The Whet Palette chef

SOBEWFF: It’s the most wonderful time of the year

The South Beach Wine & Food Festival isn’t until February. But if you want to score tickets to the hottest events the festival offers, you need to act NOW. Tickets for all events are available via the Mastercard pre-sale promotion until October 22nd. The general public sales begin on October 23rd.

by The Whet Palette

Living la vida PIRIPI

Focused, ambitious, and driven, chef Najat Kaanache has arrived in South Florida. Her newest project sits pretty on the Coral Gables corner of San Lorenzo amongst the high-end shops at Merrick Park. Piripi debuts modern and whimsical Spanish cuisine. “My dishes are a reflection of my pride in my Basque Moroccan rearing and dedication to my profession,” […]

by The Whet Palette

The Whet Palette Turns Two!

I am not quite sure how that happened, but it did. It must be true, time flies when you are having fun! Here’s a quick look back at 2013 and a walk down memory lane for 2014 (below). South Florida Strip Mall Jewels: Part 2 “My first post on this blog highlighted ten wonderful restaurants with locations hidden […]

by The Whet Palette

Miami Michelin Guide Selections

November 2014 Part 1 New York City has them. The San Francisco and Wine Country area has them. Chicago has them. Miami does not. Well, why not? How much longer do we have to wait? Miami restaurants are ready. Bring them on! I am, of course, talking about the much coveted Michelin stars given out […]

by The Whet Palette

1826 Restaurant and Lounge

Growing up in South Florida has allowed me to experience the rebirth of our beloved South Beach, a.k.a. SOBE, first hand. Surprisingly, not everyone knows that for a while there SOBE resembled a scene out of Miami Vice. Ocean Drive? Think quiet, retirement homes, and oceanfront rocking chairs. Washington and Collins Avenue? Good luck walking those shady, dark streets […]

by The Whet Palette

The Happiest Place on Earth: Napa Valley

Contrary to popular belief, the happiest place on earth is NOT Disney World. Not even close. The happiest place on earth is Napa Valley. What’s not to love? The sum of perfect weather, food, and wine equals pure joy. Neatly nestled within acres of distinct wineries, Napa Valley is also home to some of the best restaurants nationwide. If you love to eat and drink to your heart’s desire, this is the perfect place to visit year round. A very HAPPY one at that.

by The Whet Palette

Unlock Shikany

Have you heard the news? Shikany opens to the public this Saturday, April 26th. A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, (and formerly of Ortanique, Sushi Samba, and La Cofradia), Chef Shikany is about to take Wynwood by storm. I have been closely following the restaurant’s journey for a while now. I still remember seeing […]

by The Whet Palette

Touché Rooftop Lounge & Restaurant

At first glance, Touché seemed like yet another warehouse in a somewhat forgotten part of town. Once we drove around the back, we found the main parking area and the entrance to E11even Nightclub. To enter, we took the outside elevator (located to the left of the main E11even double doors.) Touché is located on the third floor of the […]

by The Whet Palette

Parrot Cay, Secret Place of Bliss

Turks and Caicos is not a destination I had planned on visiting this year (or ever again). The last time I visited was over a decade ago. That first trip was a glamorous, work related one which involved working out, make up artists, hairdressers, professional calendar photo-shoots, and a lot of dancing. The previous year I had visited Jamaica for the same reason: “work.” I was so in love with Jamaica then that the thought of Turks and Caicos did not wow me as much.