“With its mouth-watering savory dishes and personal service, Gianni’s will provide the most memorable South Beach experience, providing a glimpse back into the lifestyle of the hotel when it was a private home,” says Chauncey Copeland, General Manager of Gianni’s at The Villa, Casa Casuarina. The mansion currently serves as a boutique hotel with just 10 opulent suites showcasing the fine craftsmanship Gianni Versace specified when he restored the three story villa over 20 years ago.

Gianni’s at The Villa, Casa Casuarina restaurant includes a number of lavishly appointed dining areas plus an expansive open-air courtyard. The 30 seat Medusa Dining Room was once Versace’s formal salon and The Moroccan Room features four massive Greek Gods accented with imported coral rock. The terrace overlooks an elegant mosaic decked garden where a 54 foot reflecting pool contains more than a million tiny glass tiles, thousands of which are clad in 24 karat gold.

While a romantic dinner for two is definitely a luxury, guests are encouraged to visit on “Wine Lovers Wednesdays” when a selection of bottles are half price including Louis Roederer Brut “Premier” Reims, white wines such as Jerman Pino Grigio and William Fevre Chablis, and red wines including “Versace” Nero D’avola and Stag’s Leap ‘Hands of Time’ Blend. Gianni Versace’s former kitchen now holds the Onyx Bar where guests can sample signature cocktails like a 24-karat Golden Margarita ($24), which is made with gold-infused tequila or the Coco Casuarina ($20) made with refreshing coconut milk.

Gianni’s at The Villa, Casa Casuarina 1116 Ocean Drive, South Beach 786.485.2200

Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays 7pm – 10:30pm

A selection of starters like a deftly prepared diver scallop, fresh tuna crudo or tenderloin carpaccio make a delightful tapas meal when paired with a bottle of wine and a sampling from the still-warm bread basket. A hearty seafood soup is a wonderful lunchtime treat with a crisp nicoise salad or a chicken or fish sandwich. What sets The Tides apart from the other upscale restaurants on Ocean Drive is the chef’s determination to provide just a few delicate preparations of fresh seafood from local waters or steaks and chops straight off the grill. Entrees are bold and creative such as Crispy Yellowtail Snapper pan seared and served with fragrant jasmine rice, Salmon napped in a blackberry butter, and Fig-Glazed Lamb Chops perched on warm grilled flat bread.

One of South Beach’s most scrumptious breakfast menus serves up Crunchy Challah French Toast, Crabcake Eggs Benedict and Cuban Style Ropa Vieja Hash & Eggs served on crispy fried plantain tostones. Start the morning with a bracing tropical cocktail, Bloody Mary or Champagne Bellini with a dazzling view to the sea.

Modern elegance sets the tone in The Tides main dining room. The inviting Front Terrace facing onto Ocean Drive and the beach features lush white linen sofas brightened with accent pillows and shaded by canvas canopies – an ideal respite for mingling with friends and people watching while enjoying an unforgettable meal.

The busy waterfront seafood restaurant and lounge has 500 feet of available dock space for guests who want to arrive by boat and both indoor and alfresco dining areas facing Miami’s working riverfront. The newly opened Modern Garden serves a hot stone and crudo menu in a post-industrial warehouse setting with an additional 300 breezy sunlit seats. Designed with distinctive nautical accents, the restaurants and lounge areas celebrate Miami’s vital waterfront experience as they highlight the vibrance of the city skyline.

Modern Garden’s menu offers contemporary interpretations of raw fish and seafood marinated in infused oils and herbs. Crudo selections like Uni Canape, Scallop Tartare and Salmon Rosettes feature pristine fresh seafood and delicate spices. Guest who prefer hot entrees can choose several selections seared tableside on molten volcanic stone slabs like the Wagyu Beef with alderwood salt, Lamb in red miso and rosemary or Moscovy Duck Breast with umeboshi and basil buds. Executive Pastry Chef Jill Montinola crafts delicious desserts for both Seaspice and Modern Garden including lighter, gluten-free options for health conscious diners.

Seaspice & Modern Garden is located by the Miami river at 422 NW North River Drive in downtown Miami (305) 440-4200. Serving Tuesday through Saturday 12 noon to midnight. Lounge closes at 1am. Sunday service is 11:45am – 10pm. A live DJ performs Thursday through Sunday and a DJ and dancers entertain at Sunday brunch.

Serving a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, the kitchen specializes in seafood and a tasty variety of “bocadito” small plates meant to be sampled and shared. Highlights on the menu include grilled octopus, goat cheese croquettes, locally-sourced burrata cheese with heirloom tomatoes and plenty of tangy marinated olives. In addition to nightly blackboard specials, a 26-foot cold bar features fresh hamachi crudo (a marinated yellowtail dish), plus a variety of seasonal salads. Guests are encouraged to order 2 or 3 tasting plates per person to enjoy a distinctive selection of tapas or one of the larger entrees like a whole salt-crusted fish or perfectly-seasoned lamb chops.

The 50-room hotel has a popular lobby bar, a scenic rooftop terrace, a waterfront dining patio and an entirely romantic vibe. Wednesday nights are all about the “Sunset Chill,” an evening of food, drinks and music with a local DJ creating a festive mood. Sunday brunches are a specialty of Chef Keith Suarino who crafts a rustic Mediterranean feast that includes bottomless sangrias and mimosas. The buffet service features a chilled soup, plenty of salads, a fresh seafood raw bar, grilled lamb, pork and beef tenderloin and a savory seafood paella. Guest can also customize omelettes made to order or sample the heavenly nutella banana stuffed French toast. Showcasing bold graphics, the work of local artists and a kitschy selection of old Floridiana, Vintro’s “vintage + retro” styling creates the perfect oasis for a unique South Beach escape.

Vintro Hotel & Kitchen is located at 2216 Park Avenue on South Beach. 305.704.3680. Breakfast 7am-11am, Lunch 11am-7pm, Dinner Sunday – Wednesday 7pm-11pm & Thursday – Saturday 7pm until midnight.

As with most successful kitchens in town, the KLIMA culinary team is working with South Florida’s top purveyors to utilize local produce to craft the contemporary and international fare. “Our aim is to install a much-loved Spanish gastronomic ideology within this exciting city to perfectly complement its rich cultural diversity,” said Fernández-Valdés. “As a result of working for many years in the hospitality industry all over the world, we have a deep knowledge and understanding of the business. The number one priority is for our casual and informal, yet elegant restaurant and bar experience to ultimately bring guests back for a memorable, fun and most enjoyable time.”

Decking the main floor dining area in natural oak, the design team will import marble from Barcelona to highlight a few of KLIMA’s larger dining tables. A cozy lounge space is planned for pre- or post-dinner cocktails with club chairs and sofas creating an oasis for intimate conversation. The outdoor veranda will incorporate hand-wrought ironwork, climbing plants and potted palms for guests seeking a romantic spot to dine under the stars. “The incredible climate in South Florida is what appealed to us most of all,” says Yago Giner. “Our vision for KLIMA originates from life and culture in the Spanish and Mediterranean coastal region, and we feel Miami Beach has a vibrant and increasingly discerning culinary community with a yearning for authenticity.”

KLIMA Restaurant and Bar, 210 23 Street, Miami Beach opens November 2014.

A sexy alfresco supper club in the heart of the South Beach scene, Bâoli Miami provides a romantic atmosphere for dinner that gradually gives way to a lively lounge vibe just in time for dessert. Catering to foodies in search of a luxe, Mediterranean-inspired meal, the quirky nightspot is modeled after the popular Bâoli restaurant in Cannes, France. Influenced no doubt by the demands of it’s red-hot address, the Florida outpost boasts a great-looking wait staff, a sultry R&B soundtrack and a hard-working kitchen dedicated to recreating all of the flavors of the Côte d’Azur.

Dinner can be feather light or deeply satisfying depending upon your navigation of the thoughtfully-composed menu. After more than a few cocktails to liven the mood, kick off your meal with a creamy lobster bisque, redolent of sherry and topped with a generous mound of tender claw meat. Seafood selections like ahi tuna tartare or mixed fish ceviche are nearly outdone by foie gras au torchon served with a bittersweet cherry compote over crisp mixed greens. House made pastas and risotto topped with a generous shaving of truffles are delicate on the palate though the bucatini pasta with meatballs tastes as homey as if mama was working the stove.

Though Bâoli Miami is just steps from the Atlantic, seafood entrees jet in from across the globe with Dover Sole, Wild Scottish salmon, Chilean Sea Bass and Mediterranean Branzino taking pride of place on the Florida menu. Carnivores will thrill to the juicy 12 oz filet mignon served on the bone with truffle sauce or the huge veal chop topped with gobs of cheese, arugula and a dice of tomato. Sides of truffled mashed potatoes, garlicky spinach and wild mushroom fricassee may not leave diners feeling lively enough to dance, but as the evening wears on, the decibel level rises high enough to elevate any mood. Baoli Miami deftly brings a dash of the jet set to South Beach!

The swank supperclub and romantic dining terrace bring the flavors of the South of France to South Beach including fresh seafood, meat and pasta paired with delicacies like caviar, foie gras and truffles imported from France. La Cave d’Azur Wine Bar offers more than 190 carefully curated wines and champagnes from small village appellations as well as the most important vineyards in Europe. Guests can enjoy half off select bottles on Sundays or join in a weekly wine tasting Wednesdays from 6pm -9pm when special selections are just $5 and passed hors d’oeuvres are $10. As an added incentive to wine lovers, the expert staff at La Cave can help customize any wine cellar with a unique variety of vintage pours to enjoy for years to come.

Name:	Villa Azur
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 622 reviews across the Web
Address:	309 23rd St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 763-8688
Cuisine:	Italian/Mediterranean
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet, Private lot
Chef:	Erwin Mallet
Website:	www.villaazurmiami.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 18:30pm-12am

Please share your impressions living and working as a chef in Miami.
Its a new experience. We work with new products that I don’t normally use at home, get to meet new people all the time, its a different style of cooking and I learn new things every day.

Is it tough to find a balance between the discipline of running a successful kitchen and the temptations of a fun location like South Beach?
I am used to the party scene from years of working as a chef in St. Tropez so I am not phased by the temptations of South Beach. I love my job at Villa Azur and am happy to dedicate my time to being the best chef I can be.

When you’re not at work, where do you like to dine in South Florida?
I prefer relaxing restaurants in South Florida that have no stress involved eating tapas dishes and enjoying a glass of wine with friends in a chilled out environment such as beach clubs.

When you are cooking at home for yourself or your friends & family, what’s your go-to dish?
Cote De Boeuff – butter, garlic, thyme and rosemary and homemade bernaise sauce or charcurterie and a glass of wine.

What are the dishes you remember most from your childhood or your experiences as a young chef and how do those flavors influence your menu at Villa Azur?
I mostly remember the soup my mum used to make, it was a delicious homemade vegetable soup. She always used butternut squash which I love and a small bit of hazelnut so I try to incorporate different flavors out of the ordinary to my dishes at Villa Azur. I love trying new things and working outside of the box.

How has cooking in Florida changed or inspired you as a chef? Do you find your menu is influenced by the great produce available in Florida?
It hasn’t changed me as a chef as we are a French restaurant so we import a lot of our ingredients and produce from France. However, I use more orange, lime and lemon in dishes now that I didn’t use before in France. My seabass dish was influenced by the beautiful coconut milk and ginger available in South Florida.

What’s one thing you want diners to know about the menu at Villa Azur – perhaps your favorite dish, an unexpected entree or the inspiration behind one of the dishes you decided to include on the menu?
For a main course I think the pork tenderloin. It is a generous size and a different style from all the restaurants in South Florida. I haven’t seen pork served in this style before. It is typical of South of France and it is cooked slowly in a red wine with celery, orange zest, olives, garlic, thyme and rosemary and my secret ingredient.

Villa Azur Restaurant & La Cave d’Azur Wine Bar
309 23rd Street
Miami Beach
(305) 763-8688

More about Villa Azur

The richly-appointed dining room sports golden velvet banquettes, polished marble floors and double-height windows swathed in shimmering metallic drapery. Service starts with steaming cheese puffs and an extensive selection from the innovative cocktail menu or a 350 label wine list. Service is discrete and professional which comes in handy when requesting help sorting out the unique variety of rich international choices crafted by this adept and inventive chef. Another bright spot at Lippi is the technically perfect and deliciously different pastries crafted by Sarah Thompson who adeptly handles bold new ideas and old school classics like an impeccably lofty soufflé. Next time you’re celebrating something special, this Brickell showplace offers the perfect backdrop for a memorable night.

Name:	Lippi Restaurant
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 72 reviews across the Web
Address:	600 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(305) 579-1888
Cuisine:	Mediterranean
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet, Garage & Street parking
Chef:	Philippe Ruiz
Website:	www.lippirestaurants.com
Hours:	Mo-Fr 12:00pm-3pm, Mo-Sa 6:00pm-1am

Couples celebrating a romantic night should book a seaside table or private cabana during the full moon when the restaurant crafts a special three course supper to celebrate this majestic celestial event. Lunch and dinner menus at La Cote focus upon the freshest ingredients from the sea including butter poached lobster tail, spicy seafood fra diavolo and lighter options like ceviche, steamed prawns and crispy flatbreads. Share a pitcher of mojitos or a chilled bottle of champagne, feel the sea breeze in your hair, and enjoy one of the most iconic views in the Magic City.

Name:	La Cote
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 78 reviews across the Web
Address:	4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140
Phone:	(305) 674-4710
Cuisine:	Mediterranean
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet parking
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.fontainebleau.com/web/dining/la_cote/‎
Hours:	Mo-We 11:00am-7pm,Th-Sa 11:00am-9pm,Su 11:00am-7pm