring their own personal narratives to MIMI Chinese. Born and raised in Toronto, Schwartz found his passion for Cantonese cuisine early on, frequenting local Chinese eateries with his family. His appreciation for Chinese cooking grew into a profession, propelling him from humble beginnings as a food runner to co-founding some of Toronto’s most high-profile Chinese culinary destinations.

Chong’s story is equally compelling. A third-generation Chinese Canadian, he spent his formative years immersed in his family’s farming and restaurant operations. His grandparents grew Chinese vegetables that they supplied to neighborhood eateries, instilling in him a deep understanding of sustainability and ingredient-driven cooking. After gaining formative experience at notable Toronto establishments—Grey Gardens, La Banane, and DaiLo—Chong honed his craft internationally at Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan. There, he combined Japanese precision and Nordic innovation with his own heritage-driven passion for Chinese cuisine.

When Schwartz reached out to Chong with the opportunity to launch MIMI Chinese in Toronto, a potent partnership was born. Their complementary backgrounds—traditional and modern, East and West—infuse MIMI Chinese with an atmosphere that is as forward-thinking as it is steeped in tradition.

Choosing Miami Beach as MIMI Chinese’s first U.S. location was no accident. The city’s perpetual energy, cultural diversity, and flair for bold flavors create an ideal backdrop for a restaurant seeking to make a statement. Miami is famous for its robust dining scene, shaped by Latin, Caribbean, and European influences. MIMI Chinese adds another layer to this cultural mosaic, introducing guests to a realm of carefully articulated Chinese tastes and textures.

True to its Toronto predecessor, MIMI Chinese Miami aims to entice all the senses. Its “theatre of dining” concept goes well beyond plated food; it envelops patrons in a captivating atmosphere from the moment they walk through the door. There are no windows to the outside world—by design—inviting guests to temporarily step out of reality and dive headlong into a culinary performance.

Dim lighting, plush red banquettes, and the heady aroma of freshly toasted Sichuan peppercorns set a stage that is both intimate and enlivening. Servers in crisp bowties glide between tables, each course arriving like a chapter in a carefully crafted narrative. This choreographed ambience underscores Big Hug Hospitality’s commitment to creating experiences that are simultaneously luxurious and approachable, bridging the gap between tradition and modern comfort.

At the heart of MIMI Chinese’s menu lie dishes that straddle heritage and invention. The Hunan Chili Sea Bass, for instance, showcases a symphony of heat and spice balanced by the mild sweetness of the fish. Meanwhile, the House Char Siu pays tribute to one of Cantonese cooking’s most iconic preparations—yet reinterprets it through an elevated lens, focusing on premium cuts of pork and refined cooking techniques.

Another signature is the Hidden Crispy Chicken, where succulent poultry meets a delicate crunch that reveals layers of flavor beneath. It’s emblematic of the MIMI Chinese approach: simultaneously comforting and exciting, gastronomically rich yet never alienating to those new to regional Chinese cuisine.

No luxurious dining experience is complete without a beverage program that matches the ambition of the kitchen. Here, MIMI Chinese excels. Guests can explore an extensive wine list, a curated selection of sakes, and even baijiu—China’s storied spirit known for its fragrant, bold character. For larger parties or celebratory moments, magnum-sized sake bottles and artisanal cocktails offer a festive twist, encouraging the communal spirit that defines the Chinese dining tradition.

What may set MIMI Chinese apart from other upscale establishments is Big Hug Hospitality’s unwavering commitment to a “Culture of Kindness.” Founded by Schwartz and Marek in 2019, the group believes in nurturing not just customer satisfaction but employee well-being. This mindset influences hiring, training, and daily operations, creating a work environment where staff can genuinely flourish.

Harlo Entertainment, co-founded by Marek, plays a pivotal role in sustaining this culture. By combining strategic optimization with a passion for memorable hospitality, Harlo invests in properties and experiences that resonate with a new generation of diners. With MIMI Chinese in Miami, Harlo Entertainment supports a concept that is about more than culinary prowess; it’s a testament to the synergy of genuine kindness and unyielding quality.

The December 21, 2024, opening isn’t merely a chance to taste Michelin-recognized cuisine—it’s an invitation to immerse oneself in a deeper narrative. MIMI Chinese strives to foster an appreciation for the breadth of Chinese cooking, challenging the notion that it exists solely in quick takeout boxes. Through thoughtful sourcing, innovative kitchen techniques, and a flair for presentation, the restaurant pays homage to the culinary ethos of regions often overlooked in mainstream Western interpretations of Chinese food.

For Schwartz and Chong, the Miami location is just the beginning of a broader vision. Big Hug Hospitality’s most recent project, Linny’s, demonstrated the team’s willingness to explore new frontiers—evidenced by its deli-inspired steakhouse concept that merges personal history with culinary innovation. If MIMI Chinese’s Miami Beach debut follows a similar trajectory, diners can anticipate further imaginative forays from this dynamic group.

Strangely enough, the absence of windows in MIMI Chinese’s dining room may be the best metaphor for the restaurant’s ambitions. By removing outside distractions, Schwartz and Chong have crafted a bubble where every detail—the flavors, scents, and visual cues—converges into a cohesive, immersive experience. It’s a testament to their belief that dining is not just about sustenance, but about storytelling and transporting guests to another place and time.

As Miami Beach locals and visitors step into MIMI Chinese, they embark on a voyage that highlights the artistry of Chinese cuisine. From the subdued glow of red lanterns to the sharp crackle of chili peppers in the wok, each element underscores a dual focus on tradition and progress. It’s a restaurant that embraces contradiction: painstakingly respectful of heritage while forging a bold, contemporary path.

MIMI Chinese’s arrival on South Beach isn’t just about adding another Michelin-recognized venue to Miami’s rolodex of must-visit spots—it’s an invitation to broaden one’s gastronomic horizons. In a city already brimming with cultural diversity, this new entrant stands poised to set fresh benchmarks for authenticity, hospitality, and flair. If its Toronto origins are any indication, MIMI Chinese will capture hearts and palates with its cinematic dining experience and masterful take on regional Chinese cooking.

By blending tradition, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to kindness, Big Hug Hospitality has ensured that MIMI Chinese becomes more than a passing attraction—it’s a bold statement of how meaningful cuisine can transcend geographic boundaries. After all, sharing a meal is the truest form of cultural exchange: an opportunity to unite history, technique, and flavors across continents. With MIMI Chinese in Miami, the conversation is just getting started.