We are working in Miami, South Beach this weekend; I was looking for suggestions on restaurants with both good food and wine lists.

Sharkey, we havea vacation home about an hour North of Miami and we rarely travel down to Miami. If you want to drive 1-1 1/2 hours North, I can give you a bunch of places with very good food and some with outstanding wine lists, plus a number that allow corkage for a modest fee.

If you've never had stone crabs, you could try Joe's Stone Crab in Miami. For great Cuban food at ridiculously low prices, there are a myriad of places in Little Havana, the Cuban community in West Miami. The area is centered around Calle Ocho, SW 8th St. I'll bet most, if not all, of these places will let you bring wine in.

We went to China Grill in South Beach. It was fun, but I wouldn't go back unless I had 4 or more people. It is family style and with 2 only you don't get to taste as many dishes. Didn't have wine, but they make a great cosmo.

rj, are you going to be down there in late December?

Thanks for the offer but I do not think the client wants to drive that far from location. Also is it true that Joe's does not open until Oct.

Joe's is always closed in the summer.

We dined at Joes and it was good. Not amazing or even excellent, but pretty good. I'm not sure what all the mega-fuss is about. But, still, I'd go again if in town.

Well my Miami adventure has come to an end. The shoot went well and we got to try three new restaurants for us.
First night: was at Nobu, sushi was good but nothing to rave about. Beer
Next night: La Dorada very good Spanish restaurant, not Cuban. 2 bottles of 1994 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Reserva, I like this wine a lot 91 markup was a bit high
Third night: Ortanique on the Mile very good Caribbean Fusion. 2000 Testarossa Sleepy Hollow Pinot Noir 88

We are going 12/20 to 12/30 but will be at Club Med Sandpiper with the kids from 12/21 to 12/28. How about you ? We may need a break from club med fare while we're there.

18th to the 31st. Seems like the 28th or 29th are the only possibilities. We usually get together with the Rothkos when we're down there. Actually, since we met, wealways get together for a dinner each trip.

Let's try and make it one of those days, then. Should be fun.

Closer to the date we can exchange phone numbers and try to confirm a date. We might be able to do it with the Rothkos. They're even nicer than me.

Sounds like a plan. Know anyone who's been to club med sandpiper ?

No. I never heard of it.