Pao by Paul Qui
Asian restaurant · Miami Beach ·
Chic Asian eatery with ocean views, ritzy decor, unique dishes
Chic Asian eatery with ocean views, ritzy decor, unique dishes
"Damien Hirst's giant sculpture of a gilded woolly mammoth resides famously behind the lavish Faena Hotel. Such scale and grandeur is also the norm in this restaurant, overlooking the iconic attraction. Pao’s oval room is capped with a gold-dome ceiling that's centered around yet another statue by Hirst—a golden unicorn perched on a platform looming large over the stylish guests.To be clear, this spot is more than just good looks and its short menu knits together a range of influences. Many of them are Asian, as in dishes like scallop aguachile with pineapple and black lime or a bao with smoked Wagyu short rib with XO aïoli. Roasted black bass with chili patis and ginger-garlic rice swings from sweet to savory to spicy, and comforts at every turn." - Michelin Inspector
"Pao by Paul Qui hit the right balance of comfort and technique for me — I enjoyed the grilled greens and fried chicken as standout dishes." - Olee Fowler
"An upscale hotel restaurant in Miami, Paoin is still run by Paul Qui." - Nadia Chaudhury
"Every Tuesday through Thursday, hungry diners at Pao can dine on a four-course menu filled with rotating restaurant favorites for $55 per person. Available now through the end of July from 7 to 10:30 p.m." - Olee Fowler
"A Miami hotel restaurant launched in late 2015 that was managed through the chef’s management company; the complaint alleges the partners engineered ownership and accounting arrangements that gave the partners 50 percent of net income and then blocked the chef’s access to a VC-managed account after a six-figure payment. The suit claims the partners presented him with a payment smaller than his share, commingled VC funds into other accounts, and used a false statement about withdrawing from the venture to prompt the hotel group to cancel its agreement with the chef’s company—causing an estimated $450,000 loss. Despite the dispute, restaurant representatives say the chef remains publicly associated with the project, with his name, photograph, and biography still featured on the site." - Nadia Chaudhury