AMA

AMA is located inside Kaido in Miami Design District. AMA is a hidden 8-seater speakeasy featuring a 16 course ama-kase menu by Chef Brad Kilgore (owner of Alter in Wynwood). This settings also functions as a Japanese-inspired cocktail lounge. 16 COURSE AMA-KASE: AMA spotlights the chef's interpretation of omakase and is not conceptually traditional. Chef Kilgore takes you though a journey through Japan and surrounding regions with each minute dish. My favorite dishes were the "scramble egg" and the enoki carbonara, the foie-kigori had Japanese shaved ice. For dessert, the sesame cookie with unfiltered milky sake was a stand out. If you have any allergies or dislike a item, the item will be removed (not replaced). In my menu, the beef tartare was removed and not replaced with an alternative. EXPERIENCE: It all starts when we check in and have a cocktail at Kaido while you wait for Ama to open. There is a majestic chandelier made of 1,200 golden butterfly knives representing a sea urchin. Then, we are escorted to a tiny room where we received a welcome spirit served from tea pot. After this, we enter the hidden bar area AMA, with blue and gold shimmering floors, and vintage Japanese Pachinko gaming machines on the wall. The chef comes out, greets everybody and explains how dinner will be served. He also mentions we'll have to like his music style which is mostly 2000s. Upon completion, we exit through the kitchen and each couple gets a gold take out box with the same spirit we drank at the beginning of the night. RESERVATIONS & PRICING: Seating is limited to 8 people at a time for the dinner service so you'll have to reserve in advance. 16 course meal: $120 + tax + service Drinks pairing: $120 + tax + service Individual cocktails range $12-20 Overall, we had a beautiful experience. AMA is a great place to come on a date or alone. The staff is helpful in describing the variety of Japanese whiskeys dating back to 1963, carefully explaining each dish, as well as filling up your glass with water. If you have visited El Cielo, The Bazaar, Hiden, you'll love AMA.

Hiding out behind a secret-passage door, Kaido houses Ama: a speakeasy reservation-only "omakase" spot. Named after and inspired by Japanese pearl divers of the '60s, diners can expect one of Miami's most ambitious chef's tasting (AMA-kase) menus featuring chef Brad Kilgore's latest creations: some courses off the Kaido menu, and others available exclusively to AMA. While Kaido's patrons sip and head-bop to the background music thumps of today outside, the high-energy Ama experience inside loudly flows through '90s hip-hop anthems complete with Snoop, Dre, and Biggie... hip, hop, hooray to that! Gin and juice, optional. Arrive a little earlier to enjoy a cocktail at the elegant Kaido lounge before being escorted into the private AMA space. I won't spill the tea regarding the entrance ritual, but know you can expect a multisensory journey once you've been "initiated." Innovative and refreshing highlights (and the ones I can't stop talking about) include the Foie-Kigori (hand-shaved ice of foie gras infused with tea over jackfruit espuma, passionfruit, and rice masago), the dreamiest Chawanmushi "scrambled egg" (slowly and delicately stirred with fresh truffle butter), and the instant crowd favorite Uni Fondue (with Alaskan king crab). Before you leave, take a second to look down and appreciate the exquisite details of the turquoise and gold flooring. And visit the bathroom. You're welcome. Tips: Follow Kaido's social media accounts for announcements on reservations release dates. Prepare and speed up the reservation process by creating an account on Tock. If available, I highly suggest the wine/beer/cocktail pairing to get the full experience on your first visit.

The best and most unique omakase. As revealed, Ama is part of Kaido. You spend a few moments at the bar (with incredibly delicious drinks that are separated and listed based on continent!) and then are transported to what appears to be a phone booth. The phone booth is small. You're handed a shot of a drink that is both soothing and flavorful. Then, you are transported to a back room with incredible music and a speakeasy type vibe with a modern spin. The food. Could. Not. Believe. It was just incredible. The menu offers traditional sushi but also items like short rib and breakfast tasting soufflé. It is a 16 course tasting menu WELL worth the price. You're full after the meal and have tasted dishes that transport you to another world. The menu changes based on the creations of Chef Brad Kilgore. Truly an incredible experience. They've been closed since covid but cannot wait until they open back up!