Taste Of The Town: Bazi At The Marlin Hotel
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – It's east meets west at the all new Asian inspired Bazi inside The Marlin Hotel on South Beach.
Executive chef and owner Michael Pirolo, who as first featured on Taste of the Town at his all-Italian eatery named Macchialina, created Bazi from a lifelong dream.
"It was always a dream of mine to open multi concepts, so not just Italian. Now we opened Bazi and then hopefully we will open other concepts. I don't need a day off," Pirolo joked.
The dramatic dining room, with seating for up to 70, is rich with East Asian decor elements – including a 5 foot gold dragon on the wall.
"We had the dragon shipped in from China and then we had an artist in Wynwood hand paint it," he said.
The dragon overlooks the restaurant and bar.
Fancy cocktails are also brought tableside like a fun drink made with grapefruit juice and Thai basil called "Sharing is Caring" that is meant for two.
In the kitchen, Pirolo prepares CBS4's Lisa Petrillo's first tasting dish.
"We start out with garlic and I have to stay true to my Italian roots by adding some olive oils well," he said.
"Olive oil and garlic, I'm thinking you're cooking Italian!" joked Petrillo.
But don't let that fool you, the menu at Bazi is all Asian.
One dish was yellow miso noodles with Venus clams and Alaskan king crab.
"There's so much flavor in this dish. The soy noodles are al dente, they have a nice bite and the clams are fresh with just right amount of sauce. The siracha gives it spice. This is a fun dish," Petrillo said.
Next, Petrillo tasted the "Chirashi Bowl" with tuna, Hamachi, king crab and Bazi rice.
"It's elegant, its fresh, its light. There are so many flavors within the types of fish that are here," Petrillo said,
Then she tried "Short Ribs Chow" Fun.
"The short rib is tender and sweet and spicy as well noodles are soft and tender and crunch with snap peas," she said.
But before Petrillo could even finish describing the dish, CBS4 cameraman Ralph Murciano couldn't resist a taste and jumped in.
"This is obscenely good!" said Murciano, butting in and grabbing a bite.
The meal wraps with a beautiful grouper wrapped in paper with clams and rice.
"It's steamed in this paper and it absorbs the flavors. It's so soft and flaky and light," Petrillo said .
Bazi is a beautiful space with culinary creations that are truly out of this world.
Bazi is opened seven days a week for dinner only.
For more info: www.bazimiami.com
