Sergio's

Do you want authentic delicious Cuban food at hard to believe prices? Look no further than Sergio’s! With multiple locations (some significantly better than others), good service, and an expansive menu perfect for lunch or dinner, Sergio’s is an establishment in Southwest Miami-Dade. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Pan con Bistec (a cut similar to flank steak with onions, chips, pickles, and sometimes ham smashed between two long slices of toasted Cuban bread) or the classic Medianoche Sandwich (ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles), for dinner the Vaca Frita (kind of a Cuban shredded beef similar to the more well known Ropa Vieja) or the Palomilla (the same quasi-flank steak but all on its own) are worth at least one kidney.

The décor is what’s expected of small chains, not the mass-produced memorabilia of a Chili’s or a Friday’s, but not the three framed portraits of Thai royalty of, previously reviewed, Siam Gourmet’s more mom and pop style. The service is classic Latin, with the waitress finishing every sentence with mi amor (my love – but probably better translated into my dear). Everything is under 12 bucks, and while it’s certainly never empty you’ll rarely have to wait to get a table. If you want the full Cuban effect, I would strongly recommend washing your food down with any of the Cuban soft drinks – Jupiña, Materva, or Ironbeer, or for the beer lovers out there Hatuey is a surprisingly good light lager, it won’t knock a craft beer lover’s socks off, but it’s certainly better than average. All in all, Sergio’s is the kind of restaurant most Cubans in Miami went to two or three times a month during their childhood. Matter of fact, a Batido de Mamey would not be remiss right about now…

There are a number of locations, but I would avoid the Kendall location and stick with the Bird or Coral Way locales. (the Bird location is the original)


Sergio’s
9330 SW 40 St.
305.552.9626

Food: ***½
Price: $½
Date-Worthy: ♥♥
(Note: Ratings are out of five)

- Eduardo E. Gesio

Fritz and Franz

So yeah, we're Cubans in Miami. Big deal right? I mean that's like a third of the city's claim to fame. Everyone knows about the big populations; Hispanics, Hatians, Jews, old people, gay people, etc. But I'll bet you didn't know we have a very considerable German/Austrian community too. Except by "community" I mean restaurant/bar, and by "considerable" I mean that if you're ever in town you should definitely consider checking this place out. Fritz and Franz Bierhaus! Ya, das goot!

If you've kept up with my blog (Wholest Widest World) or if you're lucky enough to know me personally, then you know how much I love beer and how much I love food. You also know that when you put both of those loves of mine together, it's nearly impossible to stop me from doing that little animated-banana dance out of the sheer joy and excitement it brings me. Cue the traditional Bavarian drinking songs and let me tell you about Fritz and Franz.

The first thing that really impressed me about this place was the unique collection of beers they offer. It's not a particularly large selection, although its size is also worthy of recognition, but what makes the variety so good is the quality. You'll find everything from SchneiderWeisse and Warsteiner to Franziskaner and Tucher, St. Pauli Girl and Erdinger to Gosser and Stiegl. They've got the finest in German and Austrian brew bottled and draught. So that's number one: really nice beer. Number two: They also have pretty kick-ass beer food; a sausage sampler platter that comes with like four different kinds, some potato salad and saurkraut. There's also weinerschnitzel, this delicious pork shank thing and they also have tons of great finger foods to go with your ice-cold pint of Hofbrau.

Fritz and Franz is also located in Coral Gables. A great spot for night life or even just a stroll. It's a very charming area with lots of cool stuff to check out. However, as is the case with many - if not most - things in the Gables, Fritz and Franz tends to be on the expensive side. So unless you're a banker and have some bailout money lying around, you probably won't be hitting this place up every week.

Whenever you do end up going you won't be disappointed, I promise. They've got really friendly staff with great service. Every year during Oktoberfest, the place turns into a mass of people where you can indulge your gluttonous desires with enormous pints of Warsteiner and sausages while you are serenaded by traditional Bavarian music. Oh! I almost forgot. They also have live music several times a week. Wednesdays and Fridays if I remember correctly. They're usually a bunch of old dudes playing blues and classic rock, so it's not gonna be like the latest and greatest of the Miami music scene, but it really does a lot for the atmosphere of the place. They also have like a week (or is it month?) long blues festival every year. I don't really remember when it is, but if you want more info you can check out their site: http://www.bierhaus.cc/default.html.

Until next time.. Prost!

Fritz and Franz 60 Merrick Way,
Coral Gables Fl.
33134 305 - 774 - 1883

Food: *** (Beer: *****)
Price: $$$$
Date-Worthy: ♥♥½
(Note: Ratings are out of five)

- Ivan J. Vargas

Siam Gourmet

If you’re the type of adventurous eater that enjoys discovering a new five-star hole-in-the-wall, then listen up. While driving on sunset drive, you’ll find an array of Thai restaurants in the span of a 1-mile radius, but look no further than 72nd street and 104th avenue. There’s a small shopping center where you’ll find an adult book & video store and a smoke shop, but all the way on the left you find a little restaurant called “Siam Gourmet”. It’s owned by an elderly Thai couple—the husband waits on the tables while the wife cooks. The setting is fairly intimate with a maximum capacity of about 25 and soft Asian music playing in the background. The windows are tainted, the parking is scant, and the location itself may seem uninviting, but (trust me) it’s fantastic.

In order for you to fully appreciate how delicious Thai food can be, it’s vital that you try a few different dishes and develop an appreciation and taste for the overall cuisine. For now I want to start you off on the right track and give you a few different meal suggestions.

On an inevitably hot Miami summer day, try the Thai iced tea, which is basically just Thai tea leaves, condensed milk, evaporated or coconut milk, water, and sugar. It has a distinct orangey, spicy flavor and is a great accompaniment or even desert. If you’re in the mood for an appetizer, their vegetable spring rolls are among the best I’ve tried and they’re always served steaming hot with duck sauce of course.

My personal favorite dish is the traditional Red Curry with chicken—made with coconut milk, crunchy bamboo shoots, red peppers, green peppers, and peas. It is served in a bowl with a side of white rice. The soft sweetness of the coconut milk with the hotness of the spices and the crunchiness of the veggies is simply mind-blowing. Once you’re finished, don’t feel embarrassed, pick up the bowl, and drink what’s left. When you come back for seconds (and, believe me, you will), try the Pad Thai, which is one of their most popular dishes. If you don’t know what Pad Thai is, it’s a dish based on noodles that contains eggs, bean sprouts, chicken, shrimp, and is usually topped with crushed peanuts; it’s also served with fluffy white rice. If you’re a seafood lover, order the spicy seafood soup, which is a clear broth packed with shrimp, mussels, scallops, and other fish. It tastes like the sea smells, but spicier. However, since the soup is considerably filling, I’d recommend having it as the main course.

One of the ingredients that give Thai food its distinct and delicious flavor is fish sauce. Pretty much, fish sauce is a condiment that’s made from fermented fish. It’s a staple in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines that’s used during the cooking process in virtually all meals. The more fermented it is, the smoother and less fishy the taste.

Thai restaurants are abundant in Miami, but, too often, they are operated as concepts or “inventive” cultural fusions (e.g. Sushi Samba, Thai Sushi & Bistro). Siam gourmet is pure, undiluted, and refined Thai fare done right. The food is authentic, fresh, flavorful, and moderately priced. If you haven’t followed my gist, try Siam Gourmet. It’s quite possibly the best Thai restaurant in Miami.

Siam Gourmet Thai Restaurant

10480 SW 72nd Avenue 33173

(305) 273-0486

Food: *****

Price: $$$

Date-Worthy: ♥♥½

(Note: Ratings are out of five)

- Gabriel Heredero

Vizcaya

I am very much a fanatical supporter of Miami, and I honestly believe it is the greatest place on earth. But in terms of traditional tourism, when I compare Miami to, let’s say 2nd tier vacation destinations - essentially only excluding New York and Chicago in the States, Miami lacks conventional hot spots or must sees. Miami lacks a world-class art museum, it has the third largest skyline (as measured by number of buildings over a specified height) but no particularly special skyscraper, and its youth and boom periods preclude historic buildings (Miami Beach art deco not withstanding). Instead, Miami beyond the beaches should be experienced in terms of areas or of absorbing unique populations and places. Little Havana, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Downtown, Coconut Grove, the Everglades, are all very cool and very worth while, but I fear the long weekend vacation your average tourist is on probably lends to very little experiencing other than a sun burn and the realization that your interpretation of Salsa dancing is anything but adorable.

All that being said, I recently visited Vizcaya for the very first time and was incredibly surprised. Vizcaya has a reputation as a beautiful mansion used primarily for Quinceañera pictures, and little else. But the history, architecture, décor, and gardens of the grounds are very impressive. The rooms are magnificently gaudy a cross between Versailles and Miami kitsch. The gardens are massive and worth a long afternoon or two, generally not in the summer where the heat and mosquitoes will feast on your unfortunate neck. The mansion and grounds were built between 1914-1916 by John Deering a capitalist extraordinaire and an anemic who required the gentler climes of South Florida in the winter months. A mere century is not much pedigree by most standards, but considering Miami was incorporated as a city only in 1896, it puts such a massive structure into perspective. Your average Miamian has probably never been to Vizcaya (particularly the male population) and it really is a shame, its well worth the entrance fee (though there is a discount for Miami-Dade residents and students) and is an excellent destination for any wide-eyed tourist. The John Singer Sargent portrait of John Deering viewable in the house was done at Vizcaya and is an excellent example of late Sargent.

- Eduardo E. Gesio