Dinner with a View

Miami is full of new hotels where killer views of the city are paired with fine dining. Here are a few of our favorites:

EPIC Hotel - Area 31 is a seafood-focused dining establishment located in Miami's Brickell Avenue neighborhood. This 16th-floor bar and restaurant is decorated in soothing beige tones, accented with live orchids and soft leather chairs. Menu: daily fish specials prepared four ways; rock lobster in a sauce of tomato, white wine and opal basil; salt crusted dorade with preserved meyer lemon marmalade; bone in rib eye. Dine inside or outside on the terrace overlooking the Miami River.

Viceroy Miami - Eos Restaurant is a brightly decorated aerie, with astounding views of downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay. An inspired Mediterranean menu features well seasoned dishes and desserts to write home about. Menu: inspired ceviches; tagliatelle with 6 minute farm egg and black truffle; spicy Greek "paella" with prawns, shellfish and orzo; hangar steak; Spanish tapas.
Presentation is delightful, and the service is friendly and efficient. For after dinner drinks, take the elevator to Club 50, the hotel's 50th-floor night club which has sweeping views of Miami and a fabulously romantic pool terrace.

Mondrian South Beach - Like the name says, you're in the heart of South Beach here and the accent is on the amazing sunset views of downtown Miami looking across Biscayne Bay. The Sunset Lounge is the place to sip a minty fresh mojito while musing over Miami's many charms. Asia de Cuba is the hotel's sexy Asian Latin fusion restaurant. Menu: duck breast roasted with hoisin; char sui beef short ribs; lobster shitake potstickers; honey rhum-glazed pot roast of pork; crispy tofu with soy/lime/chipotle marinade. While prices are on the high side, the portions here are generous.

Sonesta Bayfront Hotel Coconut Grove - Panorama Restaurant & Sky Lounge is located on the 8th floor of this bright, art-filled hotel. And Panorama is no misnomer - the sweeping view of sailoats at Dinner Key Marina and Key Biscayne in the distance is nothing short of hypnotic. The cuisine is Peruvian with a few American standards mixed in (burgers, salads and sandwiches). Menu: an assortment of flavorful ceviches; tiraditos (similar to sashimi and marinated like ceviche); and aji de Gallina (chicken stew in a spicy, nutty sauce). With the hotel's pool deck just outside, Panorama has become a popular place to spend Independence Day. The fireworks show in adjacent Peacock Park lights up the sky while locals sip pisco sours. Even if you just come for cocktails, you'll leave here appreciating Coconut Grove's charming bayfront atmosphere.