1444 SW Eighth Street, Little Havana
786 235 7600
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You go to Little Havana for certain things. A strong café con leche. Plates piled high with rice and beans. Epic, moneymaking games of dominoes in the park. And now... pad thai and yellowtail sashimi. Say hello to 2B Asian Bistro, a mecca of Asian delights now open on the Latin thoroughfare known as Calle Ocho. If you’ve ever driven down the buzzing street that acts as the main artery to the thumping heart of Miami’s Cuban community and thought to yourself, “What I wouldn’t do for a Thai beef salad and some shrimp dumplings,” this spot is for you. Bring your date here before catching a raucous pre-midnight Spam Allstars set at Hoy Como Ayer, the Latin rock club down the street.
5800 SW 73rd Street, South Miami
305 728 4868
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South Miami: you pretend you never go there, but we know better. Whether it’s for a wild family barbecue or a special guest lecture at UM (topic: “South Beach Door
Policy in the Post-LeBron Era”), you sometimes find yourself below I-95. And while you’re there, you usually need coffee. And wine. And thin-crust pizza. So maybe we can help... Introducing Segafredo South Miami, the new southernmost outpost of the popular coffeehouse/cocktail lounge empire, now open off Sunset Drive.
1570 Alton Road, Miami Beach
305 535 8003
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There are certain things no neighborhood should be without: a good wine bar. A place where you can get jet-fuel-strength cafecitos. A tapas joint. But when you put all three of them together into one place, that’s when you get something truly remarkable... Introducing Bernie’s L.A. Café, your new Latin comfort food spot, now open in South Beach. Think of this sliver of a restaurant as the gourmet equivalent of your typical greasy empanada-and-cortadito stand. Helmed by Bernie Matz, the chef behind local favorite The Café at Books & Books, this is where you’ll go for belly-filling lunches with friends and post-movie bites with a date.
150 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles
786 463 4636
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Chances are, you're reading this in the late afternoon. That time of day when you're crashing and need a little caffeinated pick-me-up. From the kind of coffee Bar Refaeli was raised on. (Or so we assume...) Introducing Aroma Espresso Bar, a modern den of cappuccinos and Mediterranean delights, now open two blocks from the ocean in Sunny Isles. If you've ever had a hankering for ridiculously strong European coffee and healthy fast food all within a mod, futuristic setting, this is a very special day for you.
3660 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood
954 602 8347
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Well, here we are again. Monday. A day to catch up on emails, gossip... and gigantic, mind-blowing Asian clubhouses in Hollywood. Travel with us across the Miami-Dade county line to Aizia, a multi-tiered Asian mega-lounge on the Intracoastal Waterway, now fully open. First, you should know that this place is huge. When you step inside, you'll be able to take a seat at the bar (which puts you close to the stage, for in-your-face salsa and flamenco acts), a semiprivate tatami room (essentially a cushy banquette, giving you and your date/secretary some privacy behind a beaded curtain) or one of two massive communal tables, if you brought your entire fleet of secretaries.
261 SW Eighth Street, Downtown
305 285 3232
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It's Wednesday, and if we know you (and we do), you're looking for something to chase away the midweek doldrums. And here it is: the brand-new Brickell outpost of Sushi Sake, bringing you 99-cent jars of sake and a whole lot of sushi disco, now open on Calle Ocho. If you're familiar with the raw-fish empire that is Sushi Sake, then you know to expect the wild maki concoctions and thumping house music that have made them a hit in Kendall and North Miami. You'll recognize the same fun vibe at this branch, from the go-go dancers they had at their grand opening party to the team of bandana-clad samurai you may see in here from time to time.
175 Sunny Isles Boulevard, Sunny Isles
305 947 6263
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Decisions can be hard. This goes double on a Friday. So tonight, instead of dissecting a menu the size of Ulysses, we know a place where you can sit back, relax and let someone else do the ordering… Introducing Naoe, a 17-seat slice of non-decision-making sushi heaven, now open in Sunny Isles. Think of Naoe ("now-ee") as the Kenny Bania of Japanese restaurants: it doesn't make you think too much. (And yet, unlike Bania, you want to hang out with it. A lot.) There are no menus. Instead, you'll step inside the soothing, minimalist space with a sushi lover or three,
sidle up to the blond wood counter and surrender yourself to the one thing you can order: the bento box omakase.
3930 NE Second Avenue, Design District
305 438 2885
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You live by one mantra: the more the merrier. You'll always take one more Miami Heat dancer in the hot tub, one more short rib at the barbecue joint...
and you'll certainly accept one more lunch spot in the Design District. So say hello to Prosecco Ristorante. It's a classy spot inside the design-showroom mecca that is the 3930 Building. Stepping into the dining room (situated in an atrium, naturally), don't be surprised if you see a few gallery reps pounding through burrata salads in between art appointments (the place is surrounded by pricey furniture stores and swanky boutiques).
360 San Lorenzo Avenue, Coral Gables
305 447 6555
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Here's the thing about the late-night scene in Coral Gables: there isn't one. Sure, you've got one or two cougar dens and beer hangs (and believe us, we like both), but there's yet to be a spot where you can sip a strong drink, smoke a bit of hookah and feast on sashimi into the wee hours of the night. Until now. Welcome to Sawa, a new restaurant that combines three of your favorite things—sushi, hookah and lounging around—opening now open in Merrick Park. Sawa is where you'll relax with a few puffs of flavored tobacco after a long day of kicking ass in Coral Gables.
1250 South Miami Avenue, Brickell
305 415 0070
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Something big is happening today. No, we're not talking about the 59th ice bath for Dwight Freeney's ankle. We're referring to a place where you might want to go—right
now–for a burger, a beer, some friendly conversation with a beautiful dinner-mate and one of the most in-your-face views of the Miami skyline. Introducing JB Kitchen and Bar, open now in Brickell. You might already know this cavernous spot in downtown. It's the former Badrutt's Place, owned by the family
behind a posh resort in St. Moritz.
1233 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305 532 3061
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Hey. We think you should change your name. Not totally, just move a couple letters around. Spice things up. And while you're at it, move into a bigger place. It seems to be working for Altamare, the new seafood den from the owners of AltaMar, now taking eservations. So here's what happened. AltaMar had flawless seafood and bustling atmosphere. But the dining room was sorta cramped and there wasn't much privacy. So they've gone and decamped to larger digs next door (designed by the person behind Mynt and the Shore Club).
1001 South Miami Avenue, Brickell
786 991-4570
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You like fine art. You like graffiti. You like nice restaurants Gee, if only someone put them all together... Say hello to Baru Urbano, your new supper club with a splash of street art, now open in Mary Brickell Village. Think of Baru as a restored Tuscan farmhouse crossed with the sort of artsy tavern you'd find in Caracas or Bogota. Walking into the slick space, you'll immediately notice the funky murals on the walls—a blend of graffiti and pop art, courtesy of a trio of Venezuelans with backgrounds in comics and street art.
4312 North East 2nd Avenue, Buena Vista
305 576 6066
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Art Basel has left you a bit ragged. Gin-fueled parties and Sylvester Stallone-produced artwork will do that to a person. You're obviously in need of recovery, so allow us to suggest a Mediterranean island… Introducing Mandolin Aegean Bistro, your new Grecian getaway, opening Thursday in the quiet 'hood of Buena Vista.
3159 Commodore Plaza, Coconut Grove
305 600 5453
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As a city, Miami's got the sexy thing down. No one out-sexies Miami. But that doesn't mean it couldn't take the occasional sexiness cue from a neighbor across the pond… Say hello to The Ivy at the Grove, your new three-story supper club from the people that brought the world such sensual offerings as Naomi Campbell, David Beckham and Weetabix, now taking reservations. From the owners of the Ivy restaurant and Raffles private club in London (which is like the social clubhouse for a couple of princes named William and Harry), this megalounge is like a Victorian mansion for doing all of those fun things that Mary Poppins never mentioned.
5937 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 864 1262
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Ah, New England. A place where bearded fishermen battle the tides to bring in the daily catch. Nantucket Bay scallops,
Ipswich clams, Quahog oysters. It's a life built on the simple pleasures of the sea, and now those simple pleasures are washing up on our sunny shore: welcome to The Cape Cod Room, your new polished seafood joint in mid Beach, open to friends and family this week and now taking reservations for its Sunday debut. If you've spent time in Massachusetts or summered in Maine, you'll recognize the feel. Brought to you by chef Ken Lyon (whom you know from Design District fave Fratelli Lyon, and who grew up on the Cape eating fried clams and lobster rolls), it's the kindof über-sourced seafood house that only a die-hard Codder could create.
1300 Biscayne Boulevard, The Arsht Center
305 357 7900
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It's time to celebrate. The weather's finally cooled down, the season's kicking into gear, and Art Basel is just around the corner. And there's no one better suited to usher in the party than the city's P.T. Barnum of dining. Say hello to Prelude by Barton G., now taking reservations. You're already familiar with Barton G.'s over-the-top food presentations—the lobster pop tarts served in toasters, mile-high towers of cotton candy, the nitrogen cocktails—but for this outpost, located on the second floor of the Ziff Opera House, he's toned down the theatrics a bit and gone for a sexy supper club feel.
3540 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
305 444 3493
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TGIF. We're not sure how your week's been, but ours was pretty crazy (and that doesn't even take into account Balloon Boy). It's time for an Italian picnic/grotto experience, and we've got just the place: feast your eyes on La Bottega Enoteca Sociale, a rustic wine bar/gourmet food shop that quietly opened in Coconut Grove last week. Completing a culinary trilogy, this epicurean canteen sits in the courtyard alongside its sister restaurants, Calamari and legendary burger purveyor Taurus.
908 71st Street, Miami Beach
305 865 6465
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All week you've had French starlets on the brain. And if we know you, you've probably got a homesick Parisian on your arm who needs a taste of the ol' Eiffel backyard. Luckily, we have just the thing. Say hello to Lemon Twist, a demure French spot that opened last week in North Beach. Located in the same spot in Normandy Isle where the original Lemon Twist had a storied run a few years ago, this new incarnation feels like a warm, cushy mix of a European bistro and Audrey Tautou's living room (if memory serves you correctly).
169 NE 39th Street, Design District,
305 572 1400
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There was a slight chill in the air this weekend. (Okay…very slight.) Which can only mean one thing: it's time to eat outside. That's why we're pleased to bring you news of Mai Tardi, a mostly outdoors pizza lounge in the Design District, opening in a scant two days. Located in the old Brosia spot, Tardi retains a lot of what made that place so appealing—the regal oak trees in the courtyard, surrounded by green and blue mosaic tiled walls.
729 SW 1st Avenue, Downtown
305 377 4628
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Let's flash forward a few hours. It's 3:30 in the morning, your epic night for the books is winding down, and you've got one simple need: a burger. And, okay, some sushi. And maybe a few onion rings fried in beer. Welcome to Transit Restaurant, your new home for late-night comfort food in downtown, now open at
Transit Lounge until 5am. With exposed brick, vintage chandeliers and red velvet couches, it's the kind of worn-in spot that feels like it's been around forever—except it's totally brand-new and ready to help ease your transitions from party mode to sleeping-in-your-clothes mode.
62 NE 14th Street, Downtown
305 374 0662
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This is a story about downtown, and how it's all coming together. An urban utopia where you can park your car once and find clubs, performing arts, sexy gallerinas and equally tempting non-gallerinas. And now, perhaps the final piece in the puzzle, is here. Introducing The Urbanite Bistro, serving wild game and stiff cocktails smack-dab in the middle of the arts and entertainment district.
Shore Club, 1901 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 695 3226
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Serves up as many celebrities and delicacies as its Los Angeles mothership. Hard to find a more perfect lunch than the drool-inducing seafood pasta, a crisp white wine, and this scene.
Delano, 1685 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 674 6400
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High on drama. Big on scene. As if on cue, the ocean wind always seems to blow up the wide steps and into the dining room. The seafood is exquisite (especially the tuna and the sea bass).
Delano, 1685 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 674 6400
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You'll enjoy the best people-watching view in Miami from this tiny, intimate sushi and raw bar tucked away in the corner of the lobby of Delano. Grab a seat at the long, sleek, white communal table and sit high as you feast on caviar and the freshest rolls in town.
Mondrian, 1100 West Avenue, South Beach
305 514 1940
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Asia de Cuba blends a vibrant, social atmosphere conceived by Marcel Wanders with innovative menus, incorporating the best of Asian and Latin cuisines and producing intense flavors distinctly united.
Shore Club, 1901 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 695 3100
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Nobu Matsuhisa is in the house. Neo-Japanese inventions have achieved cult status. People go to great lengths for a piece of the action (and the toro).
Delano, 1685 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 674 6400
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At the end of Delano’s celebrated lobby, Plat Bleu is South Beach’s newest destination for casual dining. The luxe café-like atmosphere is perfect for lunch, dinner or late night supper.
Delano, 1685 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 672 2000
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Poolside bistro serving Mediterranean-style tapas, fresh seafood, and (yeah!) Sausages. Add a swim and you may have an afternoon (heck, anytime) delight.
1418 20th Street, Miami Beach
305 672 1119
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Great local place. Expansive and interesting menu, good service and fun atmosphere with a lot of personality. They make up for the lack of a full liquor license with a menu of creative saki cocktails, like the Funky Buddha: Both unfiltered milky and regular sake with muddled blueberries and blackberries, agave nectar, lime juice, orange juice, and pomegranate juice..
1120 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 674 7800
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There a few things in life that you will never tire of. Red wine. Women with exotic accents. And subterranean hideaways. You'll find all three at I Bischeri, a tucked-away lair of Tuscan feasts, now open below street level at the Hotel Nash. Taking over the former Mark's South Beach space, this is one of those "great little Italian place" Italian places. The waitresses speak in a sexy mélange of Ital-glish, and the chef helmed a Michelin-starred restaurant in Arezzo, Italy, so you know this isn't just an underground Olive Garden (no offense, bottomless pasta bowl).
900 Biscayne Boulevard, Biscayne Bay
305 675 1876
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There are many reasons to love downtown. A multitude of rustic South American pubs isn't one of them. Until now. Say hello to Botequim Carioca, your new authentic Brazilian tavern in downtown. The kind of place Gisele might open if she wanted to appeal to Tom's football and basketball-addicted friends, Botequim is the closest you'll get to a Rio-inspired sports bar. Nestled on the ground floor of a new condo building across from the AA Arena, this is where you'll go after a Heat game to catch the night's best plays on a giant flat-screen, or when you just want a few glasses of Brazilian beer (like the dark Tulipa).
264 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
305 443 3003
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Sometimes you make mistakes. You screw up. You anger people you care about. Like your girlfriend. But the good news is you can repair the damage. It can be as simple as biting the bullet and sitting through an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Or booking a couple's massage. Or taking her to a place that reminds her of her first dollhouse. Introducing Charlotte Bistro, maybe the girliest new restaurant we've seen all year, and your chance to get back on her good side, now open in the Gables.
841 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 531 7169
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We know it's hard to fathom right now, but eventually this week will end. And you will be left with "Saturday," a day meant to be spent frolicking on the sand with beach bunnies, or selflessly toiling away in your role as a sunscreen applicator/bikini inspector—and of course, you'll want to wind things down at a spot not far from the ocean, where the couches are comfy, the people-watching is as strong as any in South Beach, and there's raw fish. Introducing I Love Sushi, a beachside sushi den just opened at the Chesterfield.
3913 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach
305 957 9900
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There's nothing wrong with the modern steakhouse. Nothing. But sometimes you want a place that hearkens back to a bygone era, when men were cowboys, stank of leather and Stetson, and skewered steaks on tree branches and cooked them over an open fire, washing it all down with a classy jug adorned with three Xs. Here to transport you to that mystical era of overflowing beef and machismo is Flamma Brazilian Steakhouse, a new North Miami Beach tavern combining the joys of Brazilian dining with the thrill of Miami's waterfront.
1401 SW 22nd Street, Miami
305 603 7412
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Let's talk small for a second. We know it's not your favorite word, but sometimes it's exactly what's required. Small talk. A small movie. A small addiction to bottled beer at dusk. Or maybe even a small, "adorable," off-the-beaten-path Spanish restaurant run by a chef with a few big ideas. Say hello to Decadencia Bistro and Cafe, a pint-size tapas bar in the Gables, open now.
315 South Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown
305 858 3390
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It takes a very special place to crack your power-lunch-spot lineup. Water views are an absolute necessity. Tactful service helps. And then you need some other sensational X-factor. Like an 1800-degree hickory-burning grill, the most authentic tastes of the Caribbean or the palpable smells of searing, moist pork. Or…all of the above. Introducing Solymar Restaurant, powering its way into your power-lunch rotation, starting this Thursday. Taking over the old Prime Blue Grille locale, Solymar has all the elements to make your next mover-and-shaker powwow an easy, relaxed and Caribbean-stuffed affair.
751 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
305 397 8181
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Let's say it's 4:45 in the morning. Your legs are rubbery from dancing in the clubs until 3, you're still riding the wave of a martini buzz that began before midnight at the hotel bar, and a 4am dip in the ocean with a few friends (and very little clothing) has left you hungry. In other cities, this would be a problem. But not in Miami. And especially not in another few days' time. Introducing Crazee Olive, a new late-night go-to serving Middle Eastern street food until 6am on the weekends, opening this Friday. First off, ignore the name, because there's nothing exceptionally crazy about this place, unless you consider serving crispy chickpea fritters and warm pitas stuffed with beef and lamb a new level of wackiness.
1915 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables
305 461 1566
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No offense to Orale!, but sometimes we prefer to eat our beef-cheek tortillas sitting down. Inside. With air-conditioning.< Which bring us to Don Chile, a Mexican spot now open in the Gables. Opened by a Yucatán-born chef who dreamed of bringing the Mexican home-cooking of his madre to the masses, this neighborhood restaurant is awash in warm browns and adobe-colored walls, big comfortable chairs and oversize pre-Columbian-styled masks adorning the walls (easily the finest oversize pre-Columbian masks in town). Come here on a night when you're craving a margarita-fueled feast of Carne a La Tampiquena (grilled steak, topped with spicy poblano strips and cream).
2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 938 3000
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Ah, summer in Miami. Traffic eases, bikinis are considered acceptable daytime attire, and things pretty much slow down. Well, all except that last part. Things aren't slowing down. In fact, the city just got a jolt of caliente excitement in the form of Soleá, now open at the W South Beach. Soleá is the kind of sexy supper club you'd find in Madrid, only with a bit less Castilian being bandied about the table.
1800 Bay Road, Miami Beach
305 763 8088
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We normally wouldn't interrupt your day just to talk about pizza. Okay, maybe we would. But as you know, there's a pie revolution going on in this city, and we thought you needed to be aware of the latest conquest. Welcome to Casale Pizzeria and Mozzarella Bar, the medieval-est addition to Miami's new wave of polished pizza houses. Think of Casale as the neo-industrial pizza cave you've been waiting your whole pizza-cave-depleted life for.
2525 SW. 3rd Avenue, Downtown/Brickell
305 858 2525
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There's nothing wrong with a normal Italian pizza. Nothing. But some nights you're looking for something a little sexier. So when we heard about a place that had been open for a little while and was managing to stay under the radar despite the fact it was both good and a bit groundbreaking, well, we wanted to bring it to your attention. Say hello to Zucchero Ristorante, now open in lower Brickell. Think of Zucchero (which is Italian for "sweet") as the culinary lovechild of a classy Italian restaurant and a modern Brazilian bistro. Or, better yet, the place Alessandra Ambrosio might choose if she wanted a quiet, paparazzi-free night at a spot that felt a bit like home.
2 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables
786 581 4600
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Whether it's the lack of doughnuts in the conference room these days or the lack of actual employees in your department anymore, there's a lot of belt-tightening going on lately. Which makes it all the more marvelous when someone is willing to step up in times of turmoil and boldly swim against the tide… Get ready to gluttonize: The Grill Club, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue with a Sao Paulo-sized array of flame-fired meats and side dishes, has just landed in Coral Gables. The only unlimited beef parlor in the CG, the Grill Club is where you'll want to head when you're hungry as an ox and don't feel like narrowing your grilled meat selections down to less than a dozen.
2120 Salzedo Street, Coral Gables
786 360 3664
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India is hot right now. A smiling Freida Pinto is merely one reason why. (Another reason: a non-smiling Freida Pinto.) Unfortunately, you don't get the chance to soak up Indian culture and feast on authentic Indian cuisine too often here in Miami. But all that is about to change… Introducing Indian Palate, filling the city's Indian void with soft shell crab bhajiya, calamari pulisaathu and other steaming dishes you'll never be able to say, now open in Coral Gables. Keep Indian Palate in your back pocket when you're on a date with someone who's a bit hard to impress. The surroundings are polished (it looks a bit like a mini Indian Sistine Chapel, if that makes any sense), and the menu is pretty easy to follow.
485 Brickell Avenue, Viceroy
305 503 4400
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Patience is a virtue, or so we're told. But it ain't much fun. So when we heard that two big-deal New York City dining gurus were bringing big-city dining pedigree—and the delicious, sophisticated food that comes with it—to the Viceroy, we decided you needed to know now. Introducing Eos at the Viceroy Miami, now accepting limited reservations. A collaboration between chef Michael Psilakis and restaurateur Donatella Arpaia (they of NYC's Michelin-star-rated Anthos), this 15th-floor Greek spot is outfitted with enough deco noir to make you feel like Don Draper on a salacious date.
4401 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
786 276 1388
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We know what you're thinking. April rolls around and things pretty much die down around here. The season, as they say, is over. Except it isn't. Not this year. Welcome to Hakkasan, a Fontainebleau birdcage of 1930s Shanghai. Hakkasan is where you'll want to take a date you have high hopes for. If you've spent any time in London's West End lately, you'll recognize the name—that Michelin-star-rated Hakkasan was created by Alan Yau, the man who basically showed Brits how to go Asian. Now he's chosen Miami as the spot for his first U.S. outpost, and we think you're going to like the results.
401 N. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Ftort Lauderdale
954 414 8333
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Now is not the time to be making bold moves. Conservative, prudent choices, yes. But big, brash maneuvers are a thing of the past. Or not. From the man who brought mega-eateries Buddakan and Morimoto to New York (his name is Stephen Starr) comes Ft. Lauderdale's biggest, boldest restaurant to date: Steak 954.
7300 Ocean Terrace, Miami Beach
305 397 8261
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You're always on the lookout for the next great date spot. Trouble is, there hasn't been a new one in a while. And the weekend is coming up. Allow us to suggest Le Banyan, a sophisticated Thai restaurant in North Beach that quietly opened weeks ago and is the ideal spot for a pre-seduction feast. Think of Banyan as a tranquil alternative to the clamorous steakhouses filling up the city these days. Secluded in North Beach's less-frenetic version of Ocean Drive, and housed in the circular ground floor of a Deco apartment building, Banyan is perfect for getting to know your date over hushed conversation and excellent coconut curry.
1437 Washington Avenue, South Beach
305 531 2600
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Secure as we are in Miami's own awesomeness, we admit there are a few things we could learn from LA. Especially when it comes to food. And celebrities. Prepare for a crash course in both with the debut of Apple Restaurant & Lounge, opening Friday in the old Snatch space in South Beach. The sister restaurant to the LA celeb hangout of the same name, this Miami outpost is your new polished supper club, the type of casually elegant setup that's perfect for a first date or dinner and drinks with the gang before hitting the clubs a few doors down.
81 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
305 674 1844
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Oh to be hungry at 4am in South Beach. Sometimes the meatloaf at Big Pink will suffice, but other times you're looking to keep the party churning in a more refined direction… Like with a glass of wine and a mountain of seafood. Introducing Au Pied de Cochon, a 24-hour brasserie now open, ready to satisfy your wildest late-night cravings. Think of Au Pied as your new post-nightcap nightcap spot. It's where you'll go after you've made the rounds and are jonesing for a topnotch cognac and a steak tartare. Bustling and frenetic, the place feels like a cozy bistro on a Parisian back street, right down to the red leather booths, brass chandeliers and art nouveau murals.
2728 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables
786 953 7351
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Reinvention is the key to success. If it works for Madonna, there's no reason it can't work for your average super-talented Miami chef. Which is why you'll be pleased to know that Mr. Chu—yes, the Mr. Chu, of the recently shuttered dim sum spot in South Beach—has relocated his woks farther south and opened
Chu's Taiwan Kitchen and Bar in Coral Gables. Don't expect the classic dim sum carts and Hong Kong–style cuisine that Chu was famous for on the
beach. For this incarnation he's getting back to his Taiwanese roots and incorporating some Japanese influences, but all you really need to know is that it'll be a place you'll be able to do some romancing over some real Asian food.
17100 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles
305 949 1945
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Over the weekend a friend from Sunny Isles called us up. Usually, we like to keep our distance from the condo canyon, but this was a friend who went back a ways with
us (and who had an attractive younger sister…), so when he asked if we were up for dinner in his neighborhood, we took him up on the offer and ended up at Calafate Grill. It's a new tapas lounge on A1A whose happy hour alone would be worth the drive. Named after a small town in Argentina, it's the kind of cozy and sleek beerhouse you'd find on a dusty road in Patagonia (a dusty road with strip malls, that is), with a mosaic-tiled bar, mod leather furniture and plenty of outdoor seating.
1627 Collins Avenue, Mami Beach
305 538 2406
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Longing for the éclairs, pain au chocolat, and croissant you last ate in France? Here's the next best thing. (and you thought Miami only did Latin.)
1450 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 532-8030
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Classic NY nosh without a hint of posh. There are more than 400 items on the menu, but stick to the sandwiches and breakfast items. (and you're right-- it's the same as the Jerry's in Los Angeles.)
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
305 673 0044
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It's nice to feel validated. For a while there Miami's dining scene was looking like the illegitimate sibling to New York and LA's strapping older stepkids. But we get the feeling things are changing in this town, three initials at a time. Introducing BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel, now taking reservations. Let's get a few things out of the way before we get down to business (and by business we mean steak). The BLT stands for Bistro Laurent Tourondel, he of a restaurant empire with locations in exotic places (like… Scottsdale) that pin the chef's unpretentious French spin on everything from burgers to fish.
150 Ocean Drive, South Pointe
305 531 0911
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Named after actor Danny DeVito who teamed up with Florida restaurateur David Manero this place is quite impressive. Excellent food, attentive service and beautiful décor.
35 North East 40th Street, Old Miami Beach
305 722 7369
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They've been at it for more than a decade, and the place is still flawless. Not scene-y, just great dining. Perfect for special occasions (read: a really good date).
2305 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 674 0250
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Upscale trendy Chinese restaurant. The restaurant is large with upstairs and downstairs seating for large groups and special events and a nice size bar area.
101 Ocean Drive, South of Fifth
305 695 8484
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Part of the Prime 112 family, so you know the decor is stunning and the menu is well thought out.
1 Washington Ave, South Beach
305 673 2800
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Go for the view of Government Cut and Fisher Island. On Saturday and Sunday Nights, you can see the cruises leave the Port of Miami. The restaurant is at the tip of South Beach, a little away from all the action.
4000 NE 2nd Avenue, Design District
305 573 5474
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New hot spot in the Design District featuring famed chef Michele Bernstein serving up exciting new creations tapas style. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.
119 Washington Avenue, South of Fifth
305 534 3688
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Offering aged USDA prime certified angus beef seasoned and seared to perfection. The sides and desserts are not to be missed. The ambience is sleek and sexy, making it a great date spot. Be sure to say hello to the owner Brad.
1745 James Avenue, South Beach
305 695 9125
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Ola features Award Winning Chef Douglass Rodriguez' sumptuous Nuevo Latino cuisine in a cool South Beach setting. The Mojito list rocks!
1000 South Miami Avenue, Mary Brickell Village
305 403 3103
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The odd name comes from a quote from the classic novel Lolita and the restaurant draws elite visitors from Madrid and Barcelona and the Brickell scenesters. It is surprising affordable and delicious. Try to grab a table on the beautiful rooftop terrace.
335 South Biscayne Boulevard, Miami River
305 373 0063
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This Italian Restaurant gem is hidden at the mouth of the Miami River and Biscayne Bay. The views are spectacular from the covered terrace and both food and service are perfectly delicious.
270 Biscayne Blvd. ( in the Epic Hotel ), Downtown
305 424 5234
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The name comes from a prime fishing area in the Atlantic not far from the Florida coast known for its great bounty. The Restaurant located on the fifteenth floor has eye popping views of the Bay and Key Biscayne. The amazing tapas menu during Happy Hour and the romantic dinner scene made Area 31 an instant classic.
4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
877 326 7412
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Miami Beach’s newest Italian. Located at the recently re-opened historic Fontainebleau Hotel, the restaurant features ocean and poolside views, a wrap around veranda and a cocktail lounge, along with a light, airy and sophisticated interior.
157 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 532 4700
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Industrial decor and Pink Lucite lend this local-favorite diner south beach flash, but the cuisine is ideal comfort food. Don't be intimidated by the big selection. Everything is good.
1700 James Avenue, Miami Beach
305 673 1010
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This ever-evolving menu of Italian fusion. Way beyond the ho-hum Marinara. Lots of exotic ingredients. All done in with a clever and sophisticated vibe.
432 West 41st Street, Miami Beach
305 538 8533
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The renowned, glamorous steakhouse is a bastion of baroque, over-the-top fun, especially on Wednesday nights. Dine late (no earlier than 10) and watch the circus of loud, provocative glitz unfold before your very eyes.
11 Washington Avenue, South Beach
305 673 0365
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Going strong for 90+ years, Joe's is a Miami must, especially during stone crab season (10/15-5/15). Expect an interminable wait (they don't take reservations)-and know the crabs are worth it. The rest of the menu is just as good, and prices haven't changed since coke cost a nickel. Insider tip: get take-out a few hours before sunset for a picnic on the beach.
1000 South Pointe Drive, South Beach
305 674 0647
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The Saint-Tropez shtick is alive and well at this breezy, waterside beach club. It's an invigorating, peaceful choice for a lazy weekend lunch and a stylishly laid-back option for drinks and dinner.
1747 Alton Road, South Beach
305 604 1811
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Locals rave about this low-key Italian, which is all but hidden in a strip mall off Alton. Enjoy the music (think Sinatra) and the food (think garlic), and pretend not to notice the celeb in the corner.
700 Collins Avenue, South Beach
305 673 1115
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Long ago, South Beach had dozens of Cuban coffee shops. This is one of the few left. Original Cuban cuisine (no fusion nonsense) and the best café con leche on the beach.
1040 Lincoln Road, South Pointe
305 673 0047
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Remember that trip to Italy-those endless hours at the cafe drinking espresso and prosecco? You'll be reminded as you watch South Beach parade by your table. The food is light, so you won't wrinkle your linen.
36 Ocean Drive, South Beach
305 673 6730
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Hop on tables, belly dance, and pound shots of ouzo-if that's your thing. Heaping servings of delicious Greek faves and make-your-own hummus make this great for groups.
1906 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
305 538 7855
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This Italian restaurant with a neighborhood vibe serves up light pizzas, pastas and seafood in a cozy, candlelit dining room and a tree-lined, lantern-adorned courtyard terrace outside. With its proximity to Mynt, Rok bar, and Shore Club (all directly across the street), it’s the perfect first-stop to fuel up before a big night out or grab a drink during that 10:30 p.m.-to-12:30 a.m. after-dinner/pre-clubbing downtime.
1620 South West 8th Street, Little Havana
305 643 5343
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If only to ogle the 150 different kinds of hams hanging from the ceiling, you must see this Spanish place on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. Oh, yeah-come for the live flamenco show, too.
3468 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
305 444 0244
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This outdoor cafe has everything you could want in a Miami restaurant: scene (laid-back and easy), location (heart of Coconut Grove), and food (everything from grilled Mahi-Mahi to thin-crust pizza). Go for brunch and stroll the grove.
3458 South West 8th Street, Little Havana
305 446 3674
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The bad news: cash only, no reservations, nothing-to-write-home-about decor. The good news: best Vietnamese around, great prices.
278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
305 446 7710
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This Caribbean gem is one of the city's best. The tropical decor (red and yellow walls, tiled floors, banquettes framed by gauzy curtains) and amazing food (BBQ salmon, Banana Fritters) make this worth a trip.
15 South East 10th Street, Downtown
305 374 9449
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Housed in an old Vermont barn. Come Sunday for brunch and have a lazy feast of omelettes, waffles, smoked salmon-and a side of live music. Look for Steve, the nicest (and cutest) restaurateur in town.
801 Brickell Bay Drive, Downtown
305 373 2777
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Welcome to Atkins heaven. It's pure Brazilian Churrascuria: roving waiters slicing every cut of meat imaginable, massive salad bar, potent Caipirinhas. Miami bonus: floor-to-ceiling views of the bay.
3555 South West 8th Street, Little Havana
305 444 0240
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Upscale Cuban with great people watching, fresh fish, and pork dishes that are a sure hit. Or order a classic: grilled chicken with onions, lime, plantains, rice, and beans.
112 Ocean Drive, South Pointe
305 532 8112
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Modern steakhouse-everything from Porterhouses to Kobe beef hotdogs-in a beautiful and nostalgic setting.
130 North East 40th Street
305 573 5550
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Easily the most talked-about restaurant in town. Dishes, which depend on seasonal (and preferably regional) ingredients, precision preparation and solid creativity, come in varied sizes ranging from five-buck snacks to extra large plates like a juicy roasted Poulet Rouge chicken with shallot-mascarpone polenta on a bed of arugula, raisins and pignolas.
915 Lincoln Road, South Beach
305 532 0088
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Sexy and stylish dining room serving great seafood dishes in addition to their signature steaks and reserve cuts.
On the Beach at 14th Street, South Beach
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Locals call the 14th Street Beach "Taco Beach" for the insanely delish chicken tacos sold at this family-run concession stand. You get your own chaise, friendly service and the best smoothies on South Beach.