Cecconi’s Miami Beach
Want to catch a glimpse of some A-listers? When visiting Miami, you’re bound to have a celebrity sighting if you know just where to go — and we have the dish on where these fabulous folks like to wine and dine. These three eateries are the talk of the town and are magnets for the rich and famous. Make a reservation now.
Pretty people-watching, elegant décor, laid-back vibe, delectable food, superb service, and a 230-bottle wine list, need we say more? The upscale Italian eatery, which is located in the ultra-posh celeb hangout Soho Beach House in Miami Beach, serves savory modern day classic Italian dishes such as rigatoni bolognese, branzino and eggplant parmigiana — with a jaw-dropping side of VIPs. With antique Nile-green stripped tile floors, silver buttonwood trees wrapped in twinkling lights and a retractable awning that reveals a starlit sky, you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away to a secret Venetian garden. Cecconi’s has a strict policy of not sharing celebrity names; however, word on the street is that you might just find the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Walsh and Ivanka Trump hanging out there. (But you didn’t hear that from us.)
Zuma
Among the many good reasons why all the big shots flock to Zuma is the attentive yet discreet first-class staff. Even if you aren’t followed around by paparazzi, you can still expect the same type of excellent attention. Here, you’ll see a wide range of actors, musicians and athletes, from Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Will Smith to Lenny Kravitz, Shania Twain and Janet Jackson to David Beckham, Lennox Lewis and Roger Federer. Zuma is situated on the ground floor of Epic – A Kimpton Hotel in downtown Miami; but you could arrive in style and dock your boat in the hotel’s marina right in front of the restaurant. The signature theme of natural earth tones, granite and modern décor — think dramatic large Japanese rice panels extending from high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water — create a scene from a movie set. Chef Rainer Becker’s take on sophisticated Japanese cuisine inspired by the informal dining style of izakaya is just as enticing. Popular dishes include the Alaskan king crab with ponzu-lime butter and miso-marinated black cod. The drinks also shine bright with 365 varieties of wine and nearly 100 kinds of sakes, including one made exclusively for Zuma, brewed from the waters of Lake Biwa in Japan.
A relative newcomer to the Miami dining scene, Seasalt and Pepper has quickly become a hotshot’s haunt. You might be dining next to Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Beyoncé and Jay Z, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, Michael Caine, and Leonel Fernández. At this waterfront seafood brasserie and lounge on the bank of the Miami River, you’ll find restyled gastro surf-and-turf classics, such as wood-fired Chilean sea bass casserole served in an organic clay pot, lobster risotto, filet mignon and black truffle veal chop. The handcrafted libations prepared tableside have also made a splash on the scene — ask for a SS&P Mojito, then lounge on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace and garden bar with the river and the Miami skyline as your scenic backdrop.
Photos Courtesy of Cecconi’s Miami Beach and James Shearer
