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Miami Herald
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Florida's first Kosher beach club to open in Miami Beach — just in time for Passover
An all-Kosher Beach Club blending Mediterranean cuisine and Israeli nightlife opens in Miami Beach this weekend. It all started with an Instagram DM. When event planner Nelly Rosenking — referred to as the queen of Jewish nightlife — slid into the direct messages of French kosher chef Olivia Ostrow on a whim, she wasn't expecting much to come out of it. Rosenking and Ostrow became instant friends, bonding over their Jewish identities and careers as women business owners in Miami. The duo began brainstorming about what could come next for their careers after working for decades in Miami's culinary and event production scene. Nana Kosher Beach Club, which officially opens next week on April 15, is a first-of-its-kind beach club offering guests a kosher experience, including a a Mediterranean-inspired menu that's fully Glatt kosher — the highest level of kosher food under Kosher Miami supervision. The membership-style beach club promises a 'barefoot luxury' experience that blends beachfront dining with poolside perks, including bottle service with Israeli wines, day-to-night DJ entertainment and pickleball courts. A new restaurant, La Mer, will open alongside the beach club and will feature a Mediterranean-inspired kosher menu from Chef Ostrow, who, as the owner of Miami's first kosher French restaurant Ostrow Brasserie, is no stranger to elevated kosher cuisine. Rosenking, who owns Nellyslist, an event production company that specializes in Jewish events, said the concept for Nana merges her passion for bringing Jewish people together with Ostrow's passion for elevated kosher cooking. 'It developed very quickly because we're very on the same page. We speak the same hospitality language. We really care about our work, our craft, our magic,' she said. Nana Beach Club and La Mer will both be operating out of an existing property that Miami Beach locals may be familiar with — Seacoast Suites at 5101 Collins Ave. Nana owners call it 'a diamond in the rough' but say they are transforming the space to fit their vision for the beach club. 'It is a place of peace and fun, and a piece of Tel Aviv, a piece of Tulum, a piece of Sat. Tropez, and a piece of Mykonos that is coming to Miami, and everyone is included — kosher, not kosher, this is a vibe.' Nana Beach Club will be offering lunch and dinner throughout Passover, and is hosting a 12-hour opening party on Tuesday, April 15. The party will feature some high-profile names, including former NBA star Amar'e Stoudemire — who is debuting his Israeli wine collection Stoudemire Wines — Miami Heat's official DJ Irie, and kosher influencer Michelle Saka, who calls herself the 'Miami Food Yenta.' 'We want to give people a kosher experience, but high end,' said Rosenking. 'Another level of crazy' But how to crank out a gourmet menu served beachside while following strict kosher guidelines? Chef Ostrow said it's possible, but that it's a 'huge challenge.' 'It's another level of crazy,' she said. 'You have to be insane enough to want to do something like that. And in the last 72 hours, I've been like banging my head against the wall. The kosher part of things is very important to me.' Working in between two male-dominated worlds — restaurants and kosher food — Ostrow said she's used to being looked at as the underdog. But, with an accomplished resume, Ostrow said the cuisine speaks for itself. 'I always deliver, and I'm delivering again. The food is going to be spectacular,' Ostrow said. With fish imported from the South of France, and Mediterranean-inspired items like lamb kefta, Israeli salad and Shakshuka, the menu boasts big flavors and fresh dishes. But, the owners emphasize that the beach club is a family-friendly space. There's a kid's menu and the day beds can fit families of up to ten people. The beach club, which is hosting a special Shabbat dinner 'under the stars' on April 18, is meant to accessible to everyone, but special consideration has been taken for Jews of all observance levels, said Rosenking. Even Orthodox Jews, who follow Jewish laws very closely on Shabbat, are able to participate, because of the option to buy food and beverage packages ahead of time, eliminating any reason to use technology during Shabbat. 'So if you're very religious, you'll feel very comfortable, and this is a special privilege,' said Rosenking. 'And if you're not religious, then you're probably actually celebrating the holiday with us, because you're keeping kosher and you're following the rules.' Ostrow said her cooking is inspired by her French upbringing and unpretentious, family-style dining. She recalls a recent Shabbat dinner she attended at Nelly's mother's home, for example. 'She cooked for me this insane meal, insane. It was me alone. She wanted me to be welcome in her house. And it's like a love affair. It was her saying, I love you,' she said. 'This is the French way of being, and a lot of Jews feel also that way.' The beach club is meant to be a community atmosphere during the day that shifts to a Tel Aviv-style club at night. The menu has nods to Israeli culture, for example, calling the barbecue portion of the menu 'Al Ha'esh' or the the Hebrew word for 'on the fire.' The word 'Nana' means, in Hebrew and in Arabic, 'mint leaf,' which is a nod to Middle Eastern culture of drinking mint tea after meals. Nana Kosher Beach Club Where: 5101 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140 When: April 11, April 15, April 16, April 17, April 18 Lunch: 11AM - 5PM; Dinner: 5PM - 10PM; April 18: Shabbat dinner under the stars and pickup menu available More information: This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and from donors comprising the South Florida Jewish and Muslim Communities, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Forbes
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
7 Celebratory Cocktails To Enjoy This Passover
There's a lot of tradition and food involved in celebrating Passover, but not too much attention generally given to cocktails. This is a holiday associated with drinking several glasses of wine while celebrating the ceremonial seders, but why not incorporate some fun cocktails? Whether having a welcome drink for the family meal or a celebratory nightcap, there's lovely cocktails to consider in honor of the holiday. Charoset Old Fashioned at Rafael and Miriam in New York City's Park Slope and UWS. At Rafael and Miriam in New York City's Park Slope and UWS, the Charoset Old Fashioned is made with brandy, apple syrup, walnut bitters, cinnamon stick, and orange peel. "Inspired by the traditional charoset, this rich and spiced take on an Old Fashioned combines apples, nuts, and cinnamon—flavors that evoke the symbolic Seder dish in every sip," said Beverage Director Will Rivas. Arak Saint Germaine at 12 Chairs Cafe in New York City. At 12 Chairs Cafe in New York City, Arak Saint Germaine is made with Arak, Saint Germaine, lemon juice, and dry vermouth. 'Nothing gets the party started like a shot or cocktail with Arak. This cocktail is a great way to toast the table with a digestif to support a big meal,' said bartender Cesar Duarte. Tahini Chocolate Espresso Martini at Rafael in New York City. At Rafael in New York City, a holiday spin on the classic espresso martini, incorporating vodka, oat milk, tahini syrup, chocolate, coffee, espresso, and molasses. 'Our Tahini Martini is the sweetness you're seeking for a Passover Seder. The creamy tahini adds a unique nutty depth that beautifully complement the rich chocolate and bold espresso creating a balanced yet decadent flavor. Perfect for post-Seder dessert cravings with coffee and a dessert,' said Beverage Director Will Rivas. Exodus Elixir at Eden Roc Cap Cana. At Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic's Blue Restaurant, this is a kosher cocktail steeped in history, where gin is paired with Luxardo and a skewer of black cherries with a breath of lemongrass. A sip of Passover: Sweet, bold, and full of remembrance. 'The Exodus Elixir is crafted to capture the essence of the Passover journey, a harmonious blend of tradition and rebirth. Each sip embodies the spirit of renewal that Passover represents," said Mathew Chanto, Bar Manager. Fire & Ice Nana Mojito at La Mer at Nana Beach Club in Miami Beach. On the menu at La Mer at Nana Beach Club in Miami Beach, a bold, cooling mojito with a touch of heat. 'This cocktail is all about balance—refreshing nana and zesty lime meet the warmth of spiced date syrup for a bold yet elegant sip. It's our way of bringing a little Miami heat to Passover celebrations," said Olivia Ostrow, Head Chef, La Mer at Nana Beach Club. Mango Lemonada at Mesiba in the Williamsburg area of New York City. Available at Mesiba in the Williamsburg area of New York City, a beautiful cocktail that blends Cazadores Tequila with elderflower, Chinola Mango, and the bright zest of lemon juice. Then, a bit of simple syrup is added for balance along with fresh mint for a finish. "The Mango Lemonada was inspired by the Israeli Mint Limonana, which Executive Chef Eli Buli introduced me to during my R&D for the Mesiba menu. This cocktail perfectly balances citrus, herbs, and the vibrant sweetness of Chinola Mango, making it the ultimate refreshing drink. In the bar world, we'd call this a true crusher!" said Sebastian Corredor, head bartender. On the menu at Canela Bistro Bar in San Francisco, The Burning Bush is a Passover-inspired cocktail made with mezcal, lime juice, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, cinnamon syrup and chocolate bitters. Executive chef and owner Mat Schuster says: "The smoking gun is always a fun tool to work with so we were thinking about smoke infused drinks. And of course smoke ties to mezcal and also the burning bush story so it really just fell into place!"
