Malanga Cafe "Original Cuban Food" Is a Hidden Gem In Pinecrest!

When you think the best Cuban restaurants have already been thought of in Miami you find "Malanga Cafe".   Less than 12 months ago Malanga Cafe opened it's doors in Pinecrest.  "Original Cuban Flavor" is an understatment, the owner Melissa Vias, the chef, staff, family and friends have all contributed to bringing to South Florida a truely authentic Cuban restaurant.   Malanga Cafe has all the qualities of what makes an excellent Cuban restaurant: "Authentic Cuban Food", "Fresh Ingredients", "Home Made Quality", "Great Presentation" and most of all "Cuban Ambiance" better known as 'SABOR CUBANO!".

One of our favorites is "La Lechoncita", Lechon (Pork in Spanish), is a generous serving of suckling pork served with your choice of vegetables, rice and beans, french fries moro rice or the famous "Malanga Puree".  The pork served at Malanga Cafe is  rotisserie pork roasted daily as it has been done in Cuba and other caribbean islands for hundreds of years.

The ambiance at Malanga is authentic Cuban and Caribbean rythms, the restaurant has music and flat screen TV's providing a fun and vibrant atmosphere.  They also offer live music and invite special guests to perform live.  Malanga is truely a family restaurant, walking into Malanga Cafe you will soon realize that is like sharing a meal with family and friends.

The deserts are deliciouos, our favorite is the "Casquito De Guayaba Con Queso Blanco", Guava preserve with white cheese, the guava is home made!   Malanga's menu has a selection of the most authentic Cuban foods, we recommend you visit Malanga Cafe and experience, taste and enjoy, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed.  Malanga's is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Oops! We can not forget one of Malanga's specialty sandwichs "Pan Con Lechon", once again, a generous serving of shredded pork snuggled between freshly made Cuban bread, absultely delicious.

Hours of Operation:

Mon - Thu: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Fri - Sat:     7:00 am - 11:00 pm

Sun:            7:00 am - 9:00 pm

Location:

12313 S. Dixie Highway

Pinecrest, Florida  33156

Phone: (305) 259-1550

Email: melissavias@malangacafe.com

Web:  http://www.malangacafe.com/

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Pasha's Mediterranean Cuisine - South Beach, Brickell, Design District

For centuries, the name Pasha has been an honor given to high-ranking public figures with refined and sophisticated tastes. Today, we believe that each and every guest at our restaurants should be honored in that way.  This will be achieved by serving only the freshest, tastiest and highest quality cuisine in an elegant and relaxing environment. We want each of our guests to feel like a Pasha.

Pasha’s serves natural Mediterranean cuisine and is one of the healthiest restaurants in Brickell Miami. They have a great menu dedicated to all dieters. All of the ingredients in their meals are natural and their food contains no trans fat, additives, preservatives or msg. Try smoothies such as the Mango Lassi and the Peanut Butter Cup. Pasha also offers catering services to parties, corporate gatherings and other types of events upon request.

The menu has something for everyone, from fresh salads, soups, wraps, and filling platters with rice, veggies, and flavorful grilled meats.  On my most recent visit, I ordered my usual - Choban salad topped with chicken shish kebab skewers and a whole wheat pita on the side.  The salad consists of tomato, cucumber, bell peppers, onions, and Kalamata olives, marinated in heart healthy extra virgin olive oil and Mediterranean herbs. For an extra charge I added Feta cheese and the Shish Kebab Skewers (charbroiled marinated chicken breast chunks with grilled peppers and onions).  You can also top the salad with Vegetarian Falafel, Beef, or Salmon kebabs.  Other dishes worth mentioning are the lentil soup, tabbouleh, and spinach borek (flaky pastry with spinach and cheese filling).

In 2004 Dr. Arthur Agatston published its successful South Beach Diet Cook Book with recipes from a select handful upscale restaurants from New York and Miami.  Pasha’s is the only fast casual restaurant to be part of this selection.  The book which became a New York Times Best Seller with over 3 million books sold worldwide proclaimed “Pasha’s serves healthy and delicious Mediterranean food, proving once again the two are never mutually exclusive”

Pasha’s Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine’s menu consists of healthy meal options for various dietary needs.  With menu items that are healthy, all natural, have no preservatives and contain no trans fats, our meals consist of a combination of only the healthiest ingredients.  Should you have any allergy for certain ingredient, please consult our product content guide for select ingredients.

In 2006, the lonely Planet Publications, which is the largest independently-owned travel guidebook publisher in the world, chose Pasha’s as the “Author’s choice” in its most recent edition for dining in Miami.  This is another milestone for Pasha’s to be identified as a landmark in Miami and be described as an establishment where the “food rocks” and “all is top notch”

June 2007- Pasha’s University of Miami Wellness Center opens
The “Miami Health District” is the hub for all medical needs.  With Jackson Memorial Hospital as well as the University of Miami and other medical facilities, this is the perfect place for Pasha’s Healthy Mediterranean Cuisine.

October 2007- Pasha’s in the Four Seasons (Sports Club/LA) opens its doors. Four Seasons Hotels, Inc. is a five-star Canadian-based international luxury hotel chain. It is considered among the finest luxury hotels worldwide, according to Travel and Leisure magazine and Zagat Survey.  The Four Seasons Hotel in Brickell has a beautiful Sports Club (Sports Club/ LA) with spa services and gym facilities, Pasha’s Healthy Mediterranean cuisine became the perfect complement for a Healthy Meal option along with Sports Club / LA.

Pasha's has grown to seven locations in the Miami area and one location at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport.  All providing Pasha’s amazing Mediterranean cuisine made from the finest, freshest, all-natural ingredients - with no preservatives and no trans fats.
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Hours of Operation: South Beach

Mon - Thurs:	8:00 am	-	12:00 am
Fri - Sat:	8:00 am	-	1:00 am
Sun:	8:00 am	-	12:00 am

Location:

Pasha's

South Beach

900 Lincoln Road

Phone:  305.673.3919

E-mail:  eat@pashas.com

For all other locations visit: http://www.pashas.com/ 

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Eden South Beach "Sip, Taste, Drink, Discover The Garden of Eden"

Eden South Beach is a sensuous experience of food, drink, nightlife and culture, featuring Seasonal Cuisine by renowned Chef Christopher Lee.

With one-of-a-kind settings, featuring the candle lit "Garden of Eden," an intimate outdoor lounge and an airy dining room with an open-theater kitchen; Eden South Beach has the perfect combination to See and Be Seen.

Originally from New York and currently a Miami Beach resident, owner Larry Rizzo developed this multi-scene concept and is present nightly to welcome guests to the Eden experience. The Garden of Eden also provides for a lounge setting, with live music, perfect for social hours or after dinner cocktails. But there is more to the Garden of Eden that meets the eye, each specialty cocktail and entrée, is infused by an array of fresh herbs and forbidden fruits handpicked from the Garden.SIP. TASTE. DRINK. DISCOVER- SAVOUR THE GARDEN OF EDEN

Chef Christopher Lee began his career at age 14 in his hometown on Long Island, "I always had that sort of sixth sense about food," Lee says. "I always knew that I wanted to be a Chef. In high school, I used to ditch classes just to watch cooking shows on TV."

Lee Graduated from the prestigious California Culinary Academy and then went on to hone his culinary talents in some of the country's most prestigious restaurants, including New York City's Restaurant Daniel and Jean Georges, and San Francisco's Fifth Floor.  As Sous Chef at New York's Oceana, where he worked under Cornelius Gallagher, Lee was integral in redefining the restaurant's approach to the elegant dining experience. Awarded three stars by the New York Times, the New York Post proclaimed Oceana to be "The city's best seafood restaurant."

Selected by Gotham Bar and Grill's Alfred Portale to be the chef de cuisine at Stephen Starr's remake of the legendary Striped Bass in Philadelphia, Lee quickly rose to the position of Executive Chef, putting his personal style on all culinary aspects of the restaurant. Under his direction, Striped Bass received widespread critical acclaim, including a highly coveted Four Bells review from the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Best New American Restaurant 2004" in Travel + Leisure, and Gourmet selected it as one of the country's top restaurants in 2006.

In 2005, Lee was named the James Beard Foundations' "Rising Star Chef of the Year," and in 2006 was among Food and Wine's "Top Ten Best New Chefs." Returning to New York as Executive Chef of Gilt, Lee earned the restaurant two Michelin stars. In December 2008, Lee was selected by Charlie Palmer to take command of Aureole's kitchen, just in time for the restaurant's spring landmark move to the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park. "Christopher Lee could not be a better fit for Aureole with his modern American palate, New York roots and bold approach to flavors and wine," says Palmer.

Since the grand opening, Chef Lee has brought unparalleled success to Aureole including a 29 food rating in Zagat, the highest in NYC for 2009. Additionally, Chef Lee was a contestant on the premiere season of Bravo's Top Chef Masters and is currently the consulting chef for Orange County Choppers Roadhouse, a full service restaurant, bar, microbrewery, and entertainment experience based on the extraordinarily popular Orange County Choppers brand.

Philosophy, In addition to the following the seasons and the latest culinary trends, Lee finds inspiration in abstract art, which is evident in his plating techniques. Rather than building presentations in the center of the plate, Lee prefers to use the lines, spaces, colors and shapes of the various components of a dish to create a new abstract dining aesthetic. Through juxtaposing soft and crunchy textures, and sweet and sour flavors, Lee's creations give diners a different experience with each bite.

Hours of Operation:

Mon - Sat:	11:30 am	-	2:00 am
Sun:	11:30 am	-	12:00 am

Location:
Eden South Beach
210 23rd Street
Miami Beach, FL, 33139
Reservations:  305.397.8760
http://www.edensouthbeach.com/

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Sunlight Miami "New Restaurant on Lincoln Road"

By Astrid Becker, General Manager, Sunlight Miami

I want to introduce our new restaurant, Sunlight Miami. We are bringing a new concept on healthy eating to Lincoln Rd, with gourmet salads and sandwiches that you can customize with over than 60 fresh and natural ingredients, many of them organic. Fresh fruit juices and smoothies are also a main offering of our menu, in exciting combinations and made with no sugar added.  You can find more information about us on our website – http://www.sunlight-miami.com/.

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De Rodriguez Cuba

Our motto at De Rodriguez Cuba is, “Who Lives Better Than Us”, and I want you, our friends, to feel the same way. I thank you for dining with us.  Chef Rodriguez "Godfather of Nuevo Latino cuisine" and James Beard award winning chef with newly opened upscale Cuban restaurant in the heart of South Beach.

Our goal is to be the # 1 Cuban restaurant in Miami so if you enjoy your experience please give us a shout out on Zagat or other social media outlets such as Yelp, City Search, Facebook or Twitter. If you are not a member of Zagat please become one. If you were not pleased with your experience please tell us what we can do improve.
We welcome our cigar loving patrons to join us in our lush outdoor patio as well as sample our distinctive collection of cigars. Save up to 60% on your next meal at De Rodriguez Cuba with a Restaurant.com Gift Certificates: "De Rodriguez Cuba" Save up to 60% off your next meal!

Coming soon! ALL NEW "De Rodriguez Ocean Restaurant & Lounge". In the Bentley Hilton Hotel - across from Prime 112. I look forward to serving you there - in an entirely New way.
– Chef Douglas Rodriguez

Supper Club

“D-Rod’s Supper Club" is an underground gathering of Miami’s most influential figures hosted by celebrity chef Douglas Rodriguez at his restaurant, De Rodriguez Cuba in South Beach. The city’s most elite members of society are extended an invitation to enjoy a cocktail hour followed by a multi-course meal with wine pairings while discussing hot button issues affecting the metropolitan area and beyond. Held every other Tuesday of the month, the dinners are intimate with around ten guests each Supper Club.

Quote from Doug:

"Reality television hasn’t given the best impression of Miami and it’s unfortunate because our city is full of brilliant minds – in every industry imaginable – art, food, fashion, finance, and real estate to name a few. I really want Miami to shine as one of the world’s leading cities, and I think we might just be able to with D-Rod’s Supper Club” – Chef Douglas Rodriguez

Hours of Operation:

Monday 6 PM - 10 PM
Tuesday - Thursday 6 PM - 11 PM

Friday - Saturday 6 PM - 12 AM

Sunday  12 PM - 10 PM

Live Music:

Thursdays

Rotating Musicians

8PM - Close

Friday / Saturday

Martin Loza - Guitar Soloist

8PM - Close

De Rodriguez Cuba
At Astor Hotel
956 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone:  305.672.3763.

Website: http://www.drodriguezcuba.com/

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Miditerraneo Brickell

The cool crisp waters of the Mediterranean lap gently against many shores. Its bounty delivered fresh to the diverse cultures which compose this region, inspiring cooking styles which reflect the beauty and subtlety of their origin.

At Mediterraneo our challenge is to advance this ideal, while integrating unique styles and ingredients from across the globe, to define Mediterranean Cuisine in a broader sense.

An oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown, Mediterraneo is just steps from Miami’s Biscayne Bay in Brickell’s luxurious Jade Building. One’s sense of proximity to the ocean is further enhanced as the restaurant's wave inspired walls and clean white bar illuminate light blue, inspiring the greatest moments in perfect harmony with the ocean.

Beautiful images of nature and the underwater world are projected while the music excites our senses and aligns us with the good living of the Mediterranean. Mediterraneo Brickell is the perfect place to enjoy a variety of ceviches and tapas accompanied by one of our signature cocktails or incredible entrees.

Executive Chef, Thierry, displays our new perspective on Mediterranean Cuisine through meticulous preparation. His worldly palette allows us to present fresh, amazing options and entrees, made to order, which integrate flavors from all across the globe into Mediterranean food.  Restaurant.com Gift Certificates: Save up to 60% off your next meal!

Hours of Operation

Lunch

Monday - Friday
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Dinner

Monday - Thursday
5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Friday - Saturday

5:00 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Mediterraneo Brickell

At the Jade Residences on Brickell

1331 Brickell Bay Drive
First Floor
Miami, FL 33131

Phone:  305.200.5028

Email:  info@mediterraneobrickell.com

Website: http://www.mediterraneobrickell.com/

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Maya Tapas and Grill

Nestled in the heart of South Beach amidst bustling Lincoln Road, Maya Tapas & Grill is a 72-seat, outdoor restaurant offering international Argentinean-fusion dining. Open daily to breakfast, lunch and dinner, Maya Tapas & Grill offers a full-service menu boasting the freshest ingredients with fish and meats delivered each day.

Maya Tapas & Grill creates the perfect ambiance to relax curbside while enjoying selections from our warm and cold tapas menu and our extensive wine, Champagne and beer list.

Bring your own choice bottle and we will happily poor or spice-up the craving with a pitcher of our house Sangria pitchers. Save at Maya Tapas & Grill with a Restaurant.com Maya Tapas Gift Certificates: Save up to 60% off your next meal! 

From traditional to innovative, with menu items like the Beef Carpaccio to the Moroccan Chicken Ossobuco Maya Tapas & Grill will bring out the inner-epicurean in you, Whether you are local or just visiting, dine in style with quality cuisine, reasonable prices and where service is met with a smile. From our kitchen to your plate, see you at Maya Tapas & Grill.  At Restaurant.com you will find savings certificates for Maya Tapas & Grill $25.00 for $10.00 and more.

Hours of Operation:

Daily from 9am to 12am.

Maya Tapas & Grill

Locations

Lincoln Rd
809 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

Phone: 305.538.0058

Ocean Dr
530 Ocean Drive
Miami Beach, Florida  33139

Phone: 305-532-4747

Website:  http://www.mayatapasandgrill.com/

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Blu La Pizzeria del Sole

Courtesy of Miami New Times Blu La Pizzeria del Sole, South Miami

This charming, moderately priced trattorialike pizzeria is a 40-seat (with 30 more chairs outside) spinoff of Trattoria Sole next door. A main benefit from that association is the wine selection, which is far more extensive than one could reasonably expect to find in a pizza place. Panini, focaccia, and half-moon calzone constitute some of the offerings for pizza-poopers, but it's the pies that bring Blú the green.

The blissfully blistering treatment they undergo while baking rapidly in a smoldering hot, wood-burning oven yields a crisp, semicharred crust with thin, bready middle and seared topping of bubbling cheese and tomato sauce. Delicious, and 28 variations from which to choose: spinach/fontina, eggplant/Parmesan, artichoke/mushroom, and anchovies with oregano, a staple in Naples and Rome.

There also are more than a dozen sauceless pizza bianche, which include "tartufon" with mozzarella, mushrooms, and white truffle oil; and "pizza blú," covered in mozzarella, fontina, eggplant, potatoes, and fresh rosemary. The priciest pizza costs $13.50, the average is around $10, but none is more rewarding than the basic fiore di campo of tomato, mozzarella, and basil that's yours to eat in or take out for $7.50.

Photo by MBorrero

Rick Munarriz, Contributor comments. In Short – Owned by and adjacent to the upscale Trattoria Sole, Blu specializes in cozy atmosphere. The restaurant's centerpiece is a large wood-fired oven, surrounded by several booths and tables. The additional two-dozen outdoor tables are perfect for people-watching. Is the pizza Chicago style? New York style? Try Italian-style. Hearty toppings like deli ham are piled high on crepe-thin flour crusts. Although pizzas dominate the menu, paninis, calzones and carpaccios also abound. Click here and Save Up to 60% on Pizzeria del Sole Restaurant Gift Certificates: $25 gift certificates for only $10!

Photo by MBorrero UrbanSpoon

Hours of Operation:

Sun-Thu noon-11 p.m

Fri-Sat noon-11:30 p.m.

Blu La Pizzeria del Sole

7201 SW 59th Avenue

South Miami, FL 33143

For reservations 305.666.9285

info@blu-restaurants.com

http://www.blurestaurantsgroup.com/

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Trattoria Sole

Courtesy of Trattoria Sole, South Miami

At Trattoria Sole our guests can celebrate eating well, enjoying the most delicious, regionally-inspired dishes served alongside enthralling beverage choices. The consistency of our delivery speaks of our passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence. We know the right atmosphere can make worries fade away, and set the mood for memorable moments. At Trattoria Sole we pay special attention to every detail to create truly delightful experiences.

Trattoria Sole specializes in elegant Italian cuisine. The restaurant offers a romantic dining atmosphere that is family friendly and inviting. The menu offers a full array of selections, including antipasti, salads, pasta, poultry, veal, steak and fish; lunch menu has delicious panini (sandwiches) too. Notable entrees include Tagliata ai funghi porcini (grilled NY strip steak with porcini mushrooms), Vitello Saporito (Veal Scaloppine), and Tonno in salsa di finocchi (tuna loin with roasted fennel and balsamic essence); among the pastas the Fiocchi con pera e gorgonzola (pear-gorgonzola cheese filled pasta with walnuts-butter and sage sauce) and Rigatoni ai funghi e melanzane (Rigatoni pasta with eggplant, mushrooms, caramelized onions and aged ricotta cheese) are a must try.

The restaurant also features an exhibition kitchen and a full bar, with an extensive selection of fine spirits and signature drinks. The wine list focuses on Italian gems and recognizes organic and biodynamic viticulture. Full service off-site catering is also available, and an event planning coordinator will assist you in designing your perfect occasion. Reservations recommended.

All of us at Miami Food Review use Restaurant.com and recommend it.  Get your Trattoria Sole Restaurant.com Gift Certificates: Save up to 60% off your next meal! to Trattoria Sole.

Hours of Operation

Lunch:  Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm
Dinner:  Sun-Thurs 6pm-10:30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-11:30pm

Closed: 3pm-6pm daily

Trattoria Sole

5894 Sunset Drive

Miami, FL 33143

For reservations call 305.666.9392

info@blu-restaurants.com

http://www.blurestaurantsgroup.com/

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