Stephen Starr's Japanese masterpiece
Makoto opens at The Bal Harbour Shops tomorrow. I stopped by over the weekend to take a few shots and taste a few dishes. So far, so good. The restaurant is named for chef Makoto Okuwa, the executive sushi chef at Morimoto in Philly. So expect pristine seafood and modern Asian dishes with fancy trappings: Kobe beef fried rice with frosty foie gras, lobster shabu shabu with ginger lime vinagrette and Kindai toro topped with caviar.
The space is grand (200 seats) but the vibe is laid-back. Good for a power lunch, great for a date, fine for an early dinner with kids. It feels like the middle ground between Zuma and Gigi - not quite as pricey or stuffy as Zuma, yet not as rough around the edges (or filled with tattooed hipsters) as Gigi.
Mostly, I'm overjoyed to see more Asian restaurants in my hood.
See the menu
here.
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| Lychee martini made with sake and rosemary. |
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| Tea-smoked tuna with avocado and pickled onions. |
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| The Bal Harbour roll: crab, spicy tuna, shrimp, shiso, mint and jalapeno. |
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| Kurobuto pork belly with micro chives and pork cracklings. |
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| Chicken Tsukune meatballs topped with quail egg. |
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| Outdoor seating flanks the whitewashed bar in a courtyard inside the mall. |
9700 Collins Avenue
Suite 107, Bal Harbour, FL 33154
(305) 864-8600
3 comments:
While I enjoyed the food thoroughly, I could have gone to Matsuri for excellent service and comparable food. The only trade-off is the atmosphere. Definitely a go to for a date.
Never been to Matsuri but I've been back to Makoto three times since this post and enjoyed it each time. Also, the lunch bento box is great.
Never been to Matsuri too but I so wanna eat such delicious!
night miami girl
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