(a) Not a lot of people dine alone anyway
(b) Particularly not business travelers in Miami (they just get room service)
(c) And women especially do not comprise a large percentage of business travelers
In the Design District, I was tipped off to DOMO JAPONES (4000 NE 2nd Avenue, 33137) by an issue of Domino magazine. The owner started chatted with me after he saw me brazenly sitting on the sushi bar to get a better view of the action. Great DJ the night I went (a Tuesday after working late) and the roll and the drink that the owner also comped me were rather tasty.
I had the panko sweet breads ($12), the mint julep drink ($14), an 8 piece sashimi ($28) and the short ribs ($27). The short ribs were especially divine.
Note to employer: don't worry, I only submitted $45 for reimbursement, since the total bill including tip was $103.
(DOMO JAPONES, it should be mentioned, is right down the street from MICHAEL'S GENUINE, also reco'ed in Domino, where I dined during my January trip. They've got a great onion blossom thing.)
On Lincoln Road, and definitely not in some western suburb off 75 called Saddle something (do NOT rely on your Garmin GPS for the address to this place), is QUATTRO (305.531.4833), which I learned about in last October's Bon Appetit. Great ambience and good food but not as good as DOMO JAPONES for the money (bill was $109).
I had their regional special, which I can't remember, only to say that it was good, and made me think of my 2004 trip to Italy. A sexy place and I'll definitely head back. But I can't stop thinking about those darn short ribs.
A very reasonably priced and terrifically attentive (though perhaps only if you are a single woman in 3" heels, a pencil skirt, and a low-cut v-neck top) place in Coral Gables was CACAO RESTAURANT (141 Giralda Ave., 33134). Great ambiance and my full meal (they gave me some free truffles for dessert and a gratis amuse bouche) was just $60. Inventive use of chocolate sauces throughout every dish. I can't want to head back here and leave room for dessert. I learned about Cacao in one of the magazines my hotel (Sonesta - Coconut Grove) had on the coffee table.
The Standard-Miami's BAYSIDE GRILL also has a terrific sammich thing with an aioli (sp?) sauce. I can't remember which type of fish it is but it's about 2/3 of the way down the menu. I discovered this place because I stayed there in January and also half of my most recent trip, but I feel like the Bayside Grill is also considered an "insider favorite", though I am guessing just for the views of the bay and the outdoor seating and not necessarily the food, which isn't all that super duper.
Also had dinner at THE BLUE DOOR at the Delano, which inventively paired meats and fruits (my favorite sport). I had lobster with peaches (!). I love that nearly a decade later, that place still satisfies.
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