The just released 2008 Miami/South Florida Restaurants Survey – based on input from over 5,700 frequent diners – depicts a vibrant, pricey dining scene featuring all new Top Food winners, with star chef Michelle Bernstein leading the Miami pack.
Bernstein's Upper East Side New American Michy's nabbed Miami's Top Food honors, surpassing last year's winner, Peruvian standout Francesco. In Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County, Pompano Beach's New American–Eclectic Cafe Maxx dethroned New American seafooder Sunfish Grill. Meanwhile, Key West's Pisces, a stylish New American seafooder, took the Top Food title from the romantic Dining Room at Little Palm Island Resort, while in Palm Beach, Chez Jean-Pierre Bistro's Classic French fare landed it in the No. 1 spot over 11 Maple Street, last year's winner.
"It's no secret that Miami and South Florida are home to some of the country's most innovative restaurants," said Tim Zagat, co-founder and CEO of Zagat Survey. "What's interesting is how quickly things change here – showing that all restaurateurs need to work hard to stay at the top of their games."
Somethings never change, however, and so it comes as little surprise that Joe's Stone Crab, the third most profitable restaurant in the nation, held on to its title as Miami's Most Popular dining destination.