I travel to Miami several times a year for work, and Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe is often my pick for a laid back, high quality meal at a reasonable price. Though right beside Mary Brickell Village, the restaurant still retains its personality and charm and exudes a calm, inviting vibe.

When it’s hot (which is almost always in Miami), I highly recommend grabbing a seat at the outdoor covered bar which is still air-conditioned – you get the best of both worlds with open air seating without soaking through your shirt. If you’re by yourself, you can sit at the bar, watch a game on one of the two TVs, and have a nice meal with a couple of drinks. If you like wine, their list of offerings by the glass is excellent and reasonably priced with plenty of choices in the $10 range.

The food at Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe is simple, fresh, and well-prepared, starting with the excellent complementary bruschetta. Given the heat in Miami, I usually opt for one of Perricone’s great dinner salads – the churrasco is my particular favorite. The steak is high quality, well-portioned and cooked perfectly – accompanied by fresh chunks of gorgonzala on a bed of well-dressed greens – perfect on a hot summer’s night. Service is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Overall – great spot.