Food

This busy corner of Coconut Grove just got a new restaurant

The dining room at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove, in the former space of The Key Club.
The dining room at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove, in the former space of The Key Club. Grand Public Kitchen + Bar

The ever-growing Grove just got a new restaurant at the junction of Grand Avenue and Main Highway.

Now open in the former space of Groot Hospitality’s The Key Club, which closed in 2024, is Grand Public Kitchen + Bar. The restaurant, from Toronto hospitality veterans Matthew Tsoumaris and Ryan Bassels, features contemporary American cuisine and a late-night cocktail vibe.

The 7,400-square-foot restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating and a kitchen led by chef Leo Pablo, who has worked with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina and Joel Robuchon.

Pablo’s mindset? “We want every visit to feel fresh and memorable,” he said. “I want to remind people why they love eating and bring that same joy and attention to every table.”

The bar at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove.
The bar at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove. isacampomar Grand Public Kitchen + Bar

The menu offers a little bit of everything. You’ll find starter items like a Mediterranean mezze (hummus, baba ganoush and muhammara, served with bread); tuna tataki and calamari, as well as truffle fries, tacos and a couple of flatbreads (margherita style or truffle mushrooms). There are salads and a couple of sushi rolls, too, in addition to a burger and French dip.

For entrees, there are pasta dishes like mushroom Bolognese and meatball rigatoni. There’s also a ribeye, branzino, salmon and steak frites.

The restaurant will also serve brunch on the weekends, with dishes like wild blueberry pancakes and The Shak, with eggs, piquillo, feta and grilled sourdough. Bottomless mimosas are also available for $25 in flavors like watermelon, mango and cucumber.

The bar and lounge area of Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove.
The bar and lounge area of Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove. Grand Public Kitchen + Bar

The cocktail menu, which the restaurant hopes will get a real workout on Friday and Saturday late-nights, includes highlights like the Ferrero Rocher Espresso Martini with Grey Goose, hazelnut syrup and Café Bustelo and the Smooth Talker, with bourbon and coffee bitters.

Tsoumaris said that Grand Public Kitchen is “about creating a place people want to return to.”

“We’re excited to introduce a place that blends great food with attentive service,” he said. “Coconut Grove’s close-knit community made it the ideal home for our concept.”

A cozy nook of banquettes at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove.
A cozy nook of banquettes at Grand Public Kitchen + Bar in Coconut Grove. Grand Public Kitchen + Bar

Grand Public Kitchen + Bar

Where: 3015 Grand Ave., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday

Reservations: OpenTable

More information: enjoygrandpublic.com or 786-615-5906

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Connie Ogle
Miami Herald
Connie Ogle loves wine, books and the Miami Heat. Please don’t make her eat a mango.
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