The Whet Palette Productions Restaurants Dade

Welcome to Miami, Michelin Guide: PART 2. Now what?

Back in June, I received confirmation that the Michelin Guide was discussing a partnership with the state of Florida. As a result, I posted the fourth installment of my Miami Michelin Guide series and further explored Miami’s potential in great detail. I suggest reading Part 1 before moving on to Part 2. Last week’s bombshell […]

by Brenda Popritkin

Meat me at Cote Miami

I know you want to know. Yes, it’s worth the hype. After three visits, I can conclude that COTE Korean Steakhouse is a welcomed and excellent addition to the Miami dining scene. Michelin-starred in its flagship New York City location, the much-talked-about opening of this upscale barbecue steakhouse had many local food enthusiasts anxiously awaiting, […]

by Brenda Popritkin

Welcome to Miami, Michelin Guide. What took you so long? Part 1

It hasn’t happened. Yet. But it DOES seem to be in the works. Full stop. Que? Suzie Sponder, Senior Director of Communications at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, confirmed there is not only interest but there should also be an update next week when they meet with the Michelin Guide… again. “We are waiting for them to finalize a contract that will be signed between Miami, Visit Florida, Orlando, and St. Pete.” Sure, this isn’t official yet and it might take a long time for a guide to actually happen. But we are allowed to be a little excited, right?

Somm Like It Hot: Featuring Daniel Bishop

We already know Miami is a hot zone for craft cocktails and beer. Know what else is happening? The wine scene! Follow along as I continue this blog section featuring some of South Florida’s buzziest swirlers, sniffers, and tasters. Meet Daniel Alan Bishop: Fiola Miami’s Head Sommelier & Beverage Director.

by Brenda Popritkin

Hurricane Beltran: Ariete Miami Chef Makes Landfall

South Floridians are no strangers to hurricane preparedness. If you haven’t been following the powerful path taken by Coconut Grove’s chef Michael Beltran, you need to start paying attention; this perfect storm is here to stay.

by Brenda Popritkin

Brilliant and Bountiful, Boia De! (Miami)

The summer of 2019 feels like a lifetime ago. At the time, Miami enjoyed a different type of heat, a sizzling culinary uprising. Local restaurants found their rhythm, and all eyes fixed on South Florida. Not long after opening in June, Boia De, by (2020 Best Chef: South, James Beard Award Semifinalists) chefs Luciana Giangrandi […]

Top 100 Bites: Miami 2020

I chose to expand my annual Top 30 Bites list to 100. Do I even have that many memorable bites to feature? Turns out, I do! I tried my hardest to support as many restaurants as I could these last nine months. I love that it wasn’t easy, and that each photo brought back memories of each visit. You might notice that I experienced some of the highlighted bites as takeout…#because2020. Despite the bumpy road, Miami continued making this exercise tough on me by once again providing the best eats, EVEN in 2020. After much debate over which bites impacted me the most, I have finally committed to a solid 100.

Miami-Dade Restaurants: Dining During Covid-19

This list is based on *MY* ongoing experience and not meant to reflect every restaurant offering outdoor dining and takeout. There are already many lists for that…elsewhere.

I hope this post encourages diners to continue supporting our local restaurants during this unpredicatble period in South Florida dining.

by Brenda Popritkin

Post-Quar Success for Miami Restaurants: Ariete and Stubborn Seed

Week 2 of post-quarantine dining did not disappoint. It’s true, the fate of the restaurant industry as a whole, amidst the coronavirus era, remains to be determined. Pero also, those who say it can’t be done shouldn’t interrupt those doing it, and doing it well. Enter Stubborn Seed and Ariete. Jaw-dropping opening weekend.

Instead of simplified versions of their pre-quarantine menus (as they ease into the new routine), both restaurants charged full-steam ahead. All aboard!

If you were looking for a sign on when to take the plunge and venture back out…this is it.

by Brenda Popritkin

Post-Quar Fine Dining in Miami: Fiola and Bourbon Steak

Mask

Sanitizer

Heels

Huh? What are those pointy things glaring back at me? That’s SO February 2020! No more chancletas? Do I still know how to walk in those? It turns out I do, and I wore heels twice this weekend to visit two of my favorite newly-reopened restaurants. How did the experience compare to pre-quarantine fine dining? What safety measures did each restaurant take? Did I feel safe?