Lagniappe

Photo Credit: Lagniappe.

What stands out most about Lagniappe is not necessarily the food or the great selection of wines that they have. Rather, what appeals most is the ambiance of the "wine house." Located on 3425 NE 2nd Ave, the front of the house is reminiscent of the New Orleans French Quarter, just as much as the lively interior with its live, jazzy or other non-mainstream music as well as the loud chatter of people having a good time. It's a great place to hang for a while and order a couple glasses of wine, but the best part of Lagniappe is the outside. Once you step through that threshold, you're not going back. It's a beautiful scenery with lights hung from ceilings to trees and tables with mismatched chairs throughout the patio. It's a great place for a date, but it truly works out for anyone who wants to have a good time, be it with a group of friends or just a girls' night out. However, do beware that Lagniappe does not have a very large selection of food.

Photo Credit: Zoom Into Miami.

What they serve is very good quality and great taste, but I would go there for appetizers, not dinner. Also, for girls with sandals! You might get some dust in your shoes if you plan to sit outside, so closed-toe shoes are a good idea, unless you don't mind. Overall, Lagniappe hosts a very nice ambiance that offers a different setting in which to spend a Friday night in Miami--or any other night for that matter!

Joey's

Photo Credit: ZoomIntoMiami.

This Italian cafe, located on 2506 NW 2nd Avenue, holds all the allure of Wynwood in an enchanting and small restaurant. The best part of Joey's is sitting outside. It provides a private little patio for its customers to enjoy a cool day or night in. Joey's offers great Italian food with a few additions from other cuisines. The Bruschetta Fresca is a perfect starter. It's mozzarella and cut up tomatoes seasoned with basil and oregano on ciabatta bread with a splendid taste. The Carpaccio del Bosco is also a good appetizer. It is not my favorite carpaccio as to how it's served. I prefer a carpaccio in which all its ingredients come already mixed together, but it certainly has great flavor. For entrees, the absolute recommendation is the Linguine Indiavolate.

Photo Credit: ZoomIntoMiami.

Its texture and spicy tomato sauce were spectacular to say the least. The shrimp simply makes it even better for all the seafood lovers. The Spaghetti al Pomodoro are also very good; however, it's missing that spicy flavor that truly brings the linguine to life in your mouth. Finally, the Diavola is a delicious pizza. The thin crust is perfect for the pizza, given that it makes the tomato sauce and salami flavors jump out. Overall, Joey's is a great restaurant, it has not yet let down!

Mignonette

Photo Credit: Flickr Mignonette.

A small corner restaurant, Mignonette sits on 210 NE 18th Street. It has an eerie look from the outside--no doubt due to the City Cemetery across the street--but that just makes the whole experience a tad more interesting. Once inside, the smell of seafood hits you like a wave, but you forget all about it as soon as the waiters begin to set your dishes on the table. Its cozy interior provides the perfect ambiance for a date, and sharing plates is not a bad idea. With so many delicious things to choose from, you might want to have a shot at trying as many as you can. The Oysters Rockefeller are absolutely spectacular. It is a well-sized appetizer with about eight oysters covered and baked in spinach, melted cheese, herbs and butter. As soon as it touches your taste buds, it's an explosion of flavors that you don't want to stop experiencing. The Crudo--which sells at market price so make sure to ask before ordering!--is a tad less flavorful compared to the Rockefeller, but compensates because it's a more soothing experience. Regardless, it is just as addictive. The shrimp and lobster tails are both prepared similarly with a mixture of butter, herbs and other ingredients which were difficult to pinpoint.

Photo Credit: Flickr Mignonette.

At that moment, however, the last thing in your mind will be discovering the ingredients when that dish sits before you. Finally, the Prime Rib. You would not expect an oyster bar and seafood restaurant to serve this dish, and I honestly expected an average plate. Nonetheless, the prime rib blew my expectations. While it was not the best I've had, it certainly was much better than many meat-specialized restaurants around Miami. It lacked some salt and spices, but overall was quite enjoyable.

Dr. Limón

Photo Credit: Dr. Limón

With one of the most interesting names I have yet encountered in Miami, Dr. Limón has me debating on whether it should take the lead as one of the best Peruvian-cuisine representative I've tried thus far. Located on 13766 S.W. 84th Street, it has what Miami folks would call a typical Cuban facade on the outside, with a more modern touch on the inside. If you've ever been to CVI.CHE 105, it's like a smaller, cozier version of that. Dr. Limón has all the typical Peruvian dishes on its menu; however, finding them is quite an entertaining adventure. As the restaurant's name suggests, it is as if you've entered a doctor's clinic--all the plates bear health-related names such as Remedio Casero (Home Remedy), Cuarentena (Quarantine), and Fiebre Amarilla (Yellow Fever). As a starter, the waiter brings complimentary shots of Leche de Tigre, which is the juice they use for one of their ceviches--extremely rich in flavor.

Photo Credit: Dr. Limón

The Diagnostico Reservado, a ceviche dish, has a great flavor and is a mix of different seafood. The size was not too small, but definitely would enjoy a bigger dish. The savor was on point, however, so it made up for the small portion. The lomo saltado was also exceedingly good. My praise for Sabor a Peru's lomo definitely met its match. The only downside, again, is the small portion. There was more fries and sliced tomatoes than meat. But it also had a redeeming quality! The meat was tender and had soaked up the sauce very well. Overall, Dr. Limón is a great restaurant; so good that customers will wait in the sun for 40 minutes to get a table.