Anyday: A Love Letter to South Florida

Local Florida snapper in a Spanish-style ceviche. Heirloom vegetables from nearby farms in a Catalan-inspired dish. The techniques are traditional tapas, but the ingredients tell the story of where we are.

That’s what Chef Ali thinks a tapas restaurant in South Florida should be. A man who grew up in Turkey, trained in culinary arts there and in the US, trained in European restaurants, explored the taste traditions of Asia—a man who represents the global pulse of South Florida believes that the only way to honor the place he has found home is by marrying heritage and homegrown, by placing generations of culinary impulses squarely within the mélange of flavors across an ocean, by giving life to the Iberian next to the Caribbean. Chef Ali has worked to ensure that Anyday is firmly of its place.

The combination is intuitive. The Spanish were among the first and predominant European cultures to settle Florida. The area’s cultural vernacular speaks of their presence in the architecture and language. But Florida is a mélange of influences—the bright bold flavors of the Caribbean mixing with culinary gestures from the Gullah chefs of the Low Country and the experimental cuisine of northeastern cultural capitals. Seafood and citrus. Cuban and Venezuelan and Brazilian. Manhattan and Madrid and Mumbai. People from everywhere live in and visit South Florida. The food they find here should be equally cosmopolitan.

South Florida is defined by its cross-cultural influences—from Cuban and Caribbean fare to Mediterranean and health-conscious fusion. Anyday embraces that melting pot spirit, but in a mindful, focused way. It’s not a mash-up here, but rather a sophisticated search for elements that fit together organically. At Anyday, we pair ingredients for a sense of balance and complementary effect. Chef Ali believes in remaining rooted in tradition while loyally cultivating the best ingredients within his reach.

Anyday uses the framework of a single tradition—classic tapas from Spain and Portugal—and elevates it with precise technique and culinary innovation. Take one of the core dishes of the tapas tradition, for instance: patatas bravas. At Anyday, the potatoes are sourced from a network of trusted farmers and purveyors, then triple-cooked for texture and finished with smoked aioli foam. Lamb meatballs are treated with traditional seasoning, but slow-cooked sous-vide and finished with a harissa glaze to build depth and heat.

Classic American breakfast and brunch dishes feature dazzling Mediterranean touches—chicken and waffles with saffron‑cayenne maple syrup, for instance. Or vice versa, classic Mediterranean favorites with New World flourishes, like Turkish eggs with avocado and micro‑greens. Or tuna crudo featuring ginger and yuzu.

But it’s not just the blending of ingredients that places Anyday so appropriately in South Florida. Chef Ali’s approach to food embodies the fresh, healthy, seasonal coastal lifestyle that people come to Florida to enjoy.   

Anyday dishes incorporate seafood from coastal fisheries. When we do need to import specialty items like Spanish cheese or cured meats, we work with select distributors who specialize in quality and prioritize authenticity. 

“Clean, conscious sipping” is the organizing principle of the beverage menu, drinks that feature organic, natural ingredients sustainably sourced and blended by the I principle of modern mixology. The offering of Turkish coffee and the mindfulness of its preparation and the soulful ritual of its alternative, matcha, represent the balance Anyday seeks to find in all its offerings.

Mirroring Florida’s glamorous beach towns and emphasis on lifestyle experiences, Anyday dining is fuss‑free yet elegant. These menus strike a balance—sophisticated, yet relaxed and communal. Anyday dishes emphasize community. They are designed to evoke the spirit of connection through thoughtfully composed small plates meant to be shared.

Our dishes celebrate the region’s diversity and elevate everyday fare with creative flair. They encourage social, refined dining and reflect South Florida’s dynamic food and drink scene. Although truly, Anyday represents one man’s love letter to a life of food and drink, and to the vibrant and fascinating place he has found in the world.