Little Lotus

Downtown Miami

In Downtown Miami—hidden behind layers of cheap watch stores, over-priced electronics, and obscure shops that sell everything from knock-off designer jeans to Hello Kitty lunch boxes—there is a network of shopping malls and courtyards unfamiliar to most. In a tiny unassuming space, tucked inside the Intercontinental Jewelry Center and specializing in Asian and Japanese tapas is Little Lotus [25 N. Miami Ave]; home to two talented chefs creating incredible dishes. Chef Inyoman Atmaja handles the hot dishes, while Chef Michael Asalie oversees the sushi bar. Chef Asalie spent time working at Morimoto’s NYC, making him all too familiar with good food and technique.  His expertise is evident from the minute your first roll arrives at the table. The restaurant is small and fills up quick so if you’re in the mood for a quick bite to eat at a peak hour, this is probably not your best bet. Little Lotus is meant to be an experience from start to finish.

When browsing through the menu it was obvious that sushi would be our focus. We finally came to a decision on an assortment of rolls and waited with anticipation for the first to arrive.  The Angel Heart started us off, a delicious combination of eel tempura, spicy tuna, avocado and mixed greens wrapped in soy paper. The roll displayed an amazing mix of textures from the crispiness of the tempura batter to the freshness of the tuna.  This was followed by a few basic rolls, a Spicy Crunchy Tuna Roll and a Snow Krab Avocado Roll; bright flavors which should not be overshadowed by the signature rolls. Next, was the Rock and Crunchy: shrimp tempura, avocado, snow krab, and masago, wrapped in soy paper and served with the chef’s special sauce; similar in texture to the Angel Heart, but with the addition of the masago and chef’s special sauce that added a touch of salty and sweet.

This was followed by a trio of “Incredible Rolls” that would live up to their name: the Flagler Roll, Big Mac, and MJ Roll. Paying homage to one of Miami’s most influential figures and its location namesake is the Flagler Roll: crunchy spicy white tuna and avocado topped with tuna, salmon, white fish, yellow tail, lemon, cilantro and yuzu miso. The lemon and cilantro give the roll a freshness that served as a palate cleanser for the rest of the meal. Chef Asalie’s version of the Big Mac replaces thoughts of stacked patties and secret sauce with layers of spicy crunchy tuna, avocado, snow krab, tobiko, and a sweet sauce. Don’t let the picture fool you; this sandwich size roll requires a fork and knife, as what you’re seeing are two pieces cut into eight manageable bite-sized portions; absolutely delicious. Last but not least, was the delectable MJ Roll: Cajun rock shrimp and avocado topped with spicy tuna, Japanese seasoning and a honey wasabi sauce.

The presentation of the meal was impeccable, the flavors flawless, and the experience memorable; all this at a very reasonable price. Venture and explore Downtown Miami; you might be surprised at what you find hidden around the corner.