Need a rec for an adult dinner next Friday in Miami

[YosemiteSam]

We have a babysitter for next Friday and we're looking for a good adult meal where we can enjoy our respite from our beautiful but quite-a-handful 19-month old.

Want to try a new restaurant in Miami, and we'll be going with another couple so no need for romantic, but we'd like upscale.

Here's what I've been intrigued by recently - most are new, one I've only done lunch, and another we simply haven't made the time to visit yet:

1) Prime Blue Grill
2) La Marea
3) Sardinia
4) Michael's Genuine
5) Oceanaire

If you rarely had a chance to get out for an adult meal, which one would you go to?

[jkatz23]

I second Frodnesor. Like you, I have a 14 month old, so there are no many "adult dinners", and when we have one, I basically look for a place that I cannot bring my baby with me.

I recently went to an adult dinner with my husband to Michael's Genuine and we liked it a lot. Another plus is that it is a great place to go with friends if they are the type who likes to order several things and share.

I have been to Sardinia twice and once was a Sunday night and we took our baby with us (she had the meatball's appetizer and loved it - and she is not a very good eater...). The food is very good at Sardinia but like Frodnesor said is more "rustic", so you can maybe go with your baby (they had high chairs, friendly waiters that did not mind at all the mess my baby made, big space between tables..., and there were also other tables with small kids). I don't see myself taking my baby to Michael's, is not that type of place.

I have not been to either La Marea or Oceanaire, so cannot give my opinion on those two. However, the Miami Herald wrote a very good review recently about La Marea.

Enjoy your night!

[netmover]

Go to OLA.

[Frodnesor]

I have not tried Prime Blue or Marea. My favorite of the rest of that bunch would be Michael's. Sardinia I've done a couple times and enjoyed quite a bit, but it's a little more "rustic" than the others if you're looking for upscale. Oceanaire does have some nice fish and has a nice, clubby, steakhouse type feel, but is somewhat overpriced for what it is.

Michael's is not a super-fancy place by any means, but it's classy and I think the food is top-notch. Though I should caution that the indoor space is pretty small and can get a little tight and noisy, so if it's peace and quiet you're looking for (and with a 19-month old at home, who can blame you?), it may not be the ideal place.

[advisor_Girl]

Yosemite>

If you choose to visit South Beach, La Marea is brand brand new. We tried it once and were happy campers. The chef is another visiting LA "celeb" - Chef Rota - who made his name cooking pasta for the "Friends" (who honestly never appeared to eat anything remotely carb-filled).

The Tides Hotel was purchased by the Kors Group who are pumping massive cash into the rehab. La Marea is doing an extended "soft opening" at present. Kors hired that whack Kelly Wearstler (Bravo TV top designer gal www.bravotv.com/Top_Design/bio/Kelly_...) to do a seascape themed lobby lounge area. House specialties are the pastas and seafood. Do a few apps first and see what you like. Or have a drink there on the patio and check it out and then dine at Sardinia. The only drawback to your adult night might be that Ocean Drive can be a bit overwhelming and touristy for a local looking for something more - serene. Also - let's face it - it's hot. But the place is really coming along beautifully. So I might say Sardinia will be a better fit. Cool crowd - mostly locals. West side dining. Upscale Italian. Much easier to park. Which counts for A LOT!

Enjoy!

AG