Quick one today folks – and thank the Florida Panthers
Thank them for me finally putting pen-to-paper – err, fingers to the key…uhhhh fingers to the keyboard (there we go) – on Omakai’s new (ish) sushiya in Aventura.
If you’re unfamiliar with North Miami’s Town of Aventura, its basically known for three things: the mall, Turnberry Golf, and the traffic around its mall. When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time at that mall (eating brown bread at Cheesecake Factory). But the area has experienced a resurgance (or surgance?) and there’s all sorts of development.
One area that hasn’t kept up is sushi. That isn’t just an Aventura problem, that’s a North Miami beach problem. And before the angry emails come, no, your local sushiya in an RK Center doesn’t count.
Outside Omakai Aventura
Until now
I’ve been coming to North Miami for the better of 40 years. I remember The Seashore Club. I remember when a night out at Tony Roma’s meant something. Dessert was a book from Barnes & Noble at Loehmann’s Plaza. The 90s. Special.
So I was excited when Omakai – one of my favourite sushiya in Miami (reviewed here) – announced they’d be opening at the Aventura Town Center – what used to be called Loehmann’s Plaza. We call that serendipity, kids.
Inside Omakai
If you’re unfamiliar, Omakai’s specialty – and this is one humble blogger’s opinion – is walking the line between accessibility and tradition. The menu – sort of a hybrid between a la carte and tasting (I won’t call it Omakase) – has options for folks just dipping their toes in the fancy sushi pool, without treating them like neanderthals who can’t handle anything beyond salmon.
They serve, for example, these things called specials. The night I went, that included what was essentially torotaku gunkanmaki.
Select nigiri and gunkanmaki (torotaku)
It also included Iwashi, right at the tail end of its season, perfectly scored. This was a highlight.
Little Sushi Legend tip – go for the happy hour
It’s from 3 to 6:30. Peak Miami time frame by the way. At 6:30, I’m basically preparing my pre-bed milk and cookies. In Miami, they haven’t even texted “their guy”.
We basically ordered the entire happy hour menu, starting with the Bluefin Tuna Tasting with Akami, Chu Toro and O Toro. It’s listed at $6 for two nigiri, but we did $9 for three.
Bluefin tuna tasting ($9)
None of these three nigiri had any toppings. There were no blowtorches. Just good fucking fish, and legitimately good fucking rice. Imagine that. I almost gave a standing ovation before remembering my vow from the summer of grade 7 to to be less of a loser.
Now, is the nigiri perfectly formed? Is the rice perfectly packed? No. But at $9 – $19 regularly – I wasn’t complaining, and neither should you.
Great deal.
We also got the Kanpachi sashimi ($5 for three pieces, another fantastic deal). There are a number of keys to good sashimi – fish quality, knife skills. I always look for cuts that can be easily and symmetrically folded. Not always possible, but always a good sign.
Kanpachi ($5)
Heads up
The servers – super nice, all very knowledgeable – will suggest the five tasting menu options which range in price from $26 to $95.
But I went with a group of varying sushi sensibilities, and it made more sense to order a la carte (okonomi), especially since I wanted to explore the menu. I assume most people just get the tasting menus and call it a day. Do with that information what you will, but my recommendation is to just go early and order the entire happy hour menu, supplementing with some other stuff if necessary.
Happy hour menu
I’m glad that even as Omakai has expanded, their standards haven’t fallen (yet). Continues to be a great “entry-level” sushiya, especially for dinners with those friends/family/dates where sushi experience runs the gamut.
It’s just a shame Barnes & Noble is no longer next door.
Recommended.
