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Richard
Ouzounian is a columnist with the Toronto
Star. His restaurant reviews entitled,
'Six Meals in ...' are among Journeywoman's
favorite travel reading. We asked Richard
about posting his six meals in Miami. He
writes...
When you talk about dining in Miami,
you really have to include more than one
place in your calculations: there's the
retro charm of Miami Beach, the naughty
appeal of South Beach, the cool elegance
of Coral Gables, the subdued funkiness of
Coconut Grove and so much more.
No matter what style of dining you're in
the mood for, Miami
has a place for you. So whether you're staying
here for a week, or just stopping overnight
before or after a cruise, let me suggest
some places worth trying.
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MICHY'S
...
Address: 6927 Biscayne
Blvd., 305-759-2001: Everybody loves
chef Michelle's Bernstein's warm,
friendly place where she mixes tapas
presentations from Mexico, the deep
South, France and all over America.
It's hard to get into, but once inside,
the staff are totally friendly and
the prices aren't that steep. One
warning: The surrounding neighbourhood
is a bit sketchy, so you might want
to hail a taxi instead of leaving
that rented car on the street.
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 VILLA
HABANA RESTAURANT...
Address: 3398 S.W.
22nd St., 305-446-7427: The decor
is a little shabby, but the waiters
couldn't be nicer and the food has
been delighting people for more than
20 years. The roast pork is moist
and flavourful, but never greasy,
their black beans are heaven and if
you needed a further inducement, they
had a $5.50 lunch special the last
time I dropped by which was beyond
belief.
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GRILLFISH...
Address: 1444 Collins
Ave., 305-538-9908: This casual South
Beach establishment has the bravado
to cook grilled fish simply and without
ostentation. That means two things:
They know their fish is impeccably
fresh and they know their chefs have
the art of grilling down to a science.
I've had swordfish here that qualified
for sainthood, and their twin sauces
(caramelized onion and piquant-garlic)
will send you to the moon.
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VERSAILLES
RESTAURANT...
Address: 3555 S.W.
8th St., 305-444-0240: Sooner or later
in Miami, you're either going to stay
up very late or get up very early.
Either way, the Versailles will be
there for you. Despite its name, this
place is 100 per cent Cuban and proud
of it. Their ham croquettes served
with stuffed, fried yucca will either
put you to bed or wake you up in fine
style.
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 RUSTY
PELICAN...
Address: 3201 Rickenbacker
Causeway, Key Biscayne, 305-361-3818:
Would you like to pretend you were
a Miami millionaire, just for brunch?
Then come out here for the spectacular
view of Miami, while feasting on stone
crabs and scampi or ordering up lighter
than air omelettes. The all-you-can-eat
champagne brunch is one of the city's
great buys.
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SHORTY'S
BAR B Q...
Address: 9200 South
Dixie Highway, South Miami, 305-670-7732:
You can't leave Miami without at least
one barbecue meal and this is the
original branch of the five-store
empire that's been cooking since 1951.
I've been going there since I was
a kid and it always pleases. It's
loud, casual and friendly with people
crowded together at long trestle tables,
but the food hits the spot. Their
pork and beef sandwiches remain my
favourite and their onion rings are
killer. |
Richard Ouzounian is the Star's theatre
critic. Reach him at rouzounian@sympatico.ca
| The
Big Cheese...
This
is a tip from Carolyn, a Journeywoman
living in Miami. She writes... 
The
Big Cheese, a hangout near the University
of Miami is a favorite of students
and local families, who appreciate
the casual atmosphere and Italian-American
cuisine. Decor is casual with lots
of sports memorabilia. The menu features
a wide array of pizza, pastas, subs,
salads, fried calamari and buffalo
wings. Portions here are made to feed
at least two, so if you're vying for
dinner and dessert, order one entree
to share or expect to take some to
go. 8080 SW 67th Ave, Phone: (305)
662-6855. Website: http://www.bigcheesemiami.com |
| Take
an Art Deco walking tour...
 Miami
Design Preservation League
(MDPL) is a non-profit organization
devoted to preserving, protecting,
and promoting the cultural, social,
economic, environmental, and architectural
integrity of the Miami Beach Architectural
Historic District. One of the walking
tours they present is called, Ocean
Drive and Beyond.
This
90-minute guided walk provides an
introduction to the Art Deco, Mediterranean
Revival, and Miami Modern (MiMo) styles
found within the Historic District.
Explore hotels, restaurants, and other
commercial structures with a visit
to a number of interiors. Tours leave
every day from the Art
Deco Gift Shop on
12th Street just west of Ocean Drive.
For dates, times, fees and other details,
click
here. |
For more information see
GirlTalk
Florida
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