Created by Chef Shingo Akikuni and partner Kenzie Motai\u2014the duo behind Michelin-starred SHINGO\u2014the 24-seat concept channels the quiet charm of Tokyo kissaten cafes while serving polished takes on Japanese convenience store staples. By day, expect matcha, specialty coffee, pastries, sandos and bento boxes; by night, the space will transform into an intimate izakaya with sake, small plates and moodier vibes.<\/p>\n
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\nPhotograph: Salar AbduazizSTAND.
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Located at 98 Miracle Mile, STAND.’s menu centers on house-baked milk bread prepared fresh daily by Chef de Cuisine Lania Andrade, formerly the pastry chef at SHINGO. The breads become the foundation for Japanese-style egg salad sandos, chicken katsu sandwiches layered with kewpie mayo and tonkatsu sauce, and thick-cut toast topped with everything from cheesy miso caramel and jammy eggs to br\u00fbl\u00e9ed sweet potato and honey.<\/p>\n
The breakfast lineup also includes rotating shio pan flavors\u2014pillowy Japanese rolls filled with cream, chocolate, curry or sausage\u2014while lunch bento\u00a0options pair proteins like karaage, salmon and yakiniku beef with rice, miso soup and seasonal sides.<\/p>\n
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\nPhotograph: Salar AbduazizSTAND.
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\u201cSTAND. is really a reflection of how Shingo and I grew up and the places that stayed with us,\u201d\u00a0Motai said in a statement. \u201cSome of our earliest memories are in Japanese caf\u00e9s\u2014quiet, intentional spaces where everything, from the coffee to the food to the atmosphere, felt considered. We\u2019ve been wanting to\u00a0recreate that feeling in our own way. Opening STAND. feels like a full-circle moment, bringing something that\u2019s been a lifelong inspiration into a space we can now share with the community.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Designed by Love Lake Studio, the minimalist interior leans into natural light, handcrafted materials and intimate seating arrangements. An L-shaped counter anchors the room, while shelves lined with Japanese ceramics and greenery soften the space. A small kitchen window lets guests watch pastries and breads being prepared throughout the day.<\/p>\n
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\nPhotograph: Salar AbduazizChef Shingo Akikuni & Kenzie Motai
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Then there\u2019s the sound system. Later this fall, STAND. will pivot into evening service as a dimly lit izakaya with an emphasis on immersive audio, powered by Lipinski L707 speakers intended to create a rich, detailed listening environment alongside seasonal Japanese small plates, sake, beer and wine.<\/p>\n
For now, though, STAND. looks poised to become one of Miami\u2019s most stylish coffee-and-sando stops, where a quick breakfast run could easily turn into a lingering afternoon hang.<\/p>\n