Inside the Bright, Modern Space at Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami's Most Exciting New Restaurant

Downtown Dadeland’s much anticipated Ghee Indian Kitchen (8965 SW 72nd Place) finally opened its doors over the weekend. The brainchild of Niven Patel, the former chef de cuisine at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, and his wife Shivani, it serves a menu of modern Indian food in a bright setting decorated in authentic Indian décor.

The 70-seat restaurant was designed entirely by the couple themselves. All the décor was custom made for Ghee in India, including the mango wood tables, the lighting and even a colorful 100-year-old bench that was from Patel’s grandfather’s attic and restored for the space.

The pièce de résistance is certainly the functional spice wall that features more than 240 spices all brought in from India and blended by Patel himself, along with the massive wall-sized floral mural by Miami-turned-LA artist, Matthew Ryan Herget.

On the menu expect plenty of updates on Indian classics. The menu will rotate almost daily, depending on seasonal items that are available provided mainly by the couple’s two-acre farm in Homestead. Think dishes like smoked chicken samosas with green papaya salad, vindaloo made with pork belly instead of the traditional lamb, aged cheddar naan, green millet, lamb shank biryani with pomegranate and pistachio, and more. If you want to get a comprehensive taste of the menu a $55, three-course tasting menu is also available. For drinks the restaurant has partnered up with J. Wakefield brewery to create its beer menu, and also serves an array of wines that are biodynamic, organic and sustainable, with a sake based cocktail menu in the works.

The restaurant is now open Tuesday to Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 305-968-1850 for more info.

Giovanny Gutierrez/ Chat Chow TV