WGM Super Issue: Giannis to Miami, NY Post vs Pura Vida, Chef Bottura Returns, & Higgins Wins
Miami is the Greatest Life Hack on Earth. Tis the Season.
On My Mind: Miami, The Greatest Life Hack on Earth
Season is officially here, December is the month of miracles, but it’s even better in Miami. The most wonderful time of the year. Up north they get sweaters and fireplaces; down here we get sun, energy, and a city that feels like it’s shifting into its highest frequency.
This is when Miami becomes Miami. Long days on the beach, cool nights on rooftops, visitors everywhere, restaurants humming, boats filling the bay, and the entire city moving with that unmistakable December-to-March electricity. It’s everything you love about vacation without ever having to leave.
Consider this your insider’s guide to the months when Miami shines brightest and when being here feels like the greatest life hack on earth.
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Beach Business
Congratulations to Mayor Higgins.
Miami’s newly elected mayor and the first woman ever to hold the office.
New York Post vs The Pura Vida Tuna Sandwich
New York Post decides PV Tuna has more fat than FOUR Big Macs. Suss.
Riverside Wharf Breaks Ground, Building Brickell’s New Jersey
$350 million hotel and hospitality project has officially broken ground.
Aventura Mall Just Got an Expansion They Didn’t Even Have to Build
Turnberry acquires 219,000-square-foot open-air retail center for $131 million.
Miami’s First Version of Erewohn is Dropping, More Coming
Nude Miami, a hyper-clean grocery opening in early 2026 at 1100 Brickell Bay Dr.
Miami Heat Update: We Predict Giannis is 305 Bound
Giannis to the Miami Heat isn’t a rumor, it’s an inevitable NBA storyline.
Hospitality: Local Insider
Torno Subito: It Closed, Nobody Cared. It Reopened Somewhere Cool… Now Everyone Cares. And it’s Quite Delish.
“Torno Subito” translates to I’ll be right back. Turns out… it was all part of the plan.
11 Miami Restaurants Crack the Top 100 Grossing Independents
MILA No. 1 $51M+, Joe’s Stone Crab No. 3 $47.6M, Komodo: No. 26
Real Estate: Luxe Listings We Love
A 4,300 SQ FT La Gorce Classic for Under $5M
5 Bedroom Mediterranean villa on a gated 9,639 SF corner lot.
BEACH BUSINESS
Congratulations to Mayor Eileen Higgins.
Congratulations to Eileen Higgins, Miami’s newly elected mayor and the first woman ever to hold the office. Her victory marks a historic moment for the city and a meaningful milestone in Miami’s evolving political landscape. Higgins built a diverse coalition around issues such as affordable housing, expanded transit, and a commitment to serving all residents regardless of party.
That said, it’s important to recognize the nuance: while the mayoral win is exciting for the democrats, the role itself is largely symbolic. The City of Miami mayor oversees just one municipality within the far larger and more powerful Miami-Dade County, where the real financial, infrastructural, and policy decisions are made. It sounds like the big job, and it’s certainly a meaningful accomplishment for Higgins, but in the hierarchy of South Florida governance, the reality is far different.
Still, symbolism matters, momentum matters, perception is reality, and today marks a milestone worth noting.
NY Post vs. The Pura Vida Tuna Sandwich
Only in New York could someone look at a Miami tuna sandwich and decide it has more fat than FOUR Big Macs. Yes, you read that right. AND no, it’s not real. And yes, someone in NYC clearly woke up and chose Pura Vida slander.
This week, the New York Post dropped an absolutely unhinged “health expose” claiming Pura Vida’s $19 Tuna Sprout Sandwich clocks in at 145 grams of fat and close to 3,000 mg of sodium, numbers that would make even McDonald’s blush.
Turns out… it was a misprint on the website. But by the time anyone corrected it, the story was already out, and NYC’s libtard wellness warriors were spiraling on TikTok, crying betrayal like their ex just blocked them on Instagram.
Let’s get this straight: There is no universe, not in Miami, not in the multiverse, not even in the darkest, saltiest timeline, where a Pura Vida tuna sando is worse than four Big Macs. Four! You’d have to deep-fry the bread in duck fat and inject the tuna with nacho cheese to hit those numbers.
But it does make one thing crystal clear: NYC is feeling a way about Pura Vida taking over. Six new locations in a few months. Lines out the door in Bryant Park. Upper East Siders acting like it’s Erewhon East. Miami’s favorite café brand is suddenly the hottest thing in Manhattan, and the locals are not handling it well.
So what do you do when a Miami import becomes too successful in your city?
Apparently…You print that its tuna sandwich is a biological weapon.
Miami isn’t buying it. NYC, if you’re going to come for us, at least make it believable.
Until then? We’ll be over here eating our real Tuna Sprout Sandwich, the one that doesn’t defy the laws of nutrition, and watching Pura Vida continue to take over your city one açai bowl at a time.
Because let’s be honest: This was’t a hate crime, it was a hater crime.
Riverside Wharf Breaks Ground, Building Brickell’s New Jersey
Riverside Wharf, a $350 million hotel and hospitality project, has officially broken ground along the Miami River at 114 S.W. North River Drive. The development is a joint venture between MV Real Estate Holdings, Driftwood Capital, and Merrimac Ventures.
The project spans 200,000+ square feet and will include:
Dream Miami, a 167-room hotel
A 30,000 sq. ft. nightclub with a rooftop pool dayclub
A 12,000 sq. ft. event hall
16,000 sq. ft. of restaurants
A new public riverwalk and sea wall
A pop-up Garcia’s Fish Market
Designed by Cube 3 Architects and Gensler, and built by Moss Construction, the project is slated for completion in fall 2028.
And with that… if Brickell is Miami’s Manhattan, then this feels like Miami’s New Jersey. Onward and upward baby.
Aventura Mall Just Got an Expansion They Didn’t Even Have to Build
In an amazing turn of events, what was once a thorn in the side of Aventura Mall has officially become an expansion they didn’t even have to lift a finger for. Years ago, Seritage, the real estate spin-off created to redevelop old Sears and Kmart stores, transformed the former Sears site into Esplanade Aventura, a move that reportedly annoyed the Soffers and Simon Property Group at the time. It was like Trader Joes opening next door to the most successful Whole Foods. Fast forward to today, and it turns out the “competition” they didn’t want might have been a blessing in disguise.
Turnberry and Simon Property Group, the co-owners of Aventura Mall, just acquired the entire 219,000-square-foot open-air retail center for $131 million, instantly folding it into their portfolio. The property, now rebranded as The Abbey at Aventura, sits on 12.3 acres, includes a 512-space garage, and was built in 2023. Bank of America provided a $101.8 million mortgage for the deal. The tenant lineup is stacked: Amalfi Llama, STK, North Italia, Pura Vida, Sweetgreen, Pure Barre, Lego, Industrious, Tremble, and more, with Anatomy Fitness (26,000 sq. ft.) and Salt & Straw opening soon. With over 50,000 sq. ft. of new tenants on the way and room for future development, the upside is massive.
Turnberry principal Harrison Soffer (Next Gen Leadership, Go Harrison) said the plan is to elevate the center with more “immersive, lifestyle-driven experiences,” working with existing tenants while bringing in new ones. JLL handled the sale for Seritage. For Aventura Mall, this is the ultimate plot twist: the rival next door is now officially part of the family.
Every City Is Getting Its Own Erewhon… Miami’s First Version Just Dropped, More Coming
First LA had Erewhon. Then New York got Meadow Lane, the TikTok wellness darling. Now Miami’s entering the chat with Nude Miami, a hyper-clean grocery + café opening in early 2026 at 1100 Brickell Bay Dr. The 4,720-square-foot concept promises no GMOs, no seed oils, no preservatives, an all-organic hot bar, smoothies, matcha, artisan sourdough, and curated wellness brands. It’s basically the full Erewhon starter kit, just with more humidity.
Why it matters: wellness retail is exploding, and Brickell is the perfect test market with its density, wealth, and foot traffic. These hybrid grocery-café concepts are becoming major real estate players, driving premium customers and potentially higher rents. Nude Miami already plans more locations across South Florida, signaling that the “clean grocery wars” are officially underway.
Reality check: the grocery business requires massive scale and has razor-thin margins. Expect lots of upstarts, lots of shutdowns, and eventual consolidation — because even if you make $5 on an $18 smoothie, you still have to sell a shit ton of them to make rent. And those organic veggies? You’re probably losing money on them anyway because you don’t have scale and they go bad veerrrrryyyy quickly.
Miami Heat Update: We Predict Giannis is 305 Bound
We’re planting the flag. Bookmark this. Screenshot it. Tell your group chat you saw it here first.
Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat isn’t a rumor, it’s the most inevitable storyline forming in the NBA. Pat Riley is setting up the final, legacy-defining move of his career, the kind that alters franchises and cements myths. And all signs point to Miami as the landing spot.
This is the official What’s Good Miami prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo will be a Miami Heat player.
Why We’re Calling It Now
Riley’s Last Great Play: This is the Godfather’s final masterpiece, the move that locks in his legend forever.
A Heavy, Legit Trade Package: Herro, Wiggins, maybe Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jovic, plus a vault of picks that unlock in July. Miami can out-position almost anyone.
Championship Culture: No franchise gets more from stars. No franchise reinvents itself faster. Miami is where talent becomes legacy.
The Best Offense in the League: We are already crushing it this season, all we need is an alpha.
The Spo Factor: The best coach in basketball. Period. Every superstar knows their game levels up under Spo.
No State Income Tax: Tens of millions kept in Giannis’ pocket. That matters, a lot.
The Lifestyle Advantage: The only city where you can win at the highest level and live the best version of your life at the same time. Thats going to be important after living in Wisconsin. WTF man.
A European, Global City: Miami aligns with Giannis’ energy, values, and worldview more than any market in the league.
Put it all together and it stops being speculation. It becomes a forecast.
What’s Good Miami is calling the shot:
Giannis → Miami is the next great NBA shift.
It’s just a matter of timing, and the clock is ticking.
HOSPITALITY: LOCAL INSIDER
Torno Subito: It Closed, Nobody Cared. It Reopened Somewhere Cool… Now Everyone Cares.
Here’s the truth: Torno Subito opened. No one cared. It closed. Still no one cared.
But then it reopened in the Design District — and suddenly people care again. That’s Miami.
Chef Massimo Bottura has a guardian angel, and now that Torno Subito lives inside The Moore, it finally has the audience it deserves. I went — and it was delicious.
By some stroke of branding genius, “Torno Subito” translates to I’ll be right back. Turns out… it was all part of the plan.
What to Order
The Burger: shockingly great, awesome packaging.
The Pizza: underwhelming to look at overwhelmingly superb taste.
The Beef Tartare: the true art behind of art basel.
The Design: a spectacle; The Moore never misses.
This new location — surrounded by Cote, Robuchon, Mandolin, Mother Wolf, and the rest of Miami’s upper-tier dining ecosystem — gives Torno Subito the platform it never had at Julia & Henry’s. It’s no longer a good idea trapped in the wrong ZIP code. It finally makes sense.
LOCATION. LOCATION. LOCATION.
90% of restaurant decisions are made because of location. Not spectacular food — consistent food and service combined with a great location are the winning combination. Destination locations? Nearly impossible to survive, even if you’re the best chef in the world.
11 Miami Restaurants Crack the Top 100 Grossing Independents
It’s been a rough stretch for Miami’s restaurant scene, openings, closings, reinventions, but the new Top 100 Independents list from Restaurant Business proves one thing: Miami still plays in the same league as New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas when it comes to independent dining.
MILA: No. 1 ($51M+)
Joe’s Stone Crab: No. 3 ($47.6M)
Rusty Pelican: No. 21 ($24.1M)
Komodo: No. 26
Casadonna: No. 27
Mayami: No. 29 (highest average check in the U.S. at $286)
Delilah Miami: No. 38
Pastis: No. 45
Gekko: No. 52
Papi Steak: No. 64
Bayshore Club: No. 83
How it works? Restaurants qualify as independent if they have five or fewer locations, with rankings based on 2024 food + beverage sales, surveys, public data, and comparable concepts.
REAL ESTATE: LUXE LISTINGS WE LOVE
A 4,300 SQ FT La Gorce Classic for Under $5M
Yes, you read that right, 4,300 sq ft on La Gorce Drive for under $5M. In this market, that’s a unicorn.
This rarely available, tastefully renovated Mediterranean villa brings 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, and pure Miami Beach elegance on a gated 9,639 SF corner lot. Recently upgraded with a new roof, new landscaping, new fencing, and a new pool deck, the home blends old-world charm with modern, move-in-ready ease.
Why We Love It
Lush tropical grounds with soaring mature trees, privacy hedges, heated pool, and picture-perfect Al Fresco dining vibes.
French doors everywhere, creating seamless indoor–outdoor flow from every major room.
A legit chef’s kitchen — open gas, top-tier appliances, and a clean, modern layout.
Formal dining + sophisticated living spaces with beautiful millwork and architectural character you can’t fake.
A massive downstairs primary suite, complete with sitting room and dual dressing rooms/closets. A true sanctuary.
Three upstairs ensuite bedrooms, plus a balcony for breezy La Gorce sunsets.
Separate 1BD/1BA guest or staff quarters — major flexibility and value-add
Location, Location, Location
You’re in one of Miami Beach’s most coveted neighborhoods, with effortless access to:
La Gorce Country Club
Top-rated schools
Beaches & parks
The shops + restaurants of 41st Street
Mid-Beach, South Beach, and Surfside
15 minutes to MIA Airport — elite convenience.
A stately, renovated Mediterranean in a prime location with over 4,000 sq ft for under $5M is almost unheard of in 2025. This one is a move-fast situation.
Closing Thoughts: You’re Living Where Everyone Else Wants to Be
As season kicks into full swing, remember: people fly thousands of miles to feel what you get the moment you step outside. Sunshine. Warm air. That pulse of possibility.
This is Miami’s magic — you don’t just visit it. You live in it.
So here’s to the month of miracles.
To the most wonderful time of the year.
To late beach days, early dinners, packed calendars, and unexpected moments that feel like gifts.
To a city that gives you the best parts of vacation every single day.
Stay present. Stay curious. Stay tuned.
What’s Good Miami is just getting started.
Keep your SPF high and your standards higher.
See you at the beach.
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For much less than the cost of your morning matcha, subscribe to get full access to the intel that matters. Cement your status as an insider and support your community. We love you Miami.
PS. You can write off your subscription, it’s a cost of doing business in the MIA.