Just when you thought Miami had reached its limit of supper clubs, another one swoops in and makes us rethink the maximum. (Is there such a thing?) Jia is the latest upscale restaurant to debut in the category, bringing elevated Chinese cuisine and a nightlife-focused dining experience to Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood.
Restaurateur Ken Ray is behind the project, while award-winning executive chef Weng Choon "Wiliam" Lai helms the Cantonese-style menu. Dishes focus on Chinese barbecue culture, such as the chef’s signature honey-roasted pork, which he infuses with white wine. There’s also a crispy mushroom salad, short rib dumplings and Pekin duck that chef Lai is excited for folks to try. “Jia’s menu fuses authentic Chinese delicacies with a contemporary twist that emboldens each dish with a variety of seasonings and spices to create that strong depth of flavor,” adds Lai. Put simply: it’s certainly not your typical Chinese takeout, and it won’t just be the prices tipping you off either.
International design consultation firm Casa Conde & Associates conceived an over-the-top space to match the sophisticated menu. Chinese Art Deco (yes, this was a thing) gives way to tropical accents in the edgy, vibrant interiors. At the center of the dining room lies a custom mural by Miami-based tattoo artists Ami James and Morgan Pennypacker, with an inky, gritty look that offsets the natural Raffia and Chinoiserie elements. And beyond all of the red, you’ll see there’s also distressed wood, deep turquoise banquets and a marble bar to further balance out the in-your-face Asian motifs.
Jia bills itself as the area’s first modern Chinese dinner club, which is true of current times but South of Fifth is no stranger to swanky Asian spots: Phillipe Chow and China Grill both previously thrived in the neighborhood. Something about gourmet dumplings paired with craft cocktails in a high-energy environment really gets this part of town going. This time, however, there’s karaoke, live music and other nightlife-focused elements to keep the party sizzling.
Jia opens for dinner Monday through Saturday at 808 1st Street in Miami Beach. Check them out online at jiamiami.com.
