In 2007, Alessi released The Fruit Backet Family,  a range of products designed by Japanese architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, and I think I'm in love. So now we need this + a place to live, you know the basics.

Available at Arango .

arango
7519 SW 88 St.
Miami, FL 33156
t:  305 661 4229 

This new years I resolve to check out the handful of Japanese restaurants that I keep neglecting. Since my trip to Japan this summer I became obsessed with the cuisine, but after a few months that post-trip hype wore off and never ended up going to the spots on my list. So here it is....let me know if I miss any good ones. Matsuri is my favorite but its not on the list since I've already been. 

NAOE

175 Sunny Isles Blvd
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160

(305) 947-6263

MAIDO

4267 NW 107th Ave
Miami, FL 33178

(305) 592-4002

HIRO'S YAKKO SAN

3881 NE 163 St
North Miami Beach, FL 33160

(305) 947-0064

Japanese Market

1412 79th St Cswy
North Bay Village, FL 33141

(305) 861-0143

image: kevin cory of Naoe; courtesy of Naoe.com by Greg Clark, 2009

my new little favorite store in the world j-period in tokyo.

Image via daily design discoveries

I asked my Japanese hairdresser Machiko which were her favorite spots to grub on some native cuisine in Miami. She says only places she goes are Matsuri and Nobu ( "I love Nobu, but I always leave hungry hehehehehe")
Anyway, Matsuri is a long time local favorite on the mainland. I would eat here for dinner every night if could.

Matsuri
5759 Bird Road Miami, FL 33155-5335 - (305) 663-1615
ps they are closed on Mondays, guess the rumor is true.

image via daily design discoveries

Most of the time good food is found in places where you'd least expect. In Miami, this is even more true. The more random the strip mall, the better your sushi. Sushi, in my opinion, is best when created from traditional Japanese ingredients, however the roll with guava and coconut flakes is not to be missed. Take note: this space is small, no tables, just the sushi bar, and they close at 9.

The "Sushi" Bar
8748 SW 72nd Street
305 270 0662