A long-dormant Miami River landmark is lining up a major comeback. The century-old Capt. Tom’s Seafood building at 28 and 90 NW North River Drive is slated to be reimagined as S&L, shorthand for steak and lobster, from House Kiki, the hospitality group led by Roman Jones. If the project proceeds as planned, it is poised to be one of the most high-profile restorations along the riverfront in recent memory.
House Kiki has signed a lease for both parcels and plans to brand the site S&L, according to Miami New Times. The report notes that the property, long known as Capt. Tom’s, first opened in the 1920s, hit its 100-year milestone in 2018 and has been essentially untouched since closing in 1957. The Karpowich family, which owns the properties, helped facilitate the deal, and Jones’ team says S&L will plug into a larger lineup of riverfront concepts the group is assembling.
A Standing Piece of Miami History
The parcels sit on the north bank of the Miami River along a stretch still marked by marinas, boatyards and old-line seafood operations. The Miami River Commission highlights North River Drive as a corridor where long-standing working-waterfront uses now mix with newer hospitality projects.
From Clubs to Waterfront Dining
Jones first built his reputation in South Beach nightlife before shifting into restaurants with Kiki on the River in 2017, a pivot that reset his public profile and business focus. That evolution, along with Kiki’s early riverfront dining presence, was chronicled by Eater Miami. House Kiki now operates multiple concepts along the river, and S&L would extend that footprint into one of the area’s oldest surviving buildings.
Jones also entered a reported $15 million partnership with nearby Casablanca Seafood that will deepen his links to the river’s commercial fishing and market ecosystem, as reported in February 2025 by Miami New Times. House Kiki’s development pipeline includes concepts such as Pirata, a sports bar, and Mercante Ristorante & Piano Bar, with the latter aiming for an autumn 2026 debut.
What To Expect
Specifics on S&L’s menu, design and opening timeline are still under wraps, and the group has yet to announce a launch date. Given Jones’ track record and his past comment that he is “bullish on the Miami River,” per Commercial Observer, industry watchers are bracing for a polished, waterfront-focused venue aimed at both locals and visitors, with the potential to pull fresh foot traffic to a long-overlooked bend in the river.
