Hello, Anako! 

“Rooted in modern Filipino flavors and shaped by Miami.“ I caught a Friends & Family sneak peek at this new late-2026 addition to the South Florida dining scene. Cozy, laid-back, welcoming, and full of soul, I instantly became a fan. 

We kicked off dinner with a perfect, hot, doughy Pan de Sal, served with rich butter, basil, and honey…the kind you know you shouldn’t get full on, but also can’t stop eating. Next came the crispy Pork and Shrimp Lumpia, served with a chili-lime sauce I may or may not have prohibited anyone from removing from our table. I fully intended to keep dipping anything else I could find in it. And I happily did. 

To share, we continued with the Kinilaw Crudo. The buttery hiramasa got a tableside pour of creamy, citrusy coconut-calamansi, with the slightest touch of chili heat. I spooned bits onto the rice cracker, which held it all remarkably well despite its dainty appearance. Tip: use any leftover cracker on the lumpia sauce too. Served cold, the Octopus & Talong dish encouraged playful discovery as you chose what to pair with each bite. At the base, roasted eggplant added depth and richness, while the calamansi vinaigrette brought a touch of tartness. Beautiful heirloom tomatoes added texture when topped with the octopus. Together, the spoonfuls were brilliant. 

The pièce de résistance of the evening? The instant classics? The Chili Garlic Noodles with Prawns and Duroc Pork Tomahawk. I will absolutely return for both dishes. Again, the sauces and dressings here steal the show. Savory, satisfying garlicky egg noodles layered with earthy mushrooms, sweet prawns, and a kick of chili, finished with a crunchy crumb: Umami-forward and beyond addicting. On the pork side, the outside char invited stripping every ounce of the bone. I promise I did my best to remain ladylike while doing so. Paired with the tangy, vinegary, citrusy, soy-based dipping sauce, we had to finish every bite, despite being full. 

With only a couple of days under their belt, service was already efficient and on point. 

The name Anako comes from the Tagalog expression anak ko, meaning “my child.” Located in Miami’s Little River neighborhood, this new project is the latest venture from chefs Leicel Ros and Nancy Dominguez, previously behind Sili at Wynwood’s 1-800-Lucky. Philippines-born Ros was raised in Virginia Beach. Former kitchens include Nobu and Jean-Georges. Dominguez was raised in Los Angeles with Guatemalan roots. Her background also includes kitchens at Jean-Georges and Joël Robuchon. 

Don’t dare mistake Anako’s relaxed atmosphere for a lack of polish. This team knows what they’re doing. I look forward to seeing how it evolves and tasting the upcoming menu introductions. An exciting new addition for Miami.

8222 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138

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