Tuesday night in summer and many fine restaurants in Miami are closed or barely booked. Gekko Miami Japanese inspired Steakhouse was full, and I can definitely see why. First, the place, owned by Bad Bunny, the world’s most streamed recording artist, and David Grutman/Groot Hospitality, is serious eye candy: glam in a Japan meets Miami way. It’s a place to celebrate a special occasion and they have the serious menu for it as in multiple premium steaks, lobster dumplings, exotic oysters, and a large selection of sushi along with some wow presentations.
First, the décor, by the New York City Rockwell Group, deserves special mention. With its soaring peaked ceiling with bamboo rafters, central sushi bar, and large gold plated dragon wall sculpture, it says Japan. But then there’s the luxe as in jewel toned and plush décor including a custom gold and red dip dyed rope installation, velvet drapery, leather and velvet banquettes and deep shades of red, greenish blue and dim lighting.
The menu at Gekko Miami is divided into to share, tacos, starters, raw bar, maki, nigiri, main plates, USDA prime steaks, specialty (beef), Japan (beef),sides and desserts.
We started with their addictive Japanese milkbread served with creamed butter. It’s made in house from nori, bonito fish flakes, furikaki and milk. Served piping hot, it’s fluffy inside and crisp on top. Not to be missed ($15).
Next up was a signature wedge salad, a riff on the traditional with yuzu buttermilk ranch dressing, smoked bacon, gorgonzola and cherry tomatoes ($26). For mains I had the dover sole, a large swimmingly fresh whole filet with brown butter and sesame ponzu. It was served in a unique, eye catching presentation with upright bones as decoration, and could easily serve two ($85).
We couldn’t pass up one of the prime offerings at Gekko Miami, a 12 ounce prime New York strip ($72). It was tender, beefy and perfectly grilled and could be shared. The Okinawa purple potato puree with wasabi caught our eye and after all, it goes well with the fish and steak. It was flavorful and creamy, and a welcome change from the usual preparation ($16).
Dessert was the banana pagoda, caramelized banana with a five spiced wafer. Happily there was lots of caramel. It was OMG delicious, and the presentation was a wow ($25).
There’s an enticing list of signature cocktails at Gekko Miami ($20)and a large selection of fine wines and a three page list of sakis. A glass of wine (4 ounces) starts at $15 and a bottle at $65.
Dinner with a glass of wine each, a starter, the sole and steak, a side and dessert is $270 plus tax and tip. With one entrée it would run about $200. Note they’re participating in Miami Spice. Also, they have a very good happy hour in their lounge. In case you missed the writeup, click here.
Service is very professional and friendly.
They also offers a very good happy hour that I wrote about earlier (click here).
Gekko Miami, 8 SE 8th Street, Miami.
