Friends of Eater Name the Top Newcomers of 2015

As we put a cap on 2015, Eater surveyed a group of friends, writers, and all around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them eight questions: from Top Standbys to Top Newcomers, from Best Meals to Restaurants Broken Up With. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the 2015. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Readers, please do add your survey answers in the comments.

Jackie Gutierrez-Jones (UrbanDaddy Miami): I'm still thinking about that black truffle pide and boozy tea service at Byblos. STILL. And Stephen Starr knocked another one out of the park with The Continental––a fever dream of Tiki drinks and cheesesteak egg rolls. Shout out to the luscious lobster rolls and bottomless rosé served up during Izzy's brunch.

Carla Torres (Ocean Drive): Alter, hands down. Bradley is the Harry Potter of culinary. His beurre bread with umami butter and soft egg are all I need in life. I had a fantastic birthday dinner at Byblos, who's crushing it with their spiked tea service. Beachcraft for seafood, Talde for oodles of noodles, Proof for pasta, Fooq's for that Persian ice cream sundae and David, and GK Bistronomie in Wynwood for the underdog of the year. No one really knows about them, which blows my mind considering they're dishing out foie gras empanadas. Foie gras empanadas, people.

David Rosendorf (Food For Thought Miami): Alter, Vagabond. If the cutoff wasn't 2015, there were several late-2014 openings that would also be on my list.

Andrea Becerra (The Hungry Post): Myumi Food Truck, Cake Thai Kitchen, Byblos, Wapo Taco, the Continental, Talde and Cypress Room (but does it really count as new?).

Ashley Brozic (Racked Miami Editor/Eater Miami Contributor): I fell in love with Marion when I first heard it was opening, and fell even deeper into my affair when I tasted the paella. I also just had brunch at The Vagabond, and now I'm on a mission to bring everyone I know there at least once. I'd never had a tlacoyo before, and now I'm hooked. Also great at both establishments? The cocktails.

Laine Doss (Miami New Times): Talde, Driftwood Room, Pinch Kitchen & Bar

Giovanny Gutierrez (Chat Chow TV/Eater Miami Contributor): Brad Kilgore’s food at Alter has set the stage for other restaurants in 2016.

Matthew Meltzer (Thrillist Miami): Kuro at the Hard Rock, Louie Bossi’s, Fooq’s, Crust, Coyo Taco, Apiero and Quality Meats. I never got to eat at Alter, but I feel like we’re required to put them on there, right?

John Dangaran (Eater Miami Contributor): Bazi

Olee Fowler (Eater Miami): Alter, Byblos, Vagabond, Talde, Pinch, Continental and Myumi