Undoubtedly tongue in cheek, the word “Phuc” actually means “blessings and prosperity.” Not only is “Phuc” the best word in the UrbanDictionary, but it actually means something positive – Phuc Yea!
In 2011, Phuc Yea opened in downtown Miami as the city’s first pop-up concept. Fueled by old school hip hop, graffiti and a love for life, Zapata and Meinhold’s rendition of Vietnamese cuisine is deeply inspired by family recipes as well as the flavors of the Mekong, but fused with their personal experiences and cooking styles. The food is distinctly ‘theirs’, vibrant, bold and layered.
Half Colombian, half Viet, this is not your classic Viet spot. It’s next level Vietnamese; we have created our own style and flow. Phuc Yea’s culinary inspiration is a mash up of Meinhold’s ethnic heritage and Zapata’s culinary background. Ani, as Meinhold is known, is Vietnamese on her mother’s side and many of the classic recipes on the menu stem from family recipes and traditions.
Leave your expectations at the door – no pho, no noodles, 100% conceptual.
Today, Phuc Yea has matured and found its brick-and-mortar home in the heart of Miami’s MiMo district, an historically designated neighborhood famous for its Art Deco architectural style.
Built in the former Sir Williams Hotel, Phuc yea sprawls the first level of the building. The space is separated into three areas, a more sophisticated setting offers a lush lobby lounge anchored by a 15′ raw bar just at the main entrance of the space perfectly set for oysters and cocktails, speakeasy-esque dining room with private and semi private dining zones are located in the mezzanine level, and the Lantern Garden during the cooler months is in the rear patio. Decor is a combination of mid-century modern sleekness, street art and traditional Asian accents.
Offering a selection of shareable plates that capture the soulfulness and passion behind family-rooted recipes, the restaurant is inspired by Aniece Meinhold’s Vietnamese heritage and Cesar Zapata’s Cajun and Colombian culinary roots. Under one roof, guests are invited to marvel at Biscayne’s blossoming Mimo district; embrace ‘90s hip-hop, street-cool music; and enjoy Cesar’s version of Modern Viet cuisine.
Offering a selection of shareable plates that capture the soulfulness and passion behind family-rooted recipes, the restaurant is inspired by Aniece Meinhold’s Vietnamese heritage and Cesar Zapata’s Cajun and Colombian culinary roots. Under one roof, guests are invited to marvel at Biscayne’s blossoming Mimo district; embrace ‘90s hip-hop, street-cool music; and enjoy Cesar’s version of Modern Viet cuisine.
Chef/restaurateur Cesar Zapata stands apart as one of Miami’s most singular culinary talents. At Phuc Yea, which he owns and operates with his business partner Aneice Meinhold, he dishes up an inspired menu deeply rooted in his Colombian heritage but influenced from his genuine love and appreciation of Vietnamese cuisine. Born in Medellin, Colombia and having migrated to Paterson, New Jersey at age nine, Cesar Zapata was dubbed the “family cook” while his parents worked. Over the years, he perfected his family’s recipes and challenged himself to create his own interpretations of the cultural classics he grew up with. But it was his move to Texas that opened him up creatively, broadened his palette and deepened his passion for the culinary arts.
Intrigued by Texas-style barbeque, Mexican cuisine, and the seafood bounty of the Gulf, Zapata enrolled in culinary school at the Art Institute of Houston. In addition to the flavors of the south, the city exposed Zapata to a multitude of Asian cuisines and cultures, especially Vietnamese flavors. Following his graduation, he gained hands-on experience at numerous prestigious establishments such as Four Seasons Hotel Miami and Setai Hotels, and under the tutelage of culinary greats including James Beard-nominated chef, Timothy Keating and 2-Michelin starred chef, Shawn Hergatt.
In 2011, the Phuc Yea concept first made it appearance; this time as Miami’s first ever pop-up concept, which Zapata launched with Meinhold. Its overwhelming success served as a launch pad for Zapata’s first foray into restaurant ownership with The Federal, a Miami go-to for chef-driven, soulful American comfort cuisine. During its time in operation, The Federal received numerous national accolades, including “Best Biscuits in the US” from Food & Wine; “Best Local Eats” by USA Today Travel; “Best Gastropub 2011 Finalist” by Village Voice; and the TripAdvisor’s “2013 Certificate of Excellence.” Under Zapata’s helm, the restaurant was lauded as one of five of “Miami’s New Culinary Guard” in Indulge Magazine; winner of the “Golden Spoon Award” from Florida Trend; and “Top Five Gastropubs,” “Best Neighborhood Restaurant” and a beyond-stellar review in the Miami New Times.
In 2016, as the duo bid farewell to The Federal, Zapata and Meinhold established a more refined, permanent incarnation of Phuc Yea in the heart of the Miami Modern “MiMo” (Upper East Side) District. The rapidly growing neighborhood is among Miami’s hottest, chock full of chef-driven gems, quaint retail spaces and unique retailers all owned or operated by community-minded thought-leaders such as Zapata.
Since opening its doors, Phuc Yea’s permanent location has made a lasting imprint on Miami’s culinary landscape. MIAMI Magazine ranked Phuc Yea in their “10 Most Exciting New Restaurants in Miami.” Eater has praised it numerous listicles such as “Buzziest Brunches”. The Miami New Times awarded Phuc Yea with “Best Restaurant in the Upper East Side”; and named it among the “Top Restaurants of Miami-Dade County,” and earned itself a gleaming dining review by Zach Fagenson, “Vietnamese Restaurant Phuc Yea Returns with More than just Fish Sauce.”
Zapata has received a number of national accolades. He’s been featured on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (hosted by Guy Fieri) and was a semifinalist on BRAVO’s reality cooking competition show “Best New Restaurant”. A Star Chefs Rising Star award recipient, Zapata has also served as partner and ambassador to brands such as Tabasco, Cadillac, Toyota, Barilla, Vice Media, Hey Shugah!, Smithfield, Zacapa Rum and La Victoria Cast Iron Cookware. He also stands out as one of Miami’s most community and philanthropically minded toques. A vocal supporter of the James Beard Foundation, he is currently attending the Foundation’s Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change and serves as a member of the Advisory Council for No Kid Hungry Miami. He is also deeply involved with The Humans Who Feed Us, an Ohio-based non-profit dedicated to “seeing a new, bolder vision for addressing migrant women’s rights across borders, industries and issues.”
Most recently, Phuc Yea received a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand in June 2022.
Anièce Meinhold, the passionate and driven co-founder of Mad Phucs Hospitality, is a trailblazer in Miami’s culinary scene. With her signature bright pink hair, love for collecting kicks, and swaggy style, Meinhold’s innovative spirit has introduced Vietnamese flavors to South Florida foodies and pioneered the pop-up restaurant concept in Miami.
As a marketing and digital mastermind, Meinhold’s unique eye for detail and visually expressive language has been instrumental in establishing Phuc Yea and Pho Sho as household names. Her ability to create compelling brand narratives and savvy use of social media has helped her concepts stand out and attract a loyal following.
Meinhold’s dedication to the industry extends beyond her own ventures. She is a mentor to young women in hospitality, a local activist, and the creator of Crave Collective, an immersive pop-up event powered by female entrepreneurs and artisans. Her expertise in brand-building and digital strategy has made her a sought-after consultant and a go-to resource for media outlets.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to a Vietnamese mother and German father, Meinhold’s path to becoming a hospitality pro began at age eleven, working at the El San Juan Hotel. After moving to New York City and apprenticing at the Drake Hotel and Swissotel, she earned a Business Degree from the University of Miami, focusing on Marketing and Computer Information Systems.
In 2011, Meinhold and her partner, Chef Cesar Zapata, launched Phuc Yea, Miami’s first pop-up restaurant. The concept’s success led to the opening of The Federal in 2012, followed by the rebirth of Phuc Yea as a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2016. Phuc Yea has earned back-to-back Bib Gourmands from the Michelin Guide and has been featured in numerous publications.
Meinhold’s latest venture, Pho Sho, is shaking up the Miami food scene with its over-the-counter pho and noodles. The concept has expanded to multiple locations, including the Kaseya Center, where Miami Heat fans can enjoy Vietnamese-inspired bowls.
With her passion, creativity, and business savvy, Anièce Meinhold continues to shape Miami’s culinary landscape, one bowl of pho at a time.