Miami is not just about great weather, beautiful beaches, overdone housewives, nightclubs and scantily dressed influencers.
Another noted draw is the food scene.
I nominate Zitz Sum for top honors.
A beguiling hidden Coral Gables gem located inside an historic building, the 30 seat Asian inspired restaurant is committed to serving creative, sumptuous food coupled with impeccable service and warm, welcoming, gracious hospitality.
Zitz Sum, a tribute to Chef Pablo Zitzmann’s nickname and love of dim sum, opened in 2021.
He was cooking out of his home during the pandemic, selling through Instagram when the owner of a space in Coral Gables approached him about opening a restaurant.
Zitz Sum was born.
I was actually steered in the direction of Zitz Sum by my favorite NYC restaurateur, Raymond Trinh of Michelin Starred Sixty Three Clinton fame. If Raymond says go, I follow.
We commenced our meal with Bing, a divine sourdough pancake with honey miso butter and sesame ($13).
The salad was outrageous comprised of the freshest ingredients including cucumber, furikake (Japanese seasoning), peanuts, Piave Vecchio cheese and herbs with a modern twist on Green Goddess dressing ($18).
Dumplings are the chef’s signature dish and the night I visited there were four choices on the menu.
The Wahoo Crudo was refreshing with gazpacho dashi, Florida tomato, charred cucumber and herbs ($22).
The Hokkaido Scallops were unbelievable with Yuzu Kosho, Parmesan and potato sabayon in a delicious Nduja vinaigrette ($18).
The Kinoko Hot Pot with mushrooms poached egg, black bean sofrito and Matsuri rice is a marvel of incredible flavors ($32).
The Crab Cavatelli is to die for and the pasta preparation is a fabulous as any I have eaten in Italy. The dish features Japanese curry and Calabrian chili sauce adorned with lime and Thai basil ($28).
Dessert was a devastatingly delectable Semifroyo of frozen yogurt Semifreddo, kiwi, raspberry, meringue and shiso leaf ($14).
Items may appear straightforward, but every dish is a complex, creative gem with Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Italian influences,
Chef/owner Pablo Zitzmann, a punk rock devotee who grew up in Columbia and expanded his culinary education living in Hong Kong, Hawaii and Japan, brings his diverse creativity to Zitz Sum along with a kind and generous spirit.
Natalia Restrepo, the chef’s wife and partner in all aspects of life, is the pastry chef.
Umberto, the well informed bartender, guided us through the menu and injected his wealth of wine and sake knowledge
An additional beverage highlight is the intriguing cocktail menu.
Zitz Sum is the recipient of a 2022 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Award, a 2022 James Beard Foundation Semifinalist for Best New Restaurant and a New York Times 2022 Best 50 Restaurants in America.
Zitz Sum offers an a la carte menu as well as a seven course $95 Tasting Menu ($35 wine pairing per person) that changes weekly.
Zitz Sum is a Miami must.
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