Long-Anticipated Fooq’s Restaurant Returns to Miami in New Little River Location
After a hiatus of nearly five years, the Persian-French restaurant Fooq’s has officially reopened in Miami, relocating from its original downtown space to a significantly larger venue in the Little River neighborhood. The new establishment, situated at 150 NW 73rd Street, spans 14,000 square feet across two stories and represents a major expansion for the brand, which originally operated as a small, intimate eatery from 2015 until its closure in March 2021.
Owner David Foulquier of We All Gotta Eat Hospitality Group has partnered with Executive Chef Andrew Bazzini to deliver a menu characterized as refined New American with distinct Persian undertones. The culinary offerings emphasize wood-fired cooking, large-format proteins, and vegetable-forward plates intended for communal dining. The design of the new space incorporates “hippie chic” aesthetics, utilizing 1970s textures, mid-century furniture, and personal family artifacts to retain the personal atmosphere of the original location. The property also features an outdoor dining area and bar, contributing to the growing nightlife scene in the district.
The decision to reopen in Little River was met with initial hesitation. Foulquier expressed skepticism about establishing a business in an area that was previously considered to be only on the verge of development. The owner cited past operational challenges at the downtown Miami location, including issues with parking, safety perception, and vehicle break-ins, as factors that necessitated a careful selection of the new site. Confidence in the move was bolstered by the arrival of other high-profile venues in the area, such as the Michelin-starred Ogawa, La Natural, and Sunny’s Steakhouse, which indicated a stabilizing infrastructure and a viable customer base.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the return, the restaurant faces the challenge of replicating the “cult” status of its predecessor within a much larger commercial footprint. The original Fooq’s was known for its niche, “mythical” quality due to its small size, a characteristic that may be difficult to translate to a sprawling multi-story complex. Additionally, the venue enters a competitive local market where established dining hotspots have already claimed significant market share. The success of this new iteration will depend on its ability to balance the nostalgia of its loyal following with the demands of operating a large-scale hospitality venture in a rapidly evolving neighborhood.
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