by Steve Goodman

Matsuri
5759 Bird Road
Miami, FL 33155
Matsuri is a little off the beaten path, however most gems are little hard to find. But, don’t worry you won’t need a treasure map to guide you to one of the best Japanese Restaurants in the area, if the large crowd of Miami’s Japanese Americans you find dinning there every evening does not convince you of that, the tempura and sushi certainly will. While Matsuri does not have the trendy flair of its South Beach cousins, locals swear it offers the freshest sushi and sashimi you can find, and you can dine in a casual, family friendly atmosphere. So for good fresh sushi, and other scrumptious Japanese fair that is tempting on your palate and easy on your wallet, leave the beach and “go west young man” (and take the wife and kids too!)

by Steve Goodman

Toni’s Sushi
1208 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-9368

That’s Toni with an “i” so don’t let the name fool you, Toni’s is anything but Italian. Toni’s was “rolling” out some of the best Sushi on The Beach while the chefs at the countless other sushi/sashimi restaurants that have sprung up in Miami were probably still rolling around the playground. Out-of- towners and locals alike continue to flock to Toni’s for its great selection of rolls, including the unique Miami Heat Roll named either for its wonderful zesty tuna with scallions and sesame oil or our Champion B-ball Franchise. Another Fav is the Beach Rolls, a delectable combo of baked eel, salmon, avocado and spicy mayo. Toni’s is open to 11:30PM during the week and to 12:30AM on the weekends, and like most SoBe Hot Spots is busiest on the weekends, so expect a wait – but its well worth it.

by Steve Goodman

Sushi Blues
2009 Harrison Street
Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 929-9560
Just a few miles north but still within the Miami Metro area in the newly swinging and upscale Downtown Hollywood, you will find the Sushi Blues Café. This reporter who lives on Hollywood Beach could not put together a “best of” Sushi list, without including one of his favorite local haunts. Its been said that Sushi is an art – and what better way to enjoy one art form then in the presence of another. Often imitated Sushi Blues is the quintessential place where “Asian Fusion” means as much about the cuisine as it does about the world famous Jazz and Blues musicians you can enjoy there almost any night of the week. A feast for the palate as all as the ears, Sushi Blues is a South Florida tradition that is not to be missed.