Best Restaurant (Coral Gables)
Chef Michael Bolen moved to Miami from San Diego and opened Lion & the Rambler, a modern California restaurant highlighting offerings from some of the best farmers and purveyors in the country with an ever-evolving seasonal menu. What started as a tasting-menu-only concept was modified soon after opening by customers’ demand: They wanted a neighborhood joint with plenty of a la carte and small plates that could keep them returning for more. As a rule of thumb, if it isn’t seasonal, it’s probably made from scratch, like the finishing salts extracted from Miami’s waters, the housemade bread, and flavored butters.