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.

After graduating Johnson & Wales University in Miami, DeRosa learned the tricks of the trade from James Beard award-winning Chef Allen Susser, spent time with Wolfgang Puck in Orlando and Mark Peel at Campanile before embarking on a global adventure that would forever transform his relationship to food. Returning to South Florida, he teamed up with Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian to open the Tudor House Restaurant on South Beach before taking on the daunting tasks of the whimsical and magical Tongue & Cheek. His latest venture pays tribute to childhood summers by the sea in Narragansett. Izzy’s is named after his eldest daughter Isabella.

Please share your impressions living and working as a chef in Miami. As a new dad how do you make it work?
I love being in Miami. We are thrilled to have a restaurant on Miami Beach and to be supported by locals, chefs and the community. Being a Dad and restaurant owner requires a lot of balance. I try and take the time to pick up my daughter Izzy from daycare, or make her dinner with my wife Amy then shoot back to the restaurant for service. I have an amazing team at Izzy’s that allows me to take some family time.

Is it tough to find a balance between the discipline of running a successful kitchen and the temptations of a fun location like South Florida for you and your team?
I try and remain focused and inspire our team. We change the menu frequently which gives them a sense of enthusiasm and motivation to work hard and be creative at the same time. I’m constantly printing out articles, lending books or just meeting with our team members to share ideas and discussions about ingredients or techniques. Our team is young, eager and dedicated to having a good time both at work and in their personal lives while being responsible.

When you’re not at work, where do you like to dine in South Florida?
Macchialina. Michael Pirolo and Jennifer are kick ass people and wonderful to be around both professionally and socially. It’s a fun place and the food is awesome.

When you are cooking at home (for yourself or your friends & family), what’s your go-to dish?
I usually get roped into making my grandmother’s Paella. It’s a great one pot dish that takes time to prepare but is so easy to share with everyone.

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 the restaurant?
I remember the first time learning how to make the pistachio crusted grouper with coconut, chayote, mango and cilantro at Chef Allen’s. It was so fresh, light and just worked. I also remember Mark Peel at Campanile who was/is a grill master; lighting the wood, managing the stove, entertaining the guests and grilling that leg of lamb to perfection. Sometimes it’s not so much about the influence of a chef as it is about the technique and integrity they taught you – how to treat the ingredients – that you remember the most.

How has cooking in Florida changed (&/or inspired) you as a chef?
The community as a whole has been awesome. From the chefs and other restaurateurs, farmers and purveyors – Miami is becoming an amazing food city and we are excited to be part of it.

Do you find your menu is influenced by the great produce available in Florida?
Yes. We change the menu weekly, so having great produce in our backyard helps us highlight what’s fresh and available from our neighbors down south.

What’s one thing you want diners to know about the menu at your restaurant – perhaps your favorite dish, an unexpected entree or the inspiration behind one of the dishes you decided to include on the menu?
One of the dishes on our menu was inspired by our very own local celebrity Chef Norman Van Aken. I call him the Ernest Hemingway of Cuisine. This guy can tell a story with a pen or his food. The dish is a play on our version of his classic dish called Turks & Cacaos Conch Salad. We made it together for our collaboration brunch and our team flipped it by adding aji amarillo, coconut sorbet, and sous vide hearts of palm. The result is amazing. It’s a good example of respecting where you came from, honoring great ingredients and then incorporating our style in the dish.

We try and cook our food. What works for us at the restaurant, the team and our guests. We try and listen to what people want and create a guest experience. Each day the team and I meet and discuss the menus and service and listen to one another about how to improve, to teach and mentor our young cooks and service staff and to inspire them to be better. If not for their talents and hard work, all would be lost.

Izzy’s Fish & Oyster is open seven days a week from 6pm-11pm with happy hour service from 5pm – 7pm and a Rose brunch starting soon.

Izzy’s Fish & Oyster
423 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 397-8843

The casual and elegant outdoor seating lines Ocean Drive, and is the perfect spot to spend an evening, watching the diverse sidewalk scene pass by. The indoor seating is expansive, and they are happy to cater to large parties. Say hello to Sherri Quinn, mingling amongst the diners almost every evening, making sure this dining experience is one of the best on the beach.

Formerly known as the place to be on Sunday nights in South Beach, Pearl’s cuisine was often overlooked by the exceedingly hip crowd that partied the night away at this beautiful oceanfront venue. But now, just one glance at chef Sylvain Noel’s diverse menu at the new Pearl makes it virtually impossible to ignore his spectacular creations.

From American dishes such as Charred Ribeye and “Frenched” Colorado Rack of Lamb, to Asian specialties like Miso Black Cod and Beef Rolls deglazed with teriyaki sauce, and on to European cuisine such as Atlantic Dover Sole with parsnip and emulsified caper butter, chef Noel has created something for every taste.

It remains to be seen whether or not the new Pearl retains the futuristic Stephane Dupoux design that was previously so striking to guests entering the restaurant for the first time.

The walls, tables and furniture were white, accented by brilliant orange lighting throughout the restaurant which included a large wrap-around veranda bathed in purple light overlooking the Atlantic. The overall ambiance was that of an Austin Powers “Groovy Baby!” 60’s shagadelic pad, fully stocked with the beautiful people South Beach is known for.

The waitresses and female bartenders wore Judy Jetson-style orange mini-dresses with sexy cutouts where a solitary pearl hung suspended between their breasts, and white knee-high go-go boots to completed the look.

Either way, take a seat at the center Champagne Bar and enjoy the bubbly with caviar, and relax knowing that this is how South Beach is supposed to be…chic, glamorous and oh so delicious.

Executive Chef Anthony Le Pape’s dinner menu includes some of his classic French favorites alongside plenty of lighter dishes inspired by Florida’s ample produce. Start with cheesy French Onion Soup or a bright Spinach Salad topped with roast mission figs, apples and crunchy pecans. Feast on an 18 ounce “Creekstone Farm” Bone-In Ribeye or the more delicate Pan Seared Scallops with sweet potato mash. Sunday brunch service is still one of the most popular meals served at the Ritz-Carlton with an abundantly laden buffet presentation plus traditional favorites from the raw bar, creamy shrimp and grits and Miami-inspired Cuban Eggs Benedict topped with 18-hour smoked pork shoulder.

Dine indoors or alfresco overlooking the pool terrace and the sea or stop in for an afternoon cocktail or Sunday brunch fueled with bottomless mimosas. When visiting South Beach, dining at the Ritz-Carlton is always a memorable experience.

Bistro One LR at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, One Lincoln Road, Miami Beach

South Florida waters offer an abundance of grouper, mahi mahi and red snapper year round and the local lobster season adds another level of culinary excitement to Chef Kal Abdalla’s summertime menu. He notes, “I like to keep the cuisine simple and fresh, yet provide a wide range of styles, ingredients and cooking techniques.” Winter menus feature local stone crabs, fresh oysters and shrimp to start. Entrees highlight the best of the day’s catch plus baby back ribs and prime steaks for heartier appetites.

For a romantic evening on South Beach, stop in for off-price happy hour bar bites like seared ahi tuna, lump crab cakes or Asian style calamari for just $6 each and pair them with a house special Absolut martini ($7), a glass of wine or beer before dinner. A Latin-Caribbean duo performs on the patio, adding that extra island charm to your special night. Don’t miss this dazzling Art Deco delight!

Start out with a sampling of freshly shucked oysters topped with a piquant pineapple salsa or spicy jalapeno ponzu sauce. For a taste of Asia, the coconut curry steamed shellfish updates a traditional oyster panroast with clams, mussels, and a spicy green curry broth. Local Florida pompano gets a Latin flavor when paired with chorizo sausage and a sweet pepper confit. Signature favorites from the New York menu include a New England lobster roll and the restaurant’s Burger Bash award-winning hamburger. The new Loews outpost of this NY hotspot sports rich teak paneling and polished brass and chrome trim to resemble the Art Deco sailing ships of the 1920s era. Dine indoors or alfresco in full view of the thundering Atlantic surf at Lure.

Name:	Lure Fishbar
Rating:	/ 3.5 stars based on 2 reviews across the Web
Address:	1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 695-4550
Cuisine:	Seafood
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Valet, Garage parking
Chef:	John Iatrellis
Website:	www.lurefishbar.com
Hours:	Mo-Th 6:00pm-11pm, Fr-Sa 6:00pm-12am, Su 6:00pm-10pm

Choose from a selection of fresh shellfish packed on ice in a showcase adjoining the restaurant’s busy mahogany cocktail bar where well-dressed professionals gather for happy hour drink specials nightly from 4:30-7pm. David Bracha has deep roots in Miami’s culinary scene and brings a depth of experience to each of his successful restaurants including the best resources for the fresh ingredients that fuel his innovative menus. Serving lunch on weekdays and dinner seven nights a week, highlights include raw and marinated seafood, a selection of soups & chowders plus simply grilled fish served with a choice of house made sauces.

Name:	The River Seafood & Oyster Bar
Rating:	/ 4.5 stars based on 1,032 reviews across the Web
Address:	650 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone:	(305) 530-1915
Cuisine:	Seafood
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	David Bracha
Website:	www.therivermiami.com/‎
Hours:	Mo-Th 12:00pm-10:30pm, Fr 12:00pm-12am, Sa 5:30pm-12am, Su 5:00pm-9:30pm

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

Start with a tasting of raw fish served sashimi style, thinly sliced from the pristine flesh of the day’s catch. Tartares of tuna and salmon sparkle on the palate. Appetizers reflect the Greek heritage of your hosts who present perfectly chared octopus, Mediterranean spreads of garlic, olive oil, roasted peppers and feta cheese or just-crisped slices of zucchini and eggplant topped with a cool yogurt sauce. Landlubbers can stick to heritage cuts of beef and lamb, dry-aged, certified prime and grilled over fire. Estiatorio Milos is a perfect spot for a prix fixe lunch or special occasion dinner with friends who appreciate the finer things.

Name:	Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis
Rating:	/ 4.4 stars based on 296 reviews across the Web
Address:	730 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 604-6800
Cuisine:	Seafood
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual Chic
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Parking lot nearby
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.milos.ca/restaurants/miami‎
Hours:	Mo-Th, Su 12pm-11pm, Fr-Sa 12pm-12am

Monty’s offers live music Wednesdays through Sundays and plenty of room to move indoors or alfresco. The bar features a full size swimming pool on site and plenty of tables directly overlook the busy working marina next door. Service can be spotty at times but this is a place designed to evoke a Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville atmosphere. Take note of the time the sun will set and schedule your visit to afford you a front row seat.

Name:	Monty’s Sunset
Rating:	/ 3.5 stars based on 376 reviews across the Web
Address:	300 Alton Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 672-1148
Cuisine:	Seafood
Price:	$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Recommended
Parking:	Parking lot
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.montyssobe.com
Hours:	Mo-Th 11:30am-10pm, Fr-Sa 11:30am-12am, Su 11:30am-10pm

Chalkboards list specials & affordable wines and the bar features a variety of tropical cocktails. Fans of spicy food should opt for their seafood served “Fra Diavolo” with a peppery red sauce that’s tossed over clams, mussels and calamari Italian style. House made desserts are large enough to share with the tropical Key Lime Pie a seasonal standout. Much more serene at lunchtime, GrillFish is a popular oasis for families and friends to sample the best of Florida’s waters.

Name:	Grillfish
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 520 reviews across the Web
Address:	1444 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 538-9908
Cuisine:	Seafood
Price:	$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Recommended
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	N/A
Website:	www.grillfish.com
Hours:	Mo-Su 11:30am-11pm

While stone crabs are a pricey treat, the rest of the seafood menu is fresh, simply prepared and reasonably priced. Avoid long lines to get a table in the no-reservations dining room by visiting at lunchtime when the menu is just as tantalizing and there is rarely a wait.

If witnessing the hubbub of the dinner rush is part of your plans, arrive before prime time at 7pm or after 8:30pm to avoid peak crowds. Locals often opt for Joe’s Takeaway which sits just north of the main entrance and prepares the same menu items to cater an impromptu picnic. The takeaway serves all day long, offering truly affordable entrees like southern fried chicken and crispy oysters.

Name:	Joe’s Stone Crab
Rating:	/ 4.0 stars based on 5,211 reviews across the Web
Address:	11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 673-0365
Cuisine:	Seafood, Stone Crabs
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	Parking lot adjacent
Chef:	–
Website:	www.joesstonecrab.com
Hours:	Monday: 5:00–11:00 pm Tuesday: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00–11:00 pm Wednesday: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00–11:00 pm Thursday: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00–11:00 pm Friday: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00–11:00 pm Saturday: 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:00–11:00 pm Sunday: 5:00–11:00 pm

Service is snappy and stylish even on weekends when table reservations are tough to score and cooling your heels in the bar is a prerequisite to actually sitting down. If you’re in a hurry, book a weeknight. If you have no reservations, patio tables are available on a first come, first served basis and – best of all – there’s rarely a wait at lunchtime. Menu standouts include the lobster bisque, anything with oysters and the lump crab crusted grouper. If you want to experience that “Only in Miami Vibe” – Prime 112 serves it up in abundance!

Name:	Prime 112
Rating:	/ 4.5 stars based on 2,267 reviews across the Web
Address:	112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:	(305) 532-8112
Cuisine:	Steakhouse, Seafood
Price:	$$$$
Attire:	Casual
Payment:	Cash, All Major Credit Cards
Reservations:	Yes
Parking:	On-street parking
Chef:	–
Website:	www.prime112.com
Hours:	Monday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 12:00 am, Tuesday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 12:00 am, Wednesday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 12:00 am, Thursday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 12:00 am, Friday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 1:00 am Saturday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 1:00 am, Sunday: 12:00–3:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 12:00 am

Service is both polished and professional—a welcome anomaly in this busy tourist area—and the bar specializes in classic cocktails served in an environment conducive to quiet conversation among friends. The restaurant comprises most of the hotel’s public lobby space so the dining room and the lounge blend seamlessly into one another. While many South Beach steakhouses pump up the volume to create a scene, LT Steak & Seafood is far more relaxed with a dress code that flexes from resort wear to business casual for many patrons.

LT Steak & Seafood / 1440 Ocean Drive, South Beach, 305-673-0044.