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Miami Herald
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Which South Florida restaurants will earn Michelin stars this week? Here are our picks
Michelin stars are coming to South Florida this week — and this time, it's not just Miami restaurants that might benefit. The internationally famous Michelin Guide will be announcing its 2025 annual star additions in Florida on April 17, but this year it's not only highlighting the best restaurants in Miami, Orlando and Tampa as it has for the past three years. Restaurants in those cities will be considered, but this year, restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches and Clearwater/St. Petersburg will also be in the mix. Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said the booming South Florida restaurant scene deserved a closer look. 'Florida continues to raise the bar with its emerging culinary talent, international influences and the palpable passion of its local restaurant communities,' he said in a statement last year. 'Over the past three years, we've seen the Florida selection grow and strengthen as our Inspectors shined a spotlight on their discoveries. We look forward to exploring these new destinations and highlighting the excellence of their local restaurant scene.' At this point, Florida has no three-star restaurants and only one two-star restaurant, the glamorous French spot L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Miami's Design District. Miami's single-star restaurants are: Ariete, Boia De, Cote, Elcielo, EntreNos, Hiden, Le Jardinier, Los Felix, Ogawa, Shingo, The Surf Club Restaurant, Stubborn Seed and The Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt. Considering the sheer number of restaurants that have opened in the past year, the Miami area could easily see another spot get a star. Whether Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach restaurants will be recognized is hard to say: In its first year of Michelin consideration, no Tampa restaurant earned a star, though now five restaurants in the city have them (Orlando has seven). There are a few things that make handicapping the winners slightly easier. Michelin added 10 Miami restaurants to its recommended list earlier in the year, and some of those could be rewarded with a star. And though nothing is guaranteed, the guide also seems to have an affinity for omakase-style experiences and tasting menus and look kindly upon chefs whose sister restaurants already have stars. Also on April 17, Michelin will also choose the 2025 Bib Gourmands, restaurants that offer good food at a reasonable price. At the moment, Miami has 18 Bib Gourmands: Bachour, Chug's Diner, Doya, El Turco, Ghee Indian Kitchen, Hometown Barbecue, Jaguar Sun, La Natural, Lucali, Mandolin, Michael's Genuine, Phuc Yea, Rosie's, Sanguich de Miami, Tam Tam, Tinta y Cafe, Zak the Baker and Zitz Sum. Miami Itamae Ao: Is this Chef Nando Chang's year? He's already up for a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South, a year after his sister Val Chang won with her Peruvian restaurant Maty's. This omakase spot is tucked away in the back Maty's in Midtown. Naoe: We are just going to assume Michelin has never been to this hidden sushi counter on Brickell Key (although it makes the Forbes Five-Star list every year). Because why has it been ignored so far? Recoveco: This South Miami restaurant with a small but creative menu from husband-and-wife team Nicolas Martinez and Maria Teresa Gallina made the list of Michelin-recommended restaurants earlier this year. Palma: Chef Juan Camilo Liscano's small restaurant near Little Havana offers an ever-changing tasting menu and, like Recoveco, made the Michelin recommended list earlier this year. Sereira: This elegant Portuguese restaurant from internationally famous chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, who has a two-starred restaurant in Lisbon, was too new for consideration in 2024. Michelin has had time to examine it closely now. Sunny's Steakhouse: In the end, it won't matter if everybody's favorite Miami steakhouse doesn't earn a star, because it's so good it's going to be impossible to get a reservation there anyway. But the hype is real, and Sunny's needs to be in the conversation. Fort Lauderdale Daniel's, a Florida steakhouse: From the team behind Coral Gables' Fiola, this downtown steakhouse works hard to source as much as possible from Florida and brings a sophisticated Miami vibe to the heart of Broward County. The Katherine: Chef Timon Balloo's eclectic restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Broward, and we'd love to see his hard work and creativity rewarded. MAASS: This restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel & Residences comes from chef Ryan Ratino, the force behind the one-starred Bresca and two-starred Jont, both in Washington, D.C., so it's got a pedigree that makes it a possible. Palm Beaches We confess we haven't spent a lot of time eating in Palm Beach County for obvious reasons — we can barely keep up with everything opening in Miami — but here are a few spots to keep an eye on. Buccan: Chef Clay Conley draws raves for his upscale American cuisine in Palm Beach, both here and his restaurant Grato (which could be another contender). Cafe Boulud: Chef Daniel Boulud's restaurant Daniel in New York already boasts a Michelin star, which makes a star at this French spot in Palm Beach a possibility. Moody Tongue: This omakase-style restaurant at the Hilton West Palm Beach has a sister with a star in Chicago, so it could be a contender.
Associated Press
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Luca V Announces Independent Rise to 5 Million Streams with Distinctive Blend of Pop and Indie
Luca V charts his journey from Biella to 5 million streams, defining Italy's new wave of indie-pop with authenticity and independent strategy. Italy, March 31, 2025 -- A Self-Made Story in Sound Luca V, born Luca Mercandino in Turin and raised in the northern Italian town of Biella, has emerged as a defining voice in the modern Italian music scene. Known for his signature blend of pop, indie, and singer-songwriter sensibilities, the artist has accumulated over 5 million streams across digital platforms—without the backing of a major label. His journey reflects more than musical ambition; it's a narrative of self-reinvention, digital savvy, and emotional resonance. Having first stepped into the music world under the alias 'Lucido,' Luca V officially rebranded in 2020, marking a creative and personal shift that aligned more closely with his evolving artistry. This redefinition was not only a name change but a public commitment to creative autonomy and innovation in a saturated industry. From Toy Guitar to Digital Strategy Luca V's musical path began as early as age four, strumming a toy guitar, and was further shaped through his education at Amedeo Avogadro Scientific High School in Biella. While many artists follow the traditional industry roadmap, Luca V took a detour by embracing independence as a deliberate choice rather than a fallback. His decision to walk away from a record label that no longer aligned with his values was pivotal in establishing his creative direction. ' I've never waited for opportunities to come my way—I created them myself, ' Luca V shared. " My story is about being real, staying curious, and making music that matters. ' Embracing the dual identity of artist and strategist, he spearheaded his own digital campaigns and took control of every stage of his music production and release. This hands-on approach allowed him to resonate with an audience that increasingly values transparency, storytelling, and innovation. A Sound that Crosses Boundaries Luca V's sonic identity merges the lyric-driven traditions of Italian 'cantautorato' with the textured appeal of modern pop and indie. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Tiziano Ferro, Dargen D'Amico, PSICOLOGI, and Ariete, his work sits at the crossroads of mainstream accessibility and poetic introspection. The resulting sound is both polished and personal—crafted to connect across generations of listeners. His 2023 single AMORE FUOCO E CHEROSENE marked a significant milestone. Without major label support, the track earned placement on Spotify's official Top 50 Italia and Alta Rotazione playlists, an achievement that underscored his ability to compete in a market typically dominated by industry-backed acts. Turning Points and Lessons Learned While Luca V's trajectory includes successes, it has also featured moments of creative and professional recalibration. The removal of early singles served not as a setback, but as an inflection point in refining both his sound and his public identity. These decisions, often difficult, reinforced a central theme in his career—growth through self-awareness. He has also pursued ambitious conceptual projects, including La Capitaneria di Porto, a 25-track album that showcases his narrative versatility, and AMORMALIE, which explores dualities in human emotion and identity. These efforts further emphasize his refusal to be confined by genre or conventional expectations. Crafting with Intention One of the distinguishing features of Luca V's work is his attention to the craft of songwriting. Guided by vocal coach Moreno Delsignore, he evolved from instinctive writing into a more intentional lyricist, applying techniques like assonance and slogan-style phrasing. This blend of emotional depth and technical precision is evident in each of his releases, creating tracks that are both sonically appealing and lyrically impactful. ' I blend personal storytelling with form. Every word matters, ' Luca V said. " It's not just about what I feel—it's about how to say it in a way that makes people feel something, too. ' Independence as a Statement In an industry where external validation often drives success, Luca V's approach redefines the blueprint for aspiring artists. His ability to manage creative direction, execute viral marketing strategies, and stay deeply involved in fan engagement makes him a multi-dimensional figure in Italy's evolving music landscape. He operates with the mindset of both an artist and an entrepreneur, leveraging each role to amplify the other. This strategic self-management is not merely functional—it's a core element of his identity. His success challenges assumptions about what it takes to build a lasting presence in music today. Rather than chasing trends or waiting for traditional recognition, Luca V has built a platform rooted in consistency, resilience, and emotional clarity. Looking Ahead With more releases on the horizon and a growing international fanbase, Luca V continues to expand his reach while staying grounded in the values that shaped his journey. As independent music gains more traction globally, his story serves as a case study in what's possible when talent meets intention. He is not only redefining what it means to be an artist in the digital age but doing so on his own terms—one carefully crafted song at a time. For more information and to follow his latest releases, visit About Luca V Luca V is an Italian singer and songwriter born in Turin in 1995 and raised in Biella. Beginning his musical path at a young age, he pursued a professional career marked by independence, reinvention, and a hybrid sound that blends pop, indie, and Italy's singer-songwriter tradition. With over 5 million streams, editorial playlist placements, and acclaimed conceptual projects, Luca V continues to shape his narrative as one of Italy's most distinct contemporary voices in music. Media Contact Luca Mercandino Musician, Luca V Email: [email protected] Website: Facebook: YouTube: YouTube Instagram: Instagram Contact Info: Name: Luca Mercandino Email: Send Email Organization: Luca V
