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Just a taste: Umai Mi modern Asian-inspired theme
By Edmund Tijerina : February 21, 2014 : Updated: February 20, 2014 9:12pm
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SAN ANTONIO — Where: 555 W. Bitters Road, 210-496-0555, http://umai misa.com
On the menu: Lunch: small plates, $4-$16; bowls, $11-$13; large plates, $12-$17; dessert, $8-$9. Dinner: small plates, $4-$16; bowls, $11-$15; large plates, $16-$24; dessert, $8-$9.
Fast facts: Chef/owner Jason Dady closed his successful Bin 555 at the end of December, remodeling the space for a modern Asian-inspired theme less than a month later. Its motto: “So not authentic, it's absurd.” The idea for this approach came from a series of pop-up dinners at the old Bin, which sold out quickly.
Impressions: The fun and flavorful dishes reflect a confident chef playing with his food in all the right ways. A favorite, his version of beef with broccoli, starts with a Sichuan peppercorn-crusted rib-eye that's seared then diced into bite-size pieces and quickly stir-fried with roasted broccoli florets and served atop broccoli puree. Who knows how many rules of classic Chinese cuisine that dish broke, but it sure was tasty.