Q&A: #Drive305 x Simon Kim featuring The Maserati Levante Trofeo

#Drive305 x Simon Kim featuring The Maserati Levante Trofeo from World Red Eye Films on Vimeo.

Miami, FL – July 16, 2021 – When the lights go down and the sun sets, Miami transforms into a world of its own, filled with endless opportunities to explore. A recent addition to the city’s bustling nightlife scene is COTE Miami, an outpost of the Michelin-starred and James Beard Award-nominated restaurant, COTE NYC, by restaurateur and visionnaire, Simon Kim. COTE Miami opened in Miami Design District this past winter to overwhelming success and has quickly become one of the most exclusive and sought after reservations in town.

As a successful entrepreneur in a city that never sleeps and is always ready to party, Simon Kim knows the ins-outs of navigating Miami’s nightlife scene and with the help of THE COLLECTION, now has the proper tools to do so. In this edition of #DRIVE305 World Red Eye tagged along with Simon for a night on the town, as he took us through a journey inside the city’s colorful landscape with the all new Maserati Levante Trofeo and discussed his experience working with THE COLLECTION. Read the full Q&A below.

By Gaby Cuevas

Simon Kim

WRE: Miami and New York are both known as diverse, metropolitan cities. How would you compare New York’s culinary scene to Miami’s?

Simon Kim: New York City and Miami are both extremely diverse. Miami has a lot more Latin influence – so, naturally the people of Miami are more lively and social. When they go out they love to entertain and have fun – there is a really special energy about Miamians. They have that ‘get lit’ attitude that is synonymous with the COTE ethos.

WRE: COTE Miami marks the second outpost of your renowned COTE brand. Do you plan on opening any more locations?

SK: We are delighted to be so loved and welcomed by the city of Miami. We want to share COTE’s way of enjoying beef and its unique dining concept with many more cities to come – it would be a dream come true. We have many projects in the pipeline and will eventually continue to grow, however right now, we are completely focused on making COTE Miami as excellent as it can be.

Simon Kim

There is a really special energy about the people in Miami; they have that ‘get lit’ attitude that is synonymous with the COTE ethos.

Simon Kim

Simon Kim

WRE: What was your experience like driving the Maserati Levante Trofeo? What did you enjoy the most?

SK: It was genuinely one of the most exciting SUV’s I have ever driven. It felt like a reimagined SUV that drove like the fastest sports car imaginable. Aside from it having so much style, it was incredibly spacious, its elevation was high; and its off-road features, highway acceleration and suspension were beyond impressive. I give this car a 10 out of a 10, and am seriously considering purchasing it.

WRE: What are some places in Miami you would drive the Maserati Levante Trofeo to?

SK: I would drive this just about anywhere. I loved it that much! It offers the best of both worlds. First, it’s satisfying for the speed junkie buried in me and it provides some powerful off-road elements. Most importantly, it’s a family SUV that fits my two kids comfortably. It’s the perfect sexy dad car, which doesn’t force me to sacrifice the sports car elements that I love!

Simon Kim

WRE: What design features from the Maserati Levante Trofeo stood out to you?

SK: Between the buttery soft natural leather seating and sleek interior features to a smooth body exterior, it has an extremely sporty facade combined with a refined luxury feeling. Plus, it’s horsepower is like no other SUV I have ever driven.

WRE: How does the Maserati Levante Trofeo compare to other cars you have driven?

SK: This SUV is truly remarkable and in a class of itself! I honestly can’t say that I have driven any other vehicle that was this exhilarating.

Simon Kim

This SUV is truly remarkable and in a class of itself! I honestly can’t say that I have driven any other vehicle that was this exhilarating.

Simon Kim

Simon Kim

WRE: The nightlife scene in Miami is second to none, boasting some of the most popular and celeb-studded hotspots in the country. What are some of your favorite nightlife destinations in the city?

SK: There’s no doubt that Miami does not disappoint when it comes to its world-class nightlife scene. Where I go to socialize completely depends on my mood. For big nights out, there is no place like LIV. David Grutman is such an empresario, and it’s mystifying how he manages to always keep his finger on the pulse of driving entertainment and good times. For wild nights on the town, E11EVEN is never a disappointment. When I’m looking for a more low-key ambiance, there is no better place to unwind, sip on some drinks and listen to some live entertainment than at The Living Room at Faena. Nightlife in New York is fun, however it feels like everyone one way or another belongs to the nightlife scene of Miami.

WRE: As a restaurateur, do you have any current interests in expanding into other sectors of the hospitality industry?

SK: I went to school for hotel management and even spent time working in hotel operations at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I definitely love hotels and its other sectors, however my focus now is entirely with F&B.

Simon Kim

Simon Kim

Simon Kim

WRE: Tell us about your experience working with THE COLLECTION.

SK: The key to excellence is it’s consistency. I have worked with THE COLLECTION over many weeks and they have exuded a strong sense of excellence in hospitality, not over just one interaction, but continuously throughout our partnership.

Simon Kim

THE COLLECTION has exuded a strong sense of excellence in hospitality, not over just one interaction, but continuously throughout our partnership.

Simon Kim

Simon Kim