NORTH BAY VILLAGE GETS A NEW WATERFRONT STUNNER
Yaya (stylized YAYA) Coastal Cuisine is set to open in North Bay Village in mid-August. It promises a blend of Mediterranean cuisine with a Miami twis, with a stunning bayfront location offers panoramic water and skyline views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Angel Febres leads the venture, who’s also behind local favorites like Racket, Drunken Dragon, Foxhole, and Casa Tiki. Running the kitchen is former Prime 112 executive chef Todd Zimmer. Diners can expect a range of seafood, such as crudo and grilled head-on prawns, to hot mezze featuring flaming saganaki and crispy zucchini and eggplant. Entrees include options like “Uni in Seawater,” Maine lobster cobb salad, bone-in ribeye buttero with salsa verde, and a whole Spanish dorade with watercress and fennel.
As for drinks, think creative, easy-to-drink cocktails include the Mediterranean Martini, made with olive oil-washed vodka, red bell pepper juice, basil simple syrup, and lemon juice, and the Honeydew Cooler, which combines vodka, crème de banana, lime juice, and coconut water.
The space, designed by Saladino Design Studios, features a full bar, a large private dining room, outdoor seating on the terrace, and a lounge area with seating for 110 in the main dining room and an additional 80 outside and a private dining room accommodates up to 40 guests.
As it is a waterfront spot, it offers meals and, of course, a private membership club for boaters. Dubbed the YAYA Club, it features 14 dockage spots at the YAYA Marina, right in front of the restaurant. Members have exclusive access to a private dining room.
YAYA opens to the public on August 14 for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday, until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 5 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Brunch is also in the works.
