Best Restaurants Miami 2016

TOP TEN RESTAURANTS IN MIAMI HEADING INTO 2017!!!!!!

10. Niu Kitchen
10. Izzy's
10. Pubbelly
10. Proof
10. Edge Steak
9. Macchialina
8. Bazaar/Bazaar Mar
7. Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann
6. Kyu
5. Lucali
4. Makoto
3. Pao by Paul Qui
2. Naoe
1. Bourbon Steak

Best Restaurants Miami

I've had a lot of great meals in Miami over the past few months so it was time to update my Best Restaurants in Miami list.  As I did a couple of months ago, instead of doing my usual Top 20 or Top 15, I've decided to shine the light on the Five Best Restaurants in town now.  As many of you know, I use an algorithm I co-created with an M.I.T. professor.  It's not perfect but it helps me identify the best of the best.

By now you should know the drill.  This list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.

I take this very seriously because I know how hard chefs and restaurants work to serve us great food and provide us with the perfect dining experiences.  But it's only done as a guide to assist you with dining choices and to pay tribute to the chefs and restaurants that are doing outstanding jobs.

Don't waste your hard earned money on subpar spots around town.  Go enjoy the best of the best.

These are the CURRENT TOP FIVE

5. KYU

5. MAKOTO 

4. NAOE

3. LOS FUEGOS by Francis Mallmann 

2. PAO by Paul Qui

1. BOURBON STEAK

Best Restaurants Miami 2016

My current Rankings which I posted in December are already outdated.  Good restaurants continue to close and chefs continue to leave.  That does not make me happy.  Miami will miss Michelle Bernstein's Cena by Michy and Alex Chang at the Vagabond.

Fortunately, there have been several new restaurant openings over the past few months to fill the void and some are truly great.

Instead of doing my usual Top 20 or Top 15, I've decided to shine the light on the Five Best Restaurants in town now.  As many of you know, I use an algorithm I co-created with an M.I.T. professor.  It's not perfect but it helps me identify the best of the best.

By now you should know the drill.  This list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.

I take this very seriously because I know how hard chefs and restaurants work to serve us great food and provide us with perfect dining experiences.  But it's done as a guide to assist you with dining choices and to pay tribute to the chefs and restaurants that are doing outstanding jobs.

These are the CURRENT TOP FIVE

5. KYU

4. PAO

3. MAKOTO 

2. NAOE

1. BOURBON STEAK

Best Restaurants Miami 2015

                     TOP FIFTEEN


Here are the Fifteen Best restaurants in Miami moving into 2016.  Some heavyweights opened this week (Pao & Los Fuegos) and I expect them to be in contention for the top fifteen when the next rankings come out.

My rankings took some big hits over the last year or so thanks to the departures of approximately nine talented chefs from restaurants that were consistently in my top fifteen over the past couple of years. (Hanlon, Griese, Alcudia, Kilgore, Wessel, Compton, Grant, Baker and Crandall) Unfortunately, several of those chefs are no longer cooking in town. But a couple have remained local and are back in the kitchen.  As a result, The Dutch, Scarpetta, J&G Grill, Azul, Toscana Divino, MM74 etc. have been removed from the list pending return visits with the new chefs.

As I've indicated in the past, this list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.

Obviously, this is very subjective and done as a guide to assist you with dining choices and to pay tribute to the chefs and restaurants that are doing outstanding jobs.

I am happy to announce a NEW NUMBER ONE. Chef Gabe Fenton remains one of the best chefs in town and the restaurant scores off the charts in every facet. Hospitality, service, bar program, wine, pastry etc. Go pay them a visit as they are truly the best of the best across the board.

These are the Best of the Best in town.


TOP FIFTEEN

1. Bourbon Steak
2. Naoe
3. Makoto
4. Cena by Michy ** Closed
5. Cypress Tavern
6. The Bazaar
7. Macchialina
8. Vagabond Restaurant & Bar
9. Proof Pizza & Pasta
10. Quality Meats
11. db Bistro Moderne
12. Lucali (#1 for pizza/calzone)
13. Pubbelly
14. Niu Kitchen
15. Michael's Genuine
15. Joe's Stone Crabs (seasonal #1 caliber)
15. Edge Steak & Bar
15. Hakkasan


Missed the Top Fifteen but are highly recommended.

27,  Mignonette,  Corsair, La Mar, MC Kitchen, Yakko-San, Milos, Mandolin, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Timo, Momi, Sushi Deli, Panya Thai, King Palace Chinese BBQ, Blue Collar, Salumeria 104, Sardinia, Wolfgang's, The River Oyster Bar, Meat Market, Petit Rouge, Basil Park, Macaluso's, The Forge, Cantina La 20, Izzy's Fish & Oyster (new ↑), Le Zoo (new ↑), Seagrape (Michelle Bernstein no longer affiliated), El Cielo.

Category of its own... gastroPod

To Do -   Los Fuegos, Pao, Coya, Matador Room, Beachcraft, Byblos, Cleo, Stripsteak, Klima, Fooq's, Fresh American Bistro, Magic Garden, Bistro Casis, Bagatelle, Taquiza, The Golden Fig (closed) The Continental, Red Ginger, Midtown Oyster Bar, Soho Bay, Driftwood Room, Bazi (closed) Jaya, Talde, NaiYaRa, Beaker & Gray  OY!!!!!

Prominent and potentially rank worthy but not visited or need to get back -  Zuma, The Setai, Lure, Verde, Eating House, Alter and Palme d'Or.

Need to return and re-rank because of chef changes - The Dutch, Scarpetta, Michael Mina 74, Bocce, J&G Grill, Azul & Toscana Divino, The Federal.

Coming Soon - Ariete (open), Phuc Yea, PB Station (open), Sarsaparilla Club (open), Komodo (open), KYU (open), Wessel's Tropical BBQ, Plant Seed & Wine (open), 1111 Peruvian (open), A & B Food & Co. (open). Ichima (open), Quinto La Huella (open).

Cross the border(s) recommendations- Buccan, Cafe Boulud, Cafe La Buca, Hot & Soul, Myung Ga Tofu & BBQ, Blue Willy's, Valentino's, Coolinary Cafe, Oceans 2000.

Top Restaurants Miami

                                                        TOP TEN


As I've indicated in the past, this list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.

The influx of quality new restaurants has made the rankings even more difficult.  But I put a lot of meals and thought into these rankings in order to provide you with an accurate assessment of the current restaurant scene in town.

There have been a lot of recent openings with several more on the way.  Thus, I am going to be updating this page often so make sure to check back to stay current.

I limited the list this time to the Top Ten in order to pay tribute to the chefs and restaurants that are doing outstanding jobs.

These are the Best of the Best in town.

**** Oolite & Khong River House are closed ****
**** Tongue & Cheek closed. The Cypress Room now Cypress Tavern****


1. Naoe

1a. Bourbon Steak

3. Makoto

4. The Bazaar
                
5. The Dutch  *chef left

6. Macchialina

7. Michael Mina 74  *chef left

8. Vagabond

9. Proof Pizza & Pasta

10. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

10. Edge Steak & Bar

10. Pubbelly


Missed the Top Ten but are highly recommend.

Joe's Stone Crab, Lucali, 27, Hakkasan, db Bistro Moderne, Corsair, Mignonette, La Mar, MC Kitchen, Yakko-San, Milos, Mandolin, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Timo, Momi, Sushi Deli, Panya Thai, King Palace Chinese BBQ, NIU Kitchen, Blue Collar, Salumeria 104, Sardinia, Wolfgang's, The River Oyster Bar, Meat Market, Petit Rouge, Basil Park, Macaluso's, The Forge


New and To Do -  Cena by Michy, Coya, Seagrape, Morimoto (closed), Matador Room, Beach Craft, Cleo, Stripsteak, Quality Meats,  El Cielo, Klima, Fooq's, Fresh American Bistro, Magic Garden, Bistro Casis, Bagatelle, Taquiza, Beachcraft, Byblos, The Golden Fig, The Continental, Red Ginger, Midtown Oyster Bar, Soho Bay, Driftwood Room, Cypress Tavern, Beaker & Gray.  OY!!!!!


Prominent and potentially rank worthy but not visited or need to get back   Zuma, The Setai, Lure, The Federal, Verde, Eating House and Palme d'Or.


Need to return and re-rank because of chef changes - Scarpetta, Michael Mina 74, Bocce, J&G Grill, Azul & Toscana Divino.


Coming Soon - Izzy's (open), PB Station, BaZi (open), Talde (open) Le Zoo (open), Jaya (open) Los Fuegos, Pao at the Dome.


Cross the border(s) recommendations- Buccan, Cafe Boulud, Pizzeria Oceano, Hot & Soul, Blue Willy's, Valentino's.



Best of Breed and highly recommended.

Pizza Parlor NY Slice - Kings County
Pizza - Lucali
Stone Crabs - Joe's duh
Charcuterie - db Bistro Moderne & Quality Meats
Pasta - Macchialina (hat tip Proof Pizza)
Bagel - Bagel Cove (but drive the extra 10 minutes and cross the border to Sage)
Chinese - King Palace Chinese BBQ & Hakkasan.
Thai - Panya
Sushi - See rankings. *Neighborhood spot - Sushi Deli.
Healthy - Basil Park
Juice - Raw Republic & Jugo Fresh
Mexican - Cheen Huaye (cross the border to Chapultepec)
Japanese Izikaya - Yakko-San
Oysters - River Oyster Bar, Mignonette & The Dutch
Meatballs - Macaluso's
Calzone - Lucali
Coffee - Panther (hat tip Alaska Roasting Company)
Butcher - Proper Sausages
Falafel - Pita Plus (on the border Falafel Benny's)
Israeli  - Etzel Itzik
Fast Casual - gastroPod & My Ceviche
Fast Food Burger - Shake Shack
Restaurant Burger - MM74 & Bourbon Steak
Fast Casual Burger - gastropod & Pincho Factory
Dim Sum - Hakkasan
Best Steak - Bourbon Steak
Dessert - The Dutch & J&G Grill
Filipino - Lutong Pinoy
Uzbekistani - Chayhana Oasis
Vietnamese -  Cross the border to Pho 78. Basilic comin soon to N Miami Beach
Banh Mi - Cross the border to Pho 78 & 545 Banh Mi Cafe
Cocktails - Bourbon Steak & 27
Roti - LC Roti Shop
Ramen - Momi
Pastrami - Michael's Genuine & Josh's Deli
Fries - Bourbon Steak
Arepas - Avila Bistro
Chicharron - El Palacio de los Jugos
Ceviche - My Ceviche & La Mar
Catalan - NIU Kitchen
Sausage - My pants hat tip to Proper Sausages
Subs -  Cross the border to La Spada or Genco hat tip Le Sandwicherie
Korean - Cross the border Myung Ga.
French Bistro - Petit Rouge & Gourmet Diner
Special Occasion - The Cypress Room Bourbon Steak
Service - Bourbon Steak
Best Staple Dishes - BBQ Shrimp @ Oolite, Lil Oyster Sandwiches @ The Dutch, Chicken Liver Crostini @ Michael's Genuine Food & Drink.
Brunch - fuck brunch

Top Restaurants Miami 2015

                                               TOP THIRTY


As I've indicated in the past, this list is chef and food driven. But beverage/wine programs, service, management, ambiance, value and overall experience all play significant roles.

The influx of quality new restaurants has made the rankings even more difficult.  But I put a lot of meals and thought into these rankings in order to provide you with an accurate assessment of the current restaurant scene in town.

There have been a lot of recent openings with several more on the way.  Thus, I am going to be updating this page often so make sure to check back to stay current.

These are the Best of the Best in town.


1. Naoe

1a. Bourbon Steak

3. Makoto

4. The Dutch

5. The Bazaar

6. Macchialina

7. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

8. Proof Pizza & Pasta

9. Pubbelly

10. Edge Steak & Bar

11. The Cypress Room

12. Azul

13. Oolite

14. Tongue & Cheek

15. Joe's Stone Crab

16. Lucali

17. 27

18. Hakkasan

19. db Bistro Moderne

20. MM74

21. Toscana Divino   *chef left

22. Corsair

23. Mignonette

24. La Mar

25. MC Kitchen

26. Yakko-San

27. Milos

28. Mandolin

29. Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

30. L'echon

30. Timo
   

Honorable Mentions -  Black Brick, Sushi Deli, Panya Thai, King Palace Chinese BBQ, Khong River House, NIU Kitchen, Blue Collar, Salumeria 104, Sardinia, Wolfgang's, River Oyster Bar, Oak Tavern, Meat Market, Petit Rouge and Basil Park.

New and To Do -  Morimoto, Seagrape, Vagabond, Matador Room, Cleo, Fresh American Bistro, Stripsteak, Taquiza, Klima, El Cielo, Piripi and Quality Meats.

Coming Soon - Beachcraft, Izzy's and Talde.

Prominent and potentially rank worthy but not visited or need to get back   Zuma, The Setai, Lure, The Forge, Verde, Eating House and Palme d'Or.

Need to return and re-rank because of new chefs Scarpetta, 1826 & J&G Grill.

Best Restaurants Miami - Tiers of Excellence

The Miami food scene continues to grow and improve which is great news for food fanatics like me.  But it's making my job ranking them even harder.  I put a lot of time, effort and money into doing reEatsearch in order to make sure this list is accurate and reliable.  There is no dart throwing here.   

With so many worthy spots, I've decided to continue ranking the Top Thirty instead of twenty.  

As always, they are broken down into Tiers in order to provide a more accurate picture and to provide further guidance when you are making those tough dinner bell decisions.

Food is obviously the primary factor in the rankings but service, ambiance, wine/beverage programs and value all play a significant role.  They can bump a restaurant up or down the rankings and even a tier.

The following are THE THIRTY BEST restaurants in Miami right now.  Again, EVERY restaurant ranked is recommended.  I went with a straight list without any editorial content in order to have a quick and clean reference.  If you have any questions on any restaurants or recommended dishes, please do not hesitate to email me Thechowfather@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading.

TIER 1

Naoe - (Miami)

TIER 1.5

Bourbon Steak - (Aventura)

Makoto - (Bal Harbour)

TIER 2

Macchialina- (South Beach) 
Scarpetta - (Miami Beach)
The Dutch - (South Beach)
J&G Grill - (Bal Harbour)
Edge Steak & Bar- - (Miami)
The Bazaar - (South Beach)
db Bistro Moderne - (Miami)
Hakkasan - (Miami Beach)

The Cypress Room - (Design District)

TIER 2.5

Michy's - (Upper Eastside)

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink - (Design District)

Joe's Stone Crab - (South Beach)

TIER 3

Pubbelly - (South Beach)
Michael Mina 74 - (Miami Beach)

neMesis Urban Bistro - (Miami)

Yakko-San - (North Miami Beach)

Sushi Deli - (North Bay Village)

TIER 4

Salumeria 104 - (Midtown)
Black Brick - (Midtown)

Blue Collar - (Upper Eastside)

Tongue and Cheek- (South Beach)

Toscano Divino - (Miami)

Restaurant Michael Schwartz - (South Beach)

The River Oyster Bar - (Miami)

PB Steak - (South Beach)
Oak Tavern  - (Design District)

Mandolin - (Design District)

MC Kitchen - (Design District)

AREA SCOREBOARD

South Beach     8
Downtown       6                  
Design District  5 

Miami Beach    3

Upper Eastside 2

Bal Harbour      2

Aventura/NMB 2
Midtown           2

NBV                1

CASUAL TIER but non fast food - Lucali, My Ceviche, OTC, Kings County Pizza, Etzel Itzik, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, Momi, Sakaya,  Harry's Pizza and Lutong Pinoy.

TO DO TIER - Bocce, Lure, The District, Il Gabbiano, Zuma, Lipi, Palm d 'or, Sumi, Catch and Red The Steakhouse, Lido Restaurant and Subatomic Subs.

RETURN TO TIER - Khong (minus Bee), Sugarcane Raw Bar, Eating House, Petit Rouge, Sardinia. 

Coming Soon-  1826 Collins, L'Echon, Morimoto, La Mar. 

Best Restaurants Miami - "Tiers" of Excellence

Since it is the holiday season I decided to extend my list from the Top 20 to the Top 30 Best Restaurants in Miami.  As always, they are broken down into Tiers in order to provide a more accurate ranking and to provide further guidance when you are making those tough dinner bell decisions.

Food is obviously the primary factor in the rankings but service, ambiance, wine/beverage programs and value all play a significant role.  They can bump a restaurant up or down the rankings and potentially a tier.

The following are THE 30 BEST restaurants in Miami right now.  Again, EVERY restaurant ranked is recommended by me.  I went with a straight list this time without any editorial content in order to have a quick and clean reference.  If you have any questions on any restaurants or recommended dishes, please do not hesitate to email me @ Thechowfather@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading.


TIER 1

Naoe- (Miami)

TIER 1.5

The Bazaar - (South Beach)
Makoto- (Bal Harbour)
Bourbon Steak- (Aventura) 
The Cypress Room - (Design District)
db Bistro Moderne- (Miami) 

TIER 2

The Dutch- (South Beach)
Michy's- (Upper Eastside)
J&G Grill - (Bal Harbour)
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink- (Design District)
Edge Steak & Bar- (Miami)
Macchialina - (South Beach)
Joe's Stone Crab - (South Beach)


TIER 3

Pubbelly - (South Beach)
neMesis Urban Bistro- (Miami) 
Blue Collar- (Upper Eastside)
Restaurant Michael Schwartz- (South Beach) 
PB Steak - (South Beach)
Tongue and Cheek- (South Beach) 


TIER 4

MC Kitchen - (Design District)
Salumeria 104 - (Midtown)
Toscano Divino (Miami)
The River Oyster Bar-  (Miami)
Sushi Deli- (North Bay Village)
Yakko-San (North Miami Beach)
Meat Market - (South Beach)
Wolfgang's Steakhouse (Miami)


TIER 5

Macaluso's - (South Beach)
Oak Tavern - (Design District)
Milos - (South Beach)
Timo - (Sunny Isles)
The Federal - (Upper Eastside)


AREA SCOREBOARD

South Beach     11
Downtown         7
Design District   4
Upper Eastside   3
Bal Harbour       2
Aventura/NMB  2
Sunny Isles         1
NBV                   1
Midtown             1

CASUAL TIER but non fast food - Momi, Sakaya, My Ceviche, Lucali, Kings County Pizza, Harry's Pizza, Lutong Pinoy and Josh's Deli.

TO DO TIER - Haven, Zuma, Lipi, Palm d 'or, Sumi, OTC, Catch, Red The Steakhouse & Lorenzo.

RETURN TO TIER - Khong (minus Bee), Scarpetta, Hakkasan, Mandolin, Eating House, Petit Rouge, Sardinia and Yardbird.

Coming Soon- Blackbrick Chinese, Michael Mina 74, L'Echon, Lure Fishbar, Morimoto, La Mar & A new venture by Timo.

Miami's Best Restaurants- "Tiers of Excellence"

A lot of eating and thinking went into this updated ranking.  As a result, this is the most accurate ranking to date.  Once again I am challenging myself and limiting the rankings to the Top Twenty and ties.

It should be noted that while food is the primary factor in my formula, value, service, ambiance and wine/beverage programs also play an important role. 

These are THE TWENTY restaurants in Miami that you want to pay a visit to this summer and spend your hard earned money.  

Eat well and eat often!!

TIER ONE- The best of the best.  Guaranteed to have a knockout meal every visit plus great service and an overall outstanding experience.  These are special places.

                                                   

Naoe- (Miami) Simply the best in every way and probably deserves their own tier. Wendy will blow you away with her hospitality and service and Kevin will knock your socks off with mind blowing sushi. His bento box isn't too shabby either. Must do place for any and all occasions. A+++



 

The Cypress Room - (Miami Design District) This new addition from James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Schwartz oozes sophistication and class in every way just like me. Close attention has been paid to every detail from the table settings, to the decor, to the service, to the cocktails to the wine list and most importantly to the food. Miami is no longer lacking a true upscale, fine dining spot. Kudos to chef Schwartz and his team for delivering a gem to Miami.

Dinner with Jose.. Everything on the menu. Nuts!!

                 

   

Jose's Taco-Caviar, Jamon Iberico

The Bazaar - (South Beach) Chef Jose Andres delivered a creative and fun dining experience to Miami.  They curated a unique, interesting and delicious menu that makes every visit special. This is a well run ship and a must do for locals and tourists alike. 

TIER ONE POINT FIVE- Da Ali G TIER- RESPECT!!

                                             

Chicken Liver Crostini

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink- (Miami Design District) Chef Schwartz and team haven't skipped a beat at local favorite MGFD. The food remains up there with the best in town and is easily the best spot for lunch and brunch. Make sure you pay attention to their daily specials because there are usually a gem or two in the mix. Also make sure to take advantage of the great wine list curated by one of the best sommeliers in town, Eric Larkee. Cocktails here are underrated and a fantastic deal during happy hour.

 

Michelle Bernstein & her Common Threads Kids

Michy's- (Miami Upper Eastside) Michelle Bernstein remains one of the most talented and influential chefs in town. Her food is always consistently outstanding. All hits and never a miss.

TIER TWO- This is an outstanding tier of restaurants putting out great food on a daily basis and providing an overall great dining experience.  On the cusp of tier one status.

Duck Fat Fries

Bourbon Steak- (Aventura)  Continues to be one of my favorite spots in town. Chef Gabe Fenton is as good as it gets and is well deserving of a James Beard Award nomination.  Hello! Anyone home at the Beard House or at Mina PR?  Gabe's specials always shine and everything is always executed perfectly.  The service, cocktails and wine list are on par.    



                                     

Ohhhhh

Makoto- (Bal Harbour) Makoto may be the most underrated spots by the masses in Miami. Chef Makoto's sushi rivals Naoe and his regular menu excels too. This is a special sushi spot and a must do for all sushi fans. 



 

White Bolognese stuffed agnolotti, shaved truffle

                               

The Dutch- (South Beach) Executive Chef Conor Hanlon is a superstar on the rise. He has the great fortune to be learning from one of the best chefs in the country, Andrew Carmellini. The food that comes out of this kitchen is up there with the best in town. Make sure you save room for dessert because pastry chef Josh Gripper is one of the best in town.

Black Spaghetti- sea urchin, lobster & scallions

 

Macchialina - (South Beach) This is the best Italian place in Miami bar none. Chef Mike Pirolo is crushing it on several levels. His housemade pastas are delicious and his sauce is addictive. His daily specials including his risotto should not be overlooked. A cool neighborhood vibe make this one of the best spots on South Beach and Miami too.make sure you pay a visit during lunch hours for his recently opened Pirolo's Panino.  Best sandwiches in town and it's not even close.

db Bistro Moderne- (Miami) Daniel Boulud. Enough said. In all seriousness, I have never had a bad meal at a Boulud run restaurant and db Bistro Moderne is no exception. The charcuterie is unbelievably good and the regular menu always delivers. Look out for their special wine and cocktail dinners as they offer good value and great meals. 

neMesis Urban Bistro- (Miami) Micah Micah I love me some Micah.  Chef Micah and neMesis is a diamond in the rough outskirts of downtown Miami. It's one of my favorite spots in town because I know Micah will always be behind the stove turning out passionate and inspired plates. A true gem in every way.



                    

Restaurant Michael Schwartz- (South Beach) The unbeatable charm of the patio of The Raleigh Hotel, the legendary Martini Bar and star chef Michael Schwartz. The trifecta of Miami dining! This hybrid of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and The Cypress Room is distinct enough to demand your attention and business. Special place, special chef. Go!

Edge Steak & Bar- (Miami) I am a huge fan of Chef Brooks and probably rated Edge too low here.  Part of the problem for me is the downtown hotel location. That being said, I have attended several outstanding dinners here and chef Brooks is one of the best in town.  No brainer if you live or are staying in downtown Miami.



                             

J&G Grill - (Bal Harbour) Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten did his homework when he assembled his Miami crew. The talented team is lead by Jordi Valles, Richard Gras and Antonio "nitro coco" Bachour. This is modern fine dining at its best. Make the effort to go and make sure you save plenty of room for the mind blowing desserts of Antonio. Hey James Beard, hello!!!!

TIER TWO POINT FIVE- The Best of Breed Tier. Doing one thing and kicking ass at it.

Lucali -(South Beach) LOVE Lucali.  This Brooklyn import is serving the best pizza in town and it's not even close.  The pies are perfect and feature a ridiculously addictive sauce.  Go! and get a calzone while you're at it.  Thank me later.

Momi Ramen- (Miami) I never understood the fascination with ramen. That was until I stepped foot into Momi. Great ramen noodles, great broth paired with delicious combinations of ingredients.  

** Joe's Stone Crab qualifies in season and Shake Shake would too but for fast food status. My Ceviche (South Beach) is just too small to rank but I highly recommend their octopus burrito.

*** Pirolo's Panino recently opened during lunch at Macchialina.  GO!

TIER THREE- This tier is loaded with spots I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. Some of the best in town.

Hamachi Kama

Yakko-San (North Miami Beach) Easily my most frequented spot over the past few years. Yes, I miss the vibe of the original location but the food has not changed. The specials board is always the way to go plus sprinkle in some staples along with a new dish or two. I could rattle off a recommended dish list but that would take too long. That being said, if you see the hamachi kama on the specials board jump on it. Email me if you are going and need some tips. It should be noted that traditional sushi is not their strong suit but I do like many of their non sushi raw offerings.

                            


Khong River House- (South Beach) I've had some terrific dishes from Chef Bee and the Khong kitchen. The menu contains several unique offerings that you will be hard pressed to find around town.

Wood grilled Deckle, truffle ricotta potato ravioli, gin fennel cream spinach & fried chili onion rings

Meat Market - (South Beach) Meat Market makes a return to the rankings. They were a mainstay for years but dropped off following a bad experience including a long wait, poor service and a bad steak. But I recently returned and easily recalled why I always thought fondly of them. The setting, models and energetic vibe alone makes them tier worthy.   









Tongue and Cheek- (South Beach) Triple D's B's, burger, brunch & bourbon. And a great chef! I've been several times now but still need to go back and have a proper dinner to accurately rank them. Nevertheless, chef DeRosa has created an interesting and diverse menu with something for everyone. This one should climb the ranks in the upcoming months.

The JDonn Triple Egg- Ikura, Uni & Quail

Sushi Deli- (North Bay Village) This tiny hole in the wall serves some killer sushi at great prices.  It's located inside a Japanese market and closes early so plan accordingly.  

Artichoke Heart Bruschetta-farm poached egg, shaved truffles, creamy parmigiano fonduta

MC Kitchen - (Miami Design District) I've had some very nice meals at MC Kitchen. Chef Marino's dishes are all well balanced and prepared with finesse.

Fire roasted oysters, softito butter,chorizo, queso manchego

The River Oyster Bar-  (Miami) Oysters, oysters and more great oysters. Half price during happy hour too!

Stone Crab Crostini with Avocado

Oak Tavern - (Miami Design District) Chef Bracha (River Oyster) has another hit on his hands with his new neighborhood joint in the Design District. The menu is large, interesting and always executed properly.

Scallop with brussels sprouts, corn, asparagus &cherry gastrique

Blue Collar- (Miami Upper Eastside) Chef Danny Serfer is the comfort king with a little bling bling. Danny spent several years in the Chef Allen kitchen and knows his way around seafood and fine dining. But at Blue Collar he is killing it with straight forward "blue collar" fare that is straight up delicious. Don't miss the cheeseburger, Corben, Big Ragout or his fried chicken and jambalaya on the late night menu. His scallops rock too! 

    

To Do list- Catch, Zuma, The Setai, Haven, Tosca & Copperbox.  Plus long overdue returns to Mandolin, Scarpetta, Azul and Toscano Divino.


Neighborhood Scoreboard 

South Beach- 8
Miami-  6
Design District- 4
Upper Eastside- 2
Bal Harbour- 2
Aventura-1
North Bay Village-1
North Miami Beach-1

Chef's Scoreboard

Schwartz - 3
Bracha -    2