Dubai has landed in Miami.
Fundamental Hospitality — the UAE-born powerhouse behind popular spots like Shanghai Me, Alaya and La Maison Ani — quietly previewed its first former U.S. location in Miami this weekend.
Stars including Bethenny Frankel, Braxton Berrios and Larsa Pippen attended preview screenings of Gaia Miami over four nights last Thursday through Sunday, sources tell Page Six.
We hear partners Evgeny Kuzin and Izu Ani have “rolled out the red carpet” to debut a select group of the Florida coastal city’s most influential names ahead of the official opening later this week.
To get things started, Miami Beach Mayor Stephen Miner led a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Inside, it had more of a private members’ club feel than a restaurant preview,” said a source.
Couples Kevin and Kate Love, David Lee and Caroline Wozniacki, reportedly dined with NBA icon Pat Riley and NFL standout John Vilma.
Claire Holt was seen arriving with her fiancé, developer Andrew Joblon, along with real estate mogul Alex Witkoff.
Housewives including Bethenny Frankel, Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola and Pippen were spotted dining during the soft launch, and they wore eye-catching gold dresses for the occasion.
Frankel praised the restaurant on Instagram, calling it “the best restaurant in Miami.”
The star-studded guest list included developer Jorge Perez, Major Food Group co-founders Jeff Zalaznick and Mario Carbone, nightlife mainstay Chris Paciello, branding mogul Steve Stout, and architect Kobi Karp.
Influencer Jonathan “Foodgod” Cheban also dined there and shared his experience at the new eatery on social media, writing in the caption, “Good luck getting in.”
Some of the city’s biggest business leaders were also in attendance, including Dave Grutman and his wife Isabella, and Pura Vida founders Omar and Jennifer Horeb.
The menu includes fresh Mediterranean dishes such as tuna with truffles, tuna tartare with caviar, watermelon salad, Greek salad, grilled feta, Greek meatballs and lobster pasta.
Dessert options include fried Greek donuts, zia cheesecake, filo mille-feuille, coconut cake, “dirty cookies” with roasted hazelnuts, pralines, and Tahitian vanilla ice cream.
