AMBER RESTAURANT
American, Italian, Pizza | Casual | Very Expensive
Decor with American bistro food of wood-oven pizza, burgers, pasta and salads. Vanilla-flavored duck, meatloaf with wild mushroom sauce.
General Delivery Miami
(305) 949-4964

ANDRE'S STEAKHOUSE
Steak House | Dressy | Very Expensive
It may take a while for Andre's to get fully up to speed -- Brooklyn's Peter Luger has more than a hundred years on them -- but with meat as good as I sampled the other night, Andre's is already a legend in my book.
3031 E. Commercial Blvd. Fort Lauderdale
(954) 489-7411

BALEEN
Seafood | Very Expensive
Monkeys have the run of the place at Baleen. The motif springs from the etymology of ''Baleen,'' which means ''whalebone.'' There are islands in northeastern Canada near which whales roam free, and the isles are inhabited by monkeys, as well. OK, we get the monkeys, but where are the whales? Those are represented here by the menu, which is about two-thirds seafood and fish. Quite whimsical, though please don't misunderstand: Baleen is an elegant, upscale place. Just a whimsical one.
4 Grove Isle Coconut Grove
(305) 858-8300

CAFE ARUGULA
New American | Casual Dressy | Very Expensive
New World cuisine with touches from South Florida, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Santa Fe and California. Pompano a frequent special.
3110 N Federal Hwy Lighthouse Point
(954) 785-7732

CASA TUA
New American | Casual to Dressy | Very Expensive
New World cuisine with touches from South Florida, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Santa Fe and California. Pompano a frequent special.
1700 James Ave. Miami Beach
(305) 673-1010

DON QUIXOTE
European, Seafood, Spanish | Dressy | Very Expensive
There's a lot of Epcot in Don Quixote, the outstanding Spanish restaurant in the Grove. It's decidedly New Grove and not Old, with a rather magical interior done up to resemble an Old World Spain street, and 21st Century prices.
3148 Commodore Plaza Coconut Grove
(305) 443-2774

GRASS
Asian, Fusion, Peruvian | Dressy | Very Expensive
Grass Restaurant and Lounge, the latest party pusher to give it a go in Miami's Design District, hasn't even a roof over its head. But it does have a DJ, a doorman -- and one fantastic chef.
28 NE 40th St. Miami
(305) 573-3355

NOBU MIAMI
Japanese | Dressy | Very Expensive
Dead center in the slow season, heat beating down unless it's rain, there's an oasis of cool on Collins Avenue amid the nearly endless road construction. It's Asian adventure in dining, Nobu Miami Beach, wrapping up its first year in the majestically renovated Shore Club Hotel.
1901 Collins Ave. Miami Beach
(305) 695-3232

PEARL
A restaurant in a beach entertainment complex at which Jell-O shots once were slightly more popular than Cristal would seem to raise few culinary expectations, but that is not the case at Pearl. The work of chef Brian Henderson, late of the Max's Grilles in Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, befits the Pearl high style.
One Ocean Dr
Miami Beach
(305) 538-1111

SUNFISH GRILL
Seafood | Casual to Dressy | Very Expensive
The atmosphere may not be The Ritz-Carlton, but when it comes to the food and the wine, the experience is pure luxury
2271 E. Atlantic Blvd.
Pompano Beach
(954) 788-2434

ZIGGIE'S CONCH RESTAURANT
American, Seafood | Casual to Dressy | Very Expensive
Side-of-the-road original from 1962, still serving dolphin, grouper, yellowtail, conch.
Us Highway 1 Mm 83.50
Islamorada
(305) 664-3391

ANTHONY'S COAL-FIRED PIZZA
Pizza | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza on South Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale is a small, upscale pizzeria, and is a setting sophisticated enough for grown-ups but reasonably priced and casual enough if you want to bring the kids.
2203 S. Federal Hwy.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 462-5555

AVANTI MEDITERRANEAN
PASTA AND GRILL
Mediterranean | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
Tucked away in a small West Broward plaza, serving Israeli, Southern Italian and Greek cuisines, such as veal Marsala, grape leaves and hummus.
8320 W. Sunrise Blvd.
Sunrise
(954) 474-5459

BRASSERIE MAX
American | Casual | Inexpensive
A 200-seat bistro at the upscale Fashion Mall with soft lighting, grand piano, dishes such as barbecued salmon and Caribbean-style pork chops.
321 N. University Dr.
Plantation
(954) 424-8000

CAFE ITALIA
Italian | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
You could visit an Italian restaurant every night of the year and still not exhaust all the choices in South Florida. But while dining recently at Cafe Italia in Fort Lauderdale, something hit us: ``Hey,'' we thought, ``we're eating real Italian food.'' And what's more, virtually everyone dining at this small, unpretentious cafe was speaking Italian, a sign there's authenticity coming out of la cucina.
3471 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 561-3900

EDUARDO DE SAN ANGEL
Mexican | Casual to Dressy | Expensive
Experience "the marriage of food and feeling" was the apt motto the four Pria brothers emblazoned on their menu six years ago when they opened Eduardo de San Angel.The unique and sophisticated cuisine of this restaurant -- the brothers Pria call it Gourmet Mexicana -- marries classical European technique with traditional Mexican sauces.
2822 E Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 772-4731

GALANGA
Thai | Moderate
The food and setting here offer a fine-dining experience but with reasonable prices and friendly, casual service.
2389 Wilton Dr.
Wilton Manors
(954) 202-0000

BALANS
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Thai, Intl misc. | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
Western outpost of the restaurants by same name in London, serving eclectic mix of international cuisine.
1022 Lincoln Rd.
Miami Beach
(305) 534-9191

GRAN CHIMU
Peruvian | Casual to Dressy | Inexpensive
Gran Chimu is one of those inconspicuous but authentic ethnic eateries that can transport its patrons to another corner of the globe. In this case, it's the kitchens of Peru.
5941 S. University Drive
Davie
(954) 252-5418

HERBAL KITCHEN
American, Salads, Sandwiches | Casual to Dressy
Herban Kitchen. Cute name; cute place. The restaurant is a charming, tiny oasis in a storefront strip a few steps from Christopher's Restaurant and Nightclub on East Oakland Park Boulevard. When it comes to food and service, Herban Kitchen gets serious. Chef-owner Robert Zurlino has honed nearly 30 entrees since the restaurant opened in '97, creating a continental menu with Mediterranean and Italian influences.
2823 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 566-1110

IL CATONE
Italian, Spanish | Unspecified | Moderate
Il Cantone also comes through in the kitchen with wonderful dishes, and details like homemade bread, aromatic sauces, fresh salad dressings.
8320 W. Sunrise Blvd
Sunrise
(954) 577-2225

INDEPENDENCE REST & BREWERY
American, Brew Pub | Casual | Moderate
This All-American restaurant blends its own freshly brewed beer.
111 SW Second Ave.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 524-2111

JAPANESE VILLAGE
Japanese | Casual | Moderate
At Japanese Village in Fort Lauderdale, you can sit around the hibachi grill or feast on sushi or a dish prepared in the kitchen while sitting at an individual table -- inside or on the sidewalk watching the shoppers on busy Las Olas Boulevard. Eight people are seated around each hibachi grill, so you might rub elbows with strangers.
716 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 763-8163

JOE'S CRAB SHACK
Seafood | Casual | Moderate
Judging from the crowds here on a rainy Sunday night, Joe's has attracted plenty of fans since it opened in Lauderhill three months ago. (Rochelle Koff, 4/4/2003)
4402 N. University Dr.
Lauderhill
(954) 749-2722

LA BARRACA TAPAS BAR & CAFE
Spanish | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
We know looks can be deceiving. And you can't judge a book by its cover. And so on and so on. Yet we were still taken by surprise when we stumbled upon La Barraca Tapas Bar and Café in the Jacaranda Plaza in Plantation.
1831 N. Pine Island Rd.
Plantation
(954) 693-9757

LORD NELSON PUB & EATERY
Brew Pub | Casual | Moderate
Decked out in dark wood and thick beams, the pub is warm and cozy, with mugs on display and darts ready for a challenge.
320 SW Second St
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 467-5867

OH LA LA
French | Casual to Dressy | Expensive
Since it opened three years ago, Oh La La has garnered the well-earned praise of critics and customers alike. Reasonable prices, attentive service, elegant minimalist décor and the fine bistro-style cooking of American-born chef Garry White were the foundation of former owner David Lavail's recipe for success.
2775 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 565-9065

PUNJAB INDIAN RESTAURANT
Indian | Casual | Moderate
Indian restaurant with fountains and alcoves, flat breads like the potato- and pea-stuffed aloo naan, prawn biryani.
5975 N Federal Hwy # 103
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 491-6710
 

ROBERTO'S TACO SHOP
Mexican
It's likely many are cruising past Roberto's Taco Shop on 17th Street Causeway, dismissing it as another fast-food joint. But this chain, beloved in California and Las Vegas, is as close as you'll come to cheap, soul-satisfying Mexican eats in South Florida.
700 SE 17th St. Causeway
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 467-9788
 

SILVER POND RESTAURANT
Chinese | Inexpensive
Authentic Chinese food, including shark's fin soup or jellyfish salad, Peking duck or Cantonese beef.
4285 N. State Road 7
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 486-8885

TARANTELLA
Italian | Moderate
It's unlikely you'll see any patrons get up and dance at this Tarantella, an upscale trattoria in the spiffy Weston Town Center. However, you will encounter plenty of true Italian flavor and warmth the moment you walk through the door.
1755 Bell Tower Lane
Weston
(954) 349-3004

A THAI RESTAURANT
Thai | Casual | Inexpensive
Dishes include pla goong, a grilled shrimp appetizer; duck basil and chicken curry, served in an eight-table room decorated with dark wood and faux marble.
6419 Stirling Rd
Davie
(954) 792-6220

TOM JENKINS BAR-B-Q
Barbecue | Casual | Inexpensive
In August 1996, Harry Harrell and Gary Torrence opened Tom Jenkins Bar-B-Q (named after Torrence's uncle) -- their own full-scale barbecue restaurant, just across the street, at 1236 S. Federal Hwy. -- and today, they are still going strong. On weekends in particular, expect a wait, first to order, then for your food. Many patrons get takeout because seating is limited. But be patient -- the food is worth the wait.
1236 S. Federal Hwy.
Fort Lauderdale
(954) 522-5046

WINE CELLAR RESTAURANT
European | Casual to Dressy | Moderate
While you could eat Italian or Chinese food at a different restaurant every night in Broward County, you'd be hard-pressed to find a dozen places serving wiener schnitzels and spetzle, veal goulash and chicken paprikash. But judging from the crowds packing The Wine Cellar in Fort Lauderdale, there is plenty of demand for quality German and Hungarian cuisine, a specialty at the Continental restaurant.
199 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Oakland Park
(954) 565-9021