UVA Restaurant & Bar at Novotel Miami Brickell announces a culinary collaboration with NUB Restaurante, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Canary Islands. The limited-time pop-up is set to open on Friday, December 12, enhancing Miami’s growing Michelin-caliber dining scene while offering guests an exclusive yet approachable experience.
The partnership brings together three acclaimed chefs whose backgrounds span continents and culinary traditions: NUB’s Michelin-starred Andrea Bernardi, who was born in Rome, trained across Europe, and is known for blending Italian precision with inventive technique, earning him multiple Repsol Suns; Fernanda Fuentes Cárdenas (of MasterChef Chile and Top Chef VIP Chile fame), the first Chilean woman to receive a Michelin star, who contributes a Latin American voice to NUB’s European roots; and Cuban native Yohsy Hernandez, executive chef at Novotel Miami Brickell, who adds UVA’s signature perspective by combining French technique with Latin and Mediterranean influences.
“Our goal is to bring fine dining back to what it truly means: sharing exceptional food, culture and connection,” said Bernardi. “This experience is about emotion, not exclusivity.”
The pop-up invites guests to enjoy a six-course tasting menu (starting at $130 per person with an optional wine pairing add-on) that showcases the culinary artistry and warm hospitality that continues to position Miami as a global epicenter for exceptional dining.
“We are ecstatic about welcoming Chefs Bernardi and Cárdenas to Miami and to UVA Restaurant & Bar,” said Sinem Kaya, general manager at Novotel Miami Brickell. “Collaborations like this not only celebrate world-class talent but also strengthen Miami’s standing as a destination for Michelin-grade dining. Our goal is to create an experience that is both lavish and approachable, ensuring every guest feels right at home at the table.”
This tasting menu begins with an indulgent snack of golden, buttery brioche served with a silky truffle mayonnaise. For those who select the wine-pairing add-on, the dish is complemented by a delicate pulmay broth. This elegant introduction sets the stage for the first cold section: a mixed salad brimming with fresh, crisp vegetables alongside cold arrabiata spaghetti infused with tender tuna and topped with the rich, briny intensity of bottarga. These bright, refreshing flavors are paired with the Frescobaldi Chianti Classico 2023/2024, a Tuscan white whose lively acidity and red fruit notes enhance the nuanced layers of the cold dishes.
The culinary journey continues with another hot section, showcasing “Apionara,” a creative twist on the classic carbonara, made with delicate celery for a vegetal depth that harmonizes with the creamy, comforting sauce. This dish is elevated by a pairing of the aromatic Vermentino di Gallura 2018 from Sardinia, which balances the warmth of the pasta with its crisp, sun-soaked character.
The next course is a sophisticated hake dish, served atop a delicate potato mille-feuille and drizzled with a savory, caramelized sea toffee reduction that intensifies the oceanic flavors. This maritime indulgence is complemented by Laurelwood Ponzi Chardonnay 2021 from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, whose rich yet restrained profile mirrors the dish’s layered complexity.
The tasting continues with a perfectly cooked lamb accompanied by tangy fermented red cabbage that adds a surprising depth and brightness. This hearty yet refined dish is paired with the Prunotto Barolo Nebbiolo, a red wine from Piedmont with structured tannins and dark fruit notes that elevate the lamb’s savoriness.
The finale is a playful, refreshing dessert of creamy stracciatella paired with fresh basil, tomato and a hint of vinegar, offering an interplay of sweet, herbaceous and tangy flavors. This inventive conclusion is paired with Franciacorta Satèn from Lombardy or Moscato d’Asti from Piedmont, providing effervescent elegance and a gentle, aromatic sweetness to round out the tasting.
Seatings are available Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30-10:30 p.m. from December 12, 2025, to March 13, 2026. Reserve via OpenTable Experiences. UVA Restaurant & Bar is located at 1500 SW First Ave., Miami, FL 33129. For more information, visit OpenTable or call 786.600.2600.