Given the sheer and rising variety of Asian eating places it’s powerful standing out, having Japanese fare with not- your- ordinary menu picks and meals objects which might be thrilling and scrumptious. Two new entries on the Miami eating scene have managed to do that, Double Knot Miami, an evolution of a celebrated Philadelphia izakaya in Wynwood and Ikigai, the primary US outpost of a Mexican restaurant group in Brickell Key.
Double Knot has an creative tackle conventional Izikaya fare with sushi, robatayaki skewers and entrees crafted from seasonal Japanese impressed substances. The factor to get right here is the chef’s choice for 2, 10 dishes a diner selects from 8 classes plus 2 from the robatayaki, plus comfortable serve ice cream. Classes embrace chilly; small; vegetable, poultry,seafood, pork and meat robatayaki. It’s a superb deal at $68 per particular person.
We had picks in the entire classes (the chef gave us a couple of extra) although I admit, on the finish we have been slowing down. We continued, as we didn’t need to miss any style sensation. Under you’ll see photographs from among the dishes we had, every completely seasoned, scrumptious, and of high quality substances. You’ll additionally see my second decide for a greatest dish of 2025, the cheesesteak bao buns impressed by the well-known Philly cheesesteak, made with provolone cheese and cherry pepper relish. They have been excessive scrumptious.
We had the yellowtail carpaccio, cheesesteak bao, pork gyoza, miso eggplant, hen thigh, scallop robatayaki, pork stomach, ribeye scallion, Japanese fried hen, Japanese A5, broiled seabass, and the black cod rice (a specialty). Subsequent time I’d prefer to strive the edamame dumpling, Tokyo scallion, quail, asparagus bacon, and the shrimp taco.
Additionally, all of the objects within the chef’s choice are provided a la carte.
Cocktails are $14-$19; zero proof are $8.
Select to dine on the bar and lounge with a jazzy backlit show of liquor or within the engaging eating room. Service was skilled and pleasant. Notice that the sound stage could be energetic so in order for you a quiet dialog, arrive early, round 6 p.m.
Double Knot Miami, 2550 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami. Dinner is served day by day from 5 p.m. Additionally they provide comfortable hour from 5 p.m. to ;7 p.m.. with an intensive checklist of sunshine bites priced below $10 and beer, wine and cocktails from $5-$7. Road parking and close by garages.
At one other new entry, Ikigai, in addition to the very prime quality of the substances and refined tastes, what most impressed me have been the modern dishes I’ve not seen earlier than in Miami.
With a minimalist décor designed with mild woods and a impartial palette, and serene ambiance, it says refinement and excessive finish in an Asian means. The menu is split into 21 completely different sorts of nigiri, temaki and sashimi; makis; soups; home specials; basic; donburi; gyozas and dessert. There’s additionally a Nigiri omakase expertise.
On the helm of Ikigai’s kitchen is Chef and Accomplice Ignacio Carmona, who skilled in Japan and has over 30 years of expertise. He has led among the most acknowledged Japanese eating places in Mexico. His expertise and dedication have earned him quite a few accolades, together with recognition within the prestigious “100 Greatest Eating places in Mexico
Among the extra uncommon dishes included a nigiri with sawagani, a tiny candy water river crab; oyster nigiri; shake/adami tartar made with cucumber, avocado, asparagus with tartar and tempura flakes; sukiyaki made with harusame noodles, greens, wild mushrooms, and rib eye in semi candy broth; and rib eye sashimi new type flamed with yuzu, soy, sesame and serrano dressing.
Among the dishes we had included the Japanese crimson snapper tiradito; Hamachi serrano, sashimi with a welcome zip; a number of nigiri together with caviar and the river crab I discussed; pork stomach, white fish and ribeye gyozas; and the kanikama particular with asparagus, tempura shrimp, avocado, flame seared kanikama and spicy dressing. All the pieces was wonderful, seasoned with a deft contact, and with high quality substances.
There’s bar and eating room seating in indoors and several other tables outdoor. A glass of wine (5 ounce pour) begins at $12 and bottles at $50.
Count on to pay $120 per particular person plus tax and tip for dinner (together with one drink every)
There’s a big adjoining storage. They validate parking for 2 hours. It’s open seven days per week for lunch and dinner. Notice that it might get very busy from 7 to 9 p.m. so you have to reserve.
Ikigai, 615 Brickell Key Drive, Miami.