Chef Robyn Almodovar Is Opening aAO in Buena Vista — and It Is Personal

The name is the story. aAO — Against All Odds, pronounced aye-ooo — is Chef Robyn Almodovar's first full-service restaurant, and it is opening this winter in Miami's Buena Vista neighborhood. Almodovar has been building toward this for more than two decades: the food truck that made history as South Florida's first female-owned, non-dessert food truck, the wins on Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen, the finalist finish on Hell's Kitchen, the executive chef role at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado. aAO is where all of it lands.

The 4,400-square-foot indoor dining room seats 122 guests, with a bar and lounge accommodating more than 30 — 15 bar stools and additional couch seating for cocktails, bites, and conversation. Designer Michael Tronn developed the interiors as a collection of 'atmospheres': distinct spaces with their own personality, material expression, and emotional character, connected by a shared design language. Wood, concrete, and leather anchor the room. Geometric woodwork, caramel and black leather upholstery, reflective accents, and layered lighting give it texture. Three elegant arched portals showcase curated artwork. A 10-seat chef's table sits against a gallery wall of family portraits — photographs of the people whose love and support helped bring aAO to life.

Outside, a 1,200-square-foot, 40-seat courtyard offers alfresco dining beneath the trees, with string lights illuminating the space after sunset. The design juxtaposes graffiti-covered concrete and natural wood with tropical greenery and atmospheric lighting — a lush urban retreat that feels like Buena Vista at its best.

The menu traces the influences and experiences that have shaped Almodovar's cooking. Signature dishes will include Beef Wellington — a nod to her time on Hell's Kitchen — alongside new creations such as grilled octopus with smoked bravas sauce. The South Florida culinary traditions that have always been part of her story run through the menu alongside the dishes that defined her television career. 'The menu is personal,' she said, 'and so is the name.'

'Buena Vista has a strong neighborhood identity while still being connected to the energy of Miami,' Almodovar said. 'That felt right for aAO. I envision a Brooklyn neo-soul-inspired restaurant where people can gather, feel at home and connect over food.' Co-Founder Austin Gaines — a Miami-based entrepreneur and founding partner of New York City's award-winning Arcane Estate Coffee — is translating that vision into every part of the guest experience. 'We want the restaurant to feel welcoming, flow naturally between indoors and out and become a place the neighborhood makes its own,' he said.

Weekly programming will give guests additional reasons to gather: happy hour and Industry Night, a dedicated evening for Miami's hospitality professionals. The hours are built for the neighborhood — 4 to 11 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday; 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

aAO (Against All Odds): 4204 NW Second Ave., Buena Vista, Miami, FL 33127. Opening winter 2027. Sun/Wed/Thu 4–11pm, Fri/Sat 4pm–2am. aaomiami.com · @aao_miami