Every foodie’s dream is to spend their birthday at one of their city nicest restaurants. Zuma is modern authentic Japanese food located in Brickell, inside the beautiful Epic Hotel.
Zuma’s theme is earthy elements–from their walls, flooring and even food presentation–everything tells a story and plays a key theme. There are three kitchens: a sushi bar, robata grill and traditional kitchen. Zuma is slightly kept on the low-down, only known by an exclusive crowd. It is a true hidden gem.
To begin with, right now just forget everything you know about food because it is about to be ruined forever. I’m not even kidding. If you have ever wondered what Heaven must be like I can assure you it is Zuma. The best way to describe this place is as a mind-blowing culinary experience that will leave you talking about it for a long time.
Let me start off by saying I’m a huge fan of rock shrimp tempura and fried calamari, and I’ve never tasted anything quite like (or close) to the one they serve at Zuma. They use potato starch instead of heavy flour batter, creating crispy perfection which is light and not greasy. Why hasn’t anyone ever thought of this before?! I must mention that their fried calamari alone needs no special sauce; topped with thin jalapeno slices and spicy wasabi bits. Their rock shrimp is great, with their very own lime and chili mayonnaise.
Another thing: I admit I typically do not like soft-shell crab and do not order it at other Japanese restaurants but, I thought this was really tasty and perfectly crispy, never soggy.
Moving on, I’m going to say right now that in my life I have never liked tofu nor cared for it. Whether it’s the strange consistency or it’s bland flavor, it has never impressed me. Tofu was simply something I would not order anywhere and you would not get me to try it. But here I was, devouring their lightly-fried tofu with the biggest smile on my face. It did not taste nor feel like tofu but rather a light, very crispy and tasty little nugget of creamy heaven. It was also spicy and had a kick to it, served with avocado pieces and a fresh salad. More please?
Next we had sea bass tiradito-style sashimi, with yuzu, salmon roe and truffle oil. Whenever I hear “truffle oil” in a dish I think yes, luxurious and earthy, but I am also typically a little hesitant. I’ve had many over-saturated truffle oil dishes in the past that leave me gagging, but this is definitely not one of them. Just the right amount of truffle oil without changing the sea bass taste or overpowering it. You must try these together with the salmon roe eggs– perfectly paired!
Now onto their sushi! Their yellowtail roll is perfection; fresh and with a spicy kick at the very end; overall a great, solid roll. Their nigiri selection provides an unbeatable quality of fish that cannot be compared nor found anywhere else in Miami. It’s pure sushi luxury. Just picture this: perfect sashimi cuts of Toro tuna so buttery they melt in your mouth. I was very impressed to say the least, and with a mouthful enthusiastically yelled at the table, “You MUST try this!”
We also had the steak tartar wrapped around pickled daikon, and topped with shaved truffles. Just the right amount of truffle oil. Next came the best foie gras I have ever tried in my life, and roasted sweet corn with shisho butter from the robata (this was actually good, but wasn’t anything out of this world). The roasted lobster is so tender and perfectly flavored with heavenly shizo-ponzu butter. Just wow!
Two Zuma must-haves: the miso-marinated black cod with ginger-ponzu and the rib eye steak. It’s probably one of the top five reasons to go to Zuma because you can’t find anything so close to perfection like it. Try, I dare you. But before all of this, one of the chefs’ prepared robata grill squid just for us to taste which, needless to say, was also delicious.
I really cannot emphasize enough how impressive their mixology is. I had the raspberry passion fruit martini. There was real passion fruit and raspberry purée. I still say to this day that was one of the best martinis I’ve ever had. I also ordered a different one, with passion fruit purée and that one was spectacular as well. It is safe to say their mixology is something else and on point. The only other place I know that can possibly compare is Pubbelly Sushi and maybe Bar-Lab’s Broken Shaker (that one is close). Definitely big props.
Check out this video I found by Chat Chow TV on Zuma’s exceptional mixology. Check them out on YouTube!
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To my surprise and excitement, I received this enormous dessert platter. It contained large selection of beautifully arranged desserts and assorted fresh homemade sorbets, including their famous Zuma special chocolate cake (pairs beautifully with Port), green tea banana cake (perhaps a little more banana than I would have liked, but delicious in its own right), yuzu key lime piece (easily ands surely the best key lime pie on the planet, WOW!), their kinako cake with cocoa crumble, small chocolate truffles and perfect homemade sorbet.
All in all, the theme in Zuma is modern and simple. Flavorful and innovative. Yes, it is pricey but the quality is out of this world. They offer undeniably fantastic hospitality as well. They made my birthday a memorable culinary experience that I just can’t get over.
Until next bite!
FOODNOIZE 