Lavilla

I ate at 8 1/2 twice in three days because the food was so good! The service was absolutely great and the mojitos were some of the best I've ever had (coming from a Miamian no less!) The atmosphere was also great. I was simply a great dining experience! Pros: Mojitos, Incredible tasting menu, atmosphere Cons: nothing! more

Restaurant 8 1/2 is a tour de force. The service is snappy and the waitstaff were eager to cater to my every whim. The chef, Jason, came out of the kitchen to greet my table, as well as expain how things work at 8 1/2. It is possible to order an entree as we tend to know them (my wife loved the baked free range chicken with feta cheese, tomato gravy, and potatoes) but the restaurant's "catch" is that most people choose to order a number of small tasting dishes, that, put together, are quite filling. Every person creates their own personalized tasting menu, which can optionally be paired with wine flights. Basically, you receive a different glass of wine with each dish. The sesame ahi was by far the best I have ever had. We chose to sit inside and it was quite a romantic environment. The interior is not very big so it makes for an intimate setting. There were people sitting outside by a pool as well. Overall, it would be impossible for me not to recommend 8 1/2. It is quite simply one of the best restaurants in South Beach, as well as Greater Miami. Pros: Ambience, Service, Personal Attention from Chef, Every Dish, Wine List Cons: Kind of small more