David Bracha exemplifies that true success comes from following your bliss.
Trained as a financial analyst, he traded in balance sheets for menus in his 20s when he decided to pursue a career in the gastronomic arts. After completing culinary school, this native New Yorker burst on the Miami scene in the early 1990s opening one of South Beach's first hip and cool celebrity hang-outs: the popular "411" eatery.
Always a trailblazer, David sees restaurants as an opportunity to define and advance the culture of a neighborhood. His ability to predict and deliver what a community wants sets culinary trends that are so welcome, they feel second nature.
Following his philosophy, David turned his attention to Fishbone Grille located in Brickell Village, in the heart of Miami's international financial district. His talent for creating signature fresh fish dishes accompanied by mouthwatering sides attracted locals and visitors to the urban area long-after the business suits had called it quits for the day. After an extraordinary 11-year run with the Fishbone, David knew the neighborhood was ready for a change and he was eager to play a part in its evolution.
In 2003, David opened The River Oyster Bar, an establishment that exudes causal sophistication and a unique palette David characterizes as American Progressive Cuisine. The urban decor is as sleek as it is warm, a dichotomy achieved with natural woods, shiny metals and a mix of eclectic artwork. David's fish and meat creations combine the highest-quality ingredients with the perfect pitch of spiced flavors, and have earned The River accolades from Bon Appetit, Zagat, Miami Herald and many others.
David is also the co-owner and executive chef at Jake's Bar in Coral Gables. The upscale neighborhood hangout, named for David's son, is a mecca for Miami's sophisticated suburbanites who enjoy seeing friends and neighbors while sipping on a glass of Pinot Grigio.
Whether South Beach, Downtown or suburbia, David knows how to deliver what the neighborhood wants, before it's ever ordered. It's this innovative vision and the flawless execution of his concepts that make David Bracha an exciting chef to watch, and enjoy.
