"Airie in the City" Maru Nikkei Tampa, Opening Night | Local Fashion Designer Debut, The Urban Native Runway Ready Look

                            

Today we are indulging on the rooftop views of Tampa's newest sixtg floor rooftop overlooking the water in Tampa Bay.

 Local Fashion Designer Eric Wise, The Urban Native Runway Ready Look. This look is straight from the runway of Fashion Week 2024 as seen in my Tampa Fashion Week post here

You can also find out more about Urban Native here

Top: Urban Native

Skirt: Urban Native

Purse: Louis Vuitton Papillion Trunk

Heels: Jimmy Choo

Lipstick: MAC 

So, I came in on opening weekend so my experience may be different once this place has been open for a while. We had a really great time at Maru. I expected it to be super busy, but it wasn’t. I also expected it to be super pretentious given on opening night they would only give me a reservation (table for 2) with a 500$ minimum spend which was crazy. Regardless of that, I was excited to try this new rooftop nikkei. The establishment is kind of cozy in my opinion. The inside is a small space, but thoughtfully planned and most of the main space is the rooftop.

 Nestled away in the corner inside is the sushi counter where everything is made. I tried the popular drink which was the lychee martini with salt; That was ok. Then, I tried the lime/mint mocktail, also just ok, and then I tried the Pisco and coconut water drink, also just ok. None of the drinks really "wowed" me, but they weren't bad.

The food is where things get tricky because I have been to an authentic Nikkei in South/Central America and I eat Peruvian food all the time including their ceviche for example, it is unlike anything you will have anywhere else.

 This is why I am giving a 3 out of 5 stars because the food was mid and it wasn't what I would consider Peruvian/Japanese Nikkei. Peruvian food is by far some of the most flavorful food on the planet and this food was not it. If you have had it you would know what I mean because to me eating Peruvian food is like a slap in the mouth (not a bad thing, we say this colloquially in the South) and it's like your whole mind and body is awakened. The taste is amazing and none of that was there here, and I honestly didn't expect it to be. I expected a very Instagramish version of this cuisine tailored for Tampa because that is what we keep getting since our city has become gentrified. I have been to so many rooftops in the bay area made to look like so many cities claiming to have such cuisine and I guess honest reviews like mine get pushed down to only show what they want you to see. So, you probably won't see what I have to say on social media, but I love Peruvian food. 

I still like the restaurant though. I think the view is spectacular, but I also live here so I am a little biased. I thought the vibes were great and I think that's probably what matters more to some people these days for social media or networking. Food wise, the menu is heavily centered on caviar and when I was there the caviar was not flowing par the photos shown on social media.

 We tried the tuna Tuna caviar Tamaki, the classic ceviche, a second ceviche Aguachile. All of it was about the same to me which would be on the lower end of flavor impact and not what I would describe as an authentic Pervuvian dish.

Nonetheless, it's a great addition to the Bayshore area and I would recommend this place even if you go just once. I think with exception of the Classic ceviche this restaurant is erring more on the side of just Japanese cuisine than the Peruvian/Japanese Nikkei. The Classic ceviche however did not resonate as well as the actual Peruvian Ceviche, it had a very distinct chalky taste and feel.

Below are some things I also noted:

There is no working phone number to reach them at the moment.

There does not appear to be a reservation system outside of contacting them on social media (which I didn't do on opening day).

 Reservations may be available now though.

Valet parking is complimentary according to their IG, but you can easily park in the garage behind the building for free.

The restaurant seems to keep a credit card tab open for food and drinks like bars do ( they did this when we dined in). We also had to specifically ask for an itemized receipt.

The rooftop is about 80% uncovered and open to sunlight.

It did not appear that the dress code was being enforced (maybe for everyone) as I saw men with shorts, sneakers, and women with jeans, flip flops and sandals on.

I felt the menu items were fairly priced, we tried a lot of things and after tip we came in just a little over 100$ for the two of us. There was no way we would meet a 500.00 dollar minimum and I don't know why I was told that, but my husband was not so that is that. 

I think for the most part it was an enjoyable experience and that is just my honest review.

Lychee Martini

Otoro Caviar Temaki 

0 proof Mocktail:

Garden Standard 

Maguro Tiradito

Hamachi Aguachile

 The sauces are on the side.

The green sauce is not gluten-free 

Ceviche Classico

This would be the one dish that is the most popular in Peru and it should have been the most authentic dish served. They had the flavor profile correct, the items in it are correct, but it was still off in my opinion. If you are looking for a taste of Peru it would be this dish though.

Ceviche is considered to be the national dish of Peru and is also recognized by UNESCO as an expression of Peruvian traditional cuisine and an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Cocktail: Lime in the Coconut

*contains coconut water and Pisco