BICE on the BEACH

All the locals in Miami Beach will tell you to avoid dining on Ocean Drive. That famous stretch where all the beautiful, and not so beautiful, people gather has had its share of good restaurants, but nothing ever lasts. The old standbys are really diners: News Cafe and Front Porch Cafe. And occasionally you'll luck in to a good night at other places, Cafe Milano, for one. And worse is the aggressive hustle from all the restaurants on the street, begging people to sit down for an overpriced and dining experience.

Bice Ristorante and Cafe, part of the Bice chain, has taken over at the Hotel Victor, and I'm happy to report that it is a big bright spot on Ocean Drive. There's a dining room and bar inside, but I prefer the outdoor cafe that sits a few feet off Ocean Drive with a great view of the passing parade and the beach. The menu is mostly Italian, but with a few nods to Florida. I recently had a delicious Sunday lunch of fish and chips - $9.99 - that was perfection on a plate. The steak salad (with mango salsa) also looked terrific.

Located at 11th & Ocean Drive, Bice at the Victor is a good place to take in South Beach in all its glory. Afterall, South Beach is all about the people-watching. The patio service is prompt, and although the cocktail prices are sky-high ($19 mojitos), somehow they are worth it. One can do worse, I think, with a twenty dollar bill.