Only an appetizer of great restaurants in Miami check them out and discover your own as well and create your own top ten! by Daniel Rosenstein & Jay Michaels
Given the assignment to select just 10 of my favorite eateries in Miami-Dade is probably the single most difficult task that I have ever been handed. For, you see, to narrow down less than a dozen from a, pardon the cliché, "veritable cornucopia of epicurean delights," it borders on IMPOSSIBLE! However, being a professional I will try my best, let's eat!
ANACAPRI ITALIAN RESTAURANT 12669 South Dixie Highway Pinecrest, Florida 33156 305-232-8001
Lunch:Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday, 11:30-2:30pm, Closed on Tuesdays, Saturday and Sunday
Dinner:Monday-Thursday- 5:00-10:30,Friday –Saturday- 5:00-11:30,Sunday-5:00-9:00,Closed on Tuesday
One of the best Italian restaurants in Miami. Anacapri has excellent food and great service. If you are looking for a restaurant that is consistently good, I highly recommend Anacapri. Though, it may be crowded on the weekends, during the week the place is a lot quieter. Either way, you’re sure to get a great meal. They have the best homemade Italian food. Really the best tortellini and eggplant parmiggiana that I have tried in all of the Italian restaurants in Miami. In addition, they have a fantastic and extended wine list at reasonable prices. They do have a great market where you can take everything home from. When I walk in here, I feel like I am in little Italy.
Average cost $20-25 per person
AZUL 500 Brickell Key Dr Miami, FL 33131 (305) 913-8254
Hours: Mon-Fri Noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat 6pm-11pm One of my favorite chefs is Chef Clay Conley. He definitely knows how to cook up a feast with a blend of Mediterranean flavors with Asian influences. I love their scallops. There is a huge white marble open kitchen and raw bar vie for your attention with the floor to ceiling windows that showcase the picturesque bay views. Their wine list features more than 700 world-class wines. The award-winning wine list encompasses a mix of current releases, to classic vintages from the finest producers, with the latest boutique wineries worldwide.
The experience of this restaurant is definitely unforgettable. The atmosphere and service will get your spirits in an exciting mood. Though I do highly advise to check on dress requirements unless you know you are dressed appropriately.
Ave cost $20-30 per person
THE CAPITAL GRILLE 444 Brickell Ave Miami, FL 33131 (305) 374-4500 Lunch Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Dinner Monday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Friday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.,Saturday 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.,Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The Capital Grill is known for their steak. If you can feel your mouth watering for a really good place, heard over here to satisfy your cravings. So if you’re a steak person or just love amazing food you definitely have to check out the Capital Grill. There is also a nice wine selection and all their meat dishes are out of this world. Some people say it has sports bar atmosphere where some people say it’s the noise of the crowd of so many people wanting to eat at this restaurant. The elegant ambiance is one of the things that draws in the people. When you do go, try one of their cosmopolitans and enjoy an amazing drink. $30-$35 cost per person
CHEF ALLEN'S 19088 NE 29th Avenue, Aventura, FL 33180 (305) 935-2900 First on our list let's stop in North Miami, Aventura to be exact, to a place that I absolutely love, Chef Allen's. The name of this establishment is for its owner, Chef Allen Susser, who is originally a New Yorker, he's been feeding hungry South Floridians for nearly two decades. One of my suggestions here is an incredible, gazpacho. This is not just a run of the mill-chilled soup, it is made with jumbo lump crab and seasoned like no other I have ever tasted. Try a Chilean merlot from the wine list, again a personal favorite.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $55 - $65
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Open, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
OSTERIA DEL TEATRO 1443 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 538-7850 Being of Italian descent, I love Italian, now repeat after me, Osteria Del Teatro, is very good! Here you will find a little bit of Northern Italy on Miami Beach. It's a favorite of entertainers who may be appearing in the area as well. As a matter of fact my last trip to this "haven for garlic worshippers," was with Joey Dee (as in Joey Dee and the Starlighters). These two Italians enjoyed homemade ravioli that were unlike anything I've ever tasted! The best bet is to check out the blackboard as the chef's recommendations are out of this world. This isn't a spaghetti and meatball house this is true, Northern Italian cuisine.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Closed
CAFÉ TU TU TANGO 3015 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 (305) 529-2222 Of course no dining experience in Miami would be complete without a little Latin flavor, for that I suggest Café Tu Tu Tango. Now although the menu is not necessarily Spanish the décor is. Imagine an artist's loft in the Grove turned into a chic eating and gathering place. This place is just "cool!" I always enjoy the terrace with several friends. Although you can get great meals here, my favorite is to order various appetizers and finger foods to share with the group. My pick here are the spring rolls and as an aside the barkeeps here make a pretty good Martini.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $20 - $30
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
SHULA'S STEAK HOUSE 7601 NW Miami Lakes Drive, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 (305) 820-8102 5225 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140 (305) 341-6565 In this day of health conscious menus, more fish, more chicken, you know the routine, I still get a craving for a great steak. My pick for a great Miami steak is summed up in one word, Shula's! Here, at an eatery named for its proprietor, former Miami Dolphin's coach, Don Shula, you have New York steakhouse chic with a touch of South Florida casual thrown in for good measure. There is no escaping some football memorabilia while you are dining but this isn't your corner "sports bar" by any means it's comfortable class all the way! The steaks and prime rib are on the top of my list, however, the non-red meat lover have lots to choose from as well!
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
JOE'S STONE CRAB 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (305) 673-0365 As synonymous with Miami as Jackie Gleason and the soothing sounds of the surf. Joe's Stone Crab is the only place to eat stone crabs! Sure other restaurants offer these delicacies of the deep (in season of course October to June) but no place does it like Joe's. If you are a person who doesn't enjoy waiting, then Joe's isn't for you. Most of us who have frequented Joe's, know it is definitely worth the wait. From the time you dip your first crab claw into that incredible mustard sauce to wiping your satisfied smile after a hunk of that key lime pie you'll know there is only one place to truly enjoy stone crabs!
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
HOUSTON'S RESTAURANT 17355 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami Beach, FL 33160 (305) 947-2000 Although my choice for favorites usually doesn't include "chain restaurants," I'd like to suggest a place that feels like a one of a kind restaurant - Houston's. Casual, comfortable and homey is how I would best describe this place. There's lots of big booths, which I enjoy, and the menu offers something for everyone. My personal favorite is their chicken Caesar salad, now I know that might sound uneventful, but it is just so good. Of course they offer delicious beef, seafood, and a variety of salads. I'm sure everyone will find something to their liking here. Service is great and the food quality is always consistently great.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
BIG FISH 55 SW Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33128 (305) 373-1770 When you want seafood, your South Florida choices are endless from elegant to dockside there is something for everyone. If ambiance is not at the top of your list, although many find its setting along the Miami River to be romantic in its own way, then sink your hooks into, Big Fish. Aptly named, you won't find names you can't pronounce on the menu here all you will find is good seafood and lots of it. The portions are generous. A personal favorite of mine is the grilled swordfish or try one of their fresh catches prepared with a spicy Cajun flair. After dinner enjoy an aperitif while watching that Miami Moonlight dancing down the river.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
Well, this list is only an appetizer of great restaurants in Miami. Check them out, discover your own, and create your own top ten!
Until next time, Salute!
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Great Restaurants - Miami, FL