Miami Restaurant Tips by Homanded

Restaurant Name: Sergios

Cuban Food shouldn't be expensive and overpriced. Most of all, should taste authentic.
Simplicity of Cuban cuisine is in the spices that compliment the food you're eating.
Cuban Food is not spicey HOT, it is spicey - flavorful. Alot of caribbeean flavors which marry lime/garlic/onion/parsely and olive oil together for cool, refreshing meats, complimented by the bean and rice staples.
SERGIOS CAFE or restaurant are a local favorite. Good ambiance, terriffic service.
Most dishes start around $9.95 which includes meat, rice, beans and a starch (such as potato or plantain).

Restaurant review: http://miami.about.com/library/weekly/aa051002a.htm

Favorite Dish: Palomilla steak (skirt steak marinated in lime/garlic/olive oil and onions), Black Beans and Rice, Fried plantains.

Vaca Frita (Shredded Flank Steak, broiled, shredded and marinated in garlic/oil & Spices), Moros & Sweet Plantains.

Pollo a la Plancha (Grilled Chicken Breast) with accompaniments.

Calgo Gallego: (White Bean Soup)

Excellent sandwiches for lunch

The complimentary bread melted with garlic butter - served toasted and hot!!!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: http://miami.about.com/library/weekly/aa051002a.ht
Directions: Several locations in Miami
Website: http://miami.about.com/library/weekly/aa051002a.htm

Restaurant Name: La Carreta

Close second to Sergios is La Carreta. Not as quaint as Sergio's and lately been getting pricier.
Better variety on menu but Cubans will tell you that Cuban food is not about variety but favorite traditional staples.
La Carreta can get quite busy and will (in the case of Kendall location) require a reservation.
Location on SW 8th street allows for a more intimate "Cuban" feel

Food is still good, basic and we specially like their seafood dishes.

Frommers reviews of restaurant:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/miami/D41488.html

Favorite Dish: Fried Grouper or Grouper chunks marinated with garlic and served with black beans and Rice.

Kidney Beans soup/Black Beans - very good.

Garbanzos (when available)

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=la
Directions: Various locations in Miami
Website: http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=la+carreta&near=Miami,+FL&sa=X&oi=local&ct=title

Restaurant Name: SUSHI MAKI

Great Sushi restaurant. Very fresh, creative, offering some Thai and Nuvo Japanese dishes as well as Vietnamese Soups.
Outdoor seating available, Pametto Bay is in a beautiful Japanese courtyard complete with bamboo, gingers and aromatic trees.

Waitresses and staff are all extremely friendly and we've never had a bad service yet. Popular in the evenings and nights. Can be difficult to get into past 8:00pm on the weekends specially.

Favorite Dish: Tuna Tataki is amongst the best we've had, only better in Hawaii's Kauai Island. Wonderfully fresh and served with Ponzu sauce and sesame seeds and sculpted into roses. Don't miss the tataki! $9.50

Spicey Tuna salad equally delicious and served over a bed of greens, tossed in a vinaggrete. Delicious. About $8.00.

Tom Yum Koong soup is the traditional lemony soup with shrimp and spicey sauce. Only had better in Thailands Ayutthaya area. HUGE bowl, big enough to share. $7.00

Huge assortments of rolls, each about 8 pieces. Very generous running between 6 and 8 bucks.
My personal favorites: Spicey Tuna, Fish Tempura (as the always have very fresh fish), the
spicey Alaska and the dynamite Roll.

Lastly, Eddie swears by the Sushi Mori wich is a selection of ngiri chosen by the chef and includes a roll as well.

We've had ALOT of other sushi throughout, including the beach which fell quite short of this place and were alot higher in price.
Go for fresh!

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 3 different locations throughout Miami
Directions: Coral Gables: Ponce de Leon: 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
South Miami: 5812 Sunset Drive
Palmetto Bay: 14491 S. Dixie Hwy (Kings Bay Ctr)
Website: http://www.sushimakirestaurants.com/

Restaurant Name: Bakery

Any Latin American restaurant, Cuban bakery and even some food spots such as 7-11, Foodspot, etc.

Best of all, it is usually the cheapest way to breakfast! - Though fatning - Oh hell, you're on vacation!

Favorite Dish: If you're wanting a Cuban style breakfast you must try the traditional "Pastelitos" (Pahs - Teh - Lee - Toes) and Cafe con Leche. -
Pastelitos are flaky pastries filled with either meat or fruit jams/cheese or a combination thereof.
Most popular are the ground beef pastelitos which is a small helping of Picadillo (see Cuban Food tips) or Chicken.
They are often accompanied by a sweet "Pastelito de Guayaba" (Guava fruit filled pastry), Guayaba con queso (Guava and cream cheese) and my personal favorite, "Pastelito de CoCo", warm coconut filled pastry.
All of this is washed down with the traditional Cafe Con Leche which is frothy hot milk with a shot of expresso!
Another cuban breakfast staple are Cuban Tostadas: Cuban bread which is buttered / wrapped in paper and toasted on an Iron press which results in a wonderfully hot, moist on the inside, crunchy on the outside piece of toast that can be dipped into the Cafe con Leche and enjoyed before your obligatory sweet fruit pastry.
Cubans are big into mixing flavors so, sweet and salty are good accompanyments meant to be enjoyed together.

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Theme: Bakery
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305.274.0668

Restaurant Name: BAHAMA FISH MARKET

Ok...so if you're looking for pretty, formal, $50.00/lobster, white glove servers with white wine this is not your place.
If however, you're looking for deliciously fresh seafood (caught by the owners or close contacts and delivered daily), gum chewing non english speaking waitresses who serve fish dip out of styrofoam cups - YOU'VE FOUND THEM! And so have the locals.
A long time favorite of just about all seafood dishes available in Florida and specializing in Spanish preparations.
The patrons are mostly locals and seating is informal either at crowded tables or bar but the food is delicious!

Favorite Dish: For appetizers try the Bacalao Fritters (Cod Fish Fritters) or Conk Fritters - a Key West delicacy.
Try the Whole snapper or the Grouper chunks.
Smoked fish dip served with crackers is also a must.
Oysters are fresh, served with tabasco and lemon.
Paellas, made to order are brimming with chunks of fresh lobster, crab, snapper, mussles chicken and vegetables

All sea food is served A'la Carte with a variety of beans, rice dishes, vegetables or salads.

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (305) 379-0605
Address: 401 Biscayne Blvd Ste 110
Directions: 7200 SW Eighth St., Miami, FL 33144
Website: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34438-d480802-Reviews-Bahama_s_Fish_Market-Miami_Florida.html

Restaurant Name: Captain's Tavern

Although not cheap, has some of the best seafood in South Miami.
Beautifully decorated in nautical theme, complete with large aquariums separating the various seating areas.
Wonderful service although it can get crowded.
Great strong drinks at their bar...try the Side Car or their Mojitos!
Their food is all A-One and very very fresh.

Voted one of Miami's 10 Best on the Food reviewers Guide

Favorite Dish: Anything, specializing in Seafood but wonderfully tender cuts of meat.
Oysters Rockerfeller are wonderful, as are their crab stuffed mushroom caps and escargots.
Catch of the Day is usually simply prepared, grilled or broiled.

Tuesday nights are 2 for 1 Lobster nights featuring Maine Lobsters!

Try their Lobster Bisque or Seafood chowder. - The Best!

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Theme: Seafood
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: (305) 666-5979
Address: 9621 S Dixie Hwy - South Miami
Directions: Off of US1 on the way down to Cutler Bay
Website: http://www.10best.com/Miami/Restaurants/Seafood/?businessID=3876

Restaurant Name: Flemings Restaurant

Gourmet dining at a fair price Cons pass on the bread Full Review Fleming, A Taste of Denmark, is a rarity: a gourmet restaurant at reasonable prices. Diners start with a relish tray, the entrees come with a fine Ceasar salad and soup.

Parking is free, safe and convenient. None of the tackiness of forced expensive valet parking which does not even include the tip for the valet. Most nights the restaurant is full and therefore reservations are prudent, but the beautiful thing is that the reservations are honored. If you have a reservation for 8:30, you can expect to have a table at that time, which is unusual for fine dining establishment in Miami-Dade County.

Dress is fashionable. Suits for men are not out of place, but not the norm. Women dress up.
Food: The restaurant is for those that appreciate fine dining without the feeling that they were not fed enough. Desserts are not to be missed. If you are full, share one with your dining partners (no charge).

Full Review Flemings is a local secret because it is not out in the street front and you wouldn't know it was there by driving by. But the locals know where it is. You have to call ahead to make a reservation to be insure a seat but it is worth the wait. It has a quaint atmosphere perfect for a celebration. The food is great and the dessert selection is just unreal. I heard about it through a friend and have not met a person yet who has a negative thing to say about it. The food is like that of a fine continental and danish variety. You have to check it out to believe it.

Favorite Dish: Entrees are varied using salmon, tuna, dolphin fish (mahi-mahi), poultry and beef as the foundations of some delectable, well sized portions. My favorite entree is the salmon baked in philo dough.

The wine list is extensive enough and reasonably priced with a decent house selection available by the glass as well as champagne to start ones dining experience.

Desserts are exceptional, as fine made and presented as can be found anywhere. No wedding cake made by Fleming would be left over for the bride and groom to keep for the next year as the guests would consume it all.

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Theme: German/Austrian
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 8511 S.W. 136th. Street
Website: http://www.flemingatasteofdenmark.com/contact.htm
Other Contact: 305 232-6444

Restaurant Name: Rusty Pelican

Located on the Rickenbacker Causeway, on the way to Key Biscayne. Perfect for a Sunday brunch as you travel further into Key Biscayne for the day.

Rated #1 in Key Biscayne, it has good food - though quality seems to have gone down lately.
What is lacks in quality (still good - just not as good as it used to be), it makes up for with views of entire Miami skyline.
What could bemore Miami than sitting on a marina watching people water ski and wind surf as you sip mimosas.
Night times, the sky line takes on a whole new look with bright lights, and smaller boats sillhuetted against the shimmering lights on the water.

Favorite Dish: Prime Rib and Lobster are very good here. Prime Rib is juicy and cooked to perfection.
Sunday Brunch is a huge affair with endless dishes and large dessert table.
Try to get outside seating.
Reservations strongly recomended; specially during special events such as Mother's Day, Valentines and Holidays.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305-361-3818
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne
Directions: Map of Key Biscayne: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-475007-map_of_key_biscayne_fl-i;_ylt=AkyaUGMQDuIDPTtwy8kHncW0P2oL

Restaurant Name: LATIN AMERICAN RESTAURANT

When it comes to sandwiches in Miami, you have to try an original from Latin American Restaurant.
The moment you walk in you will notice large Serrano Hams hanging from the ceiling, behind the counter, Salamis, Prosciutto Ham, Mortadellas and Chorizos - all within easy reach of the talented sandwhich maker who makes a game out of slicing meats and clanging his knifes and utensils together.
The results are a delicious array of many style sandwiches.

Local Cuban food is also good here but, as per me, I've always looked at this as more of a sandwich shop than an actual restaurant.

Be warned that English is hard to come by at this restaurant chain! Part of the fun is trying to interpret the menu through gestures and signs with very cooperative and friendly staff.
Listed in Frommers guide to restaurants in Miami and voted one of Miami's top 10 restaurants.

Favorite Dish: Media Noche (Midnight Sandwich - ham, pork (or turkey), pickles, mustard = pressed and grilled between sweet bread.
Cuban Sandwich - Similar to above but Cuban bread
Elena Ruth - Cream Cheese, Guava Jam and turkey - yeah yeah I know...but try it!
Pan con Bistec = Cuban Palomilla steak (fland steak) grilled and served between Cuban bread, topped with grilled onions and shoe string potatoes.

And many others they're constantly coming up with

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: All throughout Miami Dade County

Restaurant Name: LAS CULEBRINAS

Lots of choices and varied menu, offering good old fashioned Cuban comfort food.
Huge portions - you can share.
One appetizer (such as the friedFi plantain chips) can be shared by a table of 4 while your meal is being prepared. Although not as cheap as other Cuban restaurants, at an average of $12.00 dollars a plate it is still not bad.

Order sample plates consisting of various dishes or, several appetizers and share with your table.

Favorite Dish: Fried Pork Chunks (Masitas de Puerco) with Mojo (Garlic, bitter orange and onion sauce) accompanied with black beans and rice. YUM!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 305-445-2337
Address: 4700 W. Flagler St.
Directions: Close to Coral Gables and Downtown.