Monday, August 31, 2009
Trumpalaya!!!!!
Neomi's Grill
18001 Collins Ave # 2
Sunny Isles Bch, FL 33160-2722
(305) 692-5770
Yankee Q!!!!!
UPDATE
I've been back to bulldog bbq a couple of times over the past few weeks and really enjoyed it. The cornmeal crusted oysters with bacon, tomato-avocado salad were a great combination. I could eat them all day. The mac n cheese was much better than my initial visits and this Yankee couldn't put the baby backs down. Super smokey?? who cares!! Tasty is tasty.. The bbq chicken was good too. I like this place and will be back soon.
15400 Biscayne Blvd
Aventura, FL 33160-4614
(305) 940-9655
Friday, August 28, 2009
This weekend @ Lola's on harrison
THIS WEEKEND'S
FEATURED DISHES
AUGUST 28th-30th, 2009
BY CHEF MICHAEL WAGNER
GRILLED MANCHESTER
FARMS QUAIL
Pomegranate-Orange BBQ Glaze
Spicy Cole Slaw, Roasted
Summer Corn Salsa
HALF ROASTED
BELLE & EVANS CHICKEN
Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon,
Natural Juices
CARAMEL RUM SMORES
Housemade Brownies Layered with
Basted Marshmallow Drizzled
with a Caramel Rum Sauce
Call 954-927-9851 for reservations, or go online to
Open Table
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Ripert's Favorite Late Night Spot is in SoBe
Link to the entire list Top Late Night Spots
The North American selections are listed below
Daniel Boulud- Pho Kim Long II, Las Vegas
Anthony Bourdain . Yakitori Totto, New York City,
Marco Canora . The Black Hoof, Toronto
David Chang’s Wo Hop, New York City
Akhtar Nawab Great NY Noodletown, New York City Au Pied de Cochon, Paris
Eric Ripert Café du Monde, New Orleans
Photo: Noe DeWitt
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Bagel & Burger Pit Stops
Okay, upon initial review I was a little concerned. First, the bagel was fresh but not warm like they are normally served at Sage (Hallandale) on a busy Sunday morning. Not a huge issue though. Second, it looked like one of those puffy steroid things offerdahl/einstein's calls bagels. (it should be noted that the outside did have a nice crispy crust appearance) That said, the bagel was better than I anticipated. It was crispy on the outside with a nice chewy dough on the inside. The taste of the dough was slightly off.
It was a good NY style bagel but not great and certainly not as good as Sage. I'm sure you will see franchises pop up all over SFla. in the near future based on the people behind this operation. (subway)
14451 South Military Trail, Delray Beach FL 33484 (map)
561-455-7491
On the way back home, my pit stop was at Charm City Burger Company located on E. Hillsboro Blvd. in Deerfield Beach. I've read some great things about this spot so I went in with high expectations. It's a very casual almost divey spot with counter service. They specialize in burgers but also have some interesting stuffed rolls (soft shell crab, shrimp po-boy and jerked mahi) and blue bell shakes. They have five different burger options and the emperor (kobe beef patty melt with aged gruyere, truffled mushrooms and served in brioche for $10.95 oh and with seared foie for $24.95) was really calling my name but I didn't want to interfere too much with the actual burger on my initial visit and kept it simple. Thus, I went with a "good ole" burger which is a 1/3 pound steak blend cooked medium well and served with l/t/o/pickles and charm sauce. (no truffles and foie???) I also ordered a side of tater tots. Not sure how anyone passes on tater tots when they're on a menu. The taters scored highly on the tots scale. The burger was good but I was underwhelmed. It failed to deliver the knockout punch I crave in a great burger. I'm not exactly sure what was missing though. (grease/juice maybe) I would certainly go back if I was in the area but I would not make a special trip for it nor does it crack my top five. However, I'm craving that Emperor about now. Has anyone tried it?
1136 E. Hillsboro Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
(954) 531-0300
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Flavors of Spain Wine Dinner @ Neomi's 8/27/09
Flavors of Spain Wine Dinner
Mark your calendars to join Neomi's as they tour the diverse wine regions of
Menu available here.
79.00, inclusive of tax and service charge
For reservations, please call 305.692.5770
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Artisan Scotch Tasting and Seminar 8/22 @ Hollywood Vine
Hollywood Vine is teaming up with Scotch-extraordinaire Herbie Loebl of Artisan Brands to bring to you a comprehensive “classroom style” single-malt scotch tasting and seminar.
The event will be held at the shop on August 22, 2009 from 2-4p.m. and will include a discussion on single malt whisky while tasting some of the finest selections available in the market. Enjoy the opportunity to learn about Whisky, taste differences & nuances in each selection, plus get to try an Old and Rare bottle from our collection.
This event is for both newcomers and connoisseurs.
Ticket price is $25.00 of which $15.00 can be applied towards the purchase of any bottle tasted.
RSVP is necessary as seating is limited and a credit card number or cash deposit is required to reserve your spot. Please call us at 954 922 2910.
Single Malts to be tasted:
Lowland : Inverleven 1991 15 yr 46%
Islands : Bunnahabhain Heavy Peat 1997 10 yr
Speyside : Edradour 10 yr
Tullibardine 1993 Sherry Wood
Mortlach 15 yr
Vatted Malt : Hogshead 43%
Old & Rare : Strathisla 25 yr
Hollywood Vine
2035 Harrison Street
Hollywood, FL 33020
954-922-2910Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Road Trip!!!!!
Beginning Nov. 18, the carrier will fly two routes to San Francisco and Los Angeles seven days a week, airline spokeswoman Abby Lunardini said. Introductory fares as low as $99 each way from Fort Lauderdale to both cities are available online, she said.
AND
Low-cost carrier Virgin America, which today unveiled plans to offer daily non-stop flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, to San Francisco is already facing fierce airline competition: JetBlue Airways.
The New York-based low-cost carrier announced this afternoon plans to start a daily, nonstop flight to San Francisco beginning Nov. 17. JetBlue's service will begin the day before Virgin kicks off its twice-daily, nonstop service to both San Francisco and Los Angeles on Nov. 18.
Source: Sunsentinel
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic
Friday, August 7, 2009
Solo @ Yakko-San
Yakko-San is an izakaya-style (Japanese tapas) restaurant located on Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. They have an extensive menu with plenty of daily specials to choose from.
On Sunday, I went with an order of tuna sashimi which is always super fresh and outstanding. I also went with an order of Nasu Buta Miso Itame a/k/a Asian eggplant, pork, miso sauce. This may be my favorite dish there. The flavors are perfect. Another favorite of mine is the grilled pork belly. It's not a large portion so I knew I would be fine. However, they had a pork belly stew that the waiter highly recommended. It was great but a huge piece of pork. Last up was angel hair uni, ikura (fresh sea urchin & salmon roe). Sooo good.
I definitely ordered too much for one person but it was so worth it.
17040 W. Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
West Dixie Highway and NE 171st St.
305-947-006
Weekend Specials @ Lola's on Harrison
HAPPY HOUR 5-7PM
$3 CRAFT BEERS
50% OFF WINES BY THE GLASS
50% SIGNATURE COCKTAILS
CHEF'S FEATURES
PAN SEARED HUDSON VALLEY FOIE GRAS
Roasted Jalapeno and Cherry Lentil Salad, Fresh Mango Gastrique
PAN ROASTED NEW ZEALAND RACK OF LAMB
Herb Goat Cheese Crust, Pine Nut Cous Cous,
Oven Dried Tomatoes, Wild Berry Demi Glace
WHITE CHOCOLATE & AMARENA CHERRY BREAD PUDDING
Amarena Cherry Sauce, Whipped Cream
2032 Harrison St
Hollywood, FL 33020-5020
(954) 927-9851
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Lola's on Harrison (Hollywood)
Lola's specializes in sophisticated comfort food. The menu changes seasonally but his signature dishes remain in order to avoid a revolt by his regulars...
The restaurant is modern, comfortable and lively. They have a full bar now and have a huge selection of craft beers. They also offer half price bottles of select wine on Sundays and have great wine and beer flights at reasonable price points.
There have been some bumps along the way with service but the current manager is on the ball and the staff is top notch.
They are about to expand next door in order to accommodate private groups. They frequently host beer and wine dinners that feature creative dishes not on the regular menu. I would look out for them.
Standouts
The ricotta gnocchi is served in a wild mushroom sauce, shaved riccota salata and drizzled white truffed oil. Gnocchi's are light and the combo is perfect. Hard to pass on this dish. Comes in two sizes.
The "falling of the bone" beef short rib. They are known for their Coca-Cola BBQ beef ribs but the short ribs are the real winner. They are tender and packed with flavor. They also come in two sizes.I'm not a crab cake fan but the Maryland blue crab cake is very good. It contains plenty of fresh crab with minimal filler.
The purple potato skins are a favorite of The Chowife. They are served with a sundried tomato creme fraiche, smoked bacon bits and caviar. Bacon and caviar? SOLD!!
If you catch the lobster or crab ravioli on the menu give it a shot.
Chef Wagner's Tuscan Steak experience is evident with his steaks. The cuts vary and they are usually very good as are his sides.
They currently have a grilled ruby red trout on the menu that is great.
As I mentioned earlier, they are famous for their Coca-Cola BBQ beef ribs. They are too sweet for me but they are good and people love them.
Make sure you stop off at Hollywood Vine across the street for a pre and/or post dinner glass of wine or two...
Lola's on harrison
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Fulvio Spice
Diners may choose from the following selections;
Appetizer
Mozzarella - Tomato, roasted peppers, castelvetrano olives, basil.
Meatball - Slow braised, with tomato sauce, ricotta.
Calamari - Sauteed with vinegar peppers, basil, and tomato sauce.
Entree
Chicken Cutlet - Peppers, onions, plum tomatoes, spinach, garlic and oil.
Filet Mignon - Roasted asparagus, portobello mushroom, gorgonzola cream.
Agnolotti - Roasted Butternut squash, brown butter, sage, and cream.
Snapper Francese - White wine, lemon, butter, wilted spinach.
Dessert
Strawberry Panna Cotta - Cracked black pepper, balsamic reduction.
New York Style Cheese Cake - Whipped cream, berries.
The calamari and mozzarella appetizers are solid options but the meatball is the play. It's one of the best in the area. The agnolotti is a popular dish if you are looking to follow it up with some pasta.
Fulvio's is an upscale, reliable Italian restaurant with very good service. Only issue is with some of the pricing, especially the BTG wine options and pours. Nevertheless, the food is in Broward's Italian top 4 along with Valentino's, Casa d' Angelo and Cafe Martorano.
Fulvio's 1900
Monday, August 3, 2009
Brunch & Beach for Free @ Neomi's (Trump Sunny Isles)
With the purchase of Neomi’s new Sunday brunch from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ($39 per person and $20.00 for children under 12), guests will receive a complimentary day pass to Trump International Beach Resort’s pool and private beach,($35 value) Brunch includes a selection of traditional items, from truffled Kennebec potatoes and Bourbon Street French toast to Southern fried chicken and cilantro lemon fish and cupcake dessert bar featuring an assortment of mini confections. Brunch, Beach and stay for their Miami Spice Lobster Dinner. That's a nice trifecta... |