from Vero to the Keys

[petradish]

First visit to Florida from Los Angeles, looking for quintessential food experiences in the following areas. I've read through many of your posts and narrowed it down to these:

Miami:
Joe's Stone Crab
Versailles
Tropical Cafe Restaurant
Sedano's Cafeteria
Jerk Machine(other suggestions for pimiento grilled jerk?)
Palacia de las frutas

Keys:
Green Turtle Inn
Manny & Isa's
7 Mile Grill
Castaway
Monte's
BO's Fish Wagon
El Siboney
5 Bros. Grocery

Ft. Lauderdale:
Tom Jenkin's BBQ

Ft. Pierce:
Miracle Ribs

Vero Beach:
Ocean Grill
Casey's Place

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks!

[Erin]

If you happen to be in North Miami, you must check out Patacon la gota fria. It's colombian. We didn't stumble upon it until the end of our last trip, but intend to go back soon. We had the casuela de mariscos and yucca con ajo. The yucca was the best I've had it. And the casuela....a bowl of assorted seafood swimming in a really thick and rich pale yellow sauce. I don't have anything to compare it to as far as the flavor, it was really exceptional. Just that dish (which came with rice & bread) along with the side was way too much for us to eat, but we managed.

Link: http://www.patacongotafria.com/findus...

[Joe]

My wife the seafood eater really liked it. I ordered rack of lamb which I thought was supplied by a local 7-11. For more info scroll down to 8/29/02, "a foodlovers fantasy"; Joe's pulls other tricks too.

[Chris VR]

In Key West, don't miss BO's Fish Wagon. Great food, simply prepared, only open for lunch.

I'm surprised Castaway is on your list, if that is the place I am thinking of. There's a place right down by the waterfront (on the same street as the trolley depot) that's decorated in "Gilligan's Island" decor- I think it's the Castaway. Food is nothing special at all, although I will admit to more than one late night there drinking much alcohol and making a fool out of myself at karaoke.

If you want great Cuban food, El Siboney is THE place to go, in my opinion.

[George]

Versailles is always a great scene. Huge portions, fair prices. There are many Cuban restaurants that have good food. I like Latin American Cafeteria which have branches around Miami. They are restaurants not cafeterias. On Miami Beach, Wish, Pacific Time, and Nemo are great upscale options. News Cafe, Ice Box Cafe, and Nexxt Cafe are more moderate in price. Azul, Norman's, La Bussola are excellent spots on Brickell Avenue and Coral Gables. Captain Jim's in North Miami has its own fishing fleet and is a supplier to many local spots. It is very informal but has the freshest seafood. Conch chowder, stone crabs, and grilled whole snapper are not to be missed. Not far from there is Cafe Creole for Haitian seafood. Also informal, wonderful service and good food. In Aventura which is North Miami-Dade, Chef Allen's is outstanding. Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House on Collins Ave. is an institution. The decor is 50's and the food is good. On Hollywood Beach in Broward, Las Brisas is an Argentinian steakhouse directly on the ocean. Wonderful food especially the skirt steak and the country chicken. I also like their gnocchi. Bimimi Boatyard on the 17th St. Causeway in Fort Lauderdale has good food and a great yachting scene. Casa D'Angelo and Primavera are two excellent Italians in Fort Lauderdale. Casa D'Angelo has an award winning wine list. I have lived here for over 30 years and these are a few that I have enjoyed. Hope this helps.

[flavrmeistr]

Miracle Rib on Ave. D in Ft. Pierce is no more, having been replaced by a Haitian beauty parlor. Try Norris's For Ribs on Rt.1 north of town or Dale's Barbeque on Rt.1 further south past Edwards Road.

[Hobo]

Put Normans at the top of your list.

[Tracy]

People always talk about Tropical Chinese in Miami, but in my opinion, the Dim Sum at Kon Chau is tremendously better. It is right down the street, and gets very few points for ambiance, but the food is fantastic.