1200 Courtyard Grill

1200 Anastasia Ave, Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, FL 33134 305-445-8066

Description: CORAL GABLES. This restaurant is known for having the area's best breakfast, but its vast champagne brunch buffet on Sundays (10am-3pm) presents some tough decisions. Everything is presented so elegantly, you'll want a little bit of it all. How about an omelet made any way you like? Pastas? Sushi? Or even caviar? Afterwards, there's a chocolate fountain and no shortage of sinful dessert offerings. Indeed, no one walks away hungry! Live music complements the meal perfectly, and al fresco seating is available in the tropical courtyard.
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Balans

1022 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-534-9191

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This cafe features a colorful, whimsical interior, but the outdoor tables are considered the place to be. A concrete canopy shields the sun, assisted by colorful umbrellas at each table, creating an appealing courtyard setting that is shady enough to temper the heat. The original Balans was located in London's Soho, and the hip, cosmopolitan vibe is evident at the Miami Beach outpost. Area executives and moguls often have lunch here, enjoying light favorites such as Thai salad with an excellent homemade peanut dressing or creamy sweet potato soufflé with leeks and garlic. A light entree is a wise choice, as it leaves more room for dessert ­ a primary attraction here. Try the white chocolate cheesecake or the apple tart with sour cream ice cream.
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Baleen

4 Grove Isle Dr, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, Coconut Grove, FL 33133-4199 305-857-5007

Description: COCONUT GROVE. Experience Floridian cuisine at its best at this well-known hotspot, where the creations win stellar reviews from all over. For an unforgettable brunch, snag a seat on the breezy patio overlooking the Biscayne Bay. Take in the panoramic view and then prepare to feast on breakfast favorites like waffles, pancakes and omelets. Visit the buffet and also order as much as you like from the à la carte menu, all for one price. The menu offers everything from fantastic crab cakes and spicy Chilean sea bass to prime rib. Don't miss the great dessert selection, which often features hand-churned ice cream. Reservations required.
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Bistro One LR

1 Lincoln Rd, Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami Beach, FL 33139 786-276-4033

Description: SOUTH BEACH. As polished and gracious as is the Ritz, so is Bistro One LR. Featuring modern American fair with Latin American and French influences, Bistro's menu is both ecclectic and refined, if not a little bold in approach. Classic comfort foods are the kitchen's realm, but they're taken to new heights of invention. Enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner indoors or take in the views from the patio. In addition, Sunday brunch is an extensive, spectacular event.
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Blue Door

1685 Collins Ave, Delano Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-674-6400

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This hyper-modern restaurant, with its sleek, chic interior, is considered command central for Miami's fabulous scene-makers. Housed inside the stylish Delano Hotel, the Blue Door boast an outdoor dining area that is in particular demand. Or diners can opt for space at the large communal table in the lobby of the hotel, a great vantage point for watching the who's-who traipse by ­ Madonna, Calvin Klein, and the like. If you aren't preoccupied by the scene, you'll enjoy great brunch dishes like Belgian malted waffles, salmon Benedict on toasted brioche or Blue Door Benedict on a toasted English muffin, served with Hollandaise and truffle carpaccio. Breakfast served daily. Reservations recommended.
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Chart House

3371 Pan American Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133 305-856-9741

Description: COCONUT GROVE. The Chart House is a small chain of seafood restaurants known for well-prepared dishes served in idyllic surroundings. Choose a spot on the breezy deck overlooking the water, and the Continental-style menu will have trouble competing with the stellar views. Tear yourself away and visit the expansive salad bar ­ salad lovers should note that this is one of the lengthiest in town. Then choose from basics like lobster, seafood pasta, and pan-fried grouper, leaving room for the signature Mile-High Mud Pie. The spacious dining room is ideal for groups or meetings. Reservations accepted. Business casual attire.
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Cheesecake Factory - Biscayne Blvd

19501 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura Mall, Aventura, FL 33180-2342 305-792-9696

Description: AVENTURA. This popular chain's New American menu features a broad array of dishes, from avocado egg rolls and Mexican chicken pizza to Jamaican shrimp and shepherd's pie. However, desserts really steal the show, and it's easy to see why once you've taken a gander at Linda's Fudge Cake, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake, and Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Cheesecake. An attractive garden patio offers the perfect setting for a late-afternoon respite, accompanied by gourmet coffee, good conversation, and, of course, one of 40 delectable cheesecakes.
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Cheesecake Factory ­ Grand Ave

3015 Grand Ave, CocoWalk, Coconut Grove, FL 33133-5144 305-447-9898

Description: COCONUT GROVE. This popular chain's New American menu features a broad array of dishes, from avocado egg rolls and Mexican chicken pizza to Jamaican shrimp and shepherd's pie. However, desserts really steal the show, and it's easy to see why once you've taken a gander at Linda's Fudge Cake, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake, and Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Cheesecake. An attractive garden patio offers the perfect setting for a late-afternoon respite, accompanied by gourmet coffee, good conversation, and, of course, one of 40 delectable cheesecakes.
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Chef Innocent at St. Michel

162 Alcazar Ave, Hotel Place St. Michel, Coral Gables, FL 33134-4501 305-446-6572

Description: CORAL GABLES. For a fabulous Sunday brunch oozing Old World elegance, head for this longstanding local favorite. While a live pianist serenades you in the background, settle into the dining room, which is full of antiques, lace and flowers. Or sit outside under an umbrella on the sidewalk as you enjoy a full menu of brunch favorites. Dig into the expansive buffet, or feast on à la carte favorites like French toast, waffles, crepes or eggs Benedict. Breakfast served Monday-Friday; brunch on Sunday.
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Emeril's Miami Beach

1601 Collins Ave, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-695-4550

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse works his signature high-energy, high-profile magic at this Miami outpost. The pale interior offers intermittent points of color, a touch of visual spice not unlike the menu's punches of andouille and hot peppers. Regulars rave about the double-cut pork chop with tamarind glaze, but you'll also adore quail stuffed with oyster dressing, a grilled filet, roasted veal chop or Creole bouillabaisse. Desserts are a rich, satisfying excursion into the likes of bread pudding with whiskey sauce and banana cream pie with caramel sauce. Remember to make reservations well in advance.
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Joe Allen

1787 Purdy Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-531-7007

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This casually chic lunchtime favorite has numerous local fans, including Janet Reno and other local politicians and business people. Ideal for sealing a business deal, this sophisticated restaurant has a retro appeal and is full of quirky touches ­ for example, hard-boiled eggs are provided as complimentary snacks. The thin-crust pizzas are extremely popular, as is the signature meatloaf. Mussels in ginger-garlic sauce are a more upscale option. A great wine list and a subdued, off-the-beaten-track location makes this one worth seeking out for a quiet yet satisfying meal. Reservations recommended.
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Nemo

100 Collins Ave, Mercury Resort, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-532-4550

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This high-style, trend-setting eatery offers a fabulous setting for Miami's beautiful people, and for local movers and shakers to seal deals. Ornate wrought-iron furnishings, flattering light and modern hanging lamps add a funky touch to the interior, while the tree-lined courtyard provides more serene atmosphere. Pan-Asian seafood concoctions include wok-charred salmon with roasted pumpkin seeds and crispy prawns with salsa. Pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith has been called a "chocolate surgeon," and her intricate creations prove she deserves the moniker. Excellent global wine list. Reservations recommended.
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Nexxt Cafe

700 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-532-6643

Description: SOUTH BEACH. This outdoor cafe doesn't draw quite as large a crowd as News Cafe, which makes it a better choice for business meals or for those who would rather converse than people-watch. The comfortable outdoor seating area still affords a bustling view and is surrounded by lush greenery. In the afternoon and late evening, regulars come in for creamy frozen coffee concoctions in a variety of tasty flavors. The rich frozen mocha is a top-seller. The rotating selection of Italian-style mini-pastries makes the perfect accompaniment. There is a nice lunch menu as well. No reservations.
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Perricone's Marketplace & Cafe

15 SE 10th St, Miami, FL 33131 305-374-9693

Description: DOWNTOWN. This popular gathering place is a favorite among local professionals, who flock here for quick lunches and upscale dinners. The deli selection is particularly popular at midday, when tasty sandwiches composed of the finest meats and cheeses from around the world are offered. At dinnertime, it's a pleasure to linger in the screened-in dining room, which was constructed with parts of an old barn. The rustic, lived-in decor creates a pleasant atmosphere for enjoying Italian and American favorites like Caesar salad, ravioli, mahi mahi on a bed of fresh greens or eggplant Parmesan. Creamy gelato is a decadent finish. The menu features an impressive assortment of upscale Italian fare, including linguini with sautéed jumbo shrimp and fresh asparagus.
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Restaurant at the Setai

2001 Collins Ave, Setai Hotel, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-520-6402

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Located in the prestigious Setai Hotel, this expansive restaurant is situated around an open kitchen and bar and outfitted with high ceilings, neutral tones and striking Asian décor. Patrons may also dine in the serene courtyard, surrounded by lovely ponds and pergolas. The cuisines of Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Italy and Belgium provide inspiration for the internationally trained kitchen staff, who produce delicacies such as choice caviar and salt-pressed Tasmanian ocean trout.
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Rusty Pelican

3201 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149-1015 305-361-3818

Description: KEY BISCAYNE. With panoramic views of beautiful Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, the outdoor seating here is some of the most sought-after in town. Get into the spirit of the nautically themed dining room and order one of the seafood specialties. Shrimp scampi, soft-shelled crab, red snapper and simple seafood pastas aren't fancy, but they are fresh and delicious. Good steaks and salads, too. The fun atmosphere and spacious dining room make this a great place for a large crowd or a family.
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Sushi Samba dromo

600 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-673-5337

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Cool, color-drenched SushiSamba dromo has shed its NYC roots and made the transition to sunny South Beach quite well. A hit with the stylish set, the undeniably chic eatery gets a rhythmic kick with high-energy Brazilian tunes. The food is a seductive mix of Peruvian, Japanese and Brazilian dishes: sushi, churrasco, seviches, tiraditos and anticuchos. A successful fusion is evident in creations like the Green Envy Roll, which joins a wasabi pea crust with tuna, salmon, asparagus and aji amarillo-key lime mayo. Wash it all down with a well-made caipirinha. Or perhaps some sake.
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Talula

210 23rd St, Miami Beach, FL 33139 305-672-0778

Description: SOUTH BEACH. Dark woods, brick walls, the glint of mirrors and rich, warm colors soothe diners at well-received Talula. The brainchild of Andrea Curto-Randazzo and Frank Randazzo, married chefs who have gained much recognition individually and together, the restaurant benefits from perfect ingredients and careful attention to detail. This quality is seen in grilled foie gras with caramelized mission figs, black grouper with preserved lemons and thyme, barbecued spiced duck breast, and yellowtail snapper with sweet potato-wild mushroom risotto. Desserts also benefit from the chefs' culinary expertise, and a lovely garden patio is sublime when the weather's mild.
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Texas de Brazil

11401 NW 12th St, Dolphin Mall, Miami, FL 33172 305-599-7729

Description: DORAL. Few restaurants can compete with the atmosphere ­ and, yes, the cuisine ­ of this colorful chain of Brazilian-style churrascarias. A family-friendly ambience pervades as diners enjoy a feast for the ages, one that features gaucho-wearing servers circling the South American-themed dining room with mouthwatering skewers of seasoned beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and Brazilian sausage. Just pick what you want, and they're happy to serve it up. Added temptations are Texas-sized side dishes like garlic mashed potatoes and sweet fried bananas ­ the extravagant salad bar has been known to turn heads as well.
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Town Kitchen and Bar

7301 SW 57th Ct, Plaza 57, South Miami, FL 305-740-8118

Description: SOUTH MIAMI. Housed in a picturesque shopping center, this fun cocktail bar boasts contemporary décor and crowd-pleasing cuisine. Attractive 30-somethings mingle over tantalizing cocktails such as the pomegranate martini or French vanilla swirl and nibble on scrumptious eats from volcanic garlic bread to Barcelona-style mussels to hearth oven pizzas. A full menu of satisfying mains, like the filet mignon with shrimp and lobster quesadilla, satiates the hungriest patrons, and comforting sides like truffled mac'n'cheese and panacetta or black-eyed pea orzo are designed to share. Over 20 wines available by the glass.
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