Faena Miami Beach logo
Dine| Miami

Spring Secrets


Erik Menedez, the innovative chef behind Paul Qui’s El Secreto Omakase, Faena’s six-seat speakeasy dining experience, shares his secrets of the season.

El Secreto dish

“Spring is my favorite because there is an abundance of in-season fruits and vegetables that will find their way onto the menu,” he explains. “One thing we do in-house every spring is pickle young ginger from Fuji, Japan. Ginger is a springtime vegetable, so we pickle enough to last all year.”

What are some other spring ingredients diners will find on the menu?

In spring, we get a lot of exotic fruits like white strawberries, pineapples, and cuca melons (also known as mouse melons or mini cucumbers). Plus, ramps, which are spring onions (often referred to as wild leeks). The springtime also brings the prized morels, making them my personal favorite among the wild mushrooms in season.

What are some of El Secreto’s crowd favorites?

That would have to be the Ora King Salmon Toro, which is the belly portion of the fish. We torch it, then brush with an aged tamari soy sauce and top with a fermented chili crisp. Another fan favorite is our house-made ceviche with Japanese purple sweet potato and crunchy apple pumpkin seeds. We also get a lot of compliments on our sous vide king crab flavored with smoked brown butter and fresh yuzu juice.

Where are you finding inspiration this season?

I get a lot of inspiration from books. Some new releases in my arsenal are ‘Fish Butchery’ by Josh Niland, an Australian chef, and Noma had two books come out this year: ‘Noma 2.0’ and ‘Noma in Kyoto’. Noma is one of the best restaurants in the world and only works with very seasonal ingredients, so I use those books quite often as a reference. Another book I look to frequently is ‘The Flavor Bible’. It has great suggestions for flavor combinations.

Are you seeing any new trends in omakase?

Amid a surge of new omakase restaurants, many of which import their fish from Japan and specialize in nigiri, El Secreto distinguishes itself through a unique approach. We step away from the usual omakase style, leaning more towards kaiseki cuisine—a Japanese culinary tradition that celebrates seasonal ingredients and thoughtfully composed dishes, both raw and cooked. Instead of a standard 15 to 16 courses of raw fish over rice, our menu showcases a broader range of elaborate and more creative dishes.

Other Stories For Your Interest

Gateway to Art, Culture, and Community

Visionary Creatives - A In a rare and candid conversation, Alan Faena offered Rose Members an exclusive look into his visionary thinking and what lies ahead for the Faena brand. The evening reflected on legacy, creativity, and the evolution of culture. Iconic design duo David and Sybil Yurman joined Faena Rose for an intimate conversation on inspiration, artistry, and enduring alchemy. The evening traced their journey from sculptors to cultural tastemakers, blending creative vision with timeless design.

Where Fire and Flavor Ignite

"What makes Los Fuegos truly extraordinary is our commitment to the ancient art of cooking with fire,” explained Yassine Belkady, the restaurant’s manager. “We use no electricity whatsoever—just fire, wood ovens, and tradition” Everything has that distinctive char, those bold, nearly burnt flavors that taste almost primal. “When you dine here, you can literally smell the wood and rosemary in the air,” he added. The restaurant’s setting matches its culinary panache. By day, the veranda transforms into an airy ambience when its retractable roof opens to Miami’s brilliant skies. Guests enjoy lunch while overlooking the property’s stunning pool, creating what Belkady called “a completely different experience than any other hotel or restaurant in Miami.” 

Beneath the Tree of Life

Mornings here unfold slowly while guests sip on fresh-pressed juices—like the South Beach, a tropical elixir of coconut water, local citrus, mango, and strawberry, or a vitamin-rich Green Juice packed with spinach, kale, ginger, cucumber, celery and green apple. “The tranquility makes it really special,” noted Joshua Rodriguez, Director of Nightlife. “It’s a place where guests can grab a coffee, a light bite and relax or catch up on some emails.” A menu of delicious appetizers is great for snacking throughout the day, including crispy artichokes with sesame yogurt and sourdough breadcrumbs; prime rib empanadas with llajua sauce; and a vegan option of steamed veggie rice with sweet potato and broccoli. Come golden hour, the energy shifts. On weekends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, resident DJs set the mood as the bar transitions into a laidback sundowner haunt. The CopaCabana cocktail, a tropical indulgence of banana and apricot liqueur, coconut cream, allspice, and Bulleit Rye, is a guest favorite. “People order it because it’s served in a Faena-branded coconut, but it’s the taste that makes them request another one,” said Rodriguez.

Stay In The Know

Fields are required