Shingo - Miami

Osetra Caviar

There are plenty of reasons people hesitate to book an omakase. Maybe they have never experienced one before. Maybe they are unfamiliar with the etiquette. Or maybe the thought of spending several hours at a chef's counter feels a little intimidating.

Shingo addresses that before you ever arrive.

Located in Coral Gables, the 14-seat omakase experience has an entire section on its website dedicated to omakase etiquette and table manners. It is a thoughtful detail that helps demystify the experience and makes it clear that whether this is your first omakase or your fiftieth, you are welcome at the counter.

Shingo

That same attention to hospitality carries throughout the evening.

The dining room centers around a beautiful hinoki wood counter, creating an intimate setting where every guest has a clear view of the chefs at work. The atmosphere is refined without feeling formal, allowing the focus to remain where it belongs: on the food and the experience.

The sake pairings were exactly what we hoped they would be. One standout was a limited seasonal release that immediately earned a place in our collection: Ohmine Summer's Arrival Junmai Daiginjo from Japan's Yamaguchi region. Fruit-forward with notes of apple and grapefruit, it was balanced, refreshing, and memorable enough that we couldn't leave without purchasing a bottle.

The menu featured several exceptional pieces throughout the evening, including both chutoro and otoro, allowing guests to experience different expressions of fatty tuna. Every course felt purposeful, showcasing the quality of the ingredients while allowing their natural flavors to remain the focus.

One of the things we appreciated most was how the experience concludes. Rather than simply ending the meal, guests are given the opportunity to revisit favorite bites from the evening while also choosing from a few additional offerings.

For us, that meant ordering the caviar roll and revisiting both the negitoro hand roll and the otoro. Had we not already reached our limit, we would have happily ordered several more rounds.

It is a feature we wish more omakase counters offered and a fitting way to close the evening.

As usual, we found ourselves among the last guests in the dining room. No matter the city or cuisine, we somehow manage to stay until the very end. Fortunately, Emma captured the moment perfectly. Some of our favorite dining memories happen after the final course is served, when the pace slows down and you realize just how much you enjoyed the experience.

Shingo delivers a thoughtful and approachable omakase experience without sacrificing the precision and attention to detail that make this style of dining so compelling. Whether you are new to omakase or already a fan, it is a counter worth experiencing.