Latest news with #ShingoAkikuni
Forbes
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Miami Restaurants Get Creative To Weather The Summer Slowdown
Unlike much of the country, summer in Miami—from June to September—is considered the 'low' season, due to factors like hot, humid weather and hurricane season. For those who visit during big events like Art Basel, South Beach Wine and Food Festival, and Formula One, there is a drastic shift at this time of the year— the city is quiet, traffic is scarce, and there's basically just not a lot of people around. This isn't ideal for most local businesses, especially the food and beverage industry, and Miami has faced a slew of restaurant and bar closings in recent months, ranging from well-loved homegrown concepts to buzzy foreign outposts— accolades notwithstanding. However, there are plenty of restaurants and bars that aren't letting this dampen their spirits. In fact, they are taking this on creatively— offering exciting value-driven experiences to guests, and supporting each other in the process. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from now until September 30, Michelin-starred Shingo in Coral Gables, is offering 'Nigiri nights.' Priced at $180 (instead of their usual $275), the nigiri-focused omakase experience features 15 courses which include kasugodai (baby sea bream), kiromatsu aburi (slightly torched sea perch), and three cuts of tuna, akam (lean) chūtoro (medium-fatty) and ōtoro (most marbled part of the belly). "Nigiri Nights was created as a return to the fundamentals of my training in Tokyo, where nigiri takes center stage,' shares chef-owner Shingo Akikuni. 'It gives us a chance to celebrate this tradition, and the reduced price point makes this experience more accessible, reflecting our commitment to sharing the art of nigiri with a broader audience.' Don't miss head sommelier and restaurant manager Kaori's seasonal sake flights—which include Spring Nama and a limited Summer edition— priced favorably at $55 for three. (Note: The restaurant will be closed from July 22 to August 18 while the restaurant team takes its annual trip to Japan.) Michelin-starred Shingo in Coral Gables, is offering a nigiri-focused omakase priced at $180 (instead of their usual $275) every Tuesday and Wednesday through September Salar Abduaziz/ Shingo Magie Wine Bar in Little River is hosting a series of pop-up events that feature— and give back— to local talent. Running through Labor Day Weekend (August 31 and September 1), 'The Not So Serious Summer Series" are budget-friendly, chef-driven pop-ups that celebrate South Florida's culinary talent— with 100% of vendor sales going directly to them. 'We wanted to highlight local chefs during the slow time and give them a platform to shine and be expressive— many of them don't have a brick and mortar or full kitchen,' shares owner Caroline Strauss. With no cover, and everything à la carte, guests enjoy these specialty offerings alongside Magie's by the glass options, or extensive bottle selection. They recently had Atomica, a modern Peruvian concept in the Design District led by chefs Javier Cussato and Carmen Florencia Ibarra; and upcoming ones include: Lazy Oyster Raw Bar and Seafood Boil (July 6); Iced Coffee Party with Oori Bakeshop, Mr. Black and Imperial Moto (July 20); Sidewalk Bottle Shop Bros (July 27); Pirolo's Paninos (August 20); and Beaker and Gray (August 24); and a special guest finale forLabor Day Weekend (August 31 and September 1). Magie Wine Bar in Little River is hosting 'The Not So Serious Summer Series' pop-ups this summer, with 100% of vendor sales going directly to the chefs and collaborators. This has included Atomica, a modern Peruvian concept led by chefs and life partners Javier Cussato and Carmen Florencia Ibarra, with featured dishes like a summer crudo of Florida red snapper with jalapeño leche de tigre, their signature fried Key West pink shrimps in a black secret sauce, and a beef pocket with olive sauce and pickles Cheryl Tiu Otto e Pepe in Wynwood, Miami's first pasta bar-enoteca known for their thoughtfully curated selection of low-intervention wines, has rolled out an entirely new summer wine list for the season. 'We understand that summers in Miami can be quite intense, so we've focused on offering a selection of wines that are lighter [and more] refreshing,' shares wine director Karina Igleasias. These include the Portuguese sparkling rose, Luis Pato Baga Espumante Rose, NV— a stunner on its own or with food; and the crowd-pleasing food-friendly albariño from Bodegas Albamar. For those who enjoy bold reds, Iglesias assures that 'we have some fantastic [ones] waiting in our cellar, ready to be enjoyed whenever you're in the mood!" To complement, executive chef Nancy Dominguez has created a selection of summer specials, including roasted corn–stuffed cappelletti with basil butter fondue, and calamarata dressed with an assortment of mushrooms. They also recently launched a weekday Happy Hour from 4:00 to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday, featuring select full-sized pastas for $15 and cocktails—including their signature Caprese Highball—for $9 Otto e Pepe in Wynwood, Miami's first pasta bar-enoteca known for their thoughtfully curated selection of low-intervention wines, has created an entirely new summer wine list for the season. JORDAN BRAUN/ OTTO E PEPE Palma in Little Havana, led by Michelin Florida 2025 Young Chef Award winner Juan Camilo Liscano, is hosting a series of fun kitchen pop-ups. 'I decided this year that the slower season was an opportunity to collaborate with friends and other chefs not just to have fun and see each other but to hopefully drive some business from each other's customer bases,' Liscano shares. On July 13 from 1:00 to 9:00 PM, Shingo sous chef Yuta Sakakibara and pastry chef Lania Andrade are bringing a taste of Japanese konbini culture to Miami, serving comfort favorites like tamago sando, ebi katsu sando, onigiri and chuka soba. The afternoon will also feature cup sakes, matcha beers, and hi fi music from Tremendo Sound System. This will be succeeded by a tasting menu dinner prepared by Mandolin Aegean Bistro (July 20), a collaboration dinner with Shingo (September 7), and a takeover by Jonas Offenbach of Matilda Catskills (September 14). Palma in Little Havana will be hosting a series of summer events beginning on July 13 with a Japanese konbini pop-up Jaime Bolin/ Palma From July 19 through August 17, Michelin-recognized Hiyakawa in Wynwood will be transformed into a Tokyo-style izakaya. Master sushi chef Masayuki 'Masa' Komatsu and chef de cuisine Jammie Liu, both from sister Michelin-starred restaurant Ogawa, will be serving up small plates like pork gyoza, gobo stick, chicken katsu curry, miso cod and tofu, with prices ranging from $9 to $26 per plate. 'Izakaya feels very nostalgic to me,' shares Komatsu. 'While creating this menu, I wanted to bring back my mom's recipes—mixing warm, familiar flavors with a fun, playful spirit.' They will also be offering a sushi menu. 'We wanted to do something fun and engaging this summer—a way for locals and visitors alike to enjoy delicious bites at accessible prices in a more casual atmosphere,' adds owner Alvaro Perez Miranda. From July 19 through August 17, Michelin-recognized Hiyakawa in Wynwood will temporarily transform into a lively Izakaya, with small plates in a dimmer, livelier setting. James Jackman/ Hiyakawa Other Miami restaurants and bars are hosting a series of collaboration dinners and bartender takeovers. Uchi in Wynwood is teaming up with local restaurants: Ghee (July 14), Mimi Chinese (August 11) and Fluke (September 8) for its 2025 Summer Dinner Series. Tickets are priced at $195 per person. Four Seasons Hotel Miami's 14 Thirty-Five cocktail bar has kicked off its guest bartender series with Vice Versa's Valentino Longo, and will soon have Bar Kaiju's Derek Stilmann, Chat Chow's Gio Gutierrez, and Sweet Liberty's Naren Young, each a one-night-only experience alongside Beverage Director Jacopo Rosito. (Dates TBA.) And others are offering specially priced menus and offerings for the season: Claudie ($85 summer prix fixe menu through July 31); LPM Restaurant and Bar (rotating summer menus priced at $60 for lunch, and $90 for dinner); Stubborn Seed (Six-course tasting menu priced at $95); Walrus Rodeo ($12 pizzas and $12 glasses of wine on M&M Magnums and Marinara on Mondays).
CNBC
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNBC
Where a Michelin-starred Japanese chef eats, drinks and shops in Tokyo
Shingo Akikuni is best known as the chef at SHINGO, a one-Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant in Miami. He grew up in Japan and returns yearly as a visitor. The fourth-generation sushi chef told CNBC Travel how he spends his time there. Ginza Sushi Aoki Akikuni's first recommendation is where he was trained as a chef. The restaurant — which was opened over 50 years ago — is led by a chef who "makes himself available for not only locals, but also people that are visiting from abroad," Akikuni said through a translator. Noda For more contemporary flavors, Akikumi recommends visitors try fusion restaurants run by chefs who were trained in different parts of the world. One such restaurant is Noda, which marries Japanese techniques and ingredients with French influence. "In addition to the cooking, he really loves the wine pairing," his translator told CNBC Travel. Restaurant reservations are usually made over the phone in Japan, Akikuni said. To avoid language barriers, he recommends that travelers make reservations through their hotel concierge. Toranomon Yokocho Akikuni also suggests eating at a Yokocho, an alleyway lined with street vendors and bars. Toranomon Yokocho, a newer food center in Japan, is a modern take on the Yokocho concept — although it is set up in a "nice development," he said. Food there goes beyond Japanese cuisine, and visitors can "try a little bit of everything all in one place." Good Music Bar Akikuni recommends the vinyl music bar with an extensive record collection and live acts from Monday to Saturday. The bar has great cocktails, a high-quality sound system and is big enough for groups of friends, he said. Kasumicho Arashi The hidden bar is known for its fruit-based cocktails, Akikuni said. It's tucked in the basement of a house in the residential area of Nishiazabu. The speakeasy incorporates "great farm fresh items" in its menu, he said. The SG Club This one is owned by Shingo Gokan, whom Akikuni called "one of the most famous bartenders of this generation." Gokan, who won the 2021 Industry Icon Award from the World's 50 Best organization, also owns a speakeasy, Sip & Guzzle, in New York City. The bar, which "has been popular for a long time," has three unique floors with different menus and a cigar room, Akikuni said. Tokyo offers many spots for sightseeing, and Akikuni's favorites are the Meiji Jingu Shrine and the Toyosu Fish Market. Meiji Jingu Shrine The shrine — arguably Tokyo's most famous — is a must-see, he said. The shrine was built in 1920 in the busy neighborhood of Shibuya. "It's a great break from the hustle and bustle of the city," he said. It's free to enter and lies within a man-made forest. It opens around sunrise and closes around sunset. Toyosu Market Akikuni said he visits the Toyosu Fish Market every time he's in Tokyo. At the market — the largest in Japan, at around 4 million square feet — he sees the vendors and suppliers who stock his Miami restaurant, he said. The early morning tuna auction is a popular attraction there. Visitors can ballot for the chance to view the auction up close, according to Japan National Tourism Organization's website. In January, a 608-pound bluefin tuna was sold for around $1.3 million dollars – the second-highest price paid since the auction began in 1999. Visitors who do not win the lottery can still watch buyers bid for their choice from farther away, and also buy some fresh fish for breakfast after. Toyosu Fish Market is known as the "best in the world," but fewer people know about the Toyosu Fruit and Vegetable Market, Akikuni said. "Japanese people generally are very dedicated to whatever craft that they have," he said. "So if they're a strawberry farmer, they're trying to grow the very best strawberries." Omotesando and Harajuku While the neighborhood of Ginza is home to many international brands, Akikuni recommends shopping on Omotesando or in the neighborhood of Harajuku instead. Both have stores that visitors will "only find in Tokyo," he said. Omotesando, referred to as the Champs Élysées of Tokyo, is an avenue with iconic Japanese fashion houses like Comme des Garçons and Issey Miyake. It's also home to Omotesando Hills, a shopping complex with more than 130 shops. Harajuku, however, is known for its subculture and quirky fashion. Both areas are walkable and easy to explore, said Akikuni, with vintage shops where visitors can pick up luxury and trendy pieces. The Imperial Hotel and Aoyama Grand Tokyo Akikuni prefers two hotels in Tokyo, both of which offer different experiences. The Imperial Hotel is close to the Royal Palace. It opened in 1890 to welcome foreign visitors, according to the hotel's website. The traditional concept of Japanese hospitality — or "omotenashi" — is what draws him to the hotel, Akinkuni said. It's like looking "into the past of how the standard of hospitality was created" in the country, he said. The contemporary Aoyama Grand Tokyo is a good option for shopping in Harajuku or Omotesando. It's close to both neighborhoods and the food is excellent, he said.
