From Snowstorm to South Beach: A Taste of Miami Takes Over NYC
Miami warmed up NYC during a snowstorm as GMCVB hosted “Setting the Table” at the James Beard House, previewing what’s coming to Miami in 2026.
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa | Photos By: Isabel Epstein
On Tuesday night, New York City was buried under nearly a foot of snow. Sidewalks were slushy, Ubers were scarce, and the cold felt personal. But somewhere between stepping into a sleek purple blazer and walking through the doors of the James Beard House, I left Manhattan behind and landed in Miami. Literally.
Setting the Table: A Taste of MIA in NYC invited a room full of frozen New Yorkers to thaw out through flavor, storytelling, and a glimpse into the future of the destination. Hosted by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), the evening felt less like an industry event and more like a transportive dinner party, where cuisine, culture, and connection were the main courses.
From the moment guests arrived, the mood shifted. The James Beard House buzzed with energy that felt distinctly South Florida. Plates circulated, conversations flowed, and suddenly winter felt optional, the kind of lineup you’d expect at a Miami power dinner, not a snowy night in Manhattan.
The culinary lineup made the Miami-to-NYC teleportation feel even more real. Guests tasted dishes from some of Greater Miami’s most respected kitchens, including Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt, where refined technique and global perspective set the tone. Uchi Miami brought its signature precision and Japanese-inspired flavors to the table, a reminder of why it remains a design district staple for both locals and visitors. Verde at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) delivered art-forward cuisine that mirrored the city’s creative pulse, while Palma and Red Rooster Overtown underscored Miami’s depth, from soulful comfort food to culture-driven hospitality led by chef Marcus Samuelsson. Culinary personality Giovanny Gutierrez added to the mix, weaving food, storytelling, and community throughout the evening.
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The menu reflected Miami’s global palate, from Japanese-inspired elegance to bold, soul-rooted flavors. It was not just about eating well. It was about understanding where the destination is headed and why it continues to draw travelers back again and again.
That philosophy is showing up clearly across hospitality. Miami continues to elevate its hotel landscape with thoughtful renovations and iconic reopenings. The oceanfront Loews Miami Beach Hotel recently unveiled a $55 million redesign, introducing nearly 800 refreshed guest rooms and suites along with two new dining concepts, Bistro Collins and The Sushi Bar, a modern refresh that still honors the property’s longstanding presence on Collins Avenue.
In South of Fifth, the historic Balfour Miami Beach has entered a new era after joining The Registry Collection. Built in 1940, the Art Deco landmark blends vintage charm with modern luxury, offering an intimate escape just steps from the beach. In Aventura, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa expanded its lifestyle offerings with the debut of the Turnberry Isle Racquet Club, bringing pickleball, padel, and elevated recreation to its sprawling 300-acre setting.
One of the most anticipated moments on the horizon is the official reopening of Delano Miami Beach on March 9. The reimagined icon will return with redesigned guest rooms, four dining and bar concepts including the revival of the legendary Rose Bar, a wellness studio, and an exclusive members club. For those who remember Delano’s golden era, the comeback feels personal.
In 2026, the historic Biltmore Hotel Coral Gables celebrates its centennial by blending its rich legacy with forward-looking experiences that beckon travelers to rediscover Miami’s elegance and charm. The landmark hotel is hosting a 100 Room Night Centennial Giveaway through January 31, inviting guests to share their Biltmore stories for a chance to win a two-night stay.
The Palms Hotel & Spa, a lush oceanfront retreat known for its commitment to sustainability, offers a serene escape with tropical gardens, a spa, and eco-conscious amenities. Through 2026, travelers can enjoy the Do Good, Feel Good package, featuring discounted stays, a glass of Prosecco, and a $50 spa credit, with any unused hotel credits supporting the Blue Scholars Initiative to protect marine ecosystems.
Live music also plays a starring role in Miami’s evolution. Midline Miami recently opened at Arlo Wynwood, adding a two-story, 10,000-square-foot indoor venue that can host up to 1,200 guests and reinforces Wynwood’s place as a cultural anchor. New to Sunny Isles Beach in 2026, The Sunny Hotel rises from a full transformation of the historic Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort, a family-run property since 1967. Guests can enjoy private beach access, a spa and gym, and six on-site dining options, making it a vibrant new destination for travelers exploring Miami’s coast.
On the culinary front, momentum continues. Wynwood welcomed Kitchen + Kocktails, a Black-owned restaurant founded by Kevin Kelley, while Ariete, the Michelin-starred Coconut Grove restaurant by chef Michael Beltran, celebrates 10 years of redefining Cuban-American fine dining. R House Wynwood continues to shape pop culture as RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 18 features longtime headliners Athena Dion and Juicy Love Dion, underscoring Miami’s national influence on drag and performance culture.
New concepts continue to layer in. THRōW Social Miami has transformed the former Oasis Wynwood into a massive indoor-outdoor playground. At Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Prime 54’s Chef Counter and Hakkasan’s exclusive wine tasting experiences cater to diners craving intimacy and culinary theater.
Even cruising is entering a new era. PortMiami recently broke ground on the future Cruise Terminal G, a $345 million investment that reinforces Miami’s position as the Cruise Capital of the World. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aura, set to debut in 2027, will further elevate the destination’s global reach. Margaritaville at Sea‘s newest and largest flagship vessel, Beachcomber, is set to debut in 2027 from PortMiami. At the heart of the ship’s signature, immersive experiences is the world’s largest 5 o’Clock Somewhere, a multi-deck, poolside destination featuring tropical cocktails, live music and island-inspired bites.
As the night at the James Beard House wound down, the purpose of bringing Miami to New York became clear. This wasn’t just a preview of openings and events. It was a statement. Miami is no longer waiting for travelers to discover it on vacation. It is meeting them where they are, on the coldest nights, in the most influential rooms, and inviting them into a deeper relationship with the destination before they ever book a flight.
Hosting “Setting the Table” in New York was about more than escaping the snow for a few hours. It was about positioning Miami as a cultural equal on a national stage, one that belongs just as comfortably at the James Beard House as it does on Ocean Drive. For a few hours, New York traded boots for sandals, winter for warmth, and routine for possibility. And walking back out into the snow, one thing was clear. Miami didn’t just warm up the room. It made a compelling case for why the journey south is worth taking next.
