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South Beach Restaurants for Foodies

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Cara Mia Trattoria Miami

 

Looking for South Beach restaurants  worthy of “foodies”  that won’t break the bank? Here’s a list of taste tested spots  where you can get a table since they’re still mostly known to locals:

The minute you walk into Cara Mia  <http://www.caramiasobe.com/> > , 1040 Alton Road, Miami Beach (t.305-397-8624 <tel:305-397-8624> ). Maitre d’ Tim makes you feel at home, Italian trattoria style. This dining spot, with its photo murals of the film Roman Holiday and video of Marcello Mastroianni, soft lighting and just right level of music, makes for date night material. Everything is delicious, portions are just right, service is excellent and prices translate to very good value.  Standout dishes included a beet carpaccio – golden and red beets, finely sliced, with pancetta, spicy pecans and gorgonzola; spaghetti carbonara; saffron infused chicken in champagne sauce;  and, for dessert, a home made light, airy marscapone cheesecake that is so good they should sell it to take home. Choose a prix fixe for $35 per person and get a quartino of wine for two, antipasto, main course and dessert.  A la carte pasta dishes  range from $10 to $18, entrees $14 to $18 and come with vegetables and potatoes. Luncheon specials are $10 and there’s a new outdoor patio. In the finest Miami Beach tradition, there’s also an early bird special ,and brunch is served on Sunday.

Semilla”  , 1330 Alton Road T.(305) 674-6522 ,means seed in Spanish. The farm is the theme of this new gastropub, whimsically announced with an entire wall of clay pots with fresh herbs, burlap runners on the tables, wood furniture, and earth tones as the color scheme. But this is South Beach, so hip isn’t forgotten as in the loft like ceilings, cooks in the open kitchen wearing plaid fedora hats, and minimalist contemporary lighting. It all works.  Michelin pedigreed chef Frederic Joulin pays homage to his French roots in some of the dishes, presentations, and use of sauces, but Peruvian influences are not far behind. Standouts are the.  lobster remoulade, braised short rib potstickers with green curry, and Croquettes with creamy Vermont goat cheese and bacon. Do not miss the signature ice cream dessert sliders made with macarons . a chocolate “burger”, mango sorbet, and caramel ice cream. Most plates hover around $12 and work for sharing, with entrees ranging from $19 to $38. Sides are $7. There are especially good deals at happy hour, 6 to 8, including $6 wines by the glass, signature cocktails, and  $6 bar bites. Valet parking is offered at $9.

And after a shopping or cultural expedition in South Beach, if you’re hungry for a super tasty, inexpensive, relatively low cal lunch or snack, head over to HuaHua’s Taqueria, 1211 Lincoln Road, T.(305) 534-8226. I’ve been wanting to try the place since it’s owned and created by one of my favorite South Florida chefs, the highly creative Todd Erikson of Haven which is two doors down (next to Altamare). We had the mahi mahi , mushroom, and vegetarian tacos which I highly recommend. That with an order of guacamole, sitting outside, and people watching — what Lincoln Road is all about. At higher price points as in easily $200 for two,  favorites for special nights out in Miami Beach–  top dining and ambiance– include Hakkasan, Red the Steakhouse, Estiatorio by Milos, Pied a Terre and Prime 112 (this one for lunch as at dinner the waits are too much). Which are your favorites?

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Karen Escalera

Karen Escalera

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