NeoPatrick

Here's the deal. We'll be at the Spring Hill Suites near the airport for one night (Saturday, May 12) before flying out. We'll meet my grad-student great niece who lives in North Miami for dinner. We want to take her someplace fun and interesting, but she's not comfortable at super expensive places. She hates South Beach as being "too prentious" and trendy. We love places like Norman's in Coral Gables or Ortaninique. She's normally more at home at Gordon Biersch or P.F. Changs. Is there somewhere more half-way between those types of places? Hopefully nearer the airport or towards North Miami?

starrsville

Probably not your cup of tea and not North Miami, but based on what you said she likes - Cafe Tu Tu Tango at CocoWalk in Coconut Grove.

Mapquest says it's 9.91 miles and 19 minutes from you.

I think she'd enjoy it. Fun. Great drinks. Wide tapas menu. There's another restaurant nearby we liked if I can think of the name of it.

NeoPatrick

Hmm. I should mention that she's always done a lot of the Coconut Grove places with sorority sisters and with dates, so was hoping not the same "college crowd". I'm sure Tu Tu Tango is a "usual" for her. And yes, we've been there too.

NeoPatrick

what about Chispa in Coral Gables? I just looked at their website and it looks interesting.

starrsville

Well, the only other suggestion I have is definitely not pretentious or trendy. Not expensive. And, someplace I would bet $100 she's never been to -

El Patacon (Columbian) near the airport.

I Pricelined an airport hotel for the night before my flight out of Miami and got the AmeriSuites. The front desk folks STRONGLY recommended the strip center adjacent to their parking lot - and recommended I walk there (in Miami! At the Miami Airport !!!)

There was Cuban. There was sushi. There were several restaurants - frequented by locals. And the meal at the Columbian restaurant was one of the best I've ever had.

She'd probably think you were crazy when you drove up - but it was very, very good! Not expensive. Authentic. Good food.

starrsville

PS - I did walk. I felt safe. Great mix of people, predominantly locals. Several good restaurants in a very small L-shaped strip center.

You probably want more "atmosphere", but I'm tossing it out there.

amcc

We just ate Friday at a place in Miami's Design District called Michaels Genuine Food and Drink. The chef uses local ingredients that he purchases daily from local farms. The food was great, and vibe was funky, but not South Beach. More like people who like an interesting place in an interesting area. For 5 of us, it was $300 including plenty of food and two bottles of wine.

The menu is set up in sizes - snacks to x-large - and the food is inventive. Bar drinks were also surprisingly well priced. Check out their website www.michaelsgenuine.com and we needed reservations on a Friday.

Soyka's a little further north on Biscayne Bay also comes to mind. great food, fun atmosphere from the same people who created Van Dykes and News Cafe. I believe you are familiar with Miami because these places are sort of off the beaten path (although no problem with the neighborhoods they are in).

Chispa is fun and it can get a little clubby on weekend nights, but Merrick Park is a beautiful mall adjacent to walk around in after dinner.

Check out the Miami Herald's food section for reviews. They do a pretty good job of listing all different types of restaurants. I've also heard that Oceanaire off of Brickell on Miami Ave. has great seafood. It's relatively new. Table 8 on the Beach is also getting pretty decent reviews.

GoTravel

One of my favorite places is The Forge but it is in Mid Beach.

Great steakhouse.

Largest wine list in the southeast.

SoBchBud1

There is a Gordon Biersch on Brickell Ave.
I can also vouch for Soyka and Michael's, I go to both often, Michy's on 69th Street too. A really interesting alternative would be Sheba (Ethiopian), a great place in the design district. For jaw dropping surroundings go to Karu and Y near performing arts center.

NeoPatrick

Last night was the night. Since posting here she asked if her boyfriend (fiance) could join us as it was his birthday. She'd heard of Chispa and hadn't been there, so that's where we went. Had a great evening. Mahi Mahi ceviche, grilled octopus, and a wonderful huge spinach/bacon/blue cheese/candied pecan salad to share and I had a skirt steak that was a strip about 3 or 4 inches wide by about 18 inches long and rolled up. It was wonderful. Lee and Wes both had pounded, marinated pork loin with pickled onions and sour cherry chimmi curra (sp?) and yucca fries. Cyndi had roasted Mahi relleno with grilled green onions and yucca. And they brought a spectacular layered concoction for dessert for Wes's birthday.
Oh yes, a wonderful Argentine Malbec by the glass, and the "kids" loved their Mojitos.

amcc

It sounds great...glad you had a good time.