96 June 22-28, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times b e s T o f m i a m i ® 2 0 2 3 hummus, grape leaves, yogurt, and fresh fish. Still, there are dishes that are meant to be ex- plored, like the eriste, a homemade pasta dish tossed with walnuts, feta, and parsley, and izmir kofte, a casserole of meatballs, carrots, and potatoes in a fragrant tomato sauce. Fin- ish your meal with a cup of rich, potent Turk- ish coffee. El Turco doesn’t offer wine, but you can bring a bottle. B E S T G R E E K R E S TA U R A N T Calista Taverna 150 Giralda Avenue Coral Gables, 33134 786-310-7660 calistataverna.com Calista Taverna’s white-and-blue storefront looks as if it were chiseled off a Santorini cliff- side and magically transplanted onto Giralda, the popular pedestrian street in Coral Gables. The housemade moussaka is the eatery’s pride and joy, as is the Greek salad made with Greek-imported feta. Pescatarians can rejoice in the daily fresh selection of whole fish and seafood on ice in the back of the restaurant. But don’t skimp on the turf-based offerings, including chicken souvlaki and lamb chops. B E S T I TA L I A N R E S TA U R A N T Timo Restaurant 17624 Collins Avenue Sunny Isles Beach, 33160 305-936-1008 timorestaurant.com Because Miamians are always chasing after the next big thing, too distracted with the shiny and the new, we forget, never learn, or don’t care about the truly terrific restaurants like Tim Andriola’s Timo that thrive in non- touristy neighborhoods and quietly celebrate 20 years of serving high-quality, inventive Italian fare to adoring fans. Well, now you know. Pass it on to the tech bro from Califor- nia to whom you just sold your condo for three times what it’s worth. B E S T S PA N I S H R E S TA U R A N T Zeru Miami 1395 Brickell Avenue (in the Hotel AKA Brickell) Miami, 33131 786-809-1395 zerumiami.com Sure, Zeru Miami serves plenty of Basque cuisine, ranging from tasty pintxos (snacks) to socarrats (rice dishes that mimic the burned, stuck-to-the-pan part of paella). And we know how a separatist Vascongado might feel about getting lumped in with anything that says Spain, even for an award. But since Zeru offers a range of the country’s cuisine, with most of the main courses and side dishes cooked on a very Spanish Josper grill, we fig- ure it fits within the parameters just fine. That said, while Zeru mines inspiration from Spain, it takes its cue from quality, and sources proteins from all over the world, in- cluding a don’t-miss Alaskan king crab with miso glaze, a Wagyu tomahawk, and Japa- nese Kobe striploin. B E S T F R E N C H R E S TA U R A N T Bagatelle Miami 1669 Collins Avenue Miami Beach, 33139 305-704-3900 bagatelle.com/venues/miami With a rolling wave of French places opening up in town, it’s becoming tough for Franco- phile culinarians to choose where to dine. Or is it? With fare that reflects the southern, sun- shine-y aspect of the country, Bagatelle Mi- ami serves plenty of dishes with fresh, explosive flavors, ranging from grilled octo- pus with blistered red peppers, tomatoes, and toasted almonds to steamed sea bass with Florida oranges and fennel. The art leans to- ward the pop culture side of things, and a DJ builds energy with bops leading into bangers, so you’ve got yourself a perfect Miami eve- ning filled with a feast of entertainment. B E S T W I N E L I S T Niu Wine 134 NE Second Avenue Miami, 33132 786-542-7070 @niuwine (Instagram) Come to Niu Wine for its extensive natural wine selection and personalized recommen- dations. Located just a few doors down from its sister restaurant, Niu Kitchen, this indus- trial-chic space is just as intimate and roman- tic with narrow tables and candlelight. Rather than order off a menu, the staff will bring you some selections to try. Part of the experience is never knowing what to expect, whether it’s a glass of grenache/syrah blend from Ardèche or an Italian vermouth. It all pairs perfectly with an ever-changing tapas selection. B E S T D E S S E R T S Lolita Dessert Club 17840 West Dixie Highway North Miami Beach, 33160 305-454-0541 lolitadessertclub.com Imagine wearing rose-colored glasses. That’s what it looks like inside Lolita Dessert Club. In addition to displaying seemingly every shade of pink, this dainty tearoom is more than an Instagram backdrop. This intimate North Miami Beach space serves colorful macaroons and warm cookies. Opt for the chocolate-covered strawberries, or European sweets like dark-chocolate bonbons and homemade crêpes that come in a variety of flavors, including cheesecake, Nutella, and banana pudding. B E S T D E L I Kush Hialeah 1000 E. 16th Street Hialeah, 33010 305-887-8863 kushhospitality.com/locations/stephens In a town that’s way too comfortable demol- ishing its history to make way for luxury con- dos, it’s noteworthy that Matt Kuscher and his team have preserved the integrity of one of the oldest New York-style delis in Miami- Dade dating back to the 1950s. When you step inside, Kush by Stephens feels as if it were cast in amber with nostalgic wood paneling, stained glass lamps, plush booths, and an- tique swivel stools at the bar. Keeping its orig- inal hand-sliced promise, the menu highlights Hialeah’s Jewish-Cuban flavors with Bubbie’s matzoh ball soup, crispy latkes, and Newman’s Jewban, a sandwich marrying both cultures with pulled pork and corned beef. If you had any doubt that you were in- deed in Hialeah — a city that boasts the larg- est population of Cuban and Cuban-American residents in the country — peek inside the men’s bathroom for a urinal cake with Fidel Castro’s face on it. B E S T KO S H E R - S T Y L E R E S TA U R A N T Etzel Itzik Deli 18757 West Dixie Highway Miami, 33180 305-937-1546 etzelitzikmiami.com Etzel Itzik serves Israeli cuisine so authentic that each bite of hummus feels like it’s bring- ing you closer to Tel Aviv. From the schnitzel to the shishlik, the meats at this Aventura res- taurant are proudly all kosher. But don’t miss the tahini, hummus, falafel, or daily specials. The menus are printed in English and He- brew, and staff can understand and often speak both languages. B E S T B A R B E C U E Bo Legs BBQ 533 NE 83rd Street Miami, 33138 305-462-5815 hiphopeatery.com Inspired by his North Carolina roots, self- made chef Kevin Doherty has spent more than 30 years perfecting the art of barbecue. His restaurant’s new location inside an El Portal skatepark is an unexpected upgrade from his longtime outdoor operation from the Foxy Lady Laundry parking lot in North Mi- ami Beach. As part of a collaboration with South Florida restaurant group Hip Hop Eat- ery, Bo Legs BBQ officially relaunched inside Eat & Drink
