Four cuisines in two days across southeast Florida

Think of South Florida cuisine and you’re likely to imagine seafood or maybe some Latin-tinged delights. But in less than two days in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, we were able to sample an eclectic variety of international restaurants with distinct cuisines and vibes. Following are four highlights.

Greek

I was a little surprised to find an authentic Greek restaurant in the midst of downtown Miami, steps from some of the city’s tallest buildings. But once seated at Meraki Greek Bistro, I was even more surprised that I was still in the heart of a major U.S. city.

Set back from the street and opening onto an interior courtyard, Meraki is a true joy. The restaurant feels like it’s located in an old European village, sheltered from the nearby high rises.

The courtyard is delightful with a mixture of sun and shade and is shared with a few other businesses, including a Brazilian restaurant and a dessert place. We sat inside at a protected table for two, in a small bay with white curtains adorning it. We had a great view of the courtyard and of the traditionally decorated interior of the restaurant. The effect was romantic and relaxing.

The food here is fresh, inexpensive and tasty. The hummus—topped with just a hint of paprika—was excellent, as was the Dakos salad—a sort of Greek bruschetta with marinated bread crusts topped with feta, tomatoes, olive oil and oregano. The chicken platters are also good choices, with the bacon-wrapped chicken platter being one of the standouts.

Don’t forget dessert. We were served a Greek delicacy with shredded phyllo dough on the bottom, a cheesecake-like middle layer and a creamy top with cinnamon. It was delicious and light enough that we didn’t feel over-stuffed.

Cuban

Padrino Cuban Cuisine in Fort Lauderdale is one of five Florida locations for this well-appointed Cuban chain. Now being operated by the third generation of Padrinos, the restaurant features a wonderful lunch buffet, ideal for newcomers to Cuban cuisine, as there was a nice selection of meat dishes, rice, soup and sweets. We enjoyed the black bean soup and the fried plantains, and both the chicken and pork were tender and perfectly seasoned.

Padrino also has a nice selection of salads and seafood, from mahi-mahi to shrimp creole, as well as a delicious paella—which features chorizo sausage along with fish, mussels, shrimp and scallops. If you’re in the mood to drink, the restaurant has a gorgeous bar and offers bottomless bloody Marys or mimosas as part of its brunch menu.

French

Le Patio has to be one of the most adorable, smallest restaurants I’ve ever been to. Tucked into a residential neighborhood in Wilton Manors, a suburb on the north side of Fort Lauderdale, it’s a very LGBTQ-friendly place. The owners, Vero and Jean, a lovely lesbian couple, cook and serve a mouth-watering array of French food on the cozy covered back patio. The diver scallops and lobster ravioli were excellent, as was the baked brie appetizer.

The ladies will gladly recommend a wine to accompany your meal, and they chose a lovely Merlot for our dinner. The small inside is covered in memorabilia and a strange (but delightful to our party) array of photos of hunky shirtless men. Make sure to book reservations in advance; the restaurant seats about 20, and word of mouth has made this a popular spot in the decade it has been open.

Italian

Carpaccio is located in the high-end Bal Harbour Shops and serves traditional and consistently excellent Italian fare. The restaurant has been open for 15 years, and regularly attracts politicians, sports stars, socialites and celebrities.

One of the great things about Carpaccio is that it’s like two locations in one. Eat inside, and the feel is white-glove, high-end restaurant softly lit with white walls and molding and black accents that really pop. It’s romantic and classical in vibe.

Or eat outside on the covered patio, where it’s loud and playful as wait staff hustle between the tables. Although it faces the Bal Harbour Shops’ parking lot, a strip of landscaping nicely mutes any distractions.

Tops on the menu might be the lovely pollo piccata, with succulent chicken breasts, thinly sliced potatoes and broccoli with sautéed spinach. There is also a nice selection of pizzas, salads, the requisite pasta dishes and some interesting risottos. Try the tasty ricotta cheesecake, which boasts a nice firm texture, and is topped with an amazing whipped cream.