Making its debut in late September, the new restaurant concept QP Tapas has been serving up some creative and delicious Izakaya-style Spanish tapas in Miami’s Coral Gables neighborhood. The locally-loved MKT Kitchen transforms from a cafe and market to a Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant each Friday and Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. Chef Josh Elliot has authored the contemporary concept’s menu with time-honored techniques from Spain’s Basque region and Tokyo in Japan, combining the representative fruits of both lands and seas together bringing into play local cuisine from the bountiful waters and devoted farmers of South Florida.
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The QP Tapas team is led by Chef Josh Elliot, revered for his collaborations with acclaimed South Florida Chef Jose Mendin and their acclaimed French Brasserie L’echon in Miami Beach. Chef Elliot’s opportune menu at QP will feature hot and cold small plates like fresh cudos and yakitori, along with large format dishes like Paella inspired by Valencia and Okonomiyaki – a savory Osaka-style pancake. The eatery also offers a curated selection of sake, wine, beer, and a well-rounded non-alcoholic cocktail list designed explicitly to complement the bold flavors revealed throughout the cuisine’s itinerary.
Before his residency in South Florida, Chef Elliot earned his praised reputation after spending three formative years in Boston as Executive Chef of Toro, the city’s original Spanish tapas restaurant, alongside celebrated Chef Ken Oringer. Chef Elliot’s most recent distinction hails from his hand in creating the opening menu of THesis Hotel’s critically-acclaimed Orno restaurant with Chef Niven Patel.
“After working through the pandemic in Boston, my perspective shifted. I’ve become more of a family guy, and Coral Gables is where we want to set down roots,” said Chef Elliot, “QP will be a reliable neighborhood spot with great bites, big flavors, and good energy. I’m going to cook the food I love to eat with the very best sources of ingredients I’ve been incredibly lucky to build relationships with.”
QP Tapas will be doling out Spanish tapas with striking Japanese flavors at 1831 Ponce de Leon Blvd. in Coral Gables. Beyond the cutting-edge eatery’s seductive food and drink selections, the team invites patrons to enjoy an eclectic playlist, vibrant branding, and unbeatable neighborhood hospitality. With a mission to bring an inviting and bright haven to the people of South Florida, the name QP derives from the Latin quota pars, meaning how great a part. Audibly, QP evokes Kewpie, a favorite Japanese mayonnaise similar to Aioli, valuable to both cultures. A 20% service charge is added to each check, equally distributed amongst QP Tapa’s hourly staff to help ensure liveable wages and a higher quality of life for the team.
During the week, the space is home to MKT Kitchen, a neighborhood staple that serves grab-and-go breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. The cafe and market bring locals gourmet cuisine they can enjoy in their homes or offices.The eatery provides elevated yet approachable American Cuisine and an epicurean market that features a wide variety of specialty wines and local beers with products sourced from local talents and vendors like Per’La Specialty Roasters, 305 Squeezed juices, Holy Crab stone crabs, and more. With delicious fare alongside the team’s unbeatable hospitality and service, MKT Kitchen is a must-grab-and-go.
Photography by: Courtesy of QP Tapas
