Sra. Martinez in Design District Closing, Michelle Bernstein Says Adios July 6

By Lee Klein Fri., Jun. 29 2012 at 7:00 AM

Read also "Michy's Queen Scores With Sra. Martinez (2/26/2009)," "Michelle Bernstein to Leave the Omphoy" (Clean Plate Charlie), and "Fratelli Lyon Closes in Design District."

Short Order has confirmed that Michelle Bernstein and her husband/partner David Martinez will close their celebrated Sra. Martinez restaurant in the Design District. The final dinner service will take place Friday, July 6.

"The fact of the matter is we really want to spend more time with our son, Zachary," Bernstein explains, "as well as focus on several new projects in the works that we're very excited about."

Bernstein isn't ready to divulge those projects quite yet, but we do know that for the final nights of operation at Sra. Martinez (Tuesday, July 2; Thursday, July 5; and Friday, July 6), the acclaimed chef will "be cooking from the heart and off the menu. Each night will have surprises, a mix of classic dishes we haven't served in years and nightly specials. We really want to leave the space with a 'bang' and celebrate Sra.'s success.We want to give people a meal at Sra. they won't forget."

If that sounds inviting -- and how can it not? -- we have some advice: You probably should make reservations for next week sooner rather than later (dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m.).

You'll have to get your dazzling fish at Michy's instead.

Sra. Martinez opened in November of 2008 and was quickly proclaimed one of the best restaurants in America by Esquire magazine; that same year, Bernstein won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. Miami New Times named Sra. Martinez Best Spanish Restaurant in 2009, and most important, locals loved it too -- for its fun vibe, delicious tapas, and some of the best cocktails in town.

As consolation to the many fans of the Sra., Michy's and Crumb on Parchment are still both very much alive and well.

"We have loved our time at Sra. and are really proud of the food we served and the moments we shared with our customers."

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Location Info

Venue

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Sra. Martinez

4000 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL

Category: Restaurant

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Michy's

6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL

Category: Restaurant

Crumb on Parchment

3930 Northeast 2nd Ave., Miami, FL

Category: Restaurant

Tags:

Crumb on Parchment, Michelle Bernstein, Michy's, Sra. Martinez

We Recommend

Stefanbowers

Chef, I'm friends with Bernice and had the freshest, most inspiring meal of my career at Sra. Your menu and fare were the driving influence and inspiration upon me when writing my own menu at restaurant FEAST in San Antonio. Thank you to you and your staff, who worked so hard to execute such an amazing restaurant and pleasurable life experience. Stefan Bowers Chef Feast San Antonio,Tx

Dhernandez81352

One of the first restaurants we experienced upon our arrival to Miami from the West Coast in May of 2011 And it was a hit. We've dined there many times in the past year and we will truly miss Sra.Martinez. Great food, staff and locale. Sorry to see you go Danny and Suzanne

Azhulme

Michelle and David and Zach: We have enjoyed so many wonderful meals at Sra. Martinez, as well as at Michy's. It's a great loss for us and for the many friends that we have taken there, but I do understand the need sometimes for change. Great food, great decor and wonderful people. Thanks for the good times from Arizona!!

Jaxsonfsu347

As a former employee "michy" treated us like s**t she was rude and left everyone in the dark about when it was closing. Now we are all scrammbling to find jobs and its not easy the way the economy. Thanks Michy!!!

No1UNo

I've worked at a few restaurants that have closed. The only notice I got was a sign on the door when I showed up for my shift. Michy is a classy lady, be grateful you got any notice. A lesser person wouldn't have said a word.

Eat

mac

Eat

Go to Burger King and get a double big mack.

Chad

my friend's step-aunt makes $67 an hour on the computer. She has been out of work for 8 months but last month her income was $15553 just working on the computer for a few hours. Go to this web site and read more www.LazyCash31.com copy the link into browser

Foodie

I have had the pleasure of working with her an she is an amazing Chef, but more than that, she is an amazing person. You can't judge and assume her excuse is "lame" or false when you have no clue... Its amazing that with all of her success she has decided to do the right thing and slow down to spend some time with family....

Realty

Let's be clear...Michelle Bernstein is the most important chef in town. She started a culinary/restaurant revolution of independent operators that actually make it. Michael Schwartz would be nowhere without her (BTW. She's been doing farm-table concentrating on local forever. Schwartz just has the big ego that needs to tell everyone.) Did someone say she should to what Escopazzo did? That's the most over-priced restaurant in town. And from what I hear, not organic at all. Michaels Genuine is the only restaurant in design district that has stayed around. That's because he's the only one who Craig Robbins, landlord to most of the area, gave a reasonable deal. Other landlords followed suit and created a run-down destination with hig rent.

Brian

My wife and I had the chance to be in Miami and dine at Sra. Martinez last night. We had the tasting menu and were blown away by the care and attention apparent in almost every dish. The quality of the food was matched by the cheerful and knowledgeable service. My only complaint is that I just foun out we won't be able to come bank for an encore... Wish the best to Michelle & David...Please try again in the Palm Beaches. We need you there.

Mike Moskos

Sorry to see it go. They did a nice job with the interior of the old post office. I had a graphic design business in the Design District about 10 years ago and SO wanted it grow (like it had in Fort Lauderdale) to be able to move it into that post office. Sadly, we rarely built such stately buildings like this any more. Thank G someone had the foresight not to knock it down.

Debora

As a Chicago foodie, we love/d Sras. & have gone many times. Love the food, service & circuses. We will be sad to see this Design District superlative restaurant close but we know that Michy will move on to even better things. We have enjoyed Michy's but preferred S.M. Let's watch for where M. Bernstein will open next in South Florida. Good luck to her & David in their next culinary adventure.

Headchefed

the prices of a restaurant are reflective of the products they provide . . . in the era of Giant cheesecake factory portions and mediocre products . . . a restaurant providing interesting ingredients that are very high in quality (and the price charged to the Chef reflect this) and whose concept is "tapas" which by definition is a small portion . . . most respectable restaurants cannot compete . . . I am a Chef and I get charged $23 dollars per pound for ribeye steak . . . in order for me to recoup a 10% profit I need to charge over $50 dollars for that steak!! I cannot do that and stay open!! so for that particular plate me profit is about 3% !! hard to stay in business when you have those numbers on your balance sheets . . .

Mikkimauss

You can be a great chef, but it does't mean your portions have to be minimal and expensive. Mrs. Bernstein proved that people can try her creations once but by the time of eating a normal portion size and pay normal prices, people chosen other options. Same luck will have with Mychi's, unless she changes quick and people find out before she closes it too.