Arjun Waney, the London-based restaurateur and owner of Zuma and Coya, is launching a new Latin-Asian concept, DÔA, in South Beach.
DÔA, Waney and his investors’ first venture in Miami Beach, will open in November at 2000 Collins Avenue, across from the Setai Miami Beach. The 5,200-square-foot space was formerly occupied by Barezzito and One Lounge.
Geared to be a casual, affordable fusion of Asian and Peruvian cuisine, DÔA will have indoor and outdoor space with a terrace facing the Setai, Arman Naqi, vice president and director of development for DÔA, told The Real Deal. It will remain open until 5:00 a.m., seven days a week, offering dinner, weekend brunch and late-night dining.
“This is how Arjun Waney envisioned it, as a neighborhood eatery, targeting anybody and everybody, and still maintaining the Coya and Zuma ambiance and quality of food, but at a lower price point and with great value,” Naqi said.
The restaurant is expected to be the concept’s flagship, with future locations planned for Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago and Boston, he said.
Waney told TRD last year that Miami’s diversity of cultures and appeal to Latin Americans has led him to launch a slew of new restaurants here. “We think very highly of Miami,” he said.
In addition to Waney, DÔA’s investors include Tunu Puri and Ferit Sahenk, chairman of the Dogus Group, the largest conglomerate in Turkey — the same investment group as in Zuma and Coya, Naqi said.
Renderings of DOA’s interiors
Lyle Stern, principal of Koniver Stern Group, brokered the lease, representing the restaurant owners. Madison Capital just bought the building last week, and Stern said he negotiated the lease earlier this year with the former owner of the building, Parc Place Development, LLC.
“Once the concept crystalized, it took six months to find the right location and the right deal,” he told TRD. Waney and Puri chose the site based on its proximity to all the hotels along Collins Avenue, including the Setai Miami Beach, W South Beach, SLS South Beach and the Delano South Beach, as well as to the Miami Beach Convention Center, Stern said.
The 160-seat restaurant will feature an open kitchen, a central island bar, DJ booth, lounge area and maki counter, in space designed by Richard Saunders of London-based Sagrada Studio. The menu will consist of shared raw, steamed and robata grilled signature dishes showcasing Nikkei, Chifa and Peruvian cuisine. Among the offerings: ceviches, makis, skewers, steamed buns, dim sum and hot pots.
Waney’s next venture in Miami is La Petite Maison, opening at 1300 Brickell Bay Drive. Miami will be the first U.S. location for the French Provençal restaurant, which is expected to open by the end of year.