Hurricane Irma forced Miami restaurants to close. What does that mean for Miami Spice?

Miami Spice, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau’s months-long restaurant promotion program, will be extended due to closures from Hurricane Irma.

The program, which was created to give South Florida’s restaurants a boost during slower months, began Aug. 1 and was due to end Sept. 30. But Larry Carrino, president of GMCVB’s public relations firm, said restaurant owners seemed eager to keep Miami Spice going after Irma caused evacuations and mass power outages, forcing South Florida’s favorite food destinations to close.

“The restaurant industry lost time and business for a week with this storm,” Carrino said. “Extension made all the sense in the world.”

The majority of the more than 230 participating restaurants will offer Miami Spice offers through Halloween, Carrino said. Several Miami Beach restaurant managers said they are preparing to make final decisions. Food enthusiasts can expect a formal announcement about the Oct. 31 extension sometime next week.

Miami Spice is celebrating its 16th season. Carrino said the program’s inception coincides with the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks — a tough blow to the nation and business owners.

This year Miami Spice introduced a $23 brunch option for the first time, in addition to the $23 lunch and three-course $39 dinner menus. Some participating restaurants remain closed, but are gearing up to open by next week.

A master list from GMCVB notes the dates when Miami Spice restaurants will reopen.

This story was originally published September 15, 2017 at 1:09 AM.