MIAMI BEACH, FL – As the Miami culinary landscape continues to mature into a global powerhouse of fine dining and exclusive social experiences, Harbour Club—the prestigious Sunset Harbour destination located at 1766 Bay Road—has announced a comprehensive repositioning for its third season. This evolution marks a significant shift from a daytime-centric neighborhood venue into a sophisticated, all-day culinary destination, anchored by the launch of "The Restaurant at Harbour Club."
The transition, which includes the opening of the ground-floor dining room to the general public and the introduction of a high-caliber dinner service starting November 10th, represents a strategic move by ownership to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for refined, versatile hospitality in one of Miami Beach’s most affluent enclaves.
Main Facts: The Transformation of 1766 Bay Road
The core of the repositioning lies in the physical and operational restructuring of the Harbour Club’s ground floor. Formerly serving primarily as a clubhouse amenity, the space has been reimagined as a premier public-facing restaurant. The Restaurant at Harbour Club now offers a seamless transition from morning to evening, providing breakfast and lunch from Tuesday through Friday, alongside an expansive weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
The physical space has been meticulously designed to reflect this dual identity. The dining room accommodates 80 guests within a sophisticated interior, complemented by wraparound bistro-style outdoor seating that offers views of the vibrant Sunset Harbour neighborhood. While the ground floor welcomes the public, the upstairs remains an exclusive sanctuary for the club’s members, maintaining the privacy and "home-away-from-home" atmosphere that defined the club’s first two seasons.
To execute this vision, the club’s ownership—led by industry veterans Frankie Santos and Luis Simoes—has assembled a "culinary dream team." The daytime program is spearheaded by world-renowned Pastry Chef Antonio Bachour, while the dinner service is under the direction of Executive Chef Bogdan Danila, a Michelin-starred veteran.
Chronology: From Private Enclave to Public Destination
The journey of Harbour Club at 1766 Bay Road has been one of steady growth and strategic observation.
- Season One & Two: Harbour Club established itself as a discreet, high-end clubhouse for Sunset Harbour residents and the Miami elite. During this period, owners Frankie Santos and Luis Simoes observed the specific rhythms of the neighborhood—a community that values both high-end service and local accessibility.
- The Transition Phase (Current): Following the success of the second season, the decision was made to "reposition." This involved opening the doors of the ground-floor dining room to non-members, effectively inviting the neighborhood into the Harbour Club experience.
- The Daytime Launch: The restaurant initially rolled out its revamped breakfast, lunch, and brunch menus, establishing a foothold in the competitive Miami Beach daytime market.
- November 10th (Upcoming): The final piece of the puzzle will be placed as the restaurant introduces its dinner service. This expansion into evening hours (6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.) completes the transformation into a full-service, all-day dining destination.
Supporting Data: A Pedigree of Hospitality Excellence
The repositioning is backed by an extraordinary depth of international hospitality experience. The leadership team of Santos and Simoes brings a combined resume that reads like a "who’s who" of the London and global luxury scenes.
Frankie Santos made history as the youngest beverage manager at The Ritz London. His career trajectory continued through the Birley Club and The Twenty Two London. Luis Simoes has a track record of managing some of the world’s most iconic properties, including Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, The Mercer in New York, and Sunset Beach in Shelter Island. Together, the duo was instrumental in the relaunch of Annabel’s and the transformation of The Roof Gardens in Kensington, London.
The culinary leadership is equally decorated:
- Chef Antonio Bachour (Daytime & Brunch): Widely considered one of the best pastry chefs in the world, Bachour brings a level of "culinary artistry" to the breakfast and lunch menus. His involvement ensures that the daytime offerings are not merely functional but are elevated to a fine-dining standard.
- Chef Bogdan Danila (Dinner): With over two decades of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, Danila’s appointment signals the club’s serious intentions for its dinner service. His background includes:
- Chef de Cuisine at Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant Petrus (London).
- Executive Sous Chef at Pollen Street Social (London) during its Michelin-star acquisition.
- Executive Chef at The Clocktower (New York), where he earned the restaurant one Michelin star.
- Culinary Director at Boca Raton’s Broken Sound Club during its $40 million revitalization.
Official Responses: The Vision Behind the Pivot
The leadership at Harbour Club emphasizes that this repositioning is a response to the warmth and support received from the Sunset Harbour community.
“After watching the success of our second season, we knew we could do so much more,” said Frankie Santos and Luis Simoes in a joint statement. “Sunset Harbour has embraced us, and we want to give the neighborhood a place they can return to throughout the day… Upstairs, we’ve created a clubhouse that feels like a true home for our members, and we know our restaurant guests and members alike will love what’s in store.”
Chef Antonio Bachour highlighted the fusion of techniques in the new daytime menus: “Creating the breakfast, lunch, and brunch concept at Harbour Club is about bringing together my passion for pastry and my love for gastronomy. I wanted to create a menu that celebrates fresh ingredients, beautiful presentation, bold flavors, and creativity, while keeping the food approachable and enjoyable.”
Executive Chef Bogdan Danila expressed his commitment to the "sense of occasion" that dinner service will provide: “At The Restaurant at Harbour Club, guests can look forward to a dining experience that celebrates exceptional ingredients, refined European cuisine, and the vibrant spirit of Miami… Whether guests are joining us for an intimate dinner or an evening among friends, every visit will feel special, effortless, and worth returning for.”
Menu Highlights: Tableside Theater and Local Flavors
The dinner menu, set to debut on November 10th, focuses on a blend of local Florida sourcing and classic European technique, with a heavy emphasis on "tableside moments" to enhance the guest experience.
- Signature Starters: The meal begins with house staples like Miami Brewery sourdough served with a unique "bone marrow butter candle" and caviar crepes.
- The Raw Bar: Highlighting regional and global selections, the raw bar features oysters with "margarita ice" and hamachi paired with passion fruit.
- Interactive Dining: The restaurant will utilize a martini cart for tableside cocktails and offer tableside Caesar salad preparations, a nod to the grand traditions of European hospitality.
- Main Courses: Notable dishes include a whole roasted Florida snapper Veracruz, Dover sole meunière, and a spiny lobster rigatoni. For meat enthusiasts, a 32-ounce dry-aged ribeye for two is served with classic sauces like Béarnaise and Café de Paris, along with the proprietary "Harbour Club hot sauce."
Implications: The Evolving Role of Members’ Clubs in Miami
The repositioning of Harbour Club reflects a broader trend in the high-end hospitality industry, particularly in "lifestyle" hubs like Miami Beach. The traditional model of the strictly private members’ club is evolving into a hybrid "club-and-public" model.
1. Economic Sustainability and Community Integration
By opening the ground floor to the public, Harbour Club increases its revenue potential and ensures the restaurant remains vibrant throughout the week. It also integrates the club into the local fabric of Sunset Harbour, making it a community asset rather than an isolated enclave.
2. The "Flight to Quality" in Sunset Harbour
Sunset Harbour has transitioned from a quiet residential pocket into a competitive culinary district. With neighbors like Stiltsville Fish Bar and Lucali, the bar for entry is high. By bringing in Michelin-pedigree chefs like Danila and Bachour, Harbour Club is positioning itself as the "anchor" of high-end dining in the area.
3. The Return of Service-Oriented Dining
In an era of casualization, Harbour Club is doubling down on "the sense of occasion." The use of martini carts, tableside presentations, and white-glove service techniques suggests a return to the sophisticated dining standards of London and New York, tailored for the Miami climate.
Conclusion
The Restaurant at Harbour Club’s transition to an all-day dining destination marks a milestone for the Sunset Harbour neighborhood. By leveraging the immense talent of its leadership and culinary teams, the venue is poised to become a staple of the Miami Beach dining circuit. As the dinner service launches this November, the industry will be watching closely to see how this blend of European tradition and Miami energy resonates with a public increasingly hungry for authentic, high-caliber hospitality.
The Restaurant at Harbour Club is located at 1766 Bay Road. Valet parking will be available for dinner service. For more information or to secure a reservation, prospective guests are encouraged to visit the club’s official website or follow their digital channels.
