New Restaurant Opening
Miami Beach, FL — Paya, the latest venture from Feal Hospitality’s Niven Patel and Mohamed “Mo” Alkassar, is set to open on Thursday, September 26. Located at 1209 17th Street in Miami Beach, Paya promises to deliver a unique dining experience with a focus on tropical cuisine.
Culinary Vision
Niven Patel, renowned for his James Beard Award-nominated work at South Florida’s Erba, NiMo, and Ghee Indian Kitchen, draws inspiration from the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Spain’s islands for Paya. His approach emphasizes the use of local and fresh ingredients, many sourced from Rancho Patel and nearby suppliers.
Menu Highlights
Paya’s debut menu includes a variety of tropical and island-inspired dishes:
Starters: Green papaya salad with pink shrimp and tamarind vinaigrette; coconut wahoo ceviche served with island chips.
Raw Bar: Local seafood options such as Sebastian Inlet oysters with jackfruit mignonette and scallop crudo paired with peaches, passionfruit, and jalapeño.
Main Courses: Lemongrass-glazed grouper with coconut curry sauce; tamarind-glazed lamb chops accompanied by roasted plantains and jerk-spiced yogurt.
Patel incorporates ingredients like green papayas and mangoes from his farm, royal red shrimp from Cape Canaveral, Maine crab and scallops, Hawaiian hearts of palm, Florida tomatoes, oysters, hogfish, and grouper, as well as Iberian pork and octopus from Spain.
A Personal Milestone
Mohamed Alkassar views Paya as a significant personal milestone. Located just blocks from his first U.S. home in South Beach, Paya reflects his journey and gratitude towards the community that has supported him. “Miami Beach is my home, my comfort zone… Paya is full circle for me, it’s personal,” says Alkassar.
Restaurant Design
Paya occupies the former Joliet space, with an interior designed by Paty Duran of Hybrid Creative in collaboration with Alkassar. The design features:
Foyer: Tropical floral wallpaper and a sage stone table.
Raw Bar: Coral-colored decor and seating for eight, highlighting the seafood offerings.
Dining Room: Brick walls, a ruddy banquette with plants, gold-hued wallpaper, and a mix of white oak and green marble tables. The centerpiece is a U-shaped teal wood bar with a sage marble top, accommodating 25 guests.
Paya’s ambiance and menu aim to bring a fresh, vibrant dining experience to Miami Beach, celebrating the rich flavors of tropical cuisine.