Top 10 Favorite Foods in Miami
// October 15th, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Personal
Being a self-proclaimed foodie, I decided to make my “Top 10″ favorite dishes/meals in this beautiful city of mine. I really didn’t even think twice about posting these listings as I’d say these have been my favorite for more than a year now and absolutely crave one of these almost every day. So here’s the list in no particular order.
Note: I’ve been a vegetarian since 1995 (thx to Mle) and just started eating fish a few years ago which actually makes me a pescetarian (?) So sorry all you carnivores out there (not really!)
Houston’s VEGGIE BURGER
This spot for classic American fare serves one hell of a veggie burger. I constantly keep introducing this to many burger loving friends and they forever more, quickly forget everything else on the menu. The patty—made in-house with brown rice, black beans and oat bran—is glazed with sweet soy sauce, covered with melted Jack cheese and nestled on a buttered bun toasted on the griddle. It also comes with a large mound of the restaurant’s famous shoestring fries which I usually replace for their loaded packed potato.
Flanagan’s BLACKENED TUNA HOAGIE
An outrageous combination of fresh sushi-grade tuna – lightly blackened, with red onions, green peppers and red peppers, blanketed with melted cheddar cheese. It’s a “must” for Philly lovers, pescetarian lovers or any lovers lover!
La Sandwicherie’s FRESH CROISSANT SANDWICH
Hidden in SoBe for over 20 years is La Sandwicherie. Simple sandwiches composed from the freshest vegetables (including the unique cornichons) is what you’ll always get at this establishment. Just make sure you ask for their vinaigrette and pour it all over or squirt some with every bite for the ultimate indulgence. Note: One of the old employees has left La Sandwicherie and opened La Baguette on 8st and it’s just as good if not better - open 24/7, free delivery and free parking as opposed to the hell of South Beach.
Mint Leaf’s VEGETARIAN THALI
I love Mint. There I said it. This is one of my favorite meals in Miami.
All I eat here, each and every time is their Vegetarian Thali which is available at lunch or dinner with prawn, lamb, chicken or mixed as alternative options if you are not a veggie.
Thali is a meal that is served on a large metal platter with several bowls of different dishes, giving a balanced combination of nutrition, aromas, flavors, textures and colors served with rice and chapattis (the bread universally eaten in Indian homes) or naan.
If you have any room for dessert, you must try an Indian dessert classic called Gajjar Ka Halwa which is shredded carrots warmed with chocolate fudge infused with cardamoms and served with vanilla ice-cream. Also, they are now opening a location in Brickell which is closer to home.
Garcia’s MAHI MAHI SANDWICH
Be prepared to devour their complimentary fish dip. One is never enough - don’t be shy to ask for more. At Garcia’s, you’ll not only find the usual snapper, grouper, and mahi-mahi but a couple of favorites like mangrove snapper and corvina. You can order anything that they’ve caught that day and have it prepared just about anyway you want it; blackened or breaded are the two most popular options. Many people swear by the Caesar salad with freshly caught grouper. The fish is an interesting addition to this tasty salad and sides include all the Cuban classics – tostones, maduros, etc..
Le Boudoir’s CROQUE VEGETABLE
Forget the daily specials. Le Boudoir serves one hell of a Croque Monsieur – a classic French ham & cheese sandwich with béchamel sauce inside, warmed in the oven for about ten minutes…. so worth the wait!!!! So imagine my surprise to find they serve a Croque Vegetable which is basically the same sandwich sans the ham with a vegetable/ratatouille filler instead. Served with a house salad & balsamic vinaigrette or french fries if you are feeling chunk. You can add on a glass of their house wine for a mere $3. Le Boudoir also has a great selection of desserts of which their napoleon is my favorite.
Last Carrot’s VEGGIE SPICY TOFU
There are only so many Subway/Quiznos veggie sandwiches one can eat… Take a break from it all and get a healthy pita at Last Carrot. From peanut butter and banana pitas to spinach melts, all sandwiches are delish. They have two homemade vinaigrettes they serve which are to die for. I want to eat that on every salad I consume for the rest of my life!!!
They offer a variety of fresh juices and some amazing vegan desserts (such as the strawberry cake with tofu icing) which is always a must as the sandwiches are not that filling IMO.
Mr Yum’s LOBSTER ROLL
As good as it looks, this is the best roll in Miami hands down. Amazing lobster roll consists of lobster meat, asparagus, masago, avocado, and a delicious spicy-mayo drizzled on top served with leftover tail chunks, tempura-style in a martini glass. Definitely getting your money’s worth on this one.
La Camaronera’s FRIED FISH SANDWICH
La Camaronera Fish Market has the “Best Fish Sandwich” according to last year’s Best of Miami issue… The Garcia brothers have been fryin’ up home Cuban favorites at this Little Havana seafood joint for 36 years. I ate my first fish sandwich at La Camaronera with my father at a young age and the same staff is still there and yes, they still remember my father and I.
Make sure you get a single beer at the market next door (for the full experience), enjoy some Black Eyed Pea Fritters and chow down on a “Pan con Minuto” (Snapper Sandwich). This “happy meal” will cost less than $6 giving fast food places a run for their money.
Warning: there are no tables or chairs in this no-frills eatery and you will leave smelling like fried food.
Tarpon Bend’s SZECHUAN CALAMARI
This teaser appetizer from Tarpon Bend will make you LOVE Calamari. Even if you’re not a fan of squid, you simply have to try it. The asian spicy style sauce made up ginger and garlic makes this dish. Topped with peanuts and sesame.
