Michael’s, an upscale Spanish-themed restaurant in downtown St. Augustine, will have a new home in 2025: Hyatt Place St. Augustine in Vilano Beach.
The new location, at 117 Vilano Road at the foot of Vilano Bridge, is about 4 miles northeast of the current location at 25 Cuna St.
The restaurant will open at the new location in February, according to an Oct. 14 news release.
It will continue serving in the Cuna Street space through Dec. 31, taking advantage of the Night of Lights holiday displays.
The move gives owner and Executive Chef Michael Lugo the opportunity to work in a new kitchen and dining space.
“Occupying a historic building comes with its own set of unique challenges,” Lugo said in the release.
“The Hyatt Place is brand new, so I can focus more of my efforts and budget on projects that fine tune the dining experience.”
The hotel provides more space for the restaurant’s wine collection, as well as an upgraded chef’s table experience. Over the years the Cuna Street location has had structural and flooding problems. There have been power outages and nearby parking is scarce.
Property records show that the building was constructed in 1967. The property has been in use since 1764. It began as the Buchanti House.
With a larger kitchen and storage areas, Lugo will expand the Michael’s menu to include more seafood.
It opened as The Tasting Room in 2006 by chef Michael McMillian, who also operated Opus 39 at 39 Cordova in St. Augustine.
Michael’s is part of Lugo’s Viva Hospitality group, which includes Pesca Vilano, also in Hyatt Place St. Augustine, and La Nouvelle at 102 Bridge St. in St. Augustine.
Michael’s specializes in steaks, seafood and tapas. Pesca Vilano serves Puerto Rican cuisine and La Nouvelle is a French restaurant.
Lugo is a self-taught chef originally from Puerto Rico, according to the restaurant’s website.