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BEST COFFEEHOUSE

Luna Star Café

Maybe it's the lack of cold, dank weather, but Miami suffers from an unfortunate dearth of coffeehouses, at least the kind without corporate headquarters based in Seattle. And while there are plenty of cafecito windows and stop-and-gulps for locals to get their caffeine fix, places like Luna Star Café embody the true spirit of what a coffeehouse is supposed to be. It's all about community, and if you don't know the name of the person at the table next to you when you walk in, you will when you leave. Credit owner Alexis Sanfield and barista Karla for creating such a homey vibe in this cozy North Miami café, along with a mean cappuccino. Oh, and they host one of the best acoustic-music scenes in town, too.

BEST COFFEEHOUSE

Luna Star Café

Maybe it's the lack of cold, dank weather, but Miami suffers from an unfortunate dearth of coffeehouses, at least the kind without corporate headquarters based in Seattle. And while there are plenty of cafecito windows and stop-and-gulps for locals to get their caffeine fix, places like Luna Star Café embody the true spirit of what a coffeehouse is supposed to be. It's all about community, and if you don't know the name of the person at the table next to you when you walk in, you will when you leave. Credit owner Alexis Sanfield and barista Karla for creating such a homey vibe in this cozy North Miami café, along with a mean cappuccino. Oh, and they host one of the best acoustic-music scenes in town, too.

BEST CREATIVE USE OF SAKE

Rosebriar Café

The Rosebriar Café is tucked into an old Miami house on a side street off Biscayne Boulevard. It's decorated like a Victorian tea parlor. Although the service is often slow, the food, by chef John Stump, is always worth the wait -- especially the pumpkin soup. It's a nice setting for both a relaxing lunch and for the minor social dramas that unfold regularly between the gay couple who run the place and the guys who staff it. For instance, Mat is always convinced there aren't enough lace doilies and rose petals, while Carlos is forever trying to find ways to get hot young women to frequent the place. One such creative attempt was to offer a list of cocktails whose primary ingredient is sake. This was done because the café lacks the license necessary to offer hard liquor. So the Rosebriar technically abided by the law by mixing potent drinks made with sake (it's classified as a wine), usually in neon colors and Sex and the City-worthy flavors such as appletinis and the ubiquitous cosmos. Our favorite is the mojito, a delight of green minty tartness.

BEST CREATIVE USE OF SAKE

Rosebriar Café

The Rosebriar Café is tucked into an old Miami house on a side street off Biscayne Boulevard. It's decorated like a Victorian tea parlor. Although the service is often slow, the food, by chef John Stump, is always worth the wait -- especially the pumpkin soup. It's a nice setting for both a relaxing lunch and for the minor social dramas that unfold regularly between the gay couple who run the place and the guys who staff it. For instance, Mat is always convinced there aren't enough lace doilies and rose petals, while Carlos is forever trying to find ways to get hot young women to frequent the place. One such creative attempt was to offer a list of cocktails whose primary ingredient is sake. This was done because the café lacks the license necessary to offer hard liquor. So the Rosebriar technically abided by the law by mixing potent drinks made with sake (it's classified as a wine), usually in neon colors and Sex and the City-worthy flavors such as appletinis and the ubiquitous cosmos. Our favorite is the mojito, a delight of green minty tartness.

BEST ICE CREAM PARLOR

Cold Stone Creamery

Urban myth has it that on every corner up North there's a bar waiting to warm up its shivering patrons with alcoholic libations. Wouldn't it make similar sense for every block in Miami to have an ice cream shop waiting to shiver up its customers instead? Is opening a beer bottle so much easier than scooping out Rocky Road? The folks at Cold Stone Creamery sure don't make it seem that way. This rapidly growing chain is making inroads into the competitive Miami market with some remarkable innovations. Ice cream creations are made to order on a frozen granite slab. Ingredients are freshly mixed into whatever base you select. If you like the results, tip your chef and listen to the entire crew belt out a song of praise for you. Imagine auditioning for an afterschool job here. Brrr.

BEST ICE CREAM PARLOR

Cold Stone Creamery

Urban myth has it that on every corner up North there's a bar waiting to warm up its shivering patrons with alcoholic libations. Wouldn't it make similar sense for every block in Miami to have an ice cream shop waiting to shiver up its customers instead? Is opening a beer bottle so much easier than scooping out Rocky Road? The folks at Cold Stone Creamery sure don't make it seem that way. This rapidly growing chain is making inroads into the competitive Miami market with some remarkable innovations. Ice cream creations are made to order on a frozen granite slab. Ingredients are freshly mixed into whatever base you select. If you like the results, tip your chef and listen to the entire crew belt out a song of praise for you. Imagine auditioning for an afterschool job here. Brrr.

BEST NICARAGUAN RESTAURANT

Guayacan

What Guayacan (Best of Miami winner in 1996) lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up for with delicious food at reasonable prices. Highly recommended is the superb churrasco steak (charbroiled tenderloin) with gallo pinto and red beans and rice. You'd expect this quality of beef at a fancier restaurant -- with fancier prices. Also notable is a collection of traditional appetizers that includes such delights as the quesadilla-like repocheta, taquitos, and fried cheese. Remember that Nicaragua is bordered by both the Pacific and the Caribbean, so there are plenty of excellent choices for seafood lovers. The proper way to wash down these or any of the other traditional Nicaraguan foods is, of course, with a bottle of Toña beer.

BEST NICARAGUAN RESTAURANT

Guayacan

What Guayacan (Best of Miami winner in 1996) lacks in atmosphere, it more than makes up for with delicious food at reasonable prices. Highly recommended is the superb churrasco steak (charbroiled tenderloin) with gallo pinto and red beans and rice. You'd expect this quality of beef at a fancier restaurant -- with fancier prices. Also notable is a collection of traditional appetizers that includes such delights as the quesadilla-like repocheta, taquitos, and fried cheese. Remember that Nicaragua is bordered by both the Pacific and the Caribbean, so there are plenty of excellent choices for seafood lovers. The proper way to wash down these or any of the other traditional Nicaraguan foods is, of course, with a bottle of Toña beer.

BEST TACO

Taquerias El Mexicano

While some of the tacos (cow brain and pork intestine) on this menu would make good practice for potential Fear Factor contestants, Taquerias El Mexicano does offer a delectable array of tacos for the average eater, such as chicken chunks, carnitas, picadillo, and seasoned pork. For breakfast, we highly recommend the huevos rancheros taco. Served in crisp, golden brown corn tortillas or savory soft flour wraps in rojo, verde, enchilada, or cream sauces, these tacos will make you forget about running for the border. Instead you'll just venture out to Calle Ocho.

BEST TACO

Taquerias El Mexicano

Courtesy of Taquerias El Mexicano
While some of the tacos (cow brain and pork intestine) on this menu would make good practice for potential Fear Factor contestants, Taquerias El Mexicano does offer a delectable array of tacos for the average eater, such as chicken chunks, carnitas, picadillo, and seasoned pork. For breakfast, we highly recommend the huevos rancheros taco. Served in crisp, golden brown corn tortillas or savory soft flour wraps in rojo, verde, enchilada, or cream sauces, these tacos will make you forget about running for the border. Instead you'll just venture out to Calle Ocho.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®

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