About

Chef Raz Shabtai

Chef Shabtai learned his way by watching his grandmother (Mutra) – first, seated on the kitchen counter as a young boy inhaling the smells and watching her work, and then by her side as he got older –his love for her and the food and nourishment she provided became one and the same.

Starting as a young teenager, he has worked in every aspect of the restaurant industry, working his way up the ranks both front and back of house – dishwasher, busboy, server, cold line, hot line and bartender. That translated into high-level culinary positions in Israel and New York, – invited by Meir Adoni, a well-renowned Israeli chef, to open Nur, an instant sensation in the city’s Flatiron District in 2018, followed by stints at Alenbi, Basta, Raphael, Le Relais Jaffa and other cutting edge restaurants between New York and Israel. A role as a private chef prompted a move to Miami, where Shabtai saw the food landscape as ripe for innovation.

Food

Mutra which translates to “rain of blessings,” is an innovative dining concept from the talented Israeli-born chef will feature a menu that defies easy categorization. Featuring a farm-to-table ethos and respect for local farmers and purveyors, Shabtai draws from great culinary traditions from around the globe, many of which can be found in his hometown of Jerusalem. One of the world’s true melting pots, Israel is also home to the flavors and traditions these immigrants brought with them – a Mecca for spices, homegrown ingredients, and a true blending of Old World recipes in a modern setting. Indeed, when asked to define his own cuisine, Chef Shabtai credits Levantine, Galilean/North Israel, and Baladi influences.

Shabtai, whose mantra for Mutra is “food is holy,” is excited to bring these diverse flavors to Miami and add a twist to beloved dishes for savvy diners hungry for something different. For Mutra, we’re taking the traditional dishes we grew up with—food that my grandmother made and that we ate as kids—and creating something new from it."   says Shabtai

Atmosphere

Mutra's heart beats at its expansive chef's counter, where diners become part of the kitchen's dynamic rhythm. Walls lined with colorful pickled vegetables and weathered tile floors evoke Jerusalem's timeless spirit, while modern design elements create an intimate space that pulses with warmth and celebration.