THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Sushi Maki Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Sushi Maki Restaurant Review:

Sushi lounges --- restaurants that are part sushi bar, part alcohol bar/nightclub --- are now popular hangouts all over Miami. But back when the original Sushi Maki opened around the new millennium's start, young CEO Abe Ng's cool concept was unusual enough that his little spot became the place to go for rolls, sashimi, nigiri and saké. Instead of merely further expanding the brand, the restaurant marked its tenth anniversary with a new menu featuring unique makis found nowhere else in town and many Asian-Latin small plates, plus a hip assortment of artisan sakés, rare Japanese craft beers and variously-flavored bubble teas (which double nicely as dessert). While familiar dishes are still available they no longer seem superior to those found everywhere so bypass the boring California and excessive volcano rolls and stick to menu items such as Haystack maki; the nicely sweet/hot-balanced Buddha-Cane maki (shrimp tempura, avocado, mango, spicy mayo and sugarcane soy); and Nobu-like rock shrimp tempura. Since taking over the sushi concessions at Whole Foods' Miami markets, Ng's company has also become eco-conscious, so eat and drink guilt-free. Note: Sushi Maki moved from its longtime corner location to the opposite corner, doubling in size and adding trendy items such as sushi "burritos," poke bowls, and shaved ice to its offerings.