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

Levi Kelly's BBQ (Miami)

Taste: *****
Cost: $

Do you live within 40 miles from the University of Miami? Is it Friday or Saturday? Go visit Levi Kelly... NOW!

On my drive into work, I see this man setting up, but unfortunately I always take the train up to West Palm on Fridays so I've been unable to try out his BBQ. I've finally had an opportunity and it is hands down THE BEST BBQ IN SOUTH FLORIDA. The ribs are in a word.... PERFECT. Succulent, tender, but not shreds in your teeth tender, they have a nice snap to the meat, great smokiness with no charred bitter undertone. The meat is just incredible and Mr. Kelly does not trim the rib membrane, you het all the meat. For 8 bucks you get a huge half slab.

The sauce is best described as the crossroads of the big 4 of BBQ: Memphis, Carolinas, Texas and KC. Actually its very St Louis-style. It is sweet, but not overly sweet; its has a nice touch of tang but not too acidic. Its just right, although maybe a bit more spiciness might work too.

I transcend into a little pork induced heaven after biting in and the only thing that made the ribs better was sharing the bones and some fat with my best friend; my dog Halo.

The neighborhood Mr. Kelly serves his excellent bbq might be perceived as a bit "tough". It is actually not like that at all. Its a charming little area, where the people are extraordinarily nice and make due the best they can with their means. Trust me, you'll forget about where you are, as soon as you bite in. They have officially overthrown Tom's in West Palm Beach (now under new management) as the best BBQ in florida.

Corner of SW 59th Place and 62nd Street
On the Gravel Lot behind the church

Rickey's World Famous Restaurant (Ft. Lauderdale)

Taste: *****
Price: $

Update 3/1/09

I just couldn't get the wings off my mind plus I'd been dying to meet Mr. Billy Mitchell so me and Kim made the trek down to the Pines Blvd location from West Palm. Unfortunately Billy Mitchell was at the Renaissance Festival (which we drove past on the way down). Fortunately the wings were no fluke. We ordered some onion rings and wings. I'm sorry, I can't force myself to eat anything else. Did I say this already? Billy Mitchell makes one hell of a chicken wing. He must hold a PhD in chemistry, bc it is scientifically impossible to keep a wing that crispy, when doused in his famous wing sauce. Its an interesting crust, its so crispy, its almost candy like, but it doesn't feel heavy. The onion rings were great too, but the wings are the star. The hot sauce isn't just heat in a bottle, you can taste the chili peppers. If you haven't ate here yet and you're within a 30 mile radius, make the trip. For their proven consistency, Rickey's is upgraded to 5 stars.

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I'm a huge fan of the movie The King of Kong, and when I drove by this place, I immediately did a u-turn to see if I could catch a glimpse of Billy Mitchell. Unfortunately hes at the other location, but what I got instead were quite possibly the best wings I've eaten in a long time. Billy Mitchell makes a GOOD chicken wing. The batter was perfect, crispy, not heavy, and managed to stay crispy while doused in the incredible wing sauce. I haven't been able to get the wings off my mind for sometime now and will have to visit the other location to see if I can get an autographed bottle of hot sauce. Definitely recommend. The wings and the documentary.

http://www.rickeysrestaurant.net/index.htm

Bangkok Bangkok (Miami)

Taste: *****
Cost: $

This is my family's place. By default we automatically start heading here thanks to the incredible food. Compared to other Thai places I've been to, this one is heads and shoulders above the rest. A more careful attention and gourmet palate is executed here. The flavors are bold and in abundance and the food presentation is top notch compared to most. I have to start out with the Satay skewers. They're perfectly done with a cook it yourself mini grill, but the real star is their peanut sauce. In fact it took me a good part of an entire weekend to finally break it down so I can replicate it at home. My family loves the squid salad to start and the chicken wings are also very well done. The main courses are where this place shines. I cannot pick a favorite, and we've eaten almost every single item. If I had to choose it would be the "Name that Tune" which is sliced tenderloin marinated in 2 different sauces, one sweet and savory, and the other tangy and savory and its served to you flambe'. The "3 musketeers" is another favorite beef dish, which is pretty much like a whole serving of the tangy side of the 3 musketeers. The "London Bridge Ribs" are tender babybacks, served with a tangy tamarind dipping sauce; its extremely well executed. The roasted duck is also another staple, as is the tiger prawns. I could go on forever listing dishes but they're all very good. In fact the only flaw with their food would have to be their pad thai. Yes how can I give 4 stars if they messed up Thai's signature dish? Its not horrible, but its just ok. Really the food here is amazing and their consistency has been a major factor to why we've been here almost over 100 times.

12584 N Kendall Dr
Miami, FL 33186

D'Best Sandwich Shop (Palm Beach)

Taste: *****
Cost: $$

Like the name says, it is the most amazing Philly cheesesteak you will eat south of Philadelphia. The rib eye is hand cut and every ingredient they use is fresh. In fact I've been to Geno's and I'd have to say D'Best ranks up there damn near close. You can have it any style, but I like the Cheese Wiz, mushroom and onions combo. Their sandwiches are nothing to joke abuot either. Most notably is D'Pilgrim. It is literally thanksgiving between bread. They actually roast whole turkeys in the morning and carve them up. Its topped with some stuffing, gravy, a touch of mayo and cranberry sauce to top. If I had a cheesesteak for lunch, I'm definitely getting D'Pilgrim for dinner.

5201 N. Dixie Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487

Capital Grille (Miami)

Taste: *****
Cost: $$$$

Best steak in town. Period. I don't need to elaborate but I will to amuse you. The filet is perfectly cooked and seasoned on its own. Don't buy into the hype with their porchini mushroom, balsamic glaze, etc... Order any higher than Medium Rare and you deserve to be thrown out. The steak is aged so well I doubt if they even seasoned it with salt. The lobster is huge and expensive as well but well done; especially for a broiler. The truffled parmesean fries are a must. Without a doubt the greatest french fry I've ever had. Lobster mac and cheese is not too heavy, but I would skip the potatoes lyonnaise (its not like Ruth's Chris). Wine list has surprising some decent sub 20 bottles so thats worth a shot as well. Skip the appetizers, the bread selection they give you is monstrous! Expect to pay top dollar just savor the flavor longer.

444 Brickell Avenue
Miami FL 33131