Shareef Malnik
The Forge Restaurant first opened in 1969 with International Financier Alvin Malnik at the mast in an era of Sinatra swoons and classy steak and potatoes menus: the fashionable elite’s required dress. The forge became and stayed the hottest place in Miami. The 1970′s sees Hollywood greats Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and President Nixon as regulars. In the 1980′s the wine cellar becomes the focus of greatness when Baron Philippe de Rothschild offers Malnik a collection of his wine from the turn of the century. This transforms The Forge’s cellar into one of the most coveted and finest rare-wine collections in the world. In order to stay in style and continue to be popular within the Miami scene transformations become necessary and essential. Shareef Malnik grew up learning the restaurant business with his father, and took over The Forge in 1991. The 90′s sees the Forge as the top celebrity hang out in Miami. In 2009, Shareef pushed the most extensive transformation of the space as well as the thinking-the concept behind the restaurant. The restoration lasted close to one year at a cost of $ 10 million. Re-invention is the formula for longevity. It was important for Shareef Malnik to exist within his contemporary culture. Bringing the restaurant to par with this culture was his challenge. He wants his clients to feel at home, to have a total lifestyle experience when dining at the Restaurant. His choice of Dewey LoSasso as the chef was very important. The Restaurant business is a commitment and working together all the time defines a family within the business. For Shareef, Dewey was the chef of the situation. The new enomatic wine bar also offers a different twist for The Forge experience. It allows the possibility of extensive wine tasting so the choice of the wine accompanying the elegant exquisite meal is just perfect for each person’s palate. The crowd these days is very diverse, the menu has become farm to table, and the ambiance is elegant, lovely and perfect.