Current 2008 Miami Beach recs

[mom2mateo]

Going to Miami Beach for two nites (Weds and Thurs) and want to eat two fab meals. I looked at past threads for Prime 112 and found nothing really recent. Also new mention of Joley at the Astor should we try it? How about Oseteria del teatro?

Thanks

[duke04matt]

I'll echo the sentiment for Tuscan Steak, which is still, on most nights, my pick for the best restaurant in the country. The amaretto-infused sweet potato mash and gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce (and steaks, obviously) are well-worth the sometimes obnoxiously loud dining area.

[firelight1016]

For what it's worth, I've never had a poor meal at Tuscan Steak- but everything is served family-style, so it might not be the best choice if you are solo on your trip.

[nutella]

Just have to say a word or two of caution to some of these recs. I ate 2 weeks ago at Nemo and thought it was the worst meal I've had in a long time. I think it's gone downhill. I was also totally unimpressed with Sardinia. Sorry to be negative but I know how dissapointing it can be to have a mediocre meal when you're on vacation and looking to go all out...

I ate recently at Prime 112 and thought the bone-in filet was the best I've ever had. Have yet to try Joley at the Astor or Oseteria del teatro...

[mom2mateo]

Thank you for your posts. We had an excelelnt meal and time at Prime 112. I was sorely disappointed with Oseteria del teatro. The service was pleasant and efficient but I ordered a special pappadella with pocini in a vodka sauce and it was just horrible and they charged me $29.00 for the mess on my plate. I should have sent it back but,,,,,
My husband had another special, whole wheat pasta with tuna chunks, and was not impressed. This one is off my list permanently.

[Frodnesor]

It's been a long time since I've been to Nemo but Michael Schwartz has been gone for a long time and I suspect they're just coasting (very likely in a downhill direction).

More surprised to hear about Sardinia - what did you have?

Isn't a bone-in filet an oxymoron?

[tpigeon]

Yup on the oxymoron and it is not very good either :)

As for sardinia, well, let's just say it is great.

[Frodnesor]

*As for sardinia, well, let's just say it is great.*

Just please don't say it 8 more times! BTW, Mrs. F was there a week or so ago and confirmed no fettucine carbonara on the menu, indeed no cream sauces whatsoever. All in my imagination apparently (but also on the online menu, which is perhaps what triggered it). I've been duly chastised.

[tpigeon]

fettucine carbonara is a lunch only item and it is great btw...Originally, it was riccia carbonara but the riccia took too long to cook so they made it fettucine.

[mom2mateo]

Where did Mrs. F go? Sardinia? Do you recommend Sardinia for lunch?

[Frodnesor]

Just carrying on some commentary from another thread in which I dared suggest that Sardinia might be losing its regional bent, and TP pounded me relentlessly with post after post until I confessed my error (and Mrs. F confirmed that I was mistaken about seeing a decidedly Northern Italian fettucine carbonara on the dinner menu).

I've not done Sardinia for lunch but have been several times for dinner and can't imagine lunch isn't good. Sorry for the double negative - I've had several very good dinners there, and figure lunch is probably pretty good too.

[tpigeon]

Not sure what you are looking for, updated recs on current restaurants or new restaurants?

[mom2mateo]

Either. Just want to go to dinner and have a great meal but would prefer one I have not tried yet. We have been to Mark;s Place, the Setai, Joes (of course),
Spris, Talulah, China Grill, Table 8, Evolution (I know its gone) and that's all I can remember just this minute.

[tpigeon]

Osteria del Teatro is the best italian on the beach - the specials are better than the regular dishes- particularly the lobster pasta.

Prime 112 has ok steak and great other food. One of my favorite restaurants on the beach.

Other favorites in no particular order:
Maison d'Azur
Nemo
Tuscan Steak
Sardina
Macalusos
Grazie

[mikek]

I have had some amazing steaks at prime, but have also had some rather disappointing ones as well. Having said that, the starters, sides and actually seafood are all fantastic. The sea bass and tuna are incredible and come with sides, though I think you should skip what comes with them and get the cauliflower au gratin, PLANTAINS, creamed corn, potato pancake, etc. The desserts are great as well (especially the peanut butter s'more).

Osteria is fantastic as well.

[Frodnesor]

My favorite on the Beach remains Talula. Went there pretty recently after not having been for a while and had a great meal, several new menu items, started doing some in-house charcuterie. Pricey wine list and occasionally flakey service remain the only downers, but not enough to keep this off the top of my list for SoBe.

Sardinia is also very good for Italian, particularly regional Sardinian items (I have been appropriately chastised by tpigeon for suggesting they were losing their focus and take back everything I said).

Maison d'Azur in the Angler Resort on Washington is pretty interesting and tasty - a French seafood brasserie - though not perfect, and fairly pricey depending on what you order.

There has been one good review here on this board of Joley but other than that I've not heard much feedback yet.

Prime 112 I'm sure is the same as it's ever been, I've not heard anyone suggest they're slipping.

Somehow despite having lived in South Florida pretty much all my life I still haven't gotten my butt to Osteria.