Michael’s Genuine Celebrates 18 Years of Culinary Excellence in Miami
For 18 years, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink has been a cornerstone of Miami’s Design District, pioneering a farm-to-table movement that reshaped the city’s dining landscape. On Wednesday, March 12, the beloved eatery will mark its milestone anniversary with a celebratory evening featuring a throwback menu, classic cocktails, and a lively New Orleans-style brass band—a fitting tribute to the institution that helped define Miami’s modern food scene.
Since opening in 2007, the restaurant has become a magnet for locals and visitors alike, earning accolades such as a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide and being named "Best New Restaurant" by The New York Times in its inaugural year.
“The dining scene has changed, but our philosophy and core are still the same. MG is all about sourcing the best ingredients in an unpretentious environment, and that never goes out of style.”
James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz
A Throwback Menu Honoring a Culinary Legacy
For one night only, guests can relive some of Michael’s Genuine’s most beloved dishes with a special anniversary menu priced at $74 per person, served family-style. The menu features classics that have graced the restaurant’s tables for nearly two decades, including:
Chile Chicken Wings with creamy cucumbers
King Escabeche
Roasted Sweet Onion stuffed with ground lamb and apricots
Steamed Mussels in black rice and harissa broth
Lemon Pudding Cake with blueberries
Milk Chocolate Cremoso Espresso Parfait, a dessert staple still on the menu today
Fans of Schwartz’s ingredient-forward approach can also find these dishes in his cookbook, Michael's Genuine Food: Down-to-Earth Cooking for People Who Love to Eat.
Classic Cocktails & a Toast to 18 Years
As guests arrive, they’ll be greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne before diving into a menu of signature cocktails from the restaurant’s opening era, priced at $10 for the occasion. Highlights include:
Bulletproof Manhattan – Jim Beam Black bourbon, cherry-rosemary, fresh lemon
Cabarete Spritz – Aperol, St-Germain, fresh watermelon juice, sparkling wine, soda, orange bitters
To round out the celebration, Pastry Chef Marlena Bella has crafted a special anniversary birthday cake ($18, serves two) topped with a sparkler—because no birthday is complete without cake.
A Night of Food, Jazz, and Celebration
With live jazz setting the tone, guests can expect an elevated yet laid-back evening—a reflection of what has made Michael’s Genuine a staple in Miami’s dining scene for nearly two decades. As for what’s next?
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to set trends that lead the way to what’s important in dining."
James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Schwartz
Reservations for this one-night-only celebration are strongly encouraged and can be made via OpenTable.
📍 Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137