Three More Nights - Save Us!

[Zollipop]

Are two nights in to our five night trip to Miami. We have been choosing restaurants based on our guidebook and some other websites - with mixed results.

Last night : Copas y Tapas (pretty good) and Seasons 52 on Miracle Mile (severely underwhelming)

Today: Grillfish (ok) and Tapas y Tintos (also underwhelming)

We are staying in the Coral Gables area and are more concerned with the food than with the price or the ambiance.

Is there a local who can direct us to some awesome eats in the area? (thinking of Las Vegas..)

Thanks!

zolli
(www.zollipop.com

)

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Grillfish
1444 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Las Vegas Restaurant
112 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Copa Cafe
1951 W Copans Rd Ste 7, Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Seasons 52
2300 NW Executive Center Dr, Boca Raton, FL 33431

[Frodnesor]

First things first: throw out your guidebook. It's not doing you any favors.

In the Gables ->

The Local for well-done, creative gastropub fare with a bit of a Cuban twist.
Graziano's for Argentine parrillada.
Por Fin for Spanish (pa amb tomaquet, croquetas, buñuelos de bacalao, chistorras, arroz negro, cochinillo all recommended).
Pascal's on Ponce for French, fancier than bistro but not super high-end; Le Provencal for more casual, simple French.
Su Shin Izakaya for sushi and Japanese "tapas".
Francesco for Peruvian; I actually don't love their ceviches but their rice dishes are excellent. Also La Cofradia for Peruvian, a little more upscale.
Talavera for better than decent Mexican.
Lotus Garden for decent Thai.
Bugatti for decent pastas.
Ortanique is much tamer than it used to be, but gives a taste of contemporary Caribbean.
Las Vegas is serviceable but unexceptional for Cuban food. I've heard much better things about Havana Harry's on LeJeune.

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Le Provencal Restaurant
266 Miracle Mile, Miami, FL 33134

Por Fin
2500 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134

Havana Harry's
4612 S Le Jeune Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33146

Las Vegas Restaurant
112 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Lotus Garden
316 Miracle Mile, Miami, FL 33134

Graziano's Restaurant
9227 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165

La Cofradia
, Miami, FL 33179

[lax2mia]

Adding to what Frod listed: If you want to go upscale there's Palme d'Or at the Biltmore. For something casual there's Angelique on Miracle Mile. And agree, toss that guidebook.

[tpigeon]

If you are willing to drive (it seems so since you keep coming to south beach), you should be looking at places like Michy's or the design district/Midtown places like Michaels Genuine and Sra. Martinez - do a search on design district here for more info.

If you are going to south beach, I would encourage you to try any of the Pubbelly Troika, Yardbird, Sardinia, Alta Mare.

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

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

[Zollipop]

Ok those sound like a great start - will report back.

[Blind Mind]

Also, if you venture a little bit South into South Miami, Whisk is definitely a spot you should hit up.

www.whiskgourmet.com

[starfish78]

I would also try Charlotte, a cute French bistro on the Mile.