Best Sushi in SoFla

When it comes to eating out, my friends and family always ask me for the best fill in the blank restaurant. So when it comes to the Best Sushi ...

For a coastal city you'd think we have a better selection of sushi bars. With that said I recommend three places...

To experience good sushi, jazz and atmosphere, try Sushi Blues in Hollywood. Their location is perfect between a great wine bar and gelateria in Downtown Hollywood, and the staff makes you feel at home. The menu is creative and extensive, making it a great choice even if you are not in the mood for sushi. Don’t miss the Hot Hot Calamari, Spicy Double Tuna Roll and Sautéed Snapper with a sweet and sour cilantro sauce, herbal rice and veggies. For dessert, try their version of Bananas Foster's - - sautéed, ripe bananas in warm plum wine sauce with vanilla ice cream. And you’ll want to wash this all down with any of their premium unfiltered sakes. Sushi Blues is one of the better sushi bars in South Florida, moderately priced and has excellent live music.

I'm going to miss Masamune in Deerfield Beach. Now that my boyfriend moved down to civilization, we won’t find ourselves in Broward as often. But we will surely stop at Masamune next time we are in those neck of the woods. First tip – sit at the bar and talk up the sushi chefs. They are funny and friendly and almost always offer something funky to try while you decide what to order. Second tip – ask what is good today. Last time we were there that question led us to some of the best Wahoo sashimi ever. Third tip – order some unfiltered sake, it will enhance your experience. As for what to get, it’s all good. I like their tuna and avocado salad and simple tekka and hamachi rolls with seaweed on the outside. But their sashimi platters are always fresh and plentiful, so you won’t ever go wrong.

Sushi Maki in Coral Gables, South Miami and now several South Florida Whole Foods is as safe as you get when it comes to sushi in Miami. The fish is fresh and they've got the market cornered on thai and sushi favorites. The staff may not be the friendliest, and you may have to wait for a table, but you can look forward to fresh sushi, plentiful portions and a decent sake menu. Try the spicy tuna and avocado salad (the huge portion and value for $8.99), curry prawns appetizer and any of their basic or creative sushi rolls.

Stand by for the Best of SoFla Japanese Tapas. Curious? Good.

Best Cuban in Miami

When it comes to eating out, my friends and family always ask me for the best fill in the blank restaurant. So when it comes to the Best Cuban...

Casa Larios (the original on Flagler Street) is as good as Cuban gets in Miami, and let's face it, this is the world capital of Cuban food. I like Larios because it is not your typical Cuban greasy spoon, but rather a step above the rest, maybe even a bit gourmet at times. Try the tostones rellenos, baby filet, pollo a la parilla, vaca frita, and of course, black beans, white rice and sweet plantains – they go with everything. Wash things off with a cortadito for desert. Warning: You WILL smell like your what you ate the minute you walk out, AND you may need to take a nap after your meal, BUT that’s just a sign that it’s the real thing.

Here's a shocker, my next recommendation is in Deerfield Beach. My boyfriend introduced me to Little Havana several years ago, and I can remember my arrogant reaction. Boy did I have to eat my words, and they were good. The food is as good as you Abuela made at home, their sangria is excellent, and the prices are a bargain. If you've never heard of this place don’t feel bad, butif you are round these parts and want to get back to your roots, you cant go wrong with Little Havana.

Best Wine Bars in SoFla

When it comes to eating out, my friends and family always ask me for the best fill in the blank restaurant. So when it comes to the Best Wine Bar...

I can only think of three places I would recommend or go to myself for good wine, tapas and atmosphere. In order, here they go:

Hollywood Vine is a spacious and attractive wine boutique with an excellent wine bar. Their wine tastings on Tuesday nights bring in steady foot traffic throughout the week. The crowd can appear pretty diverse, especially for Fort Lauderdale, but if you sit at the bar you are sure to meet a fellow oenophile sipping on any of the 20 wines by the glass offered. While Hollywood Vine doesn't have a restaurant license, they do have a fantastic selection of cheeses, salamis, olives and pates that pair perfectly with the wide array of wine and imported beers. The staff is very friendly, and if you go more than once, bar keeps Steve or Jeremy will very likely to remember your name. Don't tell too many people about this local “Cheers” hangout and shop because part of its success is its low key and unpretentious atmosphere.

W Wine Bistro is as close as we will get to a New York-style wine bistro. Their small but exquisite bar menu is sophisticated, and paired perfectly with their extensive wine selection. Also a wine boutique, this midtown spot is popular among the downtown locals. Try the antipasto, W Wine Bistro Plate, Duck “Parmentier”and for dessert order the Crispy apple tart with vanilla ice cream. The atmosphere in the evenings can be slightly pretentious with interesting characters coming out of the Miami woodwork, but well worth it for its delicious food and wine your after. And here's a secret - again don’t tell too many people about this… you can find a $25 off (for $10 , or less if you find a code) certificate on Restauarant.com. So there you go, Miami chic that’s a great value too.

Bin 18 is hip, loft-style bistro with gorgeous chandeliers hanging from exposed pipes. Their Spanish-style tapas and wine flights are a hit among the young and trendy. They get way too crowded for me during happy hour. I personally like going to Bin for a light dinner and red wine. And if you are into whites or obscure imported beers Bin delivers there too. Before opening Bin 18, Venezuelan Chef Alfredo Patino, made a name for himself at the Ritz Carlton’s Bizcaya. Try any of the anitpasto tablas, gazpacho, warm fig salad, Cuban sandwich and crispy half boneless chicken. Oh, and trust me on this one, order the brownie a la mode, if they have it. It’s truly an experience. Go on a Friday night and listen to musical stylings of DJ Pauer. He plays a great mix of bossanova, tango and electronica.

Best Spanish in Miami

When it comes to eating out, my friends and family always ask me for the best fill in the blank restaurant. So when it comes to the Best Spanish ...

For a lively sit down experience, Casa Panza has it all. Authentic tapas, flamenco dancing and the interior of a Madrid whole in the wall. It's loud and crowded, making it more like Spain that anywhere else in Miami. Casa Panza is near Downtown Miami. Order the paella and croquetas.

For Tapas, Bocadillos, Deli Meats and Cheeses, Delicias de Espana is a quaint Spanish cafeteria, market and wine shop. Everything is fresh and tasty. Delicias is in South Miami and caters.