Look Inside Jose Mendin’s New Puerto Rican Food Mecca, La Placita | Eater Miami

"Channeling his Puerto Rican roots, Jose Mendinhas opened La Placita in the former Balans space at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard in MiMo on New Year’s Day, teaming up with Latin American TV and soap-opera star Julian Gil. I note the menu is inspired by San Juan’s Mercado Santurce and leans into Puerto Rican street-food flavors—arepas filled with octopus, conch, or ceviche; salted cod fritters; a Puerto Rican-Spanish seafood stew; and a sweet plantain, short rib and béchamel pie—while the main attraction is a “Mofongo Shop” where guests can build their own mofongo combos topped with proteins like shredded beef and garlic shrimp. The colorful interiors mimic Old San Juan, and every weekend the venue’s 6,000-square-foot semi-private space turns into “Market Days” with local South Florida vendors, live music, food and entertainment. The opening has been swirled in controversy over an exterior mural rendition of the Puerto Rican flag painted by Hector Collazo Hernandez—the restaurant says the mural was approved but neighbors disagree, and because the building sits in the Miami Modern historic district the restaurant did not apply to the historic preservation board before commissioning the painting; the site, built in 2009 and not listed as historic, now has 30 days to address the mural with the city or may have to paint it over, though reps say they are working with local entities and more than 80,000 people have signed a petition to keep the mural. La Placita is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; for more information call 305-400-8173." - Olee Fowler