Monday, December 16, 2013

Bread + Butter

For months now I’ve heard my friends call me crazy for not having tried Bread + Butter. So I decided to stop in for lunch one afternoon and see what the fuss was all about. The restaurant is small, but trendy and very decorative. The dining room area is decked out with cool coiled light bulbs, vintage Cuban photos, mason jars, books, with the poem "Cultivo una Rosa Blanca" by José Martí's written on a wall. There is also a small L-shaped bar and counter. Agua is served the old school way in small tin cups, very nostalgic for those of us that remember them growing up. Alberto Cabrera is a genius, this place essentially is Miami’s first Cuban-gastropub.

For starters my friend and I decided on the Media Noche Croquetas. They come with soda crackers and mustard aioli. Even though I’m not a big fan of the small round croquetas some of these "modern" restaurants are making, I liked these. TIP: Make sure to dip your croquetas in the aioli, but avoid the dreaded double dip. From there we moved on to the Frita China with napa cabbage kimchee, cilantro, onion, papitas juliana and sriracha ketchup. WOW! Love this frita! Everything came together perfectly. Finally, we indulged in their Cheeseburger! This masterpiece came with bacon, tomato, onion, Swiss cheese, and their house made b+b pickles and steak sauce. Not for the faint of heart, this cheeseburger is piled high with juicy meat, melted cheese and freshly baked bread.


For dessert you must try the flan. Their Flan Cabrera uses creamy Humboldt Fog goat cheese, which makes it a bit tangy. It also contains the customary ingredient of evaporated milk, and is uniquely baked in one of the empty milk cans and served with citrus slices on top. They're small and a little hard to find, but when you’re in the Downtown Coral Gables area, I suggest you make your way to 2330 Salzedo St. Come in for breakfast, lunch, dinner or their Sunday brunch to try traditional Cuban dishes with a modern spin. I'm sure you’ll find something that you can really enjoy.


Thursday, November 28, 2013

BUY A TREE. CHANGE A LIFE.

Most people including myself buy a Christmas tree during the holidays, so why not buy a tree that will benefit more than just your home. When you buy a Christmas tree from Buy A Tree. Change A Life. 100% of the proceeds are distributed to children in need. Buy A Tree. Change A Life. is a not for profit company that is dedicated to raising awareness and support for orphans and families in need in our own community as well as world wide. Make a difference this holiday season. Get more info at Buy A Tree. Change A Life.


Get your tree at Life Pointe Church
16490 SW 304th ST
Homestead, FL 33033



Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Burgerliscious Is Back!



Burgerliscious is back for another round of burger heaven! On Thursday, Nov 7 savor the experience of Burgerliscious for yourself as it returns to Coral Gables. For $60 (general admission) lets you feast on six sliders and two Sam Adams beers. Or better yet get the $125 VIP admission which gets you early admission, two beers, and most importantly unlimited sliders! Get your tickets by visiting Burgerliscious.


Save The Date! – Thursday, November 7th, 2013
6PM-10PM
Fred B. Harnett Ponce Circle Park

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Miami's Top 5 Burgers

5) Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

If there’s a restaurant that meets and exceeds my expectations every time I visit its Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink. Opening its doors in the spring of 2007 in the Miami Design District, Chef Michael Schwartz uses only the best local and organic foods. Whether you’re visiting or live in South Florida his restaurant is a must-visit! The Harris Ranch Black Angus Burger comes in at number five! Black Angus house ground with Vermont white cheddar cheese, crispy smoked bacon on a brioche bun. Indulge yourself in this burger! You’ll be sure to recognize the freshness and technique that goes into every dish, especially this one.


“We believe the people deserve better.” That’s exactly what you get every time you walk into Pincho Factory. With two location serving Miami, on 98th and Bird Road and the newly opened Coral Gables location at 32 Giralda Ave, you have no excuse not to try it! Over 30 Pincho Burgers have gone down my gullet. Not sure if I should be broadcasting that, but yea it’s that damn good! Fresh chuck, brisket, and short rib patties, with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, melty cheese, potato sticks, and their homemade pink sauce topped on freshly baked bread. And if you’re feeling hungry don’t hesitate to make it a double!


The Original DB Burger, served at db Bistro Moderne restaurant in Brickell is the essence of high-end burgers. By far it’s the most decadent burger I’ve ever eaten. At $34, it’s also the most expensive burger I’ve eaten. Is it worth every penny? I say yes! And that’s why it comes in at number three. From the moment they bring it to your table, you’re in awe. A sirloin burger filled with braised short rib, foie gras, black truffle, and served on a parmesan bun. db Bistro is first class all the way, this bistro blazes with its sleek, contemporary décor, exceptional service, and menu choices.


I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, ROK:BRGR is the best burger joint in South Florida! Don’t believe me go try it yourself. With locations in Fort Lauderdale and South Miami no other restaurant has better burger options on their menu. This magnificent specimen you see above is the King James Burger.It comes with creamy brie, kurobuta pork belly, red onion marmalade, truffle aioli, on a freshly baked bread. Cooked to a perfect medium-rare and served with their delicious sweet potato fries. Visit them on Monday’s for BRGR:Bash. Every burger on the menu is only $10 and craft beers only $4!


I found Miami’s number one burger! I give you The Swine Burger. And you can get one at Swine Southern Table & Bar in Coral Gables. When I think of Swine, one word comes to mind, delicious. The Swine burger comes with short rib, brisket and smoked pork blend, homemade dill pickles, a thick slab of house cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, double American cheese, and Swine’s special sauce. The best way to describe it- burger porn! It’s tender and juicy and melts in your mouth. It’ll have you wanting a second and a third!


Monday, September 9, 2013

St. Baldrick's Get Bald at Mickey's

Join us this Sept 21st at 4pm at Mickey Byrne's Irish Pub for St. Baldrick's Get Bald at Mickey's event. Whether you decide to shave your head, volunteer, or donate, we hope you'll be a part of this great cause. The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. Get involved and you'll be giving hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers.

They'll be live music, face painters, clowns, a magician and lots of other surprises. Also plenty of restaurant prizes will be raffled off. From Mojo Donuts, Crackers, Latin House Grill, Bluecollar, Josh’s Deli, Eating House, Toscana Divino, Route 9 Miami, Chef Adriannes, Ms Cheezious, and BC Café.

Last year this event raised over $48,000 dollars for pediatric cancer research. With your help we can beat that! So bring the family and invite your friends!


Sunday, August 18, 2013

Miami Spice 2013: Red Fish Grill

Red Fish Grill is a beautiful, romantic, waterside dining experience serving the South Miami area. Dine in this historic restaurant or outside under the palm tree landscaping with a nice view of the water. Located at the end of Matheson Hammock Park this is one of the best seafood restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining at. With Miami Spice in full swing my friends and I decide to pay a visit. 

I began the night with the Jalea Mixta (Fried Seafood Salad), a combination of fried fish & calamari, pickled onions, fresh corn, and a delicious Jalapeño Cream. It’s a little spicy but not too much and I loved the dish. It somewhat reminds me of a Peruvian dish a friend of mine cooked up for me. 
The night only got better when for our entree I went with the Spiced Mahi Mahi in a pineapple salsa, with sweet plantain purée. This is the first dish where I combined fish and plantains. It was amazing and very tasty. I love eating mahi, it’s an appetizing fish low in carbohydrates and fat, so it is a healthful choice for almost any diet. It also tastes great by itself, needing only simple herbs and spices. The mahi was flavorful, dense, and cooked to perfection.

My friend ordered the Grilled Hanger Steak. Hanger steak or "butcher's steak" offers a full, beefy flavor and the richness of more costly cuts of meat like ribeye or NY strip, without paying an arm and a leg. The dish was accompanied with arugula, crispy malaga fries, and tamarind steak sauce. In case you’re wondering, yes, it taste as good as is looks. My friend greatly enjoyed his dish. Even though it was a little over cooked for his taste. My friend’s wife decide to skip the Miami Spice menu for the Chilean Sea Bass. A great choice with crispy panko garlic sesame crust, sautéed spinach, shitake mushrooms, ginger sushi rice, and sake soy mirin reduction. I mean who can blame her. If you’re a fan of sea bass this is the dish for you. And if you've never tried it I say to you give swordfish a break.

Dessert was nothing to brag about. The Coconut Flan just didn't do it for me. It’s not that is wasn't good but honestly I've had better. And that includes in my own kitchen. I would definitely recommend Red Fish Grill especially for Miami Spice. The staff is friendly, great ambiance, and I highly suggest this place for couples or a first date. I'm already looking forward to my return visit.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Swine Southern Table & Bar

The 50 Eggs Restaurant Group has been making a name for themselves with the openings of Yardbird Southern Table & Bar and Khong River House both located in Miami Beach. So when some classic Southern cooking opened back in March close to home, I knew I was in for a treat. For the past few months I've heard a buzz about Swine Southern Table & Bar located in Coral Gables. After reading the reviews I needed to find out for myself what the fuss was all about. After all I love me some swine and a good strong whiskey.

Swine is a new addition to the dining seen in the Gables. From the moment you walk in, it feels like you've been transported to the Old West. I personally love the décor. It’s rustic, simple, and non-pretentious. One more thing me and my party noticed was it's rather hot inside and the music was a little too loud. Not a big deal but with the restaurant full it did make conversations a bit difficult. For some strange reason Swine doesn't take reservations. So we made our way to the upstairs bar for a couple of drinks while we waited for a table. After looking at the extensive drink menu I started off with Homestead Bound. Very refreshing drink I really enjoyed it. Mind you it was $16. Later I wanted to try the Middleton Very Rare, a premium blended Irish whiskey but not for $30! So I settled for Crown Royal which set me back $13. After tip I spent $37 on just two drinks and we hadn't even begun to eat.

After a thirty five minute wait we had our table. Our server was Cameron, we has very welcoming and knowledgeable about the entire menu. He suggested for starters we have the Grilled Sausage Dou (Pictured above to your left). I must say it’s utterly delicious. The plate includes- Andouille, Cajun boudin, pickles, grilled bread, and their homemade mustard, and pimento cheese. For dinner I ordered the Chicken & Dumplin’s and Mac & Cheese while my friends went with the Dry-rub ribs, and Meat Loaf. The Chicken & Dumplin’s were amazing, that brick-cooked chicken was divine and the serving was just to my liking. Mac & Cheese "forget about it" damn good! So good we ordered a second serving! The ribs were good, just good. Perhaps I’m being bias due to the fact I’m a sauce lover but truthfully it was also a small serving. Seriously for $32 I expect a full rack of ribs! No argument, don’t care! Full rack! The meat loaf was first-class, small but it had great flavor and perfectly cooked.

Loaf
Ribs

Dessert came and not soon enough! I love me some apple pie but wait…they also have sticky buns! A slice of heaven is just the perfect way to describe the apple pie. The sticky bun is mouth-watering and the “sweet potato pie” ice cream that accompanies it makes the whole dish come together. I highly recommend you try both.

Let’s quickly discuss my second visit to Swine for brunch. Swine offers a delectable brunch on both Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and they do accept reservations for brunch. The smoked pulled pork sandwich is insanely good! Comes with red cabbage slaw, fried shoestring onions, and Carolina mustard que. Not to be outdone the Swine burger! One of the best burgers I've ever had. I’ll go as far to say one of the best burgers in Miami! That brisket makes it happen. My sweet tooth was calling and that’s where the coffee cake comes in. Plain and simple I loved brunch and looking forward to trying their brisket steak & eggs.

Coffee Cake

At the end of the day I would definitely recommend Swine. I would also recommend that if you’re on a Taco Bell budget you might want to skip it. I really enjoyed the ambiance, service, décor, and food. It’s not pretentious or snotty unlike some other restaurants in the area. For my liking Swine is a great date venue, a fantastic place for brunch or grab a few whiskeys and catch up with friends for happy hour. Thumbs up.



Friday, May 3, 2013

National Hamburger Month Closing Party at Pincho Factory


May is National Burger Month and what a great idea to close it out by gathering some of Miami's top chefs for a burger party. Pincho Factory one of my favorite local restaurants will be hosting the National Hamburger Month Closing Party on Friday May 31st at Midnight. Joining the master mind Nedal Ahmad of Pincho Factory will be Chef Danny Serfer of Blue Collar, Chef Josh Marcus of Josh’s Deli and from the 50 Eggs group Chef Phil Bryant of Swine Southern Table & Bar. Be sure to get your tickets by visiting The Burger Beast.



Monday, March 4, 2013

SOBEWFF Trucks on Midtown Tracks

For the second year Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern hosted Food Trucks on Midtown’s Tracks for the 2013 South Beach Wine & Food Festival. An event showcasing Miami’s ever-growing food truck scene. Held in the Wynwood neighborhood, more than 20 food trucks participated in the event this year, most from Florida. I really enjoyed this year’s event. The best part of this years event, NO SAND! It was held under a massive tent where all the trucks easily parked. There was a little bit everything: air hockey, pool, and Ping-Pong tables, as well as basketball backboards, and guests in line had their wine glass refilled by volunteers pouring Brazilian sparkling wine provided by Wines of Brasil. There was a wide range of cuisine available. Burgers, pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, fish sausage, waffles, cookies, frozen yogurt, cupcakes, and gelato. I had to pace myself in order to try every dish, it wasn't easy.

By the end of the evening, Zimmern picked Slow Food Truck's "Beef Shorty Slider" topped with queso fresco, arugula, and crispy shallots as his choice for the event's winner. Personally I was quite surprised. I didn't “WOW” me. But I for one think that the fan vote counts more and for the second straight year Ms. Cheezious had the most poker chips and took home People’s Choice. Their “South in Your Mouth Melt” with smoked BBQ pulled pork, fried pickles and cheddar on Texas toast was as my mom put it, increíble! I whole heartily agreed.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Largest Food Truck Event!

If you love food trucks than mark your calendar! On Saturday April 20th Magic City Casino will be home to the Largest Food Truck Event Ever! Starting at 5PM till 10PM enjoy some of the best eats from local and visiting food trucks. From delicious gourmet burgers to delectable desserts you’re sure to find something you love. Also this event will start with a bang! All 70+ food trucks will be escorted to the event by police two miles from the Casino. This will start at about 4:30PM right before the event kicks off. Come hungry, see you there!


Check out a complete list of participating food trucks by visiting the Burger Beast website. 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Killer Pasta Food Truck


If you’re looking for a food truck that delivers great tasting pastas & salads, uses only the freshest ingredients and won’t hurt your pocket, then Killer Pasta has you covered. Unlike others they don’t use pre-made sauces. Using fresh ingredients is something they don’t slip on. When Homestead tomatoes are in season; they make their homemade red sauces using those. When out of season they use canned plum tomatoes from San Marzano, Italy that is famous for their tomatoes. So no matter what time of year you eat at Killer Pasta, their homemade sauce is at a constant high level of freshness. Honestly, I had my second thoughts about ordering pasta from a truck. Other pasta or Italian food trucks will take pre-boiled pasta, add some sauce throw in some meat and call it a dish. Not the case here! They cook your pasta to order. The menu has a little of everything- four different Ravioli, long noodle and Penne dishes, including the dish that started it all the “Killer Penne.” Also a wide verity of salads, side dishes, and even a kid’s menu. Also in the near future they are going to be coming out with 3 new Asian pasta dishes as well as 3 different Mac n' Cheeses. I for one can't wait! Killer Pasta is one of my favorite food trucks in the South Florida area. The food is inexpensive, the portions are big and the service couldn't be friendlier. Be sure to find them in one of the many local food trucks events and check out their full menu at Killer Pasta

Killer Penne

Pasta Fresca

Caramelized Pear

Follow Killer Pasta on Twitter.