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Miami’s culinary scene moves at a dazzling pace. Restaurants are hot
one day, then suddenly they're not. Adventurous diners restlessly seek out the
newest, undiscovered kitchens while others want beautiful people, a
lively buzz and (with any luck) some good food.
Recent culinary losses
include big name Miami Chefs Norman Van Aken and Mark Militello who
closed their long-standing operations. After a 14 year run on South
Beach, Pacific Time abruptly closed and star Chef David Bouley's
innovative, multi-million dollar Evolution Restaurant opened to stellar
reviews and then quietly ran aground.
At the same time, Chef Michael Schwartz launched his Genuine Restaurant
in what was the utter ghost town of the nighttime Design District and
turned MidTown Miami into the hottest culinary destination in the city.
Domo Japonais and Brosia blossomed in that fertile ground and inspired
Jonathan Eismann to stake his claim just steps away from Michael's
Genuine. Kenny Lyon, another SoBe ex-pat chef, followed immediately with
Fratelli Lyon. Uptown, our tawdry Red Light District got a makeover and
a clunky new name, "The Biscayne Corridor." Michelle Bernstein's Michy's
Restaurant made a big splash and brought along a dozen smaller
restaurant ripples in her wake.
Back on the Beach, Pietro Rota of LA's Il Sole quietly opened a
remarkable new restaurant in the midst of the Tides Hotel's extended
renovations and Philippe Chow expanded his hold on the New York noodle
scene with a second location at the new Gansevoort South. Clever Chef
John Suley nabbed the Astor Hotel dining room after Johnny Vinczencz
took his cowboy cuisine back to Fort Lauderdale.
Speaking of cowboys, Jeffrey Chodorow expanded his herd of cash cows in
Miami with big-ticket beef at the Kobe Club. Expensive steak restaurants
still dominate the local scene confirming that a name brand steak is
often a more profitable draw than a well-known chef. Openings this fall
include STK, Red’s and a stampede of equally well-funded, well-marbled
beef purveyors. When it comes to cuisine, it seems meat reigns supreme.
As construction and renovations continue all over town, developers are
inking deals with big-name restaurateurs and even a few legends of
Kitchen Stadium. They say, "You can't tell the players without a
scorecard," and with that in mind we are definitely keeping score for
you. Following months of expensive dinner checks, endless wine-addled
negotiations and the necessary purchase of bigger pants, we have finally
agreed upon The Top 25 tables in Greater Miami.
We consider this a work in progress. As the season approaches and new spots work through their awkward months, we anticipate the emergence
of some brand new heavies. For now, grab your cell phones and score a table before it's too late. Here are
the Top 25 Tables in Miami...
South Beach
Casa Casuarina 
1116 Ocean Drive / South Beach /
305-672-6604
When Gianni Versace discovered the particular charms of South Beach
living years ago, he purchased a 1930s-era landmark property on Ocean
Drive and set about creating an ornate, mosaic tile-covered mansion that
bespoke his signature style of over-the-top Roman opulence. He added a
large garden, a grotto pool and gold-plated fixtures that he enjoyed
until his untimely death in 1997. This luxurious palazzo is now open to
the public as a restaurant and lounge with fine dining service for lunch
and dinner created by Executive Chef Nina Compton. Inspired by the
Caribbean and the French influences of her native St. Lucia, Compton's
menus are both down-home in inspiration and daring in execution. Using
fiery jerk seasonings as well as savory curries, cumins and West Indian
spices, the kitchen readily captures the heat of South Beach.
Casa Tua
1700 James Avenue / South Beach / 305-673-1010
Secluded behind a dense hedgerow that surrounds a 1925-era palazzo in
the heart of South Beach, Casa Tua feels like a posh private club on the
Italian Riviera. The price of all this exclusivity makes this a special
occasion destination, especially the private, second-level lounge that's
so popular with celebrities and socialites. Escape the everyday at this
upscale Italian restaurant with a wildly romantic garden terrace just
steps from the South Beach scene.
Joe's Stone Crab
11 Washington Avenue / South Beach / 305-673-0365
Stone crab season runs from October through May and this classic Miami
Beach dining room serves the best crabs in town to a crowd more than
willing to wait in line for a taste of the Atlantic Ocean's bounty.
While insiders debate about the loaded handshake that might transport
savvy diners to the front of the line, we find it's best to visit at
lunch or early evening to sample the crisp, southern-fried chicken,
onion-filled Lyonnaise potatoes, steamy clam chowder and chilled Key
Lime Pie that have made Joe's Stone Crab a dining icon since 1913.
Kobe Club
404 Washington Avenue / South Beach / 305-673-5370
Waygu beef takes center stage at this brand new temple of marbled,
massaged and much-ballyhooed meat. Jeffrey Chodorow continues his love
affair with Miami at this dark, chic, samurai sword sparkling dining
room showcasing beef both humble & domestic and imported & expensive.
Guests with money to burn flock to the Samurai Flight, a triple play of
four-ounce portions (flying tiny flags of their point of origin) that
challenge discerning diners to decide if Japan's honored Kobe has worthy
competition from the pampered herds of Australia or the US.
OLA – Of Latin America
1745 James Avenue / South Beach / 305-695-9125
Miami is filled with workmanlike renditions of Latin American cuisine
from humble Cuban storefronts to tiny South American bistros. While the
local ex-pat community may frown upon attempts to create upscale
"fusions" of their native dishes, Douglas Rodriguez elevates the simple
to the sublime every night of the week at OLA. From sparkling ceviche to
dazzling croquettes and empanadas, the essential home made quality of
each offering remains intact while his clever flavor profiles take it to
new heights. Enjoy the best of the Nuevo Latino scene at OLA at the
Sanctuary Hotel.
Osteria del Teatro
1443 Washington Avenue / South Beach / 305-538-7850
Servers who know the ins-and-outs of running a dining room set the stage
at this classic 20-year old Miami Beach Temple of Italian cuisine
perched on the edge of one of the most thumping dance clubs in the city.
This ironic pairing of the old and the new captures what is best about
South Beach and what makes Osteria work. While the menu is a
comprehensive collection of traditional pastas, seafood and meats, the
daily specials posted on the blackboard make it difficult to bother
reading any further.
Prime 112
112 Ocean Drive / South Beach / 305-532-8112
This South Beach hot-spot enjoys a loyal local and international
celebrity following and consistently dazzles with huge steaks, giant
lobsters and decadent truffled macaroni and cheese served in a noisy
see-and-be-scene dining room that crackles with excitement nightly until
midnight. From Presidents to Pro Athletes, from Supermodels to Rap
Stars, if it's happening in Miami it's happening at Prime.
Sardinia Ristorante
1801 Purdy Avenue / South Beach / 305-531-2228
Miami Beach fairly groans with the weight of dozens of Italian
restaurants, but regional Italian cuisine is a fairly new concept on
these shores. Sardinia showcases the best of the tiny island's cookery
with a menu that works seamlessly with Miami's own peculiar gastronomy
and geography. House made flat breads and imported salumi and formaggi
(cured meats and artisanal cheeses) pair deliciously with big-bodied
wines. From salt-roasted branzino to succulent rosemary-scented roast
baby pig, the chef's mastery of the wood-burning oven lends a rustic
flair to each dish.
Table 8
1458 Ocean Drive / South Beach / 305-695-4114
Govind Armstrong divides his considerable talents between his Los
Angeles hot spot, his sceney Miami terrace and the brand new Manhattan
bistro his team is readying for Prime Time. While Ocean Drive struggles
to shrug off its touristy honky-tonk vibe, Table 8 remains a bright
light on the culinary scene by serving innovative gourmet meals that
bear witness to Armstrong's dedication to what's new and what's next.
His salt-encrusted porterhouse steaks dazzle carnivores and the Kobe
sliders and short rib grilled cheese sandwiches from his "Small Bites &
Big Nights" tapas menu tempt late night revelers looking for munchies
both upscale and satisfying to offset those midnight mojitos.
Talula
210 23rd Street / South Beach / 305-672-0778
Foodies flock to this chic, casual dining spot on the northern edge of
South Beach to sample the creative modern cookery of husband and wife
chefs Frank and Andrea Curto-Randazzo. From the secluded patio garden to
the sophisticated elegance of the dining lounge, guests are treated to a
Mediterranean-inspired menu filled with fresh local produce, seafood and
seasonal grilled meats from Asian-spiced duck to citrus-scented lamb.
The new Sunday brunch buffet has already garnered Talula a cult
following.
The Forge Restaurant
432 Arthur Godfrey Road (41st Street) / Miami Beach /
305-538-8533
While most Miami Beach restaurants have been around for a few years and
strive toward whatever is new and trendy, the Forge offers a
long-standing, traditional fine-dining experience at every touch point.
Valet parkers whisk away your car, dressy hosts escort your party, and
formal captains oversee your table service. Stained glass and dark wood
interiors set the stage for classic, continental cuisine including prime
steaks, a huge wine cellar and even decadent soufflés made-to-order for
dessert. Locals celebrate birthdays and anniversaries here and have
since the 1930s.
Bal Harbour
1Bleu
10295 Collins Avenue / Bal Harbour / 305-455-5400
Dining on the deck of the Regent Hotel overlooking the ocean gives the
impression of boarding a fantastically lavish cruise ship without ever
leaving Collins Avenue. 1Bleu is a brand new heavyweight in the Miami
dining scene with pricey seafood and classical continental fare. We
prefer the more innovative and casual View Bar menu which features
upscale riffs on more traditional pub grub including Wagyu Beef Sliders
with Remoulade, Smoked Salmon and Mozzarella Pizzette with Balsamico,
and Spanish Scampi with Lemon and White Truffles.
Chef Allen's
19088 NE 29th Avenue / Aventura / 305-935-2900
Chef Allen Susser remains the master of The Road Not Taken, keeping his
glitzy dining room in an Aventura strip mall thriving since 1986.
Serving dinner 7 nights a week to loyal regulars, the offbeat location
is a challenging destination for tourists. Serving fresh,
locally-sourced seafood prepared with his signature "Floribbean" flavors
of mango and lime, papaya and chili, Susser is a stalwart champion of
New Word Cuisine, a movement he pioneered with Norman Van Aken, Douglas
Rodriguez and host of distinguished toques who put the Miami dining
scene on the map.
Hiro’s Yakko San
17040 West Dixie Highway / North Miami Beach / 305-947-0064
When the chefs around town finally call it a night, they head to this
tiny, off-the-radar Japanese kitchen known for just-caught fish and
small plates of exotic tapas crafted from the fresh offerings of the
marketplace that change each day. Chef Hiro and his team enjoy cult
status in a town of jaded foodies who appreciate their culinary skills
and unstuffy presentations served until the wee hours to an in-the-know
crowd. You may need a GPS to find it, but once you've tried Hiro's,
you'll be back!
Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak
19999 W Country Club Drive / Aventura /
786-279-6600
Our northernmost destination is worthy of a foodie's pilgrimage if only
to sample the trio of crispy fries cooked in duck fat and topped with a
tempting truffle aioli. The chef makes his own onion ketchup and
barbeque dipping sauces that truly offer the taste of success. Mina is
famous for his luxurious spins on modern American comfort food and
diners can indeed take comfort in the chef's remarkable ability to
create upscale lobster pot pies and truffle-speckled macaroni and
cheese. All this goodness comes with a hefty price tag, but this 21st
Century steakhouse really dazzles.
Neomi's Grill
18001 Collins Avenue / Sunny Isles / 305-692-5600
Trendy molecular gastronomy has its admirers (and detractors) and
perhaps Miami is slow to embrace these culinary pyrotechnics in favor of
more traditional restaurant offerings. The chefs at Neomi's Grill hope
to seduce local palates with a combination of traditional and avant
garde cooking styles at this brand new dining destination in the
look-alike high-rise landscape of Sunny Isles. While it's tough to
penetrate the Vegas-like exteriors of this city on the rise, Neomi's
attracts a growing crowd of upscale patrons to the Trump International
to sample Asian-infused local seafood and some dazzlingly innovative
preparations served with New Miami flair.
North One 10
11052 Biscayne Boulevard / North Miami / 305-893-4211
Chef owner Dewey LaSasso and his charming wife Dale established a homey
dining spot on a desolate stretch of Biscayne Boulevard in North Miami
that feels like a clubhouse for their loyal local fan base. A member of
the 1980's era Mango Gang, Chef Dewey creates comfort food with a
Florida twist, keeping his menu updated with celebration meals for
holidays or his popular weekly gourmet BBQ night. Influenced by the new
wave of tapas-style small plates, a new snack menu includes smoked
salmon croquettas in spicy guava sauce, yuca chips with a hot pepper
creme, and parmesan ricotta risotto fritters that are completely
addicting.
Pescecane
9551 Harding Avenue / Surfside / 305-861-1060
Il Mullino is a big name in New York City Italian dining and its
offshoot here in Miami has received less-than-stellar reviews. Luckily,
long-time staff members responsible for the actual preparation and
presentation of the food have moved forward to great local success at
two next-generation restaurants around town. Such is the case at
Pescecane, a cozy dining room in Surfside offering a more intimate
dining experience than the large-scale Il Gabbiano Downtown. Tito, the
owner and ringmaster of this entertaining spot, lavishes diners with
Reggiano and bruschetta to start and then serves up delightful seafoods
and pastas to a growing fan base of happy locals and in-the-know
visitors.
MidTown
Michael's Genuine Food and Drink
130 NE 40th Street / Miami / 305-573-5550
Transforming the Design District from stuffy decorator showrooms to a
dynamic nighttime destination in a single year, Michael Schwartz
deserves the key to the city. If opening a successful restaurant with
trendy small, medium and large-sized plates designed for pairing and
sharing weren't enough, the innovative chef managed to capture the
imagination of New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni and every
vacationing celebrity and super star chef passing through town as well.
If you can get a reservation, run, don't walk to MGFD. Create your own
menu of beautifully prepared, locally sourced entrees and dazzling small
plates at this hip new MidTown bistro.
Michy's
6927 Biscayne Boulevard / Miami / 305-759-2001
James Beard Award Winning Chef Michelle Bernstein owns and operates this
successful Biscayne Corridor restaurant with her husband David managing
the dining room. Together they create a quirky but casually mod
gathering place for mid-Miami hipsters and knowing foodies in an area
that used to be our seedy red-light district. While parts of the
neighborhood still feel sketchy, the restaurant is always crowded with
fans of Bernstein's small plate presentations including crisp baby
quail, grilled sweetbreads, truffled parmesan polenta and a fabulous
strawberry shortcake or baked alaska for dessert. Portions are served in
half of full orders to mix and match and sharing is definitely
encouraged.
Pacific Time
35 NE 40th Street / MidTown Miami / 305-722-7369
Jonathan Eismann's sudden departure from the Lincoln Road dining scene
left regulars and long-time staff members wondering what went wrong.
Flash forward a year and we learn the simple truth - Everything. After
14 years of toil on the Beach, Eismann ran out of steam and out of
resources to offset skyrocketing rents on Lincoln Mall. Inspired by the
success of Michael's Genuine in the Design District, Pacific Time
reopened across the street with a similar organic menu, filtered water,
trendy small plates, Florida microbrews and lower-cost wines. The chef's
Asian-inspired flair still sparks some entrees and the menu (featuring a
few of the former PT favorites) continues to evolve.
Downtown
Azul at the Mandarin Oriental
500 Brickell Key Drive / Brickell Key
/ 305-913-8288
The star of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel remains as bright as ever with
Todd English-trained Chef Clay Conley bringing his Mediterranean flavors
and Asian influences to the table. From tender seared Colorado lamb to
"A Study in Tuna," pairing raw tuna, avocado tempura, fresh crabmeat and
caviar, the menu highlights the best of locally sourced and
internationally procured delicacies. Hotel dining gains new credibility
at this luxurious outpost on Brickell Key.
Il Gabbiano
335 S. Biscayne Boulevard / Miami / 305-373-0063
Downtown Miami takes back the night at this pricey temple of classic
Italian cuisine served overlooking the Bay by an old school, highly
attentive wait staff. Offering gratis chunks of fragrant Reggiano
Parmesano and just-made Fritti to temp your palate and ruin your diet,
hosts Gino and Fernando Masci bring more than 25 years of service at New
York's Il Mulino to this brand new high-rise culinary destination. By
the time you've sipped the last of your limoncello digestivo, you'll be
fortified enough to face the dinner check.
Manny's Steak House Miami
300 South Biscayne Boulevard / Miami / 305-938-9000
Newest member of the Old Boys Network, Manny's Steakhouse Miami is an
offshoot of the popular Minneapolis Prime Beef purveyor. With an
emphasis on fine wine and strong drinks served by traditional white-aproned
waiters, this brand new heavyweight promises martinis as dry as the
dry-aged beef and a 25-ounce Wild Turkey Bourbon bread pudding that
requires proof you're over 21.
Coral Gables
Orantique on the Mile
278 Miracle Mile / Coral Gables / 305-446-7710
Cindy Hutson's "Cuisine of the Sun" is as bright and warm as a mythical
Caribbean marketplace. Serving Bahamian black grouper in an orange
liqueur or jerk-seasoned pork in a rum-guava glaze, the kitchen meets
it's match in the deliciously colorful dining room and terraced outdoor
garden. Take your taste buds on an island holiday without leaving the
cozy confines of Coral Gables.
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