Miso Japanese Tapas opens in Fort Lauderdale’s Progresso neighborhood

Miso Japanese Tapas makes its long-awaited debut this weekend in downtown Fort Lauderdale’s blossoming Progresso neighborhood, not a moment too soon for fans of chef-restaurateur Thuan Lam.

The stylish, 54-seat eatery, unveiled in soft-opening mode on Thursday night, continues the rewarding relationship between Lam, founder of Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen and Poke Lolo, and chef Jay Barashari.

“We’re looking to create a fun, unstuffy restaurant with amazing bites and drinks,” Lam says, calling Miso “the perfect place to start or end the night in an ‘izakaya’ vibe.”

Between them, Lam and Barashari bring decades of experience with sushi and other forms of Japanese food, but the menu at Miso will present small plates with influences from across Asia.

Lam traces his roots to his native Vietnam, Cambodia and growing up in Los Angeles. Barashari, who is Filipino, points out that the Miso kitchen also has chefs from Korea.

“We’ve got a little bit of everything, but basically we’re making food that we like to eat,” Barashari says.

Among the signature Miso menu items that the chefs have tested in recent pop-ups around the city are the Okonomiyaki Tots (Japanese tater tots), Japchae Noodles (Korean sweet potato glass noodles served with braised short ribs) and Gochujang Honey Wings.

“They were very popular. Gochujang is like a Korean chili paste, so it’s sweet and spicy. They’re really good wings,” Barashari says.

Lam sold the original Phat Boy Sushi in Oakland Park, a word-of-mouth hot spot he opened in 2016 after owning Kirin Sushi in Coral Springs for several years. He opened Poke Lolo at the Hive just across the tracks in the MASS District in 2019.

It’s been nearly two years since Lam first announced plans to open Miso in Progresso, a long-ignored pocket of downtown Fort Lauderdale on Progresso Drive, which runs along the north side of the Brightline/FEC tracks across from the arty MASS District and Flagler Village.

Along with personal charisma and his sophisticated touch with sushi, Lam is bringing a youthful, hip vibe with him to Progresso.

Miso is located in a remodeled building, at 815 NE Second Ave., muraled in bold, blue slashes. Inside, the dining room is industrial chic softened by a wall of undulating lines from muralist Orla Ananda and another wall dedicated to local artists.

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Business partner Brian Mahadeo attributes the delay in opening Miso to typical pandemic-related construction and permitting hurdles. He says the timing is still perfect.

“(Progresso) is a great spot. It’s up and coming. I see the transition from old to new, here and coming down Andrews (Avenue). The future here will be bright,” Mahadeo says.

He describes Lam as a pied piper in Progresso.

“In this plaza, most of the units were empty when we signed the lease (in 2021). When word of mouth came around that Thuan is going to be opening a spot here, immediately all the spots got filled up,” Mahadeo says.

A few doors away is Noblemen’s Cut & Shave, owned by barber Greg Young, who has trimmed the hair of Miami Dolphins stars including Dan Marino, Ryan Tannehill and Tua Tagovailoa. The shop opened in 2022 after a move from nearby FAT Village, currently being bulldozed to make way for a major new residential-retail project.

Other signature spots to open in Progresso in the last two years include natural wine destination Sidewalk Bottle Shop and Patio Bar & Pizza, both in the historic Progresso Plaza building with longtime craft-beer favorite Laser Wolf.

Consistent with visitors to all of these hospitality spots in Progresso, Miso guests will face a parking challenge. Uber is your best bet.

Miso Japanese Tapas is at 815 NE Second Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Hours: 5:30-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 5:30-11 p.m. Sunday, closed Monday. Miso currently is not taking reservations. For information, visit Instagram.com/miso_ftl.

Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Instagram @BenCrandell and Twitter @BenCrandell.