Sherwoods Bistro closed last year in Miami’s Little River. Here’s what’s taking its place

June 4, 2024 Admin

A new wine bar and gathering spot is opening in Miami’s Little River neighborhood.

Opening in the former space of the laidback restaurant Sherwoods Bistro across from The Citadel food hall, Magie isn’t quite a restaurant and definitely not a night club, although you can eat light fare and sip wine there.

The name means “magic” in French and is the brainchild of industry veteran Caroline Strauss, who has opened more than 60 restaurants and bars around the world and is best known for her work as the general manager of Miami Beach’s popular Macchialina Italian restaurant and the cocktail bars Broken Shaker and The Anderson.

She sees Magie, which has been designed by designed by Sofia Cirincione of Velvet Hammer, as similar to downtown Miami’s Lagniappe, a spot to hang out, have a nibble, and drink wine (or craft beer, if you prefer).

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Ornate chairs and comfortable couches add to the atmosphere at Magie, a new wine bar in Miami.

There’s no traditional menu beyond simple bites like tinned fish, bread and charcuterie, caviar, radishes with whipped butter. You order at the counter after sorting through the offerings at the mercantile bar, then grab a seat in the cozy interior, out front or on the back patio.

“You grab wine, grab your meat and cheese and we plate it,” she says. “You do your own thing.”

Strauss, who recently opened her own concept The Key on the rooftop of The Citadel, where she has been a silent operator since 2020, enlisted some help for Magie’s wine bar. She brought in the noted Jacqueline Pirolo, managing partner of Macchialina and the restaurant’s beverage director, to curate the wine list.

Hospitality veteran Caroline Strauss, Macchialina’s managing partner and beverage director Jacqueline Pirolo and designer Sofia Cirincione of Velvet Hammer have teamed up to create Magie, a neighborhood wine bar and gathering spot in Miami.

“The wines won’t be all Italian, like at Macchialina,” she says. “And we won’t be focused only on natural wine. We want an entry-level price point. It’s not a wine snob bar. You don’t have to feel intimidated.”

This means you’ll find canned wines on offer, too, as well as a few wines by the glass. Magie will also host chef popups on Sundays.