Food & Drink

For the record: This decision was not based on Conley's good looks alone, although those boyish dimples most certainly did not hurt. Combine those good looks with a pedigree to match — in 2005, he was named a StarChef's Rising Star Chef, spent time working directly under Todd English, and managed to fill Michelle Bernstein's shoes as executive chef of Azul — and you have yourself a celebrity chef. Conley is known for exquisitely prepared dishes from his wood-fired grill at Buccan and Asian-inspired cuisine with modern twists at Imoto. He has been the only chef in Broward and Palm Beach counties to get nods from the James Beard for the past two years. Although he didn't make the finalist cut, he's still our hometown hero.

Jacques Bruna is a man of many hats. A musician, a lyricist, a friend, a family man. In this case, Jacques (or "Bleubird") is a bartender, and a damned fine one at that. Working at Laser Wolf for just a little under a year, Jacques tends bar "to make helicopter cash," he says. Still, Bruna takes pride in his work, describing all of the hours there as "happy" when asked for advice on the best time to come in for a drink, and everything is "special." Ask him for a recommendation and Bruna will tell you that Laser Wolf "only serves the best beer, so you can't go wrong!" He knows your name, remembers your face, and if he doesn't say much, it's because he's listening. Fast with his wit, Bruna is even faster on his feet. When one night, a regular suddenly started looking ill and feeling even worse, the man stepped up when no one else would to drive this friend and patron home safely (because no one else knew how to drive stick). Don't rely on the bartenders at Laser Wolf as a regular cab service, but that is the stuff a Best Bartender is made of. "He really wasn't doing so good," Bruna says. "I had never seen him like that. Bartender or not—why wouldn't you help someone if you could?" After all, the sign on the door does say "No Jerks."

No category is more hotly contested than Best Pizza. Everyone has an opinion, and with so many former New Yorkers living in our midst, most of those opinions are negative. (We get it. New York has the best pizza.) But Annie's Pizza & Subs meets all the requirements for a perfect pie: Slices are bigger than your face. There's a good sauce-to-cheese ratio. And when you bite in — scalding the roof of your mouth a little because you just couldn't wait — the cheese stretches the length of your arm before breaking loose yet doesn't slide off in a cheese avalanche. At Annie's, when you fold the slice at the top, grease drips down your arm, and the tip of the floppy slice points downward at a 45-degree angle. Feel free to argue that you can't get good pizza down here and write an essay extolling the magical properties of New York water in the baking of pizza dough. After rousing from our pizza-induced coma, we're going to actively ignore you and eat another slice.

Run by Mohod Flafil and his wife, Hanna, this is not just a falafel stand. The goods here range from yogurt soda to hookah tobacco to halal meats from the deli. If you've been hunting down a rare ingredient or craving some baklava, this well-organized, clean, brightly lit little shop is the place to stop. Then, of course, there's the falafel. Hanna (who prepares the food) is not stingy — there are plenty of crispy chickpea balls in the nearly foot-long tube of pita bread — which is baked and delivered to the shop every day but Sunday. A falafel sandwich comes with tomatoes, onion, pickles, and tahini sauce, but they will gladly leave off any topping you don't want. The falafel meal includes a drink and a piece of baklava. (Do NOT skip the baklava.) Falafel balls are also available minus the sandwich for 70 cents apiece.

Tucked away in a converted house on the outskirts of Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove is the juiciest, meatiest, most delicious burgers that can be found in South Florida. On the corner of NE Third Street and Third Avenue, the appropriately named 3rd & 3rd creates burger magic. A firm brioche bun cradles a perfectly seared patty of luscious beef with lettuce, tomato, onion, and choice of pepper jack, cheddar, Swiss, or blue cheese. Those ingredients alone make for the perfect burger. Add the balsamic red onion jam and you have yourself a match made in heaven.

Traditional fries have an old-school appeal that means they'll always be the most popular kid in school: the quarterback, the letterman, the prom king. But like the intense, art-school loner who charms all the ladies, there's something special about the orange-hued uniqueness of a sweet-potato fry. And when they're hand-cut and fried to a light, gentle crisp, it's easy to pass up your average-joe potato. At the family-owned Gilbert's 17th Street Grill, you can pair 'em with a juicy burger or make 'em your main course — they're downright addictive. They'll come out piping hot, sitting coyly atop newsprint. Place your order at the counter and sit a spell in the casual, no-frills dining room. Once you've inhaled an order or two, you may need to be rolled out. But a tryst with these homemade treasures is well worth the aftermath.

You've had your fake-crab California roll a million times. Sure, you like it. And yeah, it's comforting — the blankie of sushi. Well, kids, it's time to grow up in the world of Japanese cuisine. There are things going on outside that Americanized roll universe that you couldn't even dream. Like Imoto's special nigiri. Sticky yet downy mounds of rice are topped with the most decadent combination of ingredients. Fluke nigiri ($4.50) comes topped with foie gras, momiji, scallion, and ponzu. Scallop nigiri ($4) boasts lemon, shiso salt, and tomburi. Lobster nigiri ($7) is delicately layered with ginger sauce and fried shiso. What? You need something more? Imoto is open.

Most of the time, you're getting a bland, gristly, dried-out piece of meat on a plain old soggy kaiser with lettuce and cheese. Not exactly the epitome of an exciting culinary experience. And then there's the Latin-inspired chicken sandwich of the Chimney House. Flaky warm ciabatta bread encases tender, marinated chicken breast; creamy queso fresco; bright, garlicky chimichurri; lettuce; and tomato. You would never believe a mere chicken sandwich could be so good. Qué rico!

"Let them eat cheese." That was totally a passage in the Bible, right? Because Jesus was definitely on the Brie train. Either way, it's no secret that the allure of cheesy goodness has been tempting mankind for centuries. So if you're craving some of that dairy deliciousness, stroll into the low-key storefront of the Cheese Course. Take a gander at the vast array of cheeses, the wine selection, the sammy options, the fresh-baked baguettes. Drool profusely. But like a good little calorie-conscious soldier, opt instead for the roasted beet salad. For $9.85, you'll get more than your daily fill of fruits and veggies. And to stay true to the spot's moniker, the greens, beets, sliced oranges, strawberries, and pine nuts (all mixed up with a honey-tarragon vinaigrette) are topped with creamy, crumbly goat cheese. Which makes that lettuce look a whole lot more appealing.

The Amsterdam Toast ($6.50) is a funny name for a bagel sandwich, but it might be the key to world peace. This bagel is filled with Gouda cheese, red onions, and hard-boiled eggs and topped with tomato sauce before it's pressed and heated, thereby merging all the ingredients together. Speaking to the server, we learn that in Israel, hot-pressing a sandwich is called "toasting it." We call it delicious — and a metaphor for making the world a better place. The simple act of "melting together" the parts of this sandwich make it better than the parts alone, and the merging of European cheese and Israeli style in a small U.S. café tells us that no matter what our geographical location, we can all agree on a good bagel.

In Pineapple Grove, just a few blocks north of Delray's restaurant-saturated Atlantic Avenue, you'll find Christina's, and if it's a weekend, you'll also probably find a wait. It shouldn't be too long, though — the staff at Christina's knows how to hustle. The bright, tropical décor is perfect for a sunny South Florida morning. The dress code is Florida casual — i.e., most diners look like they just came from yoga or the dog park. The coffee is hot, fresh, and constantly refilled, and the menu is chock-full of breakfast standards served in satisfying but not gut-busting portions. We recommend the salmon platter — a hearty helping of beautiful pink lox, cream cheese, capers, chopped tomatoes, and sliced onions served with an English muffin. If you are looking for something heartier, they also serve a mean eggs Benedict, drizzled in tangy hollandaise.

Brunch is a delicate dance. The eats must be heavy enough to absorb excess alcohol from the night before yet light enough to keep you from falling into a daylong food coma. The meal needs to serve as a cure-all for your many ills and provide proper sustenance for the day to boot. Kristof's Kafé has it down. Here, there are options aplenty to please the pickiest eater. Whatever else tempts your palate (and much will), make sure you snag an order of the strawberry stuffed French toast ($7.99). Made of thick bread crusted with corn flakes and layered with a sweet cream-cheese filling and ripe red strawberries, this powdered-sugar-laden indulgence will ruin you for other French toast forever. Or, opt for fluffy chocolate-chip pancakes, pillowy homemade biscuits and gravy, or Southern fave chicken-fried steak. No frills, just hearty weekend eats to keep you happily satiated till the Monday-morning blues roll around. Sadly, there's no edible cure for that weekly disease.

Relish may be known for its burgers, but a certain distinction should be made for its milk shakes — all 14 to 17 of them. "Rich and creamy" doesn't even begin to describe them. Made with ice cream, they're thick enough to make even competitive eaters think twice about ordering seconds. The list includes cookies 'n' cream, chocolate cherry, bananas foster, espresso bean, peanut butter cup, salted caramel, chocolate truffle, and — of course — a traditional black and white. Each one is blended just right so that each ingredient is clearly distinguishable. Take the strawberry shortcake, served with large pieces of fresh-cut strawberries and bite-sized bits of angel-food cake swirled into the mix, while the campfire s'mores shake comes dotted with marshmallow, graham cracker, and chocolate chunks. Of course, you can also customize, and feel free to add favorites like peanut butter, malt, or chocolate to any shake for just 99 cents more.

This new ice cream parlor and dessert shop is sweet-tooth overkill. What to order? The snow cones, made with fresh-shaved ice using old-fashioned, hand-operated, ice-cutting machines? Soft-serve frozen yogurt, offered in hundreds of flavors? Or handmade ice cream cookie sandwiches? The bestsellers are the shaved ice, with more than a dozen flavor combinations like strawberries and cream or Dreamsicle. Both begin with a layer of either regular or soft-serve vanilla ice cream at the bottom, topped with layers of fresh-shaved ice and finished with any of the Hawaiian syrups mixed fresh in-house. Customizable, made-to-order ice cream cakes allow customers to pick two of their favorite ice cream flavors and add endless toppings swirled into the mix. Cakes are topped with sprinkles for a delicious, take-home treat.

Historians say the burrito as we know it came into being in California — not Mexico — sometime during the 19th Century. No one can say, "What? That's not an authentic burrito!" because the burrito is still evolving. So Taco Prince commits no culinary sin by including French fries — in addition to carne asada, guacamole, avocado slices, pico de gallo, and cheese — in its California Burrito. It kind of makes sense: Though potatoes are often thought of as an Irish food, they originally came from the Americas — North and South. So if any culture has a claim to them, it's Mexico. Whatever — just eat the danged thing. It's delicious! Besides, when have French fries ever not improved a meal?

In a place with a large population of transplanted New Yorkers, calling this yellow-school-bus-looking food truck PS561 was a pretty smart marketing move. Transplanting Sabrett hot dogs (every New Yorker's favorite) and grilling them inside said food truck was an even better move. The rather legendary 100-percent-beef dogs are the kind of links that other, lesser tubes of meat aspire to be. They'd be pretty amazing dirty-water-style on a bun with some mustard, but PS561 is a hip gourmet food truck, so there was no chance of leaving it at that — thank God. Instead, cooks split the dogs, then grill them. All menu items have academically inspired names: the FCAT (bacon, sweet coleslaw, jalapeños, barbecue sauce), the Principal Ron (goat cheese, bacon, barbecue sauce), and the Crazy Art Teacher (extra barbecue sauce, jalepeños, cheddar cheese, and Fritos chips). If you are feeling adventurous, try the Math Whiz, topped with Asian-style slaw and Sriracha mayonnaise. Animal lovers, never fear — they've got veggie dogs too. Though PS561 is based out of Lake Worth, it travels all over Broward and Palm Beach. Follow the truck on Facebook, or tweet @ps561 and ask them to bring the dogs to your business or event.

Chicken wings. They're symbolic of all things American: football, daytime drinking, the great city of Buffalo, fried food. While we love ourselves a good ol' piece of 'Murica, times are a-changin'. Wings are no longer limited to mild, medium, hot, or atomic. Kapow! Noodle Bar has ushered in a new dawn of chicken wings with Vietnamese-style treats. Rather than being smothered in fatty sauce, these little beauts take a swim in a sweet, spicy, Asian-inspired marinade and then are drained and fried dry. They're served piping hot, sprinkled with cilantro and a drizzle of the sauce, reduced to a syrup.

Not even a born-and-bred Philly-cheese-steak purist could deny the awesomeness that is Famous Phil's Steak Bomb. A mere $9.58 gets you a soft, 12-inch bun piled high with thin-sliced rib eye, provolone cheese, mushrooms, peppers, onion, and a ladleful of spaghetti sauce. Only two things result from taking on a sandwich of that magnitude: stomach-stretching fullness and a red-sauce-stained shirt. It's all worth it. Famous Phil's has been a Plantation institution for more than four decades. The standing-room-only shop has changed hands a few times since Kim Bartnick opened. Current owner Sheila DiPasquale, who worked at Phil's for 35 years before buying it in 2007, has kept everything inside the small, cash-only shop the same, including the menu, vendors, and Formica-heavy décor. If Sheila isn't the one making your sandwich, it's her daughter Ramonda Leonard or daughter-in-law Hope Matthieson.

When pho is good, it's freaking amazing. Unfortunately, it's hard to come across one that's executed well: the majority being oversalted, one-dimensional broths, filled with the basic meats, noodles, and herbs. What the pho? Not the case at Saigon City. Situated in a Lauderdale Lakes shopping mall, in the Vietnamese area of 441 — yes, there is such a thing — this spot churns out piping-hot bowls of the most delectably rich pho you can find in South Florida. For less than 11 bucks a pop, it's a deal that is — pardon our pun — unphogettable.

This building has been a Texaco gas station, and more recently, the Poopie Doll Florist, but today, after renovations, owner Barry Hilton and his partner and executive chef, Roberto Sanchez, have transformed it into a rustic barbecue shack that serves the most authentic, wood-smoked barbecue around. According to Hilton, the secret to their success is in the smoker, the same one Sanchez used at a restaurant in Austin, Texas. It uses 100 percent wood logs to smoke the meat and absolutely no electricity or gasoline — something only a few restaurants in South Florida can lay claim to. Everyone's favorite: the beef brisket, which is given a secret spice rub and slow-smoked for 14 hours before it's fresh-sliced and served as a sandwich. "Here, we don't try to overload the meat with a lot of seasoning," Hilton says. "We let the wood and meat do its own thing."

Since opening in mid-September, the 2,000-square-foot red stucco building a mile west of I-95 has garnered a unique and devoted crowd hankering for a taste of Bay Bay's signature dish: chicken and waffles. Sure, the waffles are good, but it's owner Israel Johnson's fried chicken that makes this dish a knockout. The family recipe includes a special blend of spices and breading; that poor chicken goes through an elaborate (and top-secret) 11-step process before being fried and plated for your enjoyment. Johnson produces the absolute most flavorful, crispy chick-chick around — so good, you won't even need the waffle and syrup.

To plan a proper bachelorette party, you need a stripper, party hats, and cupcakes that inform the bride-to-be that it's time to say farewell to all other penises. This Pembroke Pines shop doesn't specialize in penis cupcakes, but it does sell them special order. And the best part isn't even the silly private-part shapes but the actual cake. The people of Royal Treatz are cupcake geniuses. Their cakes are about a thousand times better than Magnolia's famous desserts. This is not an exaggeration. Even if you're staying home, it wouldn't hurt to order a dozen of these crotch-inspired treats and call it a satisfying night.

It's summer in South Florida. Driving to work is like enduring an extended stay in a sweat lodge. And bright, 90-degree mornings, they suck the worst. Except for one very sweet exception. At 6 a.m., a scent beckons. The aroma is of fresh fried dough, warm sugar, and crispy bacon. The wise thing is to follow it to its destination: Mojo Donuts in Pembroke Pines. The little shop is filled with endless flavors, and not only the trendy maple bacon donuts types but tropical tastes like guava 'n' cheese, piña colada, and dulce de leche. For the traditionalist, there's Boston cream, red velvet, and apple fritters. And they're all absolutely, mind-numbingly delicious. The heat suddenly fades, and not just because of the A/C but because who the hell cares? This is what perfection tastes like! The "fancy" ones only $1.09, gourmet are $1.39, and the biggie is $1.75. Pair with a cup of coffee and eat until there's none left and the doors close. This is the best way to start the day.

First things first: Tacos are the working man's food. Unpretentious. That's exactly why they are best served on the side of a road, next to a dive bar, out of a truck. Cue Tropical Tacos. The truck is placed right smack dab on the seedy strip of road that makes State Road 84 the ideal environment for taco enjoyment. Just place your order at the window and take a seat at the communal table — you might make some new friends ranging from men in suits to migrant workers in coveralls. Just $2.25 gets you an al pastor taco — juicy pork marinated in chili, spices, and pineapple on a corn tortilla with onions and cilantro. The truck accepts only cash, but if you find yourself paperless, don't fret. The neighboring American legion has an ATM — and beer — on hand for your convenience.

Fish tacos are best enjoyed in a beach shack. If, however, you find yourself stuck out west with no way to get to the beach, you do have an option. And a damned good one at that. Beachy décor, tropical drinks, a fish tank, and surfing videos aside, Salt Life Food Shack in Coral Springs knows a thing or two about the "Salt Life." The ocean-inspired restaurant takes recipes and dishes from coastal areas around the world and brings them to the western suburbs. So it comes as no surprise that the spot would have the best fish tacos in town: grilled fish on warm flour tortillas lightly topped with cabbage slaw, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and a super-refreshing cilantro and lime cream sauce. Not a bad deal for $9.99.

When an establishment changes hands, small (and sometimes ridiculously large) tweaks can be expected. Your favorite appetizer is removed, replaced with something boring. That side sauce you loved so much is altered just enough to make you melancholy for a condiment. Even your go-to bartender is no longer there, the result of a staff makeover. But Shelly Jent and Ben Earhart were former employees so devoted to Havana Hideout that they bought it when founder Chrissy Benoit moved her focus to Little House last November. And it seems they've made only improvements. Today, the new system of daily prep work means almost everything on the menu is "now made fresh daily," which includes the guacamole. The guac also comes made-to-order using all farm-fresh local ingredients (with the exception of the Hass avocados). Light seasoning, tomato, onion, and cilantro make it flavorful without too much spice. The kicker? The black bean tortilla chips made by local Boynton Beach-based artisan tortilla maker WrapOlé.

Congrats! You've just won the lottery. OK, it was the scratch-off, but hey! You're still ten bucks richer than when you started. Take that sawbuck over to Diner-by-the-Sea and get a good, hot meal. This teeny hole-in-the-wall is a time machine out of a Twilight Zone episode. Pop in one of the cheery yellow vinyl counter stools or cozy up in a booth and order lunch. The menu? Strictly out of Mel's Diner — tuna melts ($7.89), Reubens ($8.29), chili dogs ($4.99), or a quarter-pound burger with fries for $6.99. All made fresh by a real, live, short-order cook. Eavesdrop on a dozen conversations. Locals will bitch about taxes and the fish that got away as you bite into your tuna melt, savoring the crunch of the toast and the creaminess of the cheddar cheese, feeling like the winner you are.

The French take their food seriously. Years of tradition, strict accreditation programs, and general food snobbery all go hand in hand with the quality of the nation's famous baked goods. You're certainly not going to find any premixed cookie dough over there. Arrogant? Yes. Worth it? Definitely. That's why it should come as no surprise that our favorite provider of confectionery delights would be French. Croissan'time in Fort Lauderdale has been churning out the tastiest, butteriest, most decadent pâtisserie since 1986. Plain croissants ($2.95 for large) and chocolate or almond filled are the closest to any Parisian croissant you can possibly find within the confines of South Florida. Specialty cakes are stunning. Baguettes to die for. Counting carbs? Just forget about it. Croissan'time is open Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

No, Slow Food Truck does not necessarily mean you can outrace these guys when you see them on the highway. The truck is named after the slow-food movement, which strives to use as much locally sourced product as possible. SFT's owners, Oren Bass and Zachary Schwartz, both graduates of Johnson & Wales University's culinary program, use local tomatoes, proteins from small ranches, and bread from a Fort Lauderdale bakery. Don't confuse fresh and local ingredients with bland "health" food, though. Well, not unless you think a slow-braised short rib sandwich with cheese and crispy shallots ($9) is your idea of a diet. Or truffle fries ($7) are the key to eternal youth. But really, who the hell cares about a diet when a buttery lobster roll ($15, in season), filled with chunks of sweet, pink crustacean meat, is being placed in front of you? It's not necessarily good for your arteries — but it is good for local farmers, and that, combined with a pulled pork sandwich, feeds the soul.

The Green Owl, one of the oldest restaurants in Delray Beach, sits on some prime real estate. But while the city has gentrified around it, the Owl remains a classic diner in the most basic sense of the word. It serves breakfast and lunch. It is open only until 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends. The décor is delightfully shabby (not the artificial, look-at-how-we-sandpapered-the-edge-of-this-table shabby — but actually shabby!), with fake wood wallboard like you'd find in your grandma's basement, and lots and lots of owls. You might ask yourself why an establishment on hip Atlantic Avenue would function this way, why it would not work to step up its game. The answer is: It doesn't have to. On weekends, there is a line around the corner of people trying to get a table before the kitchen closes. The dishes are simple, and you can even create your own order. You want three eggs and four pieces of bacon and that's it? Done. There is zero pretension here, and customers range from blue collars covered in tattoos to yoga moms with babies in Bjorns to well-heeled retirees in their Sunday best. It accepts only cash, but that's OK, because the food is cheap!

They say friends don't let friends drink Starbucks — and Starbucks this isn't. Though Java Boys does offer coffee, pastries, and free Wi-Fi (And frappes! Don't miss the frappes!), it differs in every other way from the evil coffee empire. The couches are soft, the raspberry scones are fresh, and rather than bury your nose in a laptop, you'll likely get roped into a jokey conversation with guys from the gayborhood or lose yourself in a Bette Midler film showing on the big-screen TV. Located in the Shoppes of Wilton Manors, Java Boys has become a mainstay in town, holding charity events and anti-Valentine's Day parties. Be sure to try its special dish — the Java scrambler — an egg-and-Canadian-bacon-with-cheese-on-a-bagel (or croissant or English muffin): kick-to-the-taste-buds goodness for just $3.25.

Owners and mother-daughter team Marie and Thamye Junis recently opened this versatile establishment that courts meat eaters, vegans, and vegetarians alike. A former health-care professional, Marie spent much of her career teaching others about the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. She teamed up with her daughter, a former Pembroke Pines middle school teacher who needed a place to exercise her vegan lifestyle. Because they specialize in Haitian-Caribbean fare emblematic of their cultural roots, the vegan food here is unlike stereotypical tofu rice bowls. Instead, you'll find homemade specialties bursting with unique flavors, like the house favorite pikliz sauce, a spicy Creole cabbage slaw that is used to flavor everything from rice to sandwiches. Or pumpkin soup, typically served only on Sundays in Haiti. A traditional celebration dish, it was so popular with her regulars that Marie decided to go against tradition and serve it all week.

When sisters Penny Sanfilippo and Jonny Altobell opened 11th Street Annex in Fort Lauderdale a little more than ten years ago, they wanted a tea house/lunch spot/catering company that served up stuff right — no imitations. The scones are classic "English" scones, the butter is imported from Europe, the jams are all-fruit fresh, and the lemon curd and clotted cream are made in-house. Tea sandwiches are made on a variety of fresh breads, always with crusts cut off. Tarts, tea cakes, and real shortbread cookies are perfect complements during both "high" and "low" tea times, when tea is served properly: No tea bags. Darjeeling, Oolong, and green teas are all brewed with fresh tea leaves and steeped before being served with proper cups and saucers. And don't tell anyone, because we wouldn't want our favorite spot rushed, but the sisters change the lunch menu daily, offering about six fresh, gourmet choices like quiches or homemade pot pies. One option is always vegetarian (vegan on Wednesdays), and herbs are often plucked from the garden out back.

It happened. You've found yourself alone, starving, and your iPhone's battery is dying, which means you can't hide behind checking Facebook and pretending you're waiting for someone. Forget the electronic crutch and muster up enough nerve to walk over to the gigantic bar at Bimini Boatyard. Located on the 17th Street Causeway, the bar attracts a mélange of people — cruise ship passengers from the Midwest, off-duty oil tanker "masters," recreational boaters, and locals. Order a loaf of Bimini bread ($4) and a classic Bahama Mama ($14) for starters and strike up a conversation with any of the good and interesting people sitting beside you. That verbal discourse between you and a stranger? That's called "human interaction." It's what our ancestors did long before the iPad. Feels good to unplug the phone and plug into life, doesn't it?

Down an unremarkable street, beside a row of unremarkable storefronts, is a remarkable restaurant. From the unassuming street that runs beside the Gateway Plaza, peer into the window of Serafina Waterfront Trattoria and see a working kitchen. Tuck down a narrow path and you'll enter a warm candlelit room with just a few seats that leads to a patio perched beside sailboats on the Middle River. The view is only the beginning. Attentive, Italian-speaking staff will help you navigate the menu while Michael Bublé croons through the speakers and owner/chef Michele Viscosi (from Napoli) works magic on the stoves. Reasonably priced bottles of wine (most $30 to $50) harmonize with Serafina's Mediterranean selection of pastas, soups, fish, veal, and lamb. Top off a lovely night with a shared slice of ricotta cheesecake or shots of limoncello. Or both.

For some reason, steak houses have been the domain of the stuffy businessperson. These houses of bovine flesh fail to realize that real men — and women — want to masticate some cow without having sawdust stick to their shoes. And that there are other color palates besides dark green. Like... red. Such is the name, and the color scheme, of this South Beach steak house that opened a Boca branch. Feast on aged certified Angus Beef USDA Prime steaks, starting at $36, or go all out and dine on certified Kobe from cows that have a better pedigree than you (sorry, Muffy from the Mayflower Society — but that cow still has a better bloodline). Steak not your thing? This would be the time to ask, "Why the hell are you in a steak house?" But it's all good at Red, since the restaurant flies in giant king crab that could star in a monster movie and has connections directly with the best fishmongers in the world. All in a setting that happens to be both romantic and elegant. That means you can take your clients on Thursday to seal the deal and come back to celebrate with your date on Friday.

Bedner's Farm Fresh Market is a real, honest-to-God, old-school farmers' market remade for the modern consumer. Located way out west on 441, at the outermost edge of the actual Bedner's Farm, the "market" itself is a country-style grocery store located inside a barn house — but with air-conditioning. Here, you'll find a wide selection of produce at decent prices, a cooler full of Florida-raised, 100 percent grass-fed beef, local raw honey, and locally grown and ground spices. But what makes this place so special are the wholesome activities: hayrides and u-picks, a stand selling fresh-squeezed lemonade and sweet tea; and Porky and Beth's BBQ truck. In the fall, you can wander through the pumpkin patch taking pictures and picking your own orange squash. In the spring and summer, pluck strawberries, tomatoes, and sunflowers. Despite the old-fashioned vibe, staff are quite interactive on Facebook and respond to most customers' questions. What's more, unlike your weekend markets, Bedner's is open seven days a week, so you never have to go without your fresh produce.

While strolling casually through this wonderful new market, the combination of nice environment, nice product, and nice prices delights the senses like a colorful bowl of perfect fruit. In fact, the equivalent of a bowl of fruit might be consumed by the time a customer's incredibly low total is announced by a friendly clerk at checkout, as the free samples are always varied and plentiful. A BOGO baguette deal may even be offered if it's near closing time, since there will be a fresh delivery of bread the following morning. The freebies almost spoil the shopper who is scoring 12 oranges for a buck and eggplant for 89 cents a pound in a store as clean and classy as any Whole Foods, like a cherry on top of a bowl of delicious and affordable... cherries.

New York Mart's cavernous, warehouse space should be the first thing that tells you it's different. You're used to yellowing tiles in the low drop ceiling at your regular Asian market. You've even come to pine for them when you find your pantry devoid of rice noodles, miso paste, or dried shrimp. New York Mart offers row after row of bright-green vegetables. Bunches of Chinese broccoli, bok choy, and chive flowers are neatly arranged, each with a thin film of water thanks to constant misting. The meat and fish counters offer an endless variety of the cuts and fish most Americans are used to as well as more obscure Asian treats. Pig ears? Got 'em. Live hairy crab? Take a half-dozen. Don't forget to stop at the barbecue counter on the way out, where a half-pound of char siu — sticky-sweet, roasted pork shoulder — can be had for $4.

Get a good home-cooked meal from a guy who grew up eating some of the area's best home-cooked meals. This restaurant is clean and comfortable with friendly service and a relaxed vibe. Just one year ago, the place reopened after a fire at its old location forced chef and owner Donnie Dobson to shut his doors. When he reopened, his devoted crowd was waiting, ready for more. Come hungry, because the place specializes in hearty meals like oxtail, chicken gizzards and souse, fried pork chops, and chicken, and the ribs are guaranteed to be fall-off-the-bone tender. The best of both worlds comes with the ribs and chicken combo. Sides include mac and cheese, fried okra, pigeon peas and rice, collard greens, corn bread, and lima beans. Wash it all down with Donnie's own version of Kool-Aid, the "Parker's Special" fruit punch made with real fruit and flavored naturally. End it with a slice of homestyle sweet potato pie, red velvet cake, or peach cobbler.

Children are wonderful, except when you have to take them out in public. Scratch that — they're still wonderful, but constantly ignoring the sighs and reproachful stares of child-haters in a restaurant can get old. It's best to find places that are kid friendly — or at least so loud that no one notices Junior jumping up and down and pounding his sippy cup on the table. At the legendary Rustic Inn, no one is going to notice a little extra pounding, as most eaters will be gleefully smashing through crab claws with wooden hammers. Diners won't notice your kids' impromptu food fight because they are accidentally flinging bits of crab meat into their own hair. In fact, everyone in the place looks like an overgrown 2-year-old pulling crab legs from metal pails while wearing plastic bibs and dripping melted butter off their chins. While everyone here has reverted to childhood, Rustic Inn still takes special note of the little guys, offering a menu of kids' specials, including chicken fingers and hamburgers, so you don't have to convince a cringing toddler to eat a spiny water animal that looks like a giant bug. A delicious giant bug, but still.

For three decades, Boston's on the Beach has been serving live music and good libations to beachgoers. Times change, Delray's restaurant scene exploded, and it seems now that everyone has a Chihuahua in her Louis Vuitton tote. When a city goes to the dogs, the best thing to do is join in! The restaurant invites you and your pooch to dine alfresco. Widdle Puddles will enjoy the fresh sea breezes ruffling her fur as she chooses from a special doggy menu. The petite pup might want chicken strips or a hot dog (four "bones" each), while the hardier hound can dig into a steak dinner (nine "bones"). This is the perfect place to make up for all the times you throw some kibble in a dish and leave for the day. If you don't want your new Jimmy Choos... well... "chooed," we suggest pampering your pup here. Because little Bitsy is keeping score.

They say nothing good happens after 2 a.m. Whoever "they" are, they're dead wrong. As bars are shoving the last wasted patrons out the doors, the streets fill with only the most entertaining of antics. And where do said patrons stumble off to? To sober up on drunk food, of course. We like a late-night drunk spot just as crazy as its customers. Squiggy's Pizza in downtown Fort Lauderdale manages to be just that: The pizza shop has been host to a couple of X-rated film soirees, some of which occurred during business hours. Three bucks for a slice of cheese and a show? That's a way better deal than heading out to the movies.

Let's face it. Once we get past 25, we spend the rest of our lives either trying to find the fountain of youth or drinking to forget the fact that too much Botox makes us look like crap. But what if we told you that a drink could actually be the key to staying young? Sounds like magical hocus-pocus, true. But there is some science behind Rocco's Tacos' Antioxidant Margarita ($11.50). The libation is made with Cedilla açaí liqueur, a spirit distilled from the açaí berry, which is known to have antioxidant properties. What's an antioxidant, anyway? Well, as you age, your body, much like the Tin Man's, oxidizes. Antioxidants cause a reaction that inhibits oxidation and has been thought to ward off lots of nasties like cancer and heart disease. So this is a margarita that's good for you. But how does it taste? Well, made simply with Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila, a premium aged tequila that's been filtered until colorless, a little fresh lime, and agave, it's what a margarita should taste like — bright, fresh, simple — and devoid of any corn syrup and antifreeze-colored syrups. And, should this wonderful libation add years to our lives, it's simply more time to enjoy another round of cocktails.

You wake up a groggy mess, your head pounding to the rhythm of your heartbeat, thanks to an all-out binge drinking fest the day before. You know what you need, and you know you need it fast: more alcohol. What better way to get it than a vitamin-soaked bloody mary? Steak 954's version of a wake-up call — the tomatillo bloody mary — comes with a combo of roasted tomatillo, cilantro, basil, garlic, fresh lime juice, and house-smoked tequila. Garnished with a house-cured pickled cucumber, it's available only on weekends — or until the fresh-made mix runs out. It's hard to choose over the original bloody mary, a spicy-sweet recipe made fresh with several types of chili peppers, tomatoes, and a secret blend of spices and ingredients that make for one hell of a drink, garnished with the restaurant's own dill pickles. No matter which way you go — or how many you put down — they're definitely worth getting up early for to make it one hell of a Sunday brunch.

This is South Florida, where the frozen drink reigns supreme. Ask any tourist what sums up the Sunshine State experience and he'll probably wax poetic about his love for the piña colada. Cliché but true. Well, Kahuna Bar & Grill has the most amazing version of the coconut/pineapple concoction. The bamboo-lined walls and kitschy décor make this place a beach bum's paradise. There's no better spot to drink the day away. Made in-house, its colada is frozen and mounted in a handy-dandy wall dispenser. (Premixed is better when it comes to frozen drinks, trust us.) So play tourist and unabashedly sip away at a sweet, potent frozen dream. And if you're feeling particularly fruity, pair it with a banana liqueur floater. Jimmy Buffett would be proud.

One day many, many years ago, two brothers set out for a vacation in the Polynesian Islands, where they found a small tiki idol and decided to take it back home as a souvenir. Once back in Fort Lauderdale, the tiki idol spoke to them. It said it missed its homeland — especially the fantastic rum-based cocktails. The idol told the brothers that if they built him a fabulous bar, he would share his drink recipes with them. The brothers agreed and named the palace after the god. And so Mai-Kai was born. Every day, the tiki god is celebrated by a ritual called "happy hour," wherein 57 of the tiki god's own recipes are half-priced before 7 p.m. Who doesn't love a menu where the cocktails are divided into mild, medium, and strong? The Mara-Amu ($13.50) is a blend of rums and fresh fruit juices served in your own tiki that you can take home. Try the Black Magic ($14), a potent concoction of dark rums, tropical fruit, and coffee. All are served by pretty girls in sarongs and bikini tops. If you haven't been to Mai-Kai in a while, it's time to go back. If you've never been — for shame. It's time to pay homage to the tiki gods... and a slice of living history.

Like a smooth, potent piña colada dream, the Seafood Bar's pineapple-infused martini ($12.50) is a tropical delight. The oceanfront establishment is known for fruity vodka infusions — and it's a well-deserved reputation. While bartenders marry kiwi, strawberry, oranges, and other sweet treats with the clear spirit, it's the pineapple that packs a punch in this cocktail. First, fresh-cut pineapple steeps slowly (two to two-and-a-half weeks) in a vodka bath; then it's paired with coconutty Malibu rum and pineapple juice. The icing on this tropical cake is the drunken pineapple pieces. So sit under the open-beam ceilings and sip your fruity concoction. Gaze out at the water. Watch as brightly colored fish weave their way through coral right underneath your cocktail napkin (yes, the bar top is also an aquarium). This is a little piece of South Florida heaven. It's what millionaires' dreams are made of, at a price your average joe can afford — every once in a while.

Some local purveyors of craft beer may offer more draft selections; others may offer more bottles than the 150 microbrews here; but what this bar/coffee shop/café offers is a well-curated mix. The tap list changes often and may include anything from Ballast Point's Victory at Sea barrel-aged imperial porter to Dogfish Head's potent 120 Minute IPA to any number of Florida-born-and-bred brews. The beer geeks at this watering hole have friends in high places, often getting their hoppy little mitts on kegs that escape the grasps of dozens of other well-connected crafthounds in the region. Oh, and they like to share.

Wine. It's both the nectar of the gods and a royal pain in the neck. If your idea of a good wine is whatever's the supermarket twofer, then you need gentle education. Wine Watch gives you just that. Sure, the selection is intimidating at first — look at all the labels! Some of them aren't even in English! Plus what the hell's the difference between a Cabernet and a Rioja, anyway? With thousands of wines to choose from, how are you going to know which goes with the leftover pizza in the fridge and which pairs nicely with a pint of Ben & Jerry's and half a tuna sandwich? Let the staff at Wine Watch choose for you. They'll help without a hint of snobbiness. Better yet? Take one of a few weekly tastings and for about $35, you'll be a wine expert by the end of the evening. Wine is easy when you get the hang of it.

Is it a dive? Not at all. Is there wine? Plenty — 40 reds and 20 whites by the glass, dispensed by the ounce from a sophisticated Enomatic dispenser system where argon — a noble gas — keeps open bottles good for more than 30 days. The result is an impressive array of vino in a casual-chic setting from nearby Roxy's Pub owner John Webb. The slogan "Not So Snooty" is proudly proclaimed on servers' T-shirts. That means you'll never feel out of place, underdressed, or pressured to order an expensive wine. The technology keeps bottles fresh, meaning you can sample just a two-ounce tasting until you find the perfect mate for your plate. Also be prepared for what comes out of the kitchen — "American tapas" like the fried chicken for two served with a Tabasco-honey mustard slaw. There's live jazz on Thursday and Friday, and brunch Saturday and Sunday offers bottomless bloody marys for $10.

In 1930s Cuba, the Padrino family opened its first establishment, a small food market and winery with a storefront that doubled as a meeting spot for locals to visit and catch up on the latest news. Family members relocated to the U.S. in the late 1960s and opened their first restaurant in Hialeah in 1976, offering the neighborhood a taste of the same recipes they cooked in Cuba. Since then, they've opened Padrino's locations in Hallandale Beach, Plantation, Boca Raton, and, most recently, Orlando. Today, the family's son Mario, alongside his wife, Nayade, continues to serve treats like spicy beef-stuffed picadillo empanadas with fresh guava chutney, pulled pork and grilled onion lechon asado sandwiches, and higados de pollo, chicken livers seasoned in spices. Keep an eye out for the pig roast the second weekend of every month — a nod to Cuban tradition.

One of the best things about living in Florida is "Floribbean" fare, brought to us by a wide variety of hole-in-the-wall spots where bargain-deal dishes are influenced by immigrants from all over the Caribbean — Haitians, Bahamians, Jamaicans, and the people of Trinidad and Tobago. No matter the island, traditional dishes share some common ingredients, most notably goat, chicken, conch, and shrimp paired with cassava, okra, mango, rice, pea, bell pepper, coconut, and plantains. If you love akee fruit and salt fish, okra-heavy callaloo, or jerk-spiced meats, there is no place better to try them all than at Donna's Restaurant and Lounge. Owner Karl Gordon opened this establishment — one of several Caribbean-themed restaurants of the same name — six years ago in Lauderhill, an area known today for its heavy concentration of Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine. The prices are good, and portions are large. And if you're craving a taste of some truly amazing jerk chicken or an authentic curry goat, here both are served as a daily lunch special Monday through Friday for just $4.99. That includes rice and peas and salad.

The Ambry is a charming little gem located along the stretch of Commercial Boulevard leading up to the Intracoastal Waterway. Opened in 1981, it harkens back to a time when South Florida truly catered to retirees — because there wasn't anyone else to cater to. This is not to suggest that the Ambry is in any way outdated or past its prime. From the outside, the Ambry looks like a tiny brick castle squeezed between two office buildings. Inside, smells of sauerbraten, red cabbage, and goulash perfume the air. This is certainly no place to take a vegetarian on a first date, but if your sweetie is a carnivore, she will be impressed. The staff is busy but friendly, like your mom running around trying to get Thanksgiving dinner on the table. There are steins and other bits of Bavarian nostalgia on every wall and surface. And the aforementioned food is outstanding. They offer a decent selection of German beers, with Tucher the star of the menu. Desserts include black forest cake and apfelkuecherl (kind of like apple strudel). The menu certainly holds no surprises — it's traditional German fare all the way — but there is nothing to be disappointed by, either.

You know those scenes in western movies — the outsider steps through the doors of the saloon and music comes to a screeching halt? That's almost the sensation when you walk into Lauderhill's Blue Mountain Restaurant. If you're not a regular, the old Jamaican guys at the bar might turn around and give you a curious look. With poker machines, a stage, a DJ booth, and just a few tables, the spot has the air of a secret meeting place. There's no printed menu, but eight bucks gets you a small plate of curry goat, brown stew chicken, curry chicken, jerk chicken, jerk pork, or oxtail with peas and rice and a salad. And trust us, this jerk's for real.

Authentic Mexican? Maybe not, but Tex-Mex, or Florida-Mex, for that matter, has a legitimate place in the Hall of Foodie Fame for its undeniable deliciousness. Cielito Lindo's got those eats down, from guacamole and spinach queso dip to sizzling steak fajitas and cheese-smothered enchiladas. Colorful sombreros and Mexican blankets adorn the walls. It's folksy with a side of charming. The menu offers Spanish selections too, but let's face it — South Floridians need more Mexican food in their lives. Try the massive El Grande Burro ($14) — beef or chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese all bundled up in a flour tortilla and topped with cheese and guac and slathered in sauce. Or opt for the ropa viejo, shredded beef simmered with peppers, tomatoes, onions, wine, and savory spices ($11). So roll on up, sip a margarita with salt, nosh on chips and salsa, and bemoan the fact that there aren't more local places like this to add a little extra padding to your waistline.

Korean food is so much more than just barbecue, the common gateway into the cuisine. Adventurous eaters who want to try as broad a sampling as possible have to get to Myung Ga. The crispy rice at the bottom of the hot stone bowl in the dolsot bibimbap, with beef, bean sprouts, cucumber, and dried seaweed, will become your new standard for the simple grain. The house-made tofu appears in ten kinds of bubbling stews, including the kimchi soondubu ($16.95). The pickled fermented cabbage, along with a generous helping of red chili paste, gives the broth its fire-red color and eye-watering spice. The big chunks of creamy tofu provide a cooling respite in each mouthful. Myung Ga also has the barbecue — huge portions that arrive on sizzling cast-iron platters, just in case you have an uncontrollable desire for meat.

Peruvian is in. From farm-to-tables to neighborhood cafés, you can find a ceviche or Peruvian-inspired dish on almost any menu. That's certainly not a bad thing. But if you're looking for the best example of the omnipresent cuisine, you want to go authentic. You want Gordo's Grill. Situated in one of the many strip malls that line Sample Road in Margate, Gordo's does simple, traditional Peruvian cuisine. All of the favorites can be found here: causas, chilled layers of creamy mashed potato, avocados, choice of meat, and olive or golf sauce; anticuchos, skewers of chicken, beef, or beef heart; eight ceviches ($11.50 to $18); tiraditos, the Peruvian equivalent of sashimi ($11.50 to $19); aji de gallina, chicken served in a creamy, spicy yellow sauce made with the ever-present aji amarillo chili... You get the drift.

It's been said that you should never judge a book by its cover. Likewise, you should never judge a shop by the strip mall in which it sits. Situated in a rundown building on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach is an average-looking Asian market. Step inside and you'll find your usual array of Asian ingredients, a large communal table, and a counter for takeout. This spot sells some of the most authentic Thai food South Florida has to offer. Curries — masaman, red, green, and panang — have flavors so intense that you'll picture yourself overlooking the streets of Chang Mai. Pad Thai so convincing, it's like you're eating in a Thai roadside shack. All of these go for around nine bucks, but according to the handwritten, dry-erase sign, "Prices are subject to change." This cover is not fancy, but the contents are delightful.

Though most people lump all Italian food into the same category, ingredients and preparations across Italy's 20 regions are crazy varied. Italian Red Sauce's specialty is right there in the name, and it's all about the heavily sauced Italian-American classics, inspired by southern Italy. This is the food most Americans think about when they say "Let's do Italian." This restaurant is as much about family as it is the food. All plates come in larger sizes for sharing, even though single orders are more than enough for one person. It's the kind of place to go with a large group of people, a thirst for wine, and several hours to laugh and eat. Even if you order the short ribs and gnocchi special for one ($19.95), you'll have plenty left over for a late-night snack.

To assess whether a great Chinese hole in the wall is truly great, ask yourself: Is it hard to find? Are there lots of actual Chinese people there? Are there authentic dishes Americans might shy away from? China Pavilion is tucked into an inside corner of a sprawling Miramar strip mall and is full of Chinese people and curious Chinese dishes. Yet what really sets Miramar's China Pavilion above the rest is the bounty of fresh seafood. Tanks stacked two high and three wide nearly cover an entire wall toward the back of the restaurant and hold tilapia, lobster, and golden crab. Watch as cooks pluck a one-and-a-quarter-pound lobster out of the tank and toss it into a wok with a punchy rich ginger scallion sauce ($32.95 for two). Whole tilapia goes for $8.95 a pound. The silver and red fish is steamed whole, drenched in a soy sauce and Chinkiang vinegar mixture. Oh, and the dim sum is pretty good too.

Everyone loves those crazy, loud Maryland-style seafood houses where you can crack open your food straight onto the table. It's cathartic to take out your deep-seated aggression by banging the crap out of some crabs. However, it's not exactly the way to make a good impression on a first date — or any other social situation that requires you to act like an adult. For mature seafood cravings, there's PB Catch. Situated on Palm Beach, this little gem of a spot offers fresh, clean seafood in a fresh, clean environment. Dishes like mussels in Thai basil broth with coconut and lotus root chips ($15), Parmesan-macadamia-zucchini-crusted mahi-mahi with arugula, avocado, orange, and toasted coconut ($29), and Chilean sea bass with caramelized soy-infused Brussels sprouts, enoki mushrooms, glazed baby carrots, and crispy leeks ($39) highlight the globally inspired, sustainable fare.

There are occasions when nothing less than the best will do: marriage proposals, 50th anniversaries, dropping the infidelity bomb. And for these momentous evenings, the awe-inspiring view from Top of the Point will impress even the most difficult of dining companions. The food is classic, upscale American cuisine — a jumbo lump crab cake ($19), petite Maine lobster rolls ($16), herb-roasted rack of lamb ($45), a prime NY strip ($48). But it's the view that really sells at this swanky spot. Sit with your S.O. and gaze at the unsurpassed beauty of South Florida. The mansions of the rich and famous, the yacht-laden marinas of the Palm Beaches, the vast blue expanse of the Atlantic Ocean — it's all within reach from here. There's no better place to do a little buttering up. It's hard to stay mad when you're looking down from heaven.

The Delray Delivery Dudes started out as the brainchild of Jayson Koss. He contends that he and his friends were so lazy, they wished they could get anything they wanted delivered to them. Since no such service existed, at least not in South Florida, they started a business and delivered stuff themselves. Their resulting concierge delivery service, aptly named the Delivery Dudes, started off in Delray Beach, the perfect place to tempt customers with home delivery because it has so many amazing restaurants. Needing little more than a cell phone and a portable credit-card reader, the Dudes took off and have since expanded their business to Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Wellington, Deerfield Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. All deliveries are only $7 ($5 cash) — half of which goes to the driver and the other half to the business, though tipping is still encouraged. Our favorite order: a weekly delivery of milk and eggs from Heritage Hen Farm for $15, which is just so retro.

Too many South Florida restaurateurs take the easy way out in terms of design. Minimalist art, chrome fixtures, white furniture as far as the eye can see: Frankly, it's dull and more than a little played-out. When Mike Saperstein and Evan David last year debuted their first full-service restaurant, they sidestepped the "IKEA showroom meets South Beach salon" aesthetic entirely. The duo hired Lake Worth artist Adam Sheetz to blanket the entire space from front to back and top to bottom in original, one-of-a-kind art. Sheetz's cheeky paintings and collage-like tabletops (each one is different) inject a level of personality seldom seen in South Florida restaurants, let alone in staid Boca Raton. Odds and ends (glass jars, wooden boxes, and other curios) blend with a mix of reclaimed and refinished furniture.

For years, Giovanni Rocchio churned out delicious Northern Italian fare to wide-eyed, smitten customers in a strip mall on Federal Highway. An impressive wine list, impeccable service, and a comfortable, intimate atmosphere kept customers and critics raving for years. Then Rocchio kicked it up a notch by moving the restaurant to a new, larger, more open location. Today, you can still get his fresh handmade pastas — like the famous ham and egg raviolo, a whimsical dish filled with ricotta, asparagus, and egg yolk finished in truffle butter and pancetta ($21); and the Cavatelli, a comforting plate of pasta osso buco, bone marrow, and ricotta salata ($26) — but in a bright, European-inspired interior with white walls, rustic accents, and a huge open kitchen. A brand-spanking-new bar with a mind-blowing mixology program has brought Rocchio's game to a whole new level. Expensive? Yes, but we doubt you could find food, cocktails, or atmosphere this impressive anywhere else in Broward.

Rabbit tostadas. Gator sausage. Wild boar tenderloin. They're all on the menu — or have been — at Coolinary Cafe, which opened just one year ago in March. Owner Tim Lipman and his wife, Jenny, are the cool kids behind this hip 47-seat eatery, where an arsenal of well-planned menu items changes seasonally and specials change twice daily. Lipman (the original executive chef for well-known Jupiter establishments Little Moir's Leftovers Cafe and Little Moir's Food Shack), a Florida native and resident of Abacoa, is also steadfast about product sourcing, buying as much as he can close to home: produce from the Peddler in Juno Beach, milk from Daikin Dairy in Myakka, honey from McCoy's in Loxahatchee, and eggs from Lake Meadow in Ocoee. What he can't buy local, he grows himself in community gardens his team has established nearby.

Steven Zobel is a classically trained French chef who spent more than a decade cooking in New York City, moved to Florida, said "no more" to corporate restaurants, and started cooking for himself. He linked up with business partners Mike Lynch and Tom Moynihan via Craigslist, and together they built a restaurant that is warm and casual — low lighting, old trinkets, and wine-crate art — and a menu that's anything but. Zobel is still showing off his hand for French fare with rich dishes like crostini topped with seared chicken livers and sweet onions braised in sherry wine ($12), but he mixes up the highbrow with the low: A chicken special comes marinated in buttermilk, deep fried, and served on top of funnel cake with powdered sugar and maple syrup. An ever-changing wine list and mystery winetasting nights curated by sommelier Lynch keep the place fun and intriguing.

Breeding the perfect show dog takes a prestigious pedigree, thorough training, and a handsome build. If restaurants were dog shows, the Grove would definitely win Best in Show. The two young chefs who run the entire kitchen are both grads of the most prestigious cooking school in the U.S.: the Culinary Institute of America. (There's the pedigree.) Chef/partner Michael Haycook went on to become sommelier at Zuma and D.B. Modern Bistro in Miami. Resident chef Meghan O'Neal worked in Chicago for Grant Achatz, at Alinea and Next, and Paul Kahan, at Publican Quality Meats. (There's the training.) Combine those backgrounds with a comforting, contemporary atmosphere, a constantly evolving menu, a wine list that would please even the pickiest wine geeks (wines range from $25 to $1,800), and friendly, prompt service and you have yourself the prized poodle of the restaurant scene.

Take your time when enjoying the $15 sea scallop at Sardelli's. First cut it in half, then quarters, then eighths if you're skilled with a knife. Make sure each forkful contains a piece of the butter-crisped mollusk along with the tangy almond-parsley pesto and bit of the creamy parsnip purée. When your server sees you licking the plate clean and asks if you'd like another, tell him or her yes. Ordering only one of Fulvio Sardelli's scallops might make him think you didn't enjoy it. If you found the $1.6 million Italian-style villa that houses Sardelli's, only a stone's throw away from Hollywood Beach, you already knew you'd need a fat wallet, or better yet a friend with a large bankroll, to really enjoy the restaurant the Sardelli family spent their life savings to build.

As a carnivore, sitting down to dinner at a vegetarian restaurant can be scary. Will the food taste good? What the hell is Gardein? Will PETA ninjas attack me as I walk through the door? The key to setting a meat-eater's heart at ease is a fantastic server to walk him through the edible forest, so to speak. You will not be judged for wearing leather shoes. Instead, you will be carefully and lovingly guided through choices like Sublime picatta ($18) — which tastes just like, well, chicken — or a hearty vegetable lasagna ($16) filled with house-made ricotta. The bartenders are skilled and friendly and work with fresh fruit and the finest spirits (which, by the way, are veggie-friendly). After your entrée, your server will offer you dessert. Perhaps he will suggest the coconut cake ($9), which is nothing short of spectacular. Listen to him. Though he is likely a vegetarian, he is a friendly spirit. In fact, you've just had a completely meat-free meal (and helped animal charities while doing it, since 100 percent of Sublime's profits are donated to organizations that promote animal welfare and a vegan lifestyle).

Where the sands of Hollywood Beach end, the sand at Taco Beach Shack begins. Though this restaurant isn't quite on the beachfront, it's just a block away, and with the restaurant's sand floors, you'll barely notice you've strayed from the ocean. This place offers large portions (don't hurt yourself on those nachos!) served alongside a nice breeze, frequent live music, a 20-foot screen for watching key sports games, and a sexy lounge area with modern outdoor furniture for schmoozing it up after imbibing a few of those $3 margaritas on Mondays or $4.50 Presidentes. Though this casual joint is ostensibly classified a "Mexican" restaurant/bar and you can't go wrong with the roasted corn or the cheesecake burritos for dessert, the Korean short rib tacos are the truth, Ruth! Yet the most important item on the menu seems to be a good time. Ping-Pong tables were brought in for the Super Bowl, and on Cinco de Mayo, they passed around sombreros, fake mustaches, and... a live donkey. Andele!

"I really want to drink some skunky imported beer tonight," said no one ever. Instead, you want good fresh beer, and you want it cheap. Due South Brewing helps fulfill those lofty goals of not drinking bad beer. The brewery is a full-production affair, so don't mind the giant fermenters and conditioning tanks. There are no secrets as to what goes in the brew: You can literally see the sacks of grains and hops, and, most important, taste the difference in beer quality when it needs to move only 100 feet from where it's brewed to where it's poured. It's inexpensive as well, with 12-ounce pours starting at $3.50 and 16-ounce pints (actual pints, not those fake 14-ounce glasses) at $4.50. There's enough space in the tap room and the main space to hold upward of 100 people, but most of the time, you'll find just a couple of dozen locals enjoying a cold one and a game of cornhole. For those looking to grab some fresh beer on the way home from work, growler fills are available. With new beer creations flowing in and out, food trucks stopping by weekly, and the nicest and most enthusiastic staff, you're bound to find yourself making this industrial-style business your hangout.