Taikun Sushi
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Sushi lovers, or those curious about the culinary wonders of an omakase dinner journey, can enjoy a new gourmet experience now through April 30, 2024 at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami. The luxury hotel in Brickell is hosting Taikun Sushi, showcasing the finest in Japanese seafood sourced fresh from Tokyo’s bustling fish markets. Guests will enjoy 16 courses of chef-selected delicacies, each carefully plated and explained by Taikun’s sushi masters.
The eight-seat sushi counter has taken over the hotel’s 14 Thirty-Five, a hybrid art gallery and event space off the main lobby that’s adorned in modern art and elegant furnishings. Taikun will also offer a separate cocktail bar, where guests can lounge as they sip specialty cocktails, Japanese whiskies and premium sakes. Here’s a look at what to expect during Taikun Sushi’s omakase dining experience.
What is Omakase?
Literally translated from Japanese, omakase means “I leave it up to you,” which, in essence, is what one does when they sit down at an omakase counter. Rather than ordering off a menu, you leave your meal in the hands of the chef, who plates each course according to how they feel the meal should go. This means no two meals are exactly the same, with courses determined by which fish are fresh that day and which fruits and vegetables are in season.
The people behind the Four Seasons Hotel Miami’s Taikun Sushi omakase are veterans of this elevated eating experience, having run similar concepts in New York, Aspen and other locations. Their credits include Grey Lady, Canary Club and Sushi Oku in New York City and Escobar Aspen in Colorado as well as a successful pop-up previously hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami.
What Should I Expect During My Taikun Sushi Omakase Experience?
Since omakase-style dining is wholly dependent on the chef, Taikun has no set menu. Each night, a slightly different lineup of dishes will be offered, though certain items will be constant. According to Taikun, each meal will begin with a light appetizer, ranging from toro (fatty tuna), caviar with chives, fresh wasabi and dashi soy to uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon eggs) and caviar bow.
From there, it’s on to a delectable parade of nigiri – fresh, sliced fish atop sushi rice – that will allow guests to experience a variety of flavors and textures. While there’s no guarantee what will arrive on your plate, frequent offerings will include ikura, uni, Akamai (aged lean tuna marinated in soy sauce), shima-aji (striped jack with yuzu), A5 Miyazaki Wagyu steak, and a toro and uni hand roll. The experience will finish with a sweet course, ranging from mochi ice cream to specially-created Japanese desserts.
Wine, Sake and Cocktails at Taikun’s Bar
Much like the food menu, Taikun’s beverage program is carefully curated, offering an impressive array of craft cocktails and premium sake. Guests can opt to let the restaurant’s sommelier guide them through their drinks, with an optional wine and sake pairing available. Those who prefer ordering their own drinks will have 15 different premium sakes available by the bottle and three by the glass. Taikun also offers 10 different Japanese whiskies, ranging from Suntory Toki to Hibiki 21 Years Old.
The short cocktail menu includes four specialty drinks, each bringing a special twist on a classic. The Japanese Highball has Nikka From The Barrel whiskey with club soda and grapefruit. The Taikun Old Fashioned blends Nikka Coffey Grain whiskey with chamomile syrup and bitters. The Sakura Blossom brings floral notes with vodka, sake shochu, elderflower, cherry blossom powder and lychee. And the Toki Americano will delight those who prefer bitter flavors with Toki Suntory whiskey, Lillet Rouge and Amaro Nonino.
Taikun’s drink menu also features Asahi Super Dry and Sapporo premium beer as well as three varieties of champagne and a selection of white and red wines from around the world. Guests can enjoy cocktails, wine, beer or sake while dining at the sushi bar or relaxing in Taikun’s inviting lounge, available for pre- and post-meal drinks.
Operating Hours and Price
Because omakase is a special, coursed-out experience, guests can only opt for one of two nightly seatings, at 6 and 9 p.m. Budget about two hours for the meal, and each seating is limited to eight guests. Reservations are required and can be made through OpenTable or by calling (305) 381-3024. Taikun Sushi is open Wednesdays through Sundays.
The elegant experience is priced at $225 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The optional sommelier-led wine and sake pairing can be added for $125 per person.
By: Matthew Meltzer | February 23, 2024