RESTAURANT 101

South Beach will never cease to attract South Florida’s artistas, fashionistas, and film buffs, however, there is another reason why the trendy mecca is gaining more hype. A much needed surge has resulted in Miami highlighting a variety of neighborhoods for those who seek out culture...and great food. Wynwood Arts District has already been drawing in locals and tourists, alike, for years with its rows of contemporary art galleries amid a grid of warehouses that manages to retain a somewhat edgy, young, and pre-gentrified vibe. Wynwood now offers two independent coffee bars, several watering holes, and a handful of snazzy eateries like Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

While enjoying a recent dinner at Jeanne & Gaston, I reminisced with my fellow diners about the endearing, yet quirky, behaviors of our grandmothers. As we discussed how our grandmothers hid the family heirlooms in the most unsuspecting places it dawned on me that owner of Jeanne and Gaston, maître cuisinier de France, Claude Godard, had named his contemporary French restaurant after his grandparents. Surely Chef Claude, a third generation chef, has a multitude of humorous stories about his grandmother as well, but unlike many of us, he inherited a bounty of his family’s Bourguignon recipes. Opened since December 2011, Chef Claude offers diners a selection of classic French dishes such as French Onion Soup au Gratin, Escargots, and Steak Frites all with modern and refined adaptations. Many of the dishes on the Jeanne & Gaston menu are original Godard family recipes that can be enjoyed in the romantic ambiance of the main dining room while seated on imported French leather banquettes at custom made exotic wood and stainless steel tables. If the weather cooperates, take the opportunity to sit outside in Jeanne & Gaston’s quaint courtyard dining space. This seasonal 40-seat space, open from April to October, is an enchanting dinner setting surrounded by red, dogwood trees and an antique, limestone fountain as well as an abstract mural.

Murray Hill’s newest eatery, Meli, honey in Greek, serves Manhattan diners authentic cuisines using the cultivated Greek flavors, traditions, and ingredients that have made the Greek-Mediterranean diet so popular among health nuts and foodies alike. The Konstantinos family, who has run multiple restaurants across the Aegean for decades, partnered with Greek Chef John Pilouras (formerly of Nisi and Molivos) to bring diners an authentic Greek dining experience by using the finest Greek imports available. An example of Meli’s penchant for authenticity is the Goges ($12). This traditional Greek pasta dish is made of hand-made pasta shells in a creamy sauce made of vlahotiri cheese and imported goat and lamb’s butter. If we know anything about Greek cuisine, we know this dish has got to be delish. According to my source of all things Greek, the best combination to make anything dairy-related of the Greek variety uses both goat and lamb’s milk.

Latin cuisine is all the rage these days and there's no better place to enjoy it than at Pampano Botaneria. The small downstairs brother to Richard Sandoval's Pampano, this smaller, more casual half of the restaurant is the way to go. This dimly lit, romantic setting makes anyone want to hunker down for a feast. The best part of this place is that all menu items are served tapas-style...which means you don't have to pick and choose what you want, you can try everything!

Open since December of 2007, Chef Gary Sikka serves authentic, regionally inspired Indian fare at Mint featuring an eclectic selection of classic dishes that have been updated with a refined, modern twist. Chef Gary showcases a variety of seafood and vegetarian options, which allows Mint to easily accommodate the dietary needs of any diner. Enjoy Chicken Seekh Kebabs and a plate of Jhinga Balchao, a Goan specialty made with shrimp and a spicy pickled sauce, in the stylish and sophisticated dining room. The dining room’s ambiance is enhanced by Mint’s chic furniture and design. Mint-colored leather and fabric upholstered banquettes and chairs accentuate the dark hardwood floors and furniture all of which are illuminated in romantic dim lighting produced by the custom made silk hanging red, fuchsia, and orange silk drum lamps.

Thai Angel is a tasty lunch and dinner spot located on Grand Street in Soho. Far away from the sultry surroundings of tropical Thailand, the minimal restaurant settings of Thai Angel have been accented by paper replicas of flowers and mock hut rooftops. Other than that, the appearance of this eatery’s indoor dimension is very standard, with wooden tables and medium-dimmed lights.

The menu at Thai Angel offers all of the regular Thai selections. There are vegetarian choices, along with fish, duck, chicken, beef and pork. These protein options are cooked into meals like curry, noodles, salad and Thai Traditional Rice Plates. Some lunch specials are offered during the day, so businesses in the area order from here for take-out. The restaurant lunch crowd in Thai Angel starts getting busy after 1:00 P.M.

West Village restaurant Barrio 47 is not just your run-of-the-mill eatery. Enter into the dimly lit, exposed brick restaurant and choose from a seat at the bar, a private table, or a communal table and get ready to feast like a king. The Mediterranean cuisine has a Spanish, French, and Italian influence served up by Chef Miguel A. Rosado from the outstanding red wood fire brick oven for all to see. Brothers Alex and Roman Volland head up this eight month old Village staple, who have had plenty of experience in the food world. Growing up in Paris, the brothers come from a family of foodies (their mother owned a restaurant), and have embarked on numerous projects at bars and restaurants around NYC. It is clear that they brought their old hat experience to Barrio 47, where the atmosphere it top notch, with food and drinks to match.

Zerza

320 East 6th Street

Reopening just a few doors up from its previous location, Zerza has emerged with a few new treats for its visitors. Owner Radouane Eljaouhari decided during construction to keep the oven left by the Indian restaurant that previously occupied the space. Although Eljaouhari’s restaurant serves Moroccan cuisine, the oven (a clay tandoori) gets 2 times hotter than the Moroccan grill used in the old location. This will allow the meat to cook without burning or drying it out. The menu has added a few seafood dishes and beer and wine are being served.

If you have ever dined at Benjamin Steakhouse's Manhattan location, you’ve had the privilege of enjoying wonderfully tasteful food surrounded by a beautiful décor and complimented by highly regarded service. Juicy steaks and tender lobster seem to taste even better when dining in a beautifully constructed building with brass chandeliers and a 10 ft. functional, roaring fireplace. But even with all of this, the Manhattan location may not be the summertime spot you choose to attend. Benjamin Steakhouse White Plains location offers all the Manhattan location does with a little extra.

Over the past 14 years Eleven Madison Park has had a reputation as one of the best places to eat in New York City. With three Michelin stars, a four star rating from the New York Times and the number 10 spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurant list, it's safe to say chef Daniel Humm and manager Will Guidara have got the key to success, but somehow they are still not content.