Arturo's Ristorante
6750 N. Federal Hwy. 561/997-7373
The clan Gismondi, in front room and back, is the key to the continued presence on the summit by this grande ristorante which defines that title by providing formal, professionally supervised service and a full scale parade of Italian class cheffing.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
Boulevard Grille
Royal Palm Plaza 561/391-7734
A very well-served haven of heavenly food glowing out of chef Andrew Swersky's kitchen, which has a keen eye, and nose, for selecting fresh fish and produce and flashing considerable skill on the grill.
Lunch and dinner: $$
Chef Reto's
41 E. Palmetto Park Road 561/395-0633
Chef-owner Reto Demarmels, aided mightily out front by wife Lynne, adds nouvelle and New World accents to a wide-ranging continental menu, complemented happily by fine wines and friendly service. Dinner: $$
Kathy's Gazebo Cafe
4199 N. Federal Hwy. 561/395-6033
Kathy's, with new name, aided happily by the same competent continental staff, keeps all flags flying with fine wines and made-from-scratch freshness that can be observed up close at the counter.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
La Petite Maison
366 E. Palmetto Park Road 561/750-7483
French charmer with spring bright colors, caring service and skilled chefs capable of putting nouvelle niceties on the Gallic classics, providing good wines as well as value for the money. Lunch and dinner: $$
La Vieille Maison
770 E. Palmetto Park Road 561/391-6701
The wonderful wine cellar, the formal, experienced staff and a sensationally upscale setting provide a sophisticated stage for the Provence performances of chef de cuisine Richard Ruiz, a master of French Mediterranean cuisine.
Lunch and dinner: $$$$
Max's Grille
Mizner Park, 404 Plaza Real 561/368-0080
Most popular of the many places to eat in Boca's distinctive mid-town oasis with a peppy staff of servers, good bar and wines, and a crew of chefs
in the display kitchen defining daily what makes a restaurant named Max so successful.
Lunch and dinner: $$
New York Prime
2350 N.W. Executive Center Drive
561/998-3881
In its downtown decor, its staff of polished pros and grill chefs who treat beef and king-size lobsters with great respect and a well-stocked wine cellar, this is prime all the way.
Dinner: $$$
Rino Balzano's Ristorante Italiano
Winn Dixie Shopping Center
183 W. Camino Real 561/361-3034
An intensely personal, attractively dressed and superbly cheffed refuge with an all-Italian staff and a menu with brilliant interpretations of pasta combinations, fresh fish and top quality meats committed with skill to the wood-burning oven and served with fine wines. Dinner: $$
Ristorante Sapori
Royal Palm Plaza
301 Via de Palmas 561/367-9779
The name means "tastes" and there are plenty of those -- all good -- in this felicitously served treat of chef-proprietor Marco Pindo and wife Mara. In addition to a menu that always has some kind of reliable fresh fish, there are special event evenings featuring one or another ethnic cuisine. Lunch and dinner: $
COOPER CITY
Churchill's
10076 Griffin Road 954/680-0226
There's a medieval room with halberds and armored knights standing guard, an inviting pub and a namesake room with a bit more formality. Only in America! But it's fun even if it is in the most unlikely of
locations. Dinner: $$
La Brochette
2635 N. Hiatus Road 954/435-9090
Chef-proprietor Aboud Kobaltri is true to the name, specializing in everything grilled on the skewer, but his other creations are also memorable, especially his fresh fish of the night Mediterranean style.
Dinner: $$
CORAL GABLES
Cafe Barcelona
160 Giralda Ave. 305/448-0912
In south Florida's mixing bowl of Spanish and Spanish-influenced cuisines, here's the real thing -- a Catalan creation with a panoply of Catalonian culinary achievements, accompanied by fine Spanish wines. Lunch and dinner: $$
Caffe Abbracci
318 Aragon Ave. 305/441-0700
The incomparable Nino Pernetti is the force behind this champion -- from the personal greeting at the door, to repeated table-hopping in very sophisticated rooms and the all-seeing supervision of a fine staff, in back as well as front. May the force be with you! Lunch and dinner: $$
Christy's
3101 Ponce de Leon Blvd. 305/446-1400
A paragon of consistency serving properly prepared steaks embraced by great Caesar salads and baked Idaho potatoes. Some seafood, but if you want that try their 2-year-old Red Fish Grill in Matheson Hammock Park (305/668-8788). Lunch and dinner: $$$
Giacosa
394 Giralda Ave. 305/445-5858
Chef-owner Alfredo Alvarez is the main man here, and he shows a sure mastery of seafood, including a Spanish-inspired, salt-encrusted whole snapper baked in a brick oven. Good wines and a new Giacosa's Back Alley lounge with live weekend salsa. Lunch and dinner: $$
John Martin's Irish Pub and Restaurant
253 Miracle Mile 305/445-3777
John Clarke and Martin Lynch are the squires who brought the best of the Auld Sod to Miami -- an authentic Irish pub and casual dining room. They recently adding a Saturday night cabaret complete with Irish Step Dancing. Lunch and dinner: $
La Palme d'Or
Biltmore Hotel
1200 Anastasia Ave. 305/445-8066
French-trained CIA grad Donna Wynter is top toque in this enclave of elegance overlooking the unique pool and overseeing the Tour des Toques happening -- a visit of France's finest the first week of the month with La Palme's menus in force the remainder of the month. Dinner: $$$$
Mozart Stube
325 Alcazar Ave. 305/446-1600
"Gott sei dank" for Harald Neuweg, who blessed us with this cozy Old World import complete with steins of foamy beer and baskets of dark bread to complement platters of the best wurst around and heroic shanks of pork and veal. Lunch and dinner: $
Norman's
21 Almeria Ave. 305/446-6767
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere, the Scarlet Pimpernel of the south Florida breakout chefs who have devised cutting edge creations, putting the area on the world's gastronomic grand tour.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
Restaurant St. Michel
162 Alcazar Ave. 305/444-l666
In a gloriously designed Art Deco Mediterranean setting, chef Jean Claude St. Phard stuns the palate with Lillet-laced lobster bisque, jerk chicken quesadillas, sesame-coated tuna loin, chipolte and honey-roasted free range chicken.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner: $$
Ristorante La Bussola
264 Giralda Ave. 305/445-8783
Now in her 15th successful year, owner Elizabeth Giordano is the happy empress of a noteworthy "nuova cucina," specializing in modern accents and interpretations of the classics of the Italian kitchen. Lunch and dinner: $$
DAVIE
Armadillo Cafe
4630 S.W. 64th Ave. 954/791-5104
Omnipresent chef-owners Eve Montella and Kevin McCarthy are responsible for this outstanding outpost of Southwest cuisine with everything regional from the land of cacti and chilis but armadillo. Dinner: $$
DEERFIELD BEACH
Brooks Restaurant
500 S. Federal Hwy. 954/427-9302
The Perron clan with Bernard at the helm has reinvigorated its Benvenuto in Boynton but not at the expense of this flagship, with its fixed price, great value for the money menus, good wines and solicitous service. Dinner: $$
DELRAY BEACH
Damiano's at the Tarrimore House
52 N. Swinton Ave. 561/272-4706
Expansion-minded Tony and Lisa Damiano keep striking out in new directions -- West Palm Beach, Stuart and most recently in Boca -- but they spend enough time in this historic home to keep the fans of their transcontinental specialties coming back again and again. Lunch and dinner: $$
Splendid Blendeds Cafe
432 E. Atlantic Ave. 561/265-1035
Chef-owners Richard and Nellie Lemon continue to polish their little gem with appealing sidewalk sitting, the friendliest of servers and menus bright with rack of lamb, perfect pastas, grilled yellowfin funa with fresh garlic and balsamic syrup. Lunch and dinner: $$
32 East
32 E. Atlantic Ave. 561/276-7868
Strategically located across from Old School Square, this two-story sensation could be the California Trade Mission, with its highly capable California chefs using California produce and products for changed-daily California menus complemented by California wines. Dinner: $$
FORT LAUDERDALE
Bistro Mezzaluna
741 S.E. 17th St. Causeway 954/522-6620
Perfectionist George Mayo oversees an upbeat, high energy happening with superior servings of anything that comes out of executive chef Michael Siegel's kitchen, from coriander and pepper-encrusted seared tuna to one pound veal chops. Dinner: $$
Bimini Boat Yard
1555 S.E. 17th St. 954/525-7400
Marina-front location with an immensely popular social shopping scene on the weekends and with over-active bars, but also serious cheffing and serving of fine salads, burgers and pizzas from an oak-burning oven and seafood specialties.
Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch: $$
Bongusto! Ristorante
5640 N. Federal Hwy. 954/771-9635
Chef-owner Antonia Cerone defines his title by meticulous attention to buying fresh, picking his own produce, growing his own herbs and using a make-from-scratch approach. Good service and wines. Dinner: $$
Burt & Jacks
Berth 23, Port Everglades 954/522-5225
The views, especially on moon-bright nights, are what sells this Burt Reynolds-backed waterfront mission, but the outdoor lounge seating is stimulating, the staff OK, and the rack of lamb and steaks are easy to recommend. Dinner: $$$
Cafe de Paris
715 E. Las Olas Blvd. 954/767-2900
I've been eating at this Las Olas landmark since 1971, and it's never been better thanks to the diligence of Louis Flematti, who also is responsible for the nearby French Quarter. Great sense of Parisienne place and good wines. Lunch and dinner: $
Cafe Martorano
3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd. 954/561-2554
Steve Martorano is the owner-chef of this storefront, which has the magic formula for success -- and long lines: Buy fresh, make it from scratch, change the menu daily and keep it honest to South Philly Italian standards. Dinner: $$
Cafe Seville
2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd. 954/565-1148
In the face of all the Cuban competition, this cafe stays true to its Spanish origins, preparing nightly specials from the provinces and serving them professionally with a fine selection of Spanish wines. Lunch and dinner: $
California Cafe
Hyatt Regency Pier 66
2301 S.E. l7th St. 954/728-3500
An independent operation on the Intracoastal shore of the Hyatt campus with a big money marina alongside and chefs who supply the indoor-outdoor tables with a California-inspired compilation of salads, seafoods and grilled meats. Lunch and dinner: $$
Casablanca Cafe
A1A and Alhambra St. 954/764-3500
A model of adaptive restoration, a two-story reminder of the simpler past with patio panoramas of the beach and the sidewalk people parade and with a marvelous menu skillfully executed by a highly competent kitchen. Lunch and dinner: $$
Casa D'Angelo
1201 N. Federal Hwy. 954/564-1234
Angelo Elia is back in his old digs and with wife Denise, a new partner and ultra-capable staff he's working his usual miracles with grilled veggies, fish and chops from the grill and wood-burning oven, super desserts and fine wines. Dinner: $$
Darrel & Oliver's East City Grille
505 N. Atlantic Blvd. (A1A) 954/565-5569
Indoor-outdoor oceanfront spinoff from the owners of Cafe Maxx with knowledgeable servers explaining the highlights of fusion cuisine and such headliners as the oyster stew, encrusted fillets of fresh fish, soft shell crabs and knockout desserts. Good wines.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner: $$
Eduardo de San Angel
2822 E. Commercial Blvd. 954/772-4731
Chef-founder and family head Eduardo is no longer in residence, but he trained his brothers and kitchen staff so well that they are still running the best Mexican restaurant in the state, relying on Eduardo's time-tested recipes and techniques. Dinner: $$
15th Street Fisheries
1900 S.E. 15th St. 954/763-2777
Mike Hurst, professor at Florida International, former head of the National Restaurant Association and seminal force in the industry, is the man here, and he runs a fine ship with fresh seafood, good wines, great breads and a lot of promotional imagination. Lunch and dinner: $$
Food Lovers American Cafe
1576 E. Oakland Park Blvd. 954/566-9606
Agnes Gallo, "the kitchen elf," is out back and husband Rene in the front of this straightforward echo of the French countryside, a delightful value for the money discovery with good ribeye, baked salmon on a bed of creamed spinach and best of salad presentations. Dinner: $
French Quarter
215 S.E. Eighth Ave. 954/463-8000
Green thumb owner Louis Flematti spun this romantic retreat off from nearby Cafe de Paris and installed a largely New Orleans menu with good creole creations, fine wines, eye-popping desserts and professional staff. Lunch and dinner: $$
Grill Room on Las Olas
Riverside Hotel
620 E. Las Olas Blvd. 954/467-0671
Gracing the ground floor of the landmark hotel with formal service, great wine cellar and a splendid menu with such specialties as Kobe beef, buffalo and giant Maine lobsters. Start with a drink at the bar with its Singapore setting.
Dinner: $$$$
Il Tartufo
2400 E. Las Olas Blvd. 954/767-9190
There's no better courtyard setting in the state with twinkling little lights everywhere, outdoor bar and indoor formality with super-solicitous service, good wines, and a center stage wood-burning oven where excellent fish and meats are carefully prepared. Dinner: $$$
La Coquille
1619 E. Sunrise Blvd. 954/467-3030
Jean Bert is the chef-proprietor of this attractively situated slice of something special in the provinces, one with good wines, good service and good food, especially the fillets of fresh fish and anything with veal. Dinner: $$
La Ferme
1601 E. Sunrise Blvd. 954/764-0987
Count your blessings! The Terriers are back, Marie-Paule out front and chef Henri in the kitchen producing a fine pre-theater menu along with a carefully considered combination of the classics with some nouvelle accents, but nothing excessive. Dinner: $$
La Reserve
3115 N.E. 32nd Ave. 954/563-6644
A romantic waterfront setting with formal service, an excellent wine cellar and a kitchen that handles the French-American classics with skill and consistency. The Teboul brothers, Guy and Richard, who have been on the scene since 1972, deserve a standing ovation. Dinner: $$$
The Left Bank
214 S.E. Sixth Ave. 954/462-5376
Super-energetic chef-proprietor Jean-Pierre Brehier is a Jacques of all trades with cookbooks, television series and a widely circulated newsletter, plus this anchor operation where his carefully trained staff performs with professional aplomb. Dinner: $$$
Mai Kai
3599 N. Federal Hwy. 954/563-3272
This best of all Polynesian supper clubs is in its 43rd year, and it's as fresh as ever, from the famous Mystery Drink at the Molokai Bar to the exotic menu from Chinese wood-burning ovens and a kitchen skilled in island specialties. And don't forget the fascinating show! Dinner: $$
Mark's Las Olas
1032 E. Las Olas Blvd. 954/463-1000
With chef-owner Mark Militello, founding member of the Mango Mafia, concentrating on just one restaurant, it's better than ever as he and his skilled staff of chefs and servers continue to define and refine New Florida cuisine. Lunch and dinner: $$$$
Primavera
1301 E. Las Olas Blvd. 954/564-6363
Chef Giacomo Dresseno is now the owner of this shopping strip surprise with its attractive antipasto table and too-too tempting dessert cart, flanking his excellent creations featuring pasta, seafood and veal. Dinner: $$
Rainbow Palace
2787 E. Oakland Park Blvd. 954/565-5652
The challenges of sensational setting and formal service are fully met by a kitchen capable of turning out the best Chinese food in the county. Well worth the price and there's not a steam table in sight. Lunch (Thursday-Friday) and dinner: $$$
Sea Watch
6002 N. Ocean Blvd. (A1A) 954/781-2200
A fascinating tribute to the sea and nautical designers in an oceanfront two-story rambler with open-air porch, spiffy staff of servers and prices that are a good value for the money. Start with daiquiris on the second deck and proceed to some very good black bean soup or conch chowder, followed by salmon paillard or something with shrimp. Lunch and dinner: $$
HOLLYWOOD
Giorgios Mediterranean Village
606 N. Ocean Drive 954/929-7030
This $6 million spread on the Waterway by George Bakatsias and Peter Tsialiamanis encompassing a terrific Taverna Opa, the spacious, bustling Giorgios Grill plus Bakery & Market is a real happening -- the most exciting development to hit the city in many a mango season. Lunch and dinner: $$
JENSEN BEACH
11 Maple Street
3224 N.E. Maple St. 561/334-7714
Progresive American Cuisine is what owners Mike, Margie and Nita Perrin produce with grand style in a sentinel to the past filled with antiques and nifty nuggets of nostalgia. Dinner: $$
KEYS/KEY WEST
Atlantic's Edge
Cheeca Lodge, Islamorada
Mile Marker 82 305/664-4651
Seafood from near and far is handled with great skill and given Floribbean flourishes in this attractively positioned tropical treasure on the ocean side of the island necklaces stretching to Key West. Dinner and Sunday brunch: $$$
Cafe des Artistes
1007 Simonton St., Key West 305/294-7100
The menu is as French as its name, with cognac-flamed seafood and the kind of creole sauces and candied pecans you'd expect to find in New Orleans. Dinner: $$
Cafe Marquesa
The Marquesa Hotel, Key West
600 Fleming St. 305/292-1919
The most upscale eating experience in town, with fine wines, formal service and lots of fresh seafood. A specialty is the buttermilk-soaked fresh yellowtail snapper served with a unique lemon-ginger butter. Dinner: $$$
Frank Keys Cafe
100211 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo
305/453-0310
Nestled into the trees away from highway roar, this little house is home to carefully prepared fresh fillets of locally caught fish plus a variety of seafood freshly shucked from the shell. Dinner: $$
Little Palm Island
Mile Marker 28.5, Little Torch Key
305/872-2551
Recovered from the '98 hurricane damage and reopened in mid January, this unique historic asset once again has super chef Michel Reymond in the kitchen, preparing a fine parade of unique specialties. Breakfast, lunch and dinner: $$$$
Louie's Backyard
700 Waddell Ave. Key West 305/294-1061
An early pacesetter of New Florida cuisine and still blazing trails in a handsomely maintained old house with a fine seagrape-surrounded outer deck that is always tempting but especially during the sunset ritual. Lunch and dinner: $$
LANTANA
Crab Pot's Old House
300 E. Ocean Ave. 561/533-5220
The remarkable chef Yo, who brought the kitchen to new heights, moved to his own place in Boynton Beach, the Pacific Grill, but his examples are being emulated, and management spiffed up the setting with Caribbean cosmetics. Lunch and dinner: $
LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA
Aruba Beach Cafe
One E. Commercial Blvd. 954/776-0001
Super chef Chris Nealon is the main man here, and he's in charge of a fine menu with sushi style starters, great luncheon burgers, numerous salads and pastabilities, plus steaks and fillets of fresh fish. Lunch and dinner: $
Blue Moon Fish Company
4405 W. Tradewinds Ave. 954/267-9888
Special Waterway setting with display kitchen and inviting bar presided over by a pair of chefs who bring their island experiences to bear on the handling of fresh harvests from the deep. Pan-seared fish fillets are special as are the noontime salads.
Lunch and dinner: $$
LIGHTHOUSE POINT
Cafe Arugula
3110 N. Federal Hwy. 954/785-7732
The Cingolanis, Carolann in the well-appointed dining rooms and chef Dick in front of the burners, serve a good assortment of fusion specialties, such as Cajun-spiced shrimp with andouille sausage and pecan-coated snapper. Dinner: $$$
Cap's Place
2765 N.E. 28th Court 954/941-0418
Board the boat for a trip to the 1920s and enough history to fill a few volumes, check out the bar and read the walls while working over fillets of fresh fish preceded by hearts of palm salad and accompanied by fabulous french fries.
Dinner: $$
MIAMI/MIAMI BEACH
Casa Juancho
2436 S.W. 8th St. 305/642-2452
Handsomely designed Spanish sensation with an upfront tapas bar filled with local movers and shakers there to meet and greet or to move on to dinners of excellent Florida lobster, paella or one of the signature fish dishes. Lunch and dinner: $$
Chef Allen's
19088 N.E. 29th Ave., North Miami Beach 305/935-2900
Allen Susser is a great chef, a leader of the south Florida restaurant revolution in recent years, a master of fusion fare and he's always on the cutting edge, never falling off in some overindulges or excesses. Dinner: $$$
China Grill
404 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
305/534-2211
An immensely popular powerhouse place that sets its own pace while building its own empire with spinoffs and new departures in South Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The menu is always changing and always exciting. Lunch and dinner: $$$
Crystal Cafe
726 41st St., Miami Beach
305/673-8266
In the tiniest of kitchens, chef-proprietor Klime Kovaceski produces some of the most stunning dishes for miles around. Not Asian fusion or New Floribbean, but classics like osso buco and oven-roasted fillets of fresh fish blessed with lime juice and ginger. Dinner: $$
Doral Golf Resort and Spa
4400 N.W. 87th Ave., Miami 305/591-6616
There's a fine assortment of resort foods on the dinner menu, but the real appeals of this superluxe resort are the luncheon buffets and the eye-popping, table-bending Sunday brunches, complete with sushi bar and a dessert parade you won't believe. Lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch: $$
The Forge
432 Arthur Godfrey Road, Miami Beach 305/538-8533
With museum collections of modern art, stained glass and a walk-in wine cellar, this is a must-see experience whether you waltz around the upfront lounge or retreat to one of the cozy banquettes for grilled beef and chops. Dinner: $$$$
Il Tulipano
11052 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami
305/893-4811
Ron Wayne is commander of this class operation with a stunning wine room backed by a fine list and a menu ably executed by chef Sandrino Benitez, who uses ingredients as fresh as the signature tulip on each table. Dinner: $$$
Joe's Stone Crab
227 Biscayne St., Miami Beach 305/673-0365
Now in its 86th year, Joe's is bigger (475 seats) and more accessible with a Take Away & Coffee Bar, and it's still THE place in the state to consume the claws, but don't forget the other seafood selections.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
La Paloma
10999 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami
305/891-0505
Maria and Werner Staub are the Swiss twosome responsible for keeping this handsomely appointed gem highly polished, making sure the kitchen properly prepares the Dover sole almondine andthe various and the one-of-a-kind duckling.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
Le Pavillon
Hotel Intercontinental
100 Chopin Plaza, Miami 305/577-1000
It's tucked into the lobby level of this downtown skyscraper and defines with consumate grace and great skill all the niceities of class continental dining.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
Nemo
100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach 305/532-4550
A seven-room ramble indoors and out by partners Myles Chevetz and chef Michael Schwartz, ably assisted by chef Frank Jeannetti, and together they merge and meld Caribbean accents with pan-Asian, watched over by a top team of servers.
Lunch and dinner: $$$
Oggi Cafe
White Star Center, North Bay Village
1740 79th St. Causeway 305/866-1238
A simple storefront in a strip of no distinction except for that provided by the staff, front and back, and a menu that is skillfully executed, be it farinaceous fare, something with fresh seafood or a veal chop.
Dinner: $
Osteria Del Teatro
1443 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 305/538-7850
Dino Pirola out front and Antonio Tettamanzi in the back work the magic of purse from sow's ear by providing some of the most pleasing of all Italian restaurants, one with a superior wine list and unbelieveable desserts. Dinner: $$$$
Pacific Time
915 Lincoln Road South, Miami Beach 305/534-5979
Chef-owner Jonathan Eismann pioneered the Pan-Asian phenomenon in south Florida, and he's still leading the pack with masterful and respectful handling of fresh Florida fish, be it black grouper from the Keys or soft shell crabs. Dinner: $$
Two Chefs
8287 S. Dixie Hwy., South Miami
355/663-2100
A blessing for south Miamians bemoaning the absence of fine dining, a mecca for anyone who wants to experience meals in which a multitude of ingredients are all held in balance and somehow come out wonderful. Appointments are as appealing as the presentations. Lunch and dinner: $$
Yuca Restaurant
501 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305/532-9822
Cutting edge Cuban food with the kind of imaginative ingredients and recipes never dreamt of in run of the mill Cuban beaneries, but then it's intended for the Yucas, the Young Upscale Cuban Americans. Lunch and dinner: $$
PALM BEACH
Amici Ristorante & Bar
288 S. Country Rd. 561/832-0201
Galaxy Grille
350 S. Country Rd. 561/833-9909
Amici established the bridgehead, pioneering Italian delights in a wood-burning oven, and then came the Galaxy three blocks away with its fine steaks and seafood menu, both with same owner and same high level of service. Lunch and dinner: $$$$
Aquaterra
Plaza del Sol
230 Sunrise Ave. 561/366-9693
Famed and much-feted top toque Charlie Palmer inspired and oversees this surprise with local chefs Joe and Megan Romano in charge of such water and land headliners as roast lobster with corn-sprinkled saffron risotto and wood-grilled filet mignon propped on chive-freckled potato cake. Dinner: $$
Cafe L'Europe
331 S. County Road 561/655-4020
An eye and spirit-pleasing slice of sophistication admirably suited for the surrounds. The elegant decor, the flowers, the caviar-champagne bar, the superlative, well-supervised service and the kitchen all perform to Golden Spoon perfection. Lunch and dinner: $$$
Renato's
87 Via Mizner 561/655-9752
Part of the Desiderio grouping of restaurant success stories (Quisana in Manhattan and a trio in Capri), this one in an al fresco courtyard in the shadow of Addison Mizner's apartment tower. The service is splendid, the wines fine and the Italian kitchen skilled.
Lunch and dinner: $$$$
The Restaurant
Four Seasons Resort
2800 S. Ocean Blvd. 561/582-2800
The world class oceanfront setting is almost as stimulating as the world class culinary compilations of executive chef Hubert Des Marais who also gives classes and organizes a variety of special events. Dinner: $$$$
PALM BEACH GARDENS
Cafe Chardonnay
Garden Square Shoppes
4533 PGA Blvd. 561/627-2662
For 13 years, this has been the best of the bests in north county, thanks to the tireless twosome of Gigi and Frank Eucalitto. The setting and service set it apart, and the performance of the kitchen keeps it in the forefront. Lunch and dinner: $$$
POMPANO BEACH
Darrel & Oliver's Cafe Maxx
2601 E. Atlantic Blvd. 954/782-0606
The partnership has been doing so many things right this past year, including finally the adjustment of owning two restaurants, that they've reclaimed their Golden Spoon for this Caribbean, Floribbean, Pan-Asian, New American kitchen performance.
Dinner: $$$$
Joe's Riverside Grill
Sands Harbor Resort
125 N. Riverside Dr. 954/941-2499
Joe and Erica Cascio continue their award-winning ways with Joe doing a lot of good things with his fresh seafood -- searing, steaming, sauteeing, presenting it with good side dishes -- and a bit of dash by Erica out front. Dinner: $$
VERO BEACH
Cafe du Soir
21 Royal Palm Blvd. 561/569-4607
Chef-owner Yannick Martin is from Brittany, and he prepares his seafood the Breton way with a liberal sprinkling of herbs and spreading of sauces, stocking a good wine cellar to complement his creations. His wife Valerie adds considerable grace and charm to the room. Dinner: $$
Ocean Grill
1050 Sexton Plaza 561/231-5409
The spirit of Waldo Sexton is alive and well in this ocean-tickling landmark he literally built from scratch and a beachcomber's bounty. Crab in all its manifestations is marvelous and so too are steaks. Lunch and dinner: $