A while ago I finally went to visit Sugar Cane restaurant in Midtown and the experience left nothing else to be desired. Owned by the same company that owns and manages Sushi Samba, I was very curious and eager to try this other branch.
Here you will find a little bit of everything– from tapas to large plates, Asian-inspired dishes, gourmet treats and some incredible seafood. Sugar Cane’s South American influences are undeniable and adds a nice flair to the more traditional or Asian-influenced creations.
The restaurant has three kitchens: a robata grill, a hot kitchen and a raw bar. The restaurant also offers a very nice outdoor dining section with great ambiance. However, be warned: this place is very alfresco dining, with ceiling fans inside and no air conditioning. Although I’ll tell you, I know alfresco sounds like a nightmare in Miami but it actually works. I was not sweating throughout my meal at all; the ventilation keeps you moderately cool.
I went for dinner that night, but they also offer lunch and an impressive brunch menu. I must mention their drinks are delicious and of great quality. If you are of legal drinking age, you must try their classic caipirinha.
I ordered quite a few dishes but I regret not trying their sushi! Their sushi rolls stay true to traditional Japanese sushi. I had their steak tartar with pickled shallots and a nice Dijon mustard. It also came with a raw quail egg, but I was not brave enough to try. We also ordered some delicious beef short ribs, chicken off their robata grill, some other dish I can’t remember…..and bone marrow.
Yes, bone marrow. Now, I wasn’t particularly open to trying this, but my guest ordered it and curiosity got the better of me. It has the consistency of extremely thin flank-like meat and was prepared with a special marmalade. It was a bit too salty for me, but I need to mention that it did have a particular strong aroma. Not necessarily bad, but the food odor was strong.
Overall, Sugar Cane offers impeccable food quality you can’t find in many places in South Florida. Will I go again? Yes, I am eager to try their sushi selection and go for brunch. Come to Sugar Cane if you want a good culinary experience in your own city, you won’t be disappointed. Until next bite!
FOODNOIZE 