The brand-spanking new, Urbanite Bistro, a quaint, cozy resto-bar which looks like a typical, underground SoHo spot, invites you to embrace your inner “boho, artistic child” thanks to its rotating exhibits of local artwork, which are for sale and decorate its trendy, plum colored walls.Urbanite offers eclectic bistro fare, of which we recommend the shrimp corn dogs (how can you go wrong?), Pad Thai, and alligator egg-rolls (if you dare). How’s that for “eclectic? Of course, there are your usual meat and potatoes dishes and a variety of sandwiches and burgers. The place also features two stylish and well-appointed bars, perfect for a few cocktails before hitting neighboring clubs, Vagabond and Karu & Y. If you crave a little nosh during clubbing, return to Urbanite- the kitchen closes at 3:00.

To show its support of the local art scene, The Urbanite Bistro invites guests to a public arts reception on Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00- 9:00 p.m. This month this “rotating gallery” hosts provocative artwork by Latin American artists, Gabriela Sanchez-Vegas and Rudolf Kohn. Guests will receive an Urbanite VIP card, redeemable for a complimentary specialty cocktail during the reception. The Urbanite Bistro is located at 62 NE 14th Street. Reservations may be made by calling 305.374.0662 or visiting www.urbanitebistro.com. Valet parking is free.

Here in Downtown, Miami, there are definitely a few spots worth mentioning. Mia Biscayne opened with much fanfare in the form of searchlights, throngs of people outside the velvet ropes and special musical guests last Wednesday. This latest addition to the downtown club scene features a restaurant, live music venue, nightclub and outdoor terrace that just screams “happy hour” to those who work and/or play in the downtown/Brickell area. Conceptually, it’s a like Karu and Y, but with a cozier feel, better service and much more convenient (read less life threatening) location. The premise is that Mia is an ideal place to spend an entire evening, where you can grab a good meal, have some cocktails and stay to dance until 5:00 a.m. Upon arrival, we were personally greeted by the adorable Executive Chef, Gerdy Rodriguez, a young-Tyler Florence type, who looks like he stepped out of one of those reality cooking shows. Rodriguez credits his Cuban upbringing for his flavorful fusion concoctions, which include the Mia roll, lobster topped with spicy tuna, crispy plantains (yes, mariquitas), scallions and avocado cream (our favorite), Kobe sliders and piping hot Manchego cheese and Serrano ham croquettes (close second). Another highlight unique to Mia Biscayne is the I-Bar, a translucent runway installation that club goers control by touching, kind of like laser light show meets giant IPOD touch. Talk about ADHD helper- now if only we could send texts on the thing. Hunky award-winning actor/singer, Jencarlos Canela, and American Idol’s Christina Christian performed live, and DJ George Morel provided the sounds for guests such as Dr. Sanford Ziff; Tara Solomon and Nick D’Annunzio, and notable political figures, Mayor of West Miami, Cesar Carasa, Commissioner, Rebeca Sosa, Commissioner Tomas Regalado and Mayor of Hialeah, Julio Robaina – all of whom presented the owner of MIA, Luis Arias, with a proclamation to the city.

For those of us who work up an appetite after a night of drinking and dancing, Gotham Steak has developed a late night menu worth breaking a sweat for.   The menu items are a food lovers dream including  aged sirloin burgers with bacon, king crab and lobster sandwich, spicy pulled-pork on corn bread , Philly cheese steak sandwiches, and fresh raw bar selections just to name of few,  it’s bound to get your mouth watering.   Desserts don’t  fall far behind with a slew of assortments , my personal favorite, the cream filled doughnuts, it’s like going to heaven over and over again.   These “hangover helpers” are available Friday and Saturday from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.  The icing on the cake, no pun intended, Fontainebleau is offering free valet parking to patrons of it’s restaurants with validation.   For more information go to www.fontainebleau.com/gotham

SUSHISAMBA dromo

 The menu at SUSHISAMBA dromo offers inventive fare that unites precise Japanese technique, bold Brazilian flavors and exquisite Peruvian culinary traditions on one plate. SUSHISAMBA dromo’s signature Sashimi Seviches are excellent examples of this cultural union. 

 A traditional dish of Peru, seviche is created when fish enzymatically cooks by sitting in an acid, such as lemon or lime juice.  After about twenty minutes, the acid “cooks” the fish, giving the same effect that heat has on proteins.  At SUSHISAMBA dromo, sashimi seviche is a twist on the concept of traditional seviche.  However, instead of letting the fish marinate for hours, it marinates for mere minutes — maintaining the integrity of Japanese sashimi while being prepared with Peruvian flavor and technique.  Examples of sashimi seviche at SUSHISAMBA dromo include Tuna Sashimi Seviche with orange, jalapeño, yuzu and white soy, while the Yellowtail Sashimi Seviche brings ginger, garlic and soy.

 600 Lincoln Road

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Tel: 305.673.5337

Website: www.sushisamba.com

 Cuisine: Japanese, Brazilian & Peruvian

Corporate Chef: Michael Cressotti

Corporate Sushi Chef:     Koji Kagawa

Corporate Pastry Chef: Sergio Navarro  

Restaurant Hours:

Sunday – Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Friday & Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 2 a.m.

SAMBABRUNCH: Sun.:  11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m

Price Points:

Small Plates:                             $4.50 – $18.00

Sashimi Seviches:                      $8.00 – $13.50

Samba and Sushi Rolls:            $4.00 – $24.00

Large Plates:                             $17.00 – $26.00

Maya Tapas & Grill

 Located along the famed Lincoln Road walkway in Miami Beach, Maya Tapas and Grill serves Spanish-style tapas and Argentinean inspired dishes.  Its central location makes it the ideal spot to grab a delicious dinner before a big night out, but its ambiance is relaxing enough to spend an entire evening enjoying the food while reveling in the South Beach scene.

 Maya’s signature feature is its large selection of Spanish tapas, small plates that can be shared among groups of diners.  There are over thirty options including Chorizo & Garbanzo ($7.95), garbanzo beans and Spanish sausage, Morcilla Argentina ($8.95), Argentinean blood sausage with marinated onions and Beef Carpaccio ($10.95) – thin layers of beef with baby arugola, manchego, smoked sea salt and truffle oil.

 809 Lincoln Road

Miami Beach, FL 33139

Phone: 305.538.0058                                        

Website:  www.mayatapasandgrill.com

 Cuisine: International fare with Argentinean influences and specialty in grilled meats and tapas

 Restaurant Hours: Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

(1:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays)

Café Prima Pasta

A relaxing escape from the typical South Beach restaurant scene, Café Prima Pasta is the ideal location to enjoy superb home-style Italian cuisine in a comfortable, yet refined atmosphere. 

Now considered one of the best restaurants in South Florida, Café Prima Pasta’s innovative menu includes signature dishes such as Carpaccio di Manzo ($12.95), slices of filet mignon, virgin olive oil, lemon, and Parmesan cheese, Black Linguini Seafood ($20.00), squid ink pasta with fresh seafood in a creamy lobster sauce, Veal Saltimbocca ($23.95), veal with a special cover of spinach, prosciutto, and melted Mozzarella cheese with brown sauce, Corvina Livornese, fresh white filet of fish sautéed with light tomato sauce, capers, olives, and onions, and Flan Cream Caramel ($7.00), served with Argentinean Dulce de Leche ice cream

This street side café brings the rich and flavorful traditions of Italian cuisine by way of the Argentina-born owners, Arturo and Carla Cea, who have continually expanded this family owned business, attracting significant fanfare along the way.

Café Prima Pasta opened in 1993 as a 28-seat restaurant, and now stands as a multi-room haven for fine dining, immersing customers in a traditional Italian setting with warm wooden tables, candlelight glow, and walls full of framed photos of Cea with his celebrity clientele such as Lenny Kravitz, Matt Damon, Shakira, Jessica Simpson, Iggy Pop, and John Travolta (just to name a few). While Papa Arturo Cea and Mamma Carla Cea are cooking in the kitchen, their children, Gerardo, Fabion, and Marcela, take care of the bookkeeping, finances, serving, and maintaining the restaurant’s image, creating a familiar and comfortable atmosphere with a home-ease feel.

414 71st Street

Miami Beach, FL 33141

Restaurant Hours: Open daily for dinner from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. 

For reservations (only available for parties of 6 or more) call 305.867.0106.