Miami Beach Restaurant Tips by sunlovey

Restaurant Name: The Pelican

Right smack on Ocean Drive with both indoor and outdoor terrace and sidewalk seating + a nice little bar- This place is SO DELICIOUS. SO SWANKY CHIC. Sit outside and people watch, sit inside and sometimes they'll have a dj spinning for your enjoyment-

The staff is friendly enough, the food has Italian leanings... really creative appetizers, salads, pastas, pizzas- the wine is good, the mixed drinks are tasty. Whenever we're in South Beach, Miami I insist we eat here.

They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, althought I've never had their breakfast.

The plus- it's also a very funky hotel! Check into staying here AND eating here why don't you!?

Favorite Dish: The guacamole crostini appetizer is heaven on earth.

The orecchiette pasta is fabulous.... (as is their gnocci and ravioli, but the orecchiet is my favorite).

I often get the spinach salad here too.

delicious drinks:
Mojitos & Caipirinhas & bellinis

PROSECCO!!!!!

many fantastic Italian reds, a lot of good Chilean, Australian, French and Californian wine selections too.....

Price per person varies totally.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305-673-3373
Address: 821 Ocean Drive, it's green, you can't miss it.
Website: www.pelicanhotel.com

Restaurant Name: Tutti's

Very popular with the locals, featuring totally inexpensive, yet delicious fried calamari, gazpacho, a variety of salads, tasty sandwiches, pastas and pizzas. Yummy fruit shakes too! Priced at $15 or less per entree.

Sit inside with ceiling fans or outside for people watching and a nice breeze.... Totally casual environment.

Favorite Dish: Luvvvvv their pastas!!!!!!!!

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305-538-0012
Address: 635 Collins Ave

Restaurant Name: Tantra

Tantra is awash in an exotic Middle Eastern decor, with a real live grass floor and trickling waterwall, sensual music and an aphrodisiac-inspired menu.

Their scrumptuous culinary offerings should be described as world fusion- not focused on any one region. And they suggest that you close your eyes so that you can concentrate on tasting each bite, savoring the succulent, sweet, salty, smooth, and crisp flavors and textures.

The atmosphere here is very swanky/chic. I suggest you dress accordingly. RE: men- nice pants, nice shirt, dress shoes & women- a "go out" dress, skirt, cute top, nicer slacks/heels.

I so wish I had a picture of this place... visit their Web site for an idea...

I highly recommend making reservations: (305) 672-4765

Favorite Dish: I started with 'The French Kiss' salad.
Comprised of bibb lettuce and sliced Bartlett pear with French Roquefort, pickled pearl onions and lavender honey served with a pommery mustard vinaigrette

For my entreé: Mediterranean Vegetable Mezze
Which was a phyllo wrapped 'package' of pearl couscous, asparagus and zucchini over spiced sweet roast peppers, baby artichokes and roasted garlic hummus finished with a saffron yogurt

Tim had:
Hot and Cold Asparagus Spear Bouquet
A floral display of roasted parmesan crusted and chilled steamed green Asparagus with fresh thyme infused tomato cocktail and aged balsamic crostini (very unique)

'Rare' seared Tuna and Foie Gras
Upon stewed Beluga lentils, sautéed spinach & diced Asian pears with a truffled foie gras sauce

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (305) 672-4765
Address: 1445 Pennsylvania Avenue
Website: www.tantrarestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Caffe Milano

This review is based on an impromtu dinner here on New Years Eve without reservations. The restaurant handles massive crowds and walk ups on such an evening beautifully. So put it this way, if we could show up here, last minute, at 9pm on New Years Eve, get a completely decent table amidst throngs of people, get decent to good service and more than decent food, the place can't be half bad.

The atmosphere is typical of a cafe/restaurant on Ocean Drive. The service is always good enough. Not terribly personal and doting, but timely and professional.

The people watching is prime. But this can be said for most any cafe on Ocean once again.

The food we ordered however, came out quickly, it was presented nicely, it was HOT and it was actually pretty tasty. I think I'd go back.

Favorite Dish: I had gnocchi, and I will always have gnocchi wherever I find it served. And I have to say, Caffe Milano's gnocchi was absolutely yummy considering we were not in Italy. So good in fact, that my brother kept digging his fork into it! Everyone else with us enjoyed their meal selections as well. Sorry this isn't more indepth but it was new years and I had already enjoyed quite a bit of prosecco. ;-)

Leave a Comment

Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305 532 0707
Address: 850 Ocean Drive

Restaurant Name: Puerto Sagua

MORE TO COME

Casual Cuban fare. Open 24 hours a day & ideal for unique people watching. Dash in for a quick $1.25 coffee, Cuban style or have a seat in the dining room and order something authentic...

Easy on the wallet and jam packed.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: 700 Collins Avenue

Restaurant Name: Cafe Nuvo

Why have I not eaten here before?!
Loved this little place. It's charming, it's cozy, it's eclectic and tasty. Picture outdoor seating in cool antique furniture, a spectacular mojito menu, NOT TO MENTION a mouth watering (and diverse) menu in general. All on a charming little street tucked in between the Licoln Mall and the heart of South Beach. There is indoor seating as well, in case you're in Miami when it's scorching hot.

Service was great and friendly. They even went so far as to keep bringing us glasses of ice to add to our drinks as it was hot as hades on this particular day. I wanted to steal a couple of their Louis XV inspired arm chairs and sofas.

Enjoy the little shops in the area after your meal. I will most definitely return.

Favorite Dish: I had a traditional mojito which knocked my socks off. Read: it was STRONG. The mint was fresh. Loved it.
For lunch I had a superb salad of walnuts, goat cheese, mango vinegrette and truffle oil. Divine. And perfectly portioned.
The salad was a mere $10.50 and the presentation was outstanding. My picture of it doesn't do it justice.
The fare of my friends looked equally as delicious.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (305) 534-5822
Address: 412 Espanola Way
Directions: Just south of Licoln mall area