The wood fire oven is center stage at Michael's Genuine. Photo, Simon Hale, Time Magazine

Sophisticated simplicity is the operating phrase for Chef Micheal Schwartz’s neighborhood eatery in Miami’s design district. Precisely-prepared, Modern American dishes focused on seasonal and regional ingredients rule the menu, as does creativity. The wood oven is center stage at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink. Notable menu offerings include wood-oven roasted tilefish served with Florida rock shrimp, clams, bacon and new potatoes; sauteed sweetbreads with heirloom tomato and onion chutney as well as tapas-style small plates like scallop carpaccio.  Insiders say that service is a toss-up and can range from “thoughtful and savvy” to “outright unbearable”- but most say that any questionable service is worth enduring for the fantastic food. Full bar available but BYOB allowed, with corkage fee $20. Update: Michael’s has recently started offering Sunday brunch. Think wood-roasted duck egg in spicy chipotle and duck cracklings with queso fresco or Egg with aged gruyere, roasted tomato, chives and a sourdough crostini. 130 N.E. 40th Street, Miami, FL, 33137. Tel: (305) 573-5550.