The 2,200-square-foot cocktail lounge, located in the heart of Miami’s Design District, opens just in time for Art Basel with a menu of Japanese-inspired fare inside a room fashioned in the style of a Tokyo drinking den.
Kilgore, who shot to an upward culinary trajectory with his Wynwood restaurant, Alter, says that with Kaido, he's created a space "where the beverage is as important as the food." To achieve that goal, he partnered with De Soto who owns Mace in New York City's East Village and two bars, Danico and Zebra, in Paris.
"I wanted the environment to be very relaxed and upbeat and I want people to come in a group," Kilgore says. "We never want you to have more than one or two items at the table so there's a constant flow and you can be excited every few minutes."
There's much to be excited about Kilgore's menu items including a dish he calls Floridian fugu: a lionfish sashimi with yuzu
Kilgore will also offer a uni fondue ($36) under the menu's
The cocktail menu, created by de Soto, is filled with classic cocktails influenced by Asian flavors. Libations include a jasmine gimlet with sencha infused shochu and jasmine cordial and a Sakura Negroni with gin, Italian bitters, sweet vermouth, and
The lounge is already booked solid through Art Basel. "I can't believe it. Right now, I'm taken aback by all the support we've gotten," Kilgore says.
Kaido. 151 NE 41 St., #217, Miami; 786-409-5591; kaidomiami.com. Sunday through Thursday 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and