Food is a deep passion of mine, and I am perhaps more critical than I should be about it. I take food very seriously. So, if you are a real foodie and love great food, here are my experiences at one of Miami's top restaurants.

The first time I went to Azul at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Miami, I was sort of overwhelmed at the ambiance that I might have been a little overexcited by the food. But my ceviche, chicken cacciatore and chocolate hazelnut tort were amazing. The ceviche seems to be a staple at the restaurant, because I saw the bowl that they were preparing it in and they might as well have been stirring it with a shovel. It was perfectly executed, very clean and fresh tasting, and the fish was perfectly tender without being rubbery. It was accompanied by a tostone that was superp with traces of the lime juice on it. The setting was ultra modern, the waiters were all older, experienced, accomodating and not stuck up (which was great because sometimes you get waiters like that at some of the more expensive restaurants and they aren't very nice). My ultra rich chicken cacciatore was excellent and the gnocchi (although incorrectly referred to as a gnocchi, because it technically wasn't) was perhaps one of the best gnocchi I've ever had. It was actually an ultra thin fresh pasta stuffed with cheese, so it resembled a small pillow. The chocolate hazelnut bar with a chocolate mocha was everything you'd expect it to be.

Yesterday I went back to Azul. Everything but the menu was exactly how I remembered it. I had a corn cake with goat cheese, that was the perfect opener, however they did forget the corn relish garnish on top. My seafood cioppino was perhaps the best thing that I had eaten there up to that point...all the seafood was perfectly cooked, except the shrimp, which is perhaps the easiest thing to cook. But the broth that it was served in and the basil aioli on top of the french bread that accompanied it were ridiculously amazing. For dessert, the chocolate torte was missing the orange relish that they had promised, but still perfectly tasty. I would definitely recommend anyone to go there anytime.

Dress- Business casual.
Side notes- Food is light, but you will get full.
Price- $$$-$$$$

I am a VERY TOUGH RATER.

My ratings are thus:
A- Not good.
AA- Eat here anytime. 
AAA- Eat here if you're in the same city.
AAAA- Eat here if you're in the same country.
AAAAA- Eat here at least once in your life, and it will change your life.

Azul's rating is AAA.