Editor’s note: La Piaggia has closed. To this list, add La Petite Maison.
I have to own up. People watching is one of my great pleasures. So when I read that Ocean Drive had a slideshow on Miami’s most fashionable restaurants, I checked it out. But after looking at it and speaking with a few people it occurred to me that there can be a difference in how one defines “fashionable”. Is it about the people who are” in fashion” who frequent the place, i.e. celebrities; is it people with style and taste; or both?
Ocean Drive didn’t give its criteria, but one can surmise from the magazine’s point of view, it’s about being trendy and celebs — the usual suspects who are in the “people” pages in Miami and sometimes New York. Their choices were Cecconi’s, La Piaggia, Juvia, Prime 112 , and (ugh) News Cafe. I’m doing my own list of fashionable places but my definition? Attractive, stylish, and sophisticated people from all over the world (they happen to be trendy restaurants as well, but that’s not one of my criteria). I’d keep some of Ocean Drive’s selections; namely, Cecconi’s, La Piaggia (open for lunch only), Prime 112 (borderline), Juvia and add Baoli (check out my review) and Zuma. The food happens to be good as well — from very good to tops. What say you?
