Celebrated Chef and restaurateur Val Chang officially debuted her first solo project. Maty’s in Midtown Miami, and it serves an ode to Peruvian cuisine, which she grew-up with.
The restaurant, named after Chang’s grandmother, celebrates Peruvian cuisine inspired by her family dishes and infused with bold flavors. The opening menu includes dishes such as black grouper, ceviche with torrejitas de choclos (savory waffles), yuca rellena (stuffed yuca balls with wagyu strip), lamb seco (stew) with cilantro and squash, and wagyu oxtail salteado (stir fry), with habanero, cherry tomato, and red onions. Maty’s outdoor dining areas seat up to 150 guests, including two large communal tables. The bar and lounge serve extensive cocktail selections meant to compliment the cuisine.
“The food that created me will be the food created here,” said Chang, who grew up in Chicago, Peru, and relocated to Miami when she was 10. “Maty’s will be about celebrating Peruvian cuisine, not remaining or redefining it.”
Chang is best known for co-creating the acclaimed Nikkei restaurant Itamae in Miami Design District with her brother, Chef Nando Chang. Maty’s is Val Chang’s first project as sales executive Chef and owner, but the restaurant is still a team effort developed in cooperation with the group behind Itamae and their other restaurant B-side at 1-800-Lucky.
The Women-led restaurant also promises to be an inclusive, safe and supportive environment to help develop industry members.
Maty’s is now open at 3225 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL., and is open Sunday to Wednesday from 5:30pm to 10:00pm and Thursday to Saturday from 5:00pm to 11:00pm. Brunch: Saturday from 11:00am to 3:30pm.