Food & Beverage
December 17, 2021

Abiaka Restaurant Reopens at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood has recently reopened Abiaka, expanding the resort’s fine dining options. Located above Beach Club Bar & Grill at The Guitar Hotel pool, Abiaka is inspired by South Florida’s unique, bold flavors with a touch of Latin influence. The wood fire grill restaurant celebrates live fire and solid fuel grilling, using both orangewood and white oak charcoal to bring the natural flavors of the ingredients to the forefront. The open-kitchen concept provides a glimpse into the action as chefs grill seafood, meats and Florida fresh produce on open flames using state-of-the-art J&R wood fire grills and Josper coal ovens.

Returning to lead Abiaka is Executive Chef Abelardo “Tito” Vargas who joined Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood as part of the opening team for the restaurant and has more than two decades of diverse, international culinary experience. Vargas has worked with some of South Florida’s most recognized chefs, including Norman Van Aken and Michelle Bernstein. Vargas has also helmed executive chef positions in kitchens around the world, including Breakwater Steak, Jazz and Seafood at Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach, Calif. and nine years under Chef José Andrés at his restaurants Oyamel Cocina Mexicana in Washington D.C., The Bazaar by José Andrés in Miami, and at Fish by José Andrés in Paradise Island, Nassau.

Offering both large and small plates, Abiaka is ideal for a romantic date night or group dining. The expansive menu features an assortment of selections. Raw Bar options include Hamachi Ceviche with pickled onions, corn and sweet potato; and Fire Water Scallops with radish, cucumber and avocado cream. Bites options include Hush Puppies with blue crab, ranchera sauce and honey butter; and Jamon Iberico with toasted bread, olives, roasted garlic and red wine jam. Greens and Vegetables sections include Grilled Avocado with spiced goat cheese, pine nuts and yuzu vinaigrette; Grilled Endive Salad with Point Reyes baby blue cheese, pecans and grapefruit vinaigrette; Roasted Sweet Potatoes with aioli and spicy tomato sauce; and Abiaka Ratatouille with garden vegetables, manchego and fried egg. Ocean and Land sections include Halibut with veracruzana sauce; Cedar Roasted Salmon with jamon chips, smoked carrots and mescal butter; Tenderloin with whipped potatoes and aji panca jus; and Colorado Lamb with avocado hummus and salsa verde. The Feast section offers special dishes, including Cioppino featuring halibut, Maine lobster, crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, fingerling potatoes and toast; and a Bone-In Beef Rib with pickled chilies, kabocha, guava jam and braise-jus.

Completing the dining experience is a signature wine list with up to 100 labels and a seasonal cocktail menu featuring a farmer’s market-inspired approach utilizing local produce perfectly paired to the menu. Signature handcrafted cocktails, named after landmark locations in South Florida and Florida Keys, include Gable, a tequila-based cocktail with passion fruit, agave and mezcal; Isla Morada, a rum-based cocktail with fresh pineapple, sauvignon blanc and chambord float; and Brickell which includes vodka, gin, St. Germain, pressed cucumber and fresh lime juice.

Abiaka’s reopening adds to the myriad of fine dining options at the resort, including Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Kuro and Cipresso. Reservations for all fine dining experiences are strongly recommended. For more information on Abiaka and Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood’s other restaurants, including reservations, menus and hours of operation, please visit www.hardrockholly.com.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon; a 13.5-acre recreational water experience; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with 3,000 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 3 worldwide in 2021 ticket sales for theatre venues by Pollstar Magazine, showcases A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at casino.hardrock.com/hollywood, call 800-937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.