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Sawa Restaurant and Lounge
Categories: Restaurants Mediterranean Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Restaurants Japanese Mediterranean, Tapas/Small Plates, Japanese [Edit]
Village of Merrick Park360 San Lorenzo Ave, Ste 1500
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 447-6555
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 12 am
Fri-Sat 11 am - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, Villa Mayfair is South Miami's most intimate and sophisticated restaurant and lounge. The restaurant delivers a… read more »
58 reviews for Sawa Restaurant and Lounge
Review Highlights
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"and awesome happy hour specials." In 11 reviews -
"On to the food, I had new look eggs benedict sandwich." In 2 reviews -
"...with dulce de leche banana spring roll that was worth every..." In 2 reviews
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57 reviews in English
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Review from Caroline B.
Miami Beach, FL
3/4/2012
After a delightful afternoon of shopping at Merrick Park, I was famished and eager for somewhere to sit with my dogs. Yardhouse is a cluster of screaming kids, Crave looked decent but not right and then I saw Sawa. Perfect setting, incredibly friendly hostess staff and a DOGGY MENU! That's right, not just, you can come in with your dog but an ENTIRE menu for them. I was stoked.
Our server, Brittany, was as sweet as can be and took excellent care of us. The menu is an eclectic mix of sushi/asian and mediterranean. Odd combo yet it really works. We ordered (for the humans): calamari with blue cheese (amazing), california roll (tasty), dragon roll (yum), steamed gyoza (double yum), hamachi sashimi (most generous slices of fish I've seen in Miami), chicken kebabs with cranberry pearl couscous (mouth wateringly delish) and the sea bass with capers (awesome). FOR THE PUPS: 2 shih tzus and one great dane, they shared a filet mignon kebab and a chicken kebab. Cooked to perfection, the doggies gobbled it up. They also had dog bones, purina dog food and other dog snacks on a special doggy menu. I'm still blown away by it.
Our sweet server overheard us toasting to my dad's birthday and brought us a delicious chocolate lava cake and a round of bellinis on the house. Just so unexpected because we never said anything directly to her that we were celebrating. We also met the manager, Chelsea, who was very kind and welcoming and the new exec chef who was a very nice, very talented young man. Highly recommend this spot in Merrick Park and majorly love the doggy menu!!!!!!! Me and my four legged babes will most definitely be back. -
Review from Tony H.
Miami, FL
4/21/2012
Time 430 PM. Bartender. Worst I've seen in years. Holy cow. Poor service. More interested in talking crap with waiters prior to their shift than serving customers. I could say more but honesty it is not worth my time typing. It was bad enough that this place pretends to serve Middle Eastern food. Holy shit. The food is the MOST TASTELESS Middle Eastern food I have had in my life. Shit--"Soylent Green is people." Just no flavor. As I type this the gentleman actually looks scared and is trying to peek. Wow. Really? First of all this is just the Internet. Like who cares. Second how about serving customers? I can barely surmise that this place is a Miami "trendy" type place or what I like to call poser palace.
Anyway here's what I had: salmon kebob, hummus, and baklava. Like how can you frak that, right? Never had SALMON kebob before but who can frak up salmon. The approach of the waiter reminded me of that funny Miami video: http://www.youtube.com.... Really kid? I'm not your age and consequentially I'm not interested in playing alpha male with you. I just wanna eat without drama. One waiter here, however, was the best gentleman, who genuinely tried to connect with customers and help his coworkers out. I did mention it to the manager. Don't know his name but his bald head is unmistakeable so if you do come here and you are not a posser try to get his table for sure! Anyway, been all around the Med. This place does not have the food they advertise. It's just a place to drive yo' sports car up to and get bottles but it's still in a shopping mall so I guess I just don't get it. lol I have much to learn about Miami i guess. My whip, with her badge removed for modesty, will not be visiting this place because of rude service and supermarket quality, frozen food. Damn, is it possible to give negative stars? What really troubles me is that I will still gave a 15 percent tip when clearly the clown with folded arms should be stiffed. I'm an idiot but I won't come back for sure. Looks can be deceiving and certainly this place from the outside on a warm sunny day tricked me.
You'll love the fast paced music that encourages you to eat fast. Maybe not. OMG, how could you frak this up? I'm like uber polite no matter where I go to the point of Miami people continually asking "where are you from...?" Honestly though, this place sucks. Oh well. I'm sure they will not go out of business anytime soon. Too bad. -
Review from Jamie F.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Great food, fantastic service (especially Lourdes) and great atmosphere. The dining area is mostly outdoors and I suggest taking advantage of the beautiful Merrick Park if the weather is nice. The menu is extensive and offers something for everyone. Their spreads and dumplings are great to share. Sushi rolls & ceviches are unique and fun. And don't skip on the desserts - ask if they can make you a platter with a little bite of everything! They offer a great happy hour (4-7PM) with half off tapas and a large selection of martinis. As my style, I often opt to bring my own wine and their corkage is reasonable.
TIP: Park in the garage - the meter maids will get you... -
Review from Ivette V.
Miami, FL
5/21/2012
Had my 21st birthday celebration here! As a bellydance student & shisha-lover, no place could compare. The bellydancers (who are instructors where I take dance class!) were amazing, my friends and I were all jaw-dropped and smiling just from their shimmy-ing around. They honored the birthday of another guest and mine by inviting us to a dance with the bellydancer Caitlin, just the bellydancer and the birthday girls! Caitlin is so sweet, so energetic and vibrant, and it shows in her performances. Our super-awesome waitress Lourdes gave us all great service, making wonderful recommendations to all of us, from dinner entrees to my first legal shot, and indulging us in taking our time to order the whole night! Hookah service here is great, expect to have a courteous person come by and change your coal for you before it even needs changing. Only thing keeping me from giving Sawa a five is the Japanese portion of the menu. As a student of Japanese language and lover of Japanese culture, the Japanese plates are mediocre at best, but I'd also argue that you don't go to Sawa for that, you go for the overall ambience & experience. From what I've tried, Sawa's Mediterranean dishes make up for what they lack in the Japanese department. The Mediterranean platter is delicious, love the baba ghanoush and grape leaves! The seating outdoors is the best to enjoy the breeze, the night sky, the soft glimmering of the lights all around. Definitely should visit this place if you're in town, it's unique and in a lovely part of town :)
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Review from Betty A.
Updated - 12/31/2011 1 photo
So it was my last happy hour of the year and I wanted to celebrate it at my favorite place: Sawa Restaurant! I always sit at the bar for even faster service, so when my bartender served me she gave me the happy hour menu. Happy Hour is served from 4-7 p.m.
When I went to ask for the Sawamama Martini she told me that they are not serving it anymore because they are in the middle of switching Van Gogh Vodka to Pinnacle Vodka. They are serving some of the martinis but not all of them. Subsequently, she gave me another updated menu with the happy hour drinks. As mentioned before these drinks include the Pinnacle vodka. I am always up to try new drinks. I loved how they named each drink. Very catchy and cool, so i ordered the Cotton Candy Cloud Martini. Delish! It was like drinking a cotton candy. Creamy and refreshing. You can even smell the cotton candy on the glass after everything was gone.
I felt a little hungry since I had a medium size lunch. I looked at the appetizer menu and ordered the Chickyn Gyoza or Chicken dumplings. You can get them steam or pan fried which I chose the latter. Delish and perfect size for my appetite.
While I was waiting for my appetizer which was a whole 10 minutes, I drank all of my Cotton Candy Cloud which means I need another drink. LOL! So I looked at the menu again and ordered an Orange Drop Martini. I could taste the orange and the tartness but it is not as creamy as the Cotton Candy Cloud but it did it's trick when my appetizer came.
My last 2011 experience with Sawa did not disappoint and am looking forward to anther year to try my new martinis with Pinnacle Vodka!! Happy New Year!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/5/2010 ROTD 8/25/2011
I have always asked the question where can I go in Coral Gables for great atmosphere, great food but… Read more »
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Review from Mari W.
Miami, FL
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Really enjoyed the food here! My hubbie had the lamb kabob, which was delicious & I was feeling sushi, so I had my usual dragon roll! Great tasting food! Our server was a little annoying, but nonetheless it did not lessen our experience & we had a great time with great food! Will definitely go back :)
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Review from Diner M.
Miami, FL
3/29/2012
Delicious evening. Sitting outside at Merrick in midweek, no crowds and a breeze blowing was perfect. House salad was delicious with a ginger dressing, I had lobster kebab with Asian vegetables that was perfect, and my husband said the fries with his cowboy steak were the best he ever tasted. Great service also.
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Review from Andy D.
Updated - 11/4/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If patents is a virtue, Sawa would then be virtuous. Or I really think there service is so bad, so you would use valet service and not worry about feeding the meter.
All apart of my conspiracy theory of living the Gables service is just not the in thing. That being said the table next to us got up and left, giving the manage a polite F#@% off, I realized I loved them, as I sat sat sat and sat! Finally our waiter showed up, we ordered the Tabouli Salad, the Shrimp Kabob's and the Surf and Turf Kabob's.
The Tabouli Salad arrived it was very watery, which is a first for me, it was ok, but you could water ski in the puddle it left. They picked up our salad and we waited, waited, waited, about 15 to 20 minutes later our entree's arrived. The Jumbo Shrimp Kabob's were just that JUMBO, that was a good thing, but they were over cooked Jumbo Shrimp and that was a bad thing. The Surf and Turf was actually pretty good. I would give the food 3 stars. But the service, as I said patents.
Really the star of the restaurant wasn't the food, certainly wasn't the service, but it was the belly dancer. She kept us entertained and kept are hunger pangs at bay.
Bottom line, I used to like this place, but lack of service killed it, I won't be back!Listed in: The worst service I've ever…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/9/2011
I feel secure enough in my manhood to sit outside of this amazing restaurant and sip my Watermelon… Read more »
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Review from Mannie M.
Hialeah, FL
1/16/2012
Went here on a Hookah date with my beloved one, their selection of Hookahs is pretty impressive, they have hookahs with alcohol (didnt try them) they have an extensive bar menu as well, we enjoyed some Alcoholic coffee drinks, they were delicious, the service was great and the ambiance was just perfect.
Will definitely be back. -
Review from Steve M.
Miami, FL
3/5/2012
Sawa is great to lounge with friends on a good hookah and really good food. the only down side is their slow service. ive already had to deal with waiters who forget to bring out what i ordered, and it shouldnt take 15 minutes to bring out a beer on a slow night. i hear similar complaints from other customers on nearby tables. overall ive had a good experience.
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Review from Lisa L.
Miami, FL
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
A menu with sushi and Mediterranean Combination is already strange to begin with. Thought we still gave it a try anyways there's always a first time. We ordered 3 appetizers, a salad and an entree with different varieties. Everything was absolutely horrible. We felt bad for new customers when seeing them sitting down.
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Review from Roberto B.
Miami, FL
2/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I never take the time to review places but people deserve to know this place is terrible!!!!! Dont waste your money nor time!!!! Tried everything: sushi so bad, better at Publix! Kabob aweful. Fries no taste, mc donalds better. This place really sucks. Go to Yard House or Mariposa. Never again!
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Review from Talisha M.
Miami, FL
10/16/2011
Hookah, sushi, kebabs, latin...its a 3some w/some smoke...
Sounds great but never as great as they are imagined...like brunch here. Maybe it's better for a night venue and not so much for brunch. Friendly cute place where the food is way under-salted. The Kibbe was yummy, but I've never had one before. The short rib spin on eggs benedict was okay, but they should serve it with something other than fries...random. The chicken kebab was okay, the omelet good, and potatoes good but all pretty greasy.
Come to smoke & have apps with some drinks BUT bring your TP if you have to PP...one stall didn't even have a holder & there was NO toilet paper in the bathroom (midday)& the only form of paper that worked was the paper towel dispenser in the handicapped bathroom. -
Review from Whitney K.
Miami, FL
1/28/2012
FINALLY! A shisha/hookah lounge with class and style. It is literally the perfect place to sit outside, watch the fabulous activity at Merrick Park (that is if you can tear YOURSELF away from the stores first), and share a hookah and some gossip with your friends. The drinks were wonderful, the staff was attentive but not over the top, and the tapas were fresh. Enough said.
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Review from Kristen H.
Washington Metro
5/11/2011
I was hoping to write a great review, but this place was totally overrated. Maybe it is good for drinks and not so much food.
Let me start by saying that the ambiance was gorgeous! The outdoor seating area is elegant and charming. The service has definitely gotten the rudeness and inefficiency end of the kinks out of the way, but I must say, the service was incredibly awkward, albeit helpful, courteous, and attentive. Maybe it was just a lack of experience that was the issue, but everything was brought out on time and as requested.
The food really left much to be desired. I went for happy hour with a friend of mine, intending to try the sushi. First off, the rice was prepared with entirely too much water because it was mushy and the grains were not at all separated--just one big pudding-like mass. I literally could've done that at home. In fact, I did do that at home and that's why I don't charge people to eat my sushi. My cakes? Heck yeah! My sushi? Wouldn't dream of it. It seems that some restaurants in this city don't understand the importance of sticking to what you know.
The bread basket that comes out before dinner had an Asian twist to it and it was full of different wonton-like fried items used for dipping in a sweet and spicy red pepper and sundried tomato dip. The dip was okay, but pretty odd in texture, although the flavor was nice. The wonton-like items in the basket were incredibly greasy and unappetizing. I don't even know how they managed to get them so greasy. The look of them alone was less than appetizing, too. One of them looked like the pig ear snack that my dog chews on. Definitely much less than I expected.
The kibbeh was fine, not bad, but nothing special. The price, however, was outrageous at $6 or $7 outside of happy hour. I think it was almost $5 during happy hour, which isn't great for just one kibbeh triangle. My friend's dumplings looked pretty generic and they were very small and few in number for the cost, even at happy hour. The sushi was $7.77 during happy hour, which would've been fine, had it been prepared correctly. My friend's california roll was seriously lacking...it hardly had anything besides artificial crab. It was just a sliver of aguacate with it y ya...
And as an FYI, the happy hour prices on the menu are out of date. They are actually a few bucks more expensive, which is significant when you are trying a place with such mixed reviews. And if you're curious, I could never justify paying the regular prices they charge here. The quality and quantity just don't measure up with the price.
I'm so sad that I can't write a better review for this place. The concept was absolutely wonderful and praise-worthy; however, it fell short in execution and I don't forsee returning.
If I drank, I'd totally return for happy hour, since the drink menu is massive and inventive. -
Review from Michelle L.
Miami, FL
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Sawa, you get 4 stars for redeeming yourself after a bad meal experience. It was mother's day and your excuse for the delay in food (almost 2hrs) and forgetting to bring out some of the dishes ordered was and I quote "It's mother's day and we didn't expect the amount of people that showed up for lunch time." It was 6:30 pm when we arrived.
On a positive note , the manager was so courteous and servicable. They comped a few dishes and brought out a dessert tray of samples for us with coffee on the house.
The food was tasty but unfortunately it was cold. Apparantely it was a hectic day for you guys. You surely did make up for your lack wait time. You handled it very well and we (the customers) left very happy with the way we were treated. -
Review from Victoria P.
Miami, FL
8/8/2011 3 photos
I came here on my birthday (8/6) for lunch with three of my friends. Two of us ordered off the Miami Spice menu and the other two ordered off the regular menu. Our food took about 45min to hit the table & that was just the FIRST COURSE (Miami Spice), another 20min for the 2nd course and my other friends food. So that means that my friends waited a little over an HOUR for their food. Then about 15min for dessert. It ended up being a two hour lunch. I still had a good time because I was catching up with my friends but if that weren't the situation I would have SO upset!
Our waitress was really nice, I'll give her that. even though she KNEW it was my birthday and KNEW I was getting dessert and she didn't even put a candle on it :[ oh well. i still left her 15%
oh and about the food...i ordered the salmon hand roll (good!!), chicken kabob w/ basmati rice (I've had better, banana spring roll (SO GOOD!!) -
Review from Diana G.
7/27/2011
I've been there about 3 times, always for a friend's birthday. They have AMAZING customer service! They sat a group of 20 something people down and split everyone's check without a problem, which is usually such a hassle in Miami.
The food did take a while but it was very good and the prices were reasonable. Another thing I noticed each time I went is that they would "run out" of items on the menu which kind of forced people to pick something else. They were always really nice about it though! One time they didn't have any of the wine or desert I wanted, but they did give you other options. -
Review from Jessica B.
Miami, FL
12/13/2011
Went here because i had a coupon. Service was pretty good, ambiance was great, but the food wasnt all that. Had the dumplings which were pretty good for appetizers, but the sushi and the chicken and black rice my husband ordered were flavorless. If you order your favorite plate from a restaurant and its no good, i usually wont come back, thanks for the experience.
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Review from Wombat K.
Emeryville, CA
8/22/2011
Stumble upon this place while shopping at the mall and this place def seems better than the pseudo Italian restaurant that's all over Miami. Our meal was well made, nothing exceptional but nothing to complain about either. The highlight of my lunch was a kamikaze roll, which i didn't know it was deep fried but it was really well done and not at all greasy, and my bf salad came with two big gorgeous grilled prawns that was really well done.
The service was great and not intrusive, would def be back here if I came around the neighborhood to shop again. -
Review from Joe F.
Miami, FL
11/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Been coming here for some time now and have to say it's still one of my favorite places to enjoy a lazy afternoon or a fun night with friends. Mediterranean food and ambiance. Belly dancers and hookah's ! Try finding that at any other Mediterranean spots in miami is not an easy task. Aside from the visual attributes, the food is consistant and delicious. They always get it right. Great flavors and portions. Drinks are on par and service is above average. This place just gets it right. If you are looking for a relaxing mid morning brunch spot this place is perfect. When you want that one place to go at night with a lounge atmosphere and good music as a couple or with a group...this place is perfect.
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Review from jamie l.
Miami, FL
3/27/2011
After a hard day of dress shopping, my two BFFs and i were starving. We chose Sawa over yardhouse because we thought it had a healthier selection than the typical american fare. we sat down outside and it was beautiful weather. merrick park's entertainment for the day was some awesome brazilian music; the ambiance was great.......
Until, the large party next to us let their children reek havoc on us and the other out door diners. sawa's staff ignored it as the other patrons rolled their eyes for almost 20 mins. As we were about to walk out, we finally saw our server passively address the situation to the children, not the parents. needless to say, the mayhem ensued.
the fare was reasonably priced, and my friend's duck eggrolls were pretty yummy. on the other hand, my ceviche sampler sucked. it consisted of just two kinds of ceviche that were watery and weird. later, i overheard our waiter telling the table next to us that the ceviche sampler was not finished. did i get the bottom of the barrel?? yuk. then, my friend specifically ordered hamachi and scallion ONLY sushi roll. it came out with weird spices and mixed fish inside. obviously not what she requested. we sent it back. the waiter apologized and said he would bring out the newly made ones immediately. it was one of those experiences where you felt guilty for eating bc the other person dosnt have any food. 45 mins later, there were still no rolls. we said forget about it. the guy gave a half-ass sorry again and said he would make them to go and not charge us.
an hour later after we had all parted ways, i got a text saying that her to-go was still wrong. WTF.
after dropping a grand on a dress in an upscale area as merrick park, i do expect better food and service. they need to ditch that place. never again. -
Review from Soma N.
St Paul, MN
Unbelievably friendly service, super fast and delicious! I got the blue fun tuna salad and the lychee martini. Salad was fresh and the dressing had just the right amount of tanginess. The martini was strong, bu not so strong as to overpower the deliciousness of the lychee :) I imagine I'll be here again before my short, 5 day vacation is over!
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Review from Eric B.
Miami, FL
I usually go to SAWA for happy hour or lunch. However last Saturday while I was in an IPA induced fog I was introduced to the newest SAWA addition, BRUNCH. It all starts with the create your own bloody maries, they have a nice size ingredient list to choose from and the mix has a little bite to it too.
On to the food, I had new look eggs benedict sandwich. It was braised, pulled short rib with a perfectly poached egg on their sandwich flat bread and side of fries. For those that don't like yolk on your hands you might need to use a fork, I think it tastes better on my fingers. It was phenomenal and I probably could have eaten six of them but opted for more bloodies.
I wish I could remember the whole menu but things started to get fuzzy. The sides menu had some great options, that part I remember. If you decide to sit outside there is live music at Merrick Park across the way and if you have enough bloody maries there is always the fountain to play. Thank you SAWA for helping me with my hangovers and helping me create more! -
Review from Lisa C.
3/23/2011
Totally worth the trip off the beach and through US 1 to SAWA we go. I went to SAWA last night for a business dinner and had a large sampling of the menu highlights. Everything was AMAZING!! Here's what to try for sure:
Grilled Calamari: perfectly cooked and flavored
Tuna Tataki: if you like tuna have this. It's like tuna ceviche but on this delicious cracker that tastes like a large flat chinese fried noodle. When topped with the tuna and the seasonings YUM!
Kamakaze Tempura: Tuna I Avocado I Scallions I Masago EXCELLENT! and crispy goodness
Kanirima: Crab I Avocado I Masago I Rolled in Cucumber sooo good and so light.
Filet Mignon Kebab: seasoned perfectly to give a tasty kick
Chicken Kebab: flavorful and easy to remove from the kebab stick making it ok to order on a date
Shrimp Kebab: another winner
Scallop Kebab: a favorite
Dessert was the panecotta and this other thing not on the menu but heavenly.
DRINKS!! My favorites were the mojitos. Passion Fruit all the way. WOW!!
The outdoor seating space is lovely. If you are at the shops this is a great lunch spot. In the evening it's a charming date spot. Mid week is very nice and quiet, not a scene, the kind of place you can have a date and actually hear each other speak and the staff is there to please.
The food tasted as if I was in someone's home. Incredibly fresh seasoned perfectly not too salty not too spicy but not at all bland. IT WAS HEAVEN!!
It took me about half hour to get there from SouthBeach. Easy easy ride though. I'll be coming back here for sure. -
Review from Danny L.
Miami, FL
4/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Overall good experience. Our group started out at 6 and ended up as 8. We made reservations and were sat almost immediately. We sat outside which was fresh. Good atmosphere and couches were cool. About half way into the meal, middle eastern music was blasting and a belly dancer came out. Kind of lame in my opinion but there were obviously some people who were pumped on her. At one point she came up to our table and asked me to dance, when I said know she said, "Why are you so shy with all those tattoos?". Not sure what having tattoos has to do with belly dancing in public, but whatever.
I ordered the pork shank which was GOOD! Eggplant spread was killer as well. The food could have come out a bit quicker but it was a good night! Stoked to go here again. -
Review from Monica G.
Miami, FL
11/9/2010
Wow, no trip to Village at Merrick Park is complete until you stop by Sawa. For lunch, dinner, or late night, there is something for everyone.
I've been here a few times and have enjoyed it.
Good sushi, great lunch special (get the Bento Box!) and awesome happy hour specials. They have a wide selection of martinis that are smooth and delicious and won't leave your wallet empty. Well unless you're feeling generous and buy drinks for everyone there :)
Sawa has great table and bar service and has something for every type of diner. Whether you're in the mood for some hooka or tapas, inside or outside seating, you won't be disappointed. -
Review from marina v.
Miami, FL
1/25/2011
Since it's close by, we have been a few times for happy hour, and always have sushi. It's always fresh. Now that the weather is cool, they have a GREAT outdoor seating area where you can enjoy the outdoors....watch some of the patrons smoke the hookahs; they have a menu just for those !! : )
Friendly bartenders who are quick to strike up a chat, and suggest something from the tapas menu. I do want do venture away from the sushi and try a few of the other menu items; they all sound great, and seeing some of them come out on plates, they LOOK GREAT TOO!
Tucked away in an alcove from the mall, it's a nice little gem. Go enjoy a happy hour or even dinner there ! -
Review from Natalia C.
Miami-Dade, FL
8/19/2011
The food was okay. The service, however, was so poor I wouldn't go back even if the food had been better. This is the worst restaurant on the Miami Spice participants list I've been to.
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Review from Jenaia F.
Miami, FL
7/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Cute little restaurant in the heart of Merrick Park that serves Asian & Mediterranean fusion. Great improvement from the prior restaurant that occupied this space!!
Had lunch there today and was surprised to find that my fillet mignon bento box for $12 was absolutely delicious!! It comes with a fillet kabob, some rice with toasted pine nuts, a soup, salad & desert.
Their happy hour specials are pretty awesome as well!! I suggest you swing by and check it out if you haven't already. -
Review from Leslie S.
My hubby and I came here for brunch since we had a voucher which I purchased through Living Social; $20 for $40 for brunch food. Sawa is located on the first floor at Village of Merrick Park. When we got there, the place was dead; only one other party was being attended. We were afraid this place might suck. We sat down and very quickly, a basket with three different types of "chips" was placed on our table. I can't tell you exactly what they were, but I can tell you that it was deep fried. It was accompanied by some sort of spread that tasted like it consisted of olives and sun dried tomatoes.
We order the Short Rib Benedict Sandwich, Crispy Quail, and Foie Gras Spring Rolls. Everything was great, but what really stood out was the Foie Gras Spring Rolls! It was served with a sauce on the plate and it was a perfect compliment. The Short Rib Benedict Sandwich was perfect and the Crispy Quail was a bit too small and dry. The dishes are all perfect for sharing with someone else.
We would love to come back, but it's not on our priority list. Perhaps if another voucher were to be promoted, we would come back in a heartbeat! -
Review from Tessie B.
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good room for a private party. Strong drinks. Didn't get to try the food - maybe next time.
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Review from Elizabeth Z.
Cutler Bay, FL
10/2/2011
This place would have gotten 4 stars if it weren't for the service. The food was tasty and the prices fair. The decor is quite pretty but we might as well have had to jump up and down with flags to get the attention of our server the entire night. Also, we were told there was a hookah special the night we went but when we got our bill it was the same price. We spent so long waiting for our bill that we just decided to suck it up and pay and leave. Such a shame, the food is really tasty but the service took so much away from the experience.
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Review from adrian s.
9/14/2011
I was pleasantly surprised by the food. the place was totally empty when we went, but it's a nice looking little restaurant. Maybe because we were one of the only people there, the service was great. I don't know. no complaints here. I liked everything we tried. Overall, good.
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Review from A C.
Miami, FL
2/16/2011
Great place. Went for dinner and sat outside in the patio area, which is a must for this place if weather permits.
Sawa is mostly a "tapas" style restaurant. Small portions and lots of variety. The drinks are creative (nutella and coconut cosmo) and affordable. We tried the Scallops, Calamari, Falafel and Kibbeh. All were very good and I have to say the Falafel was some of the best I've ever had. The kibbeh comes in one piece and shaped like a pyramid. It was good, just not really easy to share. Would have preferred 2 pieces and smaller.
The patio area has nice ambiance with great music and belly dancing on weekends. Service was knowledgeable and fast.
Will definitely visit again. -
Review from Mona K.
3/30/2010
My friend and I were invited to a private part before the opening...
Delicious food with decent price, we only had appetizers.
Hookah are a bit expensive ($20-35)but actually reasonable for the Coral Gables area.
Drinks were Delicious... although we only tired a couple of martini's
And the best part was the belly dancing... even I became a fan of the dancers!!!! :) -
Review from jen r.
6/9/2011
i really like this restaurant as an alternative to the 2 others right across the street that are always packed!!
sawa is perfect for an outdoor nice weather dinner. their menu is a mix of asian and mediterranean.
i recently went on a tuesday night and all tapas were 1/2 off, so we decided to order 6 tapas and some wine. what a great dinner. the falafel was the only disappointment but everything else was really great, chorizo, calamari, sweetbreads, gyoza.
i also had a groupon so the total bill ended up being $8, well plus tip on the original amount.
the service was also really great. sitting outdoors away from the restaurant can be tricky bc you can be easily forgotten, but they didnt skip a beat.Listed in: the date planner
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Review from Raisa R.
Miami, FL
6/20/2011
I really enjoyed their happy hour. My boyfriend and I ordered cocktails, which were well prepared; not too dry and not too sweet. The bartender was charming, and very attentive. We also enjoyed our the sushi selections, which were fresh and unique, and served promptly (usually isn't the case during happy hour at most other restaurants.) Their 3D art made the experience fun, but most of all the live entertainment (bellydancer) made it a deal. Any place that gives me live entertainment with a beautiful meal at happy hour prices has my endorsement.
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Review from Diana A.
10/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sawa caught my attention while visiting Merrick Park. I absolutely love outdoor dining, so my husband and I gave it a try on a beautiful October afternoon.
The outdoor tables had more of a a casual feel, while the interior of the restaurant appeared quite upscale. Our waiter was extremely accommodating and even insisted upon adjusting one of the large umbrellas to make sure the sun wasn't beating down on us.
I hadn't ever dined at a restaurant like Sawa before, so the menu was intriguing. Lots of tapas/small plates (even beef carpaccio and frog legs??), kebabs, as well as sushi. Also a "lunch special" bento box selection, which included soup/salad and dessert! We were snacking, so we each tried a small plate and a sushi roll. Everything was delicious, and I appreciated the cooked and veggie sushi varieties, as I'm a sushi novice. The pork gyoza was awesome. Prices did not break the bank.
Martinis seem to be the specialty, with over 20 flavors of Van Gogh vodka available. I tried the Key Lime martini (seemed very "Florida") - so yummy!
I wish we could have returned for happy hour before our trip ended. I'd definitely go back if we're ever lucky enough to return to Miami.Listed in: Miami the Beautiful...
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Review from marcus b.
Miami, FL
5/14/2011
Yay to the Hummus and Scallops Tiradito. The chocolate souffle may be as good as it gets, same with the Mango Mojito (vodka). Great belly dancer exhibition on Fri & Sat nights too.
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