jcarpio

markk, Not sure about the chef at Chispa, I've always liked the food there but am mostly drawn to the appetizers there so I typically eat at the bar. The flavors and textures are always right on. I like the chorizo empanadas, the flat breads (more like small pizzas), and salt cod bacalaoitos (sp?). They have a nice wine by the glass list as well. The service on the other hand is a bit iffy, but the last time I had an issue (an overcharge) the manager was quick to remedy it. This was after the bar refused to remove the item... The place is good for people watching, it gives you a good window on the Coral Gables "scene." Sorry in advance, for going off topic... Jorge

Just wanted to quickly contribute here: Norman's - ate there a few months ago, food was good but my dish, some sort of white fish, can't quite remember, was bland. Nice wine list, but IMO not worth the price for being merely OK. It was upper $20s to $30s/entree. Restaurant Brana - a relative newcomer to CG, where the food is very, very good. Lots of high-quality ingredients being used, some local, mostly imported, which ends up tasting great but also is quite expensive (a bit over $200 for 2 with wine). They have a website http://www.restaurantbrana.com. La Cofradia - This one is tough to describe, I suppose you could say it's modern, French-influenced Peruvian food. Definitely worth having a meal here, again you can check them out on miaminewtimes.com and opentable.com. If you do go to Ortanique, the fish is fantastic, and do try to get the Jamaican Blue Mtn. Coffee ice cream dessert... Oh, and one of the nicer restaurants, OLA steak, in Merrick Park looks like it just closed... That being said...if you can swing it, go to Michy's, it's that good!

Hi, I am headed over to Estero tonight to see Wilie Nelson at the Germain Arena and am wondering if anyone might have some recommedations on grabbing a good bite to eat in the area. We are driving over from Miami, so anything on the way (past the alley) would work. Doesn't need to be fancy, just tasty. Thanks!

Unfortunately, that sounds like a typical meal at LH. Food is merely OK, service is usually absent and the bill for two with wine is always around $70-80. I live in Coral Gables and find that this place always seems empty, whether it's lunch or dinner, weekday or weekend. That is really the ironic part, IMO, about empty places with absent waiters...you'd think the opposite would be true. Coral Gables really needs fewer places like that.

I had no idea they were closing. I had one meal there, about 2 months ago, that wasn't very tasty at all. It's not that it was bad, it just seemed that they had forgotten to season the dish (a spicy fish dish with zero spice, and zero salt for that matter). Very creative menu though, perhaps they had an off night as my wife's meal was good. Not the best meal I've had in Miami for sure, that would be the meal we had at Michy's. I wonder what will replace it...

My wife and I have only been here for a year, so we are still in "exploration mode" but I'll weigh in with props to the southern reaches... "Prezzemolo" pizza in the Gables (on Le Juene) is better than any pizza I have tasted while living in NY, SF and DC (and have had a fair amount of the stuff in Italy). Really really good, really authentic pizza- wonderful crusts, and fabulous toppings. Love the quattro fromagio. We also just found Matsuri after a full year of trecking to Sushi Samba for over-priced, but okay fish. I can't believe the freshness at Matsuri- I would love to know where they get their fish. Great fried octupus legs app. too. YUM! We also spend a good share of money at Jaguar stuffing ourselves with ceviche. Maybe a little "coco-walkey" but if you are in the 'hood I do recommend it. Finally, Lung Gong for Chinese. It's a trek even for us and we are in the Gables, but the food is sublime. If anyone is ever up for trying some of the best Chinese you will ever put in your mouth, throw out a post- we are always looking for an excuse to go. Roasted pork with vegetables, exquisite dumplings, ground pork and scallion noodles, wonderful dim sum are just a few of the highlights.

Hey everyone, I'm heading to Le Lavandou tonight in Cleveland Park and was wondering if anyone here has experienced it during RW and have any recommendations on not to be missed items? Or just rec's in general? I can't seem to find a RW menu online so I'm not sure how limited it may be. Thanks for any help.