Eat & Drink
Originally published on Wednesday, 26th May 2010
Zuma Miami
Glam contemporary Japanese arrives in party central
270 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, Florida, 33131 USA - +44 305 577 0277
Location
Installed in the riverside EPIC Hotel & Residences in downtown Miami with
views of Biscayne Bay from the terrace cum al fresco lounge, it doesn’t get much more vida loca-fabulous than this.
Vibe
The first US outpost of Rainer Becker and co.’s sleek and sexy contemporary Japanese restaurant group – after London came Hong Kong, Istanbul and Dubai – the place should fit in just peachily with the area’s steamy nightlife culture. The hotel has its own Miami Vice-style private dock too, so you can zoom in by speedboat if need be.
Flavours
Zuma and Roka (Becker’s marginally more slouchy brand) fans will be happy to see the familiar open Robata grill, inspired by the barbecue style cooking of Northern Japanese fishermen and ever popular with counter-diners who like to watch the action unfold. Expect flippingly fresh seafood like the roast lobster with shiso-ponzu butter, prime cuts like beef tenderloin with sesame, red chili and sweet soy and a proliferation of various sushi, sashimi and tempura– oh, and the famous dessert ‘boats’ laden with sorbets and tropical fruit. Cool down with one of the 40 different types of sake or a shochu cocktail.
Décor
Regular design partner Noriyoshi Muramatsu has been brought in once more to recreate the signature wood and earth-toned, amber lit interior that complements the informal ‘Izakaya’ style of the place and has helped lend the group its luxey ambience.
Upshot
Since the first Zuma opened in Knightsbridge in 2002 (still going strong, it recently hosting the Brompton Road Top Shop launch) the name has been synonymous with glitzy, top notch dining, so much so that they’ve converted many a die-hard Nobu fan. Miami and Zuma go together like chocolate fondant and green tea ice cream. We’re booking our flights now.
