Chef Clay Conley and his partners may be opening their hit restaurant Buccan in Coral Gables this week, but they’ve been working on getting to Miami for almost a decade.
“I always liked Miami,” says Conley, who spent more than five years as executive chef at Azul, the glamorous restaurant at the late, lamented Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key, which was demolished in April. “I always liked Coral Gables. We just kind of kept our eyes open for a spot down here.”
Along with Ember Group partners Piper Quinn and Sam Slattery, Conley headed north at the end of 2010 to open his Palm Beach restaurant Buccan, which is a favorite on and off the island. When the Michelin Guide made its first foray into Palm Beach in 2025, Buccan was added to the guide, which praised its contemporary American menu that focuses on small plates and pastas.\
The Ember Group went on to open Buccan Sandwich Shop, a grab-and-go concept with offerings like the coveted beef carpaccio sandwich; Imoto, a Japanese “sister” restaurant to Buccan; and Grato, a neighborhood Italian spot, all in Palm Beach County. Now, they’re bringing Buccan Sandwich Shop, Buccan and Imoto to Miracle Mile (the sandwich shop is open now; Imoto opens June 1)…