Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
+2 Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar Serves a Unique Blend of Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine in Coral Gables
Miami diners can now find comfort in the authentic flavors of Japan and Vietnam at Mai Sushi & Tapas Bar, a restaurant in the heart of Coral Gables. The no-frills Miracle Mile gem features a unique dining experience of premium sushi, sashimi, and original cold and hot dishes that blend traditional and modern techniques.
Mai Sushi & Tapas Bar is operated by Vietnamese-native Annie Pham and chef Khoa Duong, a married couple who co-own the restaurant with itamae Alfred Toita. The trio met in Seattle while working at Katsuya restaurant and their shared love for Asian cuisine resulted in a menu based on Japanese cuisine that veers onto creative side roads with tapa-style dishes, a presentation that allows for layering of unexpected ingredients.
“We are bringing together the delicate, refined artistry of Japanese food with the vibrant, complex tastes of Vietnamese cooking,” says Japanese-native Toita. “The result is a gastronomy experience that celebrates balance, creativity, and cultural fusion.”
Inside, the 31-seat casual indoor/outdoor restaurant has the warmth of a living room, decked with wood materials, sake bottles, kimonos, and other Japanese aesthetics and whimsical artifacts. The sushi counter at Mai (which means dance in Japanese) seats five guests, who get to watch Toita’s precision and craftsmanship as he deftly dishes out sushi and nigiri selections of Japanese flounder, toro, sweet shrimp, and other premium fish and seafood flown in from Japan. His wide range of pintxo creations include Uni Snow Crab topped with sea urchin, snow crab and truffle mayo; and Spicy Tuna, crowned with eel sauce, guacamole and jalapeño.
“We created a cozy but vibrant ambiance to match our menu and the vibe of the Coral Gables community,” says Duong. “Our concept is based on upscale offerings in a low-key atmosphere. Mai was designed for everyone to feel comfortable while savoring a flavorful meal.”
The restaurant is open daily for dinner service. Guests can savor starters such as Hotaro Ika, a cold dish of firefly bathed with tomato strawberry gazpacho; and Lamb Belly Blossom with asparagus, white miso, and cherry blossoms. Mai’s list of heartier dishes showcases Japanese Wagyu Burger with guava barbeque unagi, cheddar cheese and caramelized onions; Iberico Pork Cheek with char siu, fermented bean and pickle papaya; and Steak Skewers, a delicacy made with ginger nuoc cham. A Mai Bluefin Tuna Box for two features sushi, sashimi and maki with akami, chu-toro, and o-toro.
On weekends, guests can savor the restaurant’s tasting menu for $80 per person, a feast of eight delicious bites that includes Bone Marrow Donut, Uni Risotto, Beef Tongue Pho Broth, and a Sashimi selection, each served with a different sake pairing. There are also omakase options to choose from, as well as seasonal choices of sushi, sashimi, and signature maki like the Spicy Tropical, rolled with tempura salmon, snow crab, mango, white onion, cucumber, pico de gallo and habanero guava.
Mai’s beverage program features selections of wine, Japanese beer, and a wide variety of sake offered by the glass, bottle, and flight. Cocktail highlights are the Pinky Guava made with unmai sake, red wine, guava, and lime fizz and Passionfruit Sangaria, a concoction with white wine, rose, junmai sake, and passionfruit puree. The restaurant hosts a happy hour daily with discounted libations from $4 to $9 and a list of tapas ranging from $5 to $16.
Mai Sushi Tapas & Bar is located at 98 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL, 33134; (206) 696-07674. Open Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 930 pm; Fridays from 5 pm to 11 pm; Saturdays from 5 pm to 11 pm; and Sundays from 5 pm to 10 pm. For more information, visit https://www.maisushitapas.com/ and @maisushitapas.
