3470 North Miami Avenue
305-573-1520
www.giginow.com
A well-edited menu offers up urban chic Asian fare at a reasonable price. The chef, Jeff McInnis is a veteran of top chef and the Ritz Carlton. Your waiter texts your order to the chef, while you dine from communal tables. The design is minimal with steel columns and aluminum bistro chairs. Short rib meatloaf drizzled with soy molasses has already become the signature dish, but don’t hesitate to try the outstanding coconut infused risotto nestling a slowly braised duck leg accented with curry. “Gigi” bao buns, an Asian take on the ubiquitous beef ”sliders” come crowned with tasty pulled pork dusted with peanuts, pulled chicken with a smoky plantain sauce, or filled with shitaki mushrooms. Service is good and the waiters are knowledgeable concerning the ingredients and preparations. The dishes are, for the most part, quite flavorful and the side dishes, such as the cauliflower and Brussel sprouts, still linger in my thoughts. Nothing is over $20.00 and 25% of the menu is under $5.00.
The downside, for many a diner here, is the din of the chatter and bottleneck of human traffic waiting for tables, in a sliver of a holding area. Gigi’s is the latest from restauranteur, Amir Ben-Zion of Bardots, a lounge nearby, Sra Martinez and South beach’s Bond St. Sapporo and Stella Artois are on tap.
Monday – Friday: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Monday – Thursday: 6:00 pm – 3:00 am
Friday and Saturday: 6:00 pm – 5:00 am
Tags: Asian Fusion, Critic's Choice, Lunch, Moderate, Outdoor dining