The "New" Forge Restaurant‏

Last April The Forge re-opened after months of renovations. It was a beautiful restaurant before but a bit dated so they spent a fortune modernizing the look and succeeded. We ate in the Study which is the nicest room.

The general manager Sole is the brother of Seth the general manager at STK.

The service was amazing.

The bread basket was the best ever. Could not stop eating bread which I usually avoid. Much better than Joe's or Prime Italian.

The Forge chopped salad was different and excellent and everyone who had tuna tartare loved it. Also their famous lobster peanut butter and jelly appetizer was great!

The steak was good but nothing special and the sides were average. The roast beef they cook on thr grill is no longer on the menu.

The apple crumb sundae was simply amazing but the chocolate dessert was average to bad.

Bill was $210 per couple incl tip with multiple drinks.

The best part of the 'old' Forge was its $5 valet parking which is now up to $10.

If you want to book for New Year's it will run you about $500 per person incl tax and tip. Don't count on me! I'll take Shake Shack !

7.5/10

I'll go back.

 

Another New Restaurant Review‏

After doing The Forge Friday night and Zuma Sat night I had to find something to top them  so on Sunday I took Mona for lunch at a place she had never experienced--DENNY'S.

It was 1:30 pm so I was too late for the GRANDSLAM breakfast but their lunch was actually OK although they had no valet parking or a guy in the bathroom to turn on the faucet.

I report to you simply because of the classic line we were given by the waitress wearing the cute Santa hat:

Mona asked if they had any Pellegrino and the waitress without even hesitating said:

"Sorry we don't serve wine"

Bill was $23 for a prime rib sandwich and a grilled chicken salad.

No rating.

Eden at 23rd and Collins‏

Eden opened up about 2 months ago at the old Talula location just across from the Gansevoort and W Hotels.

We went on a Sunday night so it was pretty empty but the restaurant looked good and had a nice outdoor section.

There was no valet parking but there is a large pubic parking lot next to the W.

Service was surpringly bad given there were not a lot of people.

The calamari and tuna tartare appetizers were great but the chicken questadias was average to lousy.

The black cod and salamon main courses were great, my lamb was just OK and the chicken was bad.

We decided to go Shake Shack for key lime and strawberry shortcake CONCRETES and that turned out to be the best part of the night.

6.5/10

 Not sure i'd go back. Nothing really bad but nothing special.

1500 Degrees at Eden Roc‏

Last night we went to 1500 at the Eden Roc.

It was a beautiful restaurant that was at least half empty at prime time on a Sat night. The crowd was an older, hotel crowd as opposed to a SoBe crowd.

The service was great as was the food. The appetizers and main courses were excellent and the apple strudel dessert was fabulous.

The bill was $180.00 including tip with 2 drinks.

I am giving it only a 7/10  as I hate restaurants that are empty with nothing to look at. It is much higher based on the food and service  alone but I will likely not go back as it was boring!

Acqolina Italian, Hallendale‏

Went to Acquolina Restaurant last nite across from Gulfstream Village. Not to be confused with the Aqualina Resort in Sunny Isles.

We were probably the youngest people there but it was packed. Clearly for the older crowd.

I understand they have a reputation from their Weston location.

Food was average at best. Nothing great!

6.5/10

Won't go back.

$95 incl tip for 3 people.

Valet parking at no charge.

Aroma Cafe at 163rd and Collins‏

Went to Aroma Cafe at corner of 163rd and Collins in the St. Tropez condo.

I understand this is an Israeli chain and Miami is its first US location.

It is a breakfast and lunch restaurant with no waiters.

Saw 10 '514s' there as we walked in. Not good!

Great salads and sandwiches looked good. Nothing fancy. Good size portions

Bread and pastry baked on premises.

I'd go back for breakfast or lunch again.

Free indoor parking and outdoor tables.

Don't remember what I paid.

7/10

Joey's, DesignDistrict‏

Went to an Italian restaurant called Joey's in the design district last nite.

It's a keeper!

Packed all the time, even at 11:15 when we were leaving new people were coming in.

Service was spotty because everyone was so busy. Often forgot to bring a new drink or side dish.

Food was excellent though. All appetizers were great including the pizza, calamari, sardines and bufala mozzarella.

Main dishes were also good and the 1 dessert we had was great.

Overall I'd give it a 8/10. Not as good as Valentino's but good.

Make sure you specify inside or outside when you make reservations as we had a major issue when they tried to put us outdoors.

Bill was amazingly, with was seemed like a lot of food and drinks, $288 incl tip for 6 people.

And valet parking was only $5.00

Morgan's, Design District‏

Mona and I went to Morgan's last night in the design district since we were told it was good.

It was terrible! I will not go again.

It had a very nice outdoor area if it is warm and a horrible interior space that looked like a sanitarium.

The salads were good. I asked the waiter for their best dish and he told me to take the braised beef ribs so I did.

It is rare that I can't eat any meat but this was soooo bad I left 70% in my plate and had to force down the rest.

Mona's salmon was good but nothing special.

I give it a 4/10.

The bill was $90 for the 2 of us with no drinks.

Pretty bad when the best thing I can say about it was that it had great wheelchair access.

 

The Royal at the Raleigh Hotel in SoBe‏

Last night we went to The Royal at the Raleigh Hotel.

The restaurant is not new but the chef and decor has been totally redone.

The chef is from NY where he has The Lion and the Waverly Inn

The outdoors was the nicest I've seen in Miami. Right up there with the outdoors of Barton G. They have lots of heaters for somewhat cool nights.

http://www.raleighhotel.com/dining/the_royal_restaurant/

But the best ever was the seating. They were amazingly comfortable couches for each table. It was the most relaxing sitting I ever had at a restaurant and it was still easy to eat. And the entire restaurant was right by the pool. It was the best!

The food was great. The salads and tuna tartar was excellent. Amazingly all 4 of us ordered the chicken, which was great, but I cannot report on the other dishes. The menu was not huge but adequate.

Valet parking was $20 and the bill was $145/couple with only 2 drinks and 1 dessert.

It's a keeper!! Especially on a beautiful night.

8.5/10 based mostly on ambience.

 

Pliar Bar and Restaurant, Promenade Mall, Aventura‏

Went for an early dinner last nite around the corner.

Thought I was eating in an old people's home.

Mona's tuna and beet salad was horrible. My chicken was OK.

Not a keeper!

5/10. Cheap!

 

Fifi's Place, Collins at 69th, A Hidden Gem‏

Went to a seafood place on Collins that you would likely never even look at called Fifi's Place Restaurant

http://www.fifisseafood.com/

Place was humming both inside and out. Obviously people knew something I didn't.

Shrimp tempura appetizers the best! I don't eat fish but they had a non-fish menu. Steak was juicy and delicious. Both others had the snapper and said it was great!

Lots of free parking in the rear. Bill was $150 incl tip for 3 people, no drinks.

A definite keeper.

8/10

 

Gothem Steak, Fountainbleau‏

I have been to Gothem Bar and Grill  in NY and liked it so we decided to finally try Gothem Steak at the Fontainbleau even though it has been open for a while now.

http://www.fontainebleau.com/web/dining/gotham_steak

The restaurant is beautiful with 2 floors and an amazing two floor glass wine cellar.

It was a typical hotel crowd and the restaurant was not entirely full but it was very large.

Service was exceptional. Salads were just OK. No where near as good as Prime 112 salads.

My steak and Mona's tuna were amazing. As good as any I've had, but it was overpriced. $58 for a bone-in steak is absurd!

Although it was good and there were no complaints and nothing bad to say I still would rather go to STK(music), Meat Market(Lincoln) or Prime 112(scene). Bottom line it was just another good steakhouse with nothing distinguishing it from the others.

Meal was $210 incl tip plus $12 for parking with no drinks. Not worth it!

8/10

Likely won't go back.

Kitchen 305, Newport Hotel, Sunny Isles‏

Why would anyone even think of going to the Newport?

Well Wed nights are all you can eat Lobster dinners for $35 so 8 of us went.

When I walked in I thought they were taping an episode of The Biggest Loser. Soooo many huge people.

The place was full and bustling but definitely not a 'scene'. It felt filthy!

Met a friend there who I hadn't seen in years and he told me he just had 10 lobsters. Each were about 1 -1.25 lbs I'm told.

6 of our 8 people had lobster. Two had 5 each and the remaining 4 had 2 each for a total of 18.

Every seemed to love them except Mona who felt they were watery and hard to eat. She hated it, they loved it.

The steak was actually amazing and the lamb chops were equally as good.

Salads were worse than McDonalds and desserts were great.

Service was horrible but picked up after we complained.

They had a live 'bar mitzvah' band and it was sooo loud you couldn't talk at the table

Bill was $125/couple including 2 bottles of wine and dessert. Valet parking was only $6

7/10

I won't go back but if you love lobster it seems like a great deal.

Pubbelly, South Beach, A hidden gem!‏

Earlier this week David McMillan of JoeBeef/Liverpool told us about Pubbelly so we tried it last night.

Located a few streets down from Joe Allen, Sardinia and Burger'n'Brew on 20th Street and Purdy.

http://pubbelly.com/

As soon as you walk in you realize it doesn't feel like a Florida restaurant. Feels like you are in Soho NY or on Notre Dame at Jane or Joe Beef.

A small restaurant with about 40 seats, no reservations (other than for 1 large table of 8-10) that is open 6 pm - 1 am everyday except Monday. A place for locals. Very few tourists I'm told.

Music and menu change everyday and food is tapas style accept for 3 main dishes.

Lots of beer, wine and saki and the food is Asian inspired.

Since we had the main courses we only had 2 tapas items but both were great. My steak was fantastic as was Mona's swordfish and the dessert was also great.

$128 incl. tip but no drinks and we had the main courses so not indicative of a tapas bill.

Negatives are no reservations and no parking. I parked in the Publix parking lot that threatened they had closed circuit TV to watch over those that might be stealing their parking spot without going into Publix.

8.5/10

A keeper

Rosa Mexicano, South Beach, Lincoln Road‏

Last night we tried the new Rosa Mexicano on Lincoln Road. There are 10 USA locations

http://www.rosamexicano.com/Locations/SouthBeachFL/tabid/340/Default.aspx

The restaurant was beautiful and packed with  nice outdoor seating on the mall for people watching.

I am not a Mexican food fan so it was hard for me to evaluate but everyone who loved Mexican food loved it. The presentation was very upscale and very different.

There was parking in the same building as the restaurant for $10.

Bill was $100 per couple including tip with 1 Margarita per person.

Definitely a keeper if you like Mexican food but not for me.

8/10 for lovers of Mexican food.

 

2011 Summary‏

Best Overall     1. Zuma    2. Valentinos

Best Food    1. Valentinos  2. Zuma

Best Scene    1. Prime 112  2. Zuma

Best Service  1. Zuma   2. STK

Best Music   1. STK

Best Décor  1. Forge  2. STK

Best Outside  1. Barton G  2. The Royal

Best Drink   1. Canyon’s – Prickly Pear   2. Barton G

Best Steakhouse   1. Prime 112    2. STK

Best Pizza    1. Anthony’s Coal Fired   2. Steve’s Pizza

Best Burgers  1. Shake Shack    2. 8 oz Burger

Best Sushi   1. Zuma   2. Bond Street

Best Asian  1. Zuma  2. Hakassan

Best Breakfast  1. Ice Box   2. Books and Books

Best Salads   1. Grand Luxe

Best Casual   1. Shake Shack   2. PF Changs

Best Value    1. Shake Shack  2. Grand Luxe

Most Overrated  1. Joe’s Stone Crab   2. Villa by Barton G (Versace Mansion)

Top 5

1.      Zuma

2.      Valentino’s

3.      Canyon’s

4.      STK

5.      Shake Shack

Anise Taverna, NE 78th and Biscayne,‏

Went to Anise Taverna last night at 78th and Biscayne.

Owned by a couple who work the restaurant upfront, the tacky coloured lanterns and Orangina signs on the walls actually made it feel very Greece and warm. Located on a river/canal there was a nice outdoor area also. Didn't feel like a tourist location and certainly wasn't a scene. These people used to have a
SoBe restaurant called Ouzo's. Felt a little like a Greek Fi-Fi's, that I reviewed a few weeks ago.

 http://www.anisetaverna.com/

Appetizers were good. Meatballs were terrible but fried cheese and octopus and salads were great.

They ran out of lamp chops so i was forced to have steak which was good but not great and all others raved about the fish they had.

Dessert was an apple walnut cobbler which was great.

$110 per couple including 2 bottles of wine for 6 people including tip.

They have a parking lot right in front of restaurant so no need for valet.

7/10

Channel 10 Picks Top 10 South FL Restaurants‏

1. Joe's

2. Palm D'Or at Biltmore Hotel

3. Scruby's BBQ - ribs and chicken. 3 locations. Pembroke Pines, Davie, Tamerac

4. Peter Pan Diner - Oakland park, breakfasts

5. Scarpetta

6. Rustic Inn Crab House, Ft. Lauderdale, 60 year old

7. News Cafe - SoBe, breakfast

8. Hakkassan

9. Seasons 52 Fresh Grill - looks amazing, a chain, nothing on menu over 475 calories, all fresh http://www.seasons52.com/menu/about_menu.asp

10. 84 Diner - Davie, breakfasts

Symcha's, South Beach (Across from Joe's)‏

Went to a new restaurant last night that opened upon directly across the street from Joe's.

Beautiful restaurant and great outdoors. Nicest bathroom I've ever seen.

http://www.symchas.com/

Place was pretty full and we sat outdoors.

We got off to a bad start in that the Diet Coke was from a fountain. Have to deduct 1 point for that serious violation.

Appetizers were great. eggplant and salads all good.

Everyone had a different main course and there were happy people all around. Chicken, lamb chops, skirt steak, salmon and lobster were are super and spectacular food presentation.

Only problem was small portion size and expensive. Only the skirt steak had a decent portion. I had 2 lousy lamp chops.

Service was good and waiter was knowledgable.

Desserts were great also.

Bill was $150 per person with tip and some drinks.

Valet parking was $10.

7.5/10 because of price and portion size. Food only it was a 9/10.

 

Front Porch Cafe, South Beach‏

Ate Sunday at the Front Porch Cafe in South Beach at 14th and Ocean Drive. It is located in the Z Ocean Hotel.

This restaurant used to be Table 8 over a year ago.

http://www.zoceanhotelsouthbeach.com/cuisine.htm

Was a really good breakfast but nothing very special. Just good.

Nice outdoor porch across the road from Il Villagio.

Not as good a breakfast as Ice Box on Lincoln.

Lack of parking and was packed outdoors on a beautiful day.

$35 for 2 incl tip

7.5/10

 

GIGI, Design District‏

This report is from my new 'cub reporter' Evie Wiseman. Since she likes food better than clothes, jewelery and sex she is qualified to report.

Gigi is located in the Design District and listed noodles, BBQ and Beer (a word I do not like to use) in their logo. They do affordable Asian-inspired food

http://www.giginow.com/

According to Evie everything was simply amazing including the service,  food and desserts. She would give it a 10/10 but I have to reduce it to 9/10 since you cannot make reservations.

Bill was only $60/couple with a bottle of wine.

No valet parking but street meters.

 

Cafe Sharaku, Ft. Lauderdale‏

Went to Cafe Sharaku in FtL last night because I was told it was amazing and had a ZAGAT rating of 27.   28 is rating of highest restaurant in all of Florida.

Its on US1 between Sunrise and Oakland in a crappy little building. Reminded me on Chung Mei on Queen Mary when I walked in. Only 25 seats.

http://www.cafesharaku.com/

If you don't like FISH do not go here as almost whole menu was fish except for 2 small meats i.e. 6 oz meat dishes.

Had the braised beef stew as an appetizer and it melted in my mouth. Other appetizers were also great.

The lobster main course was amazing and my mini-steak was also delicious.

Desserts were weak.

Overall the food was great but the portions were small.

Bill was $115 for 2 and they have their own parking.

I wouldn't go back as I didn't like the menu but the 3 others said they would. But then again I also don't like the Zagat 28 which is Michey's.

I give it an 8/10 for food. Not a weekend place to go.

 

 

Makoto, Bal Harbour‏

This report is from Evie Wiseman, cub reporter.

Makoto is a modern Japanese restaurant by Stephen Starr restaurant where Books and Books used to be at Bal Harbour

http://www.starr-restaurant.com/

A la Zuma, Nobu, etc.

Service was great. Very loud. Loved the pork belly, grilled salmon, black cod and crispy shrimp.

$100/person including tip

8/10

Would definitely go back.

 

Vita Restaurant, South Beach‏

Hadn't been here for a few years so decided to try again last night.

Located just across from Setai in a very non-descript building. Wouldn't look twice if you weren't looking for it.

Parking around the corner for $10 unless you have an expensive car. Then it's $40, so you can park just North of Setai for $3.00 in public parking which was great until I got back to my car and missed my deadline by 30 minutes so ended up paying $45 ticket plus the $3.00.

Its an all outdoor restaurant that is as nice as Barton G outdoors. On a night like last night it was perfect! Not sure how it would be on a cold or rainy night so check weather before going.

The scene was the best ever! Made Prime 112 look like a convent! Must have been 3:1 females to males and most amazing looking! A real show and great music to boot!And if you like, they had 2 amazing women wearing white satin corsets who give you an head massage at your table.

Now to the food. Average at best. My steak was salty and tough. Other meals were just OK. Nothing memorable, but service was great! Salads and dessert were better than average.

Bill was $105/person incl tip with wine and drinks, excluding my $45 ticket.

I'd definitely go back on a nice Saturday night only.

7.5/10

La Bonne Crepe, Los Olas, Ft. Lauderdale‏

Went to a breakfast place on Los Olas Sunday.

It was great! Eggs, fruit, crepes, etc were all fresh and delicious.

Would definitely go back for breakfast.

8/10

Seasons 52, Galleria Mall, Ft. Lauderdale

Had lunch at Seasons 52 at Galleria Mall earlier today. It is part of a small chain.

http://www.seasons52.com/

Interior was simply gorgeous. Though I was in an Aspen lodge.

People were over-polite and just wanted to be nice!

All lunches on menu are below 475 calories and fresh made. Nothing fried and if you ask they will tell you the exact calories of the meal you order.

My green salad was just OK. Not as good as Grand Luxe salads.

I ordered the steak and mushroom flatbread, one of their specialties. 410 calories. SIMPLY AMAZING! It was unreal!

Mona had a sushi dish and loved it also.

Bill was $45 incl tip.

Will definitely go back.

Didn't see dinner menu. Wish it was closer and I'd eat there a lot. There is also one in Coral Gables.

8/10 for lunch.

 

5 Napkins Burger, Lincoln Road‏

This is a small New york chain that recently opened up on Lincoln Road(closer to Collins than Alton) near the Lincoln theatre.

http://5napkinburger.com/

Unlike Shake Shack, this is a sit-down restaurant where you are served.

The burger was great but not as good as Shake Shack. The all-beef hot dog was amazing-like Prime 112 hot dog.

Mona's Asian salad was also very good and the service was excellent.

Bill was $50.

I will go back.

 

La Sandwicherie, South Beach‏

Went for lunch to La Sandwicherie in SB based upon many months of people telling me how amazing it was and reading glowing reports on sights such as Yelp.

http://www.lasandwicherie.com/

The 'restaurant', if you call it a restaurant, was a counter with stools. The entire inside was 4 ft x 40 ft. Literally a counter against a wall. The view is a back alley to stores on Washington.

When we got there all stools were full and there was a short line up. I was excited.

Mona ordered a chicken salad and I ordered the roast beef sandwich on their supposedly famous baguette. Both were adequate and surely nothing great.

I cannot complain that anything was bad but it was just average. I like Quizno's better.

I won't go back.

$25 with tip.

6/10.

BTTR Food Truck Event at 127th St on Biscayne‏

Went last night to the BTTR Food Truck event. See list in link below

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BTTR-Miami-Food-Truck-Events/124539527618620?sk=wall#!/pages/BTTR-Miami-Food-Truck-Events/124539527618620

A group of 30-40 food trucks lined up in a parking lot at a university I never heard of.

Again I was excited as I thought these were going to be gourmet food trucks.

Boy was I wrong.

Lots of greasy food of every kind. A few good trucks but what I saw looked lousy. I walked up and down for 30 minutes trying to decide. Finally I decided to leave. Mona bought some sushi and we bought some macaroons and that was it.

Will not go back.

3/10

Bulldog Burgers, Biscayne at 154th‏

After the BTTR disaster we went to Bulldog Burger on Biscayne at 154th. The owner/chef is Howard Kleinberg of Top Chef fame. We had been there before and wanted to try it again as we were not fans but knew people who were.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bulldog-barbeque-miami

http://www.urbandaddy.com/mia/food/13508/Bulldog_Burger_Bacon_Candy_Burgers_in_North_Miami_Miami_MIA_Biscayne_South_Restaurant

The salad was really good and different so we were off to a good start.

The ribs were dry and horrible. Mona said he chicken was also very dry. The hot dog was just OK.

The coleslaw and biscuit was great.

Don't know if the burgers were good or not as we did not order any.

I will not go back.

$55 incl tip

5/10