New Miami Restaurants: Jealous Burger, Pasion, Vale Food Co., Velvet Taco

The latest round of restaurant openings in Miami includes Jealous Burger, a Jealous Fork pop-up, Dallas-based Velvet Taco’s first location in Fort Lauderdale in South Florida, and Vale Food Co. in Boca Raton, and Pasión Restaurant, which houses culinary students from the University of Miami. Florida Educational Institute.Do you know of any job opportunities that are not on our list? e-mail (email protected).

There’s now a pop-up shop from the owners of Jealous Fork inside Jealous Fork, a restaurant that opened in February 2023 and was named one of the best pies in the country by Travel and entertainment Within four months of opening. The restaurant is owned and operated by Joaquin Ortiz and Henrik Telle, who are also behind Tea & Poets, a tea and coffee shop that also serves as a live music venue in South Miami. The duo are taking the next step in their business endeavors with a Jealous Burger pop-up serving a series of exotic dishes. Start with appetizers like smoked burrata, hummus, flatbreads, or jalapeños before moving on to the main attraction: the classic American cheeseburger. Hotter menu options include the “Jessie James” topped with applewood smoked bacon, crispy onions, barbecue sauce and sharp cheddar cheese, and the “Que Bola Meng” which takes a guava and cheese pastelito in a burger. Finish your meal with a slice of Key West-style key lime pie or a house-made chocolate brownie served with toppings such as crushed Oreos, Reese’s Pieces, Nutter Butter cookies, or (real) bacon bits. Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 pm

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A restaurant from the Florida Educational Institute’s culinary arts program has opened in Miami.

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The restaurant, which combines gastronomy and education and serves as an extension of the Florida Educational Institute’s (FEI) culinary arts program, has been operating off Calle Ocho in Miami since May. Known as Pasión, the establishment offers guests the opportunity to sample flavors produced by a team of student chefs who infuse their creations with passion and innovation. The restaurant’s menu explores international cuisine using locally sourced ingredients that change with the seasons. Look for appetizers like croqueta de jamón y bacalao (pork and salted cod) served with cherry coulis and lemon aioli. Appetizers like codito di cerdo, a pork shank with confit osso buco coated with mashed potatoes; And a series of seafood paella. A selection of wines and beers are available to complement the dishes. Tuesday through Saturday noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m

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Vale Food Co. opened. In Boca Raton.

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Florida-based restaurant brand Vale Food Co. has expanded to Boca Raton. The company has eight locations in Florida, including Tallahassee, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale and Brickell. The restaurant offers guests a healthy all-day menu of acai bowls, quality cakes, avocado toast, drinks and baked goods, all made in-house. Build your own bowl or toast with the store’s cold foods “bar” that features produce sourced from local farms with items that rotate seasonally. The hot food station also offers a selection of additional options ranging from Vale’s signature feta, spinach and turkey meatballs and braised beef to ancho marinated boneless chicken. Guests can also choose from snacks and baked goods such as whole-grain chocolate chip cookies, coffee, matcha tea, and smoothies. Daily from 9 am to 10 pm

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Dallas-based Velvet Taco has opened its first South Florida location in Fort Lauderdale.

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Dallas-based Velvet Taco, known for its globally inspired tacos, homemade red velvet cake, and kick-ass margaritas, has expanded to Florida with a location in Fort Lauderdale. Dubbed “a global tour of your taste buds,” Velvet Taco’s menu aims to keep things unique and fresh. Start with all-day breakfast tacos that range in flavors from sweet to savory, replicating classic breakfast dishes from French toast to hashbrowns. The Weekly Taco Feature (known as WTF) includes new tacos selected based on seasonal ingredients, location, and holidays. Or choose fan favorites like Chicken and Waffles served in a pressed waffle tortilla, Spicy Chicken Tikka with buttered cilantro basmati rice, crema, and Thai basil served on a flour tortilla or Cuban made with slow-roasted pork. Vegetarian options include Nashville hot tofu with Napa slaw, crema of ranch, and house-brined pickles. thirsty? Velvet Taco’s lively drinks include signature drinks like margaritas and sangria. And don’t miss the brand’s namesake red velvet cake, which is made in-house daily, a double-layered crimson cake crowned with cream cheese frosting and its signature cajeta sauce (a goat’s milk version of dulce de leche). Sunday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.