Eleanor Hoh

New Upscale MiMi Chinese Perfects Regional Chinese Cuisine Favorites! Choosing MiMi Chinese to celebrate our anniversary was the best decision ever.  It had all the elements we enjoy about dining out…it’s new (opened Dec.21, 2024), it’s got beautiful ambiance, quality food, excellent service, low music and an extra bonus, a little theatrical presentation.

Started by cofounder and Culinary Director, Chef David Schwartz and Executive Chef Braden Chong. The first Mimi Chinese opened in Toronto, Canada under Big Hug Hospitality Group and was an immediate success. Their decision to open sister restaurant, also called MiMi Chinese at a very iconic Firestone location in South Beach shows they have what it takes to open a restaurant! Don’t be tfooled by a very unassuming entrance with a neon MiMi sign and lush plants.

We got the VIP treatment, thanks to the adorable Freya, their Operations Manager who I met at a Sake event.

DECOR
You’ll immediately notice a very glamorous and stylish room anchored by red, plush velvety sofas and banquettes against a back wall with contrasting black chairs. The wall murals were lit up and looked like an illustration of birds. The whole design of the long room was very well laid out. It appears to be one of the bays of the Firestone tire shop and what a transformation.

AMBIANCE 
The muted lighting creates an intimate surrounding which is very South Beach. Happy to report the music was low enough so we didn’t have to shout at each other.

Here’s link to Instagram videos of Chef Braden explaining the dishes and theatrical presentation for Four Foot Noodle Belt!

PERFECTING POPULAR CHINESE FAVORITES
Executive Chef Braden Chong greeted us with an Amuse Bouche (watch video) and also returned several times to explain the dishes.

Shrimp Toast (Guandong, woohoo, where I was born!) This was the best I’ve ever tasted and definitely a MUST order appetizer.

Freya sent over Shrimp Toast and Chef Braden brought us Ginger and Scallion Scallop and as Braden says, “reimagine it in Mimi style!” Watch videos on all three explanations.

I love that they served food from different regions like Northern China with more spicy food from Sichuan to Japanese food where Braden had worked at several restaurants.

The dishes I ordered were…

And the theatrical presentation, Four Foot Noodle Belt (Sichuan) with grass fed beef, black sesame and long beans. Our lovely server, Hayleigh insisted on bringing Smashed Cucumbers to balance out the spicy Noodle Belt, but we were fine with the level of spiciness. She did a wonderful job (watch video) and of course I discover we have mutual friends.

The service was impeccable, so well trained. The first time I’ve ever experienced serving utensils with spoon and fork automatically laid out on our table whether we had sauce or not! It’s a pet peeve of mine when there’s sauce and not provided a spoon, then wait for it to be brought and the food is not piping hot.

Ended with a very special soft serve swirl with mochi and peanuts (watch video)

What a special and spectacular Anniversary dinner, thank you MiMi!

CONCLUSION
I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect from MiMi Chinese. We are lucky to have MiMi in Miami as there’s not many good Chinese restaurants. I’ve mentioned I’m working on a roundup of Asian restaurants I like in Miami and beyond, stay tuned.

ENJOY! 

Do share in comments what dishes you had there and your POV or if you’re going to visit MiMi?