USA
Jaya: A five-star taste of Asia in the heart of South Florida
by Daniel Smajovirs
From the architecture and white sand by day to the lights and music by night, Miami Beach lives up to all the hype, but only steps away from the glitz of South Beach is a restaurant that from the moment you walk into their courtyard will transport all your senses to the wonders that is Southeast Asia.
Located in the five-star Setai Hotel, Jaya hits all the notes for a perfect and delicious evening. Featuring a menu inspired from Thailand, India, Chia and Japan, Executive Chef Vijayudu Veena and his team will dazzle even the pickiest of eaters with unique takes on Asian classics such as curry, dumplings and sushi.
For those in the know, Jaya has become a prime destination for its atmosphere as well. Named as one of Miami’s most beautiful restaurants, guests dine around a beautiful water feature in the courtyard. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights feature the Asian Night Bazaar where, while you dine, you are entertained by various acts, such as arial artists, fire shows and contortionists. On the night of our visit, we dined in awe as both a contortionist and fire dancer gracefully tiptoed around the diners.
The elegance of the contortionist was secondary to the finesse put in each one of our dishes. Many guests opt for the Thali Platter, which allows you to sample an array of the chef’s specialities and includes Jaya’s signature plain or garlic naan bread. Since our party had some dietary restrictions, on our visit, we opted for appetizers of octopus, served with an adobo sauce, fingerling potatoes, garlic chips and a roasted garlic aioli and an order of truffle dumplings, filled with scallops and shrimp and topped with a Black Truffle emulsion. For our main course, we chose to mix fish and meat with a Sea Bass Tikka Masala and the Filet Mignon. Both proteins reflected the Asian flare of Jaya with five-star finesse.
Luckily, our visit also coincided with National Peking Duck Day, and each diner was presented with an amuse bouche of Jaya’s signature Peking Duck. Served on a steamed pancake with scallions, cucumbers and a bean sauce, the delightful and authentic taste immediately reminded us of a prior trip to Beijing. As Peking Duck is a Chinese classic which is notoriously difficult to perfect, if eating this speciality has ever crossed your mind, ensure you add it to your order on your visit.
Should you choose to experience Jaya on a Sunday morning, the Sunday Jazz Brunch is true to theme as live jazz serenades guests as they sip on endless Louis Roederer Champagne, rosé or white wine. On the menu is an incredible mix of traditional, yet elevated, brunch staples, Asian and Indian dishes and desserts. Recently, Jaya also began offering a live grill, fresh crêpes and a Bloody Mary & Mojito Bar. The ever-expanding menu continues to cater to their diverse clientele, all reflecting the restaurant’s signature roots.
Whether it’s for casual brunch or a special dinner to cap off a wonderful vacation in Miami Beach, Jaya will satisfy your quest for an impeccable Asian meal, in the heart of South Florida all without the pesky jet-lag.
Ensure to make reservations in advance and take note of smart casual dress code.
