SOUTH BEACH
This neighborhood of Miami Beach is quirky and trendy and glitters with nightlife both night and day. Enjoy the beach and the historic Art Deco architecture and the fine dining.
The Front Porch Café, 1458 Ocean Drive, has reasonable prices for the quality of the food. For breakfast, try the French Toast or the Korean Breakfast Tacos or the Corned Beef Hash with thinly sliced crunchy potatoes and caramelized onions. Their eight ounce Angus Filet Mignon is super tender. The Short Ribs are fork tender, and sides include fries with homemade ketchup, a red cabbage slaw and home made pickles!
Tap Tap, 819 Fifth Street, features Haitian and Caribbean cuisine and a price range from $1.00 to $20.00. The atmosphere is amazing with folk art decor, brightly colored murals and mosaic floor. The wonderful exotic dishes include Kabit Nan Sos, which is tender stewed goat perfectly seasoned and not spicy. Other specialties are Shrimp Creole, Conch Ceviche, Fried Plantain, and much more. A live Haitian band plays every Thursday and Saturday night.
LITTLE HAVANA
Over 34 percent of Miami's population comes from Cuba's capital and largest city and live in this famous neighborhood. Quaint Hispanic restaurants compete with each other to present authentic Cuban food.
The El Cristo Cuban Restaurant has big portions and unbelievable prices, especially at breakfast when a special is three eggs, three meats, a tostada and "café con leche" for $3.99! The Cuban Platter has juicy roasted pork, ground beef, rice, black beans, a tamale and boiled yucca.
Versailles in the heart of Little Havana is a superlative restaurant that has served authentic Cuban food for over 40 years. Although you can order expensive dishes such as Filet Mignon for $18.95 or Lobster in Creole Sauce for $28.50, there is also a wide variety of reasonably-priced dishes including Daily Specials that start at a low $6.75. The Cubano sandwich has sweet ham, roast pork and Swiss cheese on toasted Cuban bread. Vaca Frita is shredded beef fried with onions and served with a mix of black beans and white rice.
DOWNTOWN MIAMI
This is an urban residential neighborhood, the central business district, and the historic and cultural center of South Florida.
Perricone's Marketplace, nestled under spreading shade trees, features Italian classics such as thick sandwiches, homemade pastas, potato gnocci, Veal Parmigiana, Seared Ahi Tuna, incredible salads and decadent desserts. Specials make your palette and your pocketbook feel great! Sunday Brunch also offers dishes handed down from generation to generation. Their irresistible Italian gourmet market is stocked with indulgent coffees and teas, fine wines, other delicacies and their fantastic desserts.
The Capital Grille at 444 Brickell Avenue is elegant with an amazing wine cellar and unique desserts such as a light cheesecake that is like a delicious mousse. Specialties include Lobster Bisque with large lobster chunks, Tuna Tartar, Lobster Mac and Cheese, a Balsamic Delmonico and other mouth-watering choices such as a Kona Crusted Dry Aged Sirloin with Caramelized Shallot Butter.
