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LITTLE HAVANA. This super-casual Nicaraguan eatery is popular with families and others who care more about the taste of the food than the ambience. That said, the kitchen never fails to deliver rich, flavorful fare, including succulent steaks and seafood, seasoned with heavy spices. Try the deep-fried pescado a la Tipitapa (whole red snapper), and save room for the amazing tres leches cake for dessert.
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2. La Cofradia
160 Andalusia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 · 305-914-1300
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CORAL GABLES. Dramatic decor accents this Peruvian dining room, and the cuisine is every bit as inspiring. Their appetizers are especiallly inventive, making the first course a must. Choices include the causa roll -- crab, shrimp and avocado in yellow chili with cold mashed potatoes -- and baby octopus in Tuscan ragout. Mains, like grilled lamb chops with porcini mushroom risotto in cabernet-port wine sauce, are also fantastic. The wine list numbers over 190 varieties, with over 30 available by the glass.
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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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Contemporary paintings line the bright yellow walls of this bistro-like dining room. The kitchen focuses on authentic Argentine dishes, several of which feature the namesake ingredient – chocolate. Among the main courses are chocolate panzotis (pasta) stuffed with chicken and raisins in herb sauce, and filet mignon dressed in smoked bacon with artichokes, pink peppercorn and cognac sauce. The wine list features an interesting variety of international labels.
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SOUTH BEACH. Luxurious Mark's greets guests with rich mahogany furnishings, linen wallpaper and finely upholstered seating. Then they're treated to chef Mark Militello's New World fusion cuisine, which capitalizes on South Florida's excellent seafood and tosses in a dash of Caribbean spice. His creations range from Chilean sea bass with fresh white sardines to yellowtail snapper with couscous and shellfish. Perfect for an intimate rendezvous or a business dinner. Great bar, too.
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6. Francesco
325 Alcazar Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134 · 305-446-1600
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CORAL GABLES. Lima's award-winning restaurant now has an outpost in Miami, and it's every bit as good. Expect some wizardry from the kitchen because the chef-owner is Peruvian-Italian, and his native, seafood-based cuisine borrows heavily from Peru's Japanese population. Showcased are dishes like octopus stew with white-bean risotto, and red snapper with sea scallops and oyster sauce. Also tempting are tiraditos (a Peruvian version of sashimi), a selection of traditional ceviches, fresh seafood pastas and an unbeatable parihuela – a classic Peruvian bouillabaisse.
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SOUTH BEACH. Cool, color-drenched SushiSamba dromo has shed its NYC roots and made the transition to sunny South Beach quite well. A hit with the stylish set, the undeniably chic eatery gets a rhythmic kick with high-energy Brazilian tunes. The food is a seductive mix of Peruvian, Japanese and Brazilian dishes: sushi, churrasco, seviches, tiraditos and anticuchos. A successful fusion is evident in creations like the Green Envy Roll, which joins a wasabi pea crust with tuna, salmon, asparagus and aji amarillo-key lime mayo. Wash it all down with a well-made caipirinha. Or perhaps some sake.
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WESTCHESTER. A hard-to-find location and unassuming exterior shouldn't dissuade you from searching out this romantic Argentinean grill. An Italian influence colors appetizers and second-course pastas, but you'll also find South American surprises like grilled sweetbreads. However, bear in mind that you'll need to save room for what follows! Grilled beef, chicken, pork, goat and lamb – marinated, dry-rubbed or simply roasted over the coals – delight carnivores, especially when given a flavor-punch of chimichurri.
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WEST MIAMI. A perennial family favorite, Las Culebrinas offers lively atmosphere and hearty helpings of Cuban comfort food. The choices are so vast that groups often make a meal sharing several appetizers rather than ordering larger individual portions. Main-dish servings are huge, and standouts include sautéed shredded beef and onions, fried pork in avocado sauce, and rabbit in garlic sauce with deep-fried green plantains. Desserts are fabulous as well – flan lovers should save room!
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LITTLE HAVANA. The name and decor may be French, but Versailles's cooking is Cuban all the way. Patrons swoon over deliciously authentic food and the dining room's opulence, complete with candelabras, gilt-framed mirrors and tuxedo-clad waiters. Still, everything's not as upscale as it sounds – the vibe is relaxed and dishes are happily affordable. Ropa vieja, made with zesty shredded beef, is a fine introduction to the bold cuisine, and arroz con pollo may forever change your opinion of chicken and rice.
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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