Kwame Onwuachi—the acclaimed chef, author and restaurateur behind New York’s Tatiana and D.C.’s Dogon—brings his talent for storytelling through food to Miami Beach in the form of Las’ Lap. Nestled along a lush canal inside the Daydrift Hotel, it’s a vibrant and ambitious homage to the chef’s Trinidadian roots and South Florida’s eclectic Caribbean communities. As an offshoot of NYC’s popular rum bar of the same name, Las’ Lap also delivers on the cocktail front with a lineup of bright and boozy tropical tipples designed to complement the rich, spice-forward menu.
The vibe: Sultry and energetic, with plenty to take in despite its small size. You’ll enter through the hotel’s dimly lit lobby, which doubles as a bar where you can order a drink while you wait. The restaurant itself is a narrow sliver tucked in back, textured with cascading greenery, patinated mirrors and plush booths. On the patio, a thicket of mangroves is the wild backdrop to a stylish crowd. File Las’ Lap under spots you’d expect to find an actually cool Art Basel afterparty.
The food: Chef Kwame told our editor that each of his restaurants “starts with a story.” At Las’ Lap, that story is an exhilarating convergence of West Indian flavors accented by Miami’s playful decadence, told through a series of shared plates: caviar service with warm roti, oysters with tamarind mignonette, pimento-smoked hot honey sticky wings, rasta pasta served Italian-style with jerk clams bianco. The mojo-marinated oxtail Cuban—layered with Wagyu bacon and draped in truffle shavings—is absolutely unnecessary, yet each gooey rectangle feels like its own mini-celebration.
The drink: The mostly rum-based drinks run the gamut from smooth and refined to smoky and complex, but our favorites are the tart and uplifting concoctions that help cut through the deep flavors of the meal. Jamaican and Trinidadian beers also feature, along with acid-forward white wines and easy-drinking reds.
Time Out tip: On weekends, Las’ Lap extends up to the Daydrift rooftop for dance parties that bring the island vibes and go until late. Check their Instagram for the latest events and RSVP links.