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Photo Courtesy Uchiko

Uchiko Miami Kanpachi

Appetizing Asian

Far East restaurants and Miami Spice specials make late summer a food lover’s paradise

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This month we explore Asian cuisine, which encompasses several significant regional cooking styles. It's a blend of cooking practices and customs, usually associated with a specific culture. The various areas of Asia each developed their own individual cultural takes on food through the interaction of history, culture, and environment. Luckily for us, Miami can enjoy these flavors without a plane ticket.

August is also Miami Spice Month, offering a delicious way to experience many cuisines in the city’s top restaurants at great values. Enjoy curated three-course menus from some of Miami’s most celebrated chefs with an array of cuisines, including Italian, Latin, Peruvian, and many more, while also giving back. A small optional donation during your meal helps support local communities, one meal at a time. The three-course meal includes appetizer, entrée and dessert.

For more info on Miami Spice, check here.

ENTICING ASIAN

Kaori (786-848-5900) 871 South Miami Ave., Downtown Miami, recognized by the Michelin Guide, is one of Miami’s most dynamic dining destinations. Kaori is a modern Pan-Asian restaurant as well as a Hi-Fi Listening Bar, where you can find inventive cuisine with bold flavors, and hospitality as carefully calibrated as the playlists spinning on vinyl downstairs.

Whether you’re here for an intimate dinner or an evening that transitions into music and connecting with friends, Kaori's aim is to deliver a full sensory experience. At the Listening Bar on the first floor, a custom vinyl DJ booth sets the tone. Upstairs, the main dining room opens into an elegant, "wabi-sabi"-inspired space, featuring an open kitchen and panoramic views of the Brickell area skyline.

At the helm is executive chef Seth Fatah, whose menu pays homage to Asian culinary traditions while incorporating local seasonal ingredients. Starters include braised short rib dumplings with doubanjiang shoyu (a Sichuan chili bean crunch); and an ode to the legendary Bloomin’ Onion, the umami-rich blooming maitake mushroom with oat milk and togarashi dredge (Japanese red chili pepper spice).

Entrée highlights include five-spice dry-aged duck sourced from Crescent Farms, served with Peking jus; Mee Siam with rice vermicelli and shrimp and chili noodle sauce; 45-day dry-aged steak crusted in suya spice (a spice rub), served with BBQ sweet plantain in a vanilla-miso glaze with charred seasonal vegetables.

For dessert, try the caramel namelaka – a creamy caramelized milk chocolate creation with miso ice cream, banana, dark chocolate sablé, and plantain crisps.

Uchiko Miami Beach, 305-995-0915, 1759 Purdy Ave., Miami Beach, recently opened in March, is the fiery counterpart to Uchi, Chef Tyson Cole's first Miami restaurant in Wynwood. Chef Cole created Uchiko (meaning “child of Uchi”) as an evolution of Uchi, which explores a nontraditional interpretation of Japanese cuisine. This is Miami’s first Uchiko concept, which already has three locations in Texas.

Uchiko explores new territory by melding smoke and char with fresh, clean flavors. Uchiko’s menu celebrates the artistry of the yakitori grill, offering a “From the Hearth” section where chefs employ smoking and curing techniques for hot and cold dishes. The Miami Beach location serves daily specials featuring Thai sake maki, a roll made of salmon, nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce) and lemongrass oil; and hirame amarillo, thinly sliced flounder garnished with aji amarillo paste and corn nut furikake (a Japanese dry seasoning, typically sprinkled on rice, vegetables, and fish to add flavor).

And while we’re on the subject of Cole’s first restaurant, Wynwood's favorite nontraditional Japanese restaurant Uchi, (305-995-0915) 252 NW 25th St., Miami is joining Miami Spice for the first time, offering a taste of its signature flavors and innovative dishes. The multi-course experience is available for dinner Sun.–Thurs. for $65. The menu includes fresh sotomatoro, sunomono (side salad), classic Hama Chili, expertly crafted Kanpachi and Medai nigiri, and the fusion Cahn Mi Maki. Enjoy a sweet treat for dessert with a choice of Uchi's Okashi or Sando dessert.

Mizumi Buffet & Sushi, (305-705-2059) 3207 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach is known for its food quality, variety, and value, with over 100 fresh items daily. Mizumi serves sushi rolls, sashimi, seafood, crab legs, mussel, crawfish, clam, fish and much more. It's known for its extensive all-you-can-eat buffet featuring a wide array of Japanese dishes, including sushi, seafood, and hibachi. The menu offers a vast buffet with over 100 fresh Japanese items daily, including sushi, sashimi, seafood (crab legs, mussels, crawfish, etc.), and hibachi options. The restaurant operates on an all-you-can-eat buffet format for both lunch and dinner. 

INNOVATIVE ITALIAN

This summer Piegari Ristorante Miami (786-960-4747) 137 NW 26th St., Miami, the celebrated Italian-Argentinian restaurant in the heart of Wynwood, is offering Miami Spice dinner Tues.-Sun. from 6 to 11 p.m. for $65/person. 

Appetizers include fresh burrata served with Prosciutto di Parma, tomato and arugula; polpo alla grillia – fresh grilled octopus with Campari tomatoes, black olives and potatoes; scampi alla Piegari – fresh shrimp and garlic. Entree highlights include ravioli ossobuco – ravioli filled with ossobuco, served with mixed mushrooms, cream, and a brandy demi-glace sauce; Milanese Napolitana – breaded filet mignon served with fresh tomato, ham, and imported cheese with corde di chitarra, butter and risotto with imported Italian porcini. Desserts include gelato del giorno made-to-order; flan with homemade custard with cream and dulce de leche; and tiramisu made with mascarpone cheese. Additional indulgences include crêpes al dulce de leche o Nutella, a warm crepe with dulce de leche or Nutella served with fresh whipped cream, berries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream; or tiramisu and flan with cream and dulce de leche.

Piegari is also unveiling other new summer delights: Besides Miami Spice dinners, the restaurant is reintroducing itself with new menu offerings, flavorful new mocktails, and nightly Happy Hour offerings. Guests receive a complimentary welcome drink – a refreshing blend of vodka, grapefruit, orange, fresh lemon, and a hint of mint. Available nightly from 6 - 9 p.m., the new Happy Hour features 50% off all signature cocktails.

Isabelle's Coconut Grove at the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove (305-644-4680) 3300 SW 27th Ave., Miami, is offering $35 lunches and $60 dinners Mon.- Fri. Chef Ashley Stanton serves up calamari fritti and peach prosciutto caprese as appetizers; entrees include chicken Milanese (Parmesan-crusted chicken) served with arugula fennel salad and seafood risotto. For dessert, choose mini Tiramisu or lemon sorbetto.

LUCIOUS LATIN

Michelin-recommended Cafe La Trova, (786-615-4379) 971 SW 8th St., Miami, helmed by Chef Michelle Bernstein, offers dinner for $45 Sun.-Thurs. Appetizers include empanadas, croquetas, and shrimp tiradito; entrees feature skirt steak ropa vieja, lechón, arroz con pollo, and a fresh fish catch of the day. Save room for Michy's famous bread pudding.

PALATE-PLEASING PERUVIAN

Under executive chef Martha Palacios, Peruvian restaurant, Jarana (786-840-8840) located at the Aventura Mall, 19505 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura is offering dinner for $45 Mon.- Sun. Appetizers include cebiche limeno and tuna wantacos; featured entrees are tallarines cachiche; Peruvian style lomo saltado; or arroz marinero. Desserts include milhohas de fresa (layers of creamy vanilla pastry), and suspiro limeño, egg yolk custard with port wine meringue.

GET SOME CLASS

Here's a fun thing to do throughout the summer and fall: Donna Mare Italian Chophouse, (305-673-6273) 3921 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, located adjacent to the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, has launched immersive pasta and pizza-making classes on select Thursdays through December. Donna Mare invites guests to roll up their sleeves and discover the art of authentic pasta and pizza making with executive chef Luigi Iannuario.

Attendees are welcomed with a glass of Prosecco before diving into the 60-minute, beginner-friendly workshop. After class, participants are treated to a curated three-course meal featuring an appetizer or salad, their handmade pasta as the entrée, and a rich dessert.

All tools and ingredients are provided. Registrants ages 15 and older are welcome. Classes are priced at $85 per person, with an optional wine pairing upgrade available for $125 (21 and older only). Classes are 6:30-7:30 p.m. on select Thursdays through Dec. 18. The next class is on Thurs., Aug. 14., followed by classes on Aug. 28; Sept. 11; Sept. 25; Oct. 16; Oct. 30; Nov. 13; and Dec.18. Private interactive classes accommodating up to 12 guests are available for groups, parties or special celebrations such as birthdays, corporate events or other special occasions.

Irene Moore is a Miami-based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.