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Best of Dining
Hit Me!
Finally, a section Sparky can sink his teeth into: Food.
I used to own a restaurant, ya know, so I could teach you a thing or two about shopping around for food items, about chefs, about spices and stuff. Then I lost my restaurant in a Texas Hold ’Em game that took place in a garage somewhere in Hollywood. Hey, I had pocket aces. I lost my head. Sue me.
Anyway, just ’cause I don’t own a restaurant anymore doesn’t mean I don’t go out to eat anymore. Joan can really pack it in. You probably can’t tell on account that she’s a 6-foot-2, 120-pound Malaysian-Jamaican fashion model. What? You think it’s so great being me? Let me tell you, she’s got a temper. The police are routinely sent to my house to protect me from domestic violence. And just because I make simple mistakes now and then like borrow some of the money she earned during that Ocean Drive Magazine fashion shoot to bet on the Arizona Suns without asking. Hey, I was sure they were going to win! Anyway, she hit me in the face with a ketchup bottle. And she didn’t take kindly to the crack about the Malaysian kids in the main intro, I can tell you that. Bada-bing!
Anyway, one thing I can say for South Florida: There is a lot of good food to choose from. To truly appreciate it, try hanging out in a place like say Lincoln, Nebraska, which I was forced to do when I didn’t have the money to cover a blackjack debt I incurred at an invitation-only casino located behind a warehouse in Hialeah. There’s a long and interesting story about that, but I digress. Point is there are plenty of good steak joints and diners over there, but you get tired of that after awhile — just like you get tired of hearing stories about corn (and there are a lot of good stories about corn, by the way). Here there are plenty of choices — from gourmet to fast food. And that’s good, too, because Joan would have killed me by now otherwise. She’s nothing but skin, bone and muscle, Joan — amazingly fast and strong.
Which reminds me. Joan’s hungry and she’s holding a ketchup bottle. Where’s my money?
Finger Lickin’ (Freakin’ Expensive) Good … For most, spicing up a meal means whipping out the Tabasco sauce. Others just can’t gamble with ordinary condiments. For them, there’s Cackalacky Collector’s Bottle from The Cackalacky Classic Condiment Company’s Single-Batch Private Reserve Stock for $98,786. Haha. Didn’t think all you’d get was a 5-ounce bottle of the sauce, did ya? ’Course not. The folks in North Carolina know a thing or two about Southern hospitality. For that price, you get the damned thing specially delivered by the Cackalacky Cookout Crew, who’ll also throw a “Cackalacky Pig Pickin” for you and about 100 friends: pig cookers, The Cackalacky Ramblers band, Hickory-smoked hogs, fire-roasted chicken, side dishes, spiced pumpkin pie and Cackalacky spiced barbecue ice cream, plus sweet tea and, of course, lots of beer. Hey, July Fourth is around the corner. Call Cackalacky at 1-919- 967-4992 or visit www.cackalacky.com.
Best Breakfast Special Balans Balans knows how to treat its customers right. They know we like to sleep in, even on weekdays, stroll down Lincoln Road and then relax over a leisurely breakfast of juice, coffee and a yummy assortment of options — from eggs to breakfast burritos to waffles to, yes sometimes, a bit of steak (we’re fickle that way). They also know sometimes we’re in a hurry and need our breakfast to go. No problem. That’s why the Balans breakfast special which gives $2 off on all breakfast items weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. is our favorite. And we like their lunches and dinners just fine too, by the way. Location: 1022 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-9191.
Best Ironic Stew Experience Playwright Irish Pub’s “Guinness Beef Stew” Irish eyes are laughing their asses off at the Playwright Irish Pub. This traditional Irish watering hole lists the surly pub favorite “Guinness Beef Stew” on its menu among the usual suspects such as Shepherd’s Pie and Corned Beef & Cabbage. The kicker? The pub serves no Guinness. Aye, there’s the rub. How do they do it, you ask? They make it with Murphy’s. And even if they run out of Murphy’s you’re still not out of luck – according to staff, they’ll go get some. For the Best Ironic Sausage Experience, the pub serves up a brilliant Bangers & Mash, another Irish favorite, curiously not on the menu. Samuel Beckett would be proud. Location: 1265 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-0667.
Best Unique Dining Experience Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant Come one, come all to the best (and only) Ethiopian restaurant to hit Miami. Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant’s décor of plank-wood floors, dim lighting and omnipresent artwork combined with chic and contemporary pieces takes this eatery to a whole new level. If you’re a strictly well-mannered eater, we don’t recommend it, as customers usually eat their meals with their fingers and silverware is given only upon request. Sheba’s traditional Ethiopian thick stews are served atop sourdough pancakes (known as injeras) that are so true to the actual African treat, you’d think you were in Ethiopia. From the chicken, beef, lamb, seafood and vegetarian selections on the menu, you’ll find something just right. End your meal with some difficulty by choosing one of their three flavors of rum cake that are loaded with scrumptious liquor to make your night that much more amazing! Location: 4029 N. Miami Ave., Miami. Phone: 305-573-1819.
Best Event to Hobnob With Food Network Celebrities South Beach Wine and Food Fest Let’s face it, the Food Network has some really cute people hosting its shows. Think Tyler Florence, Rachael Ray and Giada De Laurentiis. And they were all here earlier this year, for the annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Although other food events may boast a decent list of foodie celebs, this culinary mega-fest tops them all. Even adorably lovable Paula Deen drew a huge crowd at her book signing. For $250 per ticket, you definitely get a whole plateful of all those TV chefs. Plus, if you’re lucky you get to flirt with them from the crowd and take pictures, too. “We love you, Tyler!!” To which he replies, “I love you, too, baby.” Rrooww.
Best New Restaurant in North Beach Z Wine Grill Look, we don’t blame you for not wanting to explore Miami Beach’s northern realm, what with FDOT redirecting traffic every which way in a bid to (get ready to laugh) improve traffic flow. But take it from us, North Beach is home to some dining establishments that are worthy of your local attention. Take Z Wine Grill for example. This restaurant, which happens to be named after the last letter of the alphabet, has a menu of tasty yet affordable steak, seafood, burger and pizza dishes. Thirsty? Wash it down with Z’s boutique wine selection. Feeling amorous? Z’s warm earth tones and seductive candle lit tables will envelop your date — that and the previously mentioned boutique wines — making him or her vulnerable to your charms. Other interesting features at the Z: Sunday champagne brunches, Friday live entertainment and a 2-for-1 wine happy hour. Location: 6984 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-868-7001.
Best BYOB Restaurant A It’s not always easy to satisfy your epicurean desires when most restaurants that bill themselves “haute cuisine” carry quite the high price tag as well. But the veteran New York restaurateurs at A — Marc and Blue Solomon — have it down pat: a setting that manages to be intimate and lively at the same time; an open-minded, intellectual crowd; and a refined selection of organic dishes and various meats (even venison and wild boar!) dipped in succulently sweet sauces (that, ahem, some “critics” don’t appreciate). But best of all, main dishes won’t set you back more than $12 and, quite amazingly, there’s no corkage fee. So bring a couple of bottles, a few friends and have a feast — you damn well deserve it. Location: 4582 NE Second Ave., Miami. Phone: 305-572-9902.
Best Reminder of Old Coconut Grove Scotty’s Landing Now celebrating almost 15 years, Scotty’s Landing, ironically, is one of the last authentic “landmarks” in Coconut Grove. Boaters still dock right next to Scotty’s large outdoor patio and come in for fried shrimp and a pitcher. But however you get there, Scotty’s — with its carefree attitude (a sign at the entrance tells you to seat yourself) and live, Jimmy Buffet-stylized music — is reminiscent of an era not so long ago when the Grove was a free-spirited enclave, before development and tawdriness took over. Grab a beer at the bar and, amid the crowd of locals, politicos, and UM students and profs, you might still fall upon the old cat who’ll tell you all about how the Grove used to be. Location: 3381 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove. Phone: 305-854-2626.
Best Dinner Hideaway La Parrilla Liberty There’s no question dining on the Beach is a hassle. Whether it’s the menu girls on Ocean Drive, the noisy sidewalk tables of Lincoln Road or the steep prices for mediocre meals, grabbing a quick bite tends to be more of a project than you care to tackle on your average weekday night. Welcome to La Parrilla Liberty, the Argentine steakhouse nestled safely away from the dinnertime bustle of the Beach and serving a variety that will please both the picky eater and the porteño. The small restaurant is especially known for its grilled meats and offers staples like flank steak, sweetbreads and blood sausage, with the most expensive entrée well under $20. Also on the menu are Italian dishes, sandwiches, salads and pizza. The casual atmosphere, more like a friend’s home than a busy restaurant, attracts locals looking to wind down over a round of Quilmes and is often abuzz well past sunset. During World Cup, large television screens are added on the patio — the most popular area to congregate — and operating hours are extended, making the neighborhood restaurant the perfect place to cheer on your favorite team…as long as it’s not Brazil! Location: 1925 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-695-0099.
Best Vegetarian Restaurant/Health Store The Honey Tree Fact is, you don’t even have to buy anything from The Honey Tree to feel better about yourself, your diet or just in general; the feeling hits you as you step through the door. Sure, shiny new mega super-temple markets devoted to healthy eating and green living are popping up all over the place — Whole Foods Market in Aventura, Wild Oats here in Miami Beach and out in Kendall — but the homey ambiance and good vibes generated by this Biscayne Boulevard mainstay are hard to match. Every day, a rotating assortment of sumptuous vegetarian dishes are prepared just in time for lunch — vegetable lasagna, an excellent white bean and escarole soup, sweet and sour tofu, among others — and every day, soon after they’re put on display, the store is assaulted by hungry throngs of neo-hippies, eco-conscious yuppies and regular folks who just know what’s good for them. Add to that shelves and shelves of vitamins, soaps and all products geared to living a healthier lifestyle, and it’s a no-brainer why this is one Tree we hope sticks around despite all of the pavement-crunching and foliage-snapping work taking place mere steps away on the Boulevard. Location: 5138 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Phone: 305-759-1696.
Best Virtual Wine Forum LocoWine.com In the 21st century it seems everything possible has gotten into the World Wide Web. We now introduce to you LocoWine.com which has taken over the wine-selling industry and targeted those computer-friendly folk who enjoy surfing the Web for life’s necessities. LocoWine.com “offers a singular place on the Internet where wine, art, and friendship all come together.” This virtual wine store pleases even top oenophiles with its dedicated on-time shipping, perfect arrival condition and constant updates of the latest wine news. Offer your own opinions of sampled wines in the Forum Chat or read expert wine tasters’ reviews on this site that seems to blow even the local wine shops out of the water. Web site: www.locowine.com
Best Late-Night Burger Joint Cheeseburger Baby So the most recent studies indicate some charred meats contain a cancer-causing substance. Lucky for burger lovers, the difference between burnt and grilled is rather obvious. And face it, vegans: Gourmet burgers and hot dogs are in vogue. So before you go throwing buckets of red paint on the local hot dog stand, try to remember what a perfectly grilled chunk of red meat topped with melted American cheese on a toasted bun with extra pickles tastes like. We’ll wait. So if you’ve already quit smoking, drinking, going outside, tasting things and your career as a medical test subject — fear not, thrill seeker. Cheeseburger Baby grills up the best burgers on the Beach until the wee hours. Consider it your last opportunity to live dangerously. Open until 4 a.m. weekdays and 6 a.m. weekends. Location: 1505 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-7300.
Best Post-Beach Bite Beach Bistro Building up that perfect “Miami tan” is likely to also build up a crazy appetite. When this happens, drop by Beach Bistro to catch its most popular grilled chicken salad. Serving mouthwatering pizzas, taste bud-appealing sandwiches, as well as hot-off-the-grill selections. Location: 1434 Collins Ave., South Beach. Phone: 305-673-9212.
Best Place for Tapas Tapas y Tintos We heart Tapas y Tintos. What’s not to love? This Spanish restaurant and bar is a favorite with an eclectic mix of locals and foreigners. The location is ideal, situated right on South Beach’s picturesque Española Way. The tapas are tasty and include an assortment of staples like Spanish tortilla, garlic shrimp or jamón Serrano. Wash down your choice with a pitcher of fruit-filled sangria. Tapas y Tintos always has live music onstage, including flamenco acts and Latin rock. The wait staff consists mostly of Barcelona natives and is super friendly. If you haven’t been there yet, what are you waiting for? Location: 448 Española Way, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-8272.
Best Wholesale Coffee Roaster Café Don Pablo Juan Valdez is sooo 1990s. In 2006, Don Pablo is the new bean man to reckon with. Café Don Pablo came about after the company’s owner spent a decade scouring the Latin American landscape for the perfect beans. The café’s gourmet coffee is made with real Arabica beans, grown in the nutrient-rich volcanic soil of South America. We don’t pretend to be coffee experts, but we know what tastes good. And Café Don Pablo’s brew is rich and delicious, just the thing to keep you going through a tumultuous workday. Phone: 305-249-5628. Web site: www.cafedonpablo.com.
Best Latin American Discovery El Rey Del Chivito Roughly translated, this restaurant’s name means “the king of the little goat” — an intriguing name for an intriguing place. El Rey is a Uruguayan restaurant on Collins. It’s packed to the brim every night, with guests stopping by to enjoy the food, drinks and general ambiance. People flock to El Rey for its variety of Uruguayan specialties including sandwiches, salads and a bevy of mostly fried entrees. If you’ve never tried food from Uruguay, this is a great place to get acquainted. We recommend the sandwich de Lomo or the “Chivito” sandwich, for which the restaurant is named. (Don’t worry, it’s made with beef and ham, and doesn’t actually contain goat meat). El Rey serves up hot and fast fare, and most dishes come in at less than $10. Location: 6987 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-864-5566.
Best Gourmet Market Epicure Market Founded by the Thal brothers in the 1940s and purchased by Isaac “Ike” Starkman in the ’90s, Epicure Market has rocked the food shopping experience in Miami for over six decades. Featuring an array of more than 300 freshly made and frozen soups, dressings and entrees, it seems Epicure has something for everyone to sink their teeth into. Sample stone crab claw, shrimp, Cornish game hens, two-handed corned beef sandwiches – need we continue? Tease your stomach with gourmet candies, produce, cheese, seasonings and wines. Come by Epicure Market, where even if you walk in with only a small list of groceries, you’ll likely walk out with a whole basketful of their delectable treats! Location: 1656 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-1861.
Best Italian Market Laurenzo’s Italian & International Food & Wine Center Miami-Dade residents know better than to look to the frozen food aisle for good lasagna. That’s why they frequent North Miami Beach’s Laurenzo’s, a specialty café and market where you can find better-than-homemade Italian favorites like pasta and mozzarella (Di Buffalo, not Polly-O). Any Italian specialty item one might look for can be found at Laurenzo's, plus there’s a truly awe-inspiring wine selection. Eat in or take out, Laurenzo’s will never leave you hungry. They also make real Italian espresso and offer a huge bakery counter to satisfy any sweet tooth. Location: 16385 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach. Phone: 305-945-6381.
Best Inexpensive Greek Dining Mykonos Greek Restaurant It’s rare for any restaurant in Miami to stay in business longer than two years. But what’s really strange is when a Greek restaurant has been successful here since 1973. Greek. In Miami. It’s just sorta weird. But, Mykonos Greek Restaurant has done it. And they have it all: takeout, catering, private dining room, ample space for those giant family reunions, you name it. The food is also so darn good, especially the pastitsio ($9.95) and the traditional Greek lamb chops. Plus, ekmek (shredded filo and ground nuts with chocolate ice cream, $4.25) or galactobourico (creamy custard rolled in filo and drizzled in honey, $4.25). It’s cheap, it’s good; we couldn’t ask for anything better. Grandma Yia Yia (who trained her grandkid and Mykonos owner Ioannis Kafouros in her kitchen) would be very proud. Location: 1201 Coral Way, Miami. Phone: 305-856-3140.
Best Kosher Mediterranean Food Grill Med In the heart of Miami Beach lies a slice of the Mediterranean where you can enjoy fresh salads, spiced meats, and various wines and spirits. Talk about experience — owner Mario El-Asmar has been in the restaurant business for nearly 23 years, opening up Grill Med almost a year ago. The restaurant offers a family-like atmosphere with homemade dishes prepared fresh from scratch daily. Specials include Cyprus-imported sardines. And, as a bonus for those who need to know: The food is halal-kosher and features vegetarian dishes like sumptuous eggplant, zucchini squash and much more. Prices are reasonable: A lunch or dinner wrap, salad or kabob special is $6.99. And when the sun sets on South Beach, the lights are lowered and the spirits flow more freely with Grill Med’s 2-for-1 wine and beer specials. Location: 209 11th St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-6177.
Best Greek Delivery Miami Gyro Ever find yourself at home, on your couch, around 6 p.m. after a hard day of work, with an absolute aversion to the idea of another microwave rendition of mac ‘n’ cheese? What if a Greek kabob or maybe a Greek-style hamburger showed up at your door? Introducing Miami Gyro, the best Greek delivery to hit the streets of Miami Beach. Offered are Greek favorites such as moussaka, an arrangement of eggplant, potatoes and ground beef topped with white tzatziki sauce. Not to mention pastitsio, a combination of cannelloni, spaghetti and ground beef smothered in cream sauce. And everything is delivered free of charge. Restaurant seating is also available. Open until 11 p.m. weekdays and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Location: 540 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-5526. Web site: www.miami-gyro.com
Best Greek Restaurant Ouzo’s Greek Taverna and Bar Named for the Greek beverage that will have you dancing on tables, Ouzo’s is the perfect place to gather for authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The next best thing to being in Mykonos is this North Beach hotspot that serves up killer calamari and mouthwatering dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). With quaint, painted-wood chairs and colorful murals on the walls, Ouzo’s décor truly adds to the Greek experience. Stop by any night of the week, but on Fridays and Saturdays expect to see belly dancers. The best part about Ouzo’s (besides the food) is the price. Yummy food at a great value? We think that deserves an “Opa!” Location: 940 71st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-864-9848.
Best Kebabs The Greek Place The name says it all: This is THE Greek Place. Some may overlook this little hole in the wall lunch counter/restaurant, but if you’re craving an awesome gyro or kebab platter, it’s the only place worth visiting in Surfside. It is perfect at lunchtime for small budgets and big appetites. Specialties include homemade souvlaki and pastitsio. Best of all, since The Greek Place is a family-run establishment you know you can expect great service. Location: 233 95th St., Surfside. Phone: 305-866-9628.
Best Sandwiches and Gourmet Salads Bianca’s Gourmet Shop In the mood for a Lemon Chicken Ciabatta? Or perhaps a BBQ Steak Ciabatta? If this gets your mouth watering, stop by Bianca’s Gourmet Shop for unique gourmet sandwiches made on fresh bagels, breads, and pastries. Or become a master chef and choose to make your own salad from a whole range of available toppings and dressings for even the pickiest eaters. If you need assistance, don’t worry; a “Salad Masters” guide can help assemble a fresh delight. As if this doesn’t sound great enough, Bianca’s also excels in catering events. Location: 9517 Harding Ave., Surfside. Phone: 305-861-6886.
Best Italian Restaurant Café Prima Pasta This local Italian gem should definitely be on your required dining list. Ask North Beach natives where to go for a great bite and they’ll likely mention Prima Pasta, a cozy Italian restaurant on 71st Street. Reminiscent of a New York City eatery, Prima Pasta has an extensive menu and a welcoming ambiance complete with candles and black-and-white photography on the walls. Since opening in 1993, Prima Pasta has expanded three times to accommodate its growing clientele and celebrity patrons (shhh). Try some of the house specialties like the Black Linguine or the Veal Saltimbocca. Your taste buds will thank you. Location: 414 71st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-867-0106.
Best Kept Secret for Pizza, Pastas and Subs Presto Pizza Is your stomach growling for some Italian treats? Stroll on into Presto Pizza for a variety of delicious pizzas, pastas, and subs. With mouthwatering ingredients made fresh daily, Presto Pizza offers a friendly environment and as the saying goes, “When you’re here, you’re family!” After running in and out of the Lincoln Road shops, relax your feet and please your taste buds. Visit Presto Pizza today for an appetizing delight and always a friendly smile. Location: 332 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-5454.
Best Restaurant for a Romantic Date Touch Restaurant and Lounge Dinner by candlelight sound like romance to you? Touch Restaurant and Lounge offers a chic version for couples celebrating any special occasion or even a first date. Executive Chef Sean Brasel has created a luxurious menu, full of oysters, crabs, lobsters and caviar. Want to have a nice cocktail? Touch offers a comfortable lounge and variety of drink specials. (Don’t get too excited if you are on a budget; the drunker the date, the bigger the bill.) It might be the Cuban terrazzo floors and real palm trees, but dining at Touch gives an extra “touch” to any date. Location: 910 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305- 532-8003.
Best Fast Chicken Pollo Tropical As fast food goes, there aren’t a lot of healthy options. We love PT for its consistently hearty portions and “grilled rather than fried” mentality. Every time you visit you know you can order up a yummy grilled chicken, some yucca, plantains, and black beans and rice for the same price you’d spend for a McBurger and fries. It’s the closest fast food gets to home-style cooking. It’s also the perfect hangover food, just like abuela used to make. Locations: Everywhere in Miami-Dade. Web site: www.pollotropical.com.
Best Bay View Shuckers A not-so-well-kept happy hour secret in North Bay Village, Shuckers is a casual bar and dockside restaurant tucked away behind the Best Western on the 79th Street Causeway. On any Friday afternoon, Shuckers (free parking) is packed with locals. They know this is the best place to get reasonably priced drinks in an outdoor setting with awesome views of Biscayne Bay. Granted, the food isn’t what we would call gourmet, but this is a perfect place to down some beers and shoot some pool while watching the sun set in true Florida fashion. Location: 1819 79th St. Causeway, North Bay Village. Phone: 305-866-1570.
Best European-Style Sandwiches La Sandwicherie So, yeah, they offer gourmet French-style sandwiches, decadent salads and a full catering menu. They serve European-style subs on a choice of fresh breads at ungodly hours of the morning (seating at the outdoor bar is open until 5 a.m.). Hey, the vinaigrette dressing or the fresh croissant alone would make this the best sandwich on the Beach! And they will scooter everything from Saucisson Sec to Egg Salad right to your door. You probably know all that about La Sandwicherie. As if its location (conveniently sandwiched on your stumble from the Deuce Bar to the tattoo parlor) weren’t enough, all of its meaty masterpieces are available with the tasty little undiscovered gem of the sandwich world, cornichons — tiny sweet French translations of pickles, created in much the same way baby corn is shrunken by magical fairies and placed lovingly into Chinese food dishes. Except these are made by French fairies. So they’re even more surly and delicious. Location: 229 14th St., Miami Beach Phone: 305-532-8934.
Best Family-Style Restaurant Tuscan Steak Come with your whole family and enjoy generous portions of some White Truffle Garlic Bread and Florentine T-Bone Steak smothered in garlic puree with a bighearted side of Italian hummus and potato chips. I know that got your mouth watering, and there’s much more to get those taste buds stirring at Tuscan Steak. With recipes based on Northern Italian dishes combined with an intimate ambiance of low ceilings, rough-hewn stonewalls and a 44-foot-long brown granite bar, you are bound to have a I-am-definitely-coming-back-here experience. Enjoy a family-style Florentine grill in the heart of South Beach that will leave everyone asking for even more. Location: 433 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-2233. Web site: www.chinagrillmanagement.com/tuscanMI
Best Dining Atmosphere China Grill Imagine yourself in a dining mecca of glass, onyx and limestone: a hotspot containing multilevel dining platforms, imported Egyptian limestone floors, custom-colored wood floors, walls inlaid with gold leaf, ethereal custom light fixtures, large wraparound bars, ice-top sushi bar and an outdoor patio for alfresco dining. And that only makes up the four walls of China Grill — imagine the food! Try some Crackling Calamari Salad topped with lime-miso dressing, Tempura Sashimi served with hot mustard champagne sauce, or perhaps the Grilled Garlic Shrimp placed delectably atop black fettuccine and sprinkled with red curry coconut sauce. Now that we have your attention, also know you can enjoy oversize portions intended for sharing at this Southern spin-off of Manhattan’s critically acclaimed China Grill located on our very own Washington Avenue. With the “world on a plate,” customers can delight in food influences from Italy, Japan, France and China. If this isn’t enough, you might even have the bonus of spotting a celebrity. Location: 404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-2211. Web site: www.chinagrillmanagement.com/chinaMI .
Best Meat Lover’s Restaurant Porcao Whether you’re craving protein or just on a major Atkins binge, Porcao is our pick for the place to stuff your face. With its unlimited selection of red meat, pork, chicken and more, $43 takes you a long way here. Plus, the rodizio offers a fresh selection of salads, sushi, seafood, cheeses, vegetables, fruits and desserts. If you want more meat, just flip the card to the green side. Stuffed? Flip to the red. Oh, Porcao has lunch specials and vegetarian rodizio available as well. Location: 801 Brickell Bay Drive, Miami. Phone: 305-373-2777.
Best Place for Sushi and Thai in Aventura Fuji Hana It’s late. You’ve spent way too much energy shopping at Loehmann’s. You need a glass of cold sake. Shuffle over to Fuji Hana, a sushi and Thai restaurant worthy of its swanky plaza home in Aventura. Besides having an extensive but not daunting menu of both novel and traditional sushi and Thai dishes, Fuji Hana offers a great outdoor atmosphere created by its quiet nesting spot in the southeast corner of Loehmann’s Plaza. The food is spectacular, and shoe shopping is right around the corner. Location: 18757 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura. Phone: 305-932-8080.
Best Place to Eat Homemade Pasta Oggi Café Described as a “warm and cozy restaurant,” Oggi Café offers its customers the best quality Italian pasta. It has a variety of Italian dishes, a pleasant atmosphere and great service that helped them earn an excellent reputation. A perennial favorite, Oggi Café will force you to break that no-carb diet, but you’ll love every second of sin. After all, it’s not every day you find homemade pasta. You can feel guilty after. Location: 1666 79th St. Causeway, North Bay Village. Phone: 305-866-1238.
Best Contemporary American Cuisine Mark’s South Beach It is a fact that in Miami, our idea of what “American” food consists of might be a bit distorted. No explanation necessary. It is more than the burgers and fries. Grilled quail, jumbo diver scallops and crispy Dijon rabbit loan are just for starters at Mark’s South Beach. From there, you can taste specialties of American cuisine like sweet potato gnocchi, line-caught Gulf pompano with rock shrimp, and veal rib-eye chop. Considered one of America’s Best Restaurants by Gourmet magazine, Mark’s offers customers a comfortable atmosphere for tasty fare that’s uniquely fresh in concept and in practice. Location: Hotel Nash, 1120 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-604-9050.
Best Place for Turkish Food Hakan Turkish Grill Feel like having some Turkish food and being entertained by belly dancers? Stop searching online for a bargain ticket to Istanbul, and walk over to Hakan Turkish Grill. Order a koste, and watch belly dancers while you eat. Warning: Watching the dancers might make you feel a bit guilty for pigging out, but you can always order something lighter. Hakan’s large selection of Turkish specialties has something for everyone. Location: 1040 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-9557.
Best Brew Pub Gordon Biersch Brewery Ich lieber Bier! could be a good motto for Gordon Biersch Brewery. They really love their beer and love brewing it for you. If you are all about beer, or hanging out in a comfortable spot, this is the place for you. Gordon Biersch produces authentic lager beers, German-style lagers. Danke schon! There’s also an extensive menu to enjoy while drinking. Try the burger special of the week, your beer of choice and watch the brewing process through the glass-walled brewery. Location: 1201 Brickell Ave., Miami. Phone: 786-425-1130.
Best Bakery Family Bakery Baker’s hours may end at two in the afternoon, but don’t tell that to the folks at the Family Bakery on NW Seventh Avenue. They stay open until 7 p.m., which is a good thing, because there are so many people clamoring for a loaf of Family Bakery’s fresh Haitian bread that the lines stretch from the counter across the parking lot from dawn until dusk. (They open at 6 a.m. if you want to beat the rush.) This long white baguette is so soft, inside and out, that taking a bite is like tasting a cloud. This must be what the Bible meant by “manna from Heaven.” Location: 11758 NW Seventh Ave., North Miami. Phone: 305-953-5466.
Best Sushi in Hollywood Sushi Room Sushi lovers, this hip restaurant in Hollywood offers a chic atmosphere (Louis Vitton furniture and good looking people… pretty chic to us) and an exquisite sushi menu including sashimi; stone grill entrées featuring beef, lobster and seafood; and much more. Even if you’re not really up for sushi (why would you not be?), Sushi Room stays open late with live DJs on Fridays and Saturdays. So you can sample a roll or two, then walk over to the bar to taste nearly 40 different flavors of sake from the divine sake list. Location: 1810 S. Young Circle, Hollywood. Phone: 954-922-1103.
Best New Barbecue-n-Beer Joint Scrap Bar and Smokehouse At Scrap Bar and Smokehouse, every day is a day for good barbecue. Scrap serves authentic hickory-smoked BBQ, which everyone loves. After a hard day at work, or a relaxing day at the beach, you can stop by and enjoy dinner and drinks. With a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, this is also a nice spot for a get-together to watch a game — or just to enjoy a good barbecue and a cold beer. Location: 216 71st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-865-0100.
Best Seafood Restaurant – Mainland Big Fish With a beautiful view and specialized seafood platters, Big Fish is the place to go for a nice dinner. Located right on the Miami River, Big Fish offers outside tables where you can view the Miami skyline while enjoying a delicious dinner with your loved one. The crab cakes are among the best in town, and the seafood is fresh and tasty. Big Fish also specializes in Italian dishes, in case you’re allergic to seafood. So you no longer need to “fish around” for the best place to eat seafood in the perfect atmosphere. Leave the fishing to someone else. Location: 55 SW Miami Ave., Miami. Phone: 305- 373-1770.
Best Argentine Takeout New San Telmo Miami is located thousands of miles from Argentina so sometimes it’s a little hard to get that perfect Argentine-style steak. Thanks to a heavy migration, an influx of places has popped up offering authentic delicacies like churrasco and blood sausages. For meats, pastas and fish there is New San Telmo (named for one of Buenos Aires’ oldest neighborhoods). It has a lunch menu ranging from $5.99 to $7.99. How does Shrimp-Stuffed Salmon with bleu cheese sauce sound? And, these folks now deliver from Hallandale to 71st Street from noon to 11 p.m. daily. Location: 16850 Collins Ave., #102, Sunny Isles Beach. Phone: 305-957-0006.
Best Inexpensive Healthy Cuisine Chick-N-Grill Eating healthy was not cheap, until Chicken-N-Grill came to town. Located in various parts of the city, Chicken-N-Grill has a menu filled with delicious healthy choices. Eating without any guilt — who knew? If you are an ultra-health-conscious individual who is traumatized by the documentary Super Size Me, you’ll love this place. Here, everything is fresh, not frozen; and entrées are grilled or baked. And the best part is you can eat light and still feel full. There are locations all over Miami-Dade. To find one near you, go to the Web site. Web site: www.chick-n-grill.com.
Best Deck Dining Café Azul This is a casual restaurant specializing in Latin cuisine. Filled with regular boaters and tourists, this place is great to bring friends and family for a casual lunch outside. Café Azul has an extensive deck with a comfortable atmosphere where you can enjoy not only the wonderful weather of South Florida, but also Azul’s famous fish or chicken sandwich. Location: 15000 Collins Ave., North Miami Beach. Phone: 305-944-1415.
Best No-Nonsense Liquor Store Volpe Liquors Volpe Liquors has grown over the past 14 years or so to become the place where locals can pick up a $200 bottle of 18-year-old Scotch and a six-pack of Budweiser. “Grown” is probably not the word for it — gravitationally collapsed into a tightly packed liquor emporium might be more accurate. Volpe’s secret? They never know what obscure liquor a customer might want so they just keep everything in stock. Thousands of bottles in every price range line the shelves. The best wine bargains are almost precariously displayed in bins throughout the store, reminding you of the cargo hold of that glorious liquor ship you’ve always dreamed about. It’s no wonder about 80 percent of Volpe’s business comes from locals. They keep the Bud around for the tourists, but you can leave with a very fine Pinot Grigio complete with a lovely pairing recommendation for very little money. Set sail, but be careful — you break it, you buy it, matey. Location: 1631 Washington Ave,, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-0809.
Best Handmade Ice Cream The Frieze From Minty Chocolate Chip to Espresso Yourself, the Frieze has just the right frozen treat for you. Indulge your taste buds with the delicious assortment of ice cream and sorbet flavors offered at this South Beach legend. Handmade fresh daily, each taste has its own flair, from the richness of a Macadamia Caramel or Double Toffee to the lighter pleasures of a Tamarind or Papaya sorbet. This old-fashioned ice cream parlor beats out the generic ice cream chains that don’t seem to capture the “homemade” vibe. Featuring an artistic atmosphere and setting, the Frieze provides a refreshingly cooling respite from the scorching Miami heat. Location: 1626 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-0207.
Best Supermarket Chain Publix Although Publix has clearly won the South, leaving Winn-Dixie a recent memory for most South Floridians, the popular food store is not content to rest on its laurels. It consistently takes top honors in customer satisfaction polls, and recent changes have made the Florida-based chain truly the place “where shopping is a pleasure.” Depending on your local store, you’ll likely see an increase in target programs such as the Apron’s recipe demonstration counter, Hispanic-themed stores, more earth-friendly items and similar departmental tweaking. In the wake of the last two hurricane seasons, many stores are also installing generators. At checkout, look for the new easy-to-read screens so you can make sure those shelf prices match. (You get that item for free if they don’t.)Location: 1920 West Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-535-4268. Web site: www.publix.com.
Best Fusion Restaurant Tambo Restaurant Whoever thought Peruvian favorites filled with potatoes, chicken, pork, lamb and fish could combine with Japanese dishes known for rice, rice, and indeed more rice? Venezuelan owner of Tambo Restaurant, Oscar Tordoya, believed a mixture of Peruvian and Japanese tastes would be a success — and he was right! Tambo Restaurant in Coral Gables (it relocated from Miami Beach about two years ago) offers a “union of the South and the Orient,” and is known for its impressive Japanese-Peruvian menu and authentic cuisine. Imagine a delectable ceviche platter, a Peruvian classic filled with an assortment of fish, offered at the same place you find Tuna Tar Tar, a Japanese classic topped with wasabi and crisp wontons. Welcome to Tambo, where the atmosphere exudes family style as well as a romantic ambiance. Location: 275 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables. Phone: 305-476-9024.
Best Upscale Chinese Restaurant Mr. Chu’s Hong Kong Cuisine Sometimes a good Chinese restaurant is hard to find in these parts, but we did it. Mr. Chu’s Hong Kong Cuisine may be a little pricey, but the delicious dishes are worth every penny. Owners Norkia and O.A. Chu and Tony and Lilly Takarda know what they’re doing; they own various other upscale restaurants in the United States. And now South Floridians can enjoy Mr. Chu’s inviting environs, where enormous, hand-painted lanterns hang over sleek bamboo floors. VIP rooms line the restaurant, but you needn’t be an A-list celeb to book one — they’re only a phone call away for everyone. And the food? Start with steamed shrimp and pork dumplings, chicken lettuce wraps with peanut/ginger twist, or scallion and clam soup. Then you might try silverback fish, whole snapper, Peking duck or curry coconut chicken dishes. The house-made tofu stuffed with a nice serving of sweet, chopped shrimp is enjoyed by non-meat eaters and seafood lovers alike. Add a selection from the drink menu, featuring domestic as well as authentic Asian treats, or some soothing chrysanthemum tea. Location: 890 Washington Ave., South Beach. Phone: 305-538-8424.
Best Southwestern Eats The Lost and Found Saloon This may be the best breakfast/lunch eatery in Miami. The Lost and Found Saloon is a great place to kick back, relax and enjoy a reasonably priced meal. Its motto promises “A Southwestern/Western style restaurant, with a fine selection of brews and grapes, in the Heart of Miami’s Wynwood Art and Design districts.” Almost everything on the menu is under $10. Generous portions of eggs are prepared from free-roaming hens and cooked with toppings including mushrooms, onions and sun-dried tomatoes. Sides include chipotle hash browns, coleslaw and, in the Southwestern spirit, toasted tortillas. Inside the mouthwatering omelets, as well as all tacos and burritos, is a mixture of the best manchego, Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheeses. Add-ons range from marinated portabella mushrooms, piñon and pepita-crusted tofu, to chipotle-seared chicken. This taste of the West may leave you craving cowboy boots and a horse to ride into the sunset! Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch. Call ahead for takeout. Location: 185 NW 36th St., Miami. Phone: 305-576-1008. Web site: www.thelostandfoundsaloon-miami.com.
Best Jamaican Treats on the Beach Papa Joe’s Original Jamaican Cuisine Imagine walking out of your favorite club, craving food and stumbling (literally) into a haven of Jamaican cuisine, featuring a most appetizing jerk chicken. Located helpfully among the Washington Avenue clubs and bars, the newly opened Papa Joe’s Original Jamaican Cuisine will satisfy your growling stomach with its authentic Jamaican treats. With a homey atmosphere, Papa Joe’s serves great food on casual paper plates in the fresh, open night air. A recently opened bar at this great hangout can help you continue your state of lost inhibitions. Papa Joe’s Original Jamaican Cuisine is open until 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends. Location: Chelsea Hotel, 944 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-673-6934.
Best Traditional Italian Restaurant in Hollywood Mama Mia Italian Ristorante We all know the typical Italian joint with red-checked tablecloths and Italian tunes playing on repeat in the background. But we have found a traditional Italian eatery that offers so much more. Mama Mia features “the best recipes, the freshest ingredients, and the welcoming ambiance of an upscale restaurant.” Not to mention the best-tasting Italian food around, from customary dishes like baked ziti to more exotic wraps. Special arrangements can be made for large parties in-restaurant and catering for off-site affairs. Location: 1818 S. Young Circle, Hollywood. Phone: 954-923-0555. Web site: www.miagrill.com
Best Asian and Seafood Buffet Emerald Coast Every day we face choices: what to wear to impress the cute new employee, which Starbucks coffee will best wake us up, what’s the best route home to avoid rush hour traffic. But the truly hardest choice we have found is what to select from all the tantalizing treats on the Emerald Coast buffet line. With food made from the freshest ingredients, plus gracious hospitality, your experience is sure to be a good one. Emerald Coast offers a 35-item salad bar and a gourmet center featuring such delights as a delicious New York sirloin. Of course, you can’t forget the scrumptious array of desserts including Emerald Coast’s popular ice cream and toppings bar. A la carte menu is also available, as are takeout and delivery services. Location: 16850 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach. Phone: 305-787-1530. Web site: www.emeraldcoastbuffet.com
Best Gelato Shop Dolce Vita Here’s a story: In 1952, a family in Buenos Aires, Argentina, started its own gelato shop. It was so successful that after 50 years in business, the family decided to take its “good Argentine traditions” to America (specifically South Florida). The family artisan ice cream makers at Dolce Vita have been making quality products for half a century, using fresh raw ingredients, up-to-date machinery and original recipes that keep customers returning for more. Offering nearly every flavor imaginable, from cantaloupe to fig cream with nuts, Dolce Vita (three locations) also has a great atmosphere to sit back, relax and chat with friends. For those weight watching, the shop now features light gelato with reduced fat, no added sugar, zero percent cholesterol and, of course, 100 percent flavor. Location: 954 Normandy Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-865-2523. Web site: www.dolcevitagelato.com
Best Ice Cream Shakes Johnny Rockets Ever find 21st century life a bit overwhelming? Want to jump back into the old “feel-good Americana” time? Instead of attempting to create a time machine, come to Johnny Rockets, where they promise to “always dance on the half-hour, twirl straws and serve ketchup with a smile.” It may sound a little Pleasantville-like but your stomach is sure to be pleased by Johnny’s juicy hamburgers, hand-dipped shakes and malts, and freshly baked apple pie. The company operates in 29 of these United States, seven foreign countries, six cruise ships and seven casinos. Come by Johnny Rockets for a fun time and leave with a milkshake moustache. Location: 1025 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-6585. Web site: www.johnnyrockets.com .
Best Boxer Turned Chef Mark Randazzo, Randazzo’s Little Italy What does knocking out an opponent in the boxing ring have in common with creating knockout culinary dishes in an Italian restaurant? Besides stress and rushing adrenaline, that is? More than you’d think, according to former boxer turned Italian chef Mark Randazzo, who believes the two endeavors require similar dedication and patience. A candidate on the popular TV show The Restaurant, Randazzo takes homemade cooking to new level by using family recipes for his best dishes. Starters such as Randazzo’s signature salad and other Italian favorites are big enough for four or more to share. Randazzo’s Little Italy’s delicious Mom’s Meatballs — made juicy, soft and to utter perfection — are served solo as an appetizer or atop four different pasta entrées. Or for a hearty plate, try the spaghetti with Sunday gravy that originated from Randazzo’s grandmother’s recipe, which features an intense tomato “gravy” sauce that simmers for hours. And of course you must try one of the signature desserts that will have you ordering just one, or maybe two, more for the table. With a clever, humorous, chef-written menu, Randazzo’s Little Italy is filled with fun, laughs and great cuisine. Location: 150 Giralda Ave., Coral Gables. Phone: 305-448-7002.
Best New York-Style Bagels Mo’s Bagels and Deli New Yorkers have one “best” that Miamians have a tough time competing with: the bagel. Yes, those great, carb-filled favorites with a variety of flavors and toppings that seem appetizing any time of day. So we’re happy to report we’ve found a little New York bagel shop right here in Aventura. Our research says Mo’s Bagels and Deli has the best New York-style bagels in town, hands down. Even New Yorkers enjoy them! Mo’s offers great variety, from the traditional plain to the I-want-every-flavor bagel, satisfying all who crave that circular piece of perfectly baked dough. Location: 2780 NE 187th St., Aventura. Phone: 305-936-8555.
Best Northern Italian Cuisine Café Avanti No need for an expensive plane ticket when we have a bit of Northern Italy in the heart of Miami Beach. We’re talking about the delicious Northern Italian Cuisine at Café Avanti. Experienced Chef Constantine Cadavid has been with Café Avanti for 13 years and has helped this quaint café earn the distinction of “best.” Try a mouthwatering, homemade Lasagna Bolognese, filled with ricotta cheese and meat sauce, topped with fresh mozzarella and tomato sauce. Or perhaps you’d prefer Risotto al Funghi Porcini, made of Arborio rice, imported mushrooms, Spanish onions, and covered with Reggiano cheese. The folks at Café Avanti believe in their motto: “The art of fine dining boils down to simply excellent fare, served in understated timeless excellence.” Location: 732 41st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-4400. Web site: www.cafeavanti.com
Best South Beach Seafood Menu A Fish Called Avalon What makes the perfect seafood meal? Fresh, local ingredients? A creative hand to meld the flavors? All of the above. For five years, Executive Chef Joe Monteiro has offered some of the Beach’s most interesting platters while also titillating the palate. Most of his seafood dishes, vegetables and sauces reflect the unique South Florida environment. An award-winning wine selection complements Monteiro’s food selections. Whether you order a traditional plate like the grilled mahi-mahi or a bolder one like the Lobster Cavatelli, you’ll want to repeat this delicious Miami Beach taste experience. But don’t take our word for it. Both AAA and Zagat have given this spot their thumbs-up. Not a seafood fan? Espresso-cured rack of lamb can cure your hunger pangs too. Location: 700 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-1727.
Best Designer Pizzas Spris At the risk of giving the folks at Spris big, round, tomato sauce-slathered heads, they’re taking the best designer pizza prize again this year. In a town that uses leftover slices as spackle, Spris’ thin-crust pizzas are worth the parking hassles and premium prices that come with a Lincoln Road address. Although available in more than 30 chi-chi varieties, the pies’ real flavor-maker is the wood-burning stove. Location: 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-673-2020.
Best Pan-Fried Dumplings Yeung’s Mandarin Garden Could there be a Beach resident who, over the last two decades or so since it opened, hasn’t been lured into Yeung’s by the completely intoxicating garlic smell that wafts over Arthur Godfrey Road as the superb Chinese dishes cook? Highly unlikely …but has everyone tried the outstanding dumplings? The usually demure dish that seems to be a staple of many cuisines becomes a standout here. The huge dumplings are served steamed, pan-fried or deep-fried with a soy-based dipping sauce. Take a few home with you — they are just as good served as a cold, midnight snack. Location: 954 41st St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-672-1144.
Best Carryout Crêpes Crêpemaker If you’re looking for something a little different for brunch, drop in on the Crêpemaker and pick up a handmade crêpe to order. Perhaps destined to be the “new wrap,” these crêpes are formed into cones for easy carryout. Fancy sandwich and healthy salad crêpes join the ever-popular dessert variety. Menus are flexible and the ingredients are top quality. Crêpemaker also caters. With various locations throughout the county, to find one near you, visit the Web site: www.crepemaker.com.
Best Italian Trattoria Hosteria Romana Although the country of the boot is thousands of miles away, Hosteria Romana has a way of bringing Italy to Española Way. The brainchild of owners Marco and Gina, Hosteria Romana serves traditional Italian favorites from gnocchi to risotto to calzone. The restaurant’s extensive wine list helps set the mood “when the moon hits the sky” and the nightlife on Española Way begins. Sit back, relax and enjoy an authentic Italian wine while traditional Italian music fills the air. Location: 429 Española Way, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-4299. Web site: www.hosteriaromana.com.
Best Place to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Chocolate’s origins trace back more than 4,000 years to the Mayan culture of Central and South America – and it has been rocking the treat world ever since. For really good, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate, come by Ghirardelli. Ghirardelli is not an ordinary chocolate store, but rather a classic chocolate and ice cream emporium that has been catering to cacao cravings for 150 years. Customers receive a free chocolate bar sample at the door to tickle their taste buds and on hot Miami days, sweet lovers know exactly where to find chilling sundaes, floats, coffees and ice cream. Their world-renowned hot fudge sundae, made with homemade hot fudge sauce, is the Ghirardelli standard. As for ice cream, they offer rarely found flavors like strawberry cheesecake and blueberry cheesecake. For chocolate bars to nibble at home, cool drinks to sip on the beach or unique ice cream to break the summer heat, Ghirardelli guarantees, as they say, these “moments of timeless pleasure.” Location: 801 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-3451.
Best Place for Ice Cream From a Slab The Marble Slab Creamery The Marble Slab Creamery promises to make your ice cream “just the way you like it.” An ice cream shop that really loves its product, the Marble Slab Creamery makes fresh ice cream in fruity, outlandish and almost unimaginable flavors. Traditional flavors include Swiss chocolate, coffee, vanilla and strawberry; however, adventurers can try lemon custard, birthday cake, eggnog, piña colada or rum-flavored ice cream. Once they settle on a flavor, customers can choose fruits, nuts or candies to be blended into their icy treat. The ice cream is placed on a frozen marble or granite slab and combined with the toppings so every bite has an even amount of “mix-in’s.” In addition to ice cream, Marble Slab makes waffle cones on-site. Customers can choose the traditional cone or one of the exclusive flavors, such as vanilla cinnamon, dark chocolate Butterfinger or honey wheat. Location: 401 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Phone: 305-808-9558.
Best Waterfront Kosher Steakhouse Prime 18 Prime 18 elevates kosher dining not only with terrific cuisine that emphasizes fine steaks, but also in terms of setting, ambience and tailoring offerings to local diners. There is a new, expanded family-priced menu and the comfortable waterfront setting fosters a relaxing, classy and welcoming atmosphere whether dining with family or a special someone. Don’t miss the lounge, one of the favorite spots for discerning diners in the area. Location: 3599 NE 207th St., Aventura. Phone: 305- 692-9392.
Best Aventura Gathering Spot Café Café Café Café, in the Shoppes at the Waterways, has become a favorite morning-to-evening spot in Aventura to enjoy the company of family and friends in a relaxed environment along with your favorite beverage and/or treat. A terrific spot for a break from a busy day at the Shoppes. Location: 3585 NE 207th St., Suite C-7B, Aventura. Phone: 305-933-2233.
Best Italian Addition to the Beach Grazie Italian Cuisine Word of mouth when Grazie Italian Cuisine moved from Pinecrest to Miami Beach was that this was one of the best fine-dining Italian restaurants in the area —and that reputation has only swelled ever since. Terrific white-linen service from a dedicated staff and perfectly prepared northern Italian specialties speak to the loving approach crafted by owners Moshe Petel and Spurgeon Solomon. The classy, comfortable and welcoming environment sets the stage for remarkable cuisine: a Ravioli de Pesce (stuffed with fresh seafood and in a pink lobster sauce) is particularly coveted. Full bar service and a solid Italian wine list round out the experience. Location: 701 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-673-1312.
Best Quality Assurance Louie’s Brick Oven Louie’s has one terrific concept to guarantee freshness of ingredients: the diverse grill, rotisserie and bar has no freezer, thus ensuring that fresh food is brought in daily for its dedicated diners. A sizable menu features pasta, grilled and rotisserie fish, seafood, meat and poultry; coal-fired pizzas (including a divine Prosciutto pie); and plenty of intriguing salads and starters. Those who grew up in an Italian-American household might gravitate toward Sunday Gravy — rigatoni, sauce with meatballs, sausage, pork and ricotta cheese. But there is something for everyone on the menu, more than a single visit permits exploring. Location: 15970 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami. Phone: 305-948-3330.
Best Hand-made Confections Schakolad Chocolate Factory Edgar Schaked, founder of Schakolad Chocolate Factory came from generations of Argentine chocolatiers. When his father closed his chocolate shop in 1995, Edgar decided to continue the family tradition, created Schakolad Chocolate Factory and launched his first site in Orlando. There are now numerous Schakolad Chocolate Factory locations (some family-owned, others franchises). We’re thrilled there is a Coral Gables store. As in other locations, you can choose from a huge variety here; create your own box or select from delicious assembled assortments. Chocolate Truffles are out of this world and there are plenty of treats linked to occasions, as well as exceptional gifts and fun novelty items. Yum. Location: 323 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables. Phone: 305-569-9530. Web site: www.schakolad.com.
Best Florida Keys Imports Fico Key West Seafood Not so many years ago, the primary import from the Florida Keys might have been packed in the trunks of speedy cars, but the 1980s are over. Today Key West’s chief export to the rest of South Florida is the terrific bounty from the sea. Fico Key West Seafood takes advantage of that with a menu featuring fresh fish and seafood (OK, it comes from all over the world, but we have a fondness for local waters) offered at good price and served to accentuate natural flavors without a lot of distraction. A fun, themed dining room, good service and wine round out a dining environment with a very Florida feel. Location: 1248 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-0065.
Best Short-Order Caterers Mama Jennie’s This iconic family-style Italian eatery has been a North Miami-Dade institution for years. While multitudes enjoy the quality and value in Mama Jennies’ dining room, many also know Mama Jennie’s has a terrific catering service with good variety and reasonable prices. Very convenient is the precision of the restaurant’s catering, allowing customers’ needs to be met even on short notice. The result has been a consistent following that appreciates the quality of food and professionalism. Location: 11720 NE Second Ave., Miami. Phone: 305-757-3627.
Best Ceviche in Coconut Grove Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill Coconut Grove’s Jaguar Ceviche Spoon Bar and Latam Grill offers its customers a taste of Latin America with its diverse cuisines. Ceviche, a raw fish appetizer, is specially served in large white ceramic spoons at a ceviche bar, hence the restaurant’s name. Best known for its meats and salsas, the eatery has even seen Enrique Iglesias stopping by for a bite. Not only is the food good, but the ambiance is also above par. Its burgundy and yellow walls are covered with paintings by Dionisio Ceballos, whose reproductions were used in the film Frida. Location: 3067 Grand Ave., Miami. Phone: 305-444-0216.
Best Addition to Local Culinary Scene Michy’s Red Fish Grill. The Strand. Tantra. Azul. Social Miami. These are all part of Michelle Bernstein’s culinary resume. But unlike those restaurants, where she was merely the chef, Bernstein’s most recent addition, Michy’s, is solely her baby. Well, and her husband’s, too. After Hurricane Katrina blew MB in Cancun away, Bernstein made her way back to her hometown to set up shop. And since Michy’s opened, it seems to be the place to eat. So far the critics seem to love the intimate 50-seater in Miami Shores. Well, who wouldn’t, with Bernstein’s delicious fare — scrumptious dishes dominated by her classical French touch and influenced by Italian and Spanish cuisines. White gazpacho, ceviches, Turks and Caicos conch, wild mushrooms with pasta and braised wild salmon all grace Michy’s menu. For dessert, take your pick from warm chocolate cake with almond ice cream, apple tart tatin, a banana tart with banana mousse and chocolate ganache or a mini baked Alaska. Are you drooling yet? Call ASAP, as reservations are strictly recommended. Location: 6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Phone: 305-759-2001.
Best Tropical Coffeehouse Cafetto Coffee Shop Frozen coffee, check. Iced coffee, check. Wireless Internet, check. Flavors like Amaretto and tiramisu to spruce up your java, check. Bet Starbucks doesn’t have those flavors. Cafetto, located on the very busy Washington Avenue, is a cozy coffee shop the way a coffee shop is supposed to be. And another thing you just can’t get at Starbucks is this tasty concoction: the Caribbean coffee — a blend of coconut coffee, espresso, skim milk, coconut flakes topped with whipped cream and caramel syrup. If that’s not a midday pick-me-up, we don’t know what is. They also have some wraps, sandwiches and pastries for a quick lunch on the run. Open seven days a week 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Location: 1520 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-2375.
Best Resto-Lounge 510 Ocean Resto-lounges are the invention of people who love to multi-task. You know, you get dinner and can lounge at the same time. Or you can just eat. Or you can just lounge. Either way the options are there. For such busy bees, there is 510 Ocean. Tucked inside the Bentley Hotel, the new eatery/Ocean Drive hangout is a very laid-back kind of place, even for SoBe. Chef Cory “Big Tex” Smith is responsible for the good stuff like Panko Crusted Goat Cheese ($10) or Flash Fried Calamari Tower ($12) for starters and Grilled Australian T-Bones ($34) or Lava Grilled Wild Atlantic Salmon ($24). Keep in mind you can Blackberry all you want as you wait for your order to be prepared. Or network or flirt. It is a lounge, after all. Sip on their signature 510 Ocean Water (so named because of its aqua hue); it’s their version of the apple martini. Location: 510 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-531-1788.
Best Healthy Mexican Fare Lime Fresh Mexican Grill If you think some cuisine just can’t be affected by the low-carb craze, think again. Just don’t assume that’s a bad thing. Take the Skinny, for example, at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. It’s a burrito made with whole-wheat tortilla and low-fat cheeses. No, it doesn’t taste like other low-carb, low-fat stuff either. That must be because Lime uses fresh ingredients every day. Even if you’re like us at the SunPost who swear by carbs, all of Lime’s dishes (at least those that require them) are made with nonfat refried beans, and they use cholesterol-free canola oil when making their chips. Nice to know, right? So go ahead, indulge in those Bottomless Chips and Salsa. Locations: 14831 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Beach; 1439 Alton Road, Miami Beach. Phones: 305-949-8800 (NMB); 305-532-5463 (MB).
Best Handmade Pasta Mr. Pasta Miami is full of hidden treasures, especially out-of-the-way eateries like Mr. Pasta. Sure, it’s not smack in the middle of Ocean Drive or Lincoln Road, but who cares? A bowl of their handmade pasta is worth the drive for all you inlanders. Beach locals, consider yourselves lucky to have this little neighborhood jewel. If you time it right, you’ll get to witness pasta rolling off their in-house machine. Location: 7311 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-866-8020.
Best Thai Experience Tamarind Thai You can gauge the authenticity of a restaurant by how difficult it is to pronounce the menu items. Tamarind Thai is one of those places. If you think once you’ve been in one Thai restaurant you’ve seen them all, guess again. Just take a look at some of these names and try to figure them out: gratong mee krop (crispy noodles with sweet tamarind in crispy baskets), tod man goong (deep-fried shrimp corn cakes with plum sauce) or gai ta-krai (deep-fried chicken wings marinated with lemon grass and chili). Can you say delectable? Of course you can — and will, after every bite. Location: 946 Normandy Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-861-6222.
Best Italian Alfresco La Terrazza With the Italian name La Terrazza (“The Terrace” in English), it’s no surprise this restaurant has an amazing outdoor area in which to dine. Their terrace is spacious, romantically decorated with candles and cool with the nearby ocean’s breeze. The eye-pleasing and comfortable outdoor seating area, combined with a well-stocked wine cellar, makes this a great place to enjoy a romantic dinner, throw a party or hold a wedding reception. La Terrazza’s menu measures up to the venue, with mouthwatering wood oven-fired pizzas, lamb, snapper, veal chop, lasagna and ravioli. Location: 18090 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach. Phone: 305-792-2355.
Best 24-Hour Restaurant News Café The legendary News Café is a restaurant, but also a bar, newsstand and store. With a relaxed, South Beach, casual vibe, this café has evolved to offer a 24-hour kitchen with sidewalk and courtyard seating. And when insomnia strikes, there’s nothing better than some made-to-order food and a book or newspapers to read — all of which can be found at News Café. This Ocean Drive hot spot has served locals and stars alike at all hours. And with its location so close to the surf, there’s nothing depressing or vacant about being there at 4 a.m. They even have their own store amid all of the tables, complete with local, national and international newspapers, News Café T-shirts and hats, books, candy and magazines. Location: 800 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-6397.
Best Bagel Breakfast Bagels & Company Despite the name, this longtime North Miami-Dade institution actually offers a wide variety of diner and deli delights. A Sunday brunch is always busy and weekday mornings abound with hungry diners. Fresh bagels in a number of flavors and a variety of toppings are prime attractions here. However, a breakfast bagel sandwich — a bagel stuffed with sausage, egg and cheese — captures our fancy and is sure to ruin one’s appetite for pale fast-food varieties. A kingly way to start the workday. Location: 11064 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Phone: 305-892-2435.
Best Business Lunch Perricone’s Miami’s vibrant downtown and Brickell Avenue areas are ripe with power lunch sites that double as great people-watching oases. Sometimes, though, even a business lunch cries out for a relaxed, rustic environment. That’s exactly what diners find at this downtown landmark eatery. Moderate prices — not always easy to find downtown — and the freshest ingredients define the cuisine with pastas, salads and terrific baked goods among the chief draws. The bustling Italian deli and restaurant often requires reservations, which speaks to its popularity. Location: 15 SE 10th St., Miami. Phone: 305-374-9449.
Best Appetizer Variety Scorch Grillhouse We love Scorch Grillhouse even though we don’t always make it to the main menu. That’s because Scorch offers diners and commuters in the Biscayne Corridor an astounding array of some two dozen appetizers, ranging from a fresh and delicious gazpacho to sautéed calamari in marinara or white wine butter sauce to Buffalo-style chicken wings (an optional scotch bonnet spicy sauce is terrific) to ceviche, grilled Portobello and tomato, and many others. All have been very good; so too have the selections from the grill, pasta, sandwiches and salads we have sampled. Scorch also benefits from very reasonable prices and a fun and friendly social environment. Location: 13750 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami Phone: 305-949-5588.
Best Mainland Deco Dining Restaurant St. Michel Art Deco design in South Florida is usually associated almost exclusively with Miami Beach. However, the mainland has some excellent examples of Art Deco settings as well. One of the most scenic is the dining room of Restaurant St. Michel, inside the lovely 1926 Hotel Place St. Michel in Coral Gables. Wood floors, giant plate-glass windows and soft lighting all accentuate the Deco dining room, setting an intimate tone for a dinner featuring New American cuisine with a touch of French influence. It is a terrific locale for a romantic dinner. Location: Hotel Place St. Michel, 162 Alcazar Ave., Coral Gables. Phone: 305-444-1666. Web site: www.hotelstmichel.com.
Best Inexpensive Italian Pizza Fiore It used to be that only those in the North Beach area could indulge themselves in the inexpensive and absolutely delicious pizza from Pizza Fiore. Now, whether on South or North Beach, you can choose from a good variety of properly prepared pies and other freshly made but value-priced Italian specialties. A spinach pizza is out of this world, but you really can’t go wrong at Pizza Fiore for the money. Locations: 703 71st St., Miami Beach; 1653 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Phones: 305-865-7500 (north MB); 305-672-2400 (south MB).
Best Lincoln Road People-Watching Da Leo Trattoria Sure, diners know Da Leo as one of South Beach’s best Italian restaurants, and its popularity is burgeoned by the freshest ingredients, a terrific staff and careful attention to cuisine. But savvy locals know Da Leo is also perfectly situated in the heart of Lincoln Road’s bustling café scene, and dining outside in the comfortable café seating offers patrons one of the best — if not the best — views of all the action on the Road. Nowhere else partners good food, affordable prices and a fun and friendly environment with the opportunity to watch the whole world stroll by like Da Leo. Location: 819 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-674-0350.
Best Hidden Restaurant Treasure Grillfish We know Grillfish is hardly hidden from the throngs of dedicated diners who make up its loyal clientele. However, the uninitiated could well pass the unspectacular outside of this landmark restaurant — and that would be a mistake. First, the décor inside could not contrast more with its exterior — two rooms are heavily adorned in styles that appear to equal gothic. The interestingly complex décor is offset by the delightful simplicity of the prime culinary appeal here — fresh fish, prepared as requested by the individual diner, with an emphasis on preparation. Starters, pasta and meat dishes are very good as well — as are desserts, with a mango key lime pie particularly delish. Location: 1444 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-538-9908.
Best Portuguese Restaurant Old Lisbon Enjoy a true Portuguese gourmet experience at Old Lisbon, where the combination of an excellent culinary repertoire and extravagant desserts whisks you to Portugal while dining in sunny Miami. Complement your meal with their extensive wine and port list. At the center, you will enjoy a traditional Portuguese open kitchen surrounded by Old World décor that truly takes you away from Miami and into a whole new world of Portuguese favorites. Chef suggestions include: Feijoada de Marisco (seafood mixed with bean stew, served with rice), Camarones ao Crème de Alho (shrimps in a creamy garlic sauce) and Linguado a Algarvia (sauteed Dove sole baked in port wine and garnished with roasted almonds and figs). If that doesn’t make your mouth water, we don’t know what will! Location: 1698 Coral Way, Miami. Phone: 305-854-0039. Web site: www.oldlisbon.com.
Best German Restaurant Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus We wish to give you and your yearning taste buds a big willkommen to the Royal Bavarian Schnitzel Haus. This quaint restaurant decorated in Bavarian blue and white offers authentic German cuisine as well as a pils bar serving fine imported drafts and a variety of bottled beers. Some house favorites include honey garlic Brie with crusty bread or an appetizer of escargots with spinach. Getting down to the German classics, the Haus serves traditional sauerbraten, schnitzels, and strudels. For you carb-watchers, there’s a special section offering lower-carb selections that don’t sacrifice the authentic German spice. So, come on by the Haus and take a trip to Germany on our very own streets of Miami! Location: 1085 NE 79th St., Miami. Phone: 305-754-8002.
Best Steak House Shula’s Steak House/Shula’s on the Beach Shula’s serves only “the best beef money can buy,” Certified Angus Beef, accompanied by only the best restaurant team, with intense training. In building his restaurants, Don Shula followed the principles that made him the “winningest” coach in National Football League history: “Select the best talent available and give them the resources they need to succeed.” With this philosophy, the restaurant managers are called “head coaches” and have the authority to manage as they see fit to ensure continuing success. At each restaurant themed after the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ “perfect season” — they were the only team in NFL history to finish a season undefeated — Shula’s offers only custom cuts that have gone through an extensive aging process. Each menu is hand-painted on an official NFL game football to give the restaurant even more sporting atmosphere. Featured is a 48-ounce Porterhouse steak; guests who finish it join Shula’s 48-Ounce Club, which currently has more than 26,000 members. So challenge yourself and try only the best of the best at Shula’s. Locations: 7601 Miami Lakes Drive, Miami Lakes; 5225 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phones: 305-820-8102 (ML); 305-341-6565 (MB). Web site: www.donshula.com.
Best Something-for-Everyone Restaurant Jerry’s Famous Deli Everyone on the Beach has heard of it and most have taken a nibble of its appetizing selections. We’re talking about Jerry’s Famous Deli, with its unique style combining an extensive menu of more than 700 items ranging from traditional deli-style fare to light California cuisine to pizzas, etc. Don’t let the name fool you, Jerry’s does much more than bagels and lox (but they do that too). Open 24/7 with 300 seats and a high-energy ambiance, Jerry’s has enough room, and food, for all of us. Come by for breakfast, lunch, dinner, nosh, midnight snack, family outing or business meeting (Jerry’s offers pretty much everything, as you can tell). Located fittingly in the heart of Miami Beach on Collins Avenue, Jerry’s can satisfy your appetite from A to Z at any hour. Location: 1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-532-8030.
Best Neighborhood Italian Restaurant George’s Italian Restaurant There’s nothing like a family-owned and operated community Italian restaurant and lounge that bases its service on the idea of “When you’re here, you’re family!” Start off your dining experience with their ever-popular freshly baked bread with Italian salsa. Then continue on to such “boot country” favorites as Chicken Piccata Pomodoro, Lobster Ravioli, or of course the customer favorite, George’s Snapper with Orange. Whether you enjoy the cool air-conditioned interior or munch your yummy meal in the sunny rays of Miami alfresco, with its neighborhood staff as well as prices, George’s might be your new favorite Italian find. Location: 300 72nd St., Miami Beach. Phone: 305-864-5586.
Best Surprise Lunch Special Fox Café Imagine 50 percent off an entire menu for about an hour or two every day. You just don’t know when the manager will decide to run it. Offering good service and seafood selections, Fox’s puts a smile on its customers’ faces. From daily fresh lobster, paella, mahi mahi and more, Fox has something for even the pickiest of seafood eaters. The combination of an international chef and a well-trained staff brings Fox Café to the top. Enjoy indoor as well as outdoor seating and an extensive wine selection to add that extra kick to your meal. Location: 834 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach. Phone: 305-534-7100.
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