Modern sensibility
Uchiko, Michael’s Genuine, Sana Skin Studio, Pinecrest listings, best hotel pools, MORE
RESTAURANTS • First Word
Sister act
The Skinny: The yakitori-focused sibling of Austin-based chef Tyson Cole's Uchi empire, Uchiko, opened its first East Coast outpost in South Beach's Sunset Harbour this spring, a welcome follow-up to Uchi in Wynwood, which has been around now for over a decade.
The Vibe: The large, airy, glassed-in space feels like Florida crashed into Japan. There’s sea green marble, teak shutters, and wicker ceiling fans, plus a faux fireplace and hurricane blinds. The shotgun-style layout creates oblique sightlines between dual bars (one for sushi, another for cocktails), while the tucked-away tables behind roll-down curtains offer more intimacy.
The Food: Nigiri runs exceptionally clean. On the vegetable front, the gem lettuce arrives in handheld bites with sunchoke nori dressing, chili oil, and puffed rice that crunch between your teeth, making for a clever one-bite salad. Summer squash with peppercorn bearnaise and ramp chimichurri is like an elevated shawarma. Meanwhile, steak coulotte arrives with yuzu kosho butter and melted cipollini onions that add sweetness to the rich flavors. Karaage delivers fried marinated chicken with cucumber and seasonal pickles.
However, the dual setup between the sushi bar and the kitchen creates coordination challenges that translate to uneven pacing throughout the meal — 25-minute waits followed by dishes arriving in 90-second bursts, disrupting the flow.
The Drink: The A5 old fashioned fat-washes Suntory whisky with wagyu for liquid umami that earns its premium pricing, while the sake program runs deep with options like Wakatake Onikoroshi.
The Verdict: Cole's South Beach outpost delivers solid flavors, but needs tighter execution on service to become the neighborhood staple it clearly wants to be. –Olee Fowler
→ Uchiko (Sunset Harbour) • 1759 Purdy Ave • Daily 5p-late • Reserve.
THE NINES • FOUND Sponsor
Chef-crafted meals delivered to your doorstep
Nine premium ready-to-eat meals from acclaimed chefs to fuel your week
Lime Flank Steak & Chimichurri Sauce by chef Ruben Garcia, zesty flank steak with chimichurri, sautéed green beans, and mushrooms
Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce by chef Maribel Rivero, savory chicken enchiladas with tangy tomatillo sauce, rice, and beans
Pulled Pork BBQ Platter by chef Fabiola Rivera, hearty pulled pork BBQ with creamy mac and crunchy topping
Cuban Pork with Mojo de Ajo by chef Michelle Bernstein, Cuban lechon with mojo sauce, rice, beans, and sweet plantains
BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowl by chef Ruben Garcia, satisfying BBQ chicken burrito bowl with rice, salsa, and fresh toppings
Korean Fried Chicken by chef Chom Sun from 2 Korean Girls, Korean fried chicken with hot honey, tangy radish, and rice
Lemon Baked Tilapia with Cajun Cream Sauce by chef Ruben Garcia, Cajun-baked tilapia with creamy sauce, arugula, and farro salad
Roasted Salmon in Lobster Sauce by chef Andres Mendez, roasted salmon with lobster wine sauce and truffle mashed potatoes
Mediterranean Grilled Sea Bass & Mango Amba Sauce by chef Einat Admony, juicy sea bass with greens, farro, crunchy seeds, and tangy Amba
→ Order Now: CookUnity • get two free premium meals with every order.
MIAMI RESTAURANT LINKS: South Miami’s Deli Lane Café & Sunset Tavern will relocate across the street after building demo • Inside the triumphant reopening of legendary venue Churchill’s • The cocktail omakase is back, and better than ever • What happened to the restaurant bar?
WORK • Thursday Routine
Closing the gap
ASHA WALKER • founder & CEO • Health in the Hood & Cured
Neighborhoods you work in: NW Miami-Dade food desert communities
It’s Thursday, what’s the scene at your workplace?
Thursday morning at Health in the Hood headquarters (i.e., my home office) is all about routine, good energy, and lots of matcha. I just finished an ass-kicking Lagree Pilates class, threw on some skincare, and hopped on my computer for my first Zoom meeting of the day. I’m leading my team to fulfill our mission of equal food access for all, through urban farming and wellness programs. By transforming vacant lots in food desert neighborhoods into vibrant vegetable gardens, we’re closing the gap in our food system and connecting communities back to their roots.
Cured, my holistic wellness app, is an extension of my personal mission to spread the ripple effect of health. It’s an interactive wellness library of over 70 modules centered around food, movement, and longevity.
What’s on your agenda for today?
We’re deep in the planning phase for the launch of a capital campaign to raise $5M to fund the development of the Health in the Hood Hub, a catalytic community center to bring our critical food security programs under one roof, providing a dignified, empowering experience for our families. And stay tuned for IRL Cured events.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I love anything Michael Schwartz does — Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink and Amara at Paraiso are faves. Contessa in the Design District is another gem with an elegant and vibrant scene and really interesting, dynamic dishes on the menu.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Legion Park Farmers Market on Saturdays makes for a beautiful weekend outing with fresh, healthy options to stock up on and inspire weekly menus. When I’m going out, Living Room at Faena Miami Beach is my go-to for an intimate live music dance party. Medium Cool is also a chill, well-located spot in South Beach with live music and immaculate vibes.
Any weekend getaways?
We’re fortunate to be able to call both Miami and Palm Beach home. When we need a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Miami, we retreat to our beachside casita in our quiet Palm Beach town. It’s our version of paradise.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
My Higherdose sauna blanket and Normatec compression boots are two wellness and recovery big-ticket items that I’ve fully gotten my money’s worth.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I’m always investing in my largest organ — my skin. Barba Skin Clinic and Sana Skin Studio are my versions of skincare heaven.
GETAWAYS LINKS: American launching MIA-BIM (Bimini) flights starting in Feb • Key West’s Southernmost Point buoy removed for restoration • On Barbados, Colony Club reopens as part of Marriott Luxury Collection • Ikon Pass adds new mountains, perks for upcoming ski season.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
Three for-sale properties in Pinecrest that came to market in the last 30 days:
→ 12535 SW 60th Ct (Pinecrest) • 6BR/5BA, 4405 SF house • Ask: $3.2M • midcentury with tennis court; ‘it’s not Miami, it’s Pinecrest!’ • Days on market: 12 • Annual tax: NA • Agent: Jonathan Vega, One Sotheby’s.
→ 12801 Old Cutler Rd (Pinecrest) • 5BR/5.1BA, 4906 SF house • Ask: $4.595M • ‘entertainer’s delight’ with bbq pavilion opening onto pool • Days on market: 6 • Annual tax: $27,092 • Agent: Nancy Sanabria, Compass & Adriana Van Hall, One Sotheby’s.
→ 7400 SW 127th St (Pinecrest) • 6BR/6.1BA, NA SF house • Ask: $5.5M • new construction ‘where timeless elegance meets modern design’ • Days on market: 23 • Annual tax: $19,944 • Agent: Michael Martinez, One Sotheby’s.
MIAMI WORK AND PLAY LINKS: As price cuts abound, signs of a buyer’s market for South Florida real estate • Why are more millionaires renting? • Mimi Yoga bans filming during class, influencers weep • Cult butcher Josh’s Premium Meats opening Miami Shores outpost next month • Watch buying etiquette: ‘know how to lowball effectively.’
CULTURE & LEISURE • Beware of Bulls
USF v Miami Football • Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens) • Sat @ 430p • sec 119, $147 per
Benson Boone • Kaseya Center (Downtown) • Sat @ 8p • pit, $311 per
Tim McGraw • Hard Rock Live (Hollywood) • Sat @ 8p • sec 116, $219 per
ASK FOUND
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What’s your go-to MIA spot for seafood towers?
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GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
Pools, hotels
The Nines are FOUND’s roundups of the best of Miami and surrounds. Additions or subtractions? Hit reply or found@itsfoundmiami.com.
The Standard (Belle Isle), for frosé and bayfront views beneath yellow umbrellas w/ local cool kids