Sunny’s Steakhouse Opens Permanently In Miami’s Little River Neighborhood
If you're one of the many who mourned the closure of Downtown Miami's Jaguar Sun in August, you'll be pleased to hear that Sunny's Steakhouse is officially opening its doors on Wednesday, October 2nd. A stunning concept by the beloved Jaguar Sun team, this Little River restaurant can best be described as a more polished, but still fun big sister concept to what was once one of the Magic City's favorite spots.
Miamians may be familiar with Sunny's Someday Steakhouse, which got its start back in the summer of 2020. As a way to shift operations during the deep dark days of the pandemic, the Jaguar Sun team took over an event space called Lot 6. Without a proper kitchen, the usual pasta menu was out of the question, so the team started with tacos and a couple guest collaborations with other local businesses before settling on the concept of a steakhouse. Will Thompson, owner of Jaguar Sun and Sunny's Steakhouse, shared that it made sense stating, "people weren't going out and when they were it was for a special occasion — nothing screams special occasion quite like a steakhouse."
With two seasons under their belt operating as a residency, the team decided Sunny's Someday Steakhouse was something worth pursuing. Nearly two years later, they've dropped the 'Someday' and Sunny's Steakhouse is officially here.
Situated around the shade of a gorgeous banyan tree, this once only-outdoor restaurant space has been transformed into a shiny new, modern white-tableclothed indoor and outdoor restaurant that's aimed to deliver a nightly dinner party atmosphere.
"We've done everything in our power to keep the vibe that made the original version of Sunny's so special," says Thompson. "With that being said, it was really important to create a year-round space for our guests and our team to thrive in." Noting how Miami's rainy summers led to many wet nights in the outdoor kitchen and guests being handed umbrellas and pours of tequila to make up for the uncovered dining experience.
"Now we have a full kitchen and an indoor space that's air conditioned," says Thompson who shares that the indoor space is inspired by the magical atmosphere outside. "There's so many restaurants where you'll find a big beautiful outside area and then go to sit inside and you feel like you're starting out on a backfoot because the indoor seating doesn't feel as special, and that's something we tried our best to avoid at Sunny's."
In many ways the 13,000 square foot, 220-seat Sunny's designed itself, thanks to the help of New York-based interior designer Amy Butchko of The Springs Collective. "We started working with Amy on a few projects at Jaguar Sun and ViceVersa, and when it was time to find a designer for Sunny's, her personality alignment and vision for the space was really the right fit," says Thompson. "She truly assisted us in carrying out so much of what we were looking for and she's been incredible to work with."
When you hear the word steakhouse, decor thoughts often go straight to dark woods, reds, and starch-white jackets, but Butchko brought a different approach. "She really helped us to soften that vibe and create something that's right for not only this location, but this concept," says Thompson.
The 3,000-square-foot outdoor dining area is still centered around the banyan tree, and remains simple, but slightly updated thanks to new plush upholstery and still-white tablecloths. Meanwhile, the brand new indoor space is all about Palm Beach Regency and mid-century modernism with Murano glass lighting fixtures, roughly plastered interior walls, and decorative marble flooring.
Known for its award-winning bar program, it was imperative that the space was well equipped with bar seating — now boasting two separate bars that will each play a role in fostering the restaurant's welcoming atmosphere.
The outdoor bar is meant to evoke the same feelings as Jaguar Sun, but this time there are no seats, giving it a more free flow quality. Managed by the familiar faces of the Jag bar team, it's a perfect spot for a fun hang or to smash a martini and grab an order of oysters before actually sitting down for dinner. "It's in the same location as the bar was during the residency, but we've gussied it up a bit," says Thompson. "It's made to be a space where you can interact casually, because it's so important to us that this isn't just a special occasion spot. We're still the Jaguar Sun team and we still want people to feel like they can come through and have a couple of cocktails and a good time."
The substantial U-shaped bar inside is ideal for solo diners who are looking for a great meal and a nice evening out. "Our indoor bar will serve dinner, and is really my ideal solo diner situation," says Thompson, who all too well knows what it's like to get off work and wrack your brain on where to eat comfortably in a chill bar setting. "It's a bar, but it's meant to be a welcoming space for you to sit down and order — maybe a crudo and pasta or maybe a five-course steakhouse meal and a couple martinis."
On the opposite spectrum, Sunny's is also designed to welcome large groups, especially since there's now a 50-seat private dining room that complements both indoor and outdoor spaces. "Our hope is for the inside to feel as good as the outside, because we know how much it meant to everyone," says Thompson who notes that it's designed to all flow together as one fluid space as the weather begins to cool down.
When it comes to the food, the menu this time around is a little more expansive. "Since we aren't building and breaking down a restaurant every day or having to prep downtown and drive everything over in a Honda Civic, we're able to do so much more in a much easier fashion," says Thompson with a laugh. "We aren't trying to have a menu as long as the Cheesecake Factory, but we have a very real kitchen now and we can store and do so many more things."
"Instead of two or three crudos, we might see eight. And instead of three entrees, Sunny's guests might be spoiled with eight or nine — plus a selection of pastas that were once shining stars at Jaguar Sun."
That's right, one of the most exciting menu additions is a pasta section that will feature a handful of rotating offerings including familiar Jag Sun-cult classics like the Rigatoni with spicy pork sugo and Corn Agnolotti with blue crab and saffron.
In the kitchen, chef-partner Carey Hynes and his team are joined by Aaron Brooks who will be taking on the role of executive chef. Those who have been in-the-know when it comes to Miami's food scene, know that if there's a steak to be cooked, Brooks is the guy to do it. Known best for his time at Edge Steakhouse inside the Four Seasons Miami, this Australian native is one of the best chefs in Miami.
"We are so lucky to work with Aaron, because he really knows steakhouses," says Thompson. "This is his style of food and he has such an enormous presence." Thompson also says, "At the end of the day, it's not the Will or Carey or Aaron show — we know the whole is greater than the sum of the parts and we've been lucky to work with such a great crew."
On the menu expect raw bar selections featuring offerings of local Florida seafood, including Treasure Coast Oysters, Royal Red Shrimp, and more; along with wood-fired proteins and steakhouse classics from the team's exciting in-house dry-aging program.
Like with any proper steakhouse the wood-fired proteins take center stage at Sunny's. Just like in the early days of the residency, all steak cuts will be prepared over a live oak fire visible to dining room patrons. From USDA prime hanger steaks to Australian Wagyu to rotisserie chicken and a Pork Collar with calabrian chili and anchovy rub, expect the kind of menu where you can easily share a few large proteins and an array of steakhouse sides with your dining mates.
And of course, the cocktail menu still has the same creative attention to detail that this team has grown to be known for. Set up in three parts, guests will find a 'Cocktail' section with familiar favorites like the Green Ghoul made with tequila, mezcal, poblano, cucumber, lime, and salt; and the Wolf Whistle — an agave-based take on an espresso martini with cinnamon, along with a few fun new additions like a Mangonada which is a frozen fancy mango margarita made with strawberry-Campari and chamoy.
Next, there's the 'Martini' section where you can try one of their renditions or can order to your exact specifications. "The idea is, we've tried to make the best martinis we can, but we also know martinis are a very personal drink and we want to deliver the best possible version of what you're looking for to you," says Thompson, who himself is an avid martini lover.
Then there's the 'Fine and Fancy' section filled with high-end cocktails that are just plain cool. "We are actually the very first restaurant to have a barrel of Wild Turkey Rye and we're making a nice Old Fashioned with it," boasts Thompson. "Plus we have a Death In The Afternoon, which is a Hemingway favorite made with absinthe and bubbles, and then a few group-serve drinks — including the Fino Martini from Jaguar Sun."
"We've also really improved our wines by the glass offerings and created a nice 'low and no' section with three non-alcoholic drinks and three low-abv offerings," says Thompson, who shares they are all created based on listening to what guests have asked for or ordered in the past. "Since the pandemic, we see what feels like an increase in demand for ways to have a good time in a slower fashion."
"We want to be where you want to celebrate your 40th wedding anniversary, and also where you want to hang out on a random Wednesday evening," says Thompson, reflecting on the vibe Jaguar Sun was so well known for. "We didn't become that way accidentally, and this isn't accidental either — it will be more fancy, but in a nice way that we hope will be fun for everyone."
