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.
Gary
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I love Thai food. One of my favorites is Bangkok City on Bird Road, right off the Palmetto. Also, I love barbecue and this place used to only be in Orlando, but now they have a location in Coral Springs. It's called Four Rivers Smokehouse. It's great barbecue. It's pretty cheap and it's great.
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.
David
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
That list is supremely long. Do we go geographically...alphabetically? My buddy Niven, just opened up (Mamey) a new spot in Coral Gables. The food looks great, but I haven't been yet. The guys that Bar Lab cocktails opened up their natural wine popup on South beach, and it looks amazing. I still haven't gotten my hands on one of those pizzas that Brad and Old Greg's are doing in the Design District. I really miss the eating the ceviche at Itamae on an everyday basis. I still get my share of my EL Bagels - that's like my essential breakfast and brunch item. I still eat a ton of Stanzione's pizzas. I had an amazing lobster roll from Justin Flit and Mike Beltran at Nave. They're doing a New England style clam shack menu on the weekends. Aaron Brooks is doing a pop up at Stanzione 87. It's like a Turkish inspired pide and lahmacun. Aaron is supremely underrated. His food is incredible. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is all the creativity that's coming out of it. I've also had some random homemade things. There's a nice girl, that I met through the Miami food community, that's making homemade Armenian food every weekend. People are signing up and she's selling out every weekend. Her name is The Spicy Dolma. The guys from Kyu, Chef Raheem and his crew, are doing amazing barbecue right out of their front yard. It's impossible to list everyone. Jaguar Sun is doing amazing things right now in Little River. People are finding ways to survive. They're finding ways to thrive. They're finding ways to support their teams and to support their families. All of that is really amazing.
Kēvens and Amber
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Su-shin Izakaya (Authentic Japanese, Coral Gables) Kēvens gets the Ohitashi. Uni sushi. Traditional Udon or Seafood Ramen. I love the Myoto Roll (made with Japanese mint that changes the game), Eggplant Shigiyaki, Soba noodles and Carrot-ginger dressing on everything. Happy Wine (Coconut Grove) Kēvens says try the grilled octopus with papas bravas. I enjoy the wine (Ha! Their menu is not super vegan friendly, but I still love it.) Choices Vegan Cafe (Gables and Grove) Kēvens gets the Mentil Lentil wrap (every time!) I get the Pixsa or Biggie Burger. Fratellino (Italian, Miracle Mile) We love this place because they will happily accommodate dietary restrictions. Kēvens likes the Octopus carpaccio and the Salmon with fettuccine in a pink sauce. For me, tons of bread (it’s amazing! and made in-house) with sautéed spinach and my entrée the Grilled Vegetable platter.
Levi
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
In Homestead, we like Puerto Vallarta. I usually either get the shrimp enchiladas, fish tacos or the seafood burrito. In South Miami, we love LAN Pan Asian.
Lorin
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Food related - We don't go as often as we wish, but we love Le Bouchon in the Grove. And, A Pizza Brooklyn, the original location, not the one on Bird. And, we go to the farmer's market on Saturdays in Coral Reef park. Non food related: We like Casa Viera which is a small business owned by a husband and wife and they create one of a kind pieces out of wood.
Naomi
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Ghee. I really enjoy Chef Niven's food. And, Lincoln's Beard Brewery.
Michael
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
When Sarah and I arrived in Miami, and we didn't have anything in the house but an air mattress, we found the Asian Fusion Cafe in Palmetto Bay. They're very unpretentious with very good Asian food. They're not very expensive and super friendly.
Ahjane
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I don't eat out that much. If I want a traditional breakfast, Berries in Coconut Grove. Also, there is a Rastafarian place in North Miami called Konata's.