Amalfi Ristorante 1930 Ponce De Leon Blvd (305) 444-3083 Central Italian A quaint trattoria with all-Italian standard fare such as a variety of antipasti, pastas, gnocchi with pesto, wild mushrooms and seafood risotti. Wood-burning oven baked fish or meat dishes are fresh and traditionally prepared. $$ Amici’s 2301 Galiano St. (305) 461-4343 Gourmet Market, Italian A state-of-the-art full-service gourmet market in the heart of Coral Gables has already captured the palates of the lunch time crowd with their scrumptious daily specials that include chicken scallopini and vegetable lasagna, plus an equally good soup and salad bar, and designer sandwiches. Beyond that, they offer exceptional produce, meat, seafood, international cheeses, chocolates, coffee bar, Italian and international specialties. $ Barocco 1630 Ponce De Leon Blvd. (305) 665-4561 Brazilian Sample culinary traditions of Brazil such as moqueca of red snapper with pirao rice, bacalao and fritters, bobó de camarao or Lombinho de porco com tutu a mineira. $$$ Botin 2101 Coral Way (305) 856-6030 Spanish A sibling of the oldest restaurant in the world, Casa Botin in Madrid, this Miami relative is equally beautiful, cloaked in pure elegance. A refreshingly simple and authentic menu. Reservations suggested. $$$ Botticelli Ristorante 1915 Ponce De Leon Blvd, (305) 444-3357 Italian Risotto and homemade pasta as well as a variety of chicken and veal dishes are a staple at this charming eatery. Daily specials, antipasti, and salads are served in a non-smoking, casual upscale atmosphere. $$ Caffé Abbracci 318 Aragon Ave. (305) 441-0700 Italian Consistently crowded, consistently excellent, thanks to consummate restaurateur Nino Pernetti. This sophisticated dining room features homemade pastas, an excellent veal chop and grilled swordfish plus such exceptional delicacies as goose liver in orange sauce. $$$ Casa Juancho 2346 SW 8 St. (305) 642-2452 Spanish Lively, fun-for-a-group restaurant with strolling troubadours, and authentic Spanish specialties like paella, tapas, cazuelas, Spanish omelettes, and hearty seafood in garlic sauce accompanied by a great selection of Spanish wines. Live entertainment goes on past midnight. $$ Christy’s 3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (305) 446-1400 American A Miami classic that has maintained the highest standards for over 20 years. Some patrons never order anything but the excellent prime-aged beef, giant shrimp cocktail and perfect Caesar salad. The surroundings and service remind one of a fine men’s club. $$$ Doc Dammers (OMNI Colonnade) 180 Aragon Ave. (305) 569-6511 Continental Contemporary 1920’s decor with signature dishes, such as the “Carl Fisher’s Favorite,” casserole of escargot and “Mr. Vanderbilt’s” asparagus salmon. Service is attentive and knowledgeable. Reservations recommended. $$$ Donna's Bistro (David William Hotel) 700 Biltmore Way, (305) 445-7821 Fusion Chef Donna Wynter creates dynamic combinations of brilliantly matched ingredients. Entrées such as summer yellow cherry tomato gazpacho soup, mosaic of Montrachet goat cheese, pan-seared, Creole mustard crusted salmon, and the flaky roasted Chilean sea bass on zucchini caviar are crowd pleasers. Don’t miss Donna’s signature dessert the “Bahama Mama.” $$ Estate Wines & Gourmet Foods 92 Miracle Mile (305) 442-9915 International A “must” lunch stop in the Gables for one of their famous sandwiches prepared on daily baked French baguette garnished with the freshest ingredients. Lovely atmosphere. $ Fountain Bistro 800 Douglas Rd (305) 448-0048 International Daily specials in a delightful setting. Ideal for business luncheons, meetings, presentations or private parties. Catering available. Giacosa 394 Giralda Ave. (305) 445-5858 Italian The restaurant has undergone some changes recently, from new chef to updated ambiance, but old favorites still remain like starter cipolla ripiena, a sweet Spanish onion filled with a shrimp and lobster mousse. Pastas are a treat like spinach ravioli, and tortelli aragosta, a pasta shell filled with sautéed lobster in a scallop and crab flake sauce. $$ Havana Harry’s 4612 Le Jeune Rd. (305) 661-2622 Cuban Bigger and better is the result of this recently relocated restaurant to larger quarters from their former Giralda Avenue digs. You can still count on their signature, homestyle Cuban fare as well as the generous portions. Try to leave room for their homemade desserts. $$ IL Giramondo 276 Alhambra Circle (305) 446-4545 Italian Fresh ingredients prepared in the true Italian tradition, al momento (to order), will ensure a satisfying gastronomical experience. Risottos, homemade filled pastas and gnocchi, as well as classic veal dishes will have patrons exclaiming, “Now, that’s Italian!” $$ John Martin’s 253 Miracle Mile (305) 445-3777 Irish Not just a stop on St. Patrick’s day, this warm and welcoming Irish pub is one of the best in Florida. It features Irish favorites, like corned beef and cabbage and smoked salmon and capers with black bread, and, of course, great beers and ales. $$ La Bussola 264 Giralda Ave. (305) 445-8783 Italian They not only do to-die-for pastas and Italian classics, but such Florida-influenced specialties as spicy crab cakes in mango vinaigrette and a creamy mango cheesecake. $$$ La Dorada 177 Giralda Ave. (305) 446-2002 Spanish Try fabulous seafood and fish flown-in daily from Spain, baked with tomatoes and herbs or in rock salt, refreshing gazpacho and typical Spanish desserts. Smiling, friendly staff. $$$$

La Palme d’Or (Biltmore Hotel) 1200 Anastasia Ave. (305) 445-1926 French The best French restaurant in town and possibly in Florida. Fabulous cuisine and service year-round. Upscale French cuisine prepared by visiting Michelin-star guest chefs in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Sumptuous Sunday champagne brunch. $$$$ Le Provençal 382 Miracle Mile. (305) 448-8984 French A Gables classic. Le Provençal’s Mediterranean French classics emphasize fresh, healthful ingredients. Wonderful seafood dishes, including a hearty bouillabaisse. $$$ Les Halles 2415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (305) 461-1099 French Brasserie A refreshing, unstuffy Paris brasserie in the Gables that caters to appetites of all sizes and to post-theatre suppers with terrific onion soup, a plate of cheeses, assiette de charcutailles (mixed homemade charcuterie), steak and frites and the Les Halles côte de beuf. Good selection of wines. Cigar friendly. $$ Meza Fine Art & Gallerycafé 275 Giralda Ave. (305) 305-461-2723 Contemporary Italian Double your pleasure at this lively art gallery and cafe while you lunch on salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta. Dinner entrées express new and old traditions, and nightly entertainment adds to your experience. $$ Miss Saigon Bistro 148 Giralda Ave. (305) 446-8006 Vietnamese Friendly, fabulous and family-owned. Start out with summer rolls (shrimp, pork, bean sprouts and mint rolled in rice paper). Try one of their rice noodle dishes with chicken, shrimp or pork and bean sprouts, chopped almonds, scallions, carrots, peanuts and fresh mint—light and refreshing. Vietnamese coffee is a sweet treat for dessert. $$ Mylos (Hotel Chateaubleau) 1111 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (305) 461-0403 Greek A Gables favorite for Greek specialties like taramasalata, stuffed grape leaves, roast lamb moussaka, grilled snapper, steak and lamb chops. $$ Navarra Restaurant 141 Giralda Ave. (305) 445-1001 Regional Northern Spanish Spanish cuisine presented in a romantic setting with lively entertainment, sets the tone for a memorable evening. Culinary favorites from the Navarra region of Spain include white and wonderful asparagus, the meats a la piedra and wild game. Or try the interesting tapas available at the bar. Live music Thursday through Saturday. $$$ Norman’s 21 Almeria Ave. (305) 446-6767 New World Norman Van Aken, an internationally acclaimed, award-winning chef, is constantly inventing. You can expect stunning creations like his spicy cumin-roast chicken, tea-scented salmon in wine sauce, rum-pepper painted fish and roast pork with Haitian grits. You can also have wood-oven pizzas, tapas and fabulous desserts. $$$$ Ortanique On The Mile 278 Miracle Mile (305) 446-7710 New World Caribbean The ambiance of a Jamaican terrace garden lends a tropical backdrop to a variety of seafood ceviches as appetizers. Entrées include Caribbean bouillabaisse, jerk pork loin in guava sauce and the chef’s signature, dish pan-sautéed grouper with an orange liqueur sauce. $$$ Old Lisbon 1698 SW 22 St. (305) 854-0039 Portuguese A taste of traditional Portugal, in a warm, checkered table cloth, taverna atmosphere. Classical Portuguese specialties such as Carne de Porco Alentejana, pork stew with New Zealand clams and Cacais-style potatoes, grilled sardines, a vast array of baked codfish and fresh fish dishes. $$ Pascal's On Ponce 2611 Ponce De Leon Blvd, (305) 444-2024 Contemporary French Pascal Oudin serves superb cuisine at his own restaurant. Light quenelles, peekytoe crab cakes and braised artichoke hearts are only the beginning. Continue your gastronomy with rack of lamb, tuna steaks, and fricasees. Desserts are sublime. $$$ Peppy's 216 Palermo Ave. (305) 448-1248 Italian New chef, Gerdy Rodriguez has added several innovative dishes while maintaining the traditional Tuscan menu. New dishes include a potato gnocchi with veal shank, and pumpkin and almond tortelloni with escargots. $$ Portobello Ristorante 2841 Coral Way. (305) 445-0093 Italian The antipasti, paninis and homemade pastas are a real treat at this gallery-like little restaurant. The canelloni and tortelloni ai tartuffo, the champagne risotto and ravioli vie for attention with the meats and fish dishes. Good wine list to boot. $$ Romeo’s Cafe 2257 SW Coral Way (305) 859-2228 Italian There are only 28 seats and no menu in this quaint gourmet eatery. Daily 7-course tasting menus let you have it all: Flavorful carpaccios, dainty seafood and fish in luscious sauces, meats in wine reductions and, of course, pastas in delicious sauces. $$$ Restaurant St. Michel 162 Alcazar Ave. (305) 444-1666 New American & Southwestern/Caribbean Warm country-inn ambiance coupled with tasty fare, like pan-fried blue crab quesadillas, make this a perfect spot for people to celebrate a romantic occasion. Extend the magic with an overnight stay in one of St. Michel’s charmingly decorated guest rooms. $$$ Sushi Chef 3100 Coral Way (305) 444-9286 Japanese A family owned and operated Japanese eatery with excellent sushi, teriyaki, and tempura combos and an in-house Japanese market. Dine in, delivery or take out is available. Have your own sushi party catered by a real sushi chef.$$ Sushi Maki 2334 Ponce de Leon Blvd. (305) 443-1884 Japanese Bistro Former Wrapido owners reinvent their concept into a traditional sushi bar with a twist. You can still nosh on favorite rolls and sashimi in the pleasingly understated atmosphere, but the unique cooked items sets this restaurant apart from the pack. Portuguese baked prawns, beef asparamaki, and miso-yaki sea bass are appetizers not to be missed. $ Tasca Lisboa 2312 Ponce De Leon Blvd (305) 445-6001 Portuguese Octopus salad, grilled sardines and calamari, shrimp in garlic sauce, and charred Portuguese sausage are simply prepared but gratifying appetizers. Strip steak smothered in garlic sauce, topped with a fried egg and salt cod prepared a dozen different ways. $$ Two Sisters (Hyatt Regency) 50 Alhambra Plaza. (305) 441-1234. Mediterranean Many people come to this special restaurant specifically for the tapas, like jumbo crab cakes with avocado, conch fritters, and sautéed black bean ravioli. The menu offers soups, salads and main entrées like prime rib, lobster, grilled shrimp, and chicken. $$