Ethan
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I keep a list of restaurants on my phone that I try to constantly update - so when we've got a free night and ask where we want to go - we can take it out. The Downtown Dadeland area has been really impressive lately. Our favorite restaurant in Miami is probably Whisk - their spicy seared beef with coconut rice and spinach blends together in this perfect balance. Second place is called The Fish House. It's on Miller road, way out west. It's like a hole in the wall kind of place. They have a grilled octopus dish that is far better than any grilled octopus I've ever had at the fanciest restaurants around.
Maria
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I used to be a restaurant critic at age 19. I'm serious. I had a food blog when nobody was doing it, but that was 20 years ago. I really don't do a lot of restaurants here. If we want to go out in Weston, we go to two places. Pizza Lovers - he's Italian and makes very thin crust pizza. And there's a sushi place called KEUH. In Miami, I love Mandolin, the Greek restaurant. And, Motek, which serves Israeli food. In Little Havana there's a place called El Sanguich, for Cuban sandwiches. I love it.
Richard
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
We've been going to Fairchild Tropical Garden, especially during quarantine, it's really an incredible escape. The landscape there may not change, but it's different every time you go. It's a great place to just explore and for the kids to run around. You feel like you have the whole place to yourself, even if there's a lot of other people there. One place we love for take out it Fratellino on Miracle Mile. It's a very small Italian restaurant, two doors down from the Playhouse. The owner is this guy Beto, you will love him. My wife grew up on Miami Beach, and Beto had a restaurant in Bay Harbor that she and her family would go to at least once a week. When we went to his new place, it was as if no time had passed. He knows everybody in there, he's a sweetheart. My wife who had a crush on him openly when she was 10, I think still has a crush on him.
Donna
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Since the pandemic, we have not really eaten out that much. I love Two Chefs in South Miami. I like the Cheese Course in Pinecrest for lunch. Both are absolutely wonderful. The café at Nordstrom's is very good. And, Alaine's Osteria, on 168th, is fabulous Italian.
Juan And Terri
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
We enjoy supporting small local businesses in the area therefore we often frequent Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine, Pinecrest Bakery, Peppers, Roasters & Toasters, Piolas, and Taco Rico. We are lucky to have these and many other good options in the area and are grateful to have them around.
Alexandra
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Going Bananas. If you're a farmer down here, you know them. I went there in the middle of the pandemic. They weren't actually open, but I ended up getting a hold of them and it was only a tiny order of three plants. I ended up chatting with her and the level of which she interacted with me and shared her knowledge and her passion for what they do was a stoke, the same as you guys.
Javier
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I cook a lot, but if I go out, I prefer local mom and pops. I like the Beehive, it's more of a Vegan spot. He's a Brazilian and makes everything that day and sells out. Also, I like the happy hour at Doc B's and Tap 42.
Christopher
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Right in our same warehouse, a few doors down is an insanely great barbecue place called Hate Monday's Tavern. Their stuff is amazing - from briskets to Tomahawk steaks and smoked salmon. He has a big smoker right outside the front door. They come by and we'll do some wine tastings with them as well. I'm also a huge microbrewery beer fan. There's a great local warehouse brewery called Unseen Creatures. I love their styles, because they're very old school. They have a lot of farmhouse Saisons and lagers and then their IPAs are super delicious and clean. Also - The Eating House in Coral Gables is really good.
Valerie
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
One place that I went to for a family birthday recently was Uchi in Wynwood. It's Japanese food from Austin, Texas. It's delicious. For 'in the neighborhood,' I love on the weekends going to Lots of Lox and getting a solid turkey sandwich and some pancakes.
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.