Kyu

Chef Michael Lewis and his partner Steven Haigh recruited local artists to help design Kyu, located in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood. And the city’s art dealers, fashion designers, models and entrepreneurs have been drawn to the restaurant’s look: dusky colors and lighting that embrace the space’s cracks and imperfections. But the biggest star of Kyu is its wood-fired grill. The kitchen uses it to create everything from roasted Florida red snapper with brown butter and white miso to duck breast “burnt ends” and Korean fried chicken. There are pillowy steamed buns filled with crisp pork belly (shown above) or soft-shell crab, and pork and shiitake gyoza served with truffle ponzu. It’s artful cuisine in the epicenter of Miami’s art scene.

Contact: 251 N.W. 25th St., 786.577.0150, kyumiami.com
Cost: $18 to $32 for entrees
The Classics: Prime 112, the Capital Grille