Occupying the building of a former beach-side service station, Whitney’s character points back to the influence of Cuban bodega culture on Floridian food and hospitality. A restaurant with a bodega of its own, the space aspires to go beyond cuisine to become a casual, lively, neighborhood gathering place by drawing from playful historical regional design elements. Meandering borders of pastel paints, mixed-color tile compositions, and hand-painted signage create an air of spontaneity, charm, and exuberance. Pretense melts away: the atmosphere is an immersive invitation to put one’s feet up and celebrate.