(Courtesy of Reunion Ktchn Bar)
Sporting a modern look coupled with cozy ambiance, family-owned Reunion Ktchn Bar (18167 Biscayne Blvd., 305.931.7401) opened in October 2019, months before the pandemic hit.
“It was a difficult time,” said co-owner Cesar Olivo, but business has been looking up since. Olivo founded the restaurant with his wife, Adriana Perez Benatar, and brother-in-law, Samuel Perez Benatar – all culinary enthusiasts who love to travel and bring back the flavors they savor around the world to share with the rest of their family, friends and customers. Here, patrons can dine around the globe without taking a single flight.
“You can go and have a completely different experience every time because we have more than 50 items on our menu. Foods from Greece, France, Switzerland, Japan, Morocco, Peru, the United States – from everywhere,” said Olivo.
The “tapas style restaurant,” as he calls it, allows customers to share dishes with family and friends around them. An eclectic menu of more than 50 internationally inspired dishes, ranging from Moroccan pastilla, crispy rice ocean trout with sashimi and tartar, Greek salad, eggplant parmigiana and miso-glazed Japanese yam, offers something for everyone.
Top it all off with Italian ricotta cheesecake, churros, Belgian fondue or passion fruit tiramisu for dessert. A caviar flight and service is also available.
(TripAdvisor.com)
Equally tempting are the drinks. In its own space next to the restaurant, Olivo and his team operate a laid-back area they call the Gastronomic Lounge, which serves as an extension of Reunion Ktchn Bar and features its own menu of small plates and hand-crafted cocktails.
“In other places, maybe you just go to have a cocktail or have dinner and that’s it. Here, you have everything all together,” Olivo said.
The cocktail menu includes signature sips like the Nikkei Martini, crafted from Caravedo Pisco, Japanese bermutto, sea salt and pepper bitters; Guav A Lady, a blend of Wheatly Vodka, St. Germain elderflower, guava cordial, mint and lemon; the Il Giardino, made with Carpano Dray, Carpano Bianco, cucumber, rosemary and lemon juice; and the No Guey Jose, a mix of Cuatrocientos Conejoa Mezcal, Domain De Canton, hibiscus, lime and bitters.
The restaurant is open Monday-Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, noon to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Outdoor seating, takeout and delivery are available. Book your table or order online at ReunionKB.com.