Cafe Prima Pasta Pours One Out For MJ

Les you think the North Beach pasta joint is only about the meatballs and red sauce, they're here to remind you that they've got heart. A heart that mourns the loss of the King of Pop.

Lobster Corn Dogs @ Le Meridien

Soon after I wrote about the lobster corn dogs at La Marea at The Tides it was brought to my attention that another restaurant in town, The Restaurant at Le Meridien in Sunny Isles, was also doing their own version of the high-end low-brow snack. Actually, it was the chef himself who alerted me to this, in the form of an email something to the effect of "Wtf? I been doing these for years!" It was a bit more articulate than that, but that's what he meant. So I hopped over to the condo canyon on A1A and claimed a table by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool and the ocean in the too-empty-for-this-good-a-restaurant dining room.



The lobster corn dogs are on the bar menu, but if you ask nicely they'll bring them to you in the dining room. They're $12 for two crispy fritters. These differ from the pups at La Marea, as the chef there forms the lobster mousse into actual sausages and then coats and fries them. These were more like lobster tails breaded with a cornmeal and pancake batter, which added welcome sweetness, and served with a mango dipping sauce. While I was there I decided to take a look at the rest of the menu and discovered some surprising gems.



The truffle mac and cheese, for one. It's actually a delicate bowl of orzo bathed in a not-too-heavy cream sauce offset with a veal demi glace mixed with a sherry gastrique to cut the richness. Chef Tom Ryhneer used to work as a saucier and the man takes his drizzles seriously. Chef's got a good team there, with sous chef Tommy Nguyen who previously worked the kitchen at the ill-fated Nikki Coconut Grove (good food, cheesy atmosphere). He describes the menu as "food for the times," meaning, he wishes he could put more lobster into things - like the petite grilled cheese sandwich that comes with the fantastic roasted tomato soup, but he's trying to keep the prices down and offer something attractive to the hordes of tourists that populate the beachy 'burb. So the few things directed at that crowd - the spinach artichoke dip, the vegetable quesadilla - aren't really the things worth trekking to the hotel for. But the mac and cheese is, as is the churrasco with a fantastic roasted corn relish and the mini steak tacos with cilantro cream. Prices are relatively low, too, with most mains under $25 and starters average $10.

Brunch @ Eos at the Viceroy

When it comes to brunch at Eos the cup is always half full. Or actually, completely full, or bottomless, as in my cup runneth over with champagne and spiked tomato juice. Mimosas and Bloody Marys are free with any brunch order and refills are kindly accommodated. Brunch items starts at $12 for a cast-iron skillet of roasted eggs, grits, bacon and gruyere to $16 for Mediterranean Eggs Benedict (creamed spinach and kefalotiri cheese). These mimosas are made with fresh-squeezed juice and the Bloodys are spicy and well-mixed. Organic eggs and coffee are another nice touch.

The "New York Power Breakfast" is generous platter of house-cured salmon with silky deviled eggs, chopped capers and whipped cream cheese. The buttermilk pancakes were recently lauded as the best in Miami by Lee Klein in The New Times and, while I can't begin to assess the city's flapjack output, I will say those were some of the best pancakes I've ever had - fluffy, comforting discs of pillowy breakfasty delight. There are 3 fritattas to choose from and the wild mushroom, ricotta and leek was fantastic. It's also served in a cast-iron skillet, keeping it warm enough to last through two rounds of mimosas.

So if you're reading this on Sunday morning and have yet to make brunch plans, you should head over to those skyscrapers on Brickell. The place was empty last weekend, which is a shame, but also means it's sort of an undiscovered deal. Also, starting this Sunday, you get free entrance to the pool party at Club 50, the Viceroy's 50th-floor club. In case you want to chase those mimosas with amazing views of the city.
Oh, and valet is free too.
The brunch menu is here.
Eos is at 485 Brickell Ave, 305-503-4400.

Caviar Kaspia Miami

Miami has yet to catch on to the one-dish restaurants popular in other food cities (like New York's mac and cheese-heavy 'Smac and Belgian fry mecca Pomme Frites) but we were recently blessed with the opening of French import Caviar Kaspia, serving the Parisian restaurant's namesake fish roe and other smoked fishies. But caviar is expensive and the owners have the shit luck of opening a pricey caviar restaurant right now, during a financial climate when all anyone wants to do is pontificate on pizza crusts and burger toppings.
So they've expanded the menu a bit and added some traditional French dishes like duck confit salad (delicious, but still pricey at $22) and a lunch time Croque Madmoiselle made with smoked salmon and salmon roe. Salmon roe is the way to go if you don't want to spend a lot but still want to experience those lovely pearls of salty oceanic goodness. The salmon roe blinis are $22 for 1 oz. of fish eggs that come with fluffy pancakes and feather-light creme fraiche. Kaspia is famous for their baked potatoe and if you're looking to splurge, this might be the fanciest spud in town. The potatoe is presented with a creamy mash made with chives and creme fraiche and topped with caviar from their list which ranges from $49 for a 1/2 ounce of Imperial Baeri to $360 for an ounce of wild Iranian golden Oscietra. We went with the modest Imperial Baerie and it was a lovely combo, the silky potato enlivened by the slightly iodized roe that pop with mineral saltiness with each bite.

Located at 1220 Collins Ave.

Bar Rosso Has A Blog

And it's kinda cute, with photos from events and videos of wine tastings. What other restaurants out there have well-maintained blogs (and by well-maintained I mean posting at least once a week)?

Daily Happy Hour @ Meat Market

So in addition to their sort-of-recently launched Friday happy hour, Meat Market will now be running these daily bar specials seven days a week from 5-8pm.
Here's the bar menu:

3 CHILLED SHRIMP
SERVED WITH 10 THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING AND COCKTAIL SAUCE
10

MEAT MARKET DAILY CEVICHE
10

KOBE SLIDERS SERVED WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND MANGO MUSTARD
10

TUNA TARTARE TOPPED WITH FRESH AVOCADO MOLE
10

CRISPY CRABTAIL MEDALLION
SERVED WITH PASSIONFRUIT AND PONZU STIR-FRIED ASIAN VEGGIES
10

OYSTERS BY THE PIECE SERVED WITH COCKTAIL SAUCE AND HORSERADISH
1.50 EACH

SANGRIA
ESTANCIA SHIRAZ & DR. LOOSEN ‘L’ RIESLING,
PINEAPPLE ∞ MANGO ∞ ORANGE ∞ PEACH
6


915 LINCOLN ROAD MIAMI BEACH 305.532.0088

Taste of the Nation Miami Discount Code

The 40-restaurant, open-barred, crazy smorgasbord that is Taste of the Nation isn't until Thursday, so I've pretty much been fasting since Sunday. You think I'm kidding? Let's take a trip down gorge-fest lane, shall we?
Remember the Ritz-Carlton's dessert buffet for Taste of the Nation '07? I was still sweating varlhona chocolate essence days after. And what about The Oceanaire's amazing raw bar last year? Cured salmon from The Setai. Duck and shiitake from Blue Door. Kobe sliders, for chrissakes. It'll be a food-nanza. And it's all for a good cause.
In case you needed any more reason to pony up for three hours of open bar and hobnobbing with local chefs, here's a discount code that will save you $20.

7-10pm, July 30, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, use code VIP20MIA for $20 off, tickets here.

Miami Spice-Like Menus @ Books and Books

The Food Gang Is Now A Kosher Steakhouse

The folks who own Cine Citta, the kosher dairy spot in Surfside, have expanded their kosher-empire (koshe-pire?) and opened Cine Citta Grill, a "meat" restaurant in the old Food Gang space. The menu covers the usual kosh-meat territory - chicken dishes, pastas, steaks, salads. Mains are priced in the $30's. Peeked in and noticed that they haven't touched the decor - same fruit photos on the wall, same furniture. Looks like they didn't even have time to have new signs made up. That's cool. Color photocopies are tres classy.

My Night With Adrian Grenier

Well, actually, not so much.
Alas.
Does it count if we were both at the same party?
Adrian was too busy hosting the debut of the Entourage Bungalow at the W South Beach. And he wasn't the only cast memmber in attendance either. A tubby Rex Lee, who plays Lloyd, (or "LLOYD!" in Jeremy Piven's voice) and Perrey Reeves, the actress who plays Ari's wife (skin and bones, btw).



So for $10k a night you can pretend you're Vince Chase, navigating the treacherous world of South Beach nightlife while on vacay. Here's what you get:
Entourage Bungalow experience (for up to 4 guests)
Limousine transportation to/from airport
WOW Cabana at WET, including beverage and food
Complimentary dinner at Soleà
VIP access and bottle service at WALL
Courtside Coronas and reservation at Swoosh, W South Beach’s basketball court
Bliss bag of goodies
Private Cruise with full crew, lunch and limo to arrive in style
2 Entourage Bungalow branded Jet Skis
Golf foursome at Diplomat Golf Course



If you attended the party you got a chance to play video games with Adrian, brush up against his sweaty back (it was rilly, rilly hot out last night. I picked the wrong night to wear Krelwear. Karelle, if you're reading this, I love your stuff but deep July is not the time to break out the knits), eat your fill of burgers and kabobs at the rooftop barbecue and sip Entourage-themed Grey Goose cocktails all night long.
I think Vince would approve.

Tasting the Riviera Maya @ Azul

The Mandarin Oriental is hosting guest chef Ignacio Granda Del Gallego from their Riviera Maya resort this week for a series of special menu tastings in which he's collaborating with Azul chef Clay Conley and Cafe Sambal's Eduardo Quintana. We were invited to check out the six-course dinner menu and it was interesting to see how the two chefs worked together to create a menu where the guest chef was able to strut his stuff while the home team - chef Conley - chimed in with some witty dishes that complimented the Mexican fiesta.



It was my first time at Azul and I was blown away by how gorgeous the place is. The Mandarin is unique because it's sort of set back from downtown on Brickell Key and it feels like it's on its own island. When you walk in the first thing you see is the sparkling glass-encased open kitchen where the chefs are clanging, steaming, and sauteing up a storm, which always gets me in the mood for a food-nanza. The dining room is a multi-level affair with marble surfaces, floor-to-ceiling views of the bay and plush seats. And they seem to be doing well in this economy despite the pricey menu and the off-the-beaten path location. The dining room was buzzing with well-dressed Latins and a table of ten celebrating a birthday right next to us. Steady business like that is probably due to good service and food, of which we had plenty. Here's the menu and my hastily-composed observations.

Hamachi Ceviche, Chilies, Lime, Camote, Green Goddess, Crispy Yucca Salad
2005 Lackner-Tinnacher “Ried Gamitz,” Gelber Muskateller, Styria, Austria
AZUL Chef Clay Conley

****
Pork Pibil Gyozas, Habanero Chutney & Black Bean
2007 Vincent Girardin, Chardonnay, St. Véran, Burgundy, France
Guest Chef Ignacio Granda Del Gallego

****
Lobster A La Talla, Poblano Puree, Plantain & Adobo
2007 Brandborg, Pinot Noir, Umpqua Valley, Oregon
Guest Chef Ignacio Granda Del Gallego

****
Porcini Crusted Lamb Loin, Miso-Quince Compote, Bok Choy & Almonds
2002 Spadafora “Schietto,” Syrah, Sicily, Italy
Guest Chef Ignacio Granda Del Gallego

****
Young Mimolette, Masa Harina, Tomato & Chili Soup
2000 Abtei Muri, Pinot Bianco, Südtirol-Alto Adige, Italy
AZUL Chef Clay Conley

****
Bing Cherry Pearls, White Chocolate Pistachio Ice Cream, Valrhona Chocolate Sponge
2005 Castaño, Monastrell, Yecla, Spain
AZUL Pastry Chef Anthony Miller

So as you can see the guest chef dominates the middle three courses with chef Conley bookending the meal with a tiradito first course (above) and a fifth "chese" course of young mimolette, a yellow cheese similar to cheddar that he coaxed into a high-end quesadilla, a playful nod at the Mexican theme.
The tiradito was an explosion of flavors - very assertive lime which is fine by me, and a Green Godess dressing which the chef said is made of cilantro, mint, dijon mustard and olive oil. The fried yuca lent satisfying crunch to the dish.
Favorite dish of the night was the porcini-crusted lamb loin. A petite portion but immensely flavorful, the meat was cooked to just medium and almost velvety in texture. The miso-quince paste lent a delicious dimension to the dish, deftly balancing the nuttiness of the miso with the caramel sweetness of the fruit. A ridiculously elegant dipping sauce.
Favorite wine was the Brandborg Pinot Noir, a nice accompaniment to the grilled lobster and its not-too-spicy poblano puree (actually I would have prefferred some more fire to the dish, though the lobster was incredibly fresh).
Portions weren't too big so when dessert came around I wasn't feeling too stuffed (but gluttonous, yes, definitely feeling gluttonous at that point). Nonetheless was able to polish off the Valrhona chocolate cake which came with pistachio dust instead of ice cream and a porcelain spoon containing a wiggly cherry "pearl," sort of concentrated cherry juice encased in a thin cherry skin.
The tasting menu is priced at $95, or $165 with the wine pairings. Yes, it's pricey but then again, it saves you a trip to Mexico...

Haley Starr Trunk Show @ The Sagamore

Dinner Help By Way of Yelp

To get you in the Miami Spice mood, there's a little pre-party this week in the form of Yelp Restaurant Week. The bonus is that the three-course menus are only $25 which is practically the cost of valet at some South Beach joints (W South Beach, I'm looking at you and your $24 valet. That smarts, yes it does). Menus below. More info here.

660
1. Andalusian Gazpacho or Risotto & Mushroom Croquetas
2. Pappardelle Carbonara or Half Chicken "Al Mattone" or Moules-Frites
3. Liquid Center Chocolate Cake or Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta

Alta Mar
1. Peruvian Style Ceviche or Peruvian Style Tiradito or Bahamian Conch Salad
2. Grouper Ravioli or Yellowjack with mustard sauce or Breaded Filet of Mackerel
3. Passion Fruit Mousse with Crème Anglaise or Tiramisu

Au Pied de Cochon
1. Warm Crispy Camembert Cheese, Beetroot & Apple Salad or Escargots Vol au Vent Provencale
2. Grilled Salmon Filet or Grilled Andouillette or Duck Confit Parmentier
3. Red Fruit Clafoutis, Raspberry Sorbet or Apple Tatin Tart, Sour cream, Caramel Sauce

Cafe Sambal
1. Organic Greens Salad or Pork and Shrimp Shu Mai
2. Salmon Teriyak or Wok Seared Kobe beef or Chicken Pad Thai or Tofu Vegetable Pad Thai
3. Mango Rice Pudding or Coconut Flan

Casa Toscana
1. Sausage, cannellini beans, tomatoes, and greens casserole or Mixed Plate
2. Spaghetti with littleneck clams or Pappardelle with mini veal meatballs or Risotto of the day prepared with vegetables seafood or meats
3. Homemade amaretti gelato or Ricotta almonds chocolate figs semifredo

Escopazzo
1. Eggplant timbale or Baby arugula salad or Beet carpaccio with celery salad
2. Pasta or risotto of the day or Large shellshaped pasta or Pennette or Crepes filled with ham, fontina cheese and cabbage or Giancarla's fish stew
3. Selection of homemade desserts


Grazianos Brickell
1. Grilled Homemade Argentine Style Sausage or Bay Scallops Involtini
2. Hand Cut Angus Sirloin Steak or Egg Pappardelle or Grilled Free-Range Chicken Breast
3. Graziano's caramel filled (Dulce De Leche) crepes Flambé with orange liquor or Argentine style cake

Jaguar
1. Choice of three Ceviche Spoons
2. Mexican Tortilla Lasagna or Rice Platter "Chino del Chifa" or Chopped Celia's Salad with Chicken
3. Palomas de Cajeta or Flan de Queso

La Cofradia
1. Pears and Manchego Salad or Goat Cheese and Yuca Croquettes or Tapa of Ceviche
2. Chicken Saltado or Salmon with Scallops or Fettuccini
3. Peruvian Style Dulce de Leche Topped with Port Meringue or Sorbets

Pacific Time
1. Hot and Sour Popcorn Shrimp or Sesame Chicken Salad
2. Skirt Steak or Grilled Fish Szechuan Style or Spaghettini
3. Drunken Grape Parfait or Vanilla Creme Brulee

Red Koi
1. Tuna Tartar or Tuna Yuke or Thai Combination Platter
2. Chicken Teriyaki or Santini Roll or Mitch Roll
3. Fried Ice Cream or Thai Donuts or Green Tea Ice Cream


Red, The Steakhouse
1. "Red" House Salad or Classic Caesar
2. Bucatini, Meatball, Red Lead or CAB Prime Sirloin Steak or Fish du jour
3. Housemade Sorbet or Molten Chocolate Cake

inca 2010 Cruise Collection @ W South Beach

Oh hello there, you in regular-people-land.
Perhaps you haven't noticed, but our humble city has been taken over by leggy Amazonian gazelles this week. And none of them are wearing more than a stitch of lycra or python or leather or silk. And they are beyond bronze-tanned. We're talking glistening caramel-colored limbs. It's the latest. All of it was on display last night at the debut of local boutique inca's 2010 Cruise Collection.
Let's itemize what we learned last night:
1) It does not cool down at night. No, the temp hovers statically at around 90 degrees, even at 11pm which is when the show finally started (after the Grey Goose open bar shut down and a thousand hot, sweaty fashionistas nearly rioted).
2) All gift bags should contain a baggie of chocolate-covered popcorn from Peterbrooke and a Vitamin water as these gift bags thoughtfully did. Munching on the salty-sweet popcorn and chugging the water was certainly a fine way to pass the time as we waited for the show to start. Nothing beats eating chocolate in the presence of models!
3) The inca collection is super-sexy and nicely captures that Miami mix of blingy Latina hotness and Euro vacation goddess. The black leather (was it leather? it looked like leather) string bikini and one-shoulder swimsuit got the most applause while the fur-trimmed shawls seemed an odd suggestion on such a steamy night.
4) WET, as the W pool area prefers to be called, is pretty damn swank with striped cabana beds, a massive pool and a lively bamboo tikki bar.

Caymus Wine Dinner @ Eos

Is it just me, or are the wine dinners coming fast and furious? This one's at Eos at the Viceroy on Tuesday July 21st, 7-9pm. Vineyard is Caymus, four courses including a reception. Cost is $95 including valet. Menu is here. Enjoy.

Silverado Wine Dinner @ Blue Door, July 22

Six courses with wines for $85 sounds liked a pretty good deal when you consider that one main course at Blue Door is usually around thirty bucks. Here's a link to the menu.

Free "Food, Inc." Screening

Late Night Menu Tasting @ Gotham Steak

The Fontainebleau is embracing the "new economy" aka "the financial meltdown" with admirable panache. Next week they'll introduce complimentary valet for the summer (a nice gesture considering that it usually costs $10 if you're dining at the hotel), and its luxe meatery Gotham Steak chimed with a new late night menu of lower-priced snack-sized gourmet treats for the post-LIV crowd. I slapped on some lip gloss and shlepped my decidedly un-LIV self over to the megahotel to sample the goods. Chef Alfred Portale was on hand to meet and greet regarding the meat which was plentiful and snatched up by hungry media types (times are tough for journalists theses days). He mentioned that he's got a completely different staff from when they opened and he's really happy with where the kitchen is these days (as opposed to when they opened and things were a bit rushed). He's brought some chefs down from the NY restaurant and had his Miami chefs train up north in an effort to get the chophouse running smoothly.

Standouts included mini-cheesesteak sandwiches made of shredded ribeye and coated ever-so-gently with provolone and onions, luscious tuna tartar in cucumber cups, steak tartar with poached quail egg (could have been spicier, but good nonetheless) and desserts like mini cheesecakes, vanilla cream-filled donut holes and chocolate caramel tortes. Washed it down with a cucumber cocktail made with Hendricks's gin and mint, a surpringly refreshing pairing.
The menu is available Friday and Saturday from 12:00am-2:30am.

3 Courses + Wine = $27.50 @ Cacao

Racks To Host Bruno Screening

Tickets are only $4.

Stay at the Chesterfield Hotel for $19.99

The Chesterfield, the boutique hotel located at 855 Collins Ave, is basically giving rooms away this summer. Yes, $19.99 a night. That's not the hourly rate. It's for a full night's stay. Dang. We've had cocktails that cost more.

The $19.99 per person, per night special is valid for travel now through September 30, 2009 and must be booked by July 9. With the $19.99 per person rate, guests will receive complimentary shuttle service both to and from Miami International Airport (a $60 savings), free Wi-Fi services throughout the hotel, VIP club passes and complimentary cocktails nightly from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at both the hotel’s lobby lounge and Safari Bar.

There are a couple restrictions like the fact that the rate is based on
double occupancy (so I guess the room is really $40/night) and subject to a 13% tax and a daily $15 resort fee. Still a sweet deal.

July 4th in Coconut Grove

Fratelli's Open on the 4th

And they now have a full bar. So you can really get your drink on.

July 4th @ 660 At the Angler's Hotel

The restaurant at the Angler's recently traded in their French chef for Giorgio Rapicavoli, a toque of Argentine-Italian roots. They're offering a three-course $25 menu this weekend. Details below.
Andalusian Gazpacho
Cucumber, Tomato & Olive Oil
Or
Risotto & Mushroom Croquetas
White Truffle Aioli
~
Pappardelle Carbonara
Applewood Smoked Bacon, Confit Shallot & Truffle Bread Crumbs
Or
Half Chicken “Al Mattone”
Baby Arugula Salad & Grilled Lemon Vinaigrette
Or
Moules-Frites
P.E.I. Mussels, Shallots, White Wine & hand Cut French Fries
~
Liquid Center Chocolate Cake
Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream
Or
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Balsamic Glazed Strawberries

Friday – Sunday 6pm-11pm

Call 786.594.5811 For Reservations

The Anglers Boutique Resort
660 Washington Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida 33139

4th of July @ Cabana One

Amazing Dinner Deal at The Tides

So La Marea at The Tides, one of the city's best but sadly overlooked restaurants, recently introduced a new chef, Gonzalo Rivera Jr. who spent time in Michael Mina kitchens and brings a Mexican influence to the restaurant's Mediterranean menu (think fresh corn tamales, snapper in a lime and chili sauce and sugary bunuelos instead of beignets for dessert). In honor of the new menu the restaurant is offering the best Miami Spice-type dinner deal I've ever seen: three courses, of which you have free reign over the menu and can choose any appetizer, main (with the exception of lobster) and dessert plus a glass of wine or beer for $45. Oh and it's inclusive of tax and tip, (though you should really tip extra as it seems like the waiters will make no money off this). They're also doing an all-inclusive $27 lunch where you can choose two courses plus a glass of wine or beer.

If that's not reason enough to give this place a visit, the lobster corn dogs ought be sufficient motivation. They are divine.

La Marea at The Tides, 1220 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, (305) 604-5070.

Tapas @ Calafate Grill

Calafate Grill (17100 Collins Ave, 305-949-1945) is the kind of place you walk into and think, tapas lounge, really?
Good sangria, really? I mean, we're in a strip mall surrounded by ridiculously tall condo buildings that are sadly, comically, tragically empty (ever heard of a building limit Sunny Isles?) and as I walk from my car in the giant parking lot to the bright and airy restautant I probably pass a dozen Russian mafioso types smoking and chatting in front of a kabob place. So yeah, I'm thinking great place for dollar store shopping and to pick up a few essentials at CVS, but patatas bravas? Really?
A quick glance at the happy hour menu and I give it a try. $3 sangria and beers - including a cold and citrusy Blue Moon draft - and a long list of $3 small plates. So we order up a slew. First up: the mushrooms.

Oh the mushrooms. Easily the best in show. A heaping bowl sauteed in tons of garlic swimming in white wine and olive oil. Perfect with the crusty bread imported from Spain to sop up the garlicy juices. Good sign of things to come. Next, the patatas bravas, another generous bowl of expertly-fried potato cubes covered in a fantastically spicy cayenne pepper sauce.

The kind of fire that hits you at the back of your throat but is so good you go back for cube after cube, despite the fact that your lips are on fire. And yes, more beer please. After that is was a blur as we kept ordering plates and beers because at $3 a pop, it's rilly, rilly easy. The one thing I will say was truly bad was the tortilla espanola. Maybe they were off on that dish that day, but nothing can excuse the dry wedge of potato and egg fritatta that barely tasted of anything and was drizzled unappetizingly with a green mayonaise sauce. Truly disappointing. But that was really the only low note. Other highlights included the spinach croquettas, beef skewers and garlic-sauteed shrimp (yeah, you better like garlic if you're coming here). And while the waiters don't really speak English (they do speak a Russian-Spanish hybrid, if that helps), they do a great job of clearing plates, keeping water and beer glasses refilled and keeping up with demanding clientele. So yes, it's a neighborhood gem. Check them out next time you need to make a run to the dollar store.

Golden Local Debate: Best BBQ

Who has the best barbecue in Miami? Hmm. The folks at NBCMiami.com want you to decide. Contenders are People's BBQ vs. Bulldog BBQ. So far Bulldog is taking the golden grill. Vote here (you have until July 8) and you'll probably get invited to their victory party where the ribs will be flowing (or so we hope)...

Cocktails @ Club 50

A New Owner for the Regent Bal Harbour?

Here's some hotel gossip for you. Apparently the Regent Bal Harbour is no longer the Regent. Shame, too, as I really liked that hotel.
On Monday the hotel announced this:
Regent Hotels & Resorts today advised that its management of The Regent Bal Harbour Hotel will end effective today as the result of court actions related to the bankruptcy of the hotel owner, WCI Communities Inc. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the immediate sale of the Hotel by WCI Communities, Inc. to a new owner and the rejection of the existing management contract for the property. Regent Hotels & Resorts is proud of its tenure managing The Regent Bal Harbour since its opening, having achieved strong positioning in the South Florida luxury hotel market. For example, the hotel was ranked by Travel + Leisure magazine among “15 hotels to watch” in the most recent “World’s Best” issue. The brand is continuing to expand globally, including the opening of eight new hotels over the next three years in locations that span the world, from Puerto Rico to the Maldives.

Free Red Stripe! And Jamaican Music!

Taste of the Nation Discount

Name one night this week when you can taste dishes from top local restaurants like Chef Allen's, Johnny V and Lola's on Harrison? Thursday night, my friends. Join hundreds of gourmands as they gather to sip and nosh at Broward Convention Center for the Taste of the Nation fundraiser. The ticket price snags unlimited bites from dozens of local restaurants and a bevy of bevvies including wines and mixed drinks. June 25, 6PM-7PM VIP reception, 7PM-10PM Grand Tasting, $100, VIP Reception and Tasting, $150. More info here.
Save $20 on tickets by entering discount code VIP20FTL.

A Snack @ Sosta

Checked out Lincoln Road gourmet pizza place Sosta the other day. I'll sum up my observations in list form to make things easier for you (but really, for me).
- The interior is high-style without being too flashy. Nice open kitchen where a team churns out thin-crust pies and works the rotating pizza oven. Everything is shiny and bright and clean, including that very visible kitchen.
- Either the A/C doesn't work or they keep it really warm in there because, well, it was really warm in there. I'm not a fan of the arctic temps most restaurants down here maintain but it would be nice to feel a difference between sitting indoors and out. And, for the time being the only seating is indoors.
- There's a very Italiano vibe, both from the hostess and the chefs behind the bar.
- Plenty of wine on hand, always a good thing.
- They use a water filtration system and recycle the glass bottles - nice eco-touch. The filtered water - flat or sparkling - is $3.50/bottle.
- As for the pizzas - thin crust, maybe a bit too thin for my liking. I prefer a little more chew and less crack to the dough. The sauce is zesty, the cheese not too greasy. As a result the pizza is light and each pie could easily feed one hungry me or two people along with a salad a side like the fried zucchini.
- In terms of pizza on Lincoln, this is a more sophisticated spot to sit than Spris, but I like the pies at Spris better - both in terms of crust texture and dough flavor.

Rush Tickets @ Fuerza Bruta

Fuerza Bruta is rocking the Arsht Center this month. Tickets are usually around $60 each but the good folks just introduced a special block of Rush tickets. This is how it works:

We've set aside 20 "rush tickets" for each show, on sale for just $20 each! For a chance to purchase these specially priced tickets, you must enter the "rush ticket lottery" starting 60 minutes before each show. At a half-hour before show time, the names of the 10 people eligible to purchase "rush tickets" for that performance will be drawn at random.

"Rush tickets" are available in person only at the box office and must be purchased with cash.

What to do during that 60 minutes before the show? You could have a nitrogen cocktails at the Barton G-designed G lounge.

Lunch @ Le Banyan

Le Banyan is quiet Thai place on Ocean Terrace in North Beach. Above is a shot of the dinner menu. Pricey for Thai food. But the place is owned by French folk who have a similar restaurant in Paris and well, I guess they think they can charge $28 for green curry in Miami. They'll probably (hopefully) adjust that soon enough. The lunch special isn't bad though. $15 for dishes like chicken curry, fried fish or shrimp in yellow curry. It comes with fried spring rolls that are crunchy and grease-free and a glass noodle salad with cilantro and a sweet fish sauce. The portions are delicate (I would have liked a bowl of green curry instead of the bit doled out on the plate) but it's one of the more elegant Thai preparations in the city. Until those dinner prices come down, lunch may be the way to go here.

Duckhorn Vineyards Dinner @ Blue Door

The LEAD Launches With a Partay

Look Who's Talking Naoe

Plenty has been written about Naoe but I figured I'd chime in with a quick blog post about my experience. Food for Thought has a wonderfully detailed post about his meal which was identical to mine (I think we ate a day or two apart) so there's not much I need to add to that except to say that it really reminded me of dining in Tokyo, particularly the sushi breakfast we had at the Tsukiji fish market. Same ceremonial approach to food, same quiet anticipation as we waited to see what the chef would place in front of us.
It's a lovely little restaurant and one of the most unique dining experiences in Miami. We tried the "frozen" sake as we waited for our bento boxes to arrive and it was delicious. It was served with beautiful little bamboo spoons that you used to scrape the sake chips from the glass, which I imagine is what an alcoholic Japanese icee tastes like. Loved it. It was $17 for a small bottle but you consume it slowly so it'll last you. And once the sake melts it becomes a nice chilled cocktail. We also tried the salmon belly nigiri ($2/piece) as well as the kohada ($4/piece) and aji (also $4/piece).

Signature Shorts

I always have fun at these performances. Sort of like a Saturday Night Live taping (without Andy Samberg musical interludes), this festival pulls together one-act plays that range from 5-20 minutes and run the gamut from comedy to drama. It's not Shakespeare, but then again, this is Miami.
Until June 21. Tickets are $42, at the Adrienne Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Blvd, 305-949-6722

Mucho Mangos

The other day my neighbor showed up with a paper bag stuffed with mangos sourced from trees on our street and I set about finding ways to use this tropical bounty before the whole bag went soft on me.

First up, mango bread. It was ridiculously good, with the texture of banana bread but with the addition of fruit chunks scattered about the batter (I left out the raisins, mostly because I hate raisins). Addictive. I need to make more.

Next up, something offering a little more buzz. Luckily I was able to source a recipe from the mango king himself, chef Allen Susser. This mango martini is like a smoothie with benefits, perfect for when you need to take a break from peeling piles of fruit on a hot day.

Chef Allen’s: Mango Martini – Serves 1
4 oz. Mango Infused Vodka* or Mango flavored Vodka like Van Gogh or Belvedere
2 oz. Fresh Mango Puree** or frozen mango puree from grocery
Splash (½ oz) simple syrup***
Shake ingredients in martini shaker full of ice. Serve up in a martini glass. Garnish with cubes of fresh mango.
*Mango Infused Vodka - Suggest using a premium Vodka like Belvedere in which whole locally grown mangos are peeled and macerated for at least five days.
**Mango Puree - peel & seed a ripe mango and puree in blender with just enough water to allow mango to form thick liquid.
***Simple syrup - sugar dissolved in equal part of water to form syrup.

Alan Yau Thinks the Fontainebleau is Tacky

Dude, we can't all be London or New York.
From an interview on the Zagat Blog:

ZB: Are there certain dishes on the Miami menu that are indigenous to the area, and can’t be found at your other places?

AY: We have a chicken with fresh coconut and local scallops, which are very different from Scottish scallops.

ZB: How much time will you spend in Miami?

AY: Once a month, weather permitting. I prefer low season, and I tend not to go into the hotel’s lobby. I didn’t realize it was going to be like an upmarket Club Med.

Happy Hour @ China Grill

Brosia Closing

Scott Engelman, President of Dacra's hospitality division writes:
"...we have closed our doors for business as we are selling Brosia to a buyer who will transform the space into a new and exciting destination in the Miami Design District."

da Campo Osteria

Up until I had dinner at Todd English's da Campo Osteria my only experience with the chef had been at one of his Figs restaurants at La Guardia. While that was pleasant enough in between American Airlines flights, it left the field wide open for this South Florida outpost of the chef's restaurant empire.

The restaurant is located in the back of the unassuming Il Lugano hotel in Ft. Lauderdale. The dining room is small and intimate, surprising for such a big-name chef (one would think he would have gone big and splashy). Soft lighting, lots of brick and comfortable deep leather booths give the pace a warm and rustic feel, perfect for the Tuscan farmhouse fare that characterizes much of the menu. My only quibble with the dining room is that it's unfortunate there's no outdoor seating, especially since the restaurant is on the water.

First things first: the bread. Oh, the bread. It's made in-house and ridiculously flavorful flecked with rock salt and Italian herbs. Do ask for seconds, it's that good.

Starting the meal off with the fresh-pulled mozzarella tableside is practically mandatory. A cart is wheeled to your table and an affable mozz-maker proceeds to gently massage the curds in warm water until they reach an almost taffy-like consistency. We opted to pair it with the olive tapenade and tasty little tomatoes. For the most part all the produce we tasted (like the fennel and grapefruit in this feta salad) were incredibly fresh and wonderfully perky with fruity olive oils and crunchy sea salt. 

Those are both light starters which is good, because there's plenty of heavier fare to be had. The butternut squash agnolotti is another must-order and it's rich enough to be shared, consisting of about seven large pasta pillows filled with the creamy, almost nutty squash. 
The flatbread pizzas were another highlight - nicely charred crust with great flavor and nice ratio of toppings to cheese. We chose one made with wild mushroom, red onion and fontina cheese that was also flecked with black truffle adding a nice earthy undertone to the mix. 

The nice thing about the menu is you can go with these "smallish" plates priced at about $10-$15 (except for the pasta which was $19) and forgo the larger, pricier main courses. You still get to feast on really lovely Italian food, with clean, fresh, zesty flavors.