The Collab — Restaurant in Coral Gables

Went for Valentine’s day and it wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t good, unfortunately.

Good: The atmosphere was beautiful, music was nice, stracciatella appetizer was good, and the octopus was delicious (BUT review pics and website pics show more octopus being served than what we were served, however it was very well made so it’s fine).

Bad: We ordered the picanha medium and received a steak that was very unevenly cooked with the edges being very well done and the middle being quite rare- definitely not what we’d expect of a $50 steak. However, the worst part was the service. While our server was kind, she did not come back to our table from the time our meal was served, 7:40, until 8:30. FIFTY minutes without any ask about how the food was, no water refills, and no questions about ordering more drinks or dessert. We actually were planning to order dessert, but by that time, we were over it. We were also served the wrong food and drinks TWICE and had to tell the food runners that we didn’t order that. I actually almost thought they were complimentary from the chef since this restaurant is supposed to be quite nice, but no, just a mistake that occurred twice. I don’t even want to consider the fiasco that would’ve ensued if we took it like we would’ve since we thought it was complimentary. Also, the drink we ordered as soon as we sat was not brought out until I asked about it again AFTER our appetizers were served. All in all, definitely should’ve been better service for the price. I tried to consider the Valentine’s day drama of it all, but there were many empty tables and I watched our server actively ignore us many times....

I can’t believe this restaurant isn’t one of the most talked-about spots in Miami yet—because it absolutely should be. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by a team that’s clearly passionate about what they do. The servers are warm, attentive, and genuinely eager to make sure every guest feels welcome. The bartender is an artist behind the bar...every drink is a masterpiece, perfectly balanced, and visually stunning. Special recognition has to go to the manager, Max. He’s the kind of leader every restaurant dreams of: professional, approachable, and laser-focused on making sure every detail of your experience is flawless. You can tell his influence touches every aspect of the service here. And the food… wow. The chef and kitchen crew are ridiculously talented, somehow managing to fuse flavors from different countries into dishes that taste like they were meant to be together all along. Every plate is vibrant, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. The creativity in the menu is matched only by the execution, this is fine dining without the pretension. Whether it’s the incredible cocktails, the world-class food, or the impeccable service, this place will...

I just had the pleasure of dining at The Collab, @ The Thesis hotel, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish.

We began with the crispy cauliflower, which was perfectly glazed and packed with flavor. The blue crab croquettes and grilled Spanish octopus followed as appetizers; both dishes were outstanding, with the octopus being one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The octopus is a big deal!!!!!

For our main courses, we had the branzino, tenderloins, and picanha. Each dish was a masterpiece, cooked to perfection and bursting with rich, savory flavors. The branzino was delicate and fresh, the tenderloins were tender and flavorful and the mushrooms that came with it were outstanding , and the picanha was simply divine. The dishes look simple but packed with so much texture and flavor.

Dessert did not disappoint either. The apple tart was the best I’ve ever had, a perfect balance of sweetness and texture. While the green tea pavlova dessert wasn’t my favorite, the fruit in the middle was a delightful surprise and added a refreshing note to the meal.

Overall, The Collab delivered the best version of every dish I’ve ever had. Can’t wait...