sometimes it seems you can't go two blocks in south beach without tripping over another heaping bowl of pasta, but don't let that turn you off italian.


eat the young.
the north african influence at sardinia spices up the orecchiette, and pietro vardeu adds delicacies like baked baby octopus, baby suckling pig, and braised (you guessed it) baby lamb. While the menu may sound a bit daring, vardeu's calaluna in the hamptons was called "the hit of the resort season" by the new york times when it opened. if northern touristas can handle it, so can you. and food and wine mag just named sardina an emerging tastemaker for 2007. 1801 purdy avenue. 305.531.2228. www.sardinia-ristorante.com


vivi loca.
from the owners of local favorite, carpaccio, comes vivi ristorante, which just splashed down a few weeks ago with a menu of ocean-focused italian classics. grabbing a drink while waiting for a seat on the outdoor patio can be something of a scene, and bold face names are expected. hopefully the clamor will not drown out the sounds of nearby waves. 101 ocean drive. 305.695.VIVI. www.viviristorante.com


ready, setai, go.
grab a steak knife; the grill at setai (pictured left) opened this week. with organic meat, signature sauces, and seafood (including a whole maine lobster), chef de cuisine, michael steinmann brings hearty helpings to a sweet spot. 2001 collins avenue. at 20th street. 305.520.6500.
www.setai.com





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