& Beard Award for Best Chef: South in 2010. Now, more than a decade later, Michael’s has a fresh, new look to match its uber-chic neighbors. And while the neighborhood sur- rounding the restaurant has turned decidedly exclusive, Michael’s continues to welcome everyone. So, whether you’re dripping in a di- amond Rolex or sporting a Fitbit, stop in for a genuinely superb meal. BES T RES TAURANT (MIMO/LITTLE RIVER) Naomi’s Garden 650 NW 71ST STREET MIAMI, 33150 305-456-4715 NAOMISMIAMI.COM Yaron Yemini opened Naomi’s Place in honor of his mother, but the Israeli restaurant has become a community place of belonging and love. Three decades ago when Yemini and his wife, Shula, opened Naomi’s Garden on a shoestring, the restaurant was little more than a shack with a tiny kitchen, but the Yeminis set about making it their own. They started out serving Israeli food, but the menu turned to Haitian and Creole cuisine when the local ladies they hired commenced cook- ing the food they grew up with. Today, Nao- mi’s Garden serves some of the best Haitian food in Miami in an idyllic garden setting. The format is simple: You choose a meat or main vegetable dish (oxtail, fried chicken, fried snapper, goat stew, and spinach stew Drink Eat are some of the options), then add sides (rice and peas, fried plantains, steamed vegeta- bles, and macaroni, to name but a few). Fi- nally, you can up the heat level with house-made pickles or condiments. Then, choose a seat in the lush garden and enjoy. It’s one of Miami’s best bargains, set in one of the most charming settings. BES T RES TAURANT (MIAMI BEACH) Kosushi Miami 801 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE, UNIT 105 MIAMI BEACH, 33139 786-647-7272 KOSUSHIMIAMI.COM Sure, we know. Miami is home to a zillion su- shi restaurants. What makes this Brazilian- based one any better than the rest? And better than all of the other restaurants in Mi- ami Beach? It’s not merely executive chef Edwin Delgado’s Asian fusion dishes and the craft of his sushi chefs — although there is that. It’s not merely the intriguing cocktail list constructed by Brazilian mixologist Már- cio Silva. (Though there’s that, too.) It’s not merely the stunning interior design, a spiral- ing wood effect created by Brazilian archi- tect Arthur Casas, although there is that, too. It’s not even the impressive Michelin star awarded to its original location in São Paulo, Brazil. It’s all of those things together that make this place, whose name translates to “number one,” our choice. 84 84 CS A PRINT S TOCK / GETT Y IMAGES JUNE 23-29, 2022 JUNE 23-29, 2022 NEW TIMES NEW TIMES BEST OF MIAMI® 2022 BEST OF MIAMI® 2022 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com
