Asian ingredients, unorthodox colors, and a Millennial crowd
By Kylie Wang
At Novikov Miami, happy hour is referred to as “Social Hour,” not because you won’t be happy but because the bar will be packed, leaving you almost no choice but to socialize. Though the Downtown Miami restaurant does tend to draw a crowd of Instagram influencers and post-work partiers, it’s also surprisingly upscale with select options for bar bites and drinks weekdays from 5 to 8 pm.
The cocktails, usually $19, are $11 during social hour and include their famous wasabi martini, an addition to Novikov’s menu that reflects the Chinese-Japanese fusion restaurant’s commitment to vibrant Asian ingredients and unorthodox colors. The light green drink is made with a vodka base and then infused with wasabi, lemon juice, pineapple puree, basil, and yuzu, an East Asian citrus fruit. The result is something akin to a lemon drop martini but with less tang and a slightly spicy overlay. It’s an adventurous order but nothing close to the jumpstarting kick a bite of wasabi usually gives, which makes for easy drinking.
The lychee martini, meanwhile, is our choice for the best cocktail on the menu. It’s simple and sweet without being overpowering, an ode to the delicate fruit for which it is named. Most lychee drinks use vodka or vermouth as a base, but Novikov goes for gin,
a component that adds a floral flavor to the rose-colored cocktail and pairs much better with Yakult, the sweetened Japanese probiotic milk beverage the bar imports specifically for this martini. The bitters, meanwhile, come from Kentucky – a cultural blend that gives the drink a slightly otherworldly feel.
Besides the colorful hue of the drinks, Novikov’s commitment to seasonal ingredients separates it from other sushi bars. Along the far wall is a full seafood and vegetable “market” on display for patrons to handpick their ingredients. With fresh lobster, crab, fruits, veggies, and more, the mini market consists of globally sourced ingredients that are provided daily. While none of this is used for social hour, the dinner and executive lunch offerings make full use
of what’s on display as guests pick from an extensive menu of sushi, sashimi, nigiri, caviar, maki, dim sum, and more.
The happy hour menu is substantially contracted, with only dim sum ($10), spring rolls ($10), bao buns ($11), and steamed edamame ($6) on offer at the bar. The simplest of East Asian appetizers, these basic offerings are delicious, especially the crispy pork bao buns ($19 without the social hour discount) which come with slices of fresh cucumber, herbs, and a sweet glaze wrapped around each tender piece. The outside is crisp, the inside deliciously soft and easy to chew.
While social hour provides a good taste of what Novikov has to offer, those who find themselves craving a wasabi martini in their dreams on Saturday night can return for Novikov’s most popular meal, Sunday brunch, served both inside and on the shaded outdoor patio. The signature ($99) and premium ($199) menus offer up a nice buffet selection in addition to an entrée (slightly better cuts on the premium menu) and all the drinks you can put down. For the world-class martinis though, you’ll have to go with the premium offering.
