Matthew
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I'm more of a classic guy. I like the mainstay type restaurants, like Caffe Abbracci or Christys , or even Garcia's Seafood Market, or Captain's Tavern. These local gems have really good food and they're not touristy.
Norka
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Fish House on Miller. The first time I went there, I was like 'what in the world, this is so strange and the decor!' But, I love it. I've never had anything that was bad. They have live music on the weekends. Another great place that we go for a treat is, Vicky's milkshake bar. It's in the Grove.
Chris
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Hate Mondays. I just ask Carl every time I go there, ‘what do you think I should get today?’ He gives me a recommendation, and if it doesn't sound appealing to me, he says how he can switch it up with this or that. He really goes the extra mile to make sure you're eating what you like. I like Kampai on Sunset and 87th avenue. Even their Thai food is amazing. But, The Biltmore brunch is hands down my number one recommendation. It's not your regular buffet.
Nando
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
My favorite restaurant to go to right now is a Jaguar Sun. I love what they do with the limited amount of space they have. I have a tremendous respect for Chef Carey and Will, I think they provide one of the best experiences in Miami. Another favorite place is Ariete, I love what Mike does. I love his commitment to excellence. I love NIU kitchen. Also, La Mar. I know we do something similar with Peruvian food. But, because we don't have a kitchen, whenever I'm missing good Peruvian hot dishes, it's my favorite place to go. I think Diego is always pushing the boundary on Peruvian food.
Fernando
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Dragonfly is one of our favorites. They started in Gainesville, and then they got so big that they moved to Orlando and then finally moved to Miami. Also, Houston's and Capital Grille are just classic good staple restaurants.
Karina
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
It's one of our favorite questions, and one of the reasons why I read your newsletters. Although we haven't been to restaurants forever, my oldest really likes Los Ranchos at the Falls. Also Sapore Di Mare in the Grove. It's a tiny restaurant, and sometime we'll pick it up and bring it home. We've been very cautious and avoiding crowds. So, we go a lot to outside places. We go to Matheson Hammock and Fairchild, and Coral Reef Park a lot.
Liz
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Oh my God. I love this section. I've gone back and read past issues. For acupuncture and chiropractic work, NSEV Healing. healing. They also do Chinese herbs. Then, there's Focused Movement Academy. For food and drinks: Sylvester, the bar, is really fun. Wabi-Sabi by Shuji doesn’t really have a good sign, but they exist and they're always busy. They do an omakase that's good. If you really want to splurge, one final recommendation is called Hiden. It's a hole in the wall in a taco stand. You type in a code, the door slides open and it only seats 10 people.
Daniel
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
I am a big fan of vegetarian and vegan cuisines. There's Vegan Cuban bakery in Kendall. It sounds like an oxymoron, but their vegan croquetas are a magical thing. I love Indian food. They probably get plenty of publicity already, but Bombay Darbar in Coconut Grove. There's a really great Thai spot off eighth street in Little Havana, called Lung Yai. It's a tiny little spot, it's always packed, and they have quality food.
Jorge
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Local Pie. Last Sunday, I left your stand and went and bought two cauliflower pizzas. Another business is Phitness Lab. It's a small boutique gym and the owner has poured 13 years of his life into it. It's a great family environment. I like to support them.
Ben
What local restaurants or businesses do you recommend?
Every Sunday or Monday evening, like clockwork, I get take out from Tropical Chinese. Also, Madruga Bakery. My wife is French and her parents are French and make baguette requests when I go to see them in Clearwater, FL.