This upscale Chinese restaurant from Canada opened its first U.S. location in Miami Beach
A Toronto-based restaurant group has opened its first spot outside Canada in — where else? — Miami Beach.
The upscale, popular Mimi Chinese, a Michelin Guide-recognized restaurant from Big Hug Hospitality, is now open on Alton Road.
Culinary director David Schwartz, who earned the 2023 Michelin Guide’s Toronto Young Chef Award, said in a statement that Miami’s “passion for food” make it a good spot for Mimi Chinese.
“We’re not here to elevate a food culture,” he said. “We’re here to honor it and bring our own creative twist to the table.”
The menu emphasizes cuisine from the Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong and Hunan regions of China, with a focus on tradition blended with a diverse approach. Expect to dine communally: Much of the menu is offered via large sharing plates, a nod to a key element of Chinese culture.
Executive chef Braden Chong, who with Schwartz is also the founder of Sunnys Chinese in Toronto, calls it “a blend of new and nostalgic flavors.”
“The quality of food and the ingredients we source are paramount to our ethos,” he said in a statement.
Signature dishes include a spicy Hunan chili sea bass with chili, Fujian wine and flowering chive ($59); hidden crispy chicken loaded with chiles ($34) and the intriguing four foot belt noodle with grass fed beef, black sesame and long bean ($29), which includes wide and long noodle coated in chili oil.
Michelin recommends a couple of other specialties that might make good starters: “The shrimp toast, brilliantly made with fried bread and a hot mustard mayo, is worth a visit alone, but don’t miss out on the scallop crudo with fried donut and that soulful soy broth.” The shrimp toast, which Michelin also named one of Toronto’s top dishes, is $22, while the scallop crudo is $26.
The design of Mimi Chinese is similar to that of its Toronto counterpart, with dim lighting aiming to set an intimate mood and touches of red everywhere. Don’t expect anything so ordinary as windows: The restaurant was specifically designed without them, so that diners aren’t distracted by anything but fragrance and food.
The food and the look are already drawing the rich and famous in and around Miami: DJ Khaled was recently spotted dining in the semi-private dining area with Fat Joe, while on the other side of the restaurant, David and Victoria Beckham dined with Dave and Isabella Grutman.
Mimi Chinese
Where: 1575 Alton Road, Miami Beach
Hours: 6-11 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Reservations: OpenTable
More information and reservations: mimichinese.com
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