Verde at PAMM Names Valeri Fuentes as Executive Chef
By Eric Barton | Jan. 30, 2025
Verde | 1103 Biscayne Blvd. | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Verde, the waterfront restaurant at Pérez Art Museum Miami, has had its share of reinventions over the years. It launched with Stephen Starr at the helm, later saw the influence of pastry legend Hedy Goldsmith, and cycled through a few more changes before landing on its newest executive chef: Valeri Fuentes.
Fuentes made a name for herself with Constellation Culinary Group, orchestrating menus for high-profile events—Formula 1, Marc Anthony’s wedding, the kind of gigs where nobody tolerates a mediocre plate. Before that, she built her chops in serious kitchens across Patagonia, Caracas, Buenos Aires, and Miami, including a stint at Elena at the Four Seasons and Orilla by Fernando Trocca. Now, she’s turning her attention to PAMM’s restaurant, where the dishes are as curated as the artwork.
Her first menu at Verde is a love letter to José Parlá: Homecoming, the museum’s latest exhibition. Every dish ties into a piece from the show, complete with QR codes so you can scan and see the artwork that inspired your meal—an intellectual flex that makes you feel like you’re doing something cultured while inhaling a Mojito Cuban Tiradito, which, yes, includes actual mojito jello shots.
The rest of the menu follows suit. Mango Salmon, dressed in Tajín-dusted mango sauce. A Butternut Squash & Chorizo Arancini that’s probably the only acceptable way to eat chorizo while contemplating modern art. Even the pizzas got an upgrade—try the ’Nduja if you like a little heat, or the Charred Maitake Mushroom if you’re feeling virtuous.
With new small plates, pizzas, and a few reinventions of Verde classics, Fuentes is breathing fresh life into this ever-evolving restaurant. Even with all the changes over the years, Verde is one of the prettiest spots to take in Miami; with its tall windows and tables spread out below the back of PAMM, its views of the bay and the skyline make for a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Here’s hoping this newest version of Verde is the best one yet.
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