Mutra Brings Upscale Kosher Dining to North Miami
Miami’s kosher dining scene is getting a major upgrade with the opening of Mutra, the latest venture by renowned Chef Raz Shabtai. Set to open its doors today as part of its soft opening, Thursday, February 13, Mutra promises a unique blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, coupled with a true farm-to-table philosophy that prioritizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
In a long conversation with Chef Raz this week, he passionately described his vision for Mutra as being an homage to his heritage growing up in Jerusalem with his grandmother, calling it “Heritage cuisine.” He’s aiming to take a non-traditional approach to traditional cuisine. He’s ensuring that every item is hand-selected by him or his team, from local farmers. The Mutra website describes the restaurant as “Where Ancient Recipes Meet Modern Imagination” which is aligned with Raz’s mission. Chef Raz is setting his sights high, hoping that one day Mutra can be considered worthy of a Michelin star, despite being strictly kosher.
About Chef Raz Shabtai
Chef Raz Shabtai, an Israeli-born culinary artist, has significantly influenced the kosher dining scene with his innovative approach to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Early in his career, he honed his skills at Meir Adoni‘s renowned (non-kosher) restaurant, Nur, in New York City, where he embraced the rich tapestry of Israeli flavors. In 2018, he launched Basta, a kosher Mediterranean dairy restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, drawing inspiration from Jerusalem’s Machane Yehuda market. The menu featured organic salads, pastas, fish, pizzas, and traditional dishes like shakshuka and Georgian khachapuri. Following Basta, Chef Shabtai worked for several years at Alenbi in Crown Heights, further refining his expertise in modern kosher cuisine. He currently operates as a private chef in Miami, crafting elevated kosher dining experiences for exclusive clientele.
A Farm-to-Table Approach
Mutra takes pride in working with some of Florida’s most esteemed farms, ensuring high-quality, sustainable ingredients in every dish. The restaurant partners with:
- Alderman Farms – Over 40 years of experience growing organic and conventional produce in Florida.
- Gratitude Garden Farm – A five-acre organic farm specializing in medicinal mushrooms, fruits, and vegetables.
- Hammock Greens – A cutting-edge agri-tech park producing fresh, clean leafy greens.
- Pero Family Farms – A 115-year-old family-run farm committed to sustainability.
- Goodness Gardens – Focused on sourcing herbs from sustainable, ethical farms.
- B & W Quality Growers – Farming responsibly since 1870, known for watercress, arugula, spinach, and more.
- Ark Foods Farms – A modern-day farming company dedicated to making fresh produce more accessible.
- Tomato Thyme – A family-owned business specializing in premium tomatoes.
Standout Menu Highlights
Chef Raz Shabtai has curated an innovative menu that combines traditional Middle Eastern flavors with modern techniques. Some of the standout dishes include:
To Start:
- Chicken Liver Dreaming of Becoming Foie Gras – Chicken liver pâté with silan, crunchy shallots, pistachio crumble, caper berries, and grilled bread.
- A Fisherman and a Farmer Walk Into the Kitchen – Hamachi sashimi, fava bean tartar, jalapeño, shaved radish, house-made dukkah, and smoked olive oil.
- Hamotze – House-baked bread served with an assortment of house-made dips.
Second Course:
- One Perfect Falafel – A single falafel croquette with tahini amba, tomato gel, shaved cucumber, za’atar, pickled red onion, shifka pepper, and micro cilantro.
- Plate of Hummus – Like Hummus Should Be – Fresh warm hummus with ful medames, a 24-hour cooked brown egg, onion, and grilled pita.
- 1000 Layer Steak – Tahini amba, open flame vegetable salsa, grilled red onion, Anaheim hot pepper, and grilled pita.
Mains:
- Uzbeki Seniya – Lamb kebab with Har Bracha tahini paste, roasted red onion, sweet harissa, amba, tomato foam, and an Uzbeki apricot salad.
- Omtza – Solomon’s Nebraska-raised prime beef filet mignon, Iraqi stuffed onion kebab, royal corona bean mssabbha, tomato seeds, olive oil, lemon zest, and lamb stock.
- Chriyme-San – Moroccan yellow tomato “bisque” with branzini al la plancha, Tunisian couscous, and smoked carrot salad.
Desserts:
- Frishmen Beach Sorbet – Arak limonana sorbet, blood orange and clementine supreme compote, sumac meringue crumble.
- Espresso Baharat Ice Cream, Basbousa Cake, Halvah Cream – A rich blend of spiced espresso ice cream, traditional basbousa cake, and halvah cream.
>>> Click here for the full opening menu
Opening Details
Mutra will be open Sunday through Thursday from Noon to 8:00 PM, and Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Reservations can be made by calling 786.860.1213 or on Resy.
The restaurant is located at 2188 NE 123rd St, North Miami, FL; a short drive from Surfside, Bal Harbour, and Aventura.
Mutra is under the kosher supervision of the KM.
