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AVENTURA. This local hotspot has a reputation for serving some of South Florida's finest meals, thanks to Chef Allen Susser's creativity. The seasonal menu borrows from the classic American repertoire and adds exotic Caribbean flair. Seafood is a specialty, as seen in pan-roasted diver scallops with couscous and saffron tomato broth, pistachio-crusted black grouper, and Meyer lemon-roasted Florida shrimp. Colorful decor and solicitous service also contribute to an out-of-this-world dining experience.
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2. Azul
500 Brickell Key Dr, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, FL 33131 · 305-913-8288
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DOWNTOWN. Elegant Azul combines the best in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines to stunning effect. The restaurant's signature brand of fusion cooking features sumptuous dishes like grilled Colorado lamb, miso-marinated hamachi, and beef sirloin with roasted jalapeno potatoes. Plus, the incredible wine list boasts vintages from established and fledgling wineries, providing a range of apt accompaniments. In the serene, sophisticated dining room, an exhibition kitchen and panoramic bay views add distinction.
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3. Cacao
141 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 · 305-445-1001
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CORAL GABLES. Edgar Leal and Mariana Montero are the husband-and-wife culinary force behind this well-regarded restaurant. In fact, their skill with Pan-Latin cuisine often leaves patrons begging for more. Ease into the richness with Venezuelan fish soup or, perhaps, grouper ceviche with blue corn chips and salsa fria. Then, sample aji amarillo-glazed cod or chicken breast "Chalupa" style. Finally, indulge in the creative desserts that are Montero's realm – Grand Samán chocolate mousse or caramelized pineapple and mango frangipan tart. A decadent treat.
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DOWNTOWN. For an impressive meal of fine aged beef or fresh seafood, The Capital Grille is an unqualified best bet. The dining room, decked out in leather and dark wood, is ideal for power meetings, and a glass-enclosed smoking room ably accommodates cigar aficionados. Customary American favorites are exquisitely prepared, from lobster and crab cakes to pan-fried calamari, from double-cut lamb chops to 24-ounce grilled porterhouses. An extensive selection of more than 400 wines is routinely recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence.
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SOUTH BEACH. Frequented by an upscale, highly visible clientele, Prime 112 is a steakhouse without compare. Its decor honors the restaurant's historic structure while invigorating it with modern detailing. The menu continues this theme of reconsidered classics. Dry-aged Prime beef arrives sizzling, cooked to your specifications, and topped with a choice of butters or sauces. "Accessories" are sublime: truffled mac and cheese, sautéed forest mushrooms, or even rum-baked sweet plantains. Desserts, too, get stylish attention – apple pie is topped with candied walnut streusel, while chocolate pudding cake flaunts Amarene cherries and a dollop of sweet cream.
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6. Shibui
7101 SW 102 Ave, Miami, FL 33173 · 305-274-5578
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SUNSET. Bucking expectation, suburban Kendall is home to some of Miami's best sushi. Over the years, Shibui has earned a faithful following with its carefully prepared Japanese fare, which includes teriyaki chicken, tempura vegetables and impeccable sushi. The extensive menu marries these classics with specialties like the Caliente roll, made with tempura mahi mahi and dressed with a zingy sauce. Head to the second floor for traditional Japanese seating on cozy floor pillows.
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SOUTH BEACH. The key to dining at Nobu the first couple of times is to ask lots of questions. Servers are happy to guide you through the menu and help you navigate the sushi experience. Tempura, teriyaki and salads frequently entice diners, or you can give yourself over to the chef's acumen with the omakase, a meal of eight carefully composed dishes that allows you to sample a variety of flavors and textures. Worth noting: The sleek, contemporary outpost is also a celebrity haunt.
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CORAL GABLES. An ortanique is the luscious hybrid of an orange and a tangerine, and just as the name suggests, this restaurant vividly combines ingredients in innovative ways. Tropical colors dominate the garden-like dining room, and memorable menu options include a signature pumpkin bisque, spicy calamari salad and boldly spiced jerk pork loin. If ever there was a time to save room for dessert, this is it – the drunken banana fritters are pure bliss, as is crème brûlée studded with coconut, vanilla bean flecks and ortanique zest. Reservations are required.
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CORAL GABLES. Romeo Majano's forte is homestyle Northern Italian cuisine, and it's a solemn truth that he never fails to impress. After being seated in the cozy dining room, patrons are greeted in Old Country style by Chef Majano. He converses with them, gets to know their tastes and needs, and then creatively fashions a three-course lunch or six-course dinner tailored to each diner's tastes. The result is terrific, personalized food and a relationship with the chef that regulars find endearing. Prix fixe menu is $30 for lunch and $75 for dinner.
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CORAL GABLES. Nouvelle French cuisine served in a cozy, unpretentious setting – this is the forte of chef-owner Pascal Oudin's friendly little eatery, where Coral Gable sophisticates scramble to secure one of the handful of tables or, if nothing else, a stool at the small bar area. While decor may not dazzle, the menu sure will, especially when one factors in such delightful dishes as lobster bisque, crispy sea bass in a red wine reduction, veal rib-eye with endive, and steamed salmon with shrimp and scallops. Of course, desserts at such a place are always in order, and Pascal's clafoutis with fresh, dark cherries is nothing short of divine. Reservations are suggested, especially on the weekends.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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