James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and husband/partner David Martinez announce the grand opening of Sra. Martinez in Coral Gables this December. The highly anticipated resurrection of the award-winning restaurant opened by the hospitality power duo in the Miami Design District in 2008, Sra. Martinez features a menu rooted in Spain with influences and flavors from the partners’ travels. The new Sra. Martinez, opening at the site of the former Open Stage Club (2325 Galiano Street), combines high-caliber dining, an elevated cocktail program, a vibrant bar scene, and live music for an all-around memorable experience that celebrates authenticity and community.
Sharing her vision for the reimagined Sra. Martinez, Bernstein says, “Coral Gables is a meaningful place for us, and we love that it’s a city of locals who value great food and hospitality. We wanted to open a restaurant with a homegrown, high-energy vibe where Coral Gables and Miami residents can unwind with friends and family. Although I grew up in Miami Shores, my first experience in a chef role was at Redfish Grill in Coral Gables, so opening Sra. Martinez here is a full circle moment for us personally and professionally. We can’t wait to welcome in our SoFlo neighbors and give back to the community that has supported us for so many years.”
The long-awaited return of Sra. Martinez brings Chef Bernstein’s most personal menu yet. A reflection of how she loves to cook and eat, the cuisine blends her repertoire of vibrant Spanish flavors and South Florida style with influences and flavors from France, the Mediterranean and Old-World culinary traditions. While guests may recognize several dishes from the first iteration of Sra. Martinez, much of the menu features new techniques and recipes that Chef Bernstein honed in recent years. Joining her in the kitchen is Chef Andrew Gilbert, who worked alongside her at the first Sra. Martinez and was most recently the owner at Seven Dials.
Each boldly flavored dish reflects Chef Bernstein’s commitment to seasonal cooking with local ingredients, and most have been touched by the kitchen’s large wood-burning oven. The Para Picar options, simple pleasures to be enjoyed with a drink, range from classics like Charred Piquillo Peppers and Boquerones from Donostia to Duck Fat Popcorn with shallots and orange zest and Slow Roast Beets with lemony labneh and horseradish. Among the Croquetas are standouts such as the rich Carbonara Croqueta with cured egg yolk and Pecorino and a Mariscos Croqueta with bomba rice and saffron aioli. A selection of hot and cold appetizers includes chef-driven offerings, like the Chicken Liver Paté served with warm beignets, frisée and house marmalade, the Whipped Feta Greek..ish Salad, and Crispy Squash Blossoms filled with ricotta and halloumi and drizzled with spicy honey. For dishes kissed by the flames of the wood-fired oven, look to the Fuertes section of the menu to find Rabo Encendido Paella, served fresh out of the fire with melting bone marrow, and Whole Fire-Roasted Fish of the Day with red and green chermoula and brown butter sesame drizzle, as well as wood-roasted Duck Breast with crispy duck leg and Oaxacan mole.
Guests can also indulge in precisely cooked steak, all aged and cut in house, including a New York strip, churrasco and cowboy, all served with Spanish chimichurri and green peppercorn sauce. A variety of sides amplify the meal, from the Mushrooms with melting scallions to the crispy Batatas Bravas. Dessert enthusiasts will appreciate the range of final course options where highlights include the Torrejas Bread Pudding with dark chocolate and rum-soaked raisins and the deliciously creative combination of Labneh Ice Cream with tomato marmalade.
Cocktails play a significant role in the Sra. Martinez experience with a thoughtfully curated menu of classic and signature handcrafted drinks that complement the dynamic food and make the bar a destination unto itself. Staying true to its neighborhood restaurant ethos, Sra. Martinez has a spacious 15-seat bar and 24-seat cocktail lounge that are reserved for walk-ins, encouraging locals to pop in for an expertly prepared cocktail when the mood strikes. Classic cocktail loyalists can choose from options such as the traditional Martini Service, a Vesper, or the Sherry Cobbler, while others may want a variation on a classic, like a Gin & Tonic enlivened with Aperol and grapefruit bitters, or the stunning “Sangria” prepared with housemade spiced sangria cordial and Lambrusco. Signature craft cocktails include the namesake Sra. Martinez, a gin based with subtle sweetness manifested by Maraschino liqueur, and the Mulata Daisy No. 2, made with patchouli-infused rum and chocolate biscotti liqueur. Non-alcoholic and dessert cocktails including the El Carajillo round out the drink list. Happy hour will launch in early 2025 featuring classic cocktails at approachable prices. Patrons can anticipate a thoughtful wine list featuring wine by the glass and bottles showcasing sustainable and vintage depth selections from both classic wineries and rare producers, as well their “Señor’s Secret List,” a private collection that consists of sophisticated labels.
Sra. Martinez’s former home in a historic post office was beautiful but had limitations as a restaurant. The new Sra. Martinez has ample space – over 4,000 square feet between the 68-seat dining room, bar, cocktail lounge and 50-seat covered outdoor patio – and a proper kitchen at the heart of the operation. The design, led by three-time James Beard Award-winning restaurant designer Thomas Schlesser (The Publican in Chicago, DBGB and Bar Boulud in New York City), combines Old World European charm with the signature bright colors of South Florida, resulting in stunning green and pink terrazzo floors, wrought iron accents, and plush seating. Adding to the character of the dining room is a stage for live music. A nod to the venue’s history as a local performance space, Sra. Martinez will feature live music several nights a week, from jazz to bossa nova, to enhance the restaurant’s lively, inviting atmosphere.
The service at Sra. Martinez, led by co-owner David Martinez, aligns with the overall upscale yet approachable character. “Whether you pop in for a spontaneous drink at the bar, join us for a leisurely lunch, or go all-out with a big birthday dinner, you’ll feel looked after in every moment you spend with us,” said Martinez. “At the end of the day, going out to eat is about the entire experience. We always aim to leave guests in a better mood than when they arrived.”
Sra. Martinez will be open Tuesday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, please visit www.sramartinezmiami.com and follow along on Instagram.
