Ortanique on the Mile

Cuisine: Caribbean

Neighborhood: Coral Gables/S. Miami

278 Miracle Mile Coral Gables, FL 33134

It's been more than 20 years since Ortanique opened on "the Mile" in July 1999, but chef/owner Cindy Hutson's Caribbean-influenced Cuisine of the Sun never grows old. Red Stripe-steamed mussels, jerk chicken penne pasta, West Indian-style bouillabaisse in curried coconut broth — let's face it, you can't get this sort of fare anywhere else in town. The staff is warm, the decor is set in festive motifs of flowers and ortanique oranges, and the wine list has more gravitas than you'd expect from a modest neighborhood restaurant. Insider tip: Cocktails are $4 off during happy hour (weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m.), which means $7 each. Chef Hutson also prepares daily specials, so be sure to ask about the catch of the day.