Le Chat Noir, Miami

Despite the English translation of its name, "the black cat," crossing paths with Le Chat Noir is anything but bad luck. That's especially true if you're searching for the perfect combination of wine, cheese, and jazz. A few tables dot the patio outside the entrance, but most visitors venture inside and down to the cellar, where musicians improvise several nights a week.

Le Chat Noir's setting complements its live entertainment. Strings of lights illuminate tables for two near the bar, where patrons sip a variety of red and white wines. Gourmet cheeses rest inside a glass display case, and a large chalkboard sits next to it, announcing the day's specials. To its left hangs a recreation of the original 19th-century poster for Le Chat Noir, a Parisian cabaret that was secretly run by the world's smartest house cat.