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.
Barbara & Steven
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Michael Schwartz is our most serious chef. We like what Michael does because he is really committed to local ingredients – and for me especially, he is really committed to live fire. All his restaurants have wood burning grills, and I think he has been very successful in delivering wood grilled flavor in his food. When you eat his food you really know that someone was burning logs in a grill. We like Fi'lia his new Amara. We also like, The Petit Mason – Barbara especially likes it because it is so ‘adult’ and has white tablecloths. And, there are no television sets in the dining room – which is hard to find in Miami. They serve a baby chicken marinated in preserved lemons and garlic and grilled over a charcoal burning grill that’s fantastic. You’ll also find us at Stubborn Seed, Plant + Food, and Kyu in Wynwood.
Jay
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Plant Food and Wine now has a new name – it’s a beautiful restaurant and all health foods. Horatio is the chef and they are great customers of ours. It’s so unique, I love everything. You must go there and see. They changed the management recently. The building owner took over and the staff and chef stayed. We went to Flemings last week for my wife’s birthday. It’s the only time I eat meat. I grew up eating steaks, now I get them once a birthday.
Amy
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Lately we are more conscious about what we put in our bodies and being responsible for where we choose to eat. We love Cafe Pastis for our neighborhood haunt. The salad with goat cheese, the soups, and the mussels are to die for. And my son of course, gets the Steak au Poivre with extra French fries.
Kevens (round 2)
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
If you are in Fort Lauderdale, there is a place called Green Bar. They have great vegan food. I am vegan, but once a year I have poke in Hawaii. For a good bottle of wine, go to Happy Wine in Coconut Grove. You are surrounded by wine and can sit in the middle and order some food. If you eat seafood – they have a great grilled octopus.
Andy
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
The beauty of this question is how difficult it is to answer in Miami now. I’m a huge fan of the short rib green curry at Cake Thai, anything on the menu at Alter or Ghee or Edge. There are so many others I wish I could get to more. I’m extremely impressed by what Melissa Sosa is doing at the Zak the Baker Deli. And I doubt a month goes by that I haven’t visited Clive’s Café in Little Haiti.
Zach And Leigh
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Our go-to place with the kids is LAN in Dadeland station. The food is good, the kids love the chicken katsu and smoothies, and, most of all, the people are really nice and great with kids (the fast service helps!). We also think Anna Capri has wonderful Italian food. And recently we’ve discovered Ichimi Ramen near Miracle Mile. The food is great for adults and kids.
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.
Sasha
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
27 is a unique place in Miami. When people are in town, it’s where we go. It’s a fun, cozy – not fancy, they have great cocktails. I am pretty simple – I really like Lucali for pizza on Sunset Harbor. I would be happy to go there for my birthday and just have a pizza. I also think what Jeremy Ford is doing at Stubborn Seedis beautifully plated and tasty and good for a special occasion.
Matt
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
You know, we are kind of like creatures of old habit. One of our places we go to pretty often is Hillstone. We just kind of like the vibe and going there. On Saturday mornings, when we don't have soccer or other obligations, we'll ride our bikes to have breakfast at Green Street. We also love Strada in the Grove. That's one of our favorites. We love La Mar in the Mandarin Oriental. That's one of our favorites, especially sitting outside.