A Quickie with Michael Solomonov

Schnitzel sandwiches, dim sum dreams, and why a spoon beats every gadget

Born in Israel and raised in Pittsburgh, Michael Solomonov has helped make Israeli food part of America’s dining vocabulary. With partner Steve Cook, he’s behind Philadelphia favorites like Zahav, Federal Donuts, and Laser Wolf, and he’s picked up five James Beard Awards along the way.

This spring, Miami got its own taste. Aviv, his restaurant inside 1 Hotel South Beach, channels the energy of Tel Aviv while leaning into Miami’s signature tropical flavor. We caught up with Solomonov at a hummus-making class to talk about his favorite leftovers, the Miami dining scene, and the one kitchen tool he says never fails.

Name: Michael Solomonov
Nickname: Solo. It's my last name. It's just how it goes. It was my dad's nickname.
Place of work: Aviv at 1 Hotel South Beach

Childhood leftover memory: Cold chicken s…