Miami Sizzles With Hot Spots – Restaurants

By: Inna Shamis

 

Miami Beach is an oasis of great food, unique bars, world-renowned clubs and just about anything else you can think of. Just when you thought you had experienced it all, new and exciting places come to light and journeyPod is there to guide all you foodies to the best of the best! With so much to choose from, you might wonder where to start. Right? Don’t fret, just check out journeyPod’s list of top spots:

Restaurants

Joley Restaurant – Nestled in the heart of SoBe at The Astor Hotel (956 Washington Ave.), Joley Restaurant is a gem! Set in a romantic outdoor courtyard, you’d never know it was there. Chef/Owner John Suley successfully takes taste buds to a whole new level with his incredible French Fusion menu of mouthwatering dishes – each of which boasts an interesting twist, offering flavors one can only dream of. Our favorite (by far!) is the Seared Tuna – Aupoivre Salsify with beef oxtail jus – guaranteed to be the best tuna to ever cross your palate. The wine list is extensive, the atmosphere serene and the service is wonderful. A great place to escape the hustle and bustle of South Beach for an exquisite meal you’ll always remember!

Kobe Club – Looking for a posh steak eatery in SoBe? This is the spot! From the moment you enter this intimate parlor (404 Washington Ave.), you’ll notice the dark and sexy vibe, the secluded booths behind the strappy leather curtains and the 2,000 Japanese Samurai swords dangling above the swanky black banquettes. For the true carnivorous-types, check out the kobe club beef tartare, which is prepared tableside (with a combo of American, Australian & Japanese wagyu (Kobe). Follow that with one of the “Flight” options, all of which offer a delectable sampling of the different wagyu’s (Australian was our fav!), the Hash Browns (with lobster) and the signature Parmesan-truffled french fries. Just make sure to save room for the Beehive Baked Alaska for dessert!

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill – (305) 532-LIME – Looking for the best Mexican food in town? Lime is definitely the place to go. Located in the heart of South Beach on Alton & 14^th, Lime offers a wide selection of freshly made Mexican delights, from tacos, salads, quesadillas, fajitas, burritos and the best guacamole you’ve ever tasted. All the food is freshly prepared, authentic and made to order, with a sauce to compliment each dish. Ranging from mild to ‘more than spicy’, take your pick. Thirsty? Definitely try the frozen sangria, guaranteed to quench any thirst and keep you cool in that hot Miami weather. To enhance your ‘Lime’ experience, the restaurant has a casual, trendy atmosphere with an outdoor courtyard, counter service, friendly staff and a menu to satisfy any craving. You’ll find low carb, low fat, and even vegetarian dishes on the menu, so you can indulge in a ‘no guilt’ meal whenever you want. Always busy, a favorite for lunch and dinner, Lime is where it is at! 

 

La Marea – One of Miami’s best new restaurants, La Marea is located in SoBe at The Tides Hotel. Aside from its fabulous location and sexy ambiance on the Ocean Drive strip (#1220), the restaurant is home to Executive Chef Pietro Rota (formerly of Il Sole) who brings an innovative Mediterranean menu that features sustainable seafood and organic options. Our favorites included the Black Truffle Open Ravioli with potato cream, taleggio cheese and soft poached organic egg (impeccable!) and the Pan Seared Dover Sole. For all you Martini-lovers, go for the Pomito (served up with a peppermint popsicle).

Grass Restaurant & Lounge – Located in Miami’s trendy Design District (28 NE 40^th St.), Grass is more than just a restaurant & lounge, it’s a unique dining experience! Sophisticated and chic, with a hint of the outdoors, the restaurant is sheltered by a huge thatch canopy under which you get to first satisfy your palate, then dance the night away. The menu is an unusual combination of American-Asian cuisine made with the freshest ingredients. A must try: Warm Goat Cheese Crumbles (salad) and the Marsala-Soy Marinade Skirt Steak. After dinner, the (“at first”) laidback restaurant evolves into one of Miami’s hottest nightspots!

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink – A visit to Miami’s Design District (130 N.E. 40th Street) is not complete without experiencing the culinary talents of master chef Michael Schwartz. As the name suggests, Michael’s Genuine uses only fresh organic ingredients and has earned the title of the Miami’s best farm-to-table restaurant. Not only is the food fresh and delicious, but due to Michael’s unique recipes, you’ll get to experience a master chef transforming regular ingredients into amazing dishes. The open and down-to-earth atmosphere is welcoming and offers a full view of a huge brick oven in the corner of the restaurant. Here, the secret is in the way the food is cooked and so the wood oven sure adds a flavorful element to each bite. Go for the signature dish: ‘Wood Roasted Sweet Onion’ (stuffed with ground lamb and apricots) – definitely worth a try. Check out the snack section of the menu –a pre-appetizer-like option.

Andú – Located in the Neo Vertika building on the Miami River (at 141 Southwest 7th Street), Andu is the area’s newest hot spot – featuring Chef Nathan Martin (of Nikki Beach and 8 ½) and a Mediterranean cuisine menu infused with international influences that will drive anyone to salivation! The space is open, modern and comfortable – but the VIP Oval section is what’s really eye-catching, encased in gorgeous floor-to-ceiling strands of hand-blown glass bubbles. After an abundance of tastings, our favorites included the: (not-to-be-missed) Moroccan Spiced Calamari, Goat Cheese Crusted Lamb Loin, “The Best Fries In the Universe” with key lime chipotle aioli, and the Slow Baked Mac & Cheese with manchego crust. For dessert, the scrumptious Florida Orange Glazed Doughnuts with white hot chocolate and finger-licking-good Liquid Chocolate Cake with pistachio gelato, strawberry coulis hit the spoLookin

Quattro Gastronomia Italia: Located on South Beach’s trendy Lincoln Road, Quattro Gastronomia is about as close to traditional northern Italian cuisine as you’ll get 5000 miles away from homeland.  Identical twin chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro have successfully brought the best of Italy to the palates of Miami’s sophisticated clientele.  Using only the finest and freshest ingredients imported directly from Italy, the menu is an array of traditional delights guranteed to stimulate anyone’s taste buds – starting with the basics (even the private label oil is like nothing you have ever tasted!).  Monthly tastin gmenus highlight various regions of Italy and allow customers the opportunity to taste new featured dishes at each visit.  To compliment the exquisite cuisine, Quattro Gastonomia offers an extensive wine selection which is on display in two extroardinary refrigerated wine towers located behind a pristine Calacatta marble bar – certainly the focal point of the restaurant.  The decor alone creates an unforgettable atmosphere, and the incredible food certainly adds to the experience!  The restaurant is located at 1014 Lincoln Road.t.  

 

 

Alta Cocina – An interesting blend of Caribbean and Latin American fusion, chef spouses Juan Mario Maza and Vani Maharaj combined forces to open Alta Cocina in South Miami. Their diverse backgrounds and passion for food have come together to create an innovative and delicious menu. Growing up in Guatemala, Juan introduces the rich flavors of South America, while Vani brings her Trinidadian influences to the table. Both use an interesting combination of the best organic produce, fresh seafood and fresh ingredients in all their dishes, creating some very delicious fare. Go for the West Indian-style curried chicken and the Gorgonzola-glazed gnocchi with oxtail meat… just to name a few. Alta Cocina also offers an extensive wine list and for those of you interested in paring wines with the various dishes, the wait staff will be more than happy to advise you accordingly. The restaurant itself offers a unique atmosphere, bringing a personal touch to the neighborhood.  Alta Cocina is located at 5837 Sunset Dr. in South Miami.

Check out our recent Chef’s Corner with Nate Martin!

In the mood for some old-school Italian? Check out Hosteria Romana in South Beach.

For more on Miami’s top restaurants, check out our Miami Destination Guide!

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