The Scene
Outside, it's a squat, bunker-like building that's easy to drive by without noticing. But Joen Allen is a microcosm of Miami Beach: Young and old, gay and straight, terminally hip and pocket-protector geek all chow down on well-prepared and well-priced comfort food. Inside, the restaurant is a big square room packed tight with tables and criss-crossed by the speedy, personable waitstaff.

The Food
The menu boasts a few fancy dishes, but it's really about hearty, homey standbys, like burgers, meat loaf, pizza, and seriously delicious liver and onions with bacon, whispy fried onion strands, creamy mashed potatoes and garlicky sauteed spinach. The delicious burgers are the size of flattened softballs and cooked precisely as requested. Crisp-crusted, judiciously adorned pizzas make a great starter for two or an entree for one