As we put a cap on 2019, Eater surveyed a group of friends, writers, and all around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them nine questions: from top standbys to top newcomers, from best meals to restaurants they’ve broken up with. All will be answered by the time we turn off the lights at the end of the 2019. Responses are related in no particular order; all are cut, pasted, and (mostly) unedited herein. Responses do not necessarily reflect the views of Eater and Eater Miami.
Amber Love Bond (Eater Miami contributor): Cafe La Trova - because there can never be enough menus created by Michelle Bernstein and it was about time Julio Cabrera got his own spot! Boia De, Nave, and Spanglish were all spots I got pretty excited about this year.
Jenny Starr Perez (Indulge Miami): Boia De, L’Atelier by Joel Robuchon, and Navé.
Giovanny Gutierrez (Chat Chow TV/Eater Miami photographer): Hometown Barbecue, if you don’t know, now yo know. Boia De, the kind of niche, small, chef driven restaurant I want to see more of in Miami.
Curt “Big Daddy” Hollingsworth (Thrillist Miami): Society Barbecue was probably my favorite, only because it opened on the heels of a much-ballyhooed “place everyone in New York waits in line for” and blew it out of the water in every possible way. It was almost as satisfying as watching the Heat beat the Knicks. Also loved Maksa and Cho:Tu in midtown. Vinaigrette sub shop. Boai de. Chug’s was great, if only because I heard Michael Beltran now charges 8x for “influencers.”
Becky Randel (Freelance restaurant writer): Ember, Papi Steak, Bakan
David Rosendorf (Food For Thought): Boia De, Balloo, Hometown Barbecue, Navé, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon / Jardinier. It’s been a good year for new restaurants.
Stacy Moya (Eater Miami Contributor): Hometown BBQ in Allapattah, Erba in Downtown Dadeland, and Tigertail + Mary in Coconut Grove.
Virginia Gil (Time Out Miami): Boia De deserves all the praise this year. The pasta! The natural wine! The steak tartare! Aside from the adorable Little Haiti spot, I had a couple of great meals at Ember and, of course, there’s Time Out Market Miami—18 (new) restaurants all rolled into one. :)
Alona Martinez (Eater Miami Contributor): Chug’s, Seawell, Le Jardinier
Sara Liss (Miami.com): Thank the lord Brad Kilgore decided to branch out with fried chicken and corn bread at Ember; everything at Papi Steak was decadent and delicious, including the people watching, Le Jardinier brought something exquisite and slightly futuristic to the Design District, and Mama Joon continued to show how amazing Middle Eastern food can be when paired with a beautiful and romantic atmosphere.
Jennifer Agress (Freelance restaurant writer): Boia De and Le Jardinier!
Kelly Blanco (NBC 6): Boia De for sure! I freaking love that place. The new hype of Hutong, Baloo, and Hometown BBQ did not disappoint.
Olee Fowler (Eater Miami): So glad Brad Kilgore got back to his roots with Ember, Boia De is worth all the praise and then some, Balloo is serving up some of the most interesting dishes in Miami, Hutong made me believe that good Chinese food in Miami is a possibility, and Hometown BBQ is such a wonderful addition to the Miami food scene.