A Decade of Flavor and Flair in Wynwood
For ten fabulous years R House has been a culinary and entertainment powerhouse in Wynwood. Known for its unforgettable brunches, mouthwatering Latin-inspired dishes, and electrifying drag performances, this vibrant venue truly sparkles. Keep reading for an exclusive interview with co-owners (and husband team) Rocco Carulli and Owen Bale as they tell us the story of R House, from their roots as an art gallery-restaurant hybrid to becoming a local icon. Discover the inspirations that fueled their vision and the incredible community that has embraced R House as its own.
CLICK HERE FOR A BRIEF VIDEO EXCERPT FROM THE INTERVIEW.
Q: Where did the name R House come from?
Rocco: The name R House is a nod to my first name. Instead of calling it Rocco’s House, we decided to shorten it to R House. It also plays on the idea of “OUR” House — making everyone feel welcome. R House is your house.
Q: Can you tell us about your career journeys and how the concept for this unique venue come to life?
Owen: In my former life (before starting this restaurant with Rocco) I was a corporate attorney for many years. While it might seem like the two fields are light years apart, my previous experience is actually quite relevant. My role here involves managing the business side of the restaurant, so I apply my legal and financial skills from my attorney days almost every day.
Rocco: I started my career in the restaurant business at 19 and graduated from culinary school at 25. I ran my own restaurant in Massachusetts for 13 seasons, spending my summers in Miami and my winters back in Massachusetts. During my time in Miami, I became fascinated with Wynwood’s arts scene and the energy of this emerging neighborhood. Eventually, I decided to leave my role in Provincetown and open my business here in Wynwood.
Q: What made Wynwood the perfect destination for your business?
Rocco: I chose Wynwood because I related to it as an arts community. Coming from Provincetown, which also embraces the art scene, I found that Wynwood gave me a similar sense of vibrancy and creative energy.
Owen: Wynwood is a hive of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. The abundance of new businesses and innovative individuals made it a favorable destination – for us, this was an ideal place to start.
Q: What made you start doing drag brunches on the weekends?
Rocco: Initially, we were an art gallery integrated into a restaurant, and we hosted brunches on weekends. It was during one of my birthday celebrations that we decided to add a drag queen brunch to the mix. The response was so overwhelmingly popular that we started hosting it once a month. When that continued to be a hit, we increased it to twice a month, and eventually, it became a central part of our business. Now, we have drag shows all weekend long.
Owen: The response has just always been phenomenal. We never anticipated becoming known for our entertainment, but once we saw how much the customers loved it, we realized we had something special. The following just kept growing, and now it’s what we’re renowned for.
Q: How has the community of Wynwood, and even the BID, supported and welcomed what you do at R House?
Owen: With our drag show programming and entertainment, we’ve naturally become a safe haven for the LGBTQ community. What’s truly beautiful about R House is how diverse we are, and that’s what makes it so unique.
Q: How would you describe the food here at R House?
Rocco: Being in Miami, it’s impossible not to be inspired by the Latin community. Our menu reflects this influence with a diverse array of Latin-inspired dishes from various South American and Caribbean countries.
Owen: We’re particularly proud of our incredible meat selection, which is definitely one of Chef Rocco’s favorites. However, I’m excited about our amazing vegan dishes. We’ve recently expanded our vegan offerings in response to growing demand, and they’ve been very well received.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about R House?
Rocco: As a chef, it’s incredibly rewarding to see people enjoying my food and leaving with a smile. But what I love most is coming in and seeing everyone having a great time at our shows. The energy and love in the room are truly special – it’s something you can’t fully imagine until you experience it as a restaurant owner.
Owen: My favorite thing has to be our Sunday drag brunch. There’s nothing like it, it’s always such a fun experience – and it never gets old.
Q: How do you select the artists and performers featured at R House, and what criteria do you use to ensure they align with your vision?
Owen: We’re fortunate to have Athena Dion, one of Miami’s most iconic drag queens, as our show producer. Together with her, we curate all of the performances and mentor all of our entertainers.
Q: What do you envision for the future of R House in this evolving neighborhood?
Owen: We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary all year, so you can look forward to a variety of events and special celebrations.
Rocco: While we don’t know exactly what the future holds, we’re excited to continue what we’re doing and having the Wynwood community support and embrace us.
2727 NW 2nd Ave Miami