One-of-a-kind Japanese favorite from Wynwood opens restaurant in Coral Gables

The world’s first crispy rice and handroll bar has opened its doors in Coral Gables.

Straight out of Wynwood comes Miss Crispy Rice, the concept from OG Hospitality Group that shared space at Oasis with Poke OG and Oise Ristorante by Brad Kilgore. The concepts closed last month, with Miss Crispy Rice taking over the former space of Chef Mika Leon’s Cuban taco spot Caja Caliente.

This is the first brick-and-mortar not to share space for Miss Crispy Rice, which made a name for itself for its unique offerings and affordable omakase options.

Co-founder Andrew Mayer, who also owns and operates Mr. Omakase, Dumplings Mi Amor and Poke OG, told the Miami Herald last month that Coral Gables was a perfect spot to expand the Miss Crispy Rice concept.

“A huge percentage of our customers are coming from Coral Gables, Kendall, Pinecrest, and now we’ll be that much closer,” he said.

At 1,600 square feet, the new space offers more seating than before, including a 14-seat omakase counter and a handful of two-top tables. There’s also a a four-seat express counter at the front of the restaurant for customers looking for a speedy lunch on their break or a quick dinner. The aim is to get diners in and out in 30 minutes.

There are new menu items, too, in addition to the usual handrolls, crispy rice, nigiris and crudos. Mayer is launching a new Kaisendon bowl ($38) filled with salmon, tuna, shrimp, scallop, hamachi and crab on a bed of rice. When the diner is halfway through the bowl, a server fills the bowl with bone broth that releases a new texture and umami flavor to the dish. You can also add ikura or uni to the dish.

Also on the menu are a bluefin tuna bowl ($30) and a chirashi bowl with salmon, tuna, hamachi and scallops ($26 at lunch, $36 at dinner). Diners can also order items a la carte, like The Brad Kilgore Handroll with pork belly, fatty tuna and caviar ($25) or hamachi blood orange crudo ($22), or crispy rice samplers for $35 or $50.

Miss Crispy Rice keeps up its tradition of affordable omakase, with a $35 lunch with an appetizer, two pieces of nigiri, two pieces of crispy rice, a handroll and the soup of the day. The 14-course dinner option is $87 per person, while a 16-course dinner is $127, with upgrades of wagyu, shrimp uni or handrolls with spicy scallops available.

And don’t miss the “Kill Bill” bathroom, complete with yellow walls, a black stripe and the film’s soundtrack playing inside.

Miss Crispy Rice

Where: 808 Ponce de Leon, Coral Gables

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Reservations: Resy

More information: www.MissCrispyRice.com

This story was originally published November 20, 2024 at 4:30 AM.