By Marian Liu

This past February, Bianca replaced the French restaurant Blue Door, turning the site into an Italian restaurant with Japanese and Mediterranean influences.

The best dish on the menu (and executive chef Sean Bernal's favorite) is a bizarre one: grilled octopus. It's an intimidating affair, with five tentacles reaching out from the plate. But after being slow-cooked for four hours and char-grilled in an aged balsamic reduction, it's incredibly tender.

WHERE: 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 305-674-5752

AVERAGE PRICE: $30-$40

HOURS: Breakfast 7-11 a.m. daily, brunch 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sunday, lunch 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily, dinner 7-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 7 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday