Eat & Drink

You're a cleansing pro. You've tried it all, from the Master Cleanse to the Candida Cleanse. But most have left you feeling hangry (hungry + angry) and less-than-refreshed. Luckily, Ten Fruit's Cleanse Professional is a less than painful way to give your bod a break. This is not a fast — just a chance to break your bad habits via an all-liquid meal plan. For $47.50 a day (a steal compared to most cleanses), you get six hearty juices in a supercute to-go carton. And truth be told, you might be too full to make it to the finale. From the early-morning Super Green to the evening Green Day, you'll drink your fill of wheatgrass, parsley, ginger, beet, lemon, cucumber, and kale. Add an impossibly delicious midday almond milk for good measure, and it's a palatable lineup for those seeking internal enlightenment. No stomach pains, no deprivation, no lightheadedness. For three days and $142.50, you'll feel like a million bucks. Your innards especially.

Cocktails in these heady days are complex magic tricks, summoned from the ether by the showstoppers known as bartenders. But just as there's a difference between a Houdini and the clown at kiddie parties, there's a huge gulf in skill behind all the smoke and mirrors fluffing up craft cocktails around town. That's why the cocktails at Bar Centro are so satisfying. True, they're gorgeous, and there's a fair share of showmanship with liquid nitrogen and props. But the cleverest of cocktails has to be well rounded and delicious. Which is where José Andrés comes in. He's a master at making food that's both whimsical and delicious, and his chef-meets-Cirque du Soleil sensibilities translate to the cocktail menu. Here, a margarita ($16) is kissed by "salt air" (a bit of sea foam floating in the glass substitutes for a salt rim, giving you a more nuanced bit of salt in every sip); a dirty martini ($16) is graced with an olive spherification that bursts briny juice into your mouth when firmly pressed between your teeth; and a caipirinha ($16) is turned into a potent brain-freeze-inducing lime granita when mixed with liquid nitrogen. Each sip? Magical.

From the cash-only status to the friendly faces behind the bar, not all that much has changed at Duffy's Tavern in the past 25 years. Considering that this Red Road institution hits the trifecta of any great neighborhood bar — TV sets tuned to live sports, reasonable beer prices, and, of course, tasty food you can eat with your hands — that's one status quo we're thrilled to see maintained. Duffy's cranks out delicious renditions of all the usual suspects — chicken wings, burgers, and nachos — with some well-known specialties, like the Death Dog, a dangerously spicy frank whose ingredients remain top secret. Don't be too alarmed — wary folks can order the chili cheese dogs, which come packed and weigh a quarter-pound. Pints of beer start at $3 (with pitchers at just $10), and the mugs are always frosted. Duffy's might not be situated at the end of a rainbow, but the ceiling decorated in kitschy posters, the beer bottle chandelier, and the license plate collection on the bathroom walls make this place Celtic gold.

There are many terms for the person who crafts your cocktail: mixologist, bartender, barkeep. But it's best to just call Julio Cabrera a cantinero, the Cuban term for professional bartender. The word is romantic, conjuring up a sepia-toned image of a gentleman who prides himself on making the perfect drink for his guests at the Regent Cocktail Club. A man who believes that working a bar is a noble profession that requires the skills of historian, scientist, mathematician, chef, and psychologist all in one. Julio Cabrera is all of that and more. This cantinero, in the classic sense of the word, is a master of all trades. When he's not posing for GQ or winning awards such as Most Imaginative Bartender from Bombay Sapphire's national competition, he's conducting pilgrimages to El Floridita Bar in Havana, where another cantinero, Constantino Ribalaigua, made daiquiris for a writer named Ernest Hemingway. "Bartender," "cantinero," whatever you want to call him, the dapper Cabrera is the epitome of what a master of his craft should be: a man who elevates his field by paying tribute to those before him and serving as a mentor to those coming up.

Who says that a delicious, well-prepared breakfast need be reserved for Sunday brunch? At Deli Lane, the thick red plates are constantly full of fluffy eggs and perfectly browned Belgian waffles. If Leslie Knope ever left Pawnee, Indiana, for Miami, she would quickly forget about JJ's Diner after a meal at Deli Lane. Operating hours start bright and early at 7 a.m. every day. So you have plenty of time for a filling breakfast before work (or naptime). Tip: Try the power-up breakfast, which includes two eggs, potatoes, toast, two pancakes, and choice of ham, bacon, or sausage for $6.50. It's served Monday through Friday from 7 to 11 a.m. Other breakfast items are served all day long. But don't walk in asking for all the bacon and eggs they have, because they just might abide by that request.

Coral Gables is now a bona fide cool dining destination, and we have Bulla to partly thank for it. The name is pronounced boo-yah, which is Spanish slang for the ability to create a stir. Indeed, everyone is talking about the chic gastrobar's relaxed ambiance and unique take on popular Spanish dishes. Bulla's impressive brunch has also been the source of chatter, and you'll understand why after sampling the cojonudo y cojonuda ($8). It consists of warm toast crowned with quail egg, chorizo, and Spanish blood sausage purée. Like almost everything here, it's deployed with the utmost care and boasts a delicate taste. Meanwhile, classic small plates from the dinner menu such as the croquetas de jamón and the albóndigas (veal and pork meatballs) are available during brunch as well ($9). Got a sweet tooth? There's French toast whose brioche is infused with the Spanish liquor orujo and enhanced with vanilla berry syrup and white chocolate chantilly ($12).

It's May 4, 2014, and Zak Stern, standing atop a wooden counter in his brand-new, gleaming-white Wynwood bakery, is giving a godawful speech. He begins to talk about the challenges he and his wife, Batsheva Wulfsohn, have overcome, only to interrupt himself every time a familiar face passes through the bakery's open bay door. Zak the Baker, as he is known, smiles and stutters on his way to eventually thanking nearly everyone in the room. But not a person in the audience is put off by his address. First of all, their mouths are stuffed with delicious sourdough bread. Second, the speech is vintage Stern: goofy, honest, and — like his loaves — all natural. It's been a decade since Stern dropped out of college to travel the world, along the way learning how to farm, bake, and make cheese in far-flung locales such as India, Sweden, France, Israel, and Italy. In 2011, he moved to Miami and began using the traditional methods he learned overseas in baking. He rented a shop in Hialeah and sold his loaves to heavyweights such as Steven Perricone and Michelle Bernstein. Soon his bread was in sandwiches at Panther Coffee and on charcuterie plates at Oak Tavern. But none of his past success compares to opening a bakery in the most bustling neighborhood in town. He now has his own mixer and oven, capable of churning out 140 loaves per hour. Tomorrow, Wynwood will wake up to the smell of sunflower and sesame, fennel and rye, olive and za'atar, walnut and whole wheat. So we can forgive Zak the Baker this Sunday evening as he struggles through his inaugural speech. Besides, it's not like we've got anything to say. Our mouths are stuffed with sourdough.

Buffets aren't known for providing quality over quantity, but that doesn't apply at POC. It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert options that won't leave you asking where or when your food was prepared. POC has become a popular brunch spot on Sundays, when the buffet special goes for $17.19 and mimosas cost only $3 each from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You can choose from standards such as fried rice, honey chicken, and caprese panini sandwiches, or go with any of the made-to-order options like crepes, Belgian waffles, or chimichurri-glazed churrasco. There's even a sushi bar with more than a dozen sushi combinations that are constantly being restocked. Be sure to grab a fortune cookie and enjoy a postmeal espresso ($2.50) before you fall into a food coma. POC is open every day of the week for lunch and dinner. Food to go and catering are also available.

Pizza is a democratic food item. Most people like pizza — unlike, say, escargots — at the very first taste. And, unlike escargots, it's a humble meal made from bread, tomato, and cheese. The best pizza remains true to its working-class roots in style and price. Indeed, Pauloluigi to Go itself is humble. The small Coconut Grove spot is strictly take-out and delivery. Order a margherita pizza to go and open the box. The gentle aroma of cheese and bread soothes as your eyes take in the perfect brown crust and the islands of cheese and basil floating on a tranquil sea of marinara. Bite into a slice and experience cheesy nirvana. The sauce is mellow and slightly sweet, the cheese has a subtle nuttiness, and the crust is firm enough to fold — a pizza necessity. The prices are also humble. An 18-inch margherita costs $17.56 with tax and easily feeds four people. Can you satisfy a hungry group with a quality meal for less than $20 elsewhere? Fuhgeddaboutit!

Having pizza brought right to your door is a beautiful thing. At Mario the Baker, a franchise with multiple locations, delivery wait times are short, prices are affordable, and the pies are extra-good. Thin-crusted, lightly sauced Neapolitan-style pizza is eschewed in favor of thicker pies laden with a rich red sauce and a generous serving of gooey cheese. The classic cheese ($7.95 to $12.95) is utterly comforting, and — perhaps more important — tastes excellent when eaten cold the next day. You can also opt for less traditional creations, such as the Buffalo chicken pizza, topped with Buffalo wing sauce, chicken, and mozzarella and served with a side of blue cheese ($17.45 to $18.95). Mario the Baker certainly doesn't skimp on pizza varieties, and the large menu also boasts subs, salads, soups, pastas, and meat dishes. The popular chicken parmigiana ($12.95) comes with a side of pasta with tomato sauce and two delectable garlic rolls. Oh, and for less than six bucks, you can get a traditional Italian dessert too.

Fluffy green falafel, that is all. You have come to expect those balls from Etzel Itzik, a popular Israeli deli where Hebrew is spoken all around. Glossy photos of customers grace every inch of the walls here. Pictures are also stuffed beneath the glass on the tables at this casual eatery. Owner Itzik Younis wants everyone to feel welcome, and just in case you forget that, a green chalkboard sign near the kitchen reads, "At Itzik's you're at home." The deli offers a bounty of bowls with free salad to grace your table as soon as you are seated, but it is those neon-green falafel balls that are most memorable. Break through the crisp brown exterior and you'll find a warm interior with some extra bounce. You can get them in a pita ($5.95), on a baguette ($6.95), or as part of a plate ($7.45). Whatever the vessel, the falafel will shine through. It's a religious and familial experience you'll want to keep popping into your mouth. Hallelujah.

Server: Olive oil and paprika?

You nod.

Sever: Good, you like it like we do.Just like that, you have the perfect hummus. Wissam El-Zoor goes by Sam, and he knows how to sling delicious kebabs, shawarma, dolmas, and a plethora of fresh salads to patrons whom he effortlessly schmoozes. All of the items served at this market and deli are stars, but the hummus stands out. It is velvety smooth and made fresh every other day. You really taste the nuttiness of the tahini in each bite as you spread it on your pita. Sure, you can buy all the ingredients at the market portion of the shop to make your own, but why bother? Sam and family have you and your wrap covered.

In Miami, it's hard to get a Cuban sandwich wrong. The ingredients are simple (and common) enough: Cuban bread, ham, cheese, some mustard, a squirt of mayo, a pickle or two, and a delicate slice of pork. Sounds heavenly, right? It is if you're taking a bite of the Cuban sandwich at Enriqueta's. The bread here is toasted to just the right crunchiness, and inside the bun are layers and layers of carne. Go ahead, take a bite; feel like an honorary Cuban during that lunch break of yours — and it'll cost you only $6.25.

El Rey de las Fritas is the king of all Cuban burgers. Every ground-beef patty is seasoned with a secret family blend of herbs and spices, slathered in a tangy ketchup sauce, served with diced onions, and crusted with crunchy shoestring papitas that overflow the plate. And El Rey, the 2013 victor of the Frita Showdown, offers a variety of sandwiches fit for royalty. Try the frita dulce ($4.75), stuffed with chunks of plátano frito for a burst of sweetness; the frita a caballo ($4.75), served with a fried egg for an extra protein fix; and the B.S. frita ($5.75), loaded with bacon and Swiss cheese. If you're as hungry as a peasant, there's the frita doble ($6), which brings twice the meat with crunchy potato goodness.

Plenty of people have called Miami a soulless town, but that doesn't mean you can't get good soul food here. Although greasy spoons and bourgie brunches have their place, Jackson Soul Food in Overtown is in a whole other weekend dining category. Jackson's version of brunch is letting you choose from all of its breakfast items and dinner entrées. Order one of each. Pair some red velvet pancakes with a $13.99 fried conch platter and enjoy all four sides it comes with. Or get a breakfast sandwich for less than five bucks and load up on mac 'n' cheese, black-eyed peas, and especially the candied yams for $2.50 each à la carte. You won't need to waste one of your selections on biscuits or cornbread, because both come gratis. Once you finish the last spoonful of $3 peach cobbler or banana pudding and you're done dredging your coffee's carafe, you'll feel totally restored. No place hocking bottomless mimosas can compete with that. Although about 90 percent of the other patrons will be there after attending church rather than reading this, you'll be praising Jesus right alongside them.

Johnny Utah. It's the name of Keanu Reeves' character in the '90s cult surfer-gone-bank-robber classic Point Break. It's also the name of the new cult classic on which you're about to feast. Like the perfect wave, the perfect burger is an elusive thing. Though there are many out there, few are truly memorable. Kush's Johnny Utah ($13) is one to remember. The small Wynwood restaurant starts with beef from Florida's Cowart Ranch that's ground in-house daily. The patty is carefully cooked to order and then placed on a bun before being topped with cheddar, tomato, lettuce, diced onions, and pastrami. Yes, pastrami. Because the only thing that's better than a big hunk of meat is a big hunk of meat crowned with spicy pastrami.

A hot dog with just the right toppings is sweet. Indeed, the franks at Sweet Dogs have it going on with Nathan's kosher quarter-pounders, which can be ordered boiled, grilled, or deep-fried. Beyond the bun and the meat, there are a lot of crazy toppings that give the famed Colombian dogs a run for their dinero. Try the mac dog ($5.50). Yes, that's five-cheese mac 'n' cheese on a frankfurter. Sports enthusiasts can order dogs by their favorite local team's name. The Dolphins dog ($6.50) has grilled ham, smoked bacon, melted mozzarella, pineapple, secret "home sauce," and papitas. For a little more sweetness, all dogs come with a free mini chocolate bar. It's like trick-or-treating with hot dogs.

Lobster mac 'n' cheese is hardly the novelty it once was, but in the expert hands of the Pubbelly Group (PB Steak, Pubbelly, Pubbelly Sushi, L'echon, and Barceloneta), it's elevated to new heights. At PB Steak in Sunset Harbour, chef-partner Jose Mendin and chef de cuisine Guillermo Concho rely on a béchamel sauce spiked with blue crab and white cheddar to give their lobster mac 'n' cheese ($19) an assertive edge. The kitchen frequently switches up the ingredients used in this all-American side dish, and predecessors have included a cheddar and bacon version, roasted apple and chorizo, and even mac 'n' cheese escargots. Given that they've all been stellar, there's no reason to fear change. Besides, popular dishes like the steak tartare sliders ($5 each) and braised beef short ribs ($25) aren't going anywhere. With PB Steak, Mendin and partners Andreas Schreiner and Sergio Navarro — AKA the Pubbelly boys — have given Miami something it was missing: an innovative and casual steak house with high-quality fare at reasonable prices.

The best things in life tend to be the simplest. One example: grilled cheese sandwiches. Luckily, the people at the Cheese Course, an artisanal cheese shop and bistro, understand this. It's why they steer clear of gimmicky add-ons and focus on offering high-quality dairy and bread to create a grilled cheese that's both utterly comforting and gourmet. Once you've decided between whole wheat and white French baguette, it's time to select your hand-crafted cheese(s). Choose from English cheddar, jalapeño Monterey Jack, Brie, or Asiago and fontina ($4.99). The addition of turkey, bacon, or Black Forest ham is an additional $2. A cup of tomato bisque or broccoli cheddar soup ($3.99) is quite complementary, as is a chicken caesar salad ($7.99 for half). The cheese mongers here can also help you step outside your dairy comfort zone by nudging you to try a variety of international cheeses. They'll also help you pick the perfect wine to pair with them.

Yo, Jimmy Dean, have you ever considered orange and fennel as a flavor combination? What about prune and cognac? Even Proper Sausages' signature "Proper" is made of Berkshire pork, fresh sage, mace, and black pepper. Do you feel sad, Jimmy Dean? Ashamed? Your sausage game is weak, and sausage is your raison d'être, so quid pro, bro. Head over and check out the Black Tie, which has chanterelles stuffed in there. We don't even know what chanterelles are, bro. But we are inviting Proper to our sausage party.

"Where does your chili get this hint of sweetness?" we asked at Vega's Burger Bar. Of course came the response "It's sugar." Well, after we were done feeling dumb, we dipped that spoon back into the bowl of homemade beanless beef chili ($5). It was topped with shredded cheese, diced onions, jalapeños, and sour cream. It had the heat, the sweet, and the meat. It was real good. Have it on your burger, fries, or hot dog. Pro tip: Vega's also serves a decadent macaroni 'n' cheese ($6.50). Order both and you can make your own chili mac tableside. There's also a great beer selection, but chili mac is by far the best pairing at this joint.

Jefferson: So what do you feel like taking in tonight, Art? You finally got a vacation from your job in Atlanta, and I'm guessing you'd like to have yourself a time.

Arthur: Indeed, indeed, but I have to tell you, Jeff, I'm mighty hungry.

Jefferson: Hungry, eh? Well, what're you fixin' to eat? Here in Miami, you can try some Cuban food or some spicy Bahamian jerk goat or maybe some fish à la creole.

Arthur: To be honest, I'm feeling like I could go for something a little closer to home, y'know? Something Atlanta, something Southern.

Jefferson: What, like Krispy Kreme?

Arthur: No, not Krispy Kreme.

Jefferson: But Krispy Kreme is from North Carolina.

Arthur: I know Krispy Kreme is from North Carolina, but I don't want any Krispy Kreme right now. I want chicken. I want a good fried bird.

Jefferson: Ahhhh.

Arthur: Any chance there are joints down here that can put together a proper Southern bird?

Jefferson: Matter of fact there is, my friend. There's a place in South Miami called Whisk. You want me to get your mouth watering? Get you all riled up?

Arthur: Preach.

Jefferson: Art, my friend, this place Whisk, they make a plate of fried chicken for $18.95 that'll leave you clucking at the moon to thank the gods of fried fowl. They marinate it in buttermilk first...

Arthur: Speak on, brother.

Jefferson: Oh yes, and then they fry that big ol' Bell & Evans bird breast up nice and crunchy with that perfect bit of flake and lay it on top of green beans and honey-roasted carrots and some mean mashed potatoes...

Arthur: Yes...

Jefferson: And then they top the whole thing off with the best gravy you ever had, full of rosemary and bacon and warm, gooey goodness.

Arthur: Amen. Jeff...

Jefferson: Yes, Art?

Arthur: Why aren't we already on our way to Whisk?

Fries, meat goo, cheese chunks. It's delicious. It's disgusting. It kinda depends upon whether you're the kind of person who perversely craves a 1,000-calorie mound of hot, goopy grub. Developed in the 1950s by French Canadians hoping to empty the fridge and prevent horrific hangovers, maudite poutine (which, literally translated, means "fucking mess") has since been embraced by gastropubs, modern bistros, and Burger King. But one especially nice and fancy Southern riff on this glorious Quebecois gut bomb is the Tater Tot Poutine at the Downstairs at Hotel Astor in South Beach. For $10, you get a plate piled with golden potato nuggets, white country gravy, melted squeaky curd, and shredded, slow-braised short rib. However, because this is a fine-dining establishment, the whole thing is topped with a truffle-oil drizzle and delivered in a serving size that even the sober can probably scarf down in less than ten minutes.

Venezuelan arepas can come split open like a sandwich with a variety of fillings. At Doggi's, there are plenty of choices. When it comes to something as simple as cheese, there's a rainbow of queso blanco, queso amarillo (Gouda), and queso de mano. Try the arepa domino ($8.99), which comes with refried black beans and organic white cheese. Vegetarians will appreciate the silvestre ($8.99), with lettuce, tomato, avocado, cilantro, and palm hearts. Carnivores can get their arepas with everything from shredded chicken or beef to chorizo to steak. The options are vast, but you can be assured your arepa will have that perfect crunchy exterior to protect your precious fillings.

Sure, you'll find some of the tenderest cuts of churrasco with chimichurri at Graziano's Market, but there's one unexpected surprise at this Argentine mercado in Hialeah: a mouth-watering display of empanadas. At $2.59 apiece, these golden pillows of baked goodness come stuffed with various ingredients, including traditional meat, chicken, or bacalao; prosciutto and cheese; and ham and ricotta. But the sweet and salty plum, bacon, and mozzarella empanada is a local favorite. And ay, ay, ay! If you're in the mood for something picante, the spicy beef turnover will give your taste buds the kick they crave.

You know you're at a legit mofongo joint when the signature Puerto Rican plantain dish is served on a platter with its wooden pilón, the same mortar and pestle used to mash the fried plátano verde. Located in the heart of the City of Progress, El Rinconcito de Santa Bárbara opened in 1997 as a Cuban restaurant. Two years later, it became a fusion of Cuban and Puerto Rican food after its owners, Rosa and Pedro Delgado, took a trip to Puerto Rico, were blown away by the island's cuisine, and decided to introduce comida boricua to their family-run restaurant in Hialeah. Today, El Rinconcito has become synonymous with the island's most famous plato. All of its house mofongo specials are topped with crunchy pieces of chicharrón and paired with a side of fried pork masas ($8.99), picadillo ($9.50), garlic chicken ($9.50), peppered fish ($10.50), or lobster tail ($25.99). They even come stuffed in a roll of churrasco ($15.50). No matter how you choose to enjoy it, you'll be dreaming of mofongo for days.

At Garcia's, what they catch is what you eat. The decades-old restaurant and fish market has its own fleet of fishing boats, so the seafood is as fresh as can be and affordable too. Founded by brothers who fled Cuba in the '60s, Garcia's is a serene spot with great-tasting, simple food. On a gorgeous day, few epicurean pleasures rival scarfing down a fish sandwich ($10 to $14) while perched on Garcia's terrace overlooking the Miami River. All sandwiches come on a bun, with chopped tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, red onion, and an excellent light cream sauce. The grouper and dolphin are favorites, and the fish can be blackened, grilled, or fried and comes with one side dish. The sweet plantains are always a good decision. Garcia's is open for lunch and dinner, and in case you're wondering, the pescaterian dishes extend beyond sandwiches.

Technically you're in Brickell, but you might as well be in Barcelona when dining at Perfecto, a modern Spanish gastrobar. Chef-restaurateur Oscar Manresa is proud to say his first eatery outside Catalonia is authentic through and through. Even the chef de cuisine — Daniel Torres — came straight from working at the Michelin-starred Catalan restaurant Hofmann. Tapas, of course, are the focal point at Perfecto, with the avocado cannelloni ($18) hogging the spotlight. There's no pasta to be found, just an exterior layer of avocado slices covering luscious lump crabmeat accented with tomatoes, microgreens, and ginger. Another standout is the tender octopus "Perfecto" prepared with whisky rather than water and proffered on roasted potato spheres ($16). Come here with friends who relish sharing food, and spend the night drinking gin and tonics off the extensive list and listening to resident DJ Ferran Lozano spin house music. Yes, he also hails from Barcelona.

At Prime Italian, dinner always comes with a side order of top-tier people-watching. But even the quirky characters of Ocean Drive take a back seat to the side dishes offered at this swanky South Beach eatery by restaurateur Myles Chefetz. Many of the "accessories," as they are called ($13), originated at its sister restaurant Prime One Twelve, and it's no secret that diners often get more excited about these accompaniments than the mains. The luscious creamed corn and creamed spinach are particularly outstanding, as is the creamy four-cheese truffle macaroni. Heck, you can easily skip the veal Parmesan ($47) or the Kobe beef lasagna bolognaise ($29) and cobble together an entire meal just from side dishes. There's a saying that accessories make the outfit, and at Prime Italian, they make the meal.

"Raw" is the word at Bar Crudo, a hidden gem tucked away in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood. Inside the miniature restaurant, you'll find walls lined with pop-art-style murals of seductive babes. You also might notice the lack of ovens and stoves. Instead, proprietress Andy Travaglia (of Lee & Marie's Cakery) has equipped her eatery with sous-vide machines and induction burners. She also hired talented chefs Reto Von Weissenfluh and Jan Tomaszewski to wow diners with their curing, preserving, and raw-cooking techniques. Every component of the artfully constructed dishes is included to emphasize the main ingredient. Indeed, a white shrimp ceviche would fall flat were it not for the addition of avocado, mango, and orange. The same goes for the mixed ceviche, which mingles octopus, snapper, orange, and yuzu. Bar Crudo likes to switch up its small-plate-centric menu, but most items are in the $12 range. Charcuterie and cheese options abound for $6 to $9, and carnivores will be pleased to know that meat gets the raw treatment too.

Remember the Great Compromise? Yeah, neither do we. But we do know that SuViche is our great dining compromise. It's for those meals when you can't decide between sushi or ceviche or when you are torn between two sushi rolls. Here, you can order half rolls. SuViche is versatile, and with three locations in Miami, it's easy to wrap your chopsticks around its Peruvian-Japanese fare. Try the aptly named perfection roll ($10.50), made with fried shrimp, cream cheese, and real crab salad in the center, avocado and tempura flakes on top, and a savory squirt of spicy mayo and eel sauce to finish it off.

Along Calle Ocho, delicious Cuban food and decadent ice cream are a given. But great Mexican is a bit of a surprise. For more of an unexpected kick, take a bite into Mi Riconcito Mexicano's enormous burrito rolled up and stuffed with your preferred meat, beans, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream ($5.50). If you want even more of a punch, order the burrito chorreado ($6.95) with mole. You can also get your tortilla wet — topped with salsa rojo or verde. Any way you get it, it's a massive meal drenched in goodness and topped with shredded cheese.

Tacos are the ideal food. They're portable for on-the-go eating but are also fine for sitting at the dinner table. They're also just the right size. One is a snack, two make a satisfying lunch, and three or four are a substantial supper. That being said, you still want to make the most of your taco experience. That's where Ralph Pagano's "chef-driven" bites come in. Though this celebrity chef isn't Mexican, he knows his way around a tortilla. From the crispy baja fish — the original sustenance of surfers on the Pacific coast — to the classic carne asada ($5), Pagano's tacos include fresh ingredients and pay homage to Mexican street food. But it's the creative offerings that truly shine. Spicy poke "tuna" tacos are bright and refreshing after a day at the beach. Green eggs and ham tacos satisfy your breakfast cravings any time of the day in the most whimsical (and Seussian) way. In fact, if he can cook it, Pagano will put a taco shell around it — be it duck, lamb, pork, or even cauliflower (for you veggie lovers out there). At five bucks apiece, they're a soulful bargain. But head to Naked Taco on Tuesdays, when your taco is free with a purchased margarita. Because the only thing better than a taco is a free taco.

Elsie Chin has been serving roti and other Trinidadian street food favorites for 28 years. However, her pearls of wisdom are timeless: "There are no forks here — so if you been scratching somewhere, you better go wash your hands." Beyond the sage advice at LC's Roti Shop are delectable roti — crepe-like bread filled with curried goat ($9) or spicy potatoes ($6) and sometimes even shrimp, chicken, beef, duck, or conch. They're folded full of flavor and well worth the drive to Miami Gardens. However, along with devouring roti, potato pies, and pholourie, be sure to take in all of the house rules adorning the establishment: "Cash only," "No cellphones," and "Farting prohibited." Even something as simple as a listing of business hours includes notes about times that LC's "occasionally" opens or closes. Some of the comments are as confusing as quips from the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. "Some days or afternoons we aren't here at all, and lately I've been here just about all of the time. Except when I am some place else, but I should be here then, too." We can't even explain; we can just scratch our heads and feel comforted by the fact that great roti in a humorous environment makes for a memorable meal. The proverbial cherry on top of the roti is the LC secret hot sauce. Numb your mind and your tongue — and enjoy!

You say you like your wings spicy, but do you like them seven-sauces hot? Try your luck with the Filling Station's "party in your mouth" wings. They'll cut you down to size or make you a king among your wing-loving friends. For less adventuresome types who just want a taste of how amazing a chicken wing can be, try the spicy jerk barbecue. Those suckers are the most delectable chicken wings your taste buds will ever touch. The ranchaladas may be a close second, and those are only three of the six wing flavors the Filling Station offers. Each variety comes with eight wings, blue cheese, and celery or carrot sticks for $8.41. Back up your order with some out-of-this-world chili-cheese tater tots ($7.01) and a few cold brews, and you have yourself an unforgettable evening. Head to the downtown dive Wednesdays before 7 p.m. and take part in the weekly trivia night for a chance to win a "mystery box" and a free bar tab for you and your knowledgeable friends.

Most Miami restaurateurs are lost in space. Suffering from delusions of grandeur, they quickly overextend themselves. Like solar systems, they expand beyond the bounds of their own gravitational pull. The farther the food orbits from its star, the colder and blander it gets until, finally, flavor goes hurtling off into space like Sandra Bullock in Gravity. But all is not lost. Like a culinary George Clooney, Andres Tovar is here to rescue Miami from the flavorless abyss. Tovar opened Miami's most succulent restaurant two years ago. Initially called Con Sabor a México Carnitas Estilo Michoacán, the Calle Ocho eatery had a complex name but a simple mission: delicious tacos. Now renamed Viva Mexico, the restaurant has propelled Tovar from secret genius to standard-bearer for Miami's burgeoning slow-food movement. Instead of opening more stores to maximize his profit, however, Tovar partnered with Pancho Taco to take his meat to the masses. How many thousands of hipsters have been drinking at Wood Tavern and suddenly catch a whiff of carnitas on the evening breeze? How many have been able to resist? Tovar has won the town's taste buds without store openings or promotional schemes.

Who is this Ricky and how does he rule North Miami? The person who gave his name to this hole in the wall on NE 123rd Street is the adorable 9-year-old son of owner Giuliano Carrafelli and chef Majcha Manomai. Dad hails from Italy, and Mom is from Thailand. But don't worry — the kid doesn't eat everything that comes from the kitchen; there's still some for you to enjoy six nights a week. This family-focused neighborhood restaurant rules with freshness. They serve some of the freshest and most flavorful Thai fare in North Miami and beyond. The family grows their own lemongrass, kaffir leaves, Vietnamese and Thai mint, galangal root, and much more. The tom kha goong ($5), featuring succulent jumbo shrimp in a spicy, sweet-and-sour coconut soup with lemongrass and lime juice, is enhanced by the freshness of the herbs. The same is true of the pad kee mow ($12), AKA drunken noodles, which boasts locally made, delicate, flat and wide rice noodles topped with fresh basil, cilantro, scallions, bell pepper, carrots, broccoli, and bamboo shoots. Whatever you order, it's hard to go wrong in this cozy restaurant, but if you're stuck, ask Ricky. This outgoing boy knows which curry goes with which meat and has strong opinions about what his mom makes best.

Casa Panza Café may be located in the heart of Little Havana, but the Spanish restaurant brings el sabor español to Calle Ocho. After you walk past the wooden doors, wine barrels, Spanish tile, and hanging ceramic plates, a hostess welcomes you into la cueva. On Friday and Saturday, Juan de Alba, Estrella Morena, and invited guests charm the crowd with their tablao flamenco skills and Spanish canciones. As the sangria is poured from a ceramic pitcher into your glass, it's off with the tapas. The light and airy tortilla española ($5), followed by sizzling chorizo al vino ($7) and an order of garbanzos frito ($6), will get your taste buds working. Then comes the main plato. Traditionalists will opt for the paella Valencia ($30) or the zarzuela de marisco ($35), but meat lovers will go for the tender and well-seasoned churrasco a la parrilla ($20). For dessert, it's the tarta Santiago — almond cake topped with ice cream ($7) — a shot of espresso ($2), and more sangria. Singer and comedian Juan de Alba will keep you entertained with his chispa, sparkling costumes, and beaded head wraps long after your table is cleared. But there's a $10 cover, so be sure to reserve your spot.

It could be the lure of Miami Beach's beautiful people and electric atmosphere. It could be that the young chef was up for a challenge. It could even be because he was sick of Chicago winters. In any event, the Windy City's loss is the Magic City's gain, because Danny Grant, who earned two Michelin stars at his former Chicago restaurant, Ria, has opened 1826 in Miami Beach. This multilevel establishment is gorgeous and masculine. Golden guns serve as lamps, and airplane wings are repurposed into chairs in the lounge. Cocktail and wine menus are presented on iPads. Everything in the room is as close to perfect as possible. And the food? It's a lovely affair. Every morsel, from the freshly baked rolls served with key lime butter to a melt-in-your-mouth short rib ($29), is so beautiful you almost don't want to eat it. Go ahead. Take a quick picture. Then dig in. Because as pretty as your dish is, it tastes even better.

Moon-sheen? Moon-cheen? Moon-shine? It might take you three or four visits to figure out how to pronounce the name of this Upper Eastside bistro. But that shouldn't stop you from returning. Standouts include the panang curry and the pad see ew ($9.95 each), but Moonchine is pan-Asian, so you can taste your way around at least one-sixth of Epcot here. For lunch, you can score a couple of sushi rolls for less than ten bucks, which is cheaper than supermarket fare. Even if you're not in the mood for food, the place has a two-for-one happy hour, an upstairs lounge, and a backyard with live music. In an area sorely lacking bars, it's become a de facto neighborhood hangout. Other draws include lightning-fast service and a front-porch couch where you can dine and watch pedestrians on Biscayne Boulevard. A big parking lot in the back doesn't hurt either. If you're burned out after a long day, you can pull up, park your car, and be seated in comfort with a cocktail and a curry in no time. Don't forget to ask for a shot of the homemade "moonshine" — a saccharine, ginger-infused liqueur that's sometimes given gratis to regular customers.

Miamians are welcoming whenever a popular stateside or international restaurant opens an outpost here. But when a talented and innovative local chef unveils his first eatery in the 305, it's an event worth celebrating. That restaurant is Eating House, an intimate Coral Gables pop-up turned permanent fixture. It's where the under-30 chef Giorgio Rapicavoli concocts raved-about fare such as nostalgia-tinged Cap'n Crunch pancakes for brunch ($13) and creamy pasta carbonara ($23) for dinner. The menu is undoubtedly eclectic and reflects Rapicavoli's Argentine and Italian heritage, as well as his upbringing in Doral. Everything is also very well priced considering the nuanced nature of the dishes. For instance, melt-in-your-mouth beef sweetbreads ($15) are coupled with pickled Florida watermelon, cucumbers, and napa cabbage and then punctuated with miso and ginger. Inside this hip space adorned with graffiti canvases, random objects, and plenty of Miami Heat memorabilia, you'll discover that rare restaurant where fun meets high-end cuisine.

There's something so sexy about the Italian lifestyle. Women in tight skirts riding Vespas, men talking with their hands over a cup of espresso. A few bottles of house-made wine polished off during the day. Bocce Bar embodies the spirit of a day in Rome. It begins when you walk into the restaurant, where you pass a bocce court on the way to the bar. There, you'll start your Roman holiday with an aged Negroni. It's the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. Working your way to a table, you'll surely hear the melodic sound of Italian accents. Most of the staff, from the waiters to chef de cuisine Tommaso Furlanetto, is imported from Italy (like much of the salumi and olive oil). What's not imported is local, such as the heirloom tomatoes, Key West shrimp, and executive chef Timon Balloo. So he's not from Italy. But he is obsessed with the culture and the cuisine. You can feel the soulfulness in the food. The grilled octopus with ceci bean purée and olive caper vinaigrette ($14) is tender, the orecchiette with duck sugo and roasted butternut squash ($19) is satisfying, and the grilled swordfish with tomato fregola, preserved lemon, and capers ($22) instantly transports you to a seaside fishing village on the Amalfi Coast. Kick off your shoes. Order another bottle of vino. Laugh out loud. You're living la dolce vita. And it tastes good.

Olive stuffed with cheese

Molten, salty orb of gold.

Pleasure burns the tongue.

If you think we're a little off our rocker for waxing poetic about some fried green olives, you clearly haven't tried Strada's Gorgonzola-stuffed olive fritte ($6), just one of many antipasti to begin your eating adventure at this Coconut Grove gem. If you don't like fried cheese and olives, check for a pulse. If you've got one, order the polpette, beef meatballs with polenta and sage oil ($10.50); the beef carpaccio, served with baby arugula ($12.50); and the black mussels sautéed in lobster sauce ($14.50). Only when you've feasted on the first course should you start on the pastas, such as the penette with speck ($17) and the simply satisfying spaghetti with garlic, red pepper, and aged anchovy elixir ($11.50). Take your time and channel your inner Italian. After you finish your slice of cheesecake, you'll be writing poetry of your own. Extra points if you do it in Italian.

Wynwood may be the heartbeat of Miami's art scene, but you want to know what's really beautiful? The sight of R House's gorgeous Brazilian seafood mocqueta arriving at your table. Tender cobia, sweet scallops, and shrimp swim in a piquant coconut milk broth, seasoned with garlic and fragrant ginger. Served with basmati rice, it's a masterpiece of a meal ($16 half portion, $25 full portion). As you dine, your eyes are entertained by the art on the walls, which display works curated by White Porch Gallery, and your ears are thrilled to music spun by some of the best local DJs. Why simply dine when you can feed all of your senses?

For more than ten years, the River Seafood & Oyster Bar has been luring Miamians to Brickell with its impressive hand-shucked oyster selection and its superior-quality fish. Something you rarely spot on a local menu despite an abundance of seafood restaurants is wild Faroe salmon, but here you can have it grilled or pan-seared with a choice of condiments and sauces ($32). The sustainable fish is renowned for its delicate flavor, and chef-owner David Bracha coaxes it out with a sweet-and-spicy glaze. During happy hour, you'll find no shortage of sharp professionals sipping $3 draft beers or $5 wines and cocktails to go along with half-priced oysters. Patrons here seem to know one another, and there's a decidedly neighborhood vibe in the warm, unpretentious dining room. Sunday brunch is a relatively new addition and one of the best spots in town for fish-centric egg dishes such as the yummy lobster omelet stuffed with chanterelles, goat cheese, and chives ($24).

B&S Gastropub is all about porcine decadence, so if you're not into indulging yourself within an inch of your life, maybe you should go straight home to the monastery. For the rest of us (especially those who enjoy the pleasures of pig flesh), B&S is a snout-to-tail one-way trip to nirvana. Starting with an order of crispy pig ears bathed in Thai sauce ($10), you work your way to a generous helping of pig tails in chimichurri ($10). Of course there's a heaping platter of sausages from all nations to go through ($17), or perhaps you'll opt for rich, flavorful pork cheek vaca frita, served with crispy pig bits and an egg yolk for dipping ($15). If you've had a bad night, try the hangover burger, with fried egg, pork belly, and cheddar on a pretzel bun ($15). Wash everything down with a few beers from the extensive selection of craft offerings. And be sure to raise your glass to Porky. The little guy gave his life for a noble cause — your dinner.

Miami is well known for its delicious Cuban food. What many don't realize, however, is the city also serves as a hub for Spain's cultural heritage. Tucked into a shopping center at the intersection of Bird and Red roads, almost overshadowed by Allen's Prescriptions' massive neon "DRUGS" sign, is Delicias de España. It's a one-stop shop for just about anything Spanish. There's Serrano-ham-stuffed trout, traditional goatskin wine skins, culinary gift baskets, and colossal paella pans big enough to cater a wedding. And for you gringos, there are also daily baked birthday cakes and an all-day breakfast menu. You can dine in, take out, or even tackle your weekly grocery list in this eclectic storefront. Some of the menu's specialty dishes include rabbit braised in wine sauce ($23), Spanish sausage cooked in cider ($4), Galician-style octopus ($15), Serrano ham and Manchego cheese subs ($7.50), and mango mousse ($4.25). The staff will even serve you freshly made sangria ($15), enough for about ten glasses per couple, in an authentically crafted ceramic pitcher, or "dalper." One caveat: English is a foreign language here, so practice your Spanish at home before enduring the struggle of ordering something you can't pronounce.

"You look so relaxed. You fit right in at our Brazilian restaurant. You are welcome back any time." Genuine observations such as these from the gorgeous employees at Boteco will have you returning again and again. Other perks: The large space boasts two patios and a homey vibe. It even has a special "mother's dish" section of the menu with items such as frango ($13.95) and picanha steak ($14.95). Along with the regular menu, there's a series of daily specials, such as all-you-can-eat galeto (baby chicken) on Sundays, as well as happy hour, ladies' night, live music, and tons of other fun stuff.

Never mind the jitney speeding past the storefront. Forget about the chickens traipsing across the parking lot. Fiorito is a small piece of Argentina plopped in the center of Little Haiti. Located in one of the few Miami neighborhoods where the foreign language of choice is not Spanish, this restaurant proves its authenticity the moment you walk in, with a framed photograph of author Julio Cortázar hanging on the wall. As soon as you snag a seat in the candlelit interior, a complimentary basket of warm bread is delivered to your table. Then you must make the difficult decisions: A glass of Malbec or the fruity green apple sangria? The fresh burrata or the provoloneta with chorizo? The churrasco with chimichurri or the milanesa napolitana? The panqueques with homemade dulce de leche or the flan with homemade dulce de leche? They say happiness is a choice, but here it's the response of virtually every diner.

At the Kwik Stop in Coconut Grove, you can get almost anything: Bob Marley relaxation drinks, scratch-off lottery tickets, condoms, and the best freaking pad thai you've ever had. Tucked inside this average-looking convenience store stands a small counter where authentic Thai cuisine is made to order. Try the crisp som tam (papaya salad) with a savory ginger dressing ($6), or opt for the tiger tear salad, made with spicy grilled beef ($7) and fresh veggies. Curries can either leave a slight tingle on your lips or a fire in your gullet — it's up to you. If Thai food isn't your thing, the ladies who own this tiny gem of a restaurant also make one mean ceviche mixto ($12). Bonus: While you wait for your food to be made, you can spend your time shopping for a bottle of midpriced wine or a six-pack to cool the flames that your tongue and tummy are about to experience.

If your idea of Mexican food doesn't dip into the Yucatán Peninsula, you are seriously missing out. In case your Maya language skills are rusty, "cheen huaye" translates to "only here." And only at Cheen Huaye can you try superlative cochinita pibil ($16.95) and poc-choc ($18.95). The pibil features marinated suckling piglet that has been wrapped and cooked in plantain leaves until tender and flavorful. If you want to try this same meat wrapped in a tortilla and served at a bargain price, head to Cheen Huaye for lunch, when you can get the burrito Maya ($8.95), packed with pork alongside Mexican rice, refried beans, and pickled onions.

Just one whiff of Fritanga Monimbo will have your mouth watering and your brain racing. A quick look at the selection of food steaming on plates in its Plexiglas prison will have your heart aching. Free that carne asada and hide it in your belly. Liberate the beans in the gallo pinto and introduce them (and their rice compadres) to your appetite. You see that little golden-brown square of queso frito? It's so chewy it might sound like its screaming "help me." But as you close your teeth around it, you'll realize it's singing "eat me."

Remember when life was simple? When 401K was your score in Street Fighter? When the word "recession" meant nothing and "recess" meant everything? At Marie Patties in Palmetto Bay, life remains suspended in the blissful simplicity of your youth. There is no "menu" here. The only choice is whether to get your beef patty mild or spicy, the latter identified by a red spot painted atop the patty's golden-yellow crust like a bindi atop the sixth chakra. Indeed, inside each piping-hot pocket lies more concealed wisdom than in all the newfangled Jamaican fusion restaurants in all of Florida. Enlightenment for $2.25? Simply devine.

Chicken soup may feed the soul and a cold, but it's for amateurs. The roast duck noodle soup ($10.95) at Green Papaya sings to your soul. The bowl is lined with cabbage, and the tender hunks of roast duck hide beneath thin yellow noodles and the most delectable bits of fried shallot. The pho is dressed up and blinged out in toppings, but for a stronger broth base, try the Hue Castle noodle soup ($11.95), spicy stuff with both beef and pork floating around. On a busy day during lunch hour, a stranger might sit at your table. We're telling you this because you likely won't notice with your head buried in the enormous bowl of slurpable soup. Moving on to solids, how's the namesake green papaya salad? Oh, it's good.

Katsuya by Starck, like the SLS Hotel it calls home, is one part design fantasy, one part Cirque du Soleil, and one part dining. At any given time, geishas could be dancing atop tables or LeBron James could be holding court at the table next to yours. At a restaurant helmed by a lesser sushi chef, the food could get lost in the party. But the man behind all of this color and glamor is Katsuya Uechi, a master chef who gained notoriety in 1997 when he opened his first restaurant in Studio City, California. The decor is cool and bold, and the music is loud. But once your food arrives, all the eye candy and noise fades into the background. Scallops, yellowtail, and halibut may be part of your chef's selection of sashimi ($35), but no matter the fish, it always tastes as if it was singing with Ariel the Mermaid just moments earlier. And the signature crispy rice with spicy tuna ($14) is an incomparable accompaniment to the sake collection. After dinner, don't forget to have a nightcap (or two) at the sexy Dragon Lounge. It's the closest thing to a Hollywood-movie opium den that Miami has to offer.

You're at AmericanAirlines Arena, where the Heat just scored another glorious win or the big concert just wrapped up. You're exhausted and hungry. You need some serious noms to take home. You're in luck, because 3 Chefs is a hop, skip, and a leap north on Biscayne Boulevard. The extensive menu offers all your classic Chinese and Vietnamese favorites, from barbecue spare ribs ($9.75 for six) to crab Rangoon ($7.45 for ten) to lunch and dinner specials such as chicken chow mein ($6.45, $9.95) and General Tso's chicken ($7.95, $10.95), plus loads of variations on pho and bun dishes. There are tons of specialty items, from 3 Chefs steak ($18.95) to Peking duck ($36.95). Try the appetizing pu pu platter ($12.45) for a little of everything, and definitely, no meal is complete without some boba tea.

Miami is a nearly perfect city, but there are two flaws. One, of course, is the imminent threat of hurricanes. The other is the serious lack of good Chinese food. While we'll still have to board up our windows if NOAA tells us a big one is coming, our tragic lack of quality egg rolls has been solved with the opening of Blackbrick. Richard Hales, the chef/owner of the much-loved Sakaya Kitchen, opened this place and the angels wept tears of joy. Why? For the house-made dandan noodles ($12), the wonton soup brewed with rabbit stock that completely satisfies the soul ($9), and the General Tso's gator ($17). WTF, you say? General Tso's gator? Hales doesn't claim to be ultra-authentic; he just makes the food damn good. Which is fine when that means offering a drool-worthy bourbon trifle for dessert — topped, of course, with a fortune cookie. Because some things are classic.

Greek restaurants get a bad rap. They're often depicted as depressing, neon-lit diners or kitschy eateries with belly dancing and plate breaking. But spend the summer on one of the Greek islands and you'll likely take your evening meal in a small tavern gently lit by candles. If you want that kind of experience, you could either hop a flight to Athens and then take a ferry to Santorini, or you could simply drive to Kouzina. This midtown spot re-creates an evening in the Greek isles — beautiful people drink wine and laugh as they feast on saganaki ($9) and steamed mussels in white wine ($12). Many items are imported from Greece — olive oil, spices, yogurt (not the John Stamos kind either). A handy sign offers a few simple Greek words and phrases, one of them being kali orexi, which means "enjoy your meal." At Kouzina (which, by the way, means "kitchen"), you will enjoy — without a single plate having to lie broken on the floor to prove it.

Mi Colombia truly is everything. Have a hangover on a Sunday afternoon? Sit at the counter and order the sancocho de gallina — traditional Colombian hen soup. It is a known hangover cure that comes with a large hunk of poultry, yuca, potato, a chunk of corn on the cob, a plantain, and a topping of cilantro and green onion. You also get a plate of rice and avocado slices to hold you over. Hungry and broke? Get the pollo frito ($5.50); the outside has the crunch, the inside has moist flesh, and it's topped with the most delicious tomato and onion sauce. It's served with that same buttery rice and either beans or plantains. The meal is so large it extends over the brim of the large oval plate and can easily be stretched into two meals.

Naomi's takes cafeteria-style Caribbean cuisine to the next level. The eatery is owned by the Yemini family, whose members will let you into a secret garden where you can dine on enormous portions of food. Snag a seat outside and take in the art, the waterfall, the music, and the tropical plants. Make the trek to this hidden oasis near the edge of Liberty City just off I-95 to try the menu. It's all affordable, and the koden — turkey stew — is just $5. The pwason is $10 for a whole fried fish. Wash it down with some fresh-squeezed OJ or passionfruit juice ($2). But it's not just the food and picnic table dining that keep us coming back; it's also the friendly staff, who offer a taste of warm island hospitality. A lunch break here is more like a mini-holiday.

It's Sunday and, sure, you could hit your normal brunch buffet with soggy French toast, runny scrambled eggs, and watered-down mimosas. Or you could try something completely different. Head to Sunny Isles Beach for an Indian feast at Copper Chimney. For $19.95, you can choose from more than 20 Indian dishes and receive a glass of champagne. It's a steal that gets you more acquainted with the cuisine of this restaurant, which offers South Indian and Indo-Chinese menus. If you have yet to try a dosa (a fermented crepe), you're missing out. After you're well-versed in the offerings, visit for dinner. The parda gosht biryani ($21), an aromatic lamb and rice dish infused with saffron, and the murg korma ($19), with bits of chicken cooked in a cream sauce with nuts and raisins, are two favorites. Warning: The Chimney brings the heat, so if you can't handle it, ask for mild.

If you're in the market for Cuban comfort food at its finest, head to Molina's in Hialeah. It's the real deal. Service can be slow, but it's authentic homestyle comida, and the menu is as large as a novel. Let's put it this way: A local abogado advertises in it. Go when you have serious time to dedicate to a meal — the menu alone will take half an hour to peruse. If you need some suggestions, start with the tostones rellenos de camarones ($12). They're little fried green-plantain baskets stuffed with fresh shrimp in tomato sauce. Beyond the starters, the picadillo ($8.25), a true comfort dish, features savory ground beef served with fluffy white rice, homey black beans, and sweet maduros. It's hearty and heavenly.

Puerto Rican-style Chinese food is one of the finest marriages the world has ever known. And Ming Yuan is the perfect example. True, it's 100 percent authentic Chinese cooking, by Chinese cooks with a Chinese boss. But it's located in Miami's Little San Juan and boasts a diverse staff and a devoted local clientele. The place has a family atmosphere, awesome delivery, and easy pickup, so it's a clear winner in every regard. The food is excellent, flavorful, and adapted to the environment, but still retains its roots. All of your Yuan dynasty favorites are on the menu, and so are the Americanized and Miamified standbys. The portions are generous, the spicy options pack a major punch, the fried rice is perfectly seasoned, and the chicken, whether fried or curried, is always on point. The barbecued spare ribs are finger-lickin' good, the egg rolls are golden and crisp with just the right snap, and the soups are all must-tries. If there's one word to describe this neighborhood gem, it's "¡Dale!" Now go!

Biscayne Boulevard and Naples, Italy, have a lot in common. OK, there are no cobblestone streets in the Magic City's MiMo neighborhood, but with a little imagination, you can see more similarities than differences. There are ruins of some formerly beautiful buildings, for example, and you're sure to spot more than one scooter whizzing by. Plus, if you're on the corner of NE 69th Street and Biscayne on a weekend afternoon, you'll probably hear some Italian chatter in the air. That's the sound of Via Verdi's extended family eating and laughing on the terrace, enjoying the restaurant's version of brunch. Twins Nicola and Fabrizio Carro, along with partner Cristiano Vezzoli, have opened a charming space filled with rustic woods and modern touches. You can sit on the terrace or in the dining room (perhaps you'll opt for the intimate two-top inside the wine closet). The Aperol spritz ($9 at brunch) — sweet, bubbly, and bitter — is a perfect drink (and a helluva metaphor for life itself). Have some assaggi (small plates) to start. Try the polenta fries (which rest in a truffle Parmesan cream), some ricotta, a polpettine (one large and tender veal meatball), and some olives. Choose any five for $23. Then it's on to a steaming plate of gnocchi topped with Gorgonzola sauce ($15) before ending the meal with authentic Italian cheesecake. Here, as in Italy, the plates keep coming, so you'll get cookies with your check — a dolce ending to your meal.

Lorenzo, located at the epicenter of Collins Avenue madness, looks like something you'd see on Rome's Via Veneto. Chic chrome accents the inviting brown leather seating. An espresso and gelato bar anchors the dining room. The man behind the recipes is all old-school Chicago. Tony Mantuano has been turning out legendary meals at Spiaggia for probably longer than you've been alive, and he's brought his red sauce and gnocchi to South Beach. Meatballs ($14) taste like Grandma's, and a simple bowl of steaming spaghetti alla nadia is made with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and Parmigiano-Reggiano ($16). But if you want your socks blown off, don't miss the grilled octopus ($14), the most tender and flavorful you'll ever have. Save room for cannoli, made to order and filled with candied oranges inside the cream. A little Roman holiday, via Chi-Town, in SoBe. Molto dolce.

Specializing in Colombian dishes, Pueblito Viejo presents an authentic restaurant experience that's aesthetically pleasing and delightfully overwhelming. It submerges guests in Colombian culture with its extensive wall decor, culinary presentations, and live music. From the moment you walk through the doorway, you're surrounded by an eccentric interior design that pays homage to cultures native to Medellín. The entire space is an I-spy game of tropical foliage, indigenous animals, and creepy figurines of prominent Colombian musicians such as Shakira, Juanes, and Carlos Vives. If the vibe doesn't impress your out-of-town guests, the food definitely will. Popular items include arepa appetizers ($2.50 to $5.25), the "Pueblito Viejo en tabla" churrasco platter ($27), and refajo, a specialty drink made with beer and Colombian cola ($12.50 per pitcher). Try the whole fried red snapper (market price), which arrives propped vertically on a stick and served with lettuce, tomatoes, and fried green plantains. Stay late enough and you'll witness a band circling the tables while singing an improvised, satiric tune that will make you laugh while casually insulting you — if you can understand what they're saying.

A dining room reminiscent of a nightclub that's brimming with Miami Beach's glitziest denizens? That's certainly glamorous. Statuesque hostesses in barely-there attire escorting you to your table so you can throw back craft cocktails from the swanky bar and enjoy a Russian royal osetra caviar service costing hundreds of dollars? Glamorous as well. How about feasting upon a heaping seafood platter delivered to you by the BleauFish, the Fontaine­bleau's 43-foot commercial fishing boat? Yes, yes, definitely glamorous. Or what do you make of the fact that Michael Mina 74 is the latest venture from the eponymous James Beard Award-winning chef? Without question, the man behind 20 restaurants, including Bourbon Steak at Turnberry Isle in Aventura, is glamorous. But most glamorous of all is that along with chef de cuisine Thomas Griese, Michael Mina's hot spot proffers dishes that taste as amazing as they look. Bonus glamour: A late-night menu features items such as truffle omelet soufflé with truffle doughnuts.

When Jose Mendin and his partners opened Pubbelly in 2010, it was love at first sight for Miami. After all, who wouldn't fall head over heels for a chef who specializes in all things porcine? Unlike say, your first boyfriend, Mendin didn't become lazy with your adoration. Like a suitor who sends flowers and remembers your birthday, Mendin constantly works to keep the fire burning, creating memorable bites at Pubbelly Sushi and cooking perfect slabs of beef at PB Steak. Then there are his collaborations at the Pubbelly Group's other restaurants. His efforts paid off with a James Beard nod in 2014 and various other accolades, including a People's Best New Chef nomination from Food & Wine. Now Mendin is getting all continental with the highly anticipated opening of L'echon Brasserie, where he will offer his interpretation of classic French bistro fare. Jose Mendin is the gift that keeps on giving.

Contrary to what Publix might have led you to believe, vegetables don't grow out of the ground plastic-wrapped with a three-week shelf life. Industrialized food has so warped our produce sensibilities that you simply must opt into a farm share. A CSA will improve your waistline, your wallet, and all your unseen insides. Payment plans are varied and flexible, but for $46 every two weeks, Teena's Pride provides a quarter-share weekly box of Homestead-grown delights such as plump heirloom tomatoes, staunch bunches of leafy kale, summer squash and zucchini in bright yellows and emerald greens, fragrant Thai basil, and rainbow-hued carrots. The bounty changes every week. It's like Christmas morning for your kitchen. Shares also come in bigger sizes if you're eating for more than one. The program begins in November and ends in May, so you'll have to wait a few months to get on board — but it's worth it. Once you go locavore, you never go back.

Don't be surprised if Mi Vida Cafe has run out of what you'd like to order. It's simply a consequence of the vegan restaurant's ethos of using only fresh and organic ingredients (local when possible) and striving to limit waste. Mi Vida also doesn't believe in microwaves, frying, or preservatives; a huge chunk of the menu consists of raw and gluten-free items. Take, for instance, the tango-mango wrap ($14). The exterior is made from dehydrated mango, banana, sun-dried tomato, and flax seed, while inside there's avocado, tomato, cucumber, and sprouts splattered in a spinach cream sauce. It's light yet undeniably filling and tastes best when paired with a homemade smoothie ($6 to $8). There's seating outside along Biscayne Boulevard, but inside is a colorful oasis of calm. Come for lunch or dinner, but remember to silence your cell phone — there's a sign that reads, "You are here, so be here." Well said.

Kim and Louis Duncanson have been farming pure, organic wheatgrass in Miami for about 30 years. They started in an empty yard in Coconut Grove. Then they developed a supersterile hydroponic indoor system in Doral using desalinated seawater and mineral-rich nutrient feeds. Now they produce and distribute a variety of vital, raw, organic greens through every Whole Foods Market in Florida. They also distribute mung beans, sunflower greens, and sprouts through many retailers in Miami. But about a year ago, they opened their first juice bar, Green Garden Organics, where you can buy all of the above-mentioned products, along with traditionally delicious fruit smoothies, raw vegan pies, hummus spreads, and a variety of treats picked fresh from Mother Earth's supermarket — AKA the ground — and made fresh daily. With their dedication to healthy living, longtime experience with all that's good about the Earth, and commitment to clean, delicious excellence, the Duncansons' new juice bar is an amazing addition to the plethora of health-conscious establishments opening in the 305.

Odds are high that your meat-loving friend will have no idea that the "soy and wheatballs" he's just eaten at the Honey Tree aren't animal-based. That's because they're ridiculously comforting, as is most of the vegan fare at this lunch counter. Another equally deceptive and soothing item is the eggplant Parmesan. Its texture is so gooey you'd never know it's made using Daiya nondairy mozzarella cheese. Hidden inside a health-food store, the Honey Tree lets you compose your own plate filled with fresh and mostly organic hot and cold dishes that change each weekday. Everything is weighed and usually winds up costing $10 to $15. The fact that you can mix and match myriad foods and that you never know what will be available is half the excitement. The other half, of course, involves eating.

Once upon a time, there was a vegetarian burger that didn't pale in comparison to its meaty contemporaries. The hearty and protein-rich patty was made with forbidden rice, turtle beans, and shiitake mushrooms and topped with crushed avocado, goat cheese spread, and roasted tomatoes and red peppers. It was then placed on a fluffy and lightly sweetened bun that was delicious enough to eat plain. To savor this Miami Earth burger ($12), you would have to go to a restaurant called Umami Burger. The chain came to Miami Beach in May 2013 via California, where since 2009 it amassed legions of devoted fans. All the burgers were injected with a magic ingredient known as Umami Master Sauce and served in a laid-back dining room replete with TV sets. The term "umami" was defined as a category of taste that was neither sweet, sour, salty, nor bitter and had a mouthwateringly brothy and meaty flavor that lingered on the tongue. At this eatery, you could also get burgers made with meat, including the Umami burger. It featured shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, a Parmesan crisp, and house ketchup ($12). The smart folks would order it with a side of crispy thin fries ($3.50) and call it a very good day.

France isn't known for its vegetarian-friendly food. Neither is Miami. But la cuisine française with a meatless twist is an unlikely pairing that has found a cozy little love nest in the Roads. Founded by a family of French immigrants, Eden in Eden is a labor of love; its je ne sais quoi stems from brightly colored accents, French flags, and Eiffel Tower imagery. Instead of heavy French standards, the menu offers avant-garde, vegetarian takes on European tradition: baguette sandwiches ($8.50), quiche oignons ($9), crepes fromage ($9.50), and the timeless croque-monsieur ($8.70). Father Eusebi, mother Monique, and son Nathanael Guillaume happily serve these cruelty-free French favorites — artfully prepared salads, soups, sandwiches, fresh juices, natural (made with champignons) coffee, croissants, and sometimes vegan crème brûlée. Charming French accents come à la carte. Bon appétit and vive la France.

Bey: Baby, drunk in love was all well and good last night, but today, I'm hung-over and hungry.

Jay Z: Me too, baby. I need more than your breasteses for my breakfast.

Bey: Remember how trim and tight we felt after our 22 days of veganism? We need to get back on track. I've heard Choices Café UES is Miami's vegan HQ. They say bitches are crazy in love with their chicken's friend wrap ($12) and la pixsa pizza ($15).

Jay Z: I'm down. I got 99 problems, but heart disease ain't one.

Bey: Oh, and we need to snag a double chocolate raisin cookie and cocobliss smoothie ($12) for Blue Ivy. When it comes to my baby, I bring the best.

The view from Area 31, located on the 16th floor of downtown's Epic Hotel, is downright breathtaking. Luckily, the restaurant is familiar with the notion of sharing the love and allows Miamians to enjoy the skyline during breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, happy hour, and dinner. What's more, the food doesn't play second fiddle to the cityscape. Seafood is the main draw at this eatery, which is named after Fishing Area 31, an ecologically sustainable swath of the western central Atlantic Ocean encompassing the coastal waters of Florida. For dinner, executive chef Wolfgang Birk (formerly of Casa Casuarina) offers excellent options such as swordfish with pea shoots, a Yukon gold potato, and a sweet corn and chorizo salsa ($30), as well as a vibrant crab salad plated alongside palm hearts, avocado, and coconut shavings ($17). Brunch at Area 31 is also a must. Pair the eggs Benedict with seared flounder ($21) and one of bartender Dean Feddaoui's unique bloody mary variations ($9 to $33).

Dear Trader Joe's:

It's not every day that I share my feelings, but I had to write to tell you how, like, totally awesome I think you are. For years, I looked longingly at pictures on your website in the hope that one day you would come to Miami. And then I heard the news — you'd be heading right to my neighborhood. Finally, I could walk your aisles and take in all of your colorful yumminess. At long last, I could taste the sweet, sweet nectar of your cookie butter, drink in your Two-Buck Chuck, feel your ripe produce, and inhale the scent of your fresh floral bouquets. I thought that maybe all of this was too good to be true, that maybe you were too cheap for me. But then you gave me a lei on opening day, and your thoughtfulness sealed the deal. You kept luring me back with your cranberry goat cheese and witty packaging. And I know our love is mutual. How else can you explain your generous gift of complimentary coffee every time I see you? Or the fact that you offer me non-genetically modified products? I'm letting you know I broke up with Publix. Now I can spend all of my time with you. Chill a few bottles of that $2.99 Pinot Grigio I adore. I'll be over around 6.

How many times have you shopped at a Miami farmers' market and discovered that the avocados were grown in Mexico? Sure, you won't find too many local apples, but it's a damn shame to buy fruits and vegetables trucked in from far-flung places when South Florida has some great family farms. Nick Bernal agrees. The local forager started this weekly market in the Coconut Grove Playhouse parking lot to give local farmers an opportunity to sell direct to the public. How local? Ninety-five percent of the vendors grow on land within 35 miles of the Grove. Every Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m., you can peruse the fresh veggies pulled directly from the ground or buy locally made products such as breads, jams, and treats. The items vary (so you'll just have to go back every week), but there's a treasure trove of goodies each time, such as piña colada preserves from Freakin Flamingo Jams, goat cheese from Hani's Mediterranean Organics, colorful beans (not magic) from Seasons Farm Fresh, and maybe even a giant emu egg that can make an omelet for a family of four. Free parking and live entertainment seal the deal.

Have you ever enjoyed a weekend in one of those quaint little bed-and-breakfast communities by the seashore somewhere? If so, you'll feel at home at the Village Stand. Nestled on a side street in Miami Shores, this adorable shop brims with delights. Hand-crafted chocolates are displayed next to embroidered dish towels. All sorts of deliciousness awaits your perusal — locally made preserves, artisan cheeses, gourmet pastas. But this little spot is so much more than a place to pick up the fixings for your dinner. Every third Friday evening, neighbors gather for a free "wine-down" happy hour, and nearly every Saturday there's some gathering — a crepe social here, a jewelry trunk show there. Back in the day, every town had a place to gather — be it a bar, a coffeehouse, or a barbershop. In Miami Shores, it's the Village Stand. Head over and have a glass of wine and a chat — even if you don't live nearby. As Mr. Rogers famously said: "Won't you be my neighbor?"

The only bad thing about Noa Cafe in Wynwood is that it's open only for lunch on weekdays. That's because chef-owner Adi Kafri's primary business is a catering company, while the miniature restaurant is her side project. That said, the Israeli native's passion for what she calls her "baby" is undeniable. So is her commitment to offering clients fresh and vibrant dishes at surprisingly low prices. The portions are generous and the ingredients topnotch. For $12.95, you can feast on salmon teriyaki with orange peel, scallions, ginger, and lemongrass served with two sides such as sweet potatoes and organic mixed greens. If you dine in the intimate space, you'll easily forget you're at a restaurant and think you're being served by an unusually talented home chef. Other permanent fixtures for lunch include lemon-grilled chicken with rosemary ($11.95), chicken pad thai ($12.95, or $10.95 without the meat), and focaccia sandwiches ($8.95). Each week , Kafri introduces new entrées, such as vodka cheese ravioli with salmon ($14). This blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot has officially upped the ante on affordable, gourmet lunches.

Barbecue should always begin and end with the nose. The smoky aroma will lead the way as you're cruising along NE 167th Street. When you arrive at Bo Legs, someone will be manning the grill and the chatty lady at the counter will ask you a million personal questions and provide you with these sage words: "Chicken is the weekday must-order item. Ribs are for the weekend." There you have it. Barbecue or jerk chicken is $7, and ribs are $9. The sauce is the key to the meat, so squirt away. Sides are $3 for small and $5 for large. The mac 'n' cheese is a favorite that boasts a tasty tang from Muenster cheese and plenty of pep from black pepper. Even after you lick your fingers, the scent lingers. Sniff on.

Imagine this: In mere hours, your dinner party guests will arrive. But you have nothing to serve them. Perhaps you got caught up at work, or maybe you simply didn't feel like cooking. Regardless, you're in a bind. This is where the prepared food section at Epicure Gourmet Market & Café comes in handy. There's everything you can imagine, from prime brisket ($18.95 per pound) and baked herb chicken thighs ($9.95 per pound) to potato salad ($5.95 per pound) and curry lentil salad ($9.95 per pound). Not only is it all made in house, but it also truly tastes homemade. Dinner, lunch, and brunch items are all offered. Epicure is a high-end grocery store with prices to match, but you get superior quality. Besides, having someone else do the dirty work for you while convincing your guests that you did it all is, well, priceless.

Every day except Monday, Tomas Strulovic and his team at True Loaf bake four or five varieties of fresh bread ($9 to $12 a loaf). In the early-morning hours, they shape the sourdough using only their hands and place it in an Italian steam-injected deck oven. Flavors include country, whole wheat, apricot walnut, cherry pecan, and multigrain. Step inside the minimalist, whitewashed space in Sunset Harbour, and the intoxicating aromas will blow you away. You'll need strong willpower to resist picking up a croissant ($3.75 to $4.80) or scone ($4.25) to go along with your loaf. Strulovic, a banker turned graduate of the French Culinary Institute, realized Miami lacked good bread and took courses in bread making at the San Francisco Baking Institute. The Venezuela native opened True Loaf in November 2013 and soon began selling croissants to Panther Coffee. Try it for yourself; the proof is in the dough.

When Guy Fieri, host of the Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, dubs you the "Ninja of Flavortown," it's a big deal. It's also a title that chef-owner Richard Hales of Sakaya Kitchen, Dim Ssäm à Gogo food truck, and Blackbrick Chinese undoubtedly deserves. Hales honed his skills in New York City and spent years backpacking throughout Asia, where he worked for free to learn from chefs he admired. Sakaya Kitchen opened in 2009, and the accolades came pouring in for Hales' sharp, streamlined, and inexpensive Asian/Southeast Asian grub served over the counter. Though you can't go wrong with the honey-orange baby-back ribs ($15) or the sous-vide duck herb sandwich with a side of spicy tater tots ($10), the buns are unbelievable. The pork buns ($8 for two) feature a natural bone-in Boston butt marinated for 24 hours in a blend of brown sugar, toasted spices, and sesame oil and then roasted for eight hours. The tender meat tastes of pork belly and brisket and comes in a fluffy white bun with pickled cucumber and a spattering of sweet chili sauce. Things get a little crazier with the bánh mì buns ($9 for two), featuring house-cured pork belly and duck pâté, as well as kimchee carrots, homemade mayo, and pickles. Meanwhile seafood lovers will get a kick out of the expertly seasoned soft shell crab variety ($9 for two).

Some secrets are better left untold, such as what makes Gourmet Diner's vegetable soufflé so insanely incredible. The buttery, moist, omelet-like concoction is a side dish that accompanies some main-course selections, but it always steals the show. The starring vegetable changes regularly; the broccoli and cauliflower varieties are especially scrumptious. Don't let the chrome 1950s-style diner exterior fool you into thinking Gourmet Diner is your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon. Sure, you can enjoy mainstays such as a cheeseburger ($12.95) while perched on a pale-blue banquette, but as the name suggests, the majority of the fare is quite gourmet. There's also a significant number of French items, such as the classically prepared escargots ($6.95) and the sea bass Provençal topped with tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, and white wine ($29.95). The latter pairs perfectly with the vegetable soufflé, as does the roast duck with plum sauce ($22.95). Since 1983, this eatery has attracted folks for lunch, dinner, and weekend breakfast thanks to its friendly waitstaff, throwback ambiance, and high-caliber yet straightforward cuisine. The extensive menu makes choosing tricky, but the vegetable soufflé is a no-brainer.

Hankering for a meal created by a chef who worked at some of the finest Michelin-rated restaurants in Europe? No need to drive to some fancy-schmancy hotel restaurant and pay $30 for valet. Just find out where Il Fiorentino is parked for the evening. This food truck is unique in Miami (and maybe the world), for in it, one chef Lorenzo Lapi serves some of the finest Italian cuisine you'll ever eat. The handsome young chef might be easy on the eyes, but he's difficult to understand. After all, he hails from Florence, and when he gets excited explaining a dish, he peppers his speech with his native tongue. But there are no language barriers to his food. So here's a tip: When the chef suggests his polpettine di carne con purè di patata e olio al tartufo ($10), he's offering you his version of the classic meat and potatoes. Handmade meatballs rest on a bed of fluffy truffle-scented mashed potatoes. Other gorgeous interpretations of classic dishes include a near-perfect risotto alla zucca, caprino e salsiccia ($12), made with butternut squash, goat cheese, and Italian sausage. All pastas are freshly made, vegetables are locally sourced, and olive oil is imported from his homeland. Someday Lapi will certainly have a restaurant with difficult-to-get reservations, but for now you can grab his food from a truck. It's the foodie equivalent of buying shares of Apple stock in 1980 — and paying with pasta.

Saturday and Sunday are already good days, but the $28-per-guest dim sum lunch at Hakkasan makes them that much better. Each prix fixe includes steamed and grilled dumplings with various fillings, an entrée of noodles with beef tenderloin and spinach, baby bok choi with garlic, and dessert. Located on the fourth-floor rooftop of the tony Fontainebleau, this modern Chinese restaurant is arguably the prettiest place in Miami to enjoy dim sum. What's more, Hakkasan isn't your typical Chinese joint, but one that's garnered prestigious awards and Michelin stars since it opened in London more than ten years ago. But back to the dim sum: If you order off the à la carte menu, the steamed shrimp har gau dumplings are a crowd favorite, as are the grilled Shanghai potstickers (both $16 for four). There are also copious vegetarian options, such as sweet corn dumplings ($12 for three) and wolfberry mushroom dumplings ($8 for three).

It's odd. Miami is surrounded by some of the most pristine waters in the world, yet very few restaurants here really do justice to beautiful seafood. Lure Fishbar is one of them. This South Florida outpost of a New York City classic serves an overwhelming array of sea creatures. There's an extensive raw bar featuring shellfish plateaus brimming with crab, shrimp, and oysters. There's also some gorgeous sushi. But the restaurant really lures diners in with unfussy takes on seafood favorites. A classic Maine lobster roll piles rich, flavorful chunks of the crustacean a mile high on buttery brioche ($30), and a grilled whole daurade ($34) is simply yet masterfully done. If you want pure decadence, order the bucatini pasta with butter-poached crab and uni crema ($38). Add Robert Ferrara's nautical-themed cocktail creations, and you have a meal fit for Triton.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines raw as "uncooked, in its natural state, not yet processed or purified." Urban Dictionary has a slightly different take. "Sex without a condom" is the leading definition. Coming in second: "slang term for any uncut drug; something pure, unadulterated, hard-core, serious, no kidding, no shit." Aside from the unprotected-sex part, that's a pretty good summary of Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill. Since its opening in early 2010, the midtown restaurant has developed a hard-core following. Much of its popularity is owed to executive chef Timon Balloo's masterful raw menu. Raw is all the rage these days, whether it's oatmeal or coconut water. Balloo does the word justice by dishing out simple, unadulterated seafood that satisfies. You can get fresh clams, crab legs, and lobster, of course. But Balloo's best offerings are his crudos, such as local fish sprinkled with fresh lime and ají amarillo; tuna with avocado and paddlefish caviar; steak tartare with pickled shallots, Dijon mustard, and quail eggs; and salmon slices topped with radish, pomegranate, and a tart white ponzu sauce. Serious. No kidding. No shit. Sounds pretty raw.

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli has been a fashion icon since the early 1970s, when he shocked Paris with his bold prints. Never one to be a fashion wallflower, Cavalli created colorful designs that made him famous among attention-seeking fashionistas. Now he has brought his signature brand of whimsical eye candy to his Miami Beach restaurant and lounge. If you're looking for something staid and subtle, keep walking. But if you want your restaurant to be better dressed than you, Cavalli Miami is the place. Have a cocktail at the neon-pink backlit bar and peruse the pictures on the wall that show the designer cavorting with all sorts of beautiful people. The hostess, dressed in signature Cavalli animal print, shows you to your table, where you find more animal prints mingling with psychedelic florals. It's as if Cirque du Soleil, a zebra, and a poppy shacked up inside a disco. And because Cavalli is a master of playing with patterns, this mix of colors and themes somehow works, entrancing you while you sip on a lavender-hued cocktail and dine on oversize Alice-in-Firenze plates. Adding to the decor are the celebrities who dine there — because any restaurant can have fresh flowers, but only Cavalli can have Justin Timberlake as a centerpiece.

Miami is a design-driven city with a plethora of visually stunning restaurants. Unsurprisingly, many eateries turn to the ocean for interior inspiration, but the Local House's beach-chic decor is especially enchanting. Located inside the Sense Beach House boutique hotel, the restaurant attracts diners with its fresh seafood but invites them to linger by way of a warm and inviting space. Ice-blue banquettes, white lacquered tables, and beige chairs rest atop light wood floors to create a mood that's more South Hampton than South Beach. Meanwhile, a large glossy white bookcase is festooned with books and quirky knickknacks. It's utterly serene and serves as an ideal backdrop for a casual yet thoroughly romantic soiree. Start off with oysters ($15 for six or $29 for 12); then move on to a refreshing melon and citrus salad assembled with feta cheese, spinach, and fresh mint ($12). As a main dish, the seared scallops with toasted Israeli couscous are a crowd pleaser ($26). Breakfast, brunch, and lunch are also offered, so you can enjoy the surroundings almost any time.

S&S Diner has been around since thirty-eight.

That's sure as hell a long-ago date.

The food is quite edible

and the service incredible.

A U-shaped counter fills the pintsize space.

Shovel your chow at a leisurely pace.

Old movie posters recall a time

when you downed a whole turkey for only a dime.

S&S serves breakfast and lunch food.

You'll pay in cash for the whole brood.

Afterward, head out for a walk

across to the graveyard for a serious talk

about eggs and bacon and Al Capone

and Santería, Vodou, and sun-bleached bone.

This is Miami's most genuine diner.

In all of South Florida, ain't nothin' finer.

They say art feeds the soul. That's all well and good, but after spending hours perusing art, you're starving. And even though that Warhol looks good enough to eat, it tastes like cardboard. Instead, head to Verde Restaurant & Bar, conveniently located inside Pérez Art Museum Miami. This delightful little café has a spectacular view of Biscayne Bay's changing colors — a work of art in constant flux. The menu is short yet eclectic — meaning there's an item that speaks to your cravings whether you're feeling a squash blossom pizza ($13) or bigeye tuna tartare ($14). Of course, art is best interpreted with a slight buzz, so have a guava margarita ($12). Hell, have two. Your poor, tortured, artistic soul (and your stomach) will thank you.

City lights twinkle in the near distance as you enter the oversize patio from the dock. Whether you arrive by yacht or pre-owned Toyota, Seasalt and Pepper's view is gorgeous. Make your way to the bar for a cocktail and a dozen oysters. As you slurp down the cool, briny kisses of the sea, allow your eyes to wander away from your date. Is that Beyoncé and Jay Z in the corner? Since the restaurant's opening about six months ago, it has hosted some of the brightest stars in the Miami firmament. They come to dine alfresco on organic filet mignon ($45), Maine lobster thermidor ($50), and house-made foie gras ($18). For one sparkling evening, you can feel what it's like to be a pampered celebrity. And it feels good — even if you drive home in the Toyota (we won't tattle when you say your yacht is in for service).

There are times when being a do-it-yourself kind of person works to your advantage. After all, it's pretty handy to change your own tire or make homemade cupcakes. But there are some things that really should be left to the experts — like rewiring the electricity in your house or cooking the perfect steak. First off, that hunk of meat you brought home in the Styrofoam packaging might have come from a cow that died of natural causes (ya never know). Second, your electric two-burner stove in your studio apartment simply can't generate the heat needed to get the ideal sear. Which is why you go to BLT Steak. Laurent Tourondel's Miami Beach restaurant uses only prime cuts of certified Angus beef, naturally aged for tenderness. Then, chef de cuisine Daniel Ganem sears the meat at 1,700 degrees. That's what gives the New York strip ($58) its mouthwatering char on the outside while keeping it cool and pink on the inside. It takes a real pro to honor such a fine piece of meat. Now go ahead and savor your dinner. You can call the electrician tomorrow.

It seems fair to say Miami has the good weather but New York has the good bagels. Yet then there are occasions when it's simply gorgeous in the Big Apple and you can find the perfect bagel in the Magic City. For the latter, Miamians just need to head to Bagel Bar East — one of the few places around that still hand-rolls, boils, and bakes its bagel dough. You'd be hard-pressed to find a deli classic not listed on Bagel Bar's gargantuan menu, and everything is available for take-out. You can also purchase meat, fish, and prepared salads by the pound. If you like smoked fish, order a cream cheese bagel with Nova, whitefish, lox, surgeon, baked salmon, or sable ($12.99 to $15.99). For meat lovers, there's no shortage of melts, wraps, burgers, and sandwiches ($9.99 to $11.99). One example: The indulgent corned beef sandwich with pastrami and chopped liver ($10.99) comes with a pickle and either potato salad or coleslaw and tastes like your ideal blend of authenticity and awesomeness. Every day from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bagel Bar East does Miami proud.

There are lots of restaurants in the Magic City that dazzle with bright lights, designer table linens, guest DJs, and chefs with acting resumés. But sometimes a place shines so brilliantly that it needs none of that fancy footwork. The District Miami is such a spot. This place claims to offer "contemporary pan-American cuisine," but it's really a melting pot of favorites you probably grew up with — slow-braised pork shoulder, tacos, and meatballs — except reworked by a masterful chef. Under Horacio Rivadero's care, meatballs are made with foie gras ($15), tacos are graced with sweet lobster meat ($18), and tartare is prepared with young Colorado lamb ($14). The work pays off, because Chef Rivadero was named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Best Chef-South award this year. Better make reservations now.

There's no debating that the food at Rouge is fantastic — the place has arguably the finest seared foie gras in the city. But where this restaurant excels is its ambiance. Once you walk into the red-walled bohemian atmosphere of the interior dining room, you begin to feel far away from the weird wilderness of 71st Street, which is just on the other side of the door. Make your way to the outdoor courtyard, formerly a parking lot, and discover an oasis lined with rustic brick flooring and walls covered with sprawling vines and flowers. Ornamental tiles adorn all the tables, and the soft bubbling of fountains instantly transports you to a breezy night in Marrakesh. It's an amazing departure from the bustling center of Normandy Isle, which is a mere few feet away from the low-key patio. And Rouge's combination of subtlety and French-Moroccan styling makes it a beguiling place for a romantic evening of wine and whispered sweet-nothings.

Any original piece by Monet, Picasso, or Rembrandt will cost you more than you'll earn in your lifetime, but the artist-inspired sandwiches and salads at Orange Cafe + Art won't set you back more than a Hamilton. Located in the Design District, this corner eatery and gallery has a menu as colorful as the hand-painted oil canvases that adorn the orange and white walls. If you're craving a hearty salad, try the Gaudi ($9.75), served with a Mediterranean blend of fresh greens, tomato, palm hearts, fresh red peppers, avocado, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette. The Frida Kahlo sandwich ($8.95 for a full, $5.60 for a half) is stacked with crisp bacon, avocado, lettuce, tomato, and spicy mayo. The Diego Rivera ($9.85 for a full, $6.20 for a half) brings roast beef, avocado, pico de gallo, lettuce, and mayo. All sandwiches come with a side of chips and Orange's special honey mustard sauce. But if you order a full size, you get to choose your bread: French baguette, whole wheat baguette, or wrap. With cash to spare, you'll want to save room for homemade chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin (69 cents each), or chocolate macadamia cookies ($1.62 each) and an iced caramel latte ($2.85 for medium, $3.85 for large).

Time your drive for just before sunset. Cruise down the dusty road into a nearly deserted Matheson Hammock Park. Stow your car and pause for a moment, hand-in-hand at the water's edge. Gaze at the brilliant-blue water and sky. Once inside Red Fish Grill, take your table for two on the terrace. Stare into the limpid eyes of your lover. Listen to palm trees rustle and sway. Watch the waves of the atoll pool gently roll. Let the trade winds nuzzle your limbs as the sun sets in glorious shades of vermilion, apricot, lemon, and pomegranate. Feed each other steamed mussels ($14) or Chilean sea bass ($40) as twilight sets in. Clink glasses and sip champagne. Bask in ready-made romance. If ardent passion isn't ignited by evening's end, it was a hopeless case to begin with.

At five-star restaurants, you expect to be treated like an A-lister. After all, you're paying through the nose. But for excellent service, you sometimes do better at a neighborhood joint like Italy Today. Located on Main Street in Miami Lakes, the Tuscan-style Italian restaurant serves reasonably priced fresh bruschetta ($9), savory pumpkin ravioli ($15), and the most well-balanced combination of mascarpone cream, ladyfingers, and espresso you'll ever taste in tiramisu ($6.50). But that's not all. From the moment you pass through its rustic wooden doors and hear Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole crooning in the background, you'll feel right at home. The hostess greets you with a warm hello and a genuine smile as she grabs a stack of menus and walks you to your table. Moments after you settle down, a wooden slab with homemade bread appears along with glasses of ice-cold water. Your waitress pleasantly welcomes you with a list of recommended plates. As you place your order and devour the bread, a steady stream of servers and even the manager check on you. As soon as the chef puts the finishing touches on your plate, your food is immediately whisked to your table, along with grated Parmesan cheese. Rest assured you will neither be ignored during the meal nor waiting for your bill long after you've finished. At the end of your dining experience, you'll walk out with a grin, a full stomach, and the desire to come back soon.

How would a mad scientist eat his ice cream? He'd inject it with enough nitrogen to cover the whole parlor in a frosty mist. But you don't have to be a mad scientist to chill out like one, thanks to Chuck Woodard and Danny Golik, the brainiacs behind Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream. You've never had a tasty treat like this before. Begin by choosing your wet ingredients — or elements — from the "Periodic Table" behind the bar. With everything from vanilla (Vn) and Nutella (Nt) to biscotti (Bs) to dulce de leche (Dl), there's plenty to drool over. Add some "mix-n's," such as Krispy Kreme (Kr), Oreos (Or), or even Pop Tarts (Pt). It all goes into a giant mixing bowl that's churned and injected with just enough nitrogen to start a real smoke storm. Don't worry — it's all very safe and fun, and nitrogen is delightfully tasteless and odorless. You can imagine any ingredient combination you want, or you can rely on special weekly "equations" for something new. Chill-N is a real labor of love — the website says Woodard and Golik spent "six months locked up in a garage and 3,456,789 brain-freezes" to get the science right. So indulge in a creamy cup at least once. Grab a regular cup for $4.55, or upgrade to a large for $4.95. Each additional mix-n costs 60 cents. You should probably go nuts. It's well worth it.

You don't have to travel all the way to Italy for some buono gelato. Located in South Pointe, right across the street from Joe's Stone Crab, is Gelateria 4D. The SoBe outpost of the Italian franchise offers some of the tastiest gusti di gelato this side of the Atlantic. There are more than 24 flavors on display, from sweet and creamy tiramisu to savory passionfruit and diet-friendly sugar-free coffee. But if you can't settle for just one sapore, go for the small ($5.95), which brings two scoops of any flavor in a cup or waffle cone. Try the Nutella, cookies 'n' cream, or bacio and coconut. If you're feeling adventuresome, try a stracciatella shake topped with whipped cream and syrup ($7.95), a banana split with your choice of Italian ice cream ($10.89), a mango gelato smoothie ($6.51), or a crepe ($9.35) served with fudge or cream caramel, a scoop of gelato, whipped cream, and Grand Marnier flambé. If you can't get enough of the frozen goodness, enjoy la dolce vita at home with one of Gelateria 4D's gelato boxes ($15.50 for a half-liter, $29.90 for a full liter).

Thank you, Laudurée, for choosing Miami Beach as your next international location after New York City and for bringing a touch of Paris to these shores. Thank you for employing such courteous staff at your Lincoln Road pastry shop. For a moment, we can forget where we are. Thank you for your miniature storefront awash in pastel hues that match your 16 macaron flavors ($2.80 each), as well as the stunning decorative boxes that are available to house them (starting at $21 for a box of six). Thank you for crafting macarons that taste even better than they look. The exoskeleton is crunchy without falling apart, while the inside is perfectly moist and bursting with a rich and velvety filling. We'll take a box of novelty flavors (orange blossom, wild berry jasmine, and lemon verbena) and a box of classics (salted caramel, pistachio, and vanilla), thank you.

Enter Palomilla Grill and find yourself surrounded by ceramic trinkets and sunflower paintings that evoke the sensation of a faraway island. The setting is rich with lingering memories and remnants of hearty conversation. This is the kind of place where families go to spend time together and laugh over savory Cuban meals prepared by able hands. Some of the seat cushions are still even wrapped in plastic, just like abuela's. Sure, you'll want to try the signature palomilla steak ($11.25), but no proper Cuban meal is complete without flan for dessert. It's made in house, and you can practically taste the love in each bite. The soft, caramel notes melt on your tongue and get your taste buds dancing to the beat of Celia Cruz's "Azucar!" Basically, if your abuelita doesn't have her own top-secret flan recipe, she should be infiltrating Palomilla Grill to get her hands on this one.

What's icy, tangy, zesty, crisp, tart, sweet, smooth and positively peerless? It's the key lime pie ($7.95) at Joe's Stone Crab. It's the kind of dessert you have to eat with your eyes closed to fully take in the multitude of textures and flavors. And like the 100-year-old restaurant's world-famous stone crabs, it's worth waiting in line for. The pie is said to have originated in Key West, where key limes abound, but Joe's does Miami Beach proud with its exquisite rendition of the quintessential American treat. Enjoy it after a filling meal at the storied institution, or grab it to go from Joe's Take Away next door. Full pies are available if you order ahead of time. Tote one home, refrigerate it, and enjoy its scrumptiousness for days.

Fro-yo is a way of life. You either get it or you don't. For some, closing an evening by swirling low-fat yogurt into a cup and accessorizing it with myriad toppings is the happiest of endings. Mimi offers that treat in North Beach. The flavors rotate frequently, but salted caramel and Tahitian vanilla are regulars. Sample some of the more exotic varieties, especially green tea, taro, and watermelon sorbet. You pay by the pound, so try to sail under the $5 mark on the scale. Toppings such as fresh fruit, cookies, and chocolate chips can really add up, but the soft mochi and burst-in-your-mouth fruit-flavored boba balls are light enough to keep the weight in check.

There's so much to love about Restaurant Michael Schwartz. For starters, there's the idyllic poolside setting, which makes for one of the most outstanding outdoor dining experiences on the Beach. Then you have a menu overseen by one of Miami's most acclaimed chef-restaurateurs, Michael Schwartz. Best of all, you've got a dessert list created by executive pastry chef and James Beard Award finalist Hedy Goldsmith. If you visit in a party of four or more, the family-style pie à la mode (flavors change regularly) served with homemade ice cream ($36) is haute comfort food at its finest. Meanwhile, the tangerine creamsicle pot de crème ($12) features custard dotted with vanilla beans and three warm, fluffy doughnuts. The desserts here are anything but ordinary. But they're not gimmicky or pretentious, and that's definitely something to love.

Misha Kuryla-Gomez's cupcakes are pretty, oh so pretty. In fact, it might be impossible to enter Misha's Cupcakes without breaking into a smile. And in this case, appearances aren't deceiving, because these little treats are undeniably divine. Kuryla-Gomez began baking out of her kitchen to earn money while staying close to her young daughter, and — voilà — now there are five Misha's Cupcakes stores. What's more, her sweets are sold at numerous locations throughout Miami, including the Café at Books & Books and Epicure Gourmet Market in Sunny Isles Beach. Seasonal flavors include key lime, orange creamsicle, and s'more, and some regulars are red velvet, cookies 'n' cream, and coconut ($1.35 for mini, $2.60 for regular). Picture-perfect cakes (starting at $20) are also available.

Oreos may be vegan, but an unrecognizable Crisco-based filling and some mass-produced chocolate wafers aren't exactly the stuff of a healthy diet. So what are meatless eaters supposed to look forward to at the end of a meal? Enter Beehive Juice Bar's cake du jour. Whipped up daily, the vegan lunch counter's cakes are dairy-free, flour-free, and processed-sugar-free. Owner and master chef Carlos Schicchi generally uses whole-wheat pastry flour, brown rice syrup, flax meal, pineapple purée, and an array of other good-for-you ingredients to craft cruelty-free masterpieces for your mouth. On any given day, there could be apple, strawberry, carrot, banana walnut, chocolate, or tangerine cake. And they're all guilt-free, cruelty-free, and bad-stuff-free. At $2.99 a slice, it's a sweet steal.

Sweat is the city's only vegan coffeehouse. You'd think herbivorous caffeine fiends would be banging down the door. They'd do anything to avoid Starbucks' ludicrous 60-cent upcharge for soy milk. But not so much. Instead, the chocolate coconut lattes ($4) and Panther Coffee espressos at this music lovers' paradise are still on the DL. The Vanilla Iced Rice Baby ($3.21 for a regular) is a piquant treat — an iced, toasted rice green tea with vanilla milk (almond or soy, pick your pleasure). Pair it with a vegan cookie and use the free Wi-Fi to look up kale smoothie recipes and baby animal pics on Pinterest. You'll feel like you're in Portland — till you step outside into the sunshine.

Once upon a time, there was a busy little corner with a café named Mary's. This magical shop, located inside a laundromat, smelled like freshly cleaned blankets and coffee. All sorts of good people gathered there to drink an elixir known as café con leche. This hot beverage, the color of chocolate pudding, was rich and sweet, and when the townsfolk drank it, they were energized no matter what time of day or night. In the morning, workers dropped in for a quick pick-me-up before heading to their jobs. In the afternoon, people would gather for a shot of the drink on their way back from lunch. Even in the middle of the night, folks who worked while the rest of the city slept — policemen, paramedics, and others who burned the midnight oil — flocked to the window at Mary's for a much-needed caffeine fix (only $1.87 for a medium). The little café was an important part of the community. The people of Miami loved her for that, and they all lived happily ever after.

Of all the cocktails in the world, the martini conjures up the most romance. After all, it's the drink that James Bond sips (shaken, not stirred) in those moments between bedding a gorgeous babe and saving Her Majesty and mankind. Because of that, note must be made not only of those who take proper care in the making of the martini, but also in the ambiance of the drink. Even the best-made cocktail of its ilk loses face if served in a red Solo cup. Which is why you're at Lazuli Lounge, the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove's indigo-tinged oasis, for the Spice of the Ritz-Carlton ($14). Just like Bond and one of his girls, spicy pepper vodka coos to fragrant St-Germain as they're both kissed by lime and heated by red pepper flakes. Sexy and sophisticated, it's the ultimate cocktail for the international man (or woman) of mystery.

Dearest mojito:

Why do you tempt me with your delicate notes of sweetness?

The way your mint leaves dance around the white rum —

That twirl is enough to drive sound minds mad.

Your body sparkles,

Your contact cools,

Your taste excites.

Refresh me, but don't emborrachar me.

The bloody mary's origins are continually debated. Its alleged progenitors include Queen Mary I of England, comedian George Jessel, and French bartender Fernand Petiot. Most drinkers, however, don't give a hoot how it began; they just need that good old-fashioned hangover cure — and fast. Though Miami's focus on nightlife has made finding a good version of this daytime drink a challenge, the Morgans Restaurant's bloody saki offers a refreshing twist on the classic. It includes fresh tomato purée and juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon juice, hot sauce, celery salt, ground black pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Instead of the traditional vodka, Morgans opts for Gekkeikan sake. Before you bemoan the loss of liquor, the lightness of the sake makes this bloody an even better postpartying option. While neutrally flavored vodka typically lets the tomato foundation take over, the sake adds a touch of bittersweet saltiness that complements the drink well. Generously portioned and garnished with olives, lemon, and celery, the $10 bloody saki is a satisfying steal.

What sets this wine bar apart from others? It puts wine at the center of everything. At Uvaggio, a classy little hole in the wall on Miracle Mile's long strip, the menu celebrates and elevates the grownups' juice. The menu is shaped by the wine selection. Instead of recommending a drink to go along with your meal, waiters recommend a small dish to pair with your wine. The cocktails aren't even safe from this dictum: no vodka or rum here. Instead, the chef and sommelier base their cocktails on sparkling wines and the like. Speaking of the chef and sommelier, Uvaggio employs a topnotch team, including former Top Chef contestant Bret Pelaggi, world-class sommelier Heath Porter, and wine collector and businessman Craig DeWald — so you know you're in the right place for drinks and exquisitely prepared dishes.

You might be over the word "chillax," but you can still get behind the sentiment. Try sitting poolside in a non-sceney way with a cold brew while devouring delectable mini crabcakes with bitching sauce ($17). That's what Lou's Beer Garden has to offer. It's a hidden gem in North Beach that's like the kid brother of the Broken Shaker. You will feel like you're in a friend's backyard — if that friend had an awesome beer collection that took up the whole center column of a menu. Lou's has served everything from banana bread beer to big Belgian to local Florida ales. Sure, they make pretty good mixed drinks, but you come here for the craft beer libations, ambiance, and crabcakes.

It was only a few years ago that Miami's beer scene was dismal. But then something wonderful happened. Passionate homebrewers emerged and formed a community. These dedicated men and women brewed keg upon keg, turning garages and spare bedrooms into tiny breweries. They spent thousands of dollars only to give the fruits of their labor away. These beers began gaining a following and winning accolades, which led to some making the leap. Wynwood's family brewery was one of the first to open. It makes about a half-dozen standards, with seasonal and small-batch beers always on tap in the tasting room, which also serves as a showcase for local emerging artists. And the beer? From the refreshing La Rubia to the rich Pop's Porter, they're satisfying, fresh, and unique.

Some say midnight is the bewitching hour. We say it's the time when dinner's satisfaction has worn away, leaving you with a gnawing hunger. The midnight snack was invented to cure this curious malady, leaving you with a dilemma: Do you go to a diner and stuff yourself with eggs that taste of grill grease, order from a fast-food drive-thru, or choose a better option — tacos at Huahua's Taqueria? This SoBe taco stand is the brainchild of chef/partner Todd Erickson, the man behind gastro-nirvana Haven. It tempts with nearly a dozen types of tacos, both traditional (carnitas) and whimsical (fried chicken). Pescetarians, vegetarians, and carnivores can sit side-by-side chomping contentedly as a new day quickly approaches. At less than four bucks apiece, they're even cheaper than that Grand Slam you were eyeing out of desperation. Huahua's is open only until 11 p.m. on weekdays, but the 4 a.m. closing time on weekends is just right for late-night bites.

There's no doubt fried food is the tastiest food on Planet Earth. Nothing beats consuming all that greasy goodness when it's 3 a.m. on a Sunday and you're drunk. Though pepitos, or Venezuelan subs, are an obvious choice at Pepitolandia, there's much more on the menu to choose from. The footlong bistro pepito ($9.99) comes stuffed with beef, chicken, or a combination of the two, mozzarella, bacon, shoestring potatoes, sweet corn, and onion sauce. And it's all served on a toasted bun. That will definitely sober you up. The American parrilla ($7.99 for a small, $15.99 for a large) brings a selection of meat, mushrooms, grilled onions, and melted cheese tossed over a bed of french fries — or fried or boiled yuca. There's plenty of grub for the DDs too. If you get hungry from watching your drunk buddy devour his pepito, down the full hamburger ($8.99), crowned with shoestring potatoes, lettuce, tomatoes, egg, ham, melted cheese, and avocado and drizzled with onion sauce. Or try the Hawaiian hot dog ($4.50), topped with pineapple sauce, shoestring potatoes, and mozzarella. Burp.

There's not much we know about Tom Colicchio's still-unnamed restaurant that will open sometime in fall 2014 at the 1 Hotel & Homes in South Beach, so why all the hype? Well, in a world of celebrity chefs who serve donkey sauce and frozen food, Colicchio remains a chef first and foremost. He just happens to be the head judge on an Emmy Award-winning cooking show. Colicchio got his first kitchen gig at the age of 17 and, since then, has opened some of the finest restaurants in the United States, including Gramercy Tavern, Craft, and Colicchio & Sons. He's a multiple James Beard Award winner who also has a conscience; he supports various charities, such as City Harvest and Alex's Lemonade Foundation. His Miami restaurant will use locally sourced produce and seafood (he has friends in the right places), but most of all, it will be a major contribution to Miami's growing legitimate food scene. Plus, let's hope it will attract more sightings of Padma Lakshmi in a bikini.