Byblos to open spinoff location in Miami Beach

Between the two of them, Hanif Harji and Charles Khabouth own roughly half the restaurants, cocktail bars and clubs in town - this year alone, they added America and NAO Steakhouse to a combined empire that includes the Storys Building, Patria and Weslodge. When you've got this much market saturation going, it only makes sense to set your sights on further-flung horizons -- ideally, one with a rep for glitziness.

Their next move: Bringing Byblos, the Storys' Middle Eastern fusion spot, to Miami Beach. The Miami New Times reports that the south-of-the-border offshoot will open in the James Royal Palm Hotel next month, with a menu similar to the original -- from small Mediterranean-style plates to lamb and octopus served family-style. True to Khabouth form, the spot will also feature a lounge component with DJs. (Fellas: You may want to hire extra security to stave off Florida Man.)

Photo of Byblos by Jesse Milns.