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Michael's is so good, enjoy that first night!
I have to recommend Prime 112, if not only for the food, but the experience. Just be prepared that even with a reservation you will have to wait for a table ( we waited for about a half hour for ours). But since the weather is so nice you can just wait outside and stare at the cars and the celebrities coming in.

As for the food, I found it better than most steakhouses that we have been to. My husband had the filet and I had a really good cod dish. Everything else that we tried, we really enjoyed.

the 'cue shack in durham,nc!

Sauteeing, but I love to roast in the fall/ winter

I am really sad to say that I only got 2 correct. I thought that I knew somthing about bbq, but like corycm it only means that I get to study more!

Ohh-- there are so many. The Steingarten, Trillin, and Reichl books are all amazing, but I wouldn't say my favorite ( although I never want their books to end). I'm also glad someone else mentioned the Thornes. Their book "Pot on the Fire" was my first food related book that I read and I am looking forward to reading it again. I really enjoyed the Julia Child and Paul Prud'Homme "My Life in France". As someone else mentioned, not so much about food, but a beautifully written story about/ by such a beloved woman. I am currently enjoying both "the United States of Arugula" by David Kamp, and "How I Learned to Cook" edited by Kimberly Witherspoon and Peter Meehan. Both are really interesting in their own ways. I started both "Heat" and "the Perfectionist" in the past year, and really need to get back to them soon.

I just came back from Miami and wanted to report on the experience since you all were so helpful with the recs. We ended up going to Michael's, Prime 112, Michy's, Cacao and Osteria del Teatro. Michael's is a MUST. It was our favorite of the trip. It offers homey yet inventive fare and the atmosphere is wonderful, full of life, vibrant. Truly a fantastic restaurant. Prime 112 was a TOTAL scene and they made us wait an hour before seating us, but it was an experience and the food was pretty good. If you go, it is for the scene more than anything else because I am sure there are other steakhouses that offer the same quality food. Cacaos was very good, beautiful presentations, more low key. We also loved Osteria. Osteria has a great atmosphere (the SOBE location is a big part of it) even though it somehow seems more old fashioned than the others (it's been there for a while). Still, it was refreshing and the food was delicious. Get the specials! Michy's, although good food and wonderful service, was just ok, and I guess this is because it has the most hype surrounding it and it's not as exciting. We liked Michael's better.

Thanks again to all for the help!

I've been to Las Culebrinas a bunch of times... i did not know there was one in Coconut Grove, because the one I;ve been to is in Hialeah's West side... on 12th W Ave and 45th street... around there... and it's not too fancy at all. I go in wearing bermuda shorts and sleveless shirts all the time.

If you do indeed go... Las Culebrinas' chicharritas de platano con mojito are super duper good. I also quite enjoy in Hialeah Las Delicias. It's on 48th street and on a marginal road next to 4Th W Ave. it's almost on the mall righte these on 49th street/4th W ave. They do, in my humble opinion, have THE BEST chicharritas de platano ever. They are super thin and their mojo rocks!!!! it's cool to go for lunch if you're in that area... not touristy at all.

as an ex-miami resident but frequent visitor there, i have three recommendations: 1) graziano's may be the finest argentinian parilla north of buenos aires. it may be the best argentinian restaurant in the world. go to the bird road (original) one,it's the best. as you might expect, their italian dishes are also superb. 2) versailles on calle ocho - not going to versailles is indeed like not going to the eiffel tower. the food is fine, but it is the archetypal cuban restaurant, and definitely the place to see and be seen. it is also open nearly 24 hours, and has great breakfasts. 3) las culebrienas - very elegant latin restaurant, stunningly good food. mainly cuban but seriously upscale. there are two - the one in coconut grove is a bit fancier. DO NOT MISS THESE RESTAURANTS! rks

My five favorite things:
Southern Fried Chicken
Cocoanut Ice Cream
Hot Fudge Sundae
Porterhouse Steak
Garlic Bread

It's cubed potatoes with sour cream with ranch dressing and cheddar cheese baked.