One of the most frequently asked questions I get is where can I eat well that’s not noisy? It seems that restaurants get noisier by the day.Why? Could it be that it’s Miami’s love of a party scene with dining complete with DJ’s? I asked two “foodie” gurus for their opinion on the “why”. And then I listed my “go to” places for good food and conversation, ending with what to do if your heart is set on a restaurant you know will be noisy, but you really want to check it out.
First the “why”. Evan Benn, well respected former food and beverage editor of the Miami Herald and now editor of their luxury lifestyle magazine Indulge, says it’s a symptom of restaurant design which trends toward hard surfaces and industrial chic settings. Terry Zarikian who has been a major player in Miami’s restaurant scene for 30 years, with the South Beach (and more recently NYC) Wine and Food Festivals and China Grill Management, concurs. He explained that noise is best controlled with a décor with sound absorbing window treatments, upholstered chairs, and ceilings with surfaces that are porous and absorb sound, and rugs. He also advises that “usually restaurants that are known to have a clear focus on food and less on the “vibe” created by music and dj’s” are better bets.
And now to my list.
Note that there’s an asterisk next to the restaurants I’ve reviewed if you want to know more.
MIAMI BEACH:
Byblos*
Villa Azur (courtyard)*
Seaspice (outside)*
Le Sireneuse
DOA*
Setai*
Pied a Terre*
Lobster Bar Sea Grill*
Red, the Steakhouse*
Essensia*
Via Emilia 9*
Le Zoo
BRICKELL
Valentia*
Db bistro*
Il Gabbiano
Capital Grill
Caviar Russe*
Toscano Divino (outside)*
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse*
Zuma (outdoors)*
SUNNY ISLES/AVENTURA
Il Mulino*
Timo’s*
DESIGN DISTRICT/BUENA VISTA
Mandolin Bistro
CORAL GABLES
Le Palme d’Or
La Dorada*
Ortanique on the Mile
DORAL
Dragonfly*
What about a restaurant that you can imagine will be noisy but really want to check it out? Benn suggest eating at the bar or a high top table where you’re sitting closer together. Zarikian recommends sitting in an outside terrace or courtyard or eat on the early side, 7ish to avoid being at the restaurant by 9:30. And then there’s always lunch.
Love to hear your feedback. Any additions to the list? Any of these places been very noisy when you’ve been there?
2 Responses
Although the service and food is extraordinary by Miami terms, the noise level at Byblos when we were there 2 weeks ago at 7:30 was ear shattering. By the time we were leaving it was increasing in volume to unbearable. The young lovelies of Sobe have no regard for anyone else but their table. Same for Timo’s…
Thank you for sharing your experience. Did you sit upstairs or downstairs? I’ve been there three times, once with a group of four, and we had no trouble conversing. We sat upstairs every time. But if you had that issue, others most likely do as well. Any other restaurants you would add to the list?