In the sun-soaked courtyard of a historic Little River home sits Rosie’s one of the Miami food scene’s most captivating and unlikely stories. Helmed by Noma alum Akino West and his wife Jamila Ross, the outdoor-only brunch spot started as a pop-up in Overtown and quickly gained a cult following for its unique fusion of Southern American and Italian cooking. Open Thursday through Sunday, the menu is a celebration of the comforting dishes West grew up on in South Florida, including lemon ricotta pancakes, fish and grits, and pastrami hash. The must-try Chicky Sandwich, featuring buttermilk fried chicken on a brioche bun smothered in lemon aioli, is foodie royalty.
Inspired by their African American heritage and memories of their grandmothers’ home-cooked meals, West and Ross have dreamed up a menu that melds their upbringing with West’s passion for Italian cuisine. Having started his culinary journey with high school competitions, West would go on to learn from two superstar chefs. Under the mentorship of renowned chef Michael Schwartz, West refined his craft and eventually embarked on an internship at Noma, the renowned Danish restaurant led by René Redzepi.
The experience at Noma opened West’s eyes to the importance of understanding food culture and collaboration, ultimately paving the way for the creation of Rosie’s, named in honor of Ross’s mother. Though he hails from the kitchen of one of the world’s most exclusive dining experiences, West’s all-day brunch concept is far from precious. In the shadow of a soaring banyan tree with a soundtrack of soft jazz and reggaeton, West has cultivated a blissed-out vibe that is a welcome reprieve from Miami’s high-octane restaurant landscape. “The goal is to feel refreshed when you walk in,” West says. “Everything feels super light; it’s a place where you can kind of lay back your shoulders and relax.”
In the latest installment of Designing Delicious, we visit Rosie’s.
