Makoto, the Miami Restaurant Mixing Tradition with Experimentation

Makoto, opened in 2011, is located in Florida and more specifically Bal Harbour, a small town a few kilometres from Miami. There, in the middle of an ornate and luxurious shopping centre, chef Makoto Okuwa develops sophisticated dishes that pay homage to his homeland.

After learning the ropes at Morimoto in New York, Japanese chef Makoto Okuwa, originally from Nagoya, went solo for the first time in 2007 in Del Mar, California. This venture was not particularly successful, but the chef was not put off, and in 2009 he opened Sashi in Manhattan Beach, also in California, where he combined American cuisine with Japanese culinary traditions.

Two years later, he embarked on his adventure at Makoto, part of the empire owned by Stephen Starr, an American restaurateur with over thirty establishments.

Gyoza and oysters with Japanese vinegar

At Makoto, the main attraction is what happens on the plate, more so than the diners, whether famous or otherwise.

‘I have a real respect for Japanese traditions, but I think it’s also important to add my own variations to appeal to a wider range of palates’, the chef explains. His menu takes inspiration from his colleagues, mentors and the sophisticated clientele in Bal Harbour, as well as its sunny climate and products from the region. Thus, diners can enjoy grilled avocado, oysters with Japanese vinegar and crispy chicken gyozas. 

More information about Makoto can be found on the restaurant’s website.