🏠 News From Your Neighborhood
Miami, FL
Inside Mother Wolf Miami, Evan Funke’s Ode to Roman Cuisine
Evan Funke, the Roman cuisine pro behind LA’s perpetual hotspots Felix and Mother Wolf, has brought his latest venture, Mother Wolf Miami, to the Miami Design District in partnership with Ten Five Hospitality, known for its high-profile restaurant projects like Baia Beach Club. The new outpost showcases Funke’s traditional approach to Roman cooking, blending age-old culinary techniques with Miami’s sleek, modern vibe.
Funke, a two-time James Beard nominee who also happens to star in the latest season of Chef’s Table on Netflix (focused, of course, on pasta), tells Eater Miami he’s not interested in opening just another Italian restaurant—something Miami has plenty of. “Mother Wolf is not an Italian restaurant. It’s a Roman restaurant,” he explained. “Roman food is very strict, almost dogmatic. There’s one way to make cacio e pepe, there’s one way to make amatriciana.”
Mother Wolf shot to national fame in 2022, attracting a 1,500-person waitlist before it even opened and quickly becoming a hotspot for A-list celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Chrissy Teigen, and Vanessa Hudgens. The buzz only intensified with the expansion last year, adding a second location inside the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
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In this newest outpost, Funke’s signature “pasta lab” takes center stage as guests walk into the space, offering diners a view into the daily pasta-making process. Alongside his staple dishes—like cacio e pepe and rigatoni alla carbonara—Funke introduces new Miami-inspired items like spaghetti Ricci di Mare, with sea urchin, and a seafood-heavy Fritto Misto di Mare. “We’re moving toward coastal Roman,” Funke said of the Miami location. “Italian food is very much environmentally driven, and here we’re cooking as Italians would—leaning into what’s available around us.”
At Mother Wolf, Funke aims to transport guests straight to the streets of Rome. Fired in a wood oven, the pizzas stay true to Roman tradition with thin crusts and simple ingredients like the classic Margherita and spicy Diavola. Beyond the pizza and pasta, diners can expect dishes like fried squash blossoms and short rib-filled meatballs, while mains like whole roasted branzino, lamb rib chops, and dry-aged ribeye round out the offerings.
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Designed by London’s Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, Mother Wolf blends Roman influences with Miami’s art deco style. Murano glass chandeliers hang from a custom fabric ceiling, while terrazzo floors and Horus gold marble tables fill the dining room. Timber-framed banquettes and a 30-foot bar add a touch of old-school glamour, mean to balance the rustic nature of the food. “The space is really over the top while the food is extremely rustic,” Funke says. “I like that juxtaposition.” Oak paneling, brass accents, and glazed ceramic details can be found throughout the space, while the open kitchen offers a front-row seat to the action, with bar seats in front saved for walk-ins.
In keeping with the Italian theme, servers wear tuxedo jackets, while sommeliers provide rare Italian wines by the glass, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The wine list, featuring over 400 bottles, highlights producers from Italy’s Piedmont, Tuscany, and Sardinia. Drinks are no afterthought either. The cocktail list balances Italian classics with local twists. The San Lorenzo mixes gin, sage, and black pepper, while the R&R plays with whiskey and Italian herbs.
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However, Funke admits that Miami wasn’t always on his radar. “I don’t really target markets like, ‘I want to open here,’” he said. “I like to go where there’s great people, where I can get good products, where people want to cook this food. And Miami—there’s no shortage of Italian restaurants, so I knew there would be a set of cooks I could possibly work with.” Funke found himself pulled in by the Design District’s mix of art and fashion, which he felt aligned with the restaurant. “The space and energy just felt right,” he said.
For Funke, creating a connection between Miami and Rome is key. “If you eat cacio e pepe here and then go to Rome, I want you to remember that time at Mother Wolf Miami,” he said.
Mother Wolf Miami is now open at 3841 NE 2nd Avenue in the Miami Design District from Tuesday through Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Miami, FL
One huge Miami Heat X-Factor, defending the Detroit Pistons and other keys
The match-up on Saturday night between the Miami Heat and Detroit Pistons is more than just a homecoming game for one specific sharpshooter. The number one seed vs the number three seed in the Eastern Conference is quite the draw.
Duncan Robinson making his return to the building is a fun storyline as well, considering the Heat will be giving him a tribute video pregame.
The Heat will be trying to extend their winning streak to seven, yet it should be their biggest test to date.
So, let’s get into some keys for this matchup:
1. How will the rotation shake out now?
Jaime Jaquez Jr’s questionable tag in this game is the one swing factor for game-plans shifting for Miami. Other than that, it’s pretty simple how the Heat need to treat this rotation. For one, many of the fans in favor of Kel’el Ware starting may be in for a treat tonight, as the positional size of the Pistons could cause problems with Heat going small. Aside from the starting lineup talk, staggering Norman Powell and Tyler Herro instead of a five man bench unit again is important. Running Powell with that second unit to allow him to find his offensive rhythm is a definite key. Will the Heat need Simone Fontecchio’s shooting? Can they play both Davion Mitchell and Dru Smith? A tough matchup like this will shine light on the guys Erik Spoelstra trusts most.
2. One X-Factor Heat player tonight.
There’s a real X-Factor in this match-up that I believe will be a big reason if the Heat do indeed extend their winning streak to seven. It’s not their two elite scorers in the back-court. It’s not their two-way big man captain. It’s not even their second year 7 footer who has been on a massive run. Actually, the guy to watch for is Andrew Wiggins. For one, he’s the guy to watch when it comes to evening out lineups across the game, just due to his off-ball fit in many spots. But in this match-up, his defense will absolutely be needed. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren in the front-court aside, Ausar Thompson and Cade Cunningham are not easy covers for small guards. Wiggins will be needed to stay out of foul trouble, and bother their lengthy perimeter guys much of the night.
3. What to watch for when defending the Pistons?
The Pistons roster consists of constant paint threats that can hurt you in different ways. Duren around the rim off second chance opportunities or lobs. Thompson or Harris on short paint shots. Cunningham off normal dribble penetration. Yet with all that two point success, they currently rank 28th in three point attempts. Sometimes the Heat’s early clock offense can get them in trouble when taking too many twos, but the Pistons style doesn’t consist of jacking up three balls all night. But the area that will hurt is the free throw line. Detroit ranks third in free throw attempts a night, and it’s the simplest way to slow down Miami’s offense. Easier said than done, but Miami needs to prioritize containing in this one.
Miami, FL
Inter Miami vs. New York City FC: Three Key Battles That Could Decide MLS Eastern Conference Final
Inter Miami are in the form of their lives. They hope this continues when they welcome New York City FC to Chase Stadium on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference final, with a berth in the 2025 MLS Cup on the line.
While Miami brings star power and holds home pitch advantage, they come up against a New York City side riding high after eliminating the Supporters’ Shield winners. And there are reasons for NYCFC to believe they can pull off another upset here.
Sports Illustrated takes a look at three key battles that could define which team earns the honor of facing San Diego FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS Cup on Dec. 6
Lionel Messi has been on an absolute heater for Inter Miami all season and has taken things a step further in the playoffs. After a regular season that saw him score 29 goals and register 19 assists in 29 games, he now has six goals and six assists in just four playoff games.
But, he hasn’t seen a goalkeeper like U.S. men’s national team backstop, Matt Freese. The 27-year-old has been in stellar form as well, posting five saves–including four outstanding stops–against the Philadelphia Union, to help NYCFC advance past the Supporters’ Shield champions.
While Messi has shown his ability to score in nearly every way possible, the clear-cut opportunities he saw and created against FC Cincinnati and Nashville will be fewer against a stronger defensive team. The opportunities he does get will come up against a better goalie between the posts.
If NYCFC pulls off the upset, Freese will have a big part to play in it. If he’s not on his game, well, Miami can put together its plans to beat San Diego or the Whitecaps in MLS Cup.
Kevin O’Toole has had quite a few weeks. He was called up to Ireland for the first time, making the bench as the Irish beat Portugal in a game Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off. Now, he’s clashing with Sergio Busquets in midfield, as well as Messi and the other stars in Miami.
If anyone is playing with confidence, it’s him. Against Philadelphia, he shut down Danley Jean Jaques and recorded eight defensive contributions.
He will likely be paired with Aidan O’Neill (who served a one-match suspension against Philadelphia) and tasked with combating Busquets in central midfield, and working the ball away from the Spaniard and Rodrigo De Paul. Busquets, in particular, has been potent with his ability to slide passes through Nashville and FC Cincinnati’s midfield and clogging things up in that area of the pitch will be critical for NYCFC.
Outside of the individual player level, the mentality of both teams is starkly different, with NYCFC on the road and Inter Miami facing a match of defining proportions.
Led by the veteran poise of Maxi Moralez, New York City FC knows how to win playoff games on the road. In their run to the 2021 MLS Cup title, NYCFC played every game after the first round on the road, just as they would have to do should they make it all the way to the trophy this time around.
Meanwhile, Miami has fallen short in the most defining games. So far through the playoffs, it has been about seeing off disaster in the wake of the 2024 first-round elimination against Atlanta United.
They have been able to push the season through two rounds for the first time in club history, but now comes their first massive test–they would even get to lift the Eastern Conference trophy should they win here.
Miami’s ability to win trophies doesn’t paint a pretty picture: A 2024 Leagues Cup final loss and a 2023 U.S. Open Cup loss hangs alongside their 2023 Leagues Cup title, the only knockout trophy Miami has captured to date.
On Saturday, one of those aspects has to fall. Will it be NYCFC’s away abilities, or Miami’s poor record in big games?
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Miami, FL
North Miami marks 50th Thanksgiving Day parade
NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — The sound of drums and cheers filled Northwest 125th Street on Thursday as North Miami carried on a beloved holiday tradition — its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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Hundreds lined the route early, including longtime resident Joann Cesar, who has been attending for two decades.
“It’s a family tradition. We make it every time to support the culture and the residents,” Cesar said. “I love coming every year.”
City leaders say the parade has become a signature Thanksgiving morning event.
“For families, it’s coming together,” Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe said. “Who else has a parade if you can’t go to Macy’s, right? We have our own little Thanksgiving Day parade here in North Miami.”
It wasn’t just locals taking in the festivities. Cheng Li, visiting from China, said his family arrived early to get a good spot along the route.
“This is our first time celebrating this holiday because in China this is not a public holiday,” he said.
City officials say this year’s parade took a full year to plan, bringing together schools, community groups and local bands to help kick off the holiday.
“This is the only parade in South Florida on Thanksgiving morning,” Timothe said. “Here in the city of North Miami, we are celebrating with community, with schools, with local bands.”
This year’s event also carried extra excitement as North Miami prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday.
“We will be celebrating our centennial, so this makes it more special,” Mayor Alix Desume said.
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