Editor's Favorites: Rick Munarriz

by Rick Munarriz - Citysearch Contributor - 339 Reviews - 133 Lists

Updated: November 17, 2008

Favorite way to spend a weekend afternoon: In the water, during the summer. As a Miami Dolphins season ticket holder since the Marino days, you know where I am on Sundays in the fall – Favorite bands: The Killers, Modest Mouse, and any band that can take modern spins on the carefree alt-rock of the 1980s. I was part of the Miami dance scene in the late 1980s with my band Paris By Air, and I'm still passionate about music – Last splurge: Finally giving the kids what they wanted and springing for a backyard pool – Favorite drink: When in Miami, how can you not try a mojito? Raspberry mojitos seem to bring out the best in me lately – –

On this page:My Favorite Neighborhood Hangouts, My Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant, My Favorite Take-Out Spot, My Favorite Cuban Restaurants, My Favorite Downtown Lunch Spot, My Favorite Steakhouse, Where I Take Out-Of-Town Guests, My Favorite Hotel.

My Favorite Neighborhood Hangouts

  1. 1 4 Star Rating: Recommended Titanic Brewing Company
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    5813 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33146 (map)

    With the University of Miami campus on one side and South Miami on the other, young scholars and white collar professionals meet in the microbrewed middle.

  2. 2 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Bougainvillea's Old Florida
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    7221 SW 58th Ave, South Miami, FL 33143 (map)

    No velvet rope. No pretentiousness. No dress code. It's the perfect antidote to the South Beach scene and stiff prices.

My Favorite Neighborhood Restaurant

  1. 3 3.5 Star Rating: Average Dan Marino's Fine Food & Spirit
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    5701 Sunset Dr Ste 194, South Miami, FL 33143 (map)

    Even if I wasn't a fan of the Hall of Fame quarterback, the comfort food is so much better than athlete-named venues typically settle for. Save room for the almond basket for dessert. You'll thank me.

My Favorite Take-Out Spot

  1. 4 4 Star Rating: Recommended Venivici
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    2312 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134 (map)

    Peruvian poultry joint isn't cheap, but the juicy rotisserie and taste bud awakening ethnic side dishes really hit the spot.

My Favorite Cuban Restaurants

  1. 5 Original Rio Cristal
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    9872 SW 40th St, Miami, FL 33165 (map)

    If cheap and fast is how you ride, this unassuming cafeteria is the best proxy to the dearly departed Lila's of Westchester. Oh, how I miss Lila's.

  2. 6 4 Star Rating: Recommended Casa Larios
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    7705 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33144 (map)

    Let the tourists and politicos have Versailles. The original Lario's is really the best Cuban food eatery in town.

My Favorite Downtown Lunch Spot

  1. 7 2.5 Star Rating: Below Average Rosa Mexicano Restaurant
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    900 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130 (map)

    If the charm of waiters whipping up fresh guacamole at your table doesn't win you over, the authentic Mexican entrees will. If you find a better chicken tortilla soup, let me know.

My Favorite Steakhouse

  1. 8 3.5 Star Rating: Average Prime 112 Restaurant
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    112 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (map)

    There is no shortage of quality chophouses in town, but this trendy choice slaughters the stuffier competition with its signature side dishes. That may explain why there always seem to be a celebrity or two a few tables away.

Where I Take Out-Of-Town Guests

  1. 9 4 Star Rating: Recommended Barton G Restaurant
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    1427 West Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (map)

    Foodies cringe, but the over-the-top plate presentations in a SoBe-perfect garden setting is the perfect "welcome to Miami" meal.

  2. 10 4 Star Rating: Recommended Matheson Hammock Park
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    9610 Old Cutler Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33156 (map)

    When the beaches are too crowded, this park offers a refreshing lifeguard-tended lagoon, a marina, and surprising nature trails.

  3. 11 2 Star Rating: Below Average Michael's Genuine
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    130 NE 40th St, Miami, FL 33137 (map)

    Michael Schwartz has made the Design District happening again, thanks to an eclectic menu that colors deliciously outside of the lines.

My Favorite Hotel

  1. 12 4 Star Rating: Recommended The Raleigh Hotel
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    1775 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (map)

    It may lack the girth and amenities of the Loews or the celebrity-magnetic appeal of Delano, but this is the coolest beachfront hotel in South Beach.

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