Pilar

Chef/owner Scott Fredel long ago mapped out the mission for his Aventura venue: “To show that a restaurant can be friendly and affordable without sacrificing creativity, style, and quality.” With his steady hand at the wheel, Pilar has stayed that course. The menu has changed over the years, but not much else. The seafood is […]

Pilikia by the Pool

No money for a vacation this year? Cheer up, you live next to the vacation capital of the world — Miami Beach. Instead of a vacation, break out the swimsuit and sunscreen, and head over to Pilikia by the Pool for a cheap day in South Beach. Located poolside at the Art Deco South Seas […]

Plate

Healthy’s good, cheap is great, but the two together are a match made in heaven. Shenandoah’s Plate is both of the above. They serve up simple American food with a Latin flair. From fresh fruit smoothies like the Coral Way (OJ, strawberries, banana, and fat-free yogurt $4.50) to wraps like the El Rancho (grilled chicken […]

POC American Fusion Buffet & Sushi

POC American Fusion Buffet & Sushi serves Asian tapas ($4 to $16). Seating consists of linen-covered tables and large, plush booths around the perimeter. And despite the packed house, noise was not an issue. The decor is subtle, with a palate of neutral colors covering the walls and floor, and the lighting is just-right. It’s […]

Preston’s Market

Preston’s in the Loews Hotel is one of the few restaurants along the beach with an oceanfront view. Breakfast is a real feast here, with eggs benedict Cubano on tostada bread and chorizo; omelets; and an oatmeal brûlée among the early-bird treats. Expect innovative Mediterranean-inspired American cuisine boasting local ingredients and lots of organic fruits, […]

The Ranch House Original

It’s hard to screw up french fries. Step one, cut potato. Step two, fry potato. Step three, eat delicious fried potato smothered in ketchup. But to be the BEST when it comes to fries is another matter altogether. And The Ranch House Original has made a reputation for its fresh cut steak fries ($2.75) – […]

Red Light Little River

Red Light is a unique restaurant with great food prepared by a gifted chef at peerless prices — in either a boisterous, buoyant environment or by a serenely flowing river. The fun and funky diner fills with a largely local clientele that exudes a more salt-of-the-earth vibe than is usually found at restaurants run by […]

Red Rooster Overtown

As the decade turned, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson imported his Harlem Red Rooster to Overtown. Situated on the former site of Clyde Killens’ pool hall, where Black stars from Aretha Franklin to Sam Cooke to Muhammad Ali used to mingle, the restaurant offers dishes that encompass influences from Africa, the Southern U.S., the Caribbean, and […]

Redlander Restaurant

The restaurant takes full advantage that it shares real estate with a tropical fruit winery and a brewery. It repurposes spent grains from the beers into tabbouleh salads and rye breads. Tropical fruits are used for ceviche, served with thick yuca chips and Okinawa spinach. There are also pulled-brisket tacos and whole local fish rubbed […]

Restaurant Michael Schwartz

Located in the iconic Raleigh Hotel, Restaurant Michael Schwartz offers the prettiest outdoor dining in South Beach. It also bears the name of Miami’s most revered chef. The restaurant serves spa-like dishes such as mussels in saffron broth, grilled octopus, and grouper ceviche — a bright medley of raw fish, chilies, avocado, citrus, and red […]

Rock Fish Grill

A charming neighborhood eatery in a town not known for its charming neighborhoods, this small spot in a ubiquitous Kendall shopping mall takes its name from its seafood-oriented menu and collection of rock and roll memorabilia lining the walls. The ambiance is more charming than much of the food, though if you avoid things fried […]

Route 9

The moniker derives from the highway that sweeps by the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. That’s where owners Paola and Jeremy Goldberg met while obtaining their culinary training. Their menu is composed of charcuterie and cheese plates; soups and salads; nine small plates; eight main plates; and sides. The first category […]

Royal Castle

There’s more than one legendary castle serving up sliders in the U.S. Like its infamous northeastern brother, Royal Castle is known for its classic square sliders. Their two-bite burgers are diminutive patties topped with grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and pickles plopped on a pillowy soft, toasted bun. A hungry carnivore can easily pack four or […]