GUEST POST by Lawrence. Mr. Whet Palette. The Hubs.

This is a list of my favorite Miami restaurants for 2023, not a list of Miami’s best restaurants. I am not The Whet Palette. I don’t have the necessary “street cred” to reach such conclusions. You can check out Brenda’s Top 23 Restaurants of 2023 here.

Because I love my vino, wine service, prices, selection, and corkage fee will play a big part in my rankings. Moreover, because I pay the check (there are not media dines), value matters as well. I realize I can go to any of these restaurants and spend half of what I usually spend by sitting at the bar for a glass of vino, an appetizer, a shared entrée, and a shared dessert. But, hello, have you met The Whet Palette?

Miami restaurant prices have become somewhat comical. I mean, $1163 at Hiden ($150 of that was wine) when our previous nine visits from 2018-2021 averaged $473.89? It is unfortunate, but due to some of these restaurants’ price points, I cannot enjoy them as much as I would prefer. They have now become more of “special occasion” restaurants.

Before I get to my list, I do have some quick notes on some restaurants not on my top 23 this year. The Gibson Room (#10 in 2022) didn’t make the list because I did not make it out in 2023. I blame The Whet Palette, who visited without me at least three times. Unfair! The chef from Tur Kitchen (#11 in 2022) is no longer there, and I have not made it out since his departure. L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (#15 in 2023) is off my list for many reasons. Primarily, it’s the same-shit-different-day at L’Atelier, except prices keep rising, and the wine markup (no corkage allowed), even for non-appropriate vintage wines, is an embarrassment. Kojin (#17 in 2022) didn’t make it, as they are sadly closed. Finally, Tambourine Room (not ranked in 2023) does not make the cut. Our first visit was all around great, especially the two supplements, except they mistakenly threw away our steak. We had not touched it and asked for it to be packed. Unacceptable in my mind for a $1055.22 dinner, wine excluded. Our second visit was a it less ($828.18) as we did not opt for the supplements, but it was not as great. I didn’t get blown away by any single dish prompting me to want to come back. In fact, their best dish is the caviar supplement, which is a $100+ addition to the dinner. Full disclosure: I hate the concept of supplements on an already expensive meal… either offer it as a gift/part of the menu or don’t offer it at all.

23 – BLUE COLLAR (#21 in 2022)

Chef Danny Serfer takes comfort food to the best of levels! His protein game is on fire
with dishes such as the brown stew chicken, shank, or goat. Their “Vegetable Chalkboard’
is extensive and an absolute delight. Go with the beets! Probably a bit too casual for us
to drive almost an hour each way on a Friday or Saturday night, but if I lived around
there, I’d frequent it way more than the two lonely visits in 2023. The corkage fee is just
$15… max value alert!

22 – Sushi by Scratch (#16 in 2022)

I love the unorthodox omakase approach. Great product and overall experience. But the price point is high… as is with most omakase experiences nowadays. One single visit in 2023 for a check totaling
$711.16, inclusive of cocktails/sake. Because of its price point, it is a super “special occasion” restaurant, as our single visit reflects.

21 – La Fresa Francesa (#14 in 2022)

Lost touch with my boy Chef Benoit in 2023. Only six visits in 2023, including two
brunches. Such a special spot at a great price point! Have the butter crêpe… thank me later!

20 – Macchialina (#9 in 2022)

Great pasta at a great price point and a reasonably priced wine list… in Miami Beach!
What’s the excuse for those restaurants with a 400% +++ wine markup? It’s not as if
rent in South Beach is cheap. Just gauging us? Wish this one wasn’t at the beach though. At a minimum, I wish the parking situation was a little easier… it’s downright a PITA, especially during those Miami night showers. Three visits in 2023 for an average check of $243.88, including wine purchase!

19 – Beauty & the Butcher (not ranked in 2022)

This is a new Chef Jeremy Ford-led establishment. Thus, I am not surprised by how quickly
I became a fan. That foie! Visited B&B four times in 2023 and had four memorable meals. Easy parking as well. Average check of $538.48, including corkage. I wish the price point was a little more approachable, given the existence of Stubborn Seed.

18 – CASA MARIANO (not ranked in 2022)

Eight times in 2023. It’s in Doral, right off the highway, which means I don’t have to go all the way to Miami. The food and service have been great every time, and it’s also my son’s favorite, as he’s been with us all eight times. In fact, my dad was with us on three of the occasions too. Add the fact that it’s easy/free parking, plus they have one of the better flans and the absolute best Argentinian balcarce strawberry cake in the world. For dinner, get the black ink seafood risotto! It’s an easy choice time and time again. The average check (party of 3, five times and party of 4, three times) is just $238.72, including corkage. Incredible value here!

17 – Lion & the Rambler (#19 in 2022)

Love supporting Chef/Owner Michael Bolen. Three visits in 2023 (one without The Whet Palette) with an average check of $263.20, including corkage. Great price point, especially given the usage of local fresh ingredients. Supporting Michael comes easy!

16 – Boia De (#13 in 2022)

Still a huge fan of this Michelin-starred establishment… it’s just that their menu doesn’t
seem to change all that much, and the reservation does take some work. But I have to
make it a point to visit more often in 2024. Just two visits in 2023 with an average check of $345.88, including the purchase of wine. Too many damn restaurants in Miami for The Whet Palette to try!

15 – Mary Gold’s (not ranked in 2022)

Kilgore is back, baby! Beautiful location and an open kitchen concept. Two visits in 2023 with a fantastic average check of just $199.03, including corkage. Can’t wait to frequent this restaurant more often in 2024.

14 – MAMEY (not ranked in 2022)

Sensational first visit! I had an equally impressive meal and experience at an extremely reasonable price the second time around. Two visits in 2023 with an average check of $181.06, including corkage. A dinner experience of this caliber for less than $200? Might as well be a free meal in today’s Miami! I’d be at Mamey at least once a month if I had anything to do with it.

13 – Ghee (#18 in 2022)

Absolutely wonderful, every single time. If you could please open in West Broward… thank you! Three visits in 2023 with an average check of $226.56, including wine and cocktail purchases. The best Indian food in South Florida!

12 – Rancho Patel (not ranked in 2022)

You might say it’s not a restaurant. But I go to Chef Niven’s ranch, pay, and he serves me amazing food, plus pretty damn good wine and beer; Sounds like a restaurant to me. I can’t wait to get back! Best fresh vegetable offerings in South Florida, on par with Blue Hill in NYC. Average check $549.36, including wine. Worth every penny!

11 – Klaw (not ranked in 2022)

Two visits in 2023 with an average check of $522.93, including corkage/bringing my wine. Hate everything that’s happening downstairs with all the tiki-tiki and the “Hey look at me,” Miami B.S. But once I get in that elevator and those doors open, welcoming me to that gorgeous dining room, everything is forgotten. Really became a fan of Klaw this year. Outstanding wine list as well. By the way, if you are not into fresh Norwegian King Crab, no worries, their steak game is the real deal!

10 – Bourbon Steak (#7 in 2022)

Classiest modern steakhouse in South Florida for me. Solid menu, spectacular service, exceptional wine program, beautiful dining room, and a phenomenal overall experience every time. Five visits in 2023 with an average check of $454.34, including corkage.

9 – Maty’s (not ranked in 2022)

Dined at Maty’s four times in 2023 with an average check of $269.56, including corkage and cocktails (hello, pisco sours!). Beautiful restaurant with great service, solid homestyle Peruvian cuisine, rocking cocktails, and easy parking. All for under $300.

8 – Ariete (#3 in 2022)

Chef/Owner Michael Beltran might be my favorite individual in the industry. If asked who within the industry I would like to hang out with, it’d probably be him. We visited the Michelin-starred restaurant six times in 2023, excluding collaborations, with an average check of $652.90, including corkage on three occasions and the purchase of wine on three other occasions. Had the king crab and the scallops this last time in, and they were bangin’! Must admit, I am looking forward to their new menu as I am ready to fall back in love with Ariete in the upcoming year.

7 – Brasserie Laurel (#8 in 2022)

Powered by the one and only Michelin Starred Chef/Owner Michael Beltran. I love this place. Maybe it’s the beautiful dining room, or maybe it’s the guinea fowl. Whatever it is, I really loved my four visits to Laurel with an average check of $368.44, including corkage.

6 – Phuc Yea (#6 in 2022)

The menu, the cocktails, the vibe, the music, the freakin’ papaya salad and noodles! An outstanding overall experience. We visited Phuc five times in 2023 with an average check of $230.85, including corkage. They also hosted my office party for 40 people in their semi-private room earlier in the year. The team hit it out of the park with the food, table presentation, service, and price! Phuc Yea!

5 – The Surf Club Restaurant (#5 in 2022)

The Whet Palette’s favorite restaurant in South Florida, the Michelin-starred Surf Club, delivers
the most consistent dinner experience in Miami. We’ve now dined here at least 20 times, and we have never, not once, had a bad or even average overall experience. Not a single hiccup. From the host to table service, to the food and wine experience, this establishment has delivered—without exaggeration—every single time.  Why is the Surf Club not ranked higher on my list?  Unavailability of older vintages on their wine list at an approachable price, valet parking prices, steep wine markup, and an industry-high $150 corkage fee. Visited this establishment three times in 2023 with an average check of $663.62, including corkage.

4 – La Mar (#8 in 2022)

Chef Diego Oka is en fuego! Best Asian Peruvian cuisine in South Florida and better than Peru’s Maido, which was recently voted #1 in the world by the World’s 50 Best Latin America list. We
dined four times at La Mar in 2023, and every visit just got better and better. Chef Oka is also always in the kitchen (wish this was true across the industry), and, with an average check of $289.40, including corkage, this became one of my favorite spots in 2023.

3 – Stubborn Seed (#2 in 2022)

Only got to go twice in 2023. Still, Stubborn has captured my heart in so many ways. Led by Chef Jeremy Ford, this Michelin-starred establishment offers, in my mind, the best-tasting menu experience in South Florida. It has become, however, one of those special occasion restaurants with an average check of $643.89, including corkage.

2 – Zitz Sum (#4 in 2022)

This Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurant took Miami by storm a few years back. One of the more flavor-forward profiles of any carte du jour in South Florida. I love Chef Pablo Zitzmann’s offerings, particularly his tasting menu. We dined at Zitz six times, not including collaborations, for an average check of $294.03, including corkage. There is incredible value when you consider the quality ingredients, fine dining style tasting menu, and an overall great experience. Zitz also offers a very well-composed beverage service with great cocktails, some very interesting wines, and an industry-low $25 corkage fee should you choose to bring. I will return to Zitz as many times as the Whet Palette allows it.

1 – Fiola (#1 in 2022)

Thomas Angelo (owner), Chef Danny Ganem, and Daniel Bishop (the best Sommelier/wine director in South Florida) make this restaurant a spectacular experience. I can’t get enough of Fiola’s beautiful dining room, impeccable service, best wine services in South Florida, and attention to
customer wants. The upscale Italian restaurant is the total package, and for me, it delivers the best overall dinner experiences in Miami. It is my Cheers, where everybody knows my name. Five visits in 2023 with an average check of $582.47, which includes wine purchases (usually $175-$225), given they do not allow customers to bring their own. Bishop (and Tom) always help me find value on their wine list.

Lawrence

Mr. Whet Palette

Brenda’s Partner in Crime

AKA THE HUBS

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Mr. Whet Palette’s Favorite 2022 Miami Restaurants