Against that backdrop, we present our view of the top ten spots in SoFi for travelers coming to Miami Beach this season and wishing to sample the best dining the area has to offer. And in case you’re wondering, the hotels you’ll want to consider for your culinary excursion are: Hilton Bentley South Beach, Marriott Stanton South Beach, The Savoy and the Lord Balfour Hotel.

South Beach is a highly charged, highly competitive atmosphere and no place stands as far above the herd of pricey steakhouses as this sceney SoFi location where the celebrity and super model clientele is nearly more dazzling than the food. Order a juicy slab of beef and plenty of decadent sides like the truffled mac & cheese and the divine lobster bisque. Accept no substitutions – Prime 112 is the real deal.

If the lines are too long or you simply forgot to reserve a table across the street, you can relax in the knowledge that nearly every delicious entree served up at Prime 112 is also available at this pretty little sister spot where a hefty helping of red-sauced Italian fare fills out the entree list with garlicky aplomb. Try the giant Kobe meatball and be sure to leave room for dessert! Chances are the Miami HEAT players who are dodging the paparazzi are eating here too.

Set atop the Miami Beach Marina, this all-you-care-to-eat churrascaria serves tender cuts of beef, lamb, chicken and pork to hungry diners who patiently watch as gaucho servers slice the just-grilled meats from steel skewers directly onto their plates. Enjoy the huge soup and salad bar, but practice some discretion as the star of the show is searing away on that stunning Brazilian grill! Prices are per guest and larger parties can easily be accommodated at this friendly SoFi steakhouse with a million dollar view.

The smaller cousin to the Texas de Brazil chain, Fogo de Chao fills First Street with the succulent scent of just-grilled meat which is served by a prompt and professional waitstaff at this charming SoFi steakhouse. Enjoy the fine wine list and a 30 item appetizer selection and when you are ready for a parade of 15 different tender cuts, simply turn your placard to green and let the magic begin! The gaucho chefs slice and serve each grilled treat until you’ve had your fill.

Straight out of Cleveland and right to the top of Florida Foodies must-have list, RED the Steakhouse is one of SoFi’s finest. Restaurateur Brad Friedlander brought Chef Peter Vauthy to South Beach to craft a menu that is sizzling, sexy and stocked with Certified Angus prime beef, chops, lamb and Florida-fresh seafood. The wine list boasts over 700 pours which pair perfectly with the dinner menu or make a sparkling complement to some truly decadent desserts.

The oldest and truly one of the best restaurants to grace the SoFi shoreline, Joe’s has served Florida’s freshest seafood to happy visitors, celebrities and socialites since 1913. Enjoying a storied past which includes run-ins with Al Capone, Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart and Walter Winchell, one of the best things about the landmark restaurant is that the food is still more important than the particular pedigree of the guests. Don’t miss the spicy chowder, the crisp cole slaw or the creamy Key Lime pie.

Steakhouses are popular and plentiful on South Beach but none can boast the truly magnificent view offered at Smith & Wollensky where alfresco tables line the busy waterway where some of the world’s largest cruise ships slip slowly by on their way out to sea. Stop in at sunset for a drink at the back bar and then stay for a juicy steak, a hearty slice of tender prime rib or a huge slab of chocolate layer cake served promptly and politely under the rising Miami Beach moon.

Greek cuisine is all about fresh ingredients prepared with minimal fuss and maximum flavor which makes Estiatorio Milos the benchmark for upscale Greek dining in South Florida. Evoking a breezy vacation atmosphere, the white tables, gleaming stone work and ethereal sheer panels serve as the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable meal. Ideal for a prix fixe lunch or a romantic dinner, the lobster pasta and salt baked whole fish are delectable. Heads turn as the whip smart staff serves platters of pristine seafood to an appreciative, well-dressed crowd.

1110 South Miami Avenue, Brickell
Vibe: Brickellista!
Groove to this half off happy hour at Brickell City Centre’s Level One lounge where you’ll find great food, fun people and discount drink service Thursday through Saturday from 5pm – 8pm. After you get your shopping done, recharge your spirit with appetizers like Crab Au Gratin, Duck Croquettes or Spicy Thai Shrimp and artisanal cocktails including the Dirty Trini, Emojito Royal and Dutch Melons.

1545 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Mediterranean Marvel
South Beach’s favorite Mediterranean restaurant and lounge offers guests an “Unwind and Dine Happy Hour Menu” from 6pm to 7pm nightly with select cocktails priced at $8, beer and wine starting at $5 and small plate mezze appetizers priced from $6-$12. Sample Byblos exotic treats like organic labneh, tart tuna ceviche or warm pide flatbread with drinks like the Nightingale Sour or Ottoman Cartel. One of our favorite shared cocktails is the house signature spiked tea service which blends fragrant teas and liquor to great effect.

1220 16 Street, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Hip Hideaway
Hidden behind an Airstream taco truck, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is one of South Beach locals’ favorite drink spots where happy hour takes on an added dimension every day from 6pm – 8pm with $2 tacos, $3 chips and guacamole, $4 draft beers, mezcal and tequila shots plus $6 specialty cocktails. We’re not sure what you might call this meal deal, but we call it “dinner!” Check out the cool back room bar tonight!

161 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Seaside Sensation
South Beach’s newly popular Baja-style restaurant Lolo’s Surf Cantina welcomes thirsty guests to a $6 happy hour at the Marriott Stanton Hotel Sunday through Thursday from 4pm – 7pm when house special cocktails and fiesta bites are discounted at the bar area. Enjoy draft beer for $4, house margaritas and wine for $5, plus Mexican-style Mules for $6. If you’re feeling munchie, house cut fries and savory treats like Chicken Quesadillas and Carnitas Tacos are also $4-$6. Lolo’s is bound to become your beachside favorite.

1222 16 Street, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Carny Casual
Ricky’s South Beach enjoys a loyal local following for its carnival-inspired menu, live band karaoke and country or reggae showcases. We like to swing by after work to sample the happy hour cocktail specials served from 6pm – 8pm including $5 sliders and nachos plus $4 drafts and shots. Challenge friends to an arcade game death match or sit back and watch the world go by from the comfort of your favorite barstool.

1424 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Asian Persuasion
South Beach sizzles at sunset when Drunken Dragon celebrates their notorious Dragon Hour, a daily ritual from 6pm – 8pm that includes discount drinks and a full roster of amazing Asian treats starting at just $3. Stop into our favorite hidden hideaway (under the red MARKET logo) where you’ll enjoy Lychee Martinis, Hemingway Daiquiris and fruit infused Margaritas for just $6. Pair your potent potion with a Cuban-style Bahn Mi, Salmon Tacos or Twice Fried Chicken.

2007 SW 8 Street, Little Havana, Miami, FL
Vibe: Rowdy Retreat
We’re just wild about Nancy, the hot new hideaway in Miami’s Little Havana where a team of bar industry veterans (The Stage, Purdy Lounge, Will Call) built a nautically-inspired tavern that feels like a lost weekend in Key West. Check it out at happy hour from 5pm – 8pm with half-priced cocktails, wine and beer. As the evening unfolds, expect great live music, cool craft cocktails and tropical punch bowls from the tiki bar out back.

1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL
Vibe: Intellectual Curiosity
Let’s be honest – meeting great people in Miami can be a challenge if you stick to the regular bar scene. That’s why we’re raising the level of our after work prowl at Verde at the Perez Art Museum Miami where the Thursday night happy hour includes free admission, live music and awesome drink specials ($5 beer, $6 wine and $7 cocktails) served on the terrace overlooking Miami’s Biscayne Bay from 5pm – 7pm.

Best Restaurants in Miami Beach …

1440 Ocean Drive, South Beach, 305-673-0044
The stampede of pricey steakhouses on South Beach leaves most diners wondering which restaurant merits the hefty price tag for pounds of porterhouse and gobs of lobster topped mac and cheese.

Chef Laurent Tourondel’s LT Steak & Seafood may not be the scene-iest (that’s Prime 112), and it may not be the loudest (STK by a mile), but it is by far the tastiest combination of quality beef and seafood, delectable sides, professional service and civilized atmosphere in town. While most of Ocean Drive seems tawdry and commercial, interiors at the Georgian Revival Betsy Hotel are conservative and cool. Waiters drop off complimentary crostini with a liver mousse and then steaming hot popovers to enjoy while perusing the menu and sipping cocktails. By the time the appetizers are gone, one message is clear; LT Steak & Seafood is no mere chop house – it’s a culinary destination.

1600 Lenox Avenue, South Beach, 305-538-5220
Taking over the kitchens at Yardbird this season, Chef Clay Miller plans to uphold the restaurant’s reputation for down home favorites like crisp fried chicken, tender shrimp and grits and addictive fried green tomatoes that keep patrons lining up seven nights a week. Weekend brunches bring in fans from nearby Lincoln Road Mall who dine indoors or out at the busy sidewalk tables where small dogs and toddlers don’t seem to faze the friendly waitstaff.

Smart travelers know that table reservations help mitigate a long wait at the bar, but if you do find yourself with some time before dinner, check out the curated list of bourbons and the crazy good cocktails, wines and craft brews on hand to help ease your pain. Weekends call for the all-day brunch menu which includes chocolate chip & banana Elvis Pancakes, cheddar waffles and a delightfully tender smoked beef brisket sandwich served until 4pm. By the time Supper rolls around, the kitchen hits its stride, sending out platters of golden chicken, smoky ribs and biscuits so flaky, you’ll start to wonder whose grandma is out back cutting them out with a ball jar.

11 Washington Avenue, South Beach, 305-673-0365
Stone crab season runs from October through May and this classic Miami Beach dining room serves the best crabs in town to a crowd more than willing to wait in line for a taste of the ocean’s bounty. Much like celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain, Joe’s has No Reservations. While insiders debate about the loaded handshake that might transport savvy diners to the front of the line, we find it’s best to visit at lunch or early evening to sample the coveted claws, crisp fried chicken, onion-filled Lyonnaise potatoes, steamy clam chowder and chilled Key Lime Pie that have made Joe’s Stone Crab a South Beach landmark since 1913.

1700 James Avenue, South Beach, 305-673-1010
Secluded behind a dense hedgerow that surrounds a 1925-era palazzo in the heart of South Beach, Casa Tua feels like a posh private club on the Italian Riviera. The price of all this exclusivity makes this a special occasion destination, especially the private, second-level lounge that’s so popular with celebrities and socialites. Escape the everyday at this upscale Italian restaurant with a wildly romantic garden terrace just steps from the South Beach scene.

1200 Collins Avenue, South Beach, 305.695.3000
Servers who know the ins-and-outs of running a dining room set the stage at this classic 25-year-old Miami Beach Temple of Italian cuisine perched on the edge of one of the most thumping dance clubs in the city. This ironic pairing of the old and the new captures what is best about South Beach and what makes Osteria work. While the menu is a comprehensive collection of traditional pastas, seafood and meats, the daily specials posted on the blackboard make it difficult to bother reading any further.

112 Ocean Drive, South Beach, 305-532-8112
This South Beach hot-spot enjoys a loyal local and international celebrity following and consistently dazzles with huge steaks, giant lobsters and decadent truffled macaroni and cheese served in a noisy see-and-be-scene dining room that crackles with excitement until midnight. From Presidents to Pro Athletes, from Supermodels to Rap Stars, if it’s happening in Miami it’s happening at Prime One Twelve.

1801 Purdy Avenue, South Beach, 305-531-2228
Miami Beach fairly groans with the weight of dozens of Italian restaurants, but regional Italian cuisine is a fairly new concept on these shores. Sardinia showcases the best of the tiny island’s cookery with a menu that works seamlessly with Miami’s own peculiar gastronomy and geography. House made flat breads and imported salumi and formaggi (cured meats and artisanal cheeses) pair deliciously with big-bodied wines. From salt-roasted branzino to succulent rosemary-scented roast baby pig, the chef’s mastery of the wood-burning oven lends a rustic flair to each dish.

432 Arthur Godfrey Road (41st Street), Miami Beach, 305-538-8533
While most Miami Beach restaurants have been around for very few years and strive toward whatever is new and trendy, the Forge offers a long-standing, traditional fine-dining experience at every touch point.

Valet parkers whisk away your car, dressy hosts escort your party, and formal captains oversee your table service. A futuristic enigmatic wine bar and a newly renovated interior set the stage for Chef Christopher Lee’s clever culinary riffs on classic, continental cuisine including lobster PBJs, prime steaks, and decadent desserts. Locals celebrate birthdays and anniversaries here and have since the 1930s.

Downtown Miami …

270 Biscayne Boulevard, Downtown Miami, 305-577-0277
The Epic Hotel trumps the odds-makers scoring two top rated restaurants under a single roof as Zuma joins Chef Michael Reidt’s Area 31 serving pristine fresh seafood to an adoring crowd.

With raw granite walls, pale wooden tables and a modern Japanese teahouse design, the interior soothes even as the sushi, sashimi and grilled items dazzle with artful presentations and bold flavors. Executive Chef Bjoern Weissgerber may indeed be German (with a side of Swiss), but he definitely understands the complexity and precision required to craft stunning Japanese plates with unique flavor combinations that make Zuma one of Miami’s brand new heavy hitters!

335 S. Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, 305-373-0063
Downtown Miami takes back the night at this pricey temple of classic Italian cuisine served overlooking the Bay by an old school, highly attentive wait staff. Offering gratis chunks of fragrant Reggiano Parmesano and just-made Fritti to temp your palate and ruin your diet, hosts Gino and Fernando Masci bring more than 25 years of service at New York’s Il Mulino to this heavenly high-rise culinary destination. By the time you’ve sipped the last of your limoncello digestivo, you’ll be fortified enough to face the dinner check.

661 Brickell Key Drive, Downtown Miami, 305-947-6263
Fans of this storefront 17-seat Japanese restaurant where Chef Kevin Cory crafts perfect bento boxes for reservations-only diners who pay rapt attention to the mastery of an artist doing what he does best will thrill to learn he is now moving to new digs on tony Brickell Key. Cory ventures to nearby marinas to secure the day’s fresh catch and airlifts the rest straight from Japan to fill out his daily menus. Every night’s meal is determined by the chef and served in an atmosphere of Zen-like simplicity at three sittings. After the last bento box is served, the chef slices perfect duets of sushi and sashimi for each guest until everyone is ready to go home and dream in fluent Japanese.

278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, 305-446-7710
Cindy Hutson’s “Cuisine of the Sun” is as bright and warm as a mythical Caribbean marketplace. Serving Bahamian black grouper in an orange liqueur or jerk-seasoned pork in a rum-guava glaze, the kitchen meets it’s match in the deliciously colorful dining room and terraced outdoor garden. Take your taste buds on an island holiday without leaving the cozy confines of Coral Gables.

Midtown Miami …

130 NE 40th Street, Miami, 305-573-5550
Transforming the Design District from stuffy decorator showrooms to a dynamic nighttime destination, Michael Schwartz deserves the key to the city. If opening a successful restaurant with trendy small, medium and large-sized plates designed for pairing and sharing weren’t enough, the innovative chef managed to capture the imagination of New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni and every vacationing celebrity and super star chef passing through town as well. If you can get a reservation, run, don’t walk to MGFD.

Create your own menu of beautifully prepared, locally sourced entrees and dazzling small plates at this hip MidTown bistro. Save room for dessert because pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith got the nod from James Beard this year too. While it might be awkward to order more than one of her sweet treats after dinner, her coffee cake, hand made poptarts and doughnuts are the best part of Sunday brunch.

North …

3881 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, 305-947-0064
When the chefs around town finally call it a night, they head to this decidedly off-the-radar Japanese kitchen known for just-caught fish and small plates of exotic tapas crafted from the fresh offerings of the marketplace that change each day. Chef Hiro and his team enjoy cult status in a town of jaded foodies who appreciate their culinary skills and unstuffy presentations served until the wee hours to an in-the-know crowd. You may need a GPS to find the IntraCoastal Mall, but once you’ve tried Hiro’s, you’ll be back!

19999 W Country Club Drive, Aventura, 786-279-6600
Our northernmost destination is worthy of a foodie’s pilgrimage if only to sample the crispy fries cooked in duck fat and served with a trio of house made sauces. The chef makes his own onion ketchup and barbeque dipping sauces that truly offer the taste of success. Mina is famous for his luxurious spins on modern American comfort food and diners can indeed take comfort in the chef’s remarkable ability to create upscale lobster pot pies and truffle-speckled macaroni and cheese. All this goodness comes with a hefty price tag, but this 21st Century steakhouse really dazzles.

Consider this the perfect Summer Camp for Adults; Campton Yard at The Hall is celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn’s beer garden where guests can hang out, play board games or ping-pong and generally have a great time until midnight. Best of all, the sunset happy hour offers a variety of beer and cocktails from $5 – $8 plus select food items like hot dogs and soft pretzels are discounted as well. Stop by The Hall Monday through Friday from 5pm to 8pm.

A perfect spot for a sundown sip, Market at EDITION offers a summertime happy hour menu with a unique Italian twist. From 4pm until 7pm, enjoy $10 cocktails like Prosecco or a Negroni and Executive Chef Jeremy Ford’s complimentary Italian bites including tangy marinated olives, freshly baked bruschetta and beautifully composed charcuterie boards. As an added incentive, locals get a special ID card that offers a 15% discount on food and drink.

Discover the hippest happy hour at The Anderson, the latest hotspot brought to you by the Bar-Lab and Broken Shaker team. Located in the former Magnum Lounge near Miami’s MiMo District, the indoor/outdoor bar and grill features Chef Alex Chang’s funky bar bite menu including Tex Mex Queso, Coconut Shrimp and a crispy Chicken Sandwich for just $9. Signature cocktails, shots and beer are priced from $4 to $6 from 5pm to 8pm daily.

Discover Spasso, a breezy Italian eatery serving homemade pasta, thin crust pizza and Neopolitan Chef Gaetano Ascione’s classic cuisine. Enjoy the restaurant’s Miami Spice lunch and dinner menu or stop in for happy hour from 4pm to 8pm with beer, wine and pizza priced under $5. The chef also offers his most popular pasta dishes like Penne Amatriciana, Tortelloni with Black Truffle Fondue and Fettuccine Bolognese for half price to guests seated after 9pm.

One of the most exciting new ventures in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, Chef Michael Lewis’ Kyu pairs wood-fired Asian cuisine with inspiration from Southern BBQ to bring about dishes like Duck Breast “Burnt Ends,” Wagyu Brisket of Beef and Crispy Spicy Snapper Tartare. Stop in for happy hour Tuesday through Friday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm with beer, wine and specialty cocktails under $7 and bar bites like soft shell crab buns and Korean fried chicken priced at just $5.

TV’s Chopped Champion Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli invites guests to sample the Eating House’s six-course tasting menu crafted to benefit United for Care, a charity dedicated to treating medical conditions with legally regulated marijuana. This summer dinner service, affectionately known as the Miami Munchies menu, includes Focaccia Pizza, Sweet Potato Poutine, Black Truffle Queso Nachos, Buffalo Duck Wings, spicy General Tso’s Chicken & Waffles and more. Through September 30.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

COMO Hotels and Resorts’ first property in the United States is home to The Traymore Restaurant and Bar where Chef Juan Loaisiga crafts creative dishes utilizing fresh Florida produce. To kick off Miami Spice Month, a discount dining program that runs through September 30, guests may choose a three course lunch menu for $23 or dinner for $39.  Selections include Salmon Carpaccio, Skirt Steak with piquillo pepper polenta and Berry Sabayon by day or Snapper Crudo, Soft Shell Crab on a corn bread cake and Mango Verrine by night.

With a menu steeped in the traditions of Barcelona Spain updated for the contemporary palate, Klima Restaurant and Bar celebrates the roots of founders Pablo Fernández-Valdés and Yago Giner. Starting this week, the restaurant offers a $39 prix-fixe dinner menu for Miami Spice Month that includes feather light Fennel Carpaccio topped with creamy burrata or a Caesar Salad followed by Short Rib Canneloni with port wine sauce or Bacalao with white miso and a minty Passion Fruit slush for dessert.

Still trying to plan your watch parties for the upcoming Olympic Games? Get into the spirit and cheer your favorite athletes at The Lounge at the Setai where guests can enjoy daily telecasts of the games on a big screen TV starting Friday, August 5. Sip on the latest specialty cocktail called “Olympic Rings” with vodka, lemon, lime and a splash of champagne topped with gummy rings for a unique twist.  The Copacabana themed party atmosphere will continue through Sunday August 21.

Celebrate the Olympic Games with Brazilian-themed cocktails and bar bites August 5 to 21 at SUSHISAMBA Miami Beach where the national spirit – cachaça – is muddled with kiwi fruit and lime in the Kiwi Caipirinha for $7. If the summer heat has you feeling weak, try a Kaffirinha Ice Pop which freezes the potent potion with a blend of Kaffir limes and sugar. Pair your drinks with a special selection of Rio street foods including “Coxinha de Pato” (duck confit, catupiry, aji amarillo and cilantro) and “Bolinhos de Bacalhau” (cod, lime and Peruvian potato) for $12.

Ever wonder what it takes to be truly happy? We’re thinking five hours of discount drinks and snacks poolside at the dazzling Mondrian Hotel overlooking Biscayne Bay and the entire Miami skyline! Enjoy drink and food specials Monday through Friday from 4pm – 9pm including Smashed Avocados with queso fresco and plantain chips, Buffalo-style Chicken Lollipops, Tuna Tartare in a soy-citrus sauce and Crispy Spring Rolls “Cubano” style with ham, roast pork, and a sweet and sour dipping sauce. All bar bites are just $9.

If a full day of European designer shopping leaves you parched, discover L’Aperio at Le Zoo, a sophisticated happy hour oasis in the heart of the Bal Harbour Shops. Recharge your batteries just as they do in Paris with a selection of east or west coast oysters for $1 a piece and a choice of red, white or sparkling wine or a specialty cocktail for $6 to $8. L’Apero is named for the French custom of pre-dinner drinks and finger foods and the afternoon menu at Le Zoo is served from 4pm – 6:30pm.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

One of Miami’s favorite dining destinations, Zuma at the Epic Hotel brings Chef Ranier Becker’s acclaimed Japanese cuisine to South Florida foodies. The dazzling riverfront restaurant offers buffet brunch service Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am – 3pm including premium sushi and sashimi, robata grilled dishes, a main dish from the menu, a rice hot pot with Japanese veggies for the table and a platter of signature desserts served with exotic fruit, ice cream and sorbet.

Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Top Chef Jeremy Ford craft modern riffs on Latin cuisine at Matador Terrace at the EDITION Hotel where weekend brunch service from 10am – 4pm includes Glazed Short Rib Tacos, Huevos Rancheros with fresh corn tortillas and a heavenly Roast Turkey Cuban Sandwich pressed on the plancha grill. Add on bottomless Bellini, Bloody Mary or Mimosas for an additional $45 and the steamy summer weather won’t matter much at all!

A breezy Mediterranean eatery near Mary Brickell Village, Marion offers dine in or take out options for lunch and dinner every day but Sunday. Enjoy a $24 buffet lunch Tuesday through Friday including a selection of cheeses and charcuterie, a raw bar and carving stations plus a choice of hot entrees and sides including lasagna, meatballs and artichokes a la Romana. Happy Hour Tuesday through Saturday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm features fresh oysters, garlic shrimp, and goat cheese croquettes plus beer, wine and specialty cocktails all under $10.

Celebrity Chef Dale Talde hosts a late night Happy Hour Noodle Party Fridays at his high energy Pan Asian eatery, Talde at the Confidante (formerly the Thompson Hotel). Enjoy a Hip Hop Midnight Supper featuring Miami’s hottest DJs and a roster of the chef’s noodle and tot dishes (plus $2 off beer, wine and well drinks) until 4am. Choose braised pork Lo Mein, chewy Samosas, chilled Sesame Noodles, and tangy Benton’s Bacon Dumplings priced around ten bucks.

Edge Steak and Bar Chef Aaron Brooks lends his talents to Verde Chef Kaytlin Brakefield’s PAMM Summer Dining Series Thursday August 4. Enjoy an alfresco cocktail reception followed by a seated, family-style, 3-course dinner service including wine pairings for $85 per person. Reservations required. Check out more of Chef Brooks’ talents at Edge’s $24 3-course prix fixe lunch service Monday to Saturday, 11:30 am – 3pm and happy hour bar bites from 4pm -7pm.

Making weeknights extra special, Taco Tuesdays at B Bar Tapas & Grill feature $3 tacos plus $3 beer and shot specials from 5pm until 8pm. Join in the happy hour fun Sundays through Thursdays from 5pm to 8pm and Friday and Saturday late night from 11pm until 3am. Chef Guily Booth crafts hard shell tacos with lump crabmeat or sashimi grade tuna and soft tacos with miso shredded beef or fried tuna carnitas with avocado salsa.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

While a dinner reservation at Prime 112 may be hard to score, lunch is our favorite time to visit the popular SoFi eatery when the crowds are mellow, the patio tables feel easy and breezy and the menu features summer delights like the house signature Chopped Salad with romaine, spinach, hearts of palm and smoked bacon or a juicy 10 ounce Kobe Burger with all the trimmings (plus a side of white truffle fries). Served daily from noon until 3pm.

Exciting news for South Beach Foodies! Via Emilia 9, your go-to spot for handcrafted pasta and regional Italian cuisine, has just reopened following an adorable transformation. Chef Giancarlo “Wendy” Cacciatori and his wife Valentina gave their cozy restaurant a complete makeover so guests can engage with the brand new open kitchen and take home genuine Italian treats from the freshly built market area. Serving lunch, dinner and a Sunday brunch buffet.

Looking for a new spot to fulfill your happy hour cravings? Check out Chef Bee’s NaiYaRa on the residential west side of South Beach where the discounts on food and drink are available seven nights a week from 5pm – 7pm including bottled beer, house wine, sake and Asian-inspired cocktails. Munch on a bunch of $7 bar bites like White Fish Tacos, Thai Guacamole, spicy Grilled Shrimp and crispy Pad Thai in the trendy Sunset Harbour District.

Juvia Chef Sunny Oh has transformed a former auto paint & body shop near Fresh Market into Sushi Garage, a breezy new dining destination offering innovative riffs on traditional Japanese sushi preparations. Expect the unexpected from a man who once served as Executive Chef at Nobu but now craves a more approachable destination to showcase his magic. Be sure to try the chef’s Tuna Chicharrón roll, a Latin spin on an Asian classic. Serving nightly 5:30pm – 2am.

If your weekend brunch plans include a quick visit to Chanel and Gucci, consider an authentic taste of France at Le Zoo, Stephen Starr’s haute brasserie in the heart of the Shops at Bal Harbour. Grab a table on the tree-lined patio and enjoy perfect Eggs Benedict, pineapple French Toast, or a Croque-Madame; an egg topped grilled ham sandwich napped in velvety mornay sauce. Brunch weekends 11am – 4pm, Dinner Sunday – Thursday until 10pm, Friday and Saturday until 11pm.

The funky MiMo hotspot, Vagabond Kitchen & Bar has a brand new chef and a haute summer menu. Join Roberto Dubois for sharable small plates and salads or a family-friendly whole red snapper or juicy roast chicken carved tableside. Cool off this season at the bar where house signature cocktails pair with gourmet snacks including Salmon Gravlax, Pork Belly Buns and Octopus Pinxto. Sunday’s brunch buffet is served from 11am – 4pm for just $29 per guest.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

If Sunday finds you in a party mood, plan brunch at our favorite hidden hotspot, Drunken Dragon. Celebrate Bastille Day at the Top Restaurants and Lounges in Miami and Miami Beach where a Parisian style street party and an elegant 5-course dinner can readily transport you from the Magic City to the City of Lights! South Beach marks the arrival of another fabulous Swim Week with a Luau-themed BBQ at the Delano Hotel where brand new “Taste of Summer” prix-fixe menus make dining in style more affordable. If Sunday finds you in a party mood, plan brunch at our favorite hidden hotspot, Drunken Dragon.

Keep that Saturday night party vibe rolling all weekend long! South Beach hotspot Drunken Dragon now serves brunch on Sundays from 11am – 3pm including a $20 bottomless mimosa or bellini option. An inspired new concept from Executive Chef Xavier Torres, the à la carte menu features oysters raw and baked, Thai Coconut Pancakes, and the signature DD Waffle with apples, walnuts and a maple glaze. Keep that Saturday night party vibe rolling all weekend long! South Beach hotspot Drunken Dragon now serves brunch on Sundays from 11am – 3pm including a $20 bottomless mimosa or bellini option. An inspired new concept from Executive Chef Xavier Torres, the à la carte menu features oysters raw and baked, Thai Coconut Pancakes, and the signature DD Waffle with apples, walnuts and a maple glaze.

Celebrate Miami Swim Week in the Orchard at the Delano Beach Club July 15-17 with NOBE67’s Pop Up Showcase of over 20 swim designers. Enjoy cocktails and fashions Friday & Saturday 5-8pm and Chef Jason Bamford’s fabulous Luau-themed Hungry Post BBQ Sunday from 5-10pm with a whole roast pig, charred pineapple salad, spring rolls and pineapple upside down cake for $45 per person. Celebrate Miami Swim Week in the Orchard at the Delano Beach Club July 15-17 with NOBE67’s Pop Up Showcase of over 20 swim designers. Enjoy cocktails and fashions Friday & Saturday 5-8pm and Chef Jason Bamford’s fabulous Luau-themed Hungry Post BBQ Sunday from 5-10pm with a whole roast pig, charred pineapple salad, spring rolls and pineapple upside down cake for $45 per person.

Taking the spirit of TGIF to heart, Brickell hotspot Baby Jane offers Friday lunch guests the option to park their cellphones at the door in exchange for a basket of fun & games as part of “Unplugged Lunch.” Colorful baskets of toys and coloring books can create the perfect distraction along with Chef Michael Beltran’s $10 lunch special Glazed Chicken Wings and a choice of Caesar or Beet & Peach Salad from noon until 3pm. Taking the spirit of TGIF to heart, Brickell hotspot Baby Jane offers Friday lunch guests the option to park their cellphones at the door in exchange for a basket of fun & games as part of “Unplugged Lunch.” Colorful baskets of toys and coloring books can create the perfect distraction along with Chef Michael Beltran’s $10 lunch special Glazed Chicken Wings and a choice of Caesar or Beet & Peach Salad from noon until 3pm.

Celebrate Bastille Day outside by the fountain at Brasserie Central’s annual street fair with Parisian tavern music, wine tasting and family fun, Thursday July 14 from noon until 6pm. Chef Pascal Oudin’s special alfresco menu includes oysters on the half shell, lamb merguez or truffle chicken sausage buns, Lyonnais Beignets, Nutella Crepes and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cups all priced under $6. Find the party at the level one courtyard at Merrick Park. Celebrate Bastille Day outside by the fountain at Brasserie Central’s annual street fair with Parisian tavern music, wine tasting and family fun, Thursday July 14 from noon until 6pm. Chef Pascal Oudin’s special alfresco menu includes oysters on the half shell, lamb merguez or truffle chicken sausage buns, Lyonnais Beignets, Nutella Crepes and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cups all priced under $6. Find the party at the level one courtyard at Merrick Park.

Coral Gables landmark restaurant Pascal’s on Ponce celebrates Bastille Day with a delicious five course prix fixe menu Thursday July 14. Enjoy an amuse bouche, a choice of seafood quenelle in lobster bisque or a traditional charcuterie platter followed by entrees of black grouper or braised beef shortribs. Desserts include bittersweet chocolate and vanilla ice cream or nougat glace with berries along with a selection of petit fours for $65 per person. Coral Gables landmark restaurant Pascal’s on Ponce celebrates Bastille Day with a delicious five course prix fixe menu Thursday July 14. Enjoy an amuse bouche, a choice of seafood quenelle in lobster bisque or a traditional charcuterie platter followed by entrees of black grouper or braised beef shortribs. Desserts include bittersweet chocolate and vanilla ice cream or nougat glace with berries along with a selection of petit fours for $65 per person.

South Beach hotspot Bianca at the Delano offers a 3-course “Taste of Summer” menu served at lunch ($25) that includes a choice of Bruschetta or Summer Salad, entrees of Roast Chicken or Linguini Cacio E Pepe and dessert. Dinner service ($39) starts with Burrata and Tomato Salad or Meat Balls, a choice of Churrasco, Chicken Panzanella, or Fish of the Day and Summer Semifreddo for dessert. Add a wine pairing for just $18. South Beach hotspot Bianca at the Delano offers a 3-course “Taste of Summer” menu served at lunch ($25) that includes a choice of Bruschetta or Summer Salad, entrees of Roast Chicken or Linguini Cacio E Pepe and dessert. Dinner service ($39) starts with Burrata and Tomato Salad or Meat Balls, a choice of Churrasco, Chicken Panzanella, or Fish of the Day and Summer Semifreddo for dessert. Add a wine pairing for just $18.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

The Forge Restaurant and Winebar welcomes Executive Chef Julia Doyne, the first woman to hold the top job at this venerable landmark. She’s celebrating the summer season with a $39 July Pre-Spice Menu that includes a complimentary glass of dessert wine. Join the fun Fridays at the Veuve Cliquot Happy Hour with $50 bottles and $10 flutes of champagne plus free hors d’oeuvres at the bar from 6pm until midnight. The Forge Restaurant and Winebar welcomes Executive Chef Julia Doyne, the first woman to hold the top job at this venerable landmark. She’s celebrating the summer season with a $39 July Pre-Spice Menu that includes a complimentary glass of dessert wine. Join the fun Fridays at the Veuve Cliquot Happy Hour with $50 bottles and $10 flutes of champagne plus free hors d’oeuvres at the bar from 6pm until midnight.

No need to wait for the Miami Spice promotion to begin in August when Jaya at the Setai Miami Beach offers guests a $39 three-course Summer Spice Menu right now! Executive Chef Mathias Gervais’ “East Meets West” dinner includes a choice of four appetizers like Pork Belly Bao or Chicken and Coconut Shrimp, four entrée options including Lobster Laksa, Tandoor Chicken Masala and Peking Duck, and two desserts.

No need to wait for the Miami Spice promotion to begin in August when Jaya at the Setai Miami Beach offers guests a $59 three-course Summer Spice Menu right now! Executive Chef Mathias Gervais’ “East Meets West” dinner includes a choice of four appetizers like Pork Belly Bao or Chicken and Coconut Shrimp, four entrée options including Lobster Laksa, Tandoor Chicken Masala and Peking Duck, and two desserts.

Midtown’s favorite dining destination celebrates summer with DJs spinning Thursday through Saturday nights and eight new slushy frozen drink specials like the Guayaba Dream; a mix of Ketel One orange vodka, guava and Disaronno. Stop in for weeknight Happy Hour from 4pm – 7pm when beer, bubbles and bar bites including edamame, house made sushi rolls and American Wagyu sliders are priced under $7. Midtown’s favorite dining destination celebrates summer with DJs spinning Thursday through Saturday nights and eight new slushy frozen drink specials like the Guayaba Dream; a mix of Ketel One orange vodka, guava and Disaronno. Stop in for weeknight Happy Hour from 4pm – 7pm when beer, bubbles and bar bites including edamame, house made sushi rolls and American Wagyu sliders are priced under $7.

Experience Sugar Rooftop Bar and Gardens, a tropical oasis built high atop Brickell City Centre’s EAST Hotel. This Asian-inspired gathering spot designed by Los Angeles Studio Collective features a Balinese carved oak bar, teak decking and lush landscaping. Enjoy panoramic views with cocktails and tapas like spicy chicken wings, steamed prawn and shrimp dumplings and beef satay seven days a week starting at 4pm. Experience Sugar Rooftop Bar and Gardens, a tropical oasis built high atop Brickell City Centre’s EAST Hotel. This Asian-inspired gathering spot designed by Los Angeles Studio Collective features a Balinese carved oak bar, teak decking and lush landscaping. Enjoy panoramic views with cocktails and tapas like spicy chicken wings, steamed prawn and shrimp dumplings and beef satay seven days a week starting at 4pm.

Miami’s premier cultural destination, the Pérez Art Museum announces an exciting Summer Guest Chef Series at Verde Restaurant where Executive Chef Kaytlin Brakefield will partner with some of Miami’s best to craft an exclusive three-course wine and dinner experience. Join in the fun for $85 per person with Chef Michael Pirolo (7/7), Chef Aaron Brooks (8/4) and Chef Niven Patel (9/1). Miami’s premier cultural destination, the Pérez Art Museum announces an exciting Summer Guest Chef Series at Verde Restaurant where Executive Chef Kaytlin Brakefield will partner with some of Miami’s best to craft an exclusive three-course wine and dinner experience. Join in the fun for $85 per person with Chef Michael Pirolo (7/7), Chef Aaron Brooks (8/4) and Chef Niven Patel (9/1).

Lincoln Road’s favorite steakhouse, Meat Market announces a $26 two-course lunch special available noon to 4pm, seven days a week. Enjoy a choice of summer fresh soups and salads, or BBQ Short Rib Empanadas to start and entrees like Char-Grilled Ribeye, Blackened Salmon and a duo of house signature burgers with a variety of sides. The popular Friday night happy hour now extends through Saturday and Sunday from 5pm – 8pm. Lincoln Road’s favorite steakhouse, Meat Market announces a $26 two-course lunch special available noon to 4pm, seven days a week. Enjoy a choice of summer fresh soups and salads, or BBQ Short Rib Empanadas to start and entrees like Char-Grilled Ribeye, Blackened Salmon and a duo of house signature burgers with a variety of sides. The popular Friday night happy hour now extends through Saturday and Sunday from 5pm – 8pm.

For more fun things to do after dark, check out our weekly South Beach Nightclub Guide and our Super Summer Pool Party Guide!

2445 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Casual & Classic
A casually elegant eatery tucked within the Metropolitan by COMO Miami Beach Hotel, the Traymore Restaurant & Bar features Chef Jonathan Lane’s locally sourced freshwater fare as well as the hotel’s signature healthy dining menu called Shambhala Cuisine. With more diners actively seeking out healthier dishes, Chef Lane brings years of experience to his menus which incorporate seasonal Florida ingredients and simple, flavorful preparations. Start with towers of pristine shellfish presented on iced plateaus or garlicky Key West shrimp served with grilled country bread to sop up the delicious sauce. Seafood is prepared whole or roast on cedar planks to impart a special flavor. Landlubbers will appreciate the chef’s hearty Midwestern upbringing when they bite into a perfectly char-grilled steak served with bone marrow butter and a wild mushroom ragu. Saturday brunch service features live jazz until 3pm.

2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Relaxed & Retro
A night at the Matador Room at the newly refurbished EDITION Hotel on Miami Beach is like stepping back in time to an era of tropical refinement. Some might mention Old Havana while strolling through the lushly appointed gardens, but we’re all about the colorful photos of toreadors lining the walls of the bar area where friendly bartenders shake up a tart Barcelona Gin & Tonic with citrus and fresh herbs before or after dinner. The dining room is all about retro glamour with an emphsis on the hotel’s 1950s pedigree. Acclaimed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten crafts his menu with a nod toward Miami’s Latin and Caribbean influences and serves up locally-sourced produce like gently charred Florida octopus with crispy potatoes, roasted red snapper with a tart tamarind glaze, and crunchy Florida grouper tacos topped with a bright citrus slaw.

1220 16 Street, Miami Beach, FL
Vibe: Funky & Fabulous
Billing itself as “a Hip Taqueria with a Covert Lounge” catering to taco lovers and late-night snackers, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila is the perfect antidote to the glitzy South Beach scene with streetside picnic tables and an awesome secret pub out back where savvy party people meet and mingle late night. Located on an unassuming side street on the residential west side of town, this converted warehouse took the city by storm with flavorful tacos and tortas prepared inside a converted stainless steel Airstream trailer parked just inside the doors. Owned and operated by Miami’s Menin Hotel Group, Bodega boasts an ice chest of bottled beer, grab & go munchies like queso frito and chips with guacamole plus signature tacos of beef, pork and seafood starting at $5 for two.

19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL
Vibe: Classic & Clubby
More than just a critical voice on FoodTV’s cooking challenge “Chopped,” Chef Scott Conant lends his talents to Corsair Restaurant at the Turnberry Isle Resort where his Farmhouse Mediterranean flavors get rave reviews from area foodies. Focusing on seasonal produce and more rustic presentations, the kitchen follows Conant’s notion of sprezzatura; a casual elegance that captures the way Floridians like to dine. Overlooking the resort’s Miller Golf Course, Corsair offers indoor and outdoor tables and maintains brisk professional service all day long. The popular bar menu features appetizers of seafood tartare with crispy shallots, boneless wings in a spicy dipping sauce, and a variety of freshly shucked oysters on the half shell – in other words, snacks that pair perfectly with a well crafted cocktail. The dinner menu benefits from the chef’s passion for pasta and also offers a hearty variety of roast meats and seafoods from tender diver scallops to a juicy spice-crusted 24 ounce rib eye.

3451 NE First Avenue, Miami, FL
Vibe: Mod & Memorable
Fans of Chef Richard Hales’ Sakaya Kitchen and Dim Ssäm à GoGo food trucks will thrill to his latest endeavor in Midtown Miami, Blackbrick Chinese Restaurant. Nominated by Bon Apetit Magazine one of the Best New Restaurants of 2014, the mod storefront eatery serves flavorful updates to traditional Asian recipes including steamed and fried dim sum dumplings, bao and buns. Showcasing products from top South Florida purveyors, Hales’ menu reads like a who’s who in the Miami food scene (Swank & Borek Farms, Wynwood Brewing Company, Azucar Ice Cream). Nothing like your neighborhood Chinese Go-To, Blackbrick serves lamb, gator and rabbit where most might offer pork or chicken and adds key words like “numbing & hot” or “explosive” to some of the spicier dishes. Cool your palate with a local La Rubia beer or a house signature cocktail crafted at the bar. Definitely try the cumin scented lamb dishes and the Hong Kong style wonton soup topped with fake (meat-free) pork rinds. Vegetarians can substitute tofu for any protein on the menu or select from a number of locally-sourced veggie preparations stir fried with ginger, black beans or house made hoisin sauce. Top off any meal with something sweet from Chef Hales’ wife Jenny’s delicious pastries and witty, handcrafted fortune cookies. At our Number One spot, Blackbrick Restaurant is rock solid!

Reality cooking shows like “Chopped” on FoodTV, BravoTV’s “Top Chef” and Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” attract millions of devoted viewers to a genre that used to be considered one notch below soap operas on daytime television. When Julia Child first started demonstrating her French cooking techniques on public television in 1963, the show was largely regarded as an afternoon diversion for suburban housewives.

By the 1980’s, caterer-turned-cookbook-author Martha Stewart rocketed to the top of the New York Times Bestseller List, appearing on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “Larry King Live” to promote her publications before taking to the airwaves with her own lifestyle program in 1993. By the time the 1995 cover of New York Magazine named Stewart the “Definitive Woman of Our Time,” the notion of a global culinary brand name was born. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia – which became a publicly-traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 1999 – currently covers cooking, crafts, catering, wedding planning, home & garden design, organizing tips and branded housewares, all neatly promoted through her successful magazine, merchandise catalogs, popular website and syndicated television programming.

Today’s celebrity chefs like Rachel Ray host popular daytime chat shows, prime time cooking competitions and nighttime travel series where chefs Tony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern roam the world in search of unique ethnic foods. Their faces beam from the covers of best selling cookbooks, tell-all memoirs and glossy magazines. Their pricey cookware gleams on department store shelves and their name brand restaurants fill posh resorts from Las Vegas to Dubai. Oddly enough, some of the most recognizable chefs on television today find their schedules so filled with book tours and personal appearances, there is little time left for actual cooking (unless there is a camera on the scene).

Miami foodies have a passion for celebrity chef culture and flock to restaurants where the chefs work on site or have helped to develop the menus. For travelers who love to watch their favorite chefs on television, here is our quick guide to the top toques cooking up some big name chow in Greater Miami right now.

As Julia Child would say, “Bon Appétit!”

Scott Conant & Alan Yau
Fontainebleau Resort & Spa
4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
One of the perks of celebrity chef stardom is the lucrative opportunity to lend your name to a rich variety of restaurants that stand in support of your worldwide brand. Celebrity chefs are some of the most important draws in Las Vegas and the appeal of Scott Conant & Alan Yau make the dazzling updates at the fully renovated Fontainebleau Resort all the more significant.

Five star dining is the hallmark of a luxury travel experience and guests at Miami Beach’s largest resort can enjoy the breathtaking Asian oasis Hakkasan or the rustic simplicity of Scarpetta’s signature Italian bistro.

London’s first Michelin-starred Asian restaurant made it’s US debut at the Fontainebleau serving upscale riffs on traditional Chinese dishes including a wildly popular weekend dim sum brunch that’s one of the best in town. Chef Scott Conant has attained super star status for his humble pastas in New York City where great Italian restaurants are easy to find.

Recognized everywhere for his role as a judge on FoodTV’s “Chopped,” Conant’s mushroom polenta, braised short ribs and signature spaghetti with tomato and basil are now stars in their own right at his elegant seaside dining room. Always popular with celebrities and socialites, the Fontainebleau makes it easy to taste these world famous chef’s dishes at some truly elegant restaurants.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten
J & G Grill at the St. Regis
9701 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL
Jean-George Vongerichten (JoJo, Vong, Prime Steakhouse, Spice Market) launched J & G Grill, a dazzling poolside restaurant and bar at the tony St. Regis Bal Harbour. Patterned after his successful ABC Kitchen in Manhattan – which was named Best New Restaurant by the prestigious James Beard Foundation – J & G is one of a handful of upscale waterfront dining destinations in South Florida.

ABC Kitchen serves fresh, organic and local ingredients in an artfully-designed dining room under the daily direction of Executive Chef Daniel Kluger. Designed by the ABC Home creative team, over 70% of the menu comes from within 90 miles of the busy kitchen.

Showcasing local produce drives Miami’s best restaurants like Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink and MC Kitchen to great success, so this formula makes J & G Grill a top spot in Bal Harbour. Chef de Cuisine Richard Gras crafts a curated selection of Jean-Georges’ most popular recipes to pair with fresh local seafood and meat, making J & G Grill the haute new spot to experience Contemporary American fare with a proud local influence. Jean-George’s Fern Restaurant takes pride of place at the St. Regis’ luxurious Bahia Beach Resort property in Puerto Rico.

Built from the ground up on the original site of Morris Lapidus’ Americana Hotel, the new Bal Harbour property comprises both luxury oceanfront residences and upscale hotel rooms. Guests may dine indoors or alfresco in full view of the pool deck and the sparkling Atlantic coast.

Makoto Okuwa
Makoto at the Bal Harbour Shops
9700 Collins Avenue, Bal Harbour, FL
There’s no doubt a pretty daunting shadow cast by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto as he vanquishes his opponents at TV’s Kitchen Stadium season after season. Standing right by his side for 13 episodes, Sous Chef Makoto Okuwa went on to help Morimoto launch successful Japanese restaurants across the globe.

Working as an executive sushi chef, Makoto recently kicked off another venture in Los Angeles before taking the spotlight at restaurateur Stephen Starr’s 200-seat haute Japanese venture at the Bal Harbour Mall. Finally taking center stage, Makoto’s menu showcases modern riffs on cooked Japanese dishes plus his own signature sushi creations, boutique sakes and a full robata grill. The indoor/outdoor space is sexy and sophisticated, but definitely designed to keep the focus on the food.

Standing by Makoto’s side during the opening months, Top Chef All Star Dale Talde serves as the Director of Asian Concepts for the Starr Organization where he and Makoto helped to open Morimoto together in New York. Chef Makoto remains on site as his first eponymous restaurant develops a strong Miami fan base.

Daniel Boulud
db Bistro Moderne at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel
255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami, FL
Downtown Miamians in need of a little extra lunchtime pampering were recently thrilled to learn that celebrity chef Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne has added a gourmet sandwich bar serving upscale $15 soup and sammie combos including a house made bratwurst, a mojo-roasted pork “Croque Señor” (think Cuban sandwich with a French twist) and a Cape Cod-worthy lobster roll.

This latest innovation from Miami’s exciting new Franco-American bistro adds a bit of wiggle room to the 5 star dining experience which spans a lofty main dining room, a stylish bar and lounge space as well as a street level terrace facing the busy Miami River. Popular for lunch, Sunday brunch, and the Lucky Seven Happy Hour (where everything is $7), db Bistro captures the sizzle of Miami but never loses sight of our decidedly casual lifestyle.

Appealing to the working man, the pleasure cruiser and a growing Downtown residential population, db Bistro Moderne knows how to gain traction in the highly competitive Miami restaurant scene.

In recent years, star chefs like David Bouley, Fabio Viviani and Masaharo Morimoto have opened and closed very high profile restaurants here in South Florida. For dedicated foodies, it is easy to see that time and tide wait for no (hungry) man. Some of the most promising restaurants on the culinary horizon include Katsuya and The Bazaar by James Beard Award-winning Chef José Andrés at Sam Nazarian’s SLS South Beach Hotel. Miami’s “Top Chef” Michelle Bernstein opened Seagrape, a Floridian brasserie at the Thompson Hotel and reopened the former Michy’s Restaurant in the MiMo District as Cena.

Food TV Network’s “Chopped” Chef Scott Conant debuted Corsair Restaurant at the Turnberry Isle Resort and world-renowned Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings his culinary magic to the Matador Room at the Miami Beach EDITION Hotel. Nearby, celebrity Chef Alex Guarnaschelli just launched the Driftwood Room at the landmark Nautilus Hotel on South Beach. In a town of flash and fantasy like Miami, big names remain big business.

South Beach Magazine helps keep you posted on who might be cooking in Miami next year! Don’t forget, the Annual Food TV Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival takes place every February on the sunny sands of South Beach bringing the most important names and famous faces in the culinary cosmos right to our shore.

4385 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
One of the most exclusive seaside enclaves welcomes the public to a glorious alfresco Sunday feast from 11am-3pm! Enjoy a la carte breakfast selections like waffles and eggs plus Italian treats from the Cicchetti tapas menu. The restaurant serves pastas, pizzas and their delicious branzino topped with cherry tomatoes and olives both indoors and alfresco.

1418 20 Street, Miami Beach, FL
Chef Jose Mendin warms up his brunch menu this season with Pumpkin Pie Pancakes topped with walnut butter and maple syrup plus a playful riff on bananas foster served over PB French Toast Sticks with seasonal marmalade. If that doesn’t inspire you to get out of bed on a Sunday from noon until 4pm, you just might be hungover. Good thing the chef includes his signature Hangover Grub menu including hearty Udon Carbonara topped with a poached egg, smoked bacon and parmigiano or an updated Mofongo topped with pork belly chicharron in a shoyu broth.

3252 NE First Avenue, Miami, FL
Miami’s busy Midtown District enjoys weekend brunch service at Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill Saturday & Sunday from 10am – 4:30pm including specialty cocktails like the Cereal Killer – a potent mix of bourbon, rum, a whole egg and Honey Nut Cheerio infused milk. Pair this sweet eye-opener with Chef Timon Balloo’s buttermilk waffle with berries & cream or a savory version topped with crispy duck confit & a whole duck egg.

3025 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL
One of the most popular farm-to-table restaurants on Miami Beach has a gourmet brunch service featuring Chef Julie Frans organic selections served in a relaxing seaside dining room. Sip made-to-order smoothies, artisanal spirits and Pastry Chef Samantha Frei’s sweet surprises! A two person sharing combination is priced at just $39 with a choice of mimosa or bellini!

660 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL
Weekend brunch service at the Angler’s Resort kicks off at 11am Saturday and Sunday with a variety of traditional treats served to order including nutella French toast, buttermilk pancakes with guava butter and a bacon & cheddar 666 Burrito. Adults can also enjoy the dedicated hangover menu – unlimited mimosas and Bloody Marys for $25.

1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
Swank and sophisticated, the lobby dining room and seaside terrace at LT Steak offer guests a traditional breakfast mornings starting at 8am plus a weekend brunch service Saturday and Sunday that includes the famous LT popover until 4pm. The extended menu encompasses both eggs and hotcakes plus the full LT lunch selection including steaks, seafood, sandwiches and salads.

One Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL
South Beach’s hot seaside dance club hosts “Amazing Sundays,” a buffet Sunday brunch service from 11am – 4pm for $50 per guest that’s one of the most popular in town. Servers craft omelets to order, carve freshly-roasted meats and keep the sushi, salads and traditional breakfast items ready to go for indoor or beachside dining. DJ Felipe Kaval spins, drinks flow freely, and the party keeps going all day long. Dress code is sophisticated beach attire.

1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
The Ritz Carlton South Beach sits at the intersection of Lincoln Road Mall and the sea offering guests an ideal location for a South Beach getaway.

The hotel offers a serene oceanfront escape and easy access to the heart of the action. While hotel restaurants can often feel stuffy and traditional, Bistro One works hard to dispel that notion with indoor and al fresco seating, a dazzling Sunday brunch buffet and friendly outgoing servers. The hotel’s Di Lido Beach Club is popular for afternoon beachside service and Bistro One opens up to the spacious pool deck for all day dining.

Executive Chef Anthony Le Pape updates classic American fare with fresh local produce and an obvious respect for the essential flavors of quality ingredients. The kitchen and waitstaff work seamlessly to provide guests with a lively atmosphere by day and a romantic interlude in the evening when the dining room’s sparkling accents and superb art collection serve as the perfect backdrop for dinner for two. Locals favor the champagne soaked Sunday brunch buffet which features fresh seafood, shrimp and oysters as well as sushi, a vodka and caviar bar, a carving station and an awesome variety of desserts.

600 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
A popular chain of Asian fusion eateries, the SushiSamba experience takes you from Japan to Brazil to Peru and back while you shop, dine and play on Lincoln Road Mall. Thousands of Japanese once traveled to South America to work in agriculture and that combined heritage informs the menu at SushiSamba.

With a shared love of fresh seafood, bright spices and artful presentations the intersection of ceviche and sashimi is truly remarkable. Enjoy a small plate tapas meal, a few light bites with a tropical cocktail or a full dinner that starts with miso soup and ends with grilled steaks, a whole crispy snapper or churros and hot chocolate.

Originally opened in New York City, the unique combination of traditional dishes and innovative fare has inspired five locations throughout the country. The South Beach branch is popular for midday snacks for busy shoppers and late night parties with signature drinks and cosplay costumes. If you like Japanese Manga and Anime, stop by Tuesdays around midnight to meet some of the trickiest trendsetters in town. Sunday brunch is a sweet and savory compilation of fresh baked pastry, arepas and eggs, churrasco steak with garlicky chimichurri and raw bar selections spiked with cilantro, habanero peppers and tangy lemongrass. SushiSamba gives Asian fusion cuisine a unique South Beach beat!

700 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Sidewalk dining on Lincoln Road is a many splendored thing. With such an interesting variety of shops and an equally enchanting cast of characters wandering around the promenade throughout the day, finding a ringside seat at a good restaurant to watch the world go by can be the highlight of the meal.

Nexxt Cafe achieves a loyal following by offering huge portions of American diner style comfort food and artfully prepared pastries overlooking busy Euclid Circle at the heart of the Mall.

Popular for brunch and easy meals with kids, Nexxt has been compared to Cheesecake Factory for it’s impressive variety of overstuffed plates and appealing traditional offerings like pizza, burgers and towering piles of fries. A few tables inside the restaurant offer a cool respite on steamy South Beach days, but the majority of seats line the sidewalks on the mall under the shade of large market umbrellas. Frequently crowded, the overtaxed waitstaff do all they can to expedite service, but it is tough to sort out who wants a quick meal and who has landed for an afternoon respite of drinks and people watching. Smart diners should probably let their waiter know if time is of the essence. Otherwise, sit back, relax and enjoy.

915 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Executive Chef Sean Brasel crafts a unique fusion of steak, seafood and sizzling atmosphere to make his Meat Market restaurant one of the most desired destinations on Lincoln Road Mall.

South Beach has so many expensive steakhouses it is tough to distinguish one from another. The management team behind Meat Market incorporates a Crudo Bar that serves the freshest seafood, an old fashioned cocktail bar with dedicated mixologists, and offers guests a choice of the sleek dining lounge or sidewalk tables to see and be seen.

Fine dining on South Beach requires a delicate balance of sophistication and casual elegance. To appeal to an international clientele, restaurants must maintain a sense of style, use high quality ingredients and create an atmosphere that is welcoming to locals and tourists. Meat Market achieves this difficult task with friendly service, a menu that includes local produce, Kobe beef, prime steaks, American buffalo and then pairs the upscale entrees with goofy gouda tater tots that are simply out of this world. Perhaps the chef’s willingness to punctuate his menu with fun and familiar accents makes the overall dining experience such a genuine pleasure.

1014 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Italian food at it’s best is simple, rustic and redolent of garlic and good olive oil. Perhaps the highest compliment an Italian chef can receive is to be compared to someone’s fond memories of family cooking.

While Quattro Gastronomia Italiana offers elegant dining service and more casual sidewalk seating, the chefs still capture that home made essence that makes an Italian meal feel like the warm embrace of something longed for and familiar. The restaurant is sleek and sparkling with double-height ceilings, a towering wine bar and impeccable service.

Founded in 2006, Quattro  brings authentic northern Italian cuisine to South Beach by deftly fusing fresh local ingredients with the best imported products from Italy’s fertile agricultural Piedmont region. Famous for fine wines, tender beef, and the arborio rice used in risotto, regional Italian cooking reaches bold new heights at this popular Lincoln Road restaurant. Northern Italian cuisine is lighter, brighter and celebrates the freshness of the ingredients rather than covering them with heavy tomato sauces that are more popular in the south. Fresh burrata cheese, tender veal and house-made pastas start the meal which might include scallops of chicken, veal or beef tenderloin with fresh herbs, imported cheese and fresh seasonal vegetables. Be sure to save room for the airy chestnut mousse or zabaglione for dessert.

1022 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
Since 1997, United Kingdom import Balans Cafe has enjoyed a special significance for locals and visitors who gather under the shaded sidewalk tables to enjoy a delicious variety of satisfying dishes served from early morning until well past midnight.

Early risers can enjoy a traditional “English Fry” breakfast, a spicy egg burrito with chorizo sausage, berry-topped pancakes or a perfect eggs benedict. As the day wears on, the menu shifts to light bites to pair with a cocktail, summer-fresh salads and pastas or a plate of curry and a steak. The kitchen may start with it’s roots in England, but the local influences are a welcome addition to the menu.

House signature cocktails make the Lincoln Road bistro a popular spot at happy hour when pineapple spiked mojitos, electric lemonade and pear martinis share space on the bar with Pimm’s Cup, Guinness Stout and Newcastle Brown Ale.  Guests can enjoy two-for-one pricing from 4-7pm weekdays though competition for a table in the afternoon can be daunting. New locations on Brickell Avenue and the Biscayne Corridor confirm that the unique mix of continental cuisine, friendly service and a thoughtfully presented wine and cocktail menu makes for a successful venture in a town with very aggressive competition. Balans offers something for everyone and serves it with a charming English accent.

1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL
The coffee bar that launched a thousand South Beach stories got it’s start on the west end of Lincoln Mall where exhausted shoppers and gorgeous locals meet and mingle all day long.

Ten years later, Segafredo is the most sought after meeting spot for theater-goers, movie dates, ladies who lunch and models between go-sees on South Beach. The layout is a rather deliberately haphazard mix of sofas, tables and easy chairs spread around a mosaic fountain in the center of the busy mall. By the time you have shopped, walked and people-watched your way from Collins Avenue to the far end of the action, this European style cafe is like a welcoming oasis of coffee, cocktails and interesting snacks.

Enjoy pizzas, bruschetta, seasonal salads and sandwiches in the company of tuckered out toddlers and pampered pets. Segafredo has a full liquor bar, an artful variety of signature tropical cocktails and champagne drinks to relax and revive you after a long work out at the shops. Service is friendly and familiar and the expectation that you might linger a while keeps the pace as unhurried as an afternoon in Rome. For a quick pick me up or an afternoon of la dolce vita, Segafredo is the coffee bar you’ll wish you had back home.

Standby for more top Lincoln Road restaurants coming soon!

Moderator Bobby Flay, who has hosted countless cooking shows since the launch of the FoodTV Network, says the key to a celebrity chef’s success, “rides on the things you decide not to do.” The accolades and offers that may overwhelm the panelists who’ve won “Iron Chef” and “Top Chef” seem too good to be true but difficult to refuse. Striking a balance between public and private lives is often as challenging as reconciling the public’s perception of TV chefs with the rigors of running successful restaurants.

Add on the immediacy of the internet and the tangled world of social media and Flay reveals that he actually struggles with really small things like deciding how often a star chef should post on the microblogging site Twitter. Facing a media savvy crowd, Flay admits that he worries that tweeting about his visit to South Beach might make his customers choose a restaurant where they know the chef is actually cooking.

Chef Michael Symon recently moved from the frying pan into the fire – stepping from the rigors of Kitchen Stadium onto ABC’s “The Chew” – a live chat show featuring a small group of TV personalities sharing lifestyle and cooking tips with millions of homemakers every day. To facilitate the transition, he has had to spend weekdays in New York, far from his family and award-winning Cleveland restaurants.

He attributes his continued culinary success to his ability to train, to inspire and to delegate the details of running his restaurant kitchens to the dedicated members of his staff. While he loves his new role on a major television network, he admits the choices he makes are predicated upon his wife’s continued emotional support.

South Beach’s Tudor House Chef Geoffrey Zakarian moved from judging the cooking competition show “Chopped” to a starring role in Kitchen Stadium by defeating a group of the most famous chefs in the country on “The Next Iron Chef.” Once he made it to the top, he realized that his increasing high profile on television forever changed his life. “I got tweets and texts and e-mails from people saying they never knew I could cook.

Television changed the way the world perceives me and that’s what is important.” Ultimately, he reveals that his endgame is to leave the bright lights of television behind and some day open a romantic restaurant in Paris.

Chef Richard Blais was only a runner-up on BravoTV’s “Top Chef” but returned to defeat fellow competitors on the second chance series “Top Chef All-Stars.” He’s gone on to open a number of successful restaurants and burger bars but admits he struggles with the perception that he’s “just a guy on TV selling cans of soup.”

Adept at molecular gastronomy, Blais found genuine inspiration from cooking on the fly on televised competitions. He likens his “Top Chef” interactions to a musician escaping the confines of cutting an album in the studio to the thrill of a live jam session with fellow musicians. Freed from his restaurant, Blais found a new life on television and plans to continue with his own series.

The elder statesman of the group, Chef Jonathan Waxman reflects upon the necessary transition from being good in the kitchen to being good on television. “Being a chef in America (in the 1970s) was not the most exalted position — it was just a blue collar job.”

When he first saw his former employee Bobby Flay’s debut on television, Waxman finally made the distinction between personalities cooking on TV and actual chefs who were able to cook and be entertaining at the same time.

His concern with television success is that it can lead a chef away from the simple satisfaction of making customers happy with a single dish. But he quickly adds that TV exposure can be amazing for funding a cooking career.

Chef Mark Forgione is the son of Larry Forgione, one of America’s most revered chefs. His victory on “The Next Iron Chef” allowed him to step from the shadow of his father’s fame and garnered a number of high-profile product endorsement deals with Pom Wonderful Juices and Macy’s Department Store. He marvels, “Pre-TV I would never have imagined in a million years that somebody would give me money to say I liked a certain kind of juice…”

He is quick to point out that even successful restaurants seldom turn a profit and that his endorsements help to fund the day-to-day operations at his restaurant. He is anxiously about to join the elite roster of celebrity chefs who run multi-million dollar dining rooms at luxury casinos.

Chef Stephanie Izard defeated Richard Blais in the finals of “Top Chef” and immediately returned to Chicago to open her restaurant Girl & the Goat, “to show the world I’m a chef and I wasn’t just on TV because I have a nice smile.” The only woman to win “Top Chef” is most concerned with proving she is an authentic chef and feeling proud of every decision she makes. On the downside of fame, she recounts the sobering experience of facing the vitriol of anonymous reviewers on the website YELP and how hard it is to convince other chefs she is more than just a TV personality. While many star chefs have leveraged their fame into multiple restaurant deals in New York, Los Angeles and the mega resorts in Las Vegas, she struggles with the notion of delegating the infinite tasks of perfecting every dish and lending her name — but not her presence — to remote locations.

As it is with most celebrities, the loss of privacy is often a challenge. Facing the public can be daunting to these once reclusive chefs who encounter overly enthusiastic fans at events like the South Beach Wine and Food Festival or in more awkward locations like public restrooms. Both Waxman and Forgione admitted to cringe-inducing fan encounters in the men’s room. Says Forgione, “I had a guy at a urinal look over at me and say, ‘Hey Man, I love your stuff!’ … swear to God!” Television fame removes all barriers and the constant access of social media and brand recognition makes every encounter subject to scrutiny.

Flay distinguishes that a TV personality like Rachel Ray is able to cross many paths. She helps teach people how to feed their families and she masters the entire lifestyle spectrum. Marveling that she can readily sell furniture or dog food or anything that’s relevant to her, Flay warns that TV chefs must be wary of the brands they choose to associate with their name. He exhorts that it is really important to know when to say “No.” Once any chef transcends the confines of a restaurant to become a television star, the most important thing is to be “a great chef, a great cook and to really love what you do.” Young chefs used to ask him how to get jobs in a restaurant kitchen and now they just want to score their own cooking show. While he encourages them to add acting classes to their culinary arsenal, he points out that every winning chef “puts cooking first and media second…”

The South Beach Wine and Food Festival takes place every February at Florida’s best hotels, restaurants and right out the sands of South Beach. Tickets go on sale in October and many of the most popular events sell out quickly. For information, log onto www.sobefest.com.

An active street scene in Wynwood might still attract young hipsters, but the Design District is definitely ready for prime-time. With swank eateries like Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink, a meal in the District requires an advanced reservation.

Venturing north past the 1-95 highway overpass that defines the border between Wynwood and the Design District, visitors will note the preponderance of pricey showrooms and expensive cars. While the District is a hive of activity during business hours, the late night scene is quiet. Because there is strength in numbers, both Wynwood and the District host “Art Walks” to promote larger group gatherings that make night visits less intimidating. The effect is striking. On a random Tuesday at dusk, it might just be you and a man pushing a rusted shopping cart. On Gallery Nights, you’re more likely to push past the designer-clad Mercedes crowd.

Some might say that the Miami Design District is like a sexy secretary – all business by day and ready to party after hours. The area teems with top-tier restaurants offering fine dining, breezy Sunday brunches and an extremely vibrant happy hour scene. If you are visiting Miami Beach and want to taste Miami’s new food culture, taxi over to 40th Street and follow our lead to the best restaurants in the area.

Perhaps the most influential person in the evolution of Design District dining is Chef Michael Schwartz, proprietor of Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink – the red-hot center of this new culinary Mecca. Serving lunch and dinner to a well-heeled clientele, the restaurant divides into two worlds; the outdoor patio and the cozy dining room.

Guests inside the arty space enjoy watching the presentation of dishes in small, medium, large and extra large portions breezing through the open-hearth kitchen. Devoted foodies vie for a seat at the kitchen counter bar so they can chat with the chef while he works his magic.

The patio and 14-seat lounge area are home to a far more social scene. Guests enjoy gourmet-inspired snacks, small plates and heartier entrees from the wood-burning oven including whole chickens and fish served family-style and a pork shoulder and cheese grits entree that is Michael’s signature dish. Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith adds a sweet ending to every meal so be sure to leave a little room for her innovative desserts. Reservations are strongly suggested and Sunday brunch is always delicious.

Miami’s Design District welcomes the modern Italian menu of MC Kitchen, the collective effort of “M & C ” – Chef Dena Marino and her business partner Brandy Coletta. Marino honed her skills in tony Aspen Colorado and went on to master modern Italian cookery alongside Chef Michael Chiarello whose Tra Vigne in Napa California sets a high bar in seasonal, market-driven cuisine. Fusing her family’s rustic Italian recipes with Chiarello’s haute standards of service, Marino brings a fresh wave of updated traditional fare to MidTown Miami.

Renovating the former Fratelli Lyon dining space, MC Kitchen’s open cook space features a wood burning hearth used to prepare crisp pizzas and piadini, highlights of the lunch menu. Busy with fashionably-dressed guests by day, the chef offers a brief roster of antipasti, salads and pastas to start and a popular half pound angus beef burger topped with a freshly fried egg for heartier appetites. Marino’s line caught fish of the day is served gently seared as is the pristine sushi grade tuna topping tart baby greens and a lemony vinaigrette.

Sunset creates a more romantic atmosphere in the sleek dining room and Marino’s menu expands to include hearth baked pasta dishes like silky spinach lasagna topped with bechamel sauce and a pumpkin-filled tortellini in a braised rabbit ragu. Grilled pork chops, a tender rack of Colorado lamb and a massive bone-in porterhouse steak are ideal entrees to share along with the bucatini alla carbonara or cheesy gnudi topped with Reggiano Parmigiano.

There are few Miami chefs as popular as Michael Schwartz and indeed many would thrill to have a taste of the success and acclaim he enjoys at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami’s Design District. Adding to the luster of his appeal, he opened Harry’s Pizzeria at a small storefront just a few streets away from his busy urban bistro. Named for his son, Harry’s has just 40 seats and a menu limited to gourmet pies topped with interesting stuff like rock shrimp and pulled pork, caramelized onions and artisanal cheeses. With no pastas and entrees to get in the way of the pies, Schwartz and Co-Chef de Cuisine Manny Sulbaran feel free to innovate and modify the menu like Jazz musicians searching for that perfect groove. Ingredients are fresh, locally sourced and so are the craft beers which Schwartz brings in from cool Florida breweries. Service is friendly but the wait can be long because Harry’s – like Schwartz – seems to have a lot of friends in Miami who have no reservations.

There is a sweet spot in the Mediterranean where the Greek Islands reach out to meet the Turkish Coast and that picturesque region is the inspiration for the delightful dishes prepared at Mandolin Aegean Bistro which sits at the gateway between the Design District and historic Buena Vista in a uniquely modified 1940′s house.

The action centers on the open air patio where the dedicated restaurateurs have crafted a romantic setting that’s the perfect oasis for dining alfresco on a breezy Miami night. Ideal for vegetarians and the carnivores who love them, the menu includes a roster of small plate starters like olive oil poached leeks, crispy calamari, and trios of piquant Greek or Turkish dips made with fresh tomatoes, eggplant and fava beans pureed to a velvety texture and ready to slather on house baked pide bread.

Simple and rustic, entrees include a whole sea bass, a tender pulled lamb sandwich with crispy fries and a traditional Moussaka casserole with layers of meat and eggplant baked beneath a blanket of rich Bechamel sauce. Popular at both lunch and dinnertime, guests should call in advance to reserve a table outside or in the tiny 17-seat dining room. With each dish prepared to order, plan to linger over your meal, to savor the distinct flavors and reconnect with friends and family.

If you want to plan a nighttime visit to the Design District, attend Art + Design Nights on the 2nd Saturday of each month. For more information, call (305) 573-8116

Not for the faint of heart, our Cuban coffee addiction fuel’s Miami’s reputation as the Road Rage Capital of the USA (more on that later). But, today we explore how caffeine can actually IMPROVE your holiday from the inside out and the outside in!

Beyond the obvious effects of a 24 hour coffee bender, we recently visited the glamorous Four Seasons Hotel (1435 Brickell Avenue) to experience for ourselves the ultimate coffee lover’s beauty treatment! After reading a popular woman’s magazine article about the benefits of applying caffeine directly to the skin, we were determined to find someone a bit more professional than our sister (who offered to pour the contents of a used coffee filter over our head one grouchy morning), to treat us with some brand new caffeine-based beauty products.

Turns out caffeine, when applied directly to your skin, causes a moderate constriction of blood vessels and decreases the flow of blood. If you have recently purchased an expensive anti-cellulite cream to ready your problem areas for swimsuit season, chances are the main ingredient is actually caffeine. The stuff that gets your heart racing gets fat cells moving too!

Some girls are comfortable with a do-it-yourself approach. For those both bold and beautiful, line your bathroom floor with newspaper and grab that still-warm coffee filter from the pot tomorrow morning. Making sure the coffee grounds are warm to the touch, vigorously rub them onto your upper legs using your hands or a loofah mitt. Ideally, you should follow this application with a wrap of common kitchen plastic film to let the coffee work it’s magic for a few minutes. Unwrap, rinse thoroughly and continue this treatment about twice a week to achieve the best results. With luck, your significant other will not walk in during this process and think you have lost your mind!

For the more pampered approach, stop by RikRak Salon at the Four Seasons to let the experts apply an “Espresso Yourself Natural Tanning Facial.” This high-octane approach to beauty includes an espresso bean and brown sugar scrub to smooth away your skin’s dull exterior. Next, a gentle facial massage and natural espresso and sugar cane mask leaves your face both flawless and gently sun tanned looking too! As this all takes place in Miami, a complimentary cup of coffee is included in your treatment.

You’ll emerge relaxed, refreshed and ready to face the world, glowing both inside and out!

RikRak Salon at the Four Seasons Hotel
1428 Brickell Avenue
305.371.5577
www.rikrak.com

All participating restaurants offer a set menu of three courses ($23 for lunch and $39 for dinner) nearly every night of the week. Some spots do restrict their Miami Spice promotions to less crowded nights so check the website ilovemiamispice.com for dates and menus before booking. The best part of the offer is that locals and visitors can select from nearly 200 different destinations for casual or elegant dining at restaurants offering romantic escapes, indoor and outdoor seating, waterfront views, traditional steak house cuisine or exotic flavor profiles that may broaden their culinary horizons.

Menus and availability are still being worked out, so check the website often to see what’s on the menu each week! Reservations are strongly suggested.

The full restaurant list is here.

While hotel dining world-wide is notorious for its under-performance and is often plagued by a complacency spawned from the steady receipts of a captive audience, the big name restaurants at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach are managing to attract loyal local diners with innovative cuisine and professional service in a gorgeous setting that’s second to none. As with other pricey hot spots in this decidedly fickle town, only time will tell if this allure remains in place.

A renovation the size and scope of this billion-dollar baby required a great deal of patience on the part of management and patrons who weathered the transition from work-in-progress to firing-on-all-cylinders, but now hotel guests and curious Miamians will discover eleven dining and lounge options at the Fontainebleau including marquee names like Alfred Portale’s Gotham Steak, Scott Conant’s Scarpetta and Alan Yau’s Hakkasan. With a stable of thoroughbreds like this, the Mid-Beach section of Miami Beach is starting to regain its 1960s Las Vegas feel.

The hotel employed no less than eight international architects, designers and project managers to complete the 22-acre project. When they say size matters, we just know they’re talking about the 30,000 square foot LIV nightclub and the 40,000 square foot poolside Lapis Spa with it’s 30 amazing treatment rooms. The two new all-suite guest towers Trésor and Sorrento join the refurbished Château and Versailles towers to form a complex of lavish accommodations that seem to go on forever. As you wander through the vast reaches of marble and glass, the restaurants unfold before you offering every taste from rustic Tuscan to sparkling sushi. Vida features a Pan-American menu.

Poolside, La Côte is designed to resemble La Palmier in Saint Tropez. Blade flows indoors from the terrace to offer sashimi, nigiri and omakase for Japanese purists and then Solo is the hotel’s hearth; a cozy bakery and cafe.

What most Miamians and food-enthusiastic visitors are talking about these days are the twin titans of the culinary scene who have expanded their hold on Manhattan wallets to take pride of place at the Fontainebleau Hotel – Gotham Steak and Scarpetta. We have high hopes for both ballyhooed bistros but clearly only one has hit it’s stride so far. While the staff at Gotham Steak are still finding their rhythm, the menu deftly fuses Italian, French and Asian influences to showcase pricey cuts of prime beef and plenty of seafood as well.

Credit the restaurant’s design team for avoiding classic steakhouse cliches of dark wood and that man’s-man clubhouse vibe for a sexier tan and airy space with an open kitchen on the first level and a lively second-tier bar and alfresco dining area. The atmosphere is as light and delicious as the popovers which are presented with truffle butter and disappeared from our table in a Pop! With Miami Beach’s most famous hotel as a backdrop, it’s a pleasure to see palm trees outside the floor-to-ceiling windows and a cascading glass chandelier that draws the eye up to the pass through that is the focal point of the two story dining room.

What matters most to steakhouse patrons is the beef and at Gotham the salt-crusted beef is hardwood-grilled and finished in a 1,200F broiler. Each pedigreed cut is branded by region; NY strips (prime Black Angus or 50-day aged prime Niman Ranch), filets (Black Angus or Brandt Farms), grass-fed rib eye (Painted Hills Farm), porterhouse (Niman Ranch), and super-marbled Wagyu from Strube Ranch, Sher Farms, or Japan. Pairing your particular steak with one of the 13,000 bottles of wine in the glass wine tower will propel the check skyward but that should come as no surprise to Alfred Portale’s cosseted coterie of loyal Gothamites.

The Gotham Bar and Grill in Manhattan sets the benchmark for sophisticated presentation and innovative plating. With time we’re confident Gotham Steak will master the delicate balance that propels Alfred Portale’s reputation to skyscraper heights. In the meantime, we’re loving the more down-to-earth flavors at Scarpetta…

Big name chefs and restaurateurs hate to admit they live and die by the sword of New York Times restaurant critic Frank Bruni. Pity Jeffrey Chodorow who spent a fortune on his New York Kobe Club steakhouse only to have the most famous critic chop it to chuck steak in a zero star review. Desperate and determined, Chodorow spent $40,000 on a full page “open letter” ad in the Times dining section to refute the negative rating and fuel a feud more famous than the Hatfields and the McCoys. By contrast, Bruni recently wrote a three star sonnet to Scott Conant’s New York Scarpetta Restaurant, rhapsodizing that no other chef coaxes better flavors from the humble tomato “getting roundness of flavor and nuance of sweetness that amount to pure Mediterranean bliss.”

When the Fontainebleau announced that Scott Conant would bring his pricey Italian restaurant to the shores of Miami Beach, local foodies stood up and took notice. While offshoots of successful restaurants bear the weight of the “chain” classification and can be dismissed as minor league ball clubs to the New York majors, the players at Miami Beach’s Scarpetta are swinging for the bleachers and scoring some gastronomic hits.

Scarpetta maintains an air of poise and grace while serving perfect house made pasta to Michael Jordan or our table of blue jean wearing nobodies. The staff is calm, professional and perfectly suited to the sophisticated dining room that enjoys pride of place above the hotel’s spectacular pool. “Scarpetta” is an Italian word for small shoe, a slang term for the crust of bread used to sop up the last of the sauce on a plate of pasta and a well-earned moniker at a restaurant where the pomidoro really is good to the last drop. What’s more, the variety of breads stuffed into our basket were so far above and beyond the offerings at any restaurant in recent memory, we unapologetically passed the empty vessel back to our waiter more than twice to have it refilled.

Another visit took place at the request of out of town guests who treated us to a brunch we can only describe as transcendent. Sundays in bed with the Times are not going to be the same now that Scarpetta beckons us to get up and taste the bellinis. Next time you find yourself in the mood for a meal to remember, remember we told you to check out what’s cooking at the Fontainebleau.

A billion dollars just isn’t what it used to be in these days of economic bailouts and trillion dollar budgeting. It takes a great deal of bravado to spend years of effort and piles of money creating a Fantasy Island as ambitious as the Fontainebleau Hotel.  Your personal sense of finance will determine just how much you’re willing to spend on an oceanfront suite, a deep tissue massage, a perfectly marbled steak or a pristine plate of pasta in the months to come.

With all the changes afoot in the world today, we’re happy to report that the changes at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach are truly impressive for this state-of-the-art ocean-front resort.

The Fontainebleau Miami Beach Resort is located at 4441 Collins Avenue in Mid-Beach, just a few minutes north of the South Beach Scene.

The hotbed of culinary action on the boulevard is the Upper East Side, also known as the MiMo Historic District (designated as the area from NE 50th  Street to NE 77th Street) for its distinctive Miami Modern architectural gems. Hourly-rate motels dating back to the 50’s share space with quirky antique furniture stores on a stretch that seems to be perpetually under construction. The fine dining flagship in this neighborhood is unquestionably Michy’s. Helmed by local celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, the  high-end neighborhood haunt received national attention almost since opening two years ago and has continued to draw discerning gastronomes. Menu selections can be ordered as a full or half portion allowing diners to graze among a sea of carefully crafted salad, seafood, and pasta dishes. A nice selection of wines available by the glass adds to the casual choose-as-you go dining odyssey. The truffle infused polenta topped with a poached egg and bacon is a rich and decadent hit.

Biscayne newcomer Kris Wessel (formerly of Elia and Liaison) aims to attract some of the culinary traffic to his new Red Light located in the funky Motel Blu. Miami foodies have been eagerly awaiting the New Orleans-raised chef’s Florida regional cuisine using locally sourced seafood and organic produce. Dishes like five-hour braised rabbit, barbecued oysters and coconut-laced fish chowder will draw legions of loyal fans to this picturesque Little River spot.

Casual fare reigns on Biscayne where a plethora of eateries easily satisfy budget-conscious diners. Uva 69 pleasantly exudes the neighborhood’s relaxed off-the-beach hipness. The outdoor bistro helped transform this rough patch of Biscayne boulevard into the hip destination it is today. The covered patio blocks the boulevard’s noise and is a relaxed oasis where fresh-baked breakfast pastries, lunch salads and eclectic dinner fare commingle both Cuban and French influences.

Dogma Grill is a kitschy quick snack shack. Turkey, soy and all-beef hot dogs with over 20 toppings are available along with salads and addictive fries. Further south is Kingdom Bar, a laid-back sports bar with a loyal local following of burger aficionados. The sirloin patty comes in three sizes – 8 oz., 12oz. or the dinosauric 24 oz. – and receives universal raves from Miami foodies. The kitchen is run by a rotating line-up of chefs but gourmands-in-the-know insist that Monday night is the best, with the former chef of Wyclef Jean manning the grill.

Located in a strip mall, the Spanish tapas joint Canela is a homey spot with live music most Wednesday nights and modestly-priced dishes like stuffed green plantains and a robust paella.

Wine lovers are also drawn to Biscayne for the weekly tastings at the inviting Vine Wine Shop. The two-story wine boutique features an intimate tasting loft where local oenophiles quaff South African syrahs and Argentinian malbecs. Make sure to stop by on Wednesday evenings when the complimentary tastings include a 10% discount on featured wines.

Bin No. 18 is the place to go Thursday night for gratis wine sampling and a lively atmosphere. The airy restaurant is close enough to Miami’s Arsht Performing Arts Center to be a pre or post-theater stop. With bottles ranging from $14 to $100 and delectable “degustation” boards piled high with meats, cheeses and olives, both wine novices and connoisseurs have made this a favored nighttime hang.

Buoyed by Michy’s popularity and the inevitable culinary traffic that is spurred, Wine 69 opened a few doors down from Bernstein’s restaurant and has managed to create a niche for itself as a quaint pre-dinner wine bar. French-born owner Ben Neji has stocked the contemporary lounge spot with more than 200 bottles, many from small vineyards from Chile and Italy.

Neighborhood stalwart Casa Toscana features a wine room and garden for tasting events and private parties. Owned by Tuscan-born chef Sandra Stefani this rustic Italian eatery is popular for weekend brunch where you can catch neighborhood regulars vying for one of the restaurant’s 30 seats to indulge on frittatas made with spinach, pancetta and fontina cheese and glasses of proseco.

Soyka anchors the stylishly renovated “55th Street Station.” Opened by the owners of the beach’s Van Dyke and News Cafe, Soyka pioneered the neighborhood’s gradual gentrification. With its industrial-chic décor, the sprawling restaurant is a power-lunch hub, with local professionals refueling on comfort food staples like heaping cobb salads, hefty turkey burgers, pastas and steaks.

Across the street is Andiamo Pizza, a retro-cool pizza bistro housed in a former tire shop. The property also functions as a carwash as local hipsters get their wheels waxed while feasting on gourmet brick-oven fired pizzas on outdoor picnic tables while a steady stream of traffic whizzes by. The “Soprano” pizza, topped with hot and sweet Italian sausage, broccoli rabe, parmesan  and mozzarella is a belly-filling miracle. The Soyka team plans to open a Biscayne outpost of their famed News Cafe by the end of April with a late-night menu sure to keep scenesters satiated.

Asian restaurants have also proliferated on the strip, some more authentic than others. Fresh on the block is Moshi Moshi, sibling to the South Beach branch, offering affordable sushi rolls and ceviches along with Japanese street food stapled like okonomiyaki (fried cabbage pancake) and pork katsu (fried breaded cutlets).

The owners of South Miami’s Indochine recently opened Moonchine Asian Bistro in the first floor of a 1960’s office building. While the spot lacks a clear Asian focus, offering a smorgasboard of specialties like Thai curries, Vietnamese noodles and sushi, it has quickly garnered a local following, especially for their bento-box lunch specials.

Two French brothers opened the tiny Sushi Square two years ago,  bring a Gallic flair to creatively-composed rolls like “Key West” made of lime marinated salom, chives, cilantro pesto and pear. The quaint 20-seat nook offers a wallet-friendly happy hour when rolls are half off.

The dining action dwindles past 79th Street but the newbie Pineapple Blossom Tea Room gives reason to venture north, for its quaint atmosphere, twenty varieties of tea, and delicate tea sandwiches and scones.

Though still on the boulevard, but a bit removed from the Upper East Side action is critical favorite North 110. Helmed by husband and wife team Dewey and Dale LoSasso, the white tablecloth restaurant features a popular Friday night beer and barbecue dinner where $50 snags a carnivorous feast of chicken wings, short ribs, shrimp skewers and grilled lamb.