Miami/Coral Gables suggestions

I posted this in the travel section a few weeks ago, but got very limited responses (thanks for those recommendations, though).

Any other must-eats in that area? We're staying in Coral Gables, sans car, so recs in that area are preferred.

Also, we're staying at the Biltmore - has anyone been to Palme d'Or, one of the restaurants there? It appears to be pretty well respected, but I'm always skeptical of hotel dining unless I know it measures up.

Versailles and La Carreta (open late!) on Calle Ocho are the go to places for real Cuban food. They are both at the northern border of Coral Gables. You will be surprised at the range of the menu and the prices are a lot better than our local Cuban places.
I also like the Dominican places on NW36th St. There is on place that has Puerto Rican pasteles around there too. They are like tamales but instead of corn flour they are made with mashed green plantains with a filling of pork.
A Cuban sandwich just about on every street corner and a colada (espresso) for a buck. Man, I miss the food in Miami.

When are you going??? I work for the company that owns the Biltmore (The Crescent Centre, downtown) and a couple of the home office types are here in town today. I can ask what they would reccomend!

When are you going??? I work for the company that owns the Biltmore (The Crescent Centre, downtown) and a couple of the home office types are here in town today. I can ask what they would reccomend!

We leave next Thursday (14th) and will be there through the weekend. Thanks!

http://www.romeoscafe.com/

I've never been, but I researched Coral Gables as if I were going and this place would be on my list.

From the way the weather is looking you better take some warm clothing too.

Another good place is Los Ranchos in Bayside. Great marinated skirt steak. Or you could go for the Miami tradition in South Beach; http://www.joesstonecrab.com/ All the way to Miami and eat Italian?

You can't go wrong with a steak from the Capital Grille. It is in downtown Miami though.

Another good place is Los Ranchos in Bayside. Great marinated skirt steak. Or you could go for the Miami tradition in South Beach; http://www.joesstonecrab.com/ All the way to Miami and eat Italian?

Unless your eating Cuban, you can say that about any type of cuisine.

I agree that Joe's is the obvious dining choice, but it is 20 minutes away and Brad wanted something close.

If you decide to break out and explore a little beyond Miami/Coral Gables, drive up to Ft Lauderdale and visit the Greek Isles Taverna (3300 N. Ocean); excellent family-owned Greek restaurant (the grilled lamb chops are fantastic).

My coworkers were not much help.They made most of the suggestions listed here. Sorry!

My coworkers were not much help.They made most of the suggestions listed here. Sorry!

That's okay - thanks for checking. Since you work for the parent company, do you know anything about, or have you eaten at, Palme d'Or, the main restaraunt in the Biltmore?

I have not eaten there, but my boss has and she loved it. However she is not an adventurous eater, rather meat and potatoes. Sorry.....hope you have a great trip! The hotel is lovely I hear!

Miami isn't really easy to navigate without a car. Sorry I can't recommend anything in Coral Gables, though that's a nice neighborhood.

We were just down there, but on Miami Beach. El Atlacatl on Eighth Street for Salvadoran - really good pupusas and everything else; looks divy outside, but a friendly family place inside. El Chalan on South Beach - authentic Peruvian (big surprise in that overpriced neighborhood) with excellent ceviche at bargain prices. Kids had a great rice and seafood dish, plus great batidos. Las Vacas Gordos on the north part of Miami Beach - excellent Argentine place, loved especially the blood sausages and the spicy green sauce (I forget what it's called) on the table for the meats, and they had several good malbecs. You watch the meats cooked on a grill at the front of the place. El Rey de las Fritas - on Eigth Street. Excellent Cuban burgers and batidos. Seasoned patties, lots of tiny shoestring potatoes and a red sauce on top. We also went to Joe's, but got take-out and ate it in that little park nearby. They were excellent.

"spicy green sauce (I forget what it's called) on the table for the meats"

Chimichurri!