Vesper Brasserie

James Bond could seduce anyone – female, male, a little of both. And at South Beach’s Vesper American Brasserie, he’s seducing patrons with sexy cocktails like the Octopussy. And their brunch … oh, their brunch. A $28 price fix menu includes the likes of waffles, pancakes, applewood smoked bacon, grilled veggies, sushi, an omelette station […]

Via Verdi Cucina Rustica

Beneath the canopied exterior of Via Verdi Cucina Rustica, elderly couples, 40-somethings with small children, and pretty young things appear at ease. A must-try is the eggplant parmigiana. Made with organic eggplant, it boasts the perfect consistency and blends well with the slightly sweet marinara sauce. The Mediterranean octopus is also flawless. Accented with chickpeas […]

Vito’s

For a town with many charming, evocative neighborhoods, Miami has relatively few charming, evocative neighborhood restaurants. This modest little Italian eatery in a nothing-much Key Biscayne strip mall is one. There’s no reinventing of the culinary wheel, simply the staples of the Italian kitchen done with a bit more care and verve than at many […]

Wok Town

To assemble a main course, begin by choosing either chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, or tofu and vegetables. Cubes of red-tinted roast pork highlighted a fried rice that on a recent visit was barely fried and seemingly unseasoned – yet like the rest of Wok’s fare, it boasts a lightness and freshness not always inherent in […]

Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe

If your taste in vino is a cut above Andre or Barefoot, you’ll probably want to look a little further than your local Publix as far as wine selection. And there’s no better place to get personal service than a boutique, family-owned spot like Wolfe’s Wine Shoppe. Sure, you might pay a few bucks more […]

Woody’s West End Tavern

When you’re looking for a laid-back evening of food and booze, sometimes it’s best to get away from the bustle of South Beach and take a night off from hunting for parking in the Gables. Miami Springs might not be famous for hopping nightlife, but Woody’s West End Tavern offers an easygoing getaway from all […]

Zest

Zest’s Caribbean foundation is on display here in a pristine fish dip, whose main ingredient changes as availability dictates. It typically includes homemade garlic aioli, r