Best Sushi Roll in Miami

There’s one restaurant in Brickell that has been around before the area started booming and that’s Sushi Siam. Originally, it was located in the 4 Ambassadors Hotel, along with the recently closed yet, popular restaurant Porcao, and moved to a more exposed, appropriate spot on Brickell Ave.  This relaxed open, Buddhist themed eatery has a pleasant ambiance with a lot of offer.  Don’t let the name fool you, they have much more on the menu than sushi.

I’ve eaten here numerous times, including the older location.  Each time has been consistently decent with pretty darn, fresh sushi.  Even though I’ve eaten here countless times, I honestly can say I probably haven’t tried half of the menu.  It’s like “Cheesecake Factory” big-meaning it’s so long, it could be considered a novel.  One thing I’ve more recently tried here, is hands down the best thing on the menu and best sushi roll in Miami. Let me introduce you to my little friend…La-La- Lobster….Lobster Roll.

Now, after you sit down you will obviously need to decide what you’re drinking.  Your choices are cocktails, sake, beer, tea and wine (but, I don’t suggest wine with sushi).  What you NEED to do is order a bottle of the cold sake called, Junmai Ginjo. Even though it’s  technically Rice Wine, I’d like to consider it Japanese Whiskey because, it’s “oh so smooth” and refreshing.  Joey claimed he didn’t like it but, after my foodie snob self pleaded and persuaded the complimentary effect it gave with sushi I won.  Just as I suspected, he went wild over it!  If you’re lucky, when asking your waiter for thinly sliced cucumbers (to compliment the dryness) he will understand.  Our waiter seemed “new,” and answered my request by asking what type of cucumber roll I would like.  I definitely had an epiphany and realized my false stereotype.  It turns out not all Asian people know cucumbers and sake pair well together.  Hopefully, you will get the Portuguese waiter I typically have.  He’s always been very sincere and has been working there forever.

Even though I’ve only had less than half of the dishes in their giant pamphlet, they refer to as menu, everything I’ve eaten has been decently delicious.   I usually get the sushi, since it’s hard to get great Sushi in the grove. The top recommendations I can make are:

• Peanut Dressing: Calling all peanut butter fans: order a small side salad, skip the ginger dressing and lather this sweet, nutty sauce on your greens.  First off, majority of sushi restaurant don’t offer this.  Secondly, if they do, it’s not as good as the one at Sushi Siam. I think it even has peanut oil in it.
• Naruto Salmon: This fresh salmon wrapped in Cucumber is an excellent palate starter and even better if you’re watching your carbs since there is no rice
• Any of the Duck dishes: My grandmother loves sweet & Sour
  

  Talk about making an entry…

• Ama Ebi (other known as raw sweet shrimp):  Anyone who calls themself a sushi lover or adventurous eater must order this, it comes with fried shrimp heads-and you must eat the entire thing, it’s like a giant french fry…sort of….
• Tiger’s Eye: Hmm, this is a bit odd for the average eater, it has squid which can turn some people off but, if you like a chewy texture go for this dish.  The squid is stuffed with asparagus and salmon, finished with some eel sauce.  It comes out hot and takes 15 minutes to cook.
• Thai Donuts: Krispy Kreme aint’ got nothing on these.  I shouldn’t even bother describing this because, I cannot see any possible way how anyone would be opposed to this.  Your taste-buds would have to be excommunicated. All I can gather is: fried donuts + sweet, thick, vanilla custard sauace=heaven
• *If you’re looking for a sushi deal: go for the Mini single-it most definitely feeds 2 and it’s $26 or get some more and go for $29 single*
• Uni: This place will not serve this tasty sea urchin if it’s anything less from outstanding-I tried to order it last weekend and they didn’t even attempt to serve it because, they said it wasn’t fresh.  Thank god, I would have freaked if I ate some dead fish lying around for days.

ALAS! THE LOBSTER ROLL

NOW for the moment you have all been waiting for…the best roll in Miami (drumroll please) The Lobster Roll.  I would like to thank you Aunt Gabrielle for introducing me to this amazing, euphoric, slightly humongous, lightly fried, lobster mouthful.  Essentially, it’s simply a lobster tempura roll with avocado, asparagus and roe but, I don’t know if the eel and spicy mayo sauce make it out of this world or if the complete combo, is just taste “boggling.”  Some things you should know are:

1. It’s not just $29 for nothing….this thing can easily feed 2 people at least.
2. This is not an attractive thing to order on a first date.  I tried several ways to eat it elegantly; lets just say get ready to divide and conquer and don’t be afraid to use your hands.
3. In addition to the lobster tempura stuffed inside the rice are more delicately fried pieces in a presentable martini glass.
4. You NEED to visit Sushi Siam solely to try this.

It’s a pretty simple, dining concept.  Come inside or sit outdoors, look for the Portuguese waiter (he’s the best, forgot his name but, he by far has the darkest tan-no pun intedned), order some sake and a lobster roll…and possibly thai donuts (because, you just can refuse them).

If you’re trying to have the most memorable Sushi dining experience, and don’t mind dropping some Hamilton’s for the freshest fish (one of the coolest scenes) in town, head over to Zuma.  However, Sushi Siam is always my pick for a quick, decent sushi fix because, for the price  it’s constantly consistent, which is refreshing.

Sushi Siam has been around for a while and will stay in Brickell if it keeps serving lobster rolls and decent sushi. 

Location: 931 Brickell Ave.

Hours: Every Day 11-11,

Sad Fact: No Happy Hour

Parking: Good luck if you don’t want to valet at the neighboring plaza

Take out: You betcha’call 786-220-7677

<a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/12/156358/restaurant/Downtown-Miami/Sushi-Siam-Miami”><img alt=”Sushi Siam on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/156358/biglink.gif” style=”border:none;padding:0px;width:200px;height:146px” />

Attire: Casual