help with south beach restaurants

I will be in south beach with my family(wife %26amp; 3 kids) ---looking for a trendier type restaurant with a good view , though not necessary ,for dinner---a lively type restaurant is preferred--please help---P.S. a good place for a drink is needed as well--preferably with a city view..........

help with south beach restaurants

I%26#39;m not sure about trendy but Monty%26#39;s is on the Bay and has a view of the harbour and the boats. There is usually a band. Some tables are outside. There is a swimming pool available to the public. Have the kids bring their suit. I love their fish sandwhich and their fish taco%26#39;s. They have good burgers too.

help with south beach restaurants

Yankee%26gt;

Take the wife and kids out on Lincoln Road. This is a pedestrian mall opened day and night with lots of families and dogs and things to see and do.

Best bets for family dining range from casual - Spris Pizza, Nexxt Cafe, Van Dyke Cafe... to slightly upscale choices as well.

Use this map as I will direct you using the cross streets (in CAPS) as a reference point:

southbeach-usa.com/maps/lincoln-road-map.htm

At the west end of Lincoln (the far west) the pedestrian mall gives way to Alton Road. That is the ';main street'; of the residential side of South Beach where all the apartment dwellers go to shop, dine, get their shoes fixed... all the boring things you don%26#39;t do on vacation. There are some great moderate dining options generally favored by locals I can tell you about, plus the ';Best of the Rest'; of the Mall...

Starting at ALTON - you%26#39;ll find the best seafood 1/2 street west of Lincoln at AltaMar 1223 Lincoln. This is a little storefront sidewalk cafe crowded with locals every night.

Under the movies - There is a ';do it yourself'; salad cafe called Salad Creations 1120 Lincoln where they will rustle up your choices in a great big bowl of freshness. Also on that street, find Doraku 1104 Lincoln, a sushi bar with an attitude and a free sushi happy hour weeknights. Just south of the movie entrance (1625 Alton) is Piola Pizza, featuring a real Italian wood burning chimney baked pizza served fresh and crispy. Across the street at 1608 Alton is our go-to spot for a quick taco fix at Texas Taco Factory. Due north, find Yummy Chinese at 1671 Alton for a quick bite (delivery 305-531-1880) or a sushi roll and Epicure Market at 1656 Alton for spectacular gourmet treats and the best freshly made deli sandwiches in town.

On the Mall at 1040 Lincoln by the LENOX entrance to the Colony Theater is Segafredo, a trendy meeting place for folks gathering for the night. Everyone starts here for a cocktail or a strong coffee and a little sandwich or snack. This is a great spot for people watching or taking a break from shoping. Lots of little spoiled dogs and exhausted mommies too!

The hot new Italian restaurant on the Mall is Quattro - at 1691 Michigan. (reservations 305-531-4833) There are too many Italian places on the Beach but this one%26#39;s pretty awesome. MICHIGAN Ave is a destination for Ice Box Cafe as well - 1657 Michigan. Oprah and Rachel Rey both hit this tiny bakery to discover they turn out delicious meals for brunch, lunch and dinner. Save room for dessert as the cakes ROCK!! Due south on Michigan is the best ice cream shop on the Beach - the Frieze. All the top restaurants buy their ice cream here. If you%26#39;re looking for fun with the kids, drinks and snacks - go bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes day or night - 1691 Michigan - a great sports bar and high tech bowling party spot. Over 21 after 9pm.

Try brunch at Balans 1022 Lincoln, where locals swear by the eggs benedict and the prices are reduced on weekdays. Pashas at 900 Lincoln is a pita pockety middle eastern lunch spot. Van Dyke at the corner of Lincoln and JEFFERSON Ave is an all day-all night cafe known for their live jazz every night on the 2nd floor. There are surprisingly few venues dedicated to live performance - this is the spot for jazz fans to gather.

Da Leo Trattoria at 819 Lincoln is a local hang out with light italian food, nice salady lunches and a friendly wait staff. Their sidewalk cafe gives way to Paninoteca sandwich shop where the fresh pressed sandwiches are the star attraction (809 Lincoln). I like the grilled chicken and avocado best. On the corner at MERIDIAN is Ghirardelli Chocolate shop (801 Lincoln) where the friendly helpers will hand you a free sample most nights... free chocolate is one of my favorite things. The intersection at Meridian Avenue and Lincoln is a busy thoroughfare. If you travel north a few paces, you%26#39;ll find the better of our storefront Cuban cafes called David%26#39;s 2 at 1654 Meridian and a fun little Chinese place called Miss Yip%26#39;s at 1661 Meridian. After hours, there is a cool little nightclub on the 2nd floor of Miss Yips called Buck 15 (www.buck15.com).

Toward EUCLID Circle (a little round grassy patch at the center of the Mall), there are a few places to check out for a quick bite. Spris Pizza at 731 makes crisp little pies, LeBon next door is a lovely Belgian Seafood spot with fresh mussels on the menu and early bird prices. Sushi Siam at 647 Lincoln offers a mix of spicy Thai and sushi on the menu and Pizza Rustica makes a great snack - pizza sold by the slice! Some folks like the Nexxt Cafe at 700 Lincoln for their huge portions and a menu derived from the Cheesecake Factory chain. It is always crowded and I do suggest you pop in next door to the Parmalat ice cream shop.

On PENNSYLVANIA, try Cafeteria MB at 546 Lincoln - a white-on-white cool looking spot for a reliable brunch and happy hour specials. It%26#39;s pretty to look at but has uneven wait service. Across the way, Rosinella Cafe has a ';mama'; in the kitchen making lovely light Italian pastas. Yuca at 501 Lincoln offers upscale Cuban ';fusion'; cuisine. My tip for Yuca is to check out their salsa classes weekends on the second floor (www.salsamia.com) as a great way to refresh your hip shimmy and meet fun new people. HEAR music by Starbucks is not a restaurant but still a destination worth a looksee (hearsee?) if you want to create a custom CD of new music while you have a coffee and cake.

Just off the mall on WASHINGTON, try Chalan on the Beach at 1580 Washington for Peruvian style seafood that%26#39;s hearty and tasty. Try the sea bass, the garlic shrimp, the Chalan Combo or the bistec (thin cut steak %26amp; onions). This is a moderate priced and delicious hidden gem.

Enjoy your trip!

AG