He’s famous for Mexican restaurants in New York. Now this chef is opening a spot in Doral

Not every celebrity chef from New York is opening a restaurant in Miami or Coral Gables or Miami Beach or Wynwood.

One, at least, is opening his first Florida restaurant in Downtown Doral.

Known for his Mexican restaurants Soledad, Toloache, El Fish Marisqueria, Coppelia, Amarena and El Verano in New York and the Hamptons, chef and restaurateur Julian Medina has opened Barra Vieja, a Mexican spot that focuses on coastal seafood.

Medina, also the force behind Tacuba Mexican Cantina and La Chula Taqueria, said he was looking for a new audience outside New York and that for Barra Vieja, his 12th restaurant, he was inspired by “sun-kissed shores and vibrant flavors of Mexico’s coastlines.”

“Barra Vieja will be a haven where every dish pays homage to the sea’s bounty and the rich tapestry of Mexican cultural heritage,” he said. “We are excited to share our passion for fresh ingredients, bold flavors and warm hospitality with South Florida.”

Designed by Pablo Castellanos Studio, the restaurant is 4,942 square feet and located on the southeast corner of Main Street and Paseo Boulevard. Named for a Mexican beach near the Acapulco region — a place where Medina spent weekends and holidays with his family — Barra Vieja has 160 seats with indoor and outdoor dining, a 20-seat bar and an eight-seat ceviche bar.

Most plates are meant to be shared family style. Appetizers include daily oyster selections and shrimp marinated in lime, cucumber, chile serrano, red onion, cilantro avocado ($20). There are also toro taquitos with caviar ($22), which are almost too cute to eat (but not quite).

Entrees include tacos of different varieties — birria, lechon, spicy lobster, vegetarian, chicken and more — that run from $14 to $26 for two; chile relleno with shrimp, octopus, marlin, black bean puree and salsa ($30); and arroz a la Tumbada, with shrimp, octopus, and yellowtail snapper served with Mexican green rice and achiote salsa ($36). Don’t want seafood? You can also order dishes like carne asada ($45) or carnitas ($28).

Want extra seafood? Check out the seafood tower ($95) with oysters, ceviche, the toro taquitos and tostada Acapulco.

There are also specialty cocktails like the Chef Margarita with Casa Drones Blanco, Casa Lotos Sotol, Aperol, tangerine puree, lime and chiltepin. Or try the Sotokyo with Casa Lotos Sotol, Mexican Nami sake, Cointreau, honeydew, yuzu, lemon and togarashi, a Japanese spice, on the rim of the glass.

Barra Vieja

Where: Downtown Doral, 8450 NW 53rd St., Doral

Hours: Noon-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; noon-midnight Friday-Saturday

Reservations: Resy

More information: www.barraviejamiami.com

This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 4:30 AM.