Stephan
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Not surprisingly, I’m interested in Indian food. One of my favorites is on South Dixie – called Saffron. I’ve eaten Indian food all over the world, and they have some of the best I’ve ever had. I get the paneer makhani – fried cheese with spicy sauce, malai kofta – dumpling with Indian cheese, chickpea flour and gravy. They adjust the spice level to your taste. There’s also a great appetizer with baby spinach leaves, coated in chickpea flour and fried. Another recommendation, if you need quick and cheap Indian food, there’s a place called Bollywood Masala – near the quick stop on Red Road. I get the Dal and Sambar soup. Sometimes they have fresh dosas. It’s a good deal. One dosa is really big and my wife and I can split it for a meal. They have some tables, but it’s mostly take out.
Leticia
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I still find myself at the Bar at Michael’s Genuine occasionally. When they have it, I like the wood-oven roasted eggplant with tahini. When they have simple vegetable soups at lunch, I really enjoy it too- broth and veggies. Whisk Gourmet when I’m craving a 3-D, satisfying sandwich. Chef Brendan makes the best ones in town. He and his sister Kirsten are really special people, and that makes everything taste even better.
Toma
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
My favorite Mexican place – anywhere I’ve ever been! It’s down in Florida City, across from the Cracker Barrel. It’s a taco stand called Rosita’s. It’s the best Mexican, hands down, you will ever eat. There are only a few things on the menu. I just point to order and you can’t go wrong. I also love the Asian Thai Kitchen inside the Quickie Mart on Grand Avenue in the Grove. $11 for Pad Thai – no question. So good.
Daniella
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
In South Miami – No Name Chinese has fantastic tastes. My Ceviche – it’s part of a chain but really good and fast. Old Lisbon for Portuguese food. And, Marhaba for Arabic food. For special occasions: In my district, we go to a wonderful Italian place called Alaine’s Osterilla on 168th and Old Cutler.
Luis and Natalia
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
For Thai:Bangkok City – everything is good. Especially the fried rice and the peanut sauce. The peanut salad is incredible. Origins on the Key is also great. They have a bunch of different cuisines - Thai, Malaysian, Japanese – but it’s not fusion. They have different dishes from each style. The Malaysian roti is really good. For Tacos: El Toro Taco – we get everything, it’s all well made, and you can’t go wrong. Las Carnitas – the mole is real. You would never pull over and think to eat there. It is a little window with seating on 8th street. You need to be taken there.
Michael
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I like Coyo Taco, especially the octopus tacos. With my daughter, we go out for pizza – as it gives me a reason to have pizza. I love Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza.
Al
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Some of our favorite haunts – Green Gables Café on Alhambra. They are open for lunch and have a diversified menu. There’s never a bad dish – I usually get one of the specials. Café Vialetto – off of Bird and Le June – The chef/owner is the most endearing, loving man and makes you feel like you’re at your brother’s house. Normally we get the pasta of the day – which he makes fresh. He makes great salads. I’ll order without opening the menu just by talking with him about what I am in the mood for. Izakaya for Japanese, and Blue Collar for old fashion comfort food -they have a great veggie plate.
Jose
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Cafe Bonjour Everything is good! The omelets, beef bourguignon, soups and bakery are superb!
Sharon and Jeff
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Trattoria Luna (next to Roasters) is our family go to. They will literally make you anything - whether it’s on the menu or not. I usually get the tuna steak or tortellini. Also, we’re boaters - so we go often to Boaters Grill which is at the end of Key Biscayne – in a place called No Name Harbor. They have the most amazing fish and rice – with ceviche, tostones and frijoles – my kids eat ceviche because of that place.
Leslie
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
There are so many places. Right now, we go to Bulla in the gables – it’s tapas and we get all types of different things there. There’s a restaurant on the Miami River that we like, called Crust. It’s Italian – Harvey likes their octopus salad a lot. And, their service is amazing - it’s a husband and wife team.