Dining guide - Directory

South Florida CEO, Feb, 2003

AIRPORT WEST

Armillary Grill 2505 NW 87th Avenue. 305-4681400. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the elegant Armillary Grill in the Hotel Inter-Continental features a varied menu. But the real reason to come is the buffet, which is laden with sushi, canapes and various hot dishes, and a fine assortment of baked desserts. Open 7 days, 7:00 am-11:00 p.m. $$$

Windows on the Green 4400 SW 87th Ave. 305-592-2000. This beautiful enclosed terrace restaurant at the Doral looks out on the resort's famed golf courses. Features an abundant lunch buffet, complete with a comprehensive sushi bar, pasta station and desert cart to die for. Seafood dominates the menu. Seasonal stone crabs and Florida lobster abound. Open 7 days, 6 am-10 p.m. $$$$

ELSEWHERE

5061 Eaterie & Deli (Morningaide) 5061 Biscayne Boulevard. 305-756-5051. Trendy restaurant in Miami's newest hotspot serves up delicious salads, sandwiches and other light fare, as well as good pastas, meat and fish. Open 7 days from 6:30 a.m. $$$

Shula's (Miami Lakes) 7601 Miami Lakes Drive. 305-820-8102. The original that became a chain, this shrine to the Dolphins football team serves up not only some of the best cuts of beef, but some of the biggest Open for lunch Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; dinner? days, 6-11 p.m. $$$$

Soyka (Morningaide) 5556 Biscayne Boulevard, 305-759-3117. This trendy eatery just north of downtown Miami is packed during lunch, but the dinner hour's just as busy these days. The huge charbroiled cheeseburgers are awesome, as are the thin-crust pizzas with toppings like goat cheese and shrimp. Pastas are also reliably good. Tasty desserts. Industrial-romantic setting. Open Sun-Thurs., 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m. -Midnight. $$$$

FORT LAUDERDALE

Bistro Mezzaluna 741 SE 17th Street. 954-522-6620. This frenetic eatery is ultra-trendy, but the food -- simply prepared bistro fare -- is out of this world. Get there early -- no reservations means a wait any day of the week Pastas are a standout, but the meat and poultry dishes are the real deal. Try the perfect roast chicken. Open Mon.-Thurs., 6 p.m.-11 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 6 p.m. Midnight. $$$

Black Orchid Cafe 2985 N. Ocean Boulevard. 954-561-9398. Best described as eccentric, this contemporary French restaurant pushes the envelope with dishes such as buffalo carpaccio, Canadian elk and sauteed calf's liver. Dover sole is deboned tableside. Flambeed bananas Foster is a tasty ending. Great place for a business lunch. Open Mon. Thurs. 6 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 6 p.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. in-season. $$$$

Eduardo De San Angel 2622 E. Commercial Boulevard. 954-772-4731. Gourmet Mexican food is the name of the game at this eatery. There's plenty to drink, too, to the tune to 50 wines offered by the glass. Authentic Mexican spices and chiles - such as guajillo - mean meat dishes taste the part. Great power-lunch spot. Open Mon.-Sat., 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sun. $$$$

Jackson's Steakhouse 450 E. Las Olas Boulevard. 954-522-4450. A favorite of the business elite of Fort Lauderdale, this steakhouse serves dry-aged steaks and chops. Always a plus: the place has a thorough wine list, and serves a topnotch martini. Open to the public for dinner, this mahogany-accented restaurant is a private club during lunch. Open Sun.-Thurs., 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5 p.m.-11 p.m. $$$$