Miss Crispy Rice Opens in Coral Gables | Eater Miami
"Opening today, Wednesday, November 20, this casual Japanese spot makes its first standalone move into the former Caja Caliente space in Coral Gables after operating inside Wynwood’s Oasis food hall since 2022. The 1,600-square-foot restaurant features multiple dining setups — a four-seat express counter near the entrance, a 14-seat omakase counter, and three two-top tables for a la carte dining — and a minimalist interior with pink hues and cherry blossom–embroidered wallpaper; the bathroom offers an unexpected “surprise” with Kill Bill–inspired yellow walls, black stripes, and the film’s soundtrack playing in the background. “We’ve been looking for a larger space to allow [the restaurant] to be the star of the show,” said co-founder Andrew Mayer, noting that the majority of the clientele were coming from the Coral Gables area and that the move brings the concept closer to that audience. The menu expands the original offerings with kaisendon bowls designed for quick service at the express counter: the bluefin tuna bowl is topped with scallions, fried onions, and cucumber in the restaurant’s popular OG sauce, while the chirashi bowl features an assortment of salmon, tuna, hamachi, and scallops with edamame and nori on furikake rice. The traditional kaisendon, filled with an array of seafood, is finished tableside with housemade bone broth, and diners can add ikura or uni to any bowl. A new dry-aging fish program has been introduced for the omakase counter; the lunch omakase ($35) includes a chef’s appetizer, two pieces each of nigiri and crispy rice, a hand roll, and soup of the day. Dinner offers a 14- or 16-course omakase ($87–$125), with the 14-course menu featuring a crudo trio, soup dumplings, seasonal appetizer, crispy rice, nigiri, chef’s choice hand roll, donburi, miso soup, and dessert; fish selections called out include akami, shima-aji, kanpachi, and chu-toro, and specialty add-ons include A5 wagyu nigiri and uni-topped shrimp. The beverage program offers sake, wine, and beer pairings. For a la carte diners, the menu includes a variety of hand rolls, crispy rice topped with various fish and garnishes, nigiri, crudos, and a selection of small plates. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m." - Olee Fowler
