It’s rare one finds a very good restaurant in a club or lounge. And rarer, that it’s good enough to be a “go to” destination in itself. Such is Myn-Tu, a restaurant with a club like decor, what they call a “dinner party experience” with delicious French Vietnamese food. It’s an extension of iconic ultra-lounge Mynt. Executive Chef Meryl Villacorta and Sushi Master Seiya Noborikawa head up the kitchen, with a background of gold standard spots including Nobu, Blue Ribbon and Sugarcane.
The menu is divided into starters, heavily oriented to fish and shellfish; entrees; caviar; party platters for groups including a four course Japanese experience and Imperial Mynt Seafood Platter that comes with the warning, order at your own risk ($270). Carnivores will find a lot of appealing options from the list of prime steaks and an intriguing selection of Japanese wagyu, from carpaccio and taco to sashimi, steak and even a hot stone selection you cook yourself tableside. Completing the offering categories is sushi signature special with some gold leaf varieties, and a very appealing selection of vegetarian dishes, soups, sides and desserts.
The appetizers we tried were exceptional, starting with a signature Saigon Nems Mynt, similar to an egg roll but so much better. The fried wrapper was sublime — light, crispy and crunchy. In fact, the kitchen has a brilliant touch with crispy. The Asian Tacos with lobster or tuna and yuzu tofu avocado were the most refined tacos almost ever, except for the $25K taco I had at the Grand Velas Los Cabos. Also highly recommended is the Crispy Betsy, a light wafer made of wonton with yellow tail tuna and aromatic truffle aioli. Tuna tartar, here Bluefin Toro Tartar, is given a royal treatment, a dramatic presentation with caviar and Nitrogen. Next time I’d like to try the sea bass lettuce cups.
Pretty much happily sated with the appetizers, we only had two mains. The Haute Living Truffle Spaghetti topped with wild mushroom and shaved truffle was creamy, tasty, aromatic and rich — perfect to fortify oneself before a late night of clubbing.
Our favorite was the crispy skinned and moist French orange duck, a slow roast duck with mandarin orange sauce, an Asian version of the French duck a l’orange.
A perfect complement to the cuisine was the Utimate Classic Lemon Tart. the cool, sharp lemon filling contrasted nicely with the flaky, sweet pastry crust and oh so airy meringue. Come with a group? You may want to consider the Myn-Tu dessert party grazing plate which can be adapted for small or large parties.
Starters average in the twenties; entrees average in the thirties; steaks and wagyu offerings from $42 and up; vegetarian selections average in the mid to high teens; sides and desserts, $12 . A glass of wine (6 ounce pour) starts at $15; bottles from $85 to $12K for Dom Perignon Luminous rose 3L champagne. Cocktails start at $16.
The 80 seat dining room has banquette and table seating. We went at 8:30 and until 11 p.m. when we left, noise level was moderate. Service was excellent. Ask for Arnaud Saibron, a real pro.
Myn-Tu is open Thursday to Saturday for dinner with the kitchen operating until 2 a.m. The bar is open until 5 a.m.,t he only restaurant in Miami licensed to serve alcohol that late. Monday night it is also open for Tantric, what they call “a sultry dinner party” invoking the romance of a French cabaret.
Myn-Tu, 1905 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, 786-216-7790.
