Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine - Broward/Palm Beach

Taste: ****

Cost: $

We had our wedding rehearsal here and I'm glad we did. The food was very good. Kim actually thought the lechon was better than at Don Ramones, but I think the Vaca Frita is definitely not as good as the Don (though still good). I had the churrasco and it was very good. Everyone seemed to love all their dishes and the service and price were excellent. Will have to try some more things on the menu!

There are various locations but we went to the Delray Beach one.

1715 South Federal Highway, Delray Beach, FL‎ - (561) 278-2133‎

Taverna Kyma

Taste: ****

Cost: $$

Went here for lunch, nice place, great outdoor seating. The serving size was massive for lunch. I had the Gyro and it was very good. My buddy had the chicken Pita and though he couldn't answer my question on how it tasted bc his mouth was full, I'm sure he loved it. Will have to come back and further explore the menu.

6298 N Federal Highway

Boca Raton, FL 33487

(561) 994-2828

Basilic - Broward

Taste: ***

Cost: $$

I can't give any Vietnamese food 5 stars bc they don't compare to my moms cooking. So 4 stars is a very very good rating. Basilic is good Vietnamese food, I would give it 3.5 stars if I could. The service was impeccable, and its a very nice upscale presentation of Vietnamese food as most Viet restaurants are dives. I have the Com Thit Nuong (pork chops) which was good, if not a tad on the sweet side. I'd appreciate a bit more char and more saltiness to it. The Crispy Seafood Egg noodles though were great once the rich saice was allowed to soften the noodles a bit. The portions are generous and the place has a very nice ambience. They give shrimp chips to hold you over while you wait for you meal. I consider the viet places on Colonial in Orlando to be 4 stars, and this place falls just a tad short, but I still highly recommend it.

218 Commercial Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 771-5798

Charm City Burger Company - Broward/Palm Beach

Taste: ****

Cost: $$

One of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Good blend, ordered Med, should of gone medium rare as the beef was very flavorful. Everything here is just the extra mile. They could of used canned mushrooms, they were fresh and sauteed. The could of used microwave bacon, it was thick cut, perfectly fried. I had the cowboy burger with the added fried egg (genius) as I didn't want to wreck my diet too much with a big sloppy. Should of went with sweet potato fries, but went with o-rings. A bit too greasy and the batter was a tad cakey as I prefer mine more lightly fried. with a thinner coat, but to their compliment they use some great sweet vadalias. Will definitely have to go back after the wedding when I'm not on a diet and explore the menu more thoroughly.

1136 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

954-531-0300

Maria's Greek Restaurant - Miami

Taste: *****

Cost: $$

The best greek food I've ever had. period. You have to try the saganaki... its perfection on a plate. Perfectly baked cheese set on fire. No seriously, I have dreams about it. The grape leaves, hummus, and gyro platters are amazing too. But yeah, saganaki... you've been warned b/c this stuff is addicting like crack. Portions are plentiful, cost is pretty low considering its the gables area. This place has been recently decorated and is a rare gem. Even small nuances like the feta cheese, and the crispy fries. This is probably the one place I will break from my diet to eat at. 5 stars easy. Best Greek Food. EVER.

2359 SW 22nd St
Coral Gables, FL 33145-3510
(305) 856-0938

Area 31 - Miami

Taste: ***

Cost: $$$$

Decent food, but you're paying for the view. Appetizers are pretty average. This place is probably a plus if you're on an atkins diet, bc all the fish and steak are served with salad. The yellow tail snapper was tasty enough, if not a little over seasoned. The flat iron steak was cooked well and tender enough, and well seasoned. The rapini was a bit of a throw away. Sauteed brocolini with some olive oil.

The view and atmosphere, however, is what elevates everything. If you're trying to impress someone, they will be visually, but just sated with their appetite. The menu evokes mostly latin flavors with some italian influece. Heavy emphasis on seafood.

270 Biscayne Blvd. Way
Miami, FL 33131
(305) 424-5234

Moon Thai - Miami

Taste: ***

Cost: $$$

I was really ready to write them off with 2 stars, but their pad thai won me over in the end. The sushi here is pretty average, not bad, but not great. They have a big focus on cooked rolls with lots of tempura flakes. Their pad thai is tasty, a bit heavy for my tastes and I prefer a bit more sweet. After I squeezed a bit of lime into it, it opened up and was a very nice savory pad thai. Everything is a bit pricey but not unreasonable. A good place for someone not too into asian food as the menu seems very Pan-Asian inspired and more suited for an american palate.

Tel: (305) 668 - 9890
1118 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146