Eclectic in South Florida

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The CafÃ© at Books & Books

933 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach South Beach

305-695-8898

Contemporary, Eclectic, Recommended, Menu

The food at most bookstore cafés usually encourages more fear and loathing than great expectations, but the cute little Café at Books & Books is actually a casual, inexpensive, unpretentious garden of earthly delights. Chef Bernie Matz's menu covers all the expected soup-salad-sandwich bases but also offers a few more-adventurous options. One of the best is a salad featuring tender rings of grilled calamari with chorizo sofrito -- a sophisticated mélange of tastes and textures. Try the guava-glazed pork tenderloin with boniato mash as well as coconut-crusted seared raw tuna with mango-pepper slaw. And save room for luscious cream cheese-coconut flan.
Havana Hideout

509 Lake Ave. Lake Worth

561-585-8444

American, Bar Food, Cuban, Eclectic, Mexican, Bars and Clubs, Recommended, Best Of

Surrounded by tiki torches and a canopy of foliage, directly off of the well-trekked Lake Avenue, Havana Hideout feels more like a relaxed backyard party than a stuffy culinary destination. Sit with the sand in your toes in one of several folding chairs and dig into plates of empanadas seasoned with ground beef, shredded cheese, caramelized onions and roasted potatoes, ceviche, quesadillas and tacos. Their pressed Cuban sandwich is legendary. Just ask The Food Network's Guy Fieri, of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, who came by for a cooking lesson.

17 articles
Lips

1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park Fort Lauderdale

954-567-0987

Eclectic, International, Bars and Clubs, Gay Bars and Clubs, Best Of, Slideshow

You don't go to Fort Lauderdale's Lips to eat but to be eaten: The drag queens and divas who patrol the crowd have a sharp eye for a sweet little morsel like you to chew on, so wear your thickest skin. Dinner shows, with a full three-course menu, are at 8:15 or 8:30 Tuesday through Sunday and offer a different theme each night (Bitchy Bingo on Wednesdays); the popular Gospel Brunch on Sunday plays at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to a mix of straight couples, elderly tourists, bachelorette parties, and gay blades celebrating their birthdays. Continental entrées of steak, chicken, lamb chops, salads, and sandwiches don't rise far above average, but the show is a hoot and worth every penny. Sunday Brunch is the best bargain, with all-you-can-drink mimosas and bloodies.

26 articles
News Cafe

800 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach South Beach

305-538-6397

American, Continental, Eclectic, Middle Eastern, Recommended

Munch cold cuts and any of a dozen cheeses and sip your choice of three fine wines by the glass, or while away an entire day with a bottle, listening to piped-in and piped-out (to porch) jazz. Tahini salad with pita is tops, and the gazpacho is great. Look cool with a Euro mag from the adjoining newsstand (hence the name). Open 24 hours.
Santo

501 S. Federal Highway Hallandale Beach

305-532-2882

Eclectic, International, Music Venues, Bars and Clubs, Menu

It's only fitting that a nightclub named Santo -- Spanish for saint -- shares its address with a multimillion-dollar casino. shares its address with a multimillion-dollar casino. Originally on South Beach's Lincoln Road, Santo relocated to Hallandale Beach's Gulfstream Park in the summer of 2010. Though the area's nightlife was seemingly nonexistent, this 4,000-square-foot, urban-chic lounge attracts an upscale South Florida crowd from Boca to Brickell. Located on the second floor of the casino complex, Santo offers full bar and bottle service. As is the case with most ultralounges, Santo isn't cheap -- $20 cover after midnight - but the people are beautiful and the staff is gracious, thus justifying the price of admission. The lounge gets busy after midnight, and it's not uncommon to see young lovers flirting and scantily clad women dancing atop the bar.
Sunfish Grill

2775 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Wilton Manors

954-561-2004

Seafood, American, Eclectic, Best Of, Slideshow

Sunfish Grill was a luminary when it debuted nearly two decades ago in a former luncheonette in Fort Lauderdale. From the charming-though-dated dining room, you'd never know it. At its peak, the restaurant garnered New Times awards including Best Place for an Intimate Conversation and Best Contemporary Restaurant. That was under chef Tony Sindaco and his former wife, pastry chef Erika di Battista. After a move to bigger digs in 2008, the couple split. Despite the changes, Sunfish Grill offers intimate surroundings and beautiful food. A pear salad is adorned with spicy pecans, apples, and grapes on arugula and endive. A tuna bolognese seems an usual dish, yet it's divine: the sheen of tomatoes coats house-made noodles. Fresh tuna melds with tomatoes laced with garlic. And desserts show off di Battista's strengths. The tart Key-lime pie is a good bet. There are deals to be had here, particularly during happy hours, with $5 appetizers and glasses of wine. Couples, a heads-up: Wine, house-made focaccia, and a selection of pasta entrées are half-price for two.

12 articles

Eclectic in South Florida

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