It's no surprise that Oliver's, a cozy neighborhood bistro on West Avenue in Miami Beach, is doing bang-up business within weeks of opening. After all, its owned by veteran restaurateur Hagen Taudt, the man behind the Groves Kaleidoscope and the Gables Charade before his ''retirement.''

The place has been packed with locals eager to sample moderately priced dishes (Thai red chicken curry, $10.75; pan-roasted lamb shank, $14.75). Other attractions: a comfy wine bar, indoor-outdoor seating and lots of parking (959 West Ave., Miami Beach; 305-535-3050).

LOCAL IN LOVE

Hotelier, restaurateur and writer Jennifer Rubell is engaged to Andrew Feltenstein, a music producer she met on a blind date in Las Vegas last fall at Kerry Simons Simon Kitchen and Bar in the Hard Rock Hotel. Feltenstein, 28, lives in Los Angeles, but his parents, Lisa and Sidney J. Feltenstein, are Miami Beach residents. Dad is founder and former chairman and CEO of Yorkshire Global Restaurants, a holding company for A&Ws and Long John Silvers. Rubell, 33, has been house-hunting in L.A. They plan to hoist the chuppah in December 2004 to coincide with Art Basel.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

• The Sake Club offers an extensive menu of sakes and saketinis to sip with reasonably priced sushi, sashimi, donburi and tempura in a sleek setting adjacent to Niketown in The Shops of Sunset. This is owner David Woos first venture. Valet parking receipts will get you a $5 discount. (5701 Sunset Dr.; 305-669-9746.)

• Maleewan Thai and Sushi has taken over the Tani Guchi space in North Miami (2224 NE 123rd St.). Former chef-owner Terry Taniguchi said he tried to keep the kosher sushi spot open after the death of his wife, Carole, but ''it just wasn't the same.''

The Maleewans -- parents and five children who worked for years at the Thai House II in North Miami Beach -- are ''excited for the challenge'' of a place of their own, says daughter Mali (305-895-0393).

• Pashas, a ''fast-elegant'' Mediterranean place, is set to open any day at 900 Lincoln Rd. Expect counter service and Middle Eastern classics such as hummus, spinach pie, baba ghanoush and kebabs in the Beach-bargain $2.50-$8.95 range. The two-story restaurant has more than 100 seats, some outside (305-673-3919). Pasha's is also at 3801 N. Miami Ave., Miami (305-572-1150), with a Brickell location planned.

• Toreros, in the Bayside site of the old Diegos (401 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-579-2355) boasts nearly a dozen varieties of paella including marinero, chicken Valenciano, vegetable and Oriental with curry.

SHORT ORDERS

• Edouard Mailan has sold mid-Beachs favorite French bakery, La Brioche Doree, after 13 years and is scouting warehouse space for a bigger, TBA project. Incoming manager Eddie Murr says the charming spot will open on Saturdays by mid-October with cooked-to-order breakfasts including omelets (4017 Prairie Ave., Miami Beach; 305-538-4770).

• Watch for local-girl-made-good Michelle Bernstein of Azul on The Today Show Wednesday cooking alongside weatherman and barbecue maven Al Roker. The segment is scheduled to air at the tail end of the 9 o'clock hour.

Victoria Pesce Elliott edits the Zagat Survey's South Florida edition. Tips welcome at vpe@aol.com.