So you just got a promotion, huh? Congratulations are in order—as is a nice dinner. Use your new paycheck and treat yourself to one of these Miami favorites.
Patio Isola
That raise will go a long way here at Patio Isola, MiMo’s premier Italian eatery. The neighborhood hotspot focuses on pastas and pizzas, and you’ll be able to order plenty of both. On the pasta side of things, you’ll encounter the best-selling rigatoni alla vodka and the fettucine taleggio freddo, the latter of which is a new addition. Pizza-wise, try the Don Enzo for a delicious pie with a kick. The mix of pepperoni, sausage, nduja, and hot honey will have you seriously considering ordering a second pizza for the road. The calzones are equally flavorful and filling; you definitely won’t want to share.
Patio Isola is located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami, FL 33138. For more information, visit their official website.
PLANTA Queen
Plant-based eaters will adore PLANTA Queen in Coconut Grove. You won’t regret spending your hard-earned cash on delicious vegan sushi and other Asian fare. Standouts on the menu include the spicy ahi watermelon crispy rice, the dragon roll with tempura broccoli, cauliflower tots, and chili peanut noodles. That’s not even a small part of the menu—there are so many options to choose from. Cocktails are also worth considering, but we’re partial to the mocktails like the matcha mojito and cucumber mule that are super refreshing.
PLANTA Queen is located at 3015 Grand Avenue, Suite 201, Coconut Grove, FL 33133. For more information, visit their official website.
RED South Beach
A fancy steak dinner is always a good time, so splurge on a trip to RED South Beach. The South of Fifth staple is known for its wide range of prime cuts. They don’t come cheap, but you absolutely get what you pay for. The Certified Angus Beef prime ribeye always delivers, as does the C.A.B. prime porterhouse, which is great for two people. If you’re with a larger party, the ultimate meat board will easily feed a small village. Not everything is meat here, though: The raw bar, seafood, pastas, and salads are all just as impressive.
Seawell Fish N’ Oyster
Few things scream “treat yourself” like a seafood feast. And Seawell has just that: the chilled seafood terrace. Available in two sizes, the terrace features oysters, shrimp cocktail, tuna poke, smoked fish dip, and salmon roe. It’s a meal in itself, but you should save a little room for Seawell’s other signature seafood, such as the Caribbean shellfish stew, shrimp and grits, and Florida fish fry. And of course, don’t forget the champagne.
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill
Before Miami became the culinary capital that it is today, there was Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill. The Midtown restaurant was ahead of its time and continues to deliver a quality dining experience. Shareable plates are the name of the game here, and we suggest getting two to three dishes per person for maximum satiety. Goat cheese croquettes, bacon-wrapped dates, beef short ribs, and Hokkaido scallops are a few standouts on a menu full of spectacular globally inspired delights. Our recommendation is to stop in before dinner for happy hour to make the most of your pay increase. Two words: mojito pitchers.
Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill is located at 3252 NE 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33137. For more information, visit their official website.
Toscana Divino
We’ve written extensively about the wine collection at Toscana Divino: Guests can find 1000+ bottles to enjoy during their meal. Getting a promotion is the perfect excuse to get some bottles for yourself. While you’re at it, make sure to order menu highlights like vitello tonnato, beet salad, lasagna Bolognese and carbonara di mare. You can spend a whole afternoon here if you’re not careful—not a bad thing. If you’re more the daytime type, the brunch menu is worth a look as well.
