110 June 27- July 3, 2024 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 4 the most delicious French onion soup this side of U.S. 1 and the most delectable steak frites. BEST SPANISH RESTAURANT Casa Xabi 3145 Commodore Plaza Coconut Grove, 33133 786-641-5102 casaxabi.com The Basque Country takes its food seriously, so naturally, Chef Xabi does, too. Hailing from San Sebastián — a gastronomic oasis in the heart of the region that’s known for having more Mi- chelin stars per square meter than anywhere else in the world — Xabi aims to transport din- ers to the world-renowned culinary destination in Northern Spain. The restaurant, which sits on a quiet street in Coconut Grove, embraces the region’s lively traditions and passion for quality ingredients — from its succulent txule- ton, the region’s famous Fred Flintstone-esque bone-in ribeye, to its charred roasted octopus with sweet potato, mouthwatering Iberian ham croquetas, and, of course, the star of the show: the creamy Basque cheesecake. BEST BASQUE RESTAURANT Edan Bistro 650 NE 125th Street North Miami, 33161 305-517-6801 edanbistro.com North Miami isn’t where you first think of searching for upscale Spanish cuisine in South Florida, but this Basque bistro on the city’s main drag can certainly compete with the best of them, especially on price. Iconic dishes like torta de queso can be savored for a fraction of the price of other Basque restaurants in town, and the creative menu by Chef Aitor Garate Be- rasaluze also makes room for inventive dishes like shiitake mushroom croquetas and creamy pumpkin rice. BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT Macchialina 824 Alton Road Miami Beach, 33139 305-534-2124 macchialina.com Filmmaker Federico Fellini proclaimed, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” It’s a mantra at Macchialina, a dark and delicious Italian bis- tro on Alton Road. Macchialina boasts some of the city’s most magical pasta. The carefully cali- brated menu takes into consideration that the best pasta is uncomplicated and comforting and is pared down to six exquisitely con- structed dishes celebrating the finest ingredi- ents. The spaghetti con vongole, featuring little neck clams, is executive chef and owner Mi- chael Pirolo’s favorite. The protein-heavy en- trees, antipasti, and specials strike the same equilibrium. The perfect complement to the main menu’s simplicity is the complexity of the cocktails engineered by Marcus Mooney. Equally ideal for an intimate date or a lively wine-soaked night with close friends, Macchia- lina covers all the bases. The impeccably cu- rated offerings make it almost impossible to decide, which is why the chef’s tasting menu is probably the most satisfying way to take in this spectacular Italian cuisine. BEST GREEK RESTAURANT Maria’s Greek Restaurant 2359 Coral Way Miami, 33145 305-856-0938 marias-greek.business.site instagram.com/mariasgreek As traditional as its name, Maria’s Greek Res- taurant is a quaint, family-run eatery on a ficus- lined portion of Coral Way that has served Miami since 1982. Now 97, original owner Ma- ria Albanis passed the reins on to her daughter, Angeliki (Angela), years ago. The daughter mastered one of the cardinal rules of being Greek: learning to cook. Along with a dash of lemon and oregano, meticulous care is crafted into each plate of spinach-feta spanakopita or char-broiled lamb chops. While the menu has not changed much in 40 years, Angela tells Mi- ami New Times they’ve added a few things, in- cluding branzino and a mouthwatering Mykonos cheese pie, one of the oldest recipes from the island. If you want authentic Greek food and maybe a pinch on the cheek, then head for Maria’s. Just remember, it’s proper eti- quette before meals to say kali orexi — that’s Greek for bon appétit. BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT Daily Bread Marketplace 2400 SW 27th Street Coconut Grove, 33133 305-856-0363 dailybreadmarketplace.com If you’ve ever been to a festival at a Lebanese church and indulged until you had to unbutton your pants or eaten too much kibbeh at a Syrian family reunion, you know what it’s like to eat at Daily Bread. Since 1975, the Mazzawi family has been bringing Middle Eastern cooking to this cafeteria-style restaurant at the edge of Co- conut Grove. Order the authentic, citrusy grape leaves, housemade pita, hummus, tabouli, and beef shawarma, then bring your tray to a table and dig in. After you devour, you shop. Grab some imported cheese, olives, nuts, and spices or large to-go portions of their prepared spe- cialties from the marketplace to bring a taste of the Mediterranean home.
