Locked up tight when not open Chinese on Biscayne in MiMo. I've walked past this place many times, and it smells great when walking past.
What we had:
Sechuan pork and kung po chicken. Both dishes were really salty with unnaturally-thickened sauces. The pork and chicken were both cooked well and the balance of veggies to meat on the plate was roughly 50/50.
Décor:
Someone took great pains to make this place special a long time ago, then proceeded to paint the walls (badly) yearly and indulge an addiction to cheap table decor.
And with the cloying stench of air freshener, it smelled like the potty.
Service:
A grandmotherly woman waited on us with efficient service.
Overall impressions:
I wanted to love this place. It smells so good from the street, and it's generally busy looking when open. I wouldn't go back. The inside smell and salt level just killed it for me.
Rating:
2.5 out of 5 salamanders
Flora's East Side Pizza
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NY-style pizza on the 79th Street Causeway.
What we had:
Pepperoni and eggplant pizzas. Nice spice balance in the sauce; good quality cheese & toppings; good crust.
Décor:
We got delivery.
Service:
Fast.
Overall impressions:
Great pizza. A good new go-to for delivery.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
Pepperoni and eggplant pizzas. Nice spice balance in the sauce; good quality cheese & toppings; good crust.
Décor:
We got delivery.
Service:
Fast.
Overall impressions:
Great pizza. A good new go-to for delivery.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
Yiya's on 79 Street
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Gourmet Cuban bakery on the 79th Street Causeway.
What we had:
We've been here for both breakfast and lunch. The breakfast sandwiches (we had eggs, cheese and ham or bacon on Cuban bread) were great--really fluffy eggs, a good balance of pork and cheese on a fresh, slightly chewy Cuban roll. What's not to like? And at $4 with the best cafe cubano I've had, a great deal.
The Cuban sandwiches are good, too. I still think Latin American Cafe is my favorite cuban, though. Yiya's bread is better quality, the cheese and pork are even, but Latin's ham quality is better.
Décor:
Cute. Small but comfy and cute, and with Food Network on both times I went.
Service:
Good.
Overall impressions:
Must go back for more.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
We've been here for both breakfast and lunch. The breakfast sandwiches (we had eggs, cheese and ham or bacon on Cuban bread) were great--really fluffy eggs, a good balance of pork and cheese on a fresh, slightly chewy Cuban roll. What's not to like? And at $4 with the best cafe cubano I've had, a great deal.
The Cuban sandwiches are good, too. I still think Latin American Cafe is my favorite cuban, though. Yiya's bread is better quality, the cheese and pork are even, but Latin's ham quality is better.
Décor:
Cute. Small but comfy and cute, and with Food Network on both times I went.
Service:
Good.
Overall impressions:
Must go back for more.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
Siam Rice
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Thai/Sushi joint in MiMo.
What we had:
Chicken Pad Thai and a light chicken dish with red and green peppers and onions.
We've gotten delivery from here twice now, and it's been super fresh and fast both times. Nothing has been heavily sauced and the pad Thai is really good. So far, this is the best Thai place we've been to in Miami.
Décor:
My living room is quite nice, thank you.
Service:
Quick.
Overall impressions:
I'm dying to try the Sushi and sample more of the umpteen menu items.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
Chicken Pad Thai and a light chicken dish with red and green peppers and onions.
We've gotten delivery from here twice now, and it's been super fresh and fast both times. Nothing has been heavily sauced and the pad Thai is really good. So far, this is the best Thai place we've been to in Miami.
Décor:
My living room is quite nice, thank you.
Service:
Quick.
Overall impressions:
I'm dying to try the Sushi and sample more of the umpteen menu items.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
Metro Organic Bistro
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Fresh organic menu in MiMo.
What we had:
I had the line-caught mahi with microgreen and shaved fennel salad and my DH had grass fed skirt steak with fries.
The fish was perfectly cooked and just what the evening called for. The steak was pretty great, too.
Décor:
We ate outside on oversized white vinyl couch with hair-on cow pillows. The outside lounge is luxuriously lit with well-placed floor candles. The dining room is tiny but open and fresh looking.
Service:
Good.
Overall impressions:
We would go back.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
I had the line-caught mahi with microgreen and shaved fennel salad and my DH had grass fed skirt steak with fries.
The fish was perfectly cooked and just what the evening called for. The steak was pretty great, too.
Décor:
We ate outside on oversized white vinyl couch with hair-on cow pillows. The outside lounge is luxuriously lit with well-placed floor candles. The dining room is tiny but open and fresh looking.
Service:
Good.
Overall impressions:
We would go back.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
Bagels and Company
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Fresh bakery & deli.
What we had:
Bacon, egg & cheddar bagels with hashed browns. Really good bagels. I loved the large chunk-style hashed browns, though my DH did not.
Décor:
I've only ordered takeout.
Service:
Great at the takeout counter. Friendly and fast.
Overall impressions:
Yum. I want to try lunch next.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
Bacon, egg & cheddar bagels with hashed browns. Really good bagels. I loved the large chunk-style hashed browns, though my DH did not.
Décor:
I've only ordered takeout.
Service:
Great at the takeout counter. Friendly and fast.
Overall impressions:
Yum. I want to try lunch next.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
Grampa's Bakery and Restaurant
|
What we had:
I had the ham and egg sandwich. I can't remember the bread, but I do remember it was very fresh. The ham was the thickest slab of ham I've ever had on a sandwich.
The table treats were great, too--fresh cinnamon sticks.
Décor:
Yick. Old, brown & yellow, crowded. With a bar, no less.
Service:
Not bad for being packed.
Overall impressions:
Great quality, good value.
Rating:
3.5 out of 5 salamanders
Green Street
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In Coral Gables. Disclaimer: the day we went was really hot and u was beyond starving. Based on the name, I was expecting light, greasy salads and maybe bright tropical salsas.
What we had:
I had a lamb burger. It was not at all what I was in the mood for. I wanted something light and fresh, but ended up getting the only decent sandwich on the menu. The burger was Huge, and not horrible. Overpriced.
Décor:
We ate outside. Long bathroom line.
Service:
Ho-hum.
Overall impressions:
I wouldn't go back. Partly because of the day, partly the price point over variety.
Rating:
3 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
I had a lamb burger. It was not at all what I was in the mood for. I wanted something light and fresh, but ended up getting the only decent sandwich on the menu. The burger was Huge, and not horrible. Overpriced.
Décor:
We ate outside. Long bathroom line.
Service:
Ho-hum.
Overall impressions:
I wouldn't go back. Partly because of the day, partly the price point over variety.
Rating:
3 out of 5 salamanders
Blue Moon Fish Company
|
I went to Blue Moon with a group for brunch.
What we had:
I loaded up on fresh seafood. The spread here is on the pricey side, but well worth it. Not only does this brunch buffet have the requisite omelet bar, baked goods and "healthy" options, you also get to select from a wide variety of tapas-sized main dishes and fresh seafood.
I attempted to eat my weight in the fabulous mussels, shrimp, oysters and mahi entree.
Décor:
Right on the intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale with large windows overlooking the water and high art deco style.
Service:
Not bad. I was in a group of about 10, and the service was fine.
Overall impressions:
I would definitely go back, and would love to go for a nice dinner.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
What we had:
I loaded up on fresh seafood. The spread here is on the pricey side, but well worth it. Not only does this brunch buffet have the requisite omelet bar, baked goods and "healthy" options, you also get to select from a wide variety of tapas-sized main dishes and fresh seafood.
I attempted to eat my weight in the fabulous mussels, shrimp, oysters and mahi entree.
Décor:
Right on the intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale with large windows overlooking the water and high art deco style.
Service:
Not bad. I was in a group of about 10, and the service was fine.
Overall impressions:
I would definitely go back, and would love to go for a nice dinner.
Rating:
4 out of 5 salamanders
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