grab your passports. in order to escape the onslaught of miami spice month menus (value, schmalue), cross the border. remember, good eats happen when you leave the county. come on, it's like what, ten minutes?


lo-lo-lo-lo-lola.
in the kinks's version, he-slash-she has some identity confusion, but lola's on harrison knows exactly what it is. this intriguing newbie is from chef michael wagner, a CIA grad who's done time with local hotties (gastronomically speaking) allen susser, johnny vinczencz, and dewey losasso. the 80-seater's got some serious goods on offer: bone-in filet mignon with black truffle fries, roasted shallots, sautéed broccoli florettes, and lobster béarnaise. and to wash it down, rare microbrews and fruit-muddled champagnes. betcha they don't taste just like cherry cola. 2032 harrison street. hollywood. 954.927.9851. www.lolasonharrison.com


down the shore.
you remember this guy. in fact you have deep nostalgic feelings for him. kevin mccarthy was responsible for armadillo café, that fab, long-running southwestern place in davie that closed a couple of years ago. he's finally back, this time in dania beach, with (logically enough) armadillo beach. some old faves on the menu, some new items. pop in for tequila-grilled shrimp and corn cakes with chipotle butter and get back up to date. 1200 south federal highway. dania beach. 954.920.6166. www.armadillobeach.com


match point.
south florida is the tennis capital of the world, and the new cero is proving it with a crème brulee molded in the shape of a tennis ball. but don't let that bit of whimsy throw you. executive chef toby joseph's fare here is as serious as it is creative. in addition, he nets as much local and organic produce as possible. the results - kumamoto oysters with a homestead farm grapefruit granité and red onion confit - are winning indeed. 1 north fort lauderdale beach boulevard. fort lauderdale. 954.465.2300. www.stregis.com


the spice is right.
okay, we give. miami spice menus are available at some of the finest, newest and least value-friendly restaurants in town, including david bouley evolution, devito south beach, the restaurant at the setai, christian delouvrier la goulue, table 8 south beach (pictured), karu & y, michy's, the oceanaire, and venivici. have at it. www.miamirestaurantmonth.com