In S. Florida for ONLY 1 year--Where MUST I eat?

[Lotus7]

Hi there! I want to take advantage of all S. Florida has to offer culinary-wise in the short time I'm here. I live in Weston but am willing to travel for food. Please tell me where I MUST eat! I literally love all cuisines, and would especially enjoy cuisines that tend to be the "Best" in S. Florida (I'm assuming the various latin american cuisines, seafood, etc)? I can't wait to get your suggestions!!! Thanks in advance!

[Steve]

items you should not miss:

Get the Vaca frita served over maduros, which taste like maybe they had some wine added (?) at Las Culebrinas on Flagler for a nice, upscale Cuban meal.

Get an ice cream soda at Jaxson's near the Ft Lauderdale Airport (Dania?). Old Florida tourism at its best. Unbelievable.

Make sure you try pasteles at a Cuban bakery. I can vouch for the pasteles de coco at Portofino Bakery on 27th Ave in Miami just north of 836. Should be kept warm in a heated case.

Go to a Venezuelan bakery for arepas and tequenones. Venezuelan arepas are served sandwich-style. Tequenos are cheese wrapped in pastry. Tequenones are the large version. European Corner in Coral Gables, in the building next to Casa Lario will fit the bill.

Gooey, naturally sweet gorgeous Colombian yellow corn arepas. You can find them at El Buen Gusto in Tamarac, among other places.

[Asumnuthin]

Some of my regular places when I lived in south Florida…

Bru's Room Sports Grill
Sushi Yama Siam Boynton Japanese Restaurant
Butterfly Chinese Restaurant
Two Georges Waterfront Grille
Henry's
Dada
Lemongrass
Rustic inn

Not necessarily the BEST cuisine, but most are either yummy food, neat atmosphere or both.

[lapivoine]

One more--- Chada Thai! Good Thai food. http://chada-thai.com/ChadaThai/

[SaminSFL]

I would like to add Bravo Gourmet Sandwich Shop to the list - Its in Ft Lauderdale East of I-95 off of Oakland Park, make a Right on I believe NE 6th Ave

Also I want to second Yakko-San - in North Miami Beach, as well as Siagon Cuisine

[lapivoine]

I second the Eduardo de San Angel recommendation. I only got to eat there once--it's pricey-- but EVERYTHING was incredible-- amazing service, excellent food. Don't be put off by the underwhelming exterior.

On the other end of the spectrum, there's great frozen custard (like extra-creamy ice cream) at Siciliano's frozen custard: 5917 Hollywood Blvd. There's also a sub place next to it that I haven't tried.

LaSpada's http://www.laspadashoagies.com/ has great subs, a bit more expensive than you imagine, but really worth it

The Georgia Pig is an institution. Great BBQ and biscuits and gravy.Watch out-- it's cash only. 1285 SW 40th Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33317 954-587-4420

I love the fresh corn tortillas in the tacos at Zona Fresca. http://www.zonafresca.com/
Great salsa bar, too.

And for tex-mex, go to Ole Ole 8100 W Broward Blvd, near the Broward Mall. I love the tuna dip and the super nachos. I've never been too impressed with the main dishes, though.

My family used to enjoy Sage. It's French-style food. I think it's still pretty good, but I heard the prices went uphttp://www.sagecafe.net/2005/menu.htm

It's also pretty fun to go to the Swap Shop and get a green coconut-- sliced open-- to drink.

Hope this helps!

[bvnyc]

Hi! I'm from nyc and I live in weston for a short time as well.. I have not been able to find anything great here in weston, but La Granja on weston rd is a small chain and is always consistent. good chicken and peruvian food overall and really the best value. if youre willing to travel a bit I recommend http://www.indiahouserestaurant.com/ for indian food, they have some great dishes and they even had dosa last time I went. for Vietnamese my favorite is http://www.saigoncuisineflorida.com/ , there are places closer but this is the only place I found that makes bahn mi. My favorite Colombian spot is La Antioquena in Tamarac. For pizza I think Anthonys Coal fired pizza is the best in weston. on weston rd. Also giovannis on 136th st next to the ikea is good.
Sounds like you already tried my favorite 'nice' restaurant , Michaels Genuine. I go there every couple of months.. I'm going to try Sra Martinez tomorrow which is near Michaels. Good luck!

[Lotus7]

Thanks so much for your suggestions--I truly miss good Ethnic food, especially Asian restaurants that are particularly good in the Northeast!!! I ate bahn mi every week back in Philadelphia so I'll def be trying your rec. Thx again!

[CFByrne]

I'd suggest Calypso Restaurant in Pompano Beach. A small, casual, fun and relaxed place in a strip mall but they've had consistently excellent Florida/Caribbean style seafood for almost 20 (gak!) years now. Try anything jerk or conch-related. And don't miss the key lime pie for dessert. Open M thru F only, lunch and dinner. You can search this board for "Calypso" for tons of other related comments over recent years.

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Calypso Restaurant & Raw Bar
460 S Cypress Rd, Pompano Beach, FL 33060

[lorilaw]

My new favorite is Ceviche 105 in downtown Miami...check it out.!

[Lotus7]

Ate at Michael's Genuine on Saturday night--just a wonderful dining experience. Terrific service and the food was spectacular.

[YosemiteSam]

Some good suggestions already, I'll add a few near you and a couple authentic SoFl one's worth the drive.

Local
1) Cheese Course in Weston - best cheese selection in the area where you also get good recommendations and sampling - sandwiches are good too
2) La Brochette Bisto in Cooper City - right up the street from you - stick to the fish specials and don't get turned off by the strip mall location - chef is Lebanese by way of paris I believe
3) Myung Ga in Weston - good solid Korean where we go at least monthly - very family friendly too
4) Romeu's in Pembroke Pines - everyone has their fav Cuban place, but we like this one
5) Rustic Inn - great old Florida crab house
6) Jaxson's Ice Cream palor - also been around for years - make sure to dine-in as the special sundaes are not available at the walk-up windo

Drive
1) All the Design District biggies - can't go wrong with Michael's, Sra. Martinez, Pacific Time or Fratelli Lyon
2) Michy's
3) Key's Fisheries in Marathon - same stone crabs as Joe's at 1/3 the price and you eat them on the dock - a great day trip
4) Hiro's Yakko San

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Michy's
6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138

Cheese Course
1679 Market St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33326

Sra. Martinez
4000 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, FL 33137

Jaxson's
443 Lake June Rd, Lake Placid, FL 33852

Pacific Time
423 E Rivo Alto Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Fratellis Restaurant
415 Anastasia Blvd, Saint Augustine, FL 32080

Fratelli Lyon
4141 NE 2nd Ave. #101A, Miami, FL 33137

[umwife11]

I'll chime in and second the suggestion for Michael's. It's truly one of my favorites...as is Michy's.

And if you're only in South Florida a short time, I have to mention one of my sentimental favorites--Baleen. If you're looking for good and a spectacular view, it's one of the best for outdoor dining.

We go there every year for our anniversary and have always enjoyed it. Ask for one of the tables out on the rocks. Every time my husband and I go out there, I'm reminded of why I still love South Florida (with its warts and all, lol).

I

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Michy's
6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138

On the Rocks
3640 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL 32773

[Lotus7]

reservations at Michael's made! Thx for the suggestion. Looking frwd to trying a Michele Bernstein restaurant soon!

[Lotus7]

any suggestions for dives? Perhaps good place for empanadas or other latin specialties?

[cavandre]

Not dives, but when you get in the mood for some pub grub, I can recommend the Flanigan's chain in the area. Watch out for the Tumbleweed Onions...very addictive.

http://www.flanigans.net/

[danb73]

Yuck

[umwife11]

Oh, Flanigan's is definitely a place to check out. The baby back ribs are so good.

I always tell my husband if we were to ever leave South Florida, Flanigan's is one of the biggest things I'd miss!

[nmurawsk]

Just had Mr. Nick's subs for the 1st time this weekend. So good! The Chizzer is addictive - sliced steak, melted cheese, creamy italian dressing. It doesn't sound like much but everything combined is perfection. It's on Andrew's in Ft Lauderdale

[Neek]

Havana Hideout on Lake Ave in Lake Worth definitely fits the bill for dive restaurant with great Latin specialties. In fact the kitchen is a truck permanently parked next to the bar, but the empanadas, cuban sandwiches, and other latin dishes (fish tacos, pionono, and ceviche) are excellent. The place was featured on a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode.

http://havanahideout.com/

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Havana Hideout
509 Lake Ave, Lake Worth, FL 33460

[cavandre]

If you find rock shrimp on a menu, order them broiled with melted butter on the side.

[Lotus7]

Great suggestions- thank you!

[nmurawsk]

Eduardo de San Angel is a special place - gourmet Mexican, it's on Oakland Park Blvd. http://www.eduardodesanangel.com/.

Cafe Martorano is another type of place you won't find everywhere. Fantastic Italian food with a loud, lively atmosphere, with a NJ Italian-Soprano's kind of feel, great for a group. http://www.cafemartorano.com/ For a more traditional Italian dining experience I would pass Casa D'Angelo any day of the week and opt for Cafe Vico. The food is excellent the service is great - very welcoming and unpretentious. http://www.cafevicorestaurant.com/

I also love Coco Asian Bistro for sushi and Thai food. I had a lovely dining experience and probably the best sushi I've ever had. http://www.cocoasianbistro.com/ Thai Thai in Plantation on Sunrise Blvd is also very good for Thai and very reasonably priced.

I'd also say that Coconuts on A1A has a great Ft Lauderdale atmosphere. The food is really good, not spectacular but very good. But, it's right on the water in a little harbor, not on the beach side. Very relaxing - you feel like you're on vacation when you are there, even if you aren't. Love it! http://www.coconutsbahamagrill.com/
Happy eating!

[Lotus7]

THanks so much for your suggestions! I really appreciate it. We are major foodies and are totally game for all kinds of places so I appreciate the diversity of your list. We did move here from the Northeast which has excellent Italian and Asian options so I'm curious to know how they compare down here. Please keep the recommendations coming!

[FoodDude2]

NAOE-- Sunny Isles Beach---Omakase Sushi

Hiro's Yakko-San--North Miami Beach--Japanese "tapas"

Rustic Inn--Garlic Crabs

La Granja--Peruvian Chicken

Michael's Genuine--Modern American (Miami)