Q&A: 2 Papi’s, 1 Restaurant – A Look Inside Papi Steak with David Grutman & David Einhorn
David Grutman & David Einhorn
Miami Beach, FL – September 12, 2019 – David Grutman has added another restaurant to the expanding Groot Hospitality portfolio with the debut of Papi Steak, in partnership with David “Papi” Einhorn. The restaurant will open its doors on September 12th in Miami Beach’s trendy South of Fifth neighborhood. Guests will leave the modern day at the door’s velvet ropes as they enter the intimate dining room where, like any Groot Hospitality venue, you will not only be treated like a star, but you could also be surrounded by stars as A-list celebrities are often spotted at Grutman’s venues. We had the opportunity to get an exclusive look at the stunning restaurant and interview with Grutman and “Papi”.
Showcasing classic elegance with a contemporary sensibility, Papi Steak fuses Grutman’s flair for mixing high-style design, and an edgy eclectic vibe with Papi’s passion for steak. In addition to the traditional signature Papi Steak Ribeye, the menu represents a modern, elevated spin on classic dishes, including prime meats grilled to order. Centering on Papi’s signature kosher-style cut Papi Steak additional specialities from the menu include: Latkes, Wagyu Pastrami, Maine Lobster, Chicken Schnitzel, Mac-N-Cheese, Corn Pudding and the Monop Potato, to name a few. Perfectly complementing the selection of meats are a variety of homemade sauces and butters including Papi’s Secret Sauce.
In addition to a full list of 150 different wines, 12 specialty cocktails will rotate through classic cocktails and avant-garde regional drinks offering something for any palate, all made with the freshest ingredients.
“At Papi Steak we aren’t trying to be just another steakhouse in Miami Beach. We are taking our unique menu and pairing it with one of the best designed dining rooms in Miami. I pulled out all the stops with Papi Steak. Working with ICrave on the design and Candice Kaye on the custom drawn wall finishes and smokey mirrors – they perfectly capture the energy we wanted to create,” said David Grutman. “The Papi Steak at Komodo is one of our best sellers. We’re introducing the next chapter of this dish with the opening of Papi Steak – a completely new concept featuring a variety of classics with a twist that only our team could create.”
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, David “Papi” Einhorn grew up in a kosher household and was given the opportunity to travel the globe, where he developed his passion for food. Upon returning home to New York City, Papi would host intimate dinners amongst some of the most influential New Yorkers and visiting South Floridians. “I’ve always loved sharing and making food for my friends and family,” said David “Papi” Einhorn. “We’re so excited to bring Papi Steak to South Beach. The food and the vibe are going to be out of this world.”
The intimate, 93-seat restaurant breaks the mold for the traditional restaurant aesthetic, creating exclusivity and privacy just steps from the street, while channeling the discreet drinking dens of the past. Designed by the renowned team behind ICRAVE as an ode to the Hollywood Golden Age, Papi Steak boasts vibrant, red velvet seating, hardwood tables and walls adorned in an exotic, floral print. Designed, drawn and painted for Papi Steak, Candice Kaye worked closely with Grutman to match his and Papi’s over-the-top personality – nothing that’s ever been seen at a restaurant in Miami or anywhere else around the world. Drawing inspiration from the Itoh Peony Flower, Kaye manipulated the shape and colors to create something fresh and new, making the flowers colorful and vibrant, with a hint of tie dye at the end, creating the ultimate photo friendly wall at every seat in the restaurant.
The restaurant, brought to life by Mocca Construction, offers a sexy and energetic feel in an intimate setting, with walnut wood paneling, crushed velvet booths, bold wallcoverings and a bronze mirror strip that completely wraps the dining room, creating an infinity effect at eye level.
Papi Steak is located in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood at 736 1st Street and will open for dinner Sunday through Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. with the last dinner seating at 11:00 p.m.& open 6:00 p.m. with the last seating at 12:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For reservations, please call (305) 800-7274 or visit OpenTable.com.
By Marissa Scarpulla
David Grutman & David Einhorn
WRE: How did the Grutman and Papi partnership come to be?
David Grutman: Papi and I have been friends for a long time. He would come down from New York and party in my clubs, he’s so charismatic, he instantly became part of our group. Soon enough he was grilling his signature Papi Steak in my backyard. What started as casual BBQs led to the Papi Steak being one of the top sellers on Komodo’s menu! That’s when we knew we had something.
WRE: How did you get your start in the food/hospitality industry?
David Einhorn: I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY – for much of my life, I’ve been surrounded by amazing food, and my passion really grew when I traveled the world and learned about different cultures, cuisines and forms of cooking. That is when I fell in love with cooking.
WRE: Why does everyone call you “Papi”? When did the name “Papi” catch on?
DE: Alec Monopoly gave me the nick-name a while ago and just stuck. I think it’s because I love cooking for all my friends, so they consider me family.
WRE: What is your cultural background? Does it have any influence on Papi Steak’s menu?
DE: I grew up in a Kosher household. Papi Steak’s menu is not entirely Kosher, but it is definitely influenced by it – the Papi Steak is a Kosher cut, and we serve modern takes on Jewish staples like latkes and chicken schnitzel.
WRE: What’s the story behind Komodo’s signature dish The Papi Steak, which is now the inspiration and name behind your new restaurant, Papi Steak?
DE: When I first came to Miami, I’d go to David’s house and grill steaks for everyone. I always used a Glatt Kosher cut and paired it with my secret sauce. It was a big hit with everyone, so he decided to put it on the menu at Komodo and it just took off from there.
WRE: In comparison to other Groot Hospitality restaurants, Papi Steak has a much more intimate setting and glamorous feel. How did the team work together to create this vision?
DG: We pulled out all the stops with Papi Steak. Working with ICrave on the design and Candice Kaye on the custom drawn wall finishes and smokey mirrors – they perfectly capture the energy we wanted to create.
We pulled out all the stops with Papi Steak. Working with ICrave on the design and Candice Kaye on the custom drawn wall finishes and smokey mirrors – they perfectly capture the energy we wanted to create.
David Grutman
WRE: What differentiates Papi Steak from other restaurants in Miami?
DG: We aren’t trying to be just another steakhouse in Miami Beach. We are taking our unique menu and pairing it with one of the best designed dining rooms in Miami. It’s very intimate and the food is out of this world.
WRE: Will Papi himself be serving up any dishes in the kitchen?
DE: I’ve been known to jump in the kitchen here and there and make sure my secret sauce is perfected. I’ll definitely be delivering dishes tableside to my VIPs. You’ll just have to check it out for yourself!
David Grutman & David Einhorn
Papi Steak’s menu is not entirely Kosher, but it is definitely influenced by it – the Papi Steak is a Kosher cut, and we serve modern takes on Jewish staples.
David Einhorn
WRE: Do you have a favorite item on the menu besides the Papi Steak itself?
DG: Everything on the menu is absolutely delicious, but two of my favorites are the Latkes and Chicken Schnitzel – They remind me of old family recipes. Also the Wagyu Pastrami – WOW.
WRE: You’re building an empire consisting of the best in hospitality, dining, and nightlife. Do you plan on tapping into any other industries?
DG: Of course! Why stop now? I want people to dance in my clubs, eat at my restaurants and sleep in my beds – I want to provide guests with a full 360 degree hospitality experience. I love hospitality, but most recently I’ve been tapping into fashion and having so much fun with my Prince collaborations.
David Grutman
