It still looks like a majestic Mediterranean mansion at the corner of Ponce and Andalusia, but it’s a whole new juego de pelota inside the former Por Fin. The white tablecloths have been stripped, the chandeliers traded for filament bulbs and the main bar moved downstairs to the center of the action.
Latin American cafeteria grub gets globalized at Albert Cabrera’s new Bread + Butter in Coral Gables. Some in the rice-and-beans crowd may find it too precious, but if you’re open to trendy homages to classic Miami dishes, you’ll be tickled by what this native son conjures up.
Though Brazilian, the charming chef-owner of Tutto’s Mare extends his love of seafood across borders and continents, from spaghetti alla vongole to Creole shrimp in mashed yuca, with mostly good results.
When I visited Paris, my girlfriend spent the whole flight chattering about Coquilles St. Jacques and goat-cheese tarts and escargot. Except to annoy her by interjecting “You mean snails?” every time she mentioned the escargot, I mostly kept quiet. My first meal was going to be at the McDonald’s on the Champs-Elysees, where I wanted to check out a report that Le Big Mac was stuffed with foie gras. (It wasn’t. Damn Internet.) I like gourmet food, but nothing beats eating a cow. At heart, I’m a burger guy.
Giorgio Rapicavoli, the first Miamian to take the top spot on Food Network’s Chopped, used some of his prize money to launch a pop-up with childhood friend Alex Cassanova last winter. That temporary gig has taken permanent root in a place that really needs its.
Vine-covered Hotel St. Michel, built in 1926 as the Sevilla, oozes Old World charm in the middle of Coral Gables, with ornately tiled floors, Belgium rugs, vaulted ceilings, a brass elevator and even the original telephone switchboard behind the front desk.
Catch and South Beach make a perfect pair. They’re both hip, stylish, quirky, a bit garish and extremely expensive. Plus, they’re sprinkled with celebrity dust.
A longtime Jamaican favorite in Wynwood, Clive’s Cafe, has closed after 38 years. A new restaurant is planned for the location.
It’s rare that I review a chain restaurant, and rarer still that I get to Kendall, where there are so many of them, but with the buzz about Devon Seafood + Steak resonating 25 miles away in South Beach, I had to check it out. I was prepared for a Cheesecake Factory experience, but found something entirely different.
If you’re thinking the last thing South Beach needs is another fancy Italian restaurant, Dolce might make you think again. It’s perfectly situated, right across the street from the Delano in the newly rehabbed Gale Hotel, a Deco jewel spit-shined with exquisite detail. It’s stunningly beautiful with its minky-gray wood paneled walls and cushy leather banquettes. The low-slung light globes make the buff and buffed crowd look even better. Tables and staff are dressed sharply in contrasting white and black.
Casabe 305 Bistro chef-owner Diego Texera doesn’t just want you to enjoy his food. He wants you to feel good and sleep well after you’ve eaten it, too.
Andreas Schreiner, Sergio Navarro and Jose Mendin, otherwise known as the Pubbelly boys, have done it again. Their Midas touch has transformed a gastropub, sushi bar, pasta joint and tapas spot into gold. Their latest buzz-worthy baby, PB Steak, may just be my favorite.
At once a serious restaurant and a seriously cool place to hang out, Khong River House manages what few others in South Beach have. While it’s hip and trendy with a delightful atmosphere, it’s neither overpriced nor afflicted with attitude.
This post was produced by Open Media Miami a community news partner of the Miami Herald. --
Editor's note: This article was produced by Open Media Miami, a community news partner of the Miami Herald.
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