Haute 100 Miami Update: Al & Shareef Malnik

Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100ers who are making headlines. Check back daily for more info on the most powerful people in your city. Today’s edition features a father-son duo that rivals Bobby and Barry Bonds (gotta love baseball season): Alvin and Shareef Malnik.

Al and Shareef Malnik
Category Entrepreneurs
Company The Forge
Industry Restaurant

What Made Them Haute Al, a lawyer-turned-real-estate-mogul, created The Forge, which is the second oldest restaurant in South Florida. After marrying a Saudi princess and leaving his birth name of Mark behind, Shareef laid the groundwork for impressive restaurant ventures, helping his father turn The Forge into the stomping grounds for A-listers from around the globe. The younger Malnik is currently vested in expanding The Forge’s success to international markets, with an outpost of the successful Miami restaurant opening in Dubai’s Ottoman Palace Hotel in spring 2009. Both Malniks are big advocates of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

What Makes Them Haute Now The long-awaited grand re-opening (which we broke news about) of the Forge finally came to fruition March 31, and boy, does she look better than ever. Both veteran and newbie Forge patrons are seeing a very different side of the famous Miami resto than before the makeover took place, from a new layout, menu, chef, and uniforms to new furniture and China; even the building’s exterior was renovated. Though Malnik Sr. admitted to Miami Beach Reflections his sadness to see his things go, he (as well as Malnik Jr.) felt it was the right thing to do. Now, a year and $10 million dollars later, the Malniks are confident in The Forge’s rebirth and look forward to the new memories that will come of it. The well-known saying, “like father, like son,” holds true with these power duo.