Fit for a King
Words: Michelle Wallace IG @my.michelle.w
Photography: Sergey Yusin @sergey_yusin
Wardrobe: Jaxson Maximus @jaxsonmaximus
Make-up: Julia Brig @juliabrigmia
style | June 01, 2021
Travel
October 1, 2020
Downtown Doral evolves pedestrian activation with opening of The Doral Yard
More al fresco art and dining, socially distanced live music and cultural events powered by Yard Hospitality Group
As of October, Downtown Doral evolves its pedestrian-only activation of Main Street to offer the best option in Miami-Dade for a family-friendly, safe, and fun dining and community experience.
"We are committed to responsibly supporting our residents and businesses during these difficult times.This led us to design an engaging outdoor experience that features expanded pedestrian spaces and safe community experiences on Main Street while emphasizing health guidelines and safety regulations in an artful manner,” said Ana-Marie Codina Barlick, CEO of Codina Partners, master developer of Downtown Doral. “We partnered with Yard Hospitality Group, the team behind The Doral Yard, to curate the experience that launched in August and will continue through the fall. This new phase of the pedestrian-only activation features the opening of The Doral Yard, Bachour Restaurant and Bar, and Bunnie Cakes Bakery and Cafe.”
Currently, guests on Main Street can enjoy experiences for all comfort levels: Stop by on your family walk to take a photo in front of art installations or enjoy an al fresco evening drink or meal at a socially distanced, covered table. Seating for restaurants such as Bulla Gastrobar, Dragonfly Izakaya & Fish Market, Gusto RistoBar and more extend into the street with creative and eclectic seating areas, as well as with amply distanced indoor tables.
A bubble art installation that illuminates with searing neon colors at night by multi-dimensional artist @Haiiileen borders one end of Main Street, while botanical displays by Little River Cooperative and Alore Event Firm enliven the outdoor dining areas. Families can take photos next to a mural by Chalk & Brush Design.
Enjoy pop-up activations and arts and cultural experiences, along with the opening of an outdoor version of The Doral Yard on Main Street with covered seating options and offerings from culinary entrepreneurs including della bowls, Paletas Morelia, Santo Dulce Churros, un pollo, Yip and The Bar at The Yard.
“We are thrilled to be able to engage with the community, albeit in a new form on Main Street,“ says The Doral Yard co-founder and CEO Della Heiman. “The Yard has always been an iterative business, and I’m proud of the way our team and our culinary entrepreneurs have pivoted and were able to collaborate with such a visionary developer to make this pedestrian activation happen.”
Bachour Restaurant and Bar, led by award-winning pastry-chef-turned-restaurateur Antonio Bachour and Bunnie Cakes Bakery and Café , Miami’s first vegan, gluten-free bakery, make their Downtown Doral debut on Main Street a little later in the month, joining the recently opened Juicy Burgers and Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, which makes treats for canine friends. All of them will have extended dining areas, as well.
Savor Doggi’s Arepas at a pop-up stand. Snap photos next to a vintage truck from The Spot Barbershop, additional murals, or the macrame art by Yelitza Barrios of Filamentos Art. Enjoy outdoor chair massages with Hand & Stone Massage.
Socially distanced events will include fitness classes with Sweat 440, yoga classes, and live music and cultural events.
Downtown Doral is working from a detailed protocol to keep guests and team members safe.
“This plan helps Downtown Doral’s restaurants expand outdoor seating in a health-conscious and mindful manner which can serve as a model for other communities to follow,” said Joel Fleitas, Director of Safety at Baptist Health South Florida. “We are proud to be able to implement our safety expertise in a way that allows the community to enjoy the amenities and services we love with more peace of mind.” As the year progresses, Downtown Doral will continue its evolution, adding more arts and cultural experiences, live music and events, with the comfort and safety of guests and community members always the primary focus.