For the fourth year in a row, we've decided to sacrifice our normally -- ahem -- modest eating habits in order to bring you an overview of the most essential, stomach-pleasing food and drink in South Florida. It's a tough job, we know. This year, we set out to dispel a few myths (alligator is too gamy, drinking wine is too snobby), create a few local legends (see "10 things we can't live without") and do a bit of urban foraging (see "Weed eaters"). Eventually, we had to push ourselves away from the table, tip our servers and waddle on back to the office to share our hard-earned discoveries with our readers. You can thank us later. In the meantime, dig in, drink up and remember to wipe the sauce from those gator ribs off your chin.

Photo: Peter Langoné. Model: Kymberli Lee/Las Olas Models. Clothing: IITYWYKM Designs (Unitards4u.com). Makeup: Gillian Forgenie. Styling: W Kelley Lucas

• 10 Things • It's not just for winos anymore • A vivid vintage • Wine & dine • Gator Jawin' • Weed Eaters • Cyber eats