Kaori Miami — Restaurant in Miami

An almost unbelievably pathetic customer service experience coupled with sub par food.

Ive actually been to this restaurant twice, once when it opened and again last night. Interestingly enough it got worse since originally opening.

Without exaggeration every aspect of the experience was lacking, underwhelming and underserved. Price point aside, the organization was nothing short of absolutely pathetic.

During our 3 hour meal, I walked around the restaurant 5 times in search of a manager who did not exist. No one was around to help or to take orders for 30 minute increments at a time with zero managerial staff in attendance during the entire dining experience.

Meal highlights:

Drinks took an hour between orders. Water never refilled. We ordered sparkling and still, during the entire evening, each bottle was refilled once and everyones glasses once. We stayed for 3 hours, no one came around besides upon ordering to refill. Those that drank tap got 0 refills. Our entrees were served 1 hour apart from each other with the final entree dish coming over 2 hours after the 1st, all were ordered at the same time. One guest ordered a wine refill, after an hour she was served a partial glass that we were told was free but they charged us for anyway. No tables that were vacated were ever cleaned. We ordered appetizers and entrees, service was never changed, including all silverware and plates a single time during an entire 3 hour meal. Our table was never cleaned. No wait staff ever tended the table other than the waitress who was overworked and barely looked over once every 30 minutes to attempt to recall or correct the numerous missing items or forgot orders. Dishes were not served together, at the requested temperatures or on time.

All and all I can honestly say that Kaori went from great potential to one of the most pathetic attempts at a high end dining experience i can imagine.

This review doesn’t touch on at least half of the issues on a over thousand dollar meal. Owners, chef and staff should all be ashamed...

I found Kaori thanks to the Michelin Guide app. I am grateful for a seat at The Listening Bar downstairs. Regretfully, i did not take a peak upstairs. Mixologist Mario showcased cocktails and hospitality with precision. He knew the restaurant and bar program had a great product to offer, and the experience did not disappoint.

I enjoyed the dishes listed below and left abundantly full. Shiro Ponzu Crudo Raw Oysters Japanese Milk Braad Crispy Duck Salad

If you have two or more guests without allergens, do not skip the milk bread. Oysters were great. Crudo really set the bar. The crispy duck salad was there most memorable and will be very hard not to order over and over slowing down my ability to try the entire menu.

The manager Danielle (apologies if I got the name wrong) came by and had genuine interest in the first experience. It was great to see the manner in which they supported their team while also genuinely checking on guests.

The cocktail menu is divided into Currents (the new rotation), Staples (items that would have been Currents previously but maintained so much positive feedback and demand that they must remain on the menu), and Classics (for Kaori's take on these well known cocktails for anyone not looking to be too experimenta).

Again, the bartender Mario really knew his stuff, but was by no means pretentious about it. The compassion and hospitality he showed with guests who may not have been easy at the end of the night was impressive and truly a lesson in hospitality.

My spend was well over $100, but I am not a typical diner. With multiple guests, you could escape in the $75pp range. Like any other spot in Brickell, service charge automatically applied, but this place is a true gem unlike anything else...

If you're in the mood for a dining experience that's as exciting as finding a Wi-Fi signal without a password, Kaori Miami is your culinary jackpot! Tucked away in the lively Brickell neighborhood, this Asian fusion hotspot is where taste buds go to party, and trust me, it's a rave they don't want to miss.

The food here is so good, you'll want to write sonnets about it. The sashimi is so fresh, it practically swims to your plate, and fantastic fried rice will have you contemplating whether it's appropriate to give a standing ovation mid-meal. (Pro tip try the chicken) It's a broad, modern Asian menu that doesn't butcher the concept but instead elevates it to artistry.

Now, the design of the restaurant is so minimalist, you'll feel like you've stepped into a Zen garden designed by Marie Kondo herself. It's the kind of place where the ambiance whispers, “You thought you came to Miami just for the beaches and sun didn’t you?”

Service-wise, the staff at Kaori Miami are on their game. They're so attentive, you'll start to wonder if they're mind readers. And the cocktails? The drinks here are crafted with such precision, you'd swear the bartenders have PhDs in mixology.

And the location? Oh, the location! Right in the bustling Brickell area, it's the perfect spot to people-watch or to convince yourself that you're living in the opening credits of a glamorous TV show. (Queue Labels or Love by Fergie or Miami by Will Smith)

In short, Kaori Miami is where you go when you want to impress your taste buds and your Instagram followers in one fell swoop. So, grab your forks (or chopsticks)...