Q&A: Major Food Group Launches CARBONE Miami

Major Food Group Launches CARBONE Miami from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami Beach, FL – January 23-24, 2021 – Global restaurant company Major Food Group (MFG) launched the first stage of its Florida expansion with a Miami Beach outpost of the universally acclaimed Italian eatery CARBONE. The restaurant opened to the public on Tuesday, January 26th, but over the weekend MFG owners Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and Rich Torrisi — along with Miami partner Alex Pirez — hosted their friends, family, and collaborators for dinner.

Notable attendees included Dan Loeb, Jim Chanos, Peter Thiel, Vito Schnabel, Vlad Doronin, Richard LeFrak, Val Blavatnik, Steve Stoute, Alan Tisch, Michael Simkins, Mark Roberts, Barry Sternlicht, Craig Robins & Jackie Soffer, Jason & Michelle Rubell, Manny Machado, Jon Chetrit, Michael Fuchs and JP Perez.

Located at 49 Collins Avenue in the heart of the South of Fifth neighborhood, the restaurant will offer all of CARBONE’s signature dishes, including the famous Spicy Rigatoni, as well as several new additions, like the Scallop Crudo with Pistachio and Key Lime, Stone Crab Knuckle Sandwiches, and a Coconut Lime Chiffon Cake. MFG co-founders Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and Rich Torrisi are known for creating dynamic spaces that attract a wide audience — from neighborhood regulars to leaders in media, business, politics, and the arts — thanks to their exceptional food, sense of celebration, and design contributions from some of the best in the field. MFG now operates 26 restaurants worldwide; more Miami projects are forthcoming.

World Red Eye went behind the scenes with the owners to get an exclusive first-look at the restaurant and discuss what more MFG has in store for Miami. Read the full Q&A below.

By Gaby Cuevas

WRE: Major Food Group comprises 26 hospitality businesses all over the globe, with your homebase in New York City. What motivated you to pivot the company and tap into the Miami market?

Mario Carbone: We had always planned to bring CARBONE to Miami, but certainly given where business is happening right now it made sense to speed up those plans. Miami has always been a sister city to New York so doing business here feels very right.

WRE: Hospitality epicenters such as New York City and Miami (among many others) have been greatly affected by the strict COVID-19 restrictions. How do you plan on successfully expanding your empire into a new market, while abiding by these new mandates?

Rich Torrisi: I think it’s a bet on the strength of these markets, always following the local guidelines, and hopefully with the vaccine we can start to ramp back up to somewhere near normal in the near future.

WRE: You previously worked with designer Ken Fulk in Las Vegas. Why did you decide to bring him on for this project as well? What do you love about his work?

MC: Ken is not only the designer but he’s a member of our family. He knows exactly how to take our language and translate it into a world class design. No two CARBONE locations look alike.

WRE: MFG has plans to introduce two other food concepts in the Brickell and Design District neighborhoods. What do you feel is lacking from the Miami hospitality scene that these restaurants will fulfill?

RT: Miami has a great dining scene and has come a long way in recent years and is full of solid options. One area that could maybe use a little more love is Japanese.

WRE: Will Miami operate as your new home-base? How will the company transition into this new phase of expansion?

Jeff Zalaznick: We are currently based out of Miami and we’re going to move fast and furious as always with the new concepts.

WRE: CARBONE is the first restaurant to open out of the several you will be introducing to Miami over the next few months, and the fourth CARBONE location worldwide. How will this new outpost in Miami Beach stand out from the others?

JZ: In every way!

We are currently based out of Miami and we’re going to move fast and furious as always with the new concepts.

Jeff Zalaznick

Miami has always been a sister city to New York so doing business here feels very right.

Mario Carbone