Jewish Fridays - (Miami Kosher Dining - I)

I must admit that although I've "signed up" to do Jewish Fridays 3 weeks ago, I've been remiss since erev Shabbos is such a busy time for me. So I figured I would make these posts more of a "fun" nature. Or share a good story from someone else.

But I also wanted to do some other things that are out of character with my normal blogging. A "Kosher Dining" guide is one of them. So I thought I might start today.

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It's true that South Florida has nothing on New York when it comes to Kosher eateries; but it's much better than even 15 years ago when you could count the restaurants with reliable supervision on two hands. Now Kosher Miami is on the scene, it's gotten much better. So here's my opinon, on some of the places I've been too.....

Tea For Two - Miami Beach - (KM/Milchig - Cholav Yisrael). Although it has taken me a while, I've really warmed up to sushi. Tea for Two has the best in my opinion. Not only do they have a large selection, but the rolls are the perfect size and the presentation is gorgeous. For those who have eaten the treif stuff, they say that Tea for Two's sushi is on par with the best. I haven't had anything else from Tea for Two though. Maybe sometime in the future. Pros: Atmosphere, taste, variety. Cons: Parking/location, dining area is tiny, service when busy - especially on the patio outside where they seem to just forget about you.

Shem Tov's - Miami Beach - (KM/Milchig - Cholav Yisrael). I love Shem Tov's. The pizza by the slice is excellent. I've had some of their pitas too. If Miami Beach has a kosher fast food joint, this place is it. Unfortunately, it also works against them. During Motzai Shabbos, or Thursday night, or lunctime the place is a zoo. This tries the patience of both customer and staff alike (although they've always been super nice to me - since I'm a regular and I understand that kvetching gets you nowhere). Pros: Price, great pizza, location. Cons: Swarming with tourists at times, limited seating.

Thai Treat - Miami - (KM/Fleishing). Thai Treat is one of my favorites. While the food is not as good as some as the non-kosher Thai I've had years ago, it's not bad. The have creative sushi recipes and their service is excellent. However if you go with a big group - good luck. The dining area is small and the noise level when there's a big party can be intolerable. It's a shame, it spoils the vibe. Pros: Service, food is decent. Cons: Location (out of the way), dining area.

Dougie's - Miami Beach - (KM/Fleishing). People have been waiting for Dougie's to come to Miami forever. I've been to two Dougies - the one in Queens and the one in Teaneck - and I dunno, the one here doesn't feel as haimish (maybe it's the "loft" syle decor). While the food is off the hook (especially the portobello mushroom burger) the price is like Whoa! I little too pricey for a regular eatery for me. Pros: Best tasting kosher burgers by far, convienant location. Cons: Price, the place has only been open a month so the staff is all teenagers.

Fu Xing - North Miami Beach - (KM/Fleishing). Typical kosher Chinese joint; open late, nice prices, delivery, nice selection (although I always order the same stuff). Nothing of note either - just the same run of the mill stuff. Although my Father says it's good; and I do agree that it is good in comparison with Chinese food available in Miami, but pales in comparison to some of the Chinese food I've had in the Northeast. Pros: Hours, location, delivery, price. Cons: It's nothing special, you feel like a true bachelor/college student/stepchild while eating it in front of the tube.

Pita Loca - South Beach - (ORD/Fleishing). I think Pita Loca has the perfect kubbe. They also seem to be open 24-7 (they are not officially, but I think those guys are just always there for the fun of it), they deliver, and they have those wild Shabbat parties (so I hear). Ironically, I ordered a chicken schwarma and didn't like it to much because it was just an overkill on the onion and garlic. Just my taste though. Pros: Hours of operation, very Israeli vibe, speed and delivery. Cons: Very Israeli vibe, good luck finding parking if you drive there.

Jerusalem Pizza - North Miami Beach - (KM/Milchig - Cholav Yisrael). Although I like the taste of Shem Tov's better, Jerusalem Pizza is in my neighborhood and is far from bad. Great service, although it would be nice if they stayed open past 6pm. Pros: Staff, service is uasually quick. Cons: Operation hours, no delivery.

JP Bistro - Hollywood - (?/Milchig). They used to be Jerusalem Pizza, but they remodeled and are now "JP Bistro". They changed their menu to fancier dishes along with fancier prices. In my opinion (and that of others I've talked to) is that they shouldn't have tried to fix something that wasn't broken. I've gone there a few times, but the food didn't impress as much as it should have given the relative depletion of funds in my wallet. Pros: I hear they cater. Cons: The price, the same family runs the place and you keep stifling the urge to blurt out, "What were you thinking?"

Bon Ami - Hollywood - (ORB/Milchig - Cholav Yisrael). They have the best burekas I've had! Plus they serve their food up right, with the salads and hard boiled eggs and the schag on the side. The just redid the decor and it looks splended. The cappachino machine is the centerpiece of the bar, but all of their coffees and drinks are good. Pros: Taste, price, atmosphere. Cons: The staff hides away, sometimes you walk in and you wonder if the place is open.

Mangia Cafe - Miami - (KM/Milchig - Cholav Yisrael). If you blink, you'll miss this cafe because it's just a quaint little thing in the Design Destrict. Out of the way for most frum Yidden here, but right up the street from my office, so I can't gripe about location. The staff speaks English, Spanish, Hebrew and French; their prices are very reasonable, and they have a special menu just for smoothies. Pros: Price, staff, brownie points for setting up the only kosher eatery in the hot Design District of Miami, delivery. Cons: Small or no sign because I go there a lot and still drive past it (I can only imagine what it's like to got he first time), the menu doesn't have a large selection, they don't make sushi "on site" so unless you get there early, they'll be sold out.

The Gourmet Carrot - South Beach - (KM/Vegetarian - Fleishing {chicken only}. I think more health nuts eat here than frum Jews, but the food is very good nonetheless. Nestled on West Avenue - away from the beach and closer to the condos on the bay, it's a nice quiet eatery. I love the veggie burger (made with grains, not soy) and the chicken florentine - both are just scrumptous. I've gone on more than one occasion where it seems that the staff is just daydreaming though (Where's my drink yo?). Pros: Food is health-concious and fresh, away from the beach-craziness, not all that expensive for what you get. Cons: Spanish speaking staff seems a bit clueless, uncomfortable bar seats, that fugly painting of the rabbit inside the restaurant (if you can help it, sit facing away from it - it's really a disturbed-looking cartoon!).

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To be continued of course! To everyone, שבת שלום!