Food Food & Food...

Being in other country with diversity of culture, it is always interesting to try their local things which is including trying the local food. During my one year stay in America, I've tried so many different kind of foods starts from the local 'cheap on the street' restaurant to the classy 5 stars restaurant. Lucky me I've made great friendships with the local people who really likes to eat. So basically, I rarely cook at home but went out (almost) everyday.

By that experiences I just want to share some interesting restaurant for your reference, listed as bellow:

>> Las Vacas Gordas

933 Normandy Dr
Miami Beach, FL 33141

If you named yourself as a steak lover, you can NOT miss this place. I fall in love with this place since the first time I got here. Amazingly brilliant food with a perfection of the chimichuri sauce; my stomach was spoiled… Make sure you share the meal in order to save room for the delicious dessert special, a fired crepe filled with sweet Dulce de Leche.

My pick: Parrillada Para 2 & Molleja

>> Wine Depot & Bistro 555

Wine selection at bistro 555

555 Jefferson Avenue - Miami Beach, FL 33139

A very chick kind of bistro; they offer a very wide range of wines from different countries. Serving French tapas style, just makes you wanna try more and more… And they also serve tremendous dessert (we ordered 5 out of 5 desserts that they had)

My pick: Homemade duck rillettes & all the desserts

>> The Fish box by La Camaronera

Food Truck - Fish Box

All Over Miami
Miami, FL 33135

It’s a food truck (but they also have the restaurant) which serve any kind of food made of fish but most of them shrimp. Tried once at the restaurant, it’s indeed very unique because there is no seat available and you are literally standing when you are eating.

>> Chimicuri Dominican Burger

Somewhere in Downtown Miami

This is probably the getho-est burger I ever eat. Located in the middle of the ‘black’ neighborhood, it’s worth a try. Went there (first) at midnight after a NBA game, we are addicted to it and finally went there (again) at 4.00am… Ty also the lemonada!

>> Gotham Steak @ Fountain Bleau

4441 COLLINS AVENUE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140 USA

Located in Fountain Bleau Hotel, this restaurant provides excellent 5 stars service and best quality of food (steak and grill). No wonder, the price is a bit up market too (don’t be surprise). The setting is very elegant but simple. I spent the most money just for a single dinner in this restaurant.

My pick: Fillet Mignon

>> The Restaurant @ The Setai

2001 Collins Avenue 33139

Serving Asian types of cuisine in the middle of hectic South Beach is a tremendous idea (even there is also Hakkasan & Mr. Chow). Probably they serve the most authentic Asian cuisine is Sobe since the cooks are from the origin country (India, Thailand, China, Indonesia).

My pick: Sunday brunch & Pecking Duck

>> Bali Café

109 NE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33132

Being home away from home. This is always the perfect escape for me when I miss food from my home country. Not really serving Balinese food yet Indonesian, they serve many types of Indonesian cuisines from Opor, Rendang, Satay, Es Sarang Burung, and of course Es Campur. Just so you know, I didn’t come to this place very often since I rarely miss home… LOL

Wynwood - Design District

>> Wynwood Kitchen and Bar Restaurant

2550 N.W. 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127

A restaurant with full of wall gravity; the concept is amazing. Serving American Brasserie cuisine and beautiful urban art seems to be designed as a cool place to hang out. Having a friend work there as a bartender, we occasionally get a free drink.

>> Chevice 105

Lomo Saltado

105 NE 3rd Ave
Miami, FL 33132

Located in Downtown Miami, CVI.CHE offers a fine Peruvian cuisine (mostly made of potato and corn) with a reasonable price. It’s always packed and yes, it’s hard to find parking around the area but worth it. 

 My pick: Lomo Saltado

>> Jerry’s Famous Deli

1450 Collins Avenue
South Beach, Miami, Fl 33139

The only place to go for (early) breakfast after party… No wonder, they’re open 24 hours. Pretty chill place with big portion of food (but) with (not that) good taste.

>> Sum Yum Gai

1403 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139

It is a must place to go if you like Chinese food (which tasted like Indonesian food). Go there on Monday or Thursday you will get free draft beer (as much as you want). It’s very cheap, so you can tell this is where I went when I broke.

My pick: fried rice & pork ribs

>> Shake Shack

11 11 Lincoln Road (at Lenox Avenue)

Delicious burger & cheese fries at shake shack

It is one of the finest and most healthy burger in USA. With small(er) portion compare than Five Guys or McD they offer fresh steer burgers which ground daily, cooked medium and served plain (unless you want them with lettuce, pickle, tomato or onion). It’s always a great place to go before or after movies (considering the location is next to the cinema).

My pick: Shack burger & Cheese fries

>> Rosa Mexicana

1111 Lincoln Road, Miami FL 33139

Located right next to the Regal Cinema, this place always is a good option to go for dining before or after movies (besides Shake shack). From the name it’s clearly mentioned that they serve Mexican food with the most delicious fresh Guacamole (ever)

There were a lot more that I tried, but those probably the most interesting places that i ever visited. Brunch @ The Biltmore at Coral Gables, World News Cafe at Ocean Drive, Hakkasan at Fountain Bleau, the amazing Vietnamese Restaurant in 163rd street, Thai House and Sushi Siam, Michael's at Design District, Smith and Wollensky at South Point; all of them were also very good and left a good memory on me.

Do NOT forget, some of my friends also likes to cook - Michael Nunez: thanks for taking me to the finest chicharon places and for cooking very often, Osmar for making me a lot of drinks and the gheto sangria, Mami Jacky for the most delicious homemade chimichuri burger, Rubens for the barbeque, Vijay for the scallops, Eka for the lamb soup (even i rarely like it), and other Balinese friends who I always eat (noodle, sausage, egg) in their room :)

Hopefully above information is usefull and can be a guidance to explore Miami cuisine.....