We're looking for a fabulous restaurant in South Beach for a one-night stay. Ideally it would be in a good location, moderately expensive (not too over the top), stylish interior, good service, most important - great food. Also looking for a cool bar for before dinner drinks and people watching. Any suggestions are appreciated.

rjw turned me on to Wish in The Hotel. We always eat at The Forge which is a little north of South Beach in Mid Beach but has the largest wine cellar in the southeast.

Rumi is also quite good.

Sorry, posted too soon.

My favorite bar is any one of the Delanos. Outside by the pool for mojitos or indoor to watch for celebs.

Outside, The Clevelander gets the most action but is a little sophmoric.

Go: My recent visits to Wish were wonderful too-- their new head chef, Michael Bloise, is inventive and very skilled in combining tastes and textures. The food is artful, unique, delicious. It's pricey, but not ridiculously so. You can look at the menu at:

http://www.wishrestaurant.com/index.htm

I was very impressed with Grillfish, which is a moderately-priced seafood joint on Collins at Española Way (across from Jerry's Famous Deli). Beautiful and very tasty preparations, cool room, nice waitstaff. Their website is www.grillfish.com, but it's not completely working, it seems (no functioning menu link). Don't let that deter you-- it's great.

Second reco for the bars at the Delano. The famous bars on Ocean Drive are noisy, tacky tourist traps-- I'm talking about Mango's and the Clevelander primarily. Wet Willie's has frozen concoctions and a second-floor balcony to watch the passers-by, but it's not really "cool" as much as "a place to get hammered". Maybe you could take cocktails at an outside table at the Tides...? Or on the veranda at the Cardozo (however, both these hotels are in a quieter part of Ocean Drive). Naah, stick with the Delano. To check out other clubs, look here:

www.southbeach-usa.com

We had a great meal and a great time at Barton G's -

We had a great meal at Emeril's -- fits everything you're talking about!

Another recommendation for the bars at the Delano. Hanging out at the bar in the beautifully lit garden by the infinity pool in the balmy evening is just awesome. And the bar inside the hotel really sparkles and glows.

love
roxy

ahhhh! The Delano! Our favorite place in South Beach for dinner - the Blue Door - but it is pretty expensive. It's just a very interesting hotel with the high ceiling and white fabric hanging from the ceiling. And the Pool - great place.

Roxy - I'm used to reading your posts on the Hawaii side!! Didn't realize you were from Florida

Clevelander, more like a mauche pit! Try Wish, in their courtyard. Excellent vegetraian plate if you'd like a change. The Delano is happening for sure, but for food, don't think so. Just not a restful scene.

The chowhound.com message board is a pretty good place to look for restaurant recommendations. They're decidedly mixed on Emeril's in the Loews/St. Moritz-- most decry its "franchise" feel (although a very nice franchise). For me, I'd want to dine somewhere uniquely Floridian. Although in a pinch, Emeril's is probably really good (he was great at one time, wasn't he?)....

No, not from Florida at all. We visited in March 2003 and stayed at the Delano. I've lived in Los Angeles my whole life. I do, however, have a short jaunt to the Big Island in a month!

love
roxy

Lobuzz, the general consensus is cocktails at the Delano. If you can make it all the way through the stunning lobby (it will stop you in your tracks) go outside for mojitos by the pool.

It is really cool after sunset because it is lit entirely by candles and hanging votives. Hundreds of them.

Indoors, you may see celebs.

Eat outside at Wish. Very romantic eh rjw?

Go, the patio at Wish is always romantic *sigh*.... Sipping an ice-cold electric martini under the stars warms the heart and makes everything right with the world. Magical place!

The Wish even offers an excellent vegetarian plate! Good chef. Reservations a must.

Like Lobuzz, my wife and I are also heading to South Beach for a short stay and are looking for cool, fine restaurants. (rjw: I think you have convinced me regarding Wish; the online menu had my mouth watering.)

A buddy of mine recently ate at Touch and said it was fabulous. Anyone else eaten there???

I also highly recommend the Delano bar, inside or outside (or do both!). The pool area is fabulous, with funky oversized upholstered furniture - very Alice in Wonderland - on the lawn and also some private cabana seating. An interesting Beach restaurant where we like to take out of town guests is Tantra - innovative cuisine and decor - definitely different (in one section there's actual live grass on the floor).