Making reservations is easy; you can either call the restaurant directly or make a reservation online through Opentable.com. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner. Reservations are required 48 hours in advance for private dining and there is very limited availability for Onyx 360 and you must reserve ahead of time. Reservations for private dining require a 20% deposit.

Tables are approximately 34 inches square and comfortable for most parties. The seats are comfortable and are approximately 22 inches in diameter at their largest. The space between tables is also ample, and provides plenty of room to maneuver throughout the dining room. Private dining within a secluded "enclave" is available for parties up to 12 in size. Private dining reservations are required 48 hours in advance. For an even more prestigious dining option there is Onyx 360, a private table for 10 that is suspended above the lower lobby and mezzanine. The Onyx 360 table includes a custom menu and your own private chef and wait staff. Unlike the Atlantic views in the other dining option, from Onyx 360 you get a complete 360-degree view of the hotel.

There is live weekend entertainment, and a Sunday Brunch that is all the rage. A jazz trio performs in the nearby Lapidus Lounge during brunch and there is a live DJ Thursday through Saturday evenings in the restaurant and seven nights a week, from 6-9pm on the pool deck. DJ Smeejay was named best DJ by Miami New Times.

The restrooms are located outside of the restaurant, but on the same level and not too far from the restaurant. Basically, it is a short jaunt around the corner.

Most diners, if not all, adhere to the dress code, which is casual (though chic).

There is valet parking at the hotel. Taxis are also available, and the bellmen have no problem calling one for you, but because the Ritz Carlton South Beach is located on the intersection of Lincoln Road and Collins Avenue it is also a short walk to many of the main attractions in South Beach. Valet parking is complimentary when you dine in any of the restaurants and lounges. Limousine services are available upon request at the hotel.

Voted one of the world's best hotels in the Continental US, No. 77 of Travel & Leisure Magazines' World's Best Hotels, 2004 was placed on 15 to watch list by Travel & Leisure Magazine.

*Please note that the restaurants featured at TravelsinTaste.com may have changed their personnel, menu, pricing, decor, hours of operation, etc., since our last visit. The competitive and creative nature of the fine dining scene virtually assures that changes will occur on a frequent basis in order to make diners happier, meals more pleasurable and visits more frequent. Given their frequent fluctuations, most restaurants welcome inquiries about their current hours, menu and more.