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David Grutman’s long-awaited project in the historic Firestone Garage on 16th Street and Alton Road in Miami Beach is almost ready for his close-up.
The space opens in March with three different concepts, including one of Miami’s most popular pastry chefs under its roof.
Winker’s Diner, Sushi Fly Chicken and Toothfairy will all be housed under the giant Firestone sign that has welcomed motorists to Miami Beach since the 1930s.
The Firestone was a functioning garage and tire center until 2015. The 11,849-square-foot building and surrounding land were purchased by ARRP Miami IV LLC, a subsidiary of Miami-based developer Crescent Heights, for $ 10 million in early January 2016.
David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality has been working on plans for the iconic structure for quite some time. The restaurateur and nightclub owner says he was attracted to the room. “As a Miami Beach guy, I passed this building every day for years. The architecture of the building is beautiful and I saw it as a diamond in the rough.”
The site was supposed to house retail stores and a coffee shop, but Grutman had a different vision for the property. “I said I wanted to curate the entire building.”
Grutman and his team sent New York-based design firm ICrave to the proverbial drawing board.
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Winker’s Diner in the Firestone Garage.
Courtesy Groot Hospitality / Carma Connected
The American classic is given a bizarre facelift at Winker’s Diner. The 240-seat diner, decorated in blue-green Pullman booths and wooden panels with a stainless steel rim, will replace yesterday’s jukebox with a more Grutman-friendly DJ booth.
“What other restaurant has a DJ booth?” says Grutman, explaining that the decision was less about creating a nightclub atmosphere and more about making sure the music fits the ambience. “I want everything to be perfect and I don’t want to leave music programming to a streaming service,” he explains. “I want someone there to set the tone.” The restaurant offers American home cooking: sandwiches, soups, all-day breakfast, milkshakes and poses.
Sushi Fly Chicken (SFC) combines Grutman’s two favorite dishes – sushi and roast chicken – in a single concept. The menu includes nigiri, maki, a robata menu and an omakase experience. In addition, SFC will produce Korean style fried chicken, handmade dumplings, fried rice, and more. Inquisitive guests can find an inconspicuous stainless steel door that reveals a back room lounge serving Japanese whiskey, sake, and cocktails. In the center of the room is a gallery wall in which there is a rotating collection of commissioned art. Local DJs will spin ’90s hip hop to round out the experience. Chef Tony Mai will serve as Corporate Sushi Chef for Groot Hospitality and Executive Sushi Chef for SFC, with Ryan Lithgow serving as Chef de Cuisine.
Toothfairy offers desserts with a nostalgic flair from pastry chef / partner Dallas Wynne. According to Grutman, Wynne will serve favorite items with a “twist”: think matcha twinkies and soft ice cream adorned with fairy dust.
Groot Hospitality’s Executive Chef, Roel Alcudia, will run the business, with Executive Chef Jeff Maxfield serving as Executive Chef at the three venues. Most recently, Maxwell was Head Chef at Kilgore Culinary.
The three concepts of Firestone Garage will be added to Groot Hospitality’s growing portfolio: Nightclubs LIV and Story; Restaurants Komodo, OTL, Planta, Swan, and Papi Steak; and the soon-to-be-opened Goodtime Hotel on Washington Avenue in South Beach, which will house the Strawberry Moon restaurant.
Sushi Fly Chicken, Zahnfairy and Winker’s Diner in the Firestone Garage. 1569 Alton Rd., Miami Beach; sushiflychicken.com; winkersdiner.com; dentfairybakery.com. Opening in March.
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Laine Doss is the food and liquor editor for the Miami New Times. It was featured on Eat Street by Cooking Channel and in the Great Food Truck Race by Food Network. She won an Alternative Weekly Award for her contribution on what it’s like to wait for tables.
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