Aventura hot spot gets another gorgeous restaurant, this time Peruvian. Here’s a look

Connie Ogle
·3 min read

The restaurant scene just keeps expanding at the Esplanade at Aventura.

The latest dining hot spot to open at the development next to the Aventura Mall is Jarana, a Peruvian restaurant and pisco bar from Acurio International, a hospitality group based in (where else?) Peru.

With a name that means “spontaneous celebration,” Jarana is the first brand from Acurio developed specifically for the U.S. market (a sister restaurant just opened in New Jersey as well). Just shy of 7,000 square feet, the space is bold and colorful, with murals and an open-air entrance. Peruvian touches are everywhere: You’ll see basket lighting fixtures and fisherman’s rope used in the decor.

And you can even watch the chefs at work in what Jarana calls the fire area, where the exposed grills and fire pits cook up everything from anticuchos (street snacks of grilled meat or seafood) to the ever-popular Peruvian rotisserie chicken.

Jarana’s design makes use of wooden beams and bright colors.
Jarana’s design makes use of wooden beams and bright colors.

Corporate executive chef Jesus Delgado says Jarana offers an authentic and approachable dining experience, one that highlights the best of Peru.

“We’re creating a cultural bridge,” he said in a statement. “Our menu is a canvas where the vibrant flavors of Peru dance with global culinary traditions.”

The kitchen is led by the Lima-born Martha Palacios, executive chef for Aventura, while the menu highlights Peruvian flavors and ingredients. Expect ceviches and tiradito as well as a Nikkei bar and a selection of causas, a layered potato dish.

Entrees include the expected lomo saltado ( beef tenderloin sauteed with onion, tomato, aji and potato and served with rice). Specialties include aji de Gallina (aji amarillo and pulled chicken stew), and there are also family-style dishes like the pescado frito Nikkei, a whole snapper deboned and fried with spicy sauce, bok choy and white chaufa.

Pescado frito Nikkei, a whole snapper deboned and fried with spicy sauce, bok choy and white chaufa, is one of the specialties at Jarana in Aventura.
Pescado frito Nikkei, a whole snapper deboned and fried with spicy sauce, bok choy and white chaufa, is one of the specialties at Jarana in Aventura.

Not surprisingly, pisco rules the cocktail program (though there are plenty of other choices, too, as well as a beer and wine menu). Jarana will also feature DJ sets some nights, giving the space a bit of a nightclub atmosphere.

Jarana is just one of the upscale dining experiences now open at the Esplanade. Earlier this year the gorgeous Italian-Patagonian fusion spot The Amalfi Llama opened with grill-side tables, an impressive menu of pastas and grilled meats and, as the night progresses, a distinct nightlife vibe. The steakhouse STK, which also has a location in Miami Beach, is also scheduled to open at the Esplanade this summer.

The Esplanade is also home to other destinations as well, including the Chicago concept Pinstripes, a more casual restaurant and entertainment space where guests can bowl or play bocce, and the Canadian restaurant Joey. Coming soon are Sweetgreen, expected to open sometime this month, and the cookie shop Chip City and Wynwood’s favorite doughnut spot The Salty, both scheduled to open this summer.

Conchitas a la Parmesana at the Peruvian restaurant Jarana in Aventura.
Conchitas a la Parmesana at the Peruvian restaurant Jarana in Aventura.

Jarana

Where: Esplanade at Aventura, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 5150

Hours: 5 p.m.-closing Monday-Thursday; 1 p.m.-closing Friday and Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday

More information: jaranarestaurant.com or 786-840-8840

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