The Miami restaurant industry has experienced over the last years unprecedented growth. This list is my attempt to sort the “New Era” (see below) ones, and it is based on my opinion with respect to food and service and what I call a “return factor” which simply means, how frequently would I go there? I have considered it fair to separate the local chefs/restaurants to the sister ones from existing places elsewhere (see here for The Imports rank). I have been to all the places on the list and if there is a highlight the link takes you to my notes. Links to Polaroids on Flickr are also provided.
All of these restaurants belong to the “New Era” and are relatively new, i.e. they exist after the birth of Michy’s from Michelle Bernstein and Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink from Michael Schwartz. Arguably these two places fire started the growth mentioned above.
The list is limited to 30 restaurants. For my list of Miami restaurants prior to this era, the “Classics”, go here.
As of May 2013
The Local Restaurants / Chefs
1. NAOE – Flickr Set, Flickr Set 2
2. The Cypress Room – Flickr Set
3. Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink - Flickr Set
4. 1500 Degrees - Flickr Set
5. Nemesis Urban Bistro - Flickr Set
6. Eating House - Flickr Set
7. Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh – Flickr Set
8. Michy’s - Flickr Set
9. Pubbelly - Flickr Set
10. Blue Collar – A True Neighborhood Gem - Flickr Set
11. Momi Ramen – Flickr Set
12. Macchialina – Flickr Set
13. PB Steak - Flickr Set
14. My Ceviche - Flickr Set, Flickr Set 2
15. Josh’ Delicatessen - Flickr Set
16. Sugarcane - Flickr Set
17. Bulla - Flickr Set
18. Oak Tavern - Flickr Set
19. Edge Steak House - Flickr Set , Cobaya Flickr Set, Flickr Set 3
20. Florida Cookery - Flickr Set
21. Harry’s Pizzeria - Flickr Set, Animal Pop-Up Flickr Set, Empire State Pop-Up Flickr Set, Carmellini Pop-Up Flickr Set, Flickr Set 2, Quality Meats Pop-Up Flickr Set
22. Gigis - Flickr Set
23. Khong River House - Flickr Set
24. Ni.Do. Caffe - Flickr Set
25. Salumeria 104 – Flickr Set
27. Mandolin - Flickr Set
28. Sawadee - Flickr Set
29. La Latina – Flickr Set
30. Crumb On Parchment – Flickr Set
Places I wouldn’t go to if I were you
- Milos Estiatorio: I got food poisoned
- Oh! Sushi – One dish smelled foul. A waiter told me “there is no vegetable in kimchi”. This place has closed
- Caffe Vialetto: even the water tastes like garlic
- Jean Paul’s House – Got served “medium rare” chicken.
- Mr. Chow – Everything tasted the same, with that shiny, sticky glaze.
- Piazetta: Ordered a second pizza. It took 45 minutes. Dough was uncooked and toppings looked like vegetable waste bits
Wow, calling out The Bazaar. Most around are praising it to death (possibly for fear of the reach of Jose Andres). Agree on Tropical too, it’s past its prime and resting on its laurels. Props on the ballsiness.
Thanks. There were many critics that night at Bazaar and most agreed with me but I guess they feel they need to praise the chef because he is a superstar? How is that going to make us all eat better? That’s what I’m about