VICTORIA’S VINOS Y VERMUTERIA: Restaurateur Matt Kuscher/Kush Hospitality Group Launches Miami’s First Vermouth Bar
Behind some of South Florida’s most eclectic and inspired restaurants and bars, Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) — restaurateur Matthew “Kush” Kuscher’s culinary fiefdom — has been wowing diners and imbibers for over a decade, with a varied portfolio of lively, fun and whimsical concepts. Joining his stable of restaurants and bars will be his most out-of-the-box concept yet, Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria (VVV), an intimate romantic Spanish-inspired craft vermouth and natural wine bar launching on Friday, December 9, 2022. Located in the heart of Coconut Grove and connected to his flagship restaurant LoKal, VVV takes over the space that once housed Kush’s milkshake shop and beer store, Vicky’s House, named after the Kush family matriarch.
“I discovered drinking quality vermouths on a trip to Italy in 2015 but it became a love affair for me during a recent month long trip to Spain where I dove into the educational side and learned about the history, integrity and the art and science behind it,” explains Kush. To that end, upon returning from that June 2022 journey he began visiting vermouth bars and experimenting with flavor profiles/ingredients. He eventually lit upon his own personal recipe, dubbed La Mila, which will be one of VVV’s many offerings. He adds, “My mom has always been obsessed with Spain so when I told her my idea – to transform Vicky’s the milkshake bar to Victoria’s she was all in. I also want to eventually retire in Spain but that’s not happening anytime soon, so I figured I’d bring some of my favorite things from Spain to Miami.”
Launched in collaboration with Corporate Beverage Director Cristina Suarez, the first female industry professional to curate and launch a vermouth bar in the United States, the outlet boasts a strong focus on Spanish wines and ciders, large format craft beers and a bevy of eclectic house-made vermouths. Through research and education Suarez has fallen for vermouth so much so that it has replaced mezcal as her favorite libation. “We’re not expecting people to discover the passion we might have for vermouths but we want them to have a unique, educational and intimate experience and leave here feeling they have learned something new in a cool, sexy space,” Suarez notes.
The first vermouth bar in South Florida, VVV is positioned as both a “waiting room” for LoKal guests and a destination all its own, perfect for the date night crowd. In addition to great pours, VVV will offer tapas-style small plates, charcuterie boards, Chicken Skins and Sandwich de Mescla, Caviar, Pan con Tomate and more. Vermouths will come in an array of styles and flavor profiles, selections both familiar and exotic. To that end, the menu features two house-made vermouths, sold by the glass, bottle and package-style: Kush’s signature blend, described as “Christmasy and warm on the palate” along with a second craft concoction by Suarez. Her Titi Marie vermouth, which can be made and served after just an hour, as opposed to La Mila’s 30-day fermentation, is more spring than winter, with light floral notes that make for great pre-dinner drinking. Also on offer, a handpicked list of natural wines and Spanish ciders poured in the Asturian style of long pouring to inject effervescence.
Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria was designed with approachability in mind, filtered through an “Old World in a Modern Land” spectrum. With a capacity for 25 guests at a time, patrons are invited to be transported across the Atlantic in a space of muted green and red accents with Victorian-style design elements throughout. This includes a romantic back lounge perfect for intimate conversation or a stolen kiss.
Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria will be located at 3190 Commodore Plaza in Coconut Grove. Hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 5PM to close. For more information, please visit www.kushhospitality.com or follow Kush Hospitality on Instagram and TikTok at @KushHospitality.
About Kush Hospitality Group
Founded in 2011, Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) began with the mission to create and operate cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind concepts inspired by South Florida’s rich and diverse community. Every element of each KHG concept is hypercurated by owner Matt Kush, from the menu design and art to merchandise and music. Each restaurant offers menus featuring locally sourced ingredients as well as interiors thoughtfully designed using primarily upcycled and environmentally friendly materials. In fact, KHG has become known as a local leader in eco-friendly practices, having received multiple awards acknowledging their conscious efforts. Kush’s goal is to provide the ultimate guest experience with stellar service, made-from-scratch food, and works by local artists carefully chosen so that each concept reflects its specific location and unique perspective on Miami life. KING’s first concept, LoKal, pronounced [lo-ka’l], opened its doors in December 2011 in Coconut Grove with the intention of featuring ingredients and beers primarily from Florida. LoKal is the first restaurant in Miami-Dade County to use 100% clean, renewable energy sourced from wind and solar power. Other restaurants followed: Kush Wynwood, located in Miami’s Wynwood arts district, and its sister store next door, Botanica – both of which have become known for their expansive craft beer selection; Kush Coconut Grove, which offers sustainable seafood paired with eclectic cocktails, ciders and meads. In the Spring of 2019, after close to two years of development and historically-minded redesign, KHG opened Kush by Stephen’s in Hialeah, a carefully-refurbished incarnation of the legendary Stephen’s Deli, which first opened in 1954. Accessible through Stephen’s as well as through its own entrance – in a space that was Stephen’s former kitchen – is La Cocina Cocteleria, Hialeah’s first cocktail bar. Tobacco by Road by Kush, a tribute to the historic Miami’s bar and live music venue is located in Brickell and launched in 2021. In September 2022, KHG’s took over the food program of the world-famous Clevelander South Beach Hotel & Bar and opened the sports bar Kush at Clevelander. In late 2022, KHG added Victoria’s Vinos y Vermuteria to its roster of outposts. The venue, located in Coconut Grove, focuses on Spanish wines, ciders, house made vermouth and tapas.
Photo Credit: Kush Hospitality Group
Date Posted: December 7, 2022
