RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Miami is particularly well known for its Cuban restaurants and the city's cuisine is predominantly floribean (a combination of Latin, American and Caribbean). Eateries include everything from steakhouses and cafés to Italian, Oriental and Middle Eastern restaurants.

Emeril's is a sophisticated venue specialising in fine Creole food; its elegant décor and luxurious design is also remarkable. Palme d'Or was voted the best restaurant in South Florida and offers glamorous dining at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel. Shoji Sushi is distinguished by its fusion of Japanese and North American cooking, and its authentic Japanese sushi box technique. Miami's premier seafood restaurant, Joe's Stone Crabs, has flourished since its 1913 beginnings as a sidewalk vendor and is celebrated for its stone crab claws.

Señor Frogs has an appealingly trendy atmosphere and affordable menu; the place to go for cheesy food, potent margaritas and a great mariachi band. A popular spot with the locals, Versailles is where Miami's Cuban power brokers meet over café con leche; the diverse menu offers humble, authentic and extremely tasty Cuban dishes. So, with an appetite and wallet to match, take on Miami's impressive and varied gastronomy!

Azul	$$$$$ | Fusion

On entering Azul, guests will be impressed by the sophisticated atmosphere created by copper-burnished walls, silk-covered chairs and a white marble open kitchen - floor to ceiling bay views won't go unnoticed either! The menu offers a unique fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, with still more international influences. The raw tuna with caviare, crab, avocado and Asian sauces is excellent, as is the Moroccan lamb. Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, reservations recommended.

Address: 500 Brickell Key Dr, Mandarin Oriental Hotel; Telephone: (305) 913 8358

Emeril's Miami Beach

$$$$$ | Creole

A sophisticated restaurant specialising in Creole cuisine, Emeril's Miami Beach has elegant décor bathed in natural lighting, complimenting the soft beiges and whites used throughout. Red velvet seating, a glass framed bar and wraparound velvet booths complete the picture. Emeril's menu offers delights such as sugar cane skewered jumbo scallops, or pork chops with caramelized sweet potato. The signature Emeril's Banana Cream Pie is a must for dessert. Open for dinner each night, lunch Monday to Saturday and brunch on Sunday. Reservations recommended.

Address: 1601 Collins Avenue; Telephone: (305) 695 4550

Palme d'Or

$$$$$ | French

Voted as the best restaurant in south Florida, Palme d'Or offers glamorous dining at the prestigious Biltmore Hotel. Specialising in Nouvelle French cuisine, the menu offers tasting portions; patrons can sample the array of flavours, textures and taste sensations which Palme d'Or is renowned for. Try the slow-braised beef effilochée with polenta and parmesan, or the wild mushroom cassolette. This excellent dining experience is complimented by attentive service and live music. Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Address: 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; Telephone: (305) 913 3201

Shoji Sushi

$$$$$ | Japanese

Shoji Sushi has perfected a fusion of Japanese and North American-style décor, cuisine and overall presentation. It's known for its authentic Japanese sushi box technique and features rolls such as the spicy lobster roll, a combination of mango, avocado, scallion, shiso, salmon egg and lobster. Guests can sit at the sushi bar and watch the chefs hard at work while sipping sake or a Gingertini - Shoji Sushi definitely puts a new spin on the art of sushi. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, and dinner only on weekends. Reservations recommended.

Address: 100 Collins Ave, South Beach; Telephone: (305) 532 4245

Santo Miami Beach

$$$$$ | International

Santos offers indoor and patio dining, plus a swanky lounge area and live performance lounge. The flat rock walls and modern seating in the trendy bar area set the urban mood and the dining room has maintained a formal air with simple lines and soft lighting. The menu offers Argentinian cuisine, including mojito chicken, with gazpacho and a bacon and corn salsa, and habanero crab cakes. Pair this with a Californian wine, or a variation from South America or Europe. Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday.

Address: 430 Lincoln Road; Telephone: (305) 532 2882

Joe's Stone Crab

$$$$$ | Seafood

A Miami institution, Joe's Stone Crabs has burgeoned since its humble beginnings as a sidewalk vendor in 1913. Renowned for its stone crab claws, a plethora of scrumptious side orders include Joe's famous hash browns and cole slaw, creamed spinach, grilled tomatoes and fresh salads. Don't forget to try Joe's famous mustard sauce and the appetizing seafood bisque (there is also a selection of other seafood, steaks, ribs and chicken to choose from). Note: Joe's is only open during Stone Crab season, from October to May. Open for lunch from Tuesday to Saturday, and dinner all week.

Address: 11 Washington Avenue; Telephone: (305) 673 0365

News Caf�

$$$$$ | Caf�

The South Beach breakfast establishment, News Café, offers a superb oceanfront setting, outside seating and an international newsstand - ideal for that first coffee of the morning. With a plethora of breakfast options, patrons can tuck into Eggs Florentine, buttermilk pancakes, or try the Middle Eastern combo (a hummus, tabouli salad and grape leaf platter). Their burger and fries or smoked salmon bagel are also great. The ultimate lure of News Café is that they're open 24 hours a day, and breakfast can be ordered around the clock.

Address: 800 Ocean Drive; Telephone: (305) 538 6397

Se�or Frog's

$$$$$ | Mexican

Señor Frog's appeals to college students and young people because of its trendy atmosphere and affordable menu. It's known for a rip-roaring good time, potent margaritas and a mariachi band. The food at this cantina is cheesy and tasty, if not exactly authentic. A specialty, the mole enchilada with 14 different kinds of mild chillies mixed with chocolate, is flavourful and unique - a definite must! Portions are huge and served with rice and beans. Open daily for lunch and dinner, reservations not accepted.

Address: 3480 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove; Telephone: (305) 448 0999

Timo	$$$$$ | Mediterranean

Timo is a hip and happening restaurant in Sunny Isles, owned by executive chef Tim Andriola. The restaurant is a trendy Italian Mediterranean establishment popular with North Miami Beach locals. Specialties worth trying are the wood-fired rock shrimp pizza, or the herb-roasted chicken. Timo's atmosphere is laid-back and casual, making it the ideal place to enjoy any kind of occasion, from a business lunch to a romantic candle-lit dinner. Open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner all week. Reservations required.

Address: 17624 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles; Telephone: (305) 936 1008

Red Fish Grill

$$$$$ | Seafood

Located at the edge of the saltwater lagoon lies the Red Fish Grill, surrounded by the magnificent setting of the tropical Matheson Hammock Park. The ambience of the restaurant, reminiscent of Old Miami, makes it an ideal place for a romantic dinner. Red Fish Grill offers delicious seafood dishes that won't disappoint - try the Chilean sea bass, or the mahi-mahi with spinach, sweet potato and blue cheese. Open daily for dinner.

Address: 9610 Old Cutler Rd; Telephone: (305) 668 8788