I’ve experienced two exceptional new restaurants in three weeks. No doubt about it — the Miami restaurant scene is coming back strong. The newest addition to my favorites list is recently opened Salvaje which figures in a growing list of Midtown Miami restaurants. It  fuses Japanese cuisine with Latin American elements. Part of the Spanish-owned Salvaje group which comes to Miami via several locations in Spain and Latin America, they tout their high quality which more than lived up to its promise, along with an enticing menu, scrumptious food, and casual chic décor.

The “environment” as they describe the décor, factors in as an important part of their guest experience. It’s at once stylish, whimsical and novel. Think an interior design shop with a nature theme. The 170 seat open air rooftop restaurant, unique among Midtown Miami restaurants,  has a retractable roof and garden wall with signature gold rhino heads, white palm trees, fan coral lamps and designer vessels adorning book shelves. Creatively mismatched tables have bases like painted driftwood, then there are bamboo daybeds laid out to watch the sunset, and a sleek omakase sushi bar as a central focal point.

The menu is divided into a wide selection of raw fish (sushi, sashimi, nigiri, and more),  to share (appetizer like dishes), salads, rice/soup/noodle, and robata grill. The robata grill features dishes of sea, soil (meat and chicken), and farm (vegetable sides).  Finishing off the selection are postres (desserts).

Even if you’re not a cocktail person, do try one of their signature concoctions ($17-19). Not only are they tasty, but you have to see their creative vessels like a bee, rhino horn, rose gold rose, and skeleton!

We started with a selection of sushi, sashimi, and other raw fish which you must have. It was so fresh it melted in my mouth, certainly among the best in town (as I always write, the Spanish really know their fish!). In particular I loved the spicy tuna which was seasoned just right. Next up were the truffle mushroom dumplings. More like ravioli, they were filled with a decadent mixture of maitake mushrooms and truffle cream in a demi glace ($21).

A highlight was the grilled and blazed lamb shank robata served tableside on a small robata grill with crispy brussel sprouts with kimchi salsa. The lamb shank, which had been cooked for 12 hours, was very tender and tasty, topped with crispy wonton skins ($42 ).

Another favorite was the signature wok rice that’s fried with truffles and laced with pieces of roasted duck ( $28 ). Next time I’d like to try the lobster dumplings made with a lobster bisque base, lobster, micro mint and topped with crispy wonton ($22); the halibut robata, a fish I wish one saw more of here ($58); and the Carabineros which are the very large red prawns from the Med which are served with hollandaise sauce and ichimi togarashi ($10 each).

I’m particular to anything resembling baked Alaska, so I was in heaven with the Strength Rock Salvaje. It’s maracuya mousse filled with chocolate and topped with meringue and mango ice cream ($12). On my to try list next is La Tortura Salvaje, banana wrapped in crispy pastry with whipped cream and hot chocolate sauce ($14).

There’s a wide selection of liquors, sakes, champagne and wine. A glass of wine (5 ounce pour)  starts at $13 and a bottle at $49.

Salvaje is in the Hyde Midtown Miami, 101 NE 34^th Street in Midtown. It’s open for dinner from Monday through Thursday and Sunday 3 pm to Midnight; Friday and Saturday 3 p.m to 1 a.m. They’ll soon be launching a special Sunset Hour with drink and food specials from 4 to 6 p.m. and after that, lunch.