Zitz Sum — Restaurant in Coral Gables

Disappointing customer service. If you have any food aversions or allergies, don’t go to Zitz Sum. Better yet, if you request kosher-friendly accommodations, get ready to feel outcasted.

In the past, the staff welcomed making minor alterations to accommodate my dietary restriction to eat kosher-friendly (no pork, no shellfish, no mixing meat/milk). However, last night I had the most unpleasant experience that ended with husband and I leaving early and paying for food we never received. It was honestly more painful to stay, we were OK with throwing away money.

As background, my husband is a big foodie and loves going to Zitz Sum. He made a reservation noting my dietary restriction (kosher friendly). Before coming to dinner, we looked at the menu online, and we were both excited to try the beef and broccoli dish listed (a Denver steak).

When we arrived, our server greeted us and asked me to elaborate on my kosher-friendly request. When it was time to make our order, I asked if the beef and broccoli dish came with any side items that contained dairy, and if it was possible to remove them or replace them. Again, in the past the staff was friendly with my request. She immediately seemed worried that the chef wouldn’t allow it, and said she would check (I believe the wasabi came with a dairy purée). She returned a second time and confirmed the chef declined my request.

I was disappointed but rather than beating a dead horse, I just wanted my husband to enjoy his dinner. I thanked her for trying and informed her I won’t be ordering anything. She was very apologetic, but by then I had lost my appetite.

By the third time she returned, she suggested another option. I declined and said it’s best to move on, please. She was again very apologetic, genuine and had the best intentions. So, I opened up and said I was surprised that a non-Michellin star restaurant would be so difficult (and change their approach), when actual Michellin star-rated restaurants in Miami, like Cote, are more welcoming. In my opinion, the same accommodations applied for diners with allergies should be exercised for diners who request kosher friendly alteration, when appropriate. It just seemed antisemitic. I asked her to move on. However, following my feedback, it seemed like the vibe in the room changed as all the staff members were looking at our table.

Our server returned a fourth time, and was excited to inform us that the chef is agreeing to my request and modifying the dish. She also added that they’re making a one time exception (which is a lie) and will address their policy. By then I was beyond embarrassed and uncomfortable. I told her, “Please stop. The damage is done. Let’s just move on. I’m OK.”

This was so uncomfortable. I felt awful because I know how much my husband enjoys Zitz Sum. It was just demoralizing that the chef had to prove a point. I’ve dined at Alinea in Chicago and Clove Club in London, and actual star-rated Michellin destinations and have never felt this outcasted. We decided to ask for the check and leave early. We paid for my husband’s meals even though two of them were never brought to the table as the restaurant...

I had really high hopes for Zitz Sum. It was talked up by a friend of mine and we had booked reservations almost a full month in advance. When my friend and I arrived, we immediately noted that it was a pretty small, dark spot. The ambiance was very not-Miami, and the bar was limited to only four seats.

When we sat down at the bar after waiting for a seat to open up, the bartender came over to ask us what kind of drinks we liked. When we told him that we typically drank bourbon or whiskey, he replied that they didn't have anything like that on their drink menu and walked away. I was almost shocked at the rudeness and the lack of desire in making a cocktail - as if he wasn't even willing to try to find a drink that he thought we'd like.

We eventually ordered two sake-inspired drinks, and they were solid, but we were still a bit offput by the bartenders behavior.

After being seated, we ordered a bunch of things from the menu - on paper, they all sounded good. We were largely let down.

The appetizers were the highlight. The wahoo crudo was perfectly portioned and delicious, and the wagyu beef tartare was our favorite dish of the night. The blend of egg and raw beef was delightful, and we agreed (even post-meal) that the tartare was the only dish we'd return to eat.

Everything after that was... less than good.

We had the short rib bao, which consisted of dry short rib with minimal flavor, an oversized bao that was also dry, and a labneh that you could find better versions of at halal trucks in New York.

The main offender for us was the wonton in brodo, which was flat out not good. My friend remarked that the wonton's were too heavy and consisted of too much dough, making it almost like gnocchi instead of wonton. The parmesan broth was disgusting - it was over salted and gross. We each took one spoonful and that was enough. I'd never order that dish again.

The Kinoko Hot Pot was something we were excited about, but it wasn't really traditional hot pot, but more just an actually warm pot of food. Misnomer more than anything. The rice was basically risotto or paella rice, and the oyster mushrooms were fine if a bit overcooked.

The grilled cabbage was good, but similar to other dishes suffered from over seasoning.

My friend remarked that the Ora King Salmon was like baby food, and I agree. It had the taste of a well-prepared salmon, but the texture was awful and mushy. It was like the flavor of salmon in the texture of mashed potatoes, which made it unappetizing to both of us.

The hallmark of most Asian cuisine is a delightful restraint, but everything was over seasoned, over salted and generally heavy handed with flavor -- you couldn't taste the primary ingredients in most dishes.

We were saved with the dessert - a frozen grapefruit sorbet that was the perfect palette cleanser. Overall, it was a meh meal -...

Our dining experience at Zitz Sum was nothing short of a good experience with each dish offering a unique blend of flavors and textures that left a lasting impression. Appetizers We started our culinary journey with the Dadinho de Tapioca made with XO sauce and bonito heirloom, and the Corn Arepa with lobster and roe. The Dadinho de Tapioca was delightfully crunchy in contrast with the savory XO sauce. The Corn Arepa was equally impressive, packed with the sweetness of corn and the delicate flavors of lobster and roe. Second Course The second course featured the Florida Tomatoes - a refreshing dish of smoked tomatoes, kiwi, and a spicy agua diablo. The smokiness of the tomatoes paired brilliantly with the sweetness of kiwi and the kick from the spicy agua diablo. I love spicy food. Following this, we enjoyed the Big Eye Tuna & Beets, served with herb chutney, macadamia nuts, and white ponzu. The tuna was fresh, and the combination of beets and herb chutney added a delightful earthy and herbaceous note. Main Dishes The Txistorra Bao was an elevated take on a hot dog, featuring egg yolk jam, potato furikake, pineapple jam, and dashi aioli. It was a delightful fusion of savory, sweet, and umami flavors. The Wonton In Brodo showcased Berkshire pork in a shoyu parm broth, offering a comforting and flavorful experience. Next, the Miso Black Cod arrived, prepared with moromi miso and saffron pil pil. The cod was perfectly cooked, and the miso and saffron pil pil added layers of umami and spice that elevated the dish. The Koshihikari Rice dish would have been a highlight but I was getting full. It was made with summer black truffle, oyster mushroom conserva, pine nuts, and Thai basil soubise. The richness of the truffle and mushrooms was perfectly balanced by the nutty pine nuts and aromatic basil. Dessert We ended our meal with the Mango Sorbet covered with white chocolate namelaka, meringue, and brown butter crumble. It was the perfect blend of tart, sweet, and creamy, with the brown butter crumble adding a delightful crunch. Zitz Sum delivers a dining experience that is both innovative and deeply satisfying. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted, showcasing a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will please any palate. This is a must-visit for Coral Gables residents looking to enjoy a...