The Grind-Miami's Burger Battle

A burger battle unlike one Miami has ever seen. 

On March 31, 2012 taste 30 burgers from some of the top restaurants in South Florida.  

Complementary open bar and celebrities all under one roof.

Tickets and info for The Grind.

Rock Bottom

Driving back to Chicago, after leaving legendary Lambeau Field, my brother suggested we visit Rock Bottom in Milwaukee.  Having heard of their monster burgers, great beer selection, and sizable appetizers, I was more than happy to oblige.  Located in downtown Milwaukee, right next the Scenic River, Rock Bottom is a great place to have a cold beer on a hot summer's day.  Being that it was in the upper forties, we wisely chose to sit inside.  As we walked in we were pleasantly greeted by the hostess and even though the restaurant was packed our wait time was less than five minutes.

Rock Bottom is known for a wide selection of beers as well as brewing their own.  They use only the freshest ingredients and handpick the best hops from the Yakima Valley.  I’d definitely recommend the beer sampler; from Red Ale to Dark, I.P.A’s and KÖLSCH -  they have something for everyone.  Pick and choose from their unique beer menu which is different at every Rock Bottom location.

After ordering our drinks we quickly checked out the menu.  For starters, we ordered the Rock Bottom Wings with Buffalo sauce and the seared Ahi tuna.  If you’re a fan of wing’s I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to try these.  As for the Ahi tuna - it was ok.  When it came time for the main course, I went with the Laredo burger - a Southwest inspired burger with pepper jack cheese, homemade guacamole, pico de gallo and a spicy chipotle mayo.  This delight was well presented and perfect for my large appetite.  The pico de gallo was fresh and chopped thin.  Typically, I’ve eaten it in fajitas or as a salsa, but it went perfect with this burger.  My brother went with the Bourbonzola - featuring a Jim Beam bourbon glaze, Gorgonzola cheese and crispy onion straws.  In one word - amazing! Want more? The sauce was superb and perfectly cooked to my brother’s specification of rare.  The mac n' cheese he order was one of the best I’ve had.  The only place in South Florida that comes close to it is ROK BRGR.

One thing I noticed was even though the restaurant was super busy, our server didn’t skip a beat.  The drinks came fast with no need to ask for a refill.  She was friendly and took the time to answer any questions we had about the menu.  I’ll be honest, I’ve had a better burger but what more can you ask for.  Good food, a wide selection of frosty beers and a friendly staff.  Rock Bottom is a win-win combination and I’m glad we stopped in.  Now, if we could only get them to come to South Florida.

Wynwood Kitchen and Bar

Located in the vibrant and up in coming art community of Miami is Wynwood Kitchen and Bar - a small, unique treasure located right in the heart of the Design District.  This place offers an interfusion of Latin cuisine and beautiful art work.  It is by far one of the coolest and tantalizing restaurants I’ve ever been to.  From the moment you walk into Wynwood, you are wowed.  There is art everywhere, with an exquisite piece behind the bar and great decor.  It’s small but very cozy and sort of has a hip lounge feel to it. The menu impressed me as well - providing everything from soups to salads, meat, fish and a wide selection of veggies.

It was a pleasant day so my friend and I decided to sit outside.  We were greeted right away by our server who was very friendly and attentive.  We started with the hummus platter, which came with pita bread, cucumber and roasted peppers.  It was a delight to eat.  The greens were fresh and it’s a sizeable dish.  I proceeded to order the WKB Hamburguesita (mini burgers) -  chef’s selection of protein, pickled jalapeno, cilantro glaze and iceburg lettuce.  Honesty, it didn’t come close to my expectations. For some reason the meat was a bit bland.  I’d go as far and say almost tasteless.  Not to mention I probably could’ve eaten 10 with regards to their lack of magnitude.  Not having satisfied my appetite, I ordered the Queso Frito, which for $9 dollars was over-priced, but good to eat.  My friend went with the skirt steak covered in a very tasty chimichurri sauce. Again, a small dish and yes, over-priced.

Want my advice?  Go in with some friends, have some wine or a few cocktails, look around at the numerous art pieces, take pictures and call it a day.  Although I must admit it’s nice to see that neighborhood flourishing.  Beautiful scenery and a friendly staff, but it put a dent in my pocket and the food did not leave me wanting more.