Over the next few weeks, Short Order will be pairing eight Miami-Dade neighborhoods in a "Snackdown." This is the first entry. Today pits Coconut Grove against South Beach. Which of these two is the better neighborhood for dining?
Read our arguments and VOTE! Tweet it. Facebook it. Google+ it. Comment if you don't like it. Comment if you love it. Do whatever it takes to rep your epicurean mecca.
For north of the county line, visit our sister blog, Clean Plate Charlie, and vote for your favorites during its Food Town Throwdown.
Coconut Grove
The Grove has been something of a haven for locals to get out of the hustling and bustling tourist saturated beach scene. With old shady trees and meandering walkways and sidewalks, Coconut Grove offers a more peaceful dining setting than most other areas of Miami. In fact, we might even say it's most peaceful here in The Grove.
Its iconic Green Street Cafe is a favorite among locals, and just up the road are favorites like Lulu and Le Bouchon du Grove. The area is a favorite amongst students of the nearby campuses like University of Miami and FIU South Campus. A cheap and quick bite is always accessible at casual places like El Taquito taqueria, Barracuda Raw Bar & Grill, and The Last Carrot.
For the few and far between one-percenters living in their not-so-humble abodes, the newly Botoxed Villa Mayfair Restaurant and Lounge offers high-end menu items for high-end prices (but when you've got the dough to spare, who's really counting?). The Grove is the place to be for a hassle-free grub spot whether you're looking to doll up and take a date or have a quiet lunch with friends and family. It's the ideal place to even grab a seat outside of a cafe, nosh a sandwich and read a book.
South Beach
Ah, SoBe... you're slowly coming into your way after being a sleepy little town of snowbirds and open real estate so, so many years ago. These days, SoBe is the spot to see and be seen. With regards to the food, as long as you steer clear of the tourist traps along Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, South Beach can offer a delicious array of cuisines from every part of the globe.
Pubbelly (and its new little sister, Pubbelly Sushi and Spanish cousin, Barceloneta) will satisfy your taste buds with their Asian inspired tapas. Just down the way is the kaleidoscope of options we call Lincoln Road. Our secret hideaways include fresh sammies from La Sandwicherie (in order to keep them secret, though, we won't reveal the others).
The Villa by Barton G. is for those silly nights where we spend frivolously with complete disregard to realities like bills, rent, insurance... who cares, anyway? Bring on that kick-ass vodka-cured salmon carpaccio, please and thank you. You only live once, folks.
Chow Down Grill on 9th and Alton Road offers daily specials of clean Asian fusion, while Yardbird Southern Table & Bar takes us back to the South where the river runs deep in your veins with fried chicken and alligator stew (don't forget that peach bourbon iced tea, y'all).
People gawk to your heart's desire, friends. SoBe is where it's at if you want to eat and eat well.
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