Best Restaurants of 2009

I had so much fun thinking about everything I ate in 2009 that I decided to keep it going with a quick "Best of" list. 

My Top Miami Area Restaurants of 2009:

• Miami Beach - Meat Market (runner ups: Talula, Sardinia)
• Brickell - Area 31 (runner ups: River Oyster Bar, Capital Grille)
• Wynwood/Design District/MiMo - Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (runner ups: Joey's, Red Light, Sra. Martinez)
• Coconut Grove - Jaguar (runner ups: Ideas, Georges)
• Coral Gables - Whisk Gourmet (runner ups: Por Fin, Francesco)
• Best Restaurant Overall - Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
• Best Meal - Cobaya Dinner #1 @ Talula
• Best Dish - 3 way tie
• Sous vide lobster w/ melted St. Andre and asparagus @ Neomi's
• Char grilled spinalis w/ summer stone fruit panzanella, arugula, "blackberry wine," and crispy shallots @ Talula during Cobaya dinner #1
• Japanese A5 Kobe w/ seared foie gras @ Meat Market
  
• Best Burgers - Burger & Beer Joint (runner ups: Love Food Cafe, gastroPod)
  
• Best Pizza - Spris (runner ups: Joey's, PizzaVolante)
  
• Best Chinese - Tropical Chinese (runner up: Hakkasan)
• Best Japanese - Naoe (runner up: Matsuri)
• Best Italian - Scarpetta (runner up: Sardinia)
• Best French - Palm d'Or (runner ups: Le Bouchon du Grove, Cafe Pastis)
• Best Restaurant Bar: Michael's Genuine (runner ups: Meat Market, Hakkasan)