L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Miami

They walked in unison towards our section to present the next course. I’d been anticipating that first bite of the famous beef and foie gras burger for a while. The two gentlemen paused and looked at each other. With a quick acknowledging nod, they swiftly presented the burger up and over the counter, placing the dish […]

Read More…

Cafe La Trova: Que Rico Vacilón

Who knew we needed yet another Cuban spot in Miami? I mean, aren’t we already synonymous with everything Cuba? Pero, parece que sí, and I’m drinking the Kool-Aid guarapo, señores y señoras!

Stationed perfectly en la Calle Ocho, Cafe La Trova brings sazón and a little refresher on the traditional Cuban fare. The reason? James Beard Award-winner Chef Michelle Bernstein. Unless you’ve been living under la saya de tu abuela, you already KNOW she’s South Florida royalty: Bernstein, not tu abuela. Google her si no sabes, porque I don’t have time to recap.

Read More…

Habitat by José Mendín

I waited for the dust to settle before visiting the new Habitat by José Mendín. The space, formerly occupied by Chef Tom Colicchio’s Beachcraft, seemed untouched. And that’s a good thing. The interiors, in sandy neutrals and beachy woods, remain as stunning as ever. Now, I”m hopeful this new venture by the Food Comma Hospitality Group (Pubbelly Noodle Bar, Pubbelly Sushi, Baja Bao, PB Ysla, and PB Burger) can survive our temperamental dining scene. This is Miami, after all, restaurant revolving-door capital. Offering a complete sea to table experience, Mendín’s new dishes aim to apply modern techniques to create new flavor profiles drawing from Spanish, Latin and Asian traditions.

Read More…

Top 30 Bites: Miami 2017

The ones I couldn’t stop talking about. The ones that haunted me and, yes, also made me tear up. Perhaps you saw them posted on the blog, or on my social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) at some point this year. I basically ‘Oh Em Geed’ my way through the photo archives, as I […]

Read More…

BLT Steak Miami

Given its 13 worldwide locations, I love the comfort of knowing that when traveling, I can probably find a BLT Steak restaurant nearby. Often, I just want a tried and true classic I can trust in delivering a seamless experience. After a seven-year run on Ocean Drive, the original BLT closed in May 2016. Now, we […]

Read More…

Eleven Madison Park: the sequel

Beyond excited to return and experience the updated menu and concept, our group of six actually extended the trip one more night to fit this restaurant in.  Will travel for food. Clearly. I love my tribe! Welcomed by sommelier Jane Lopes (of the Uncorked reality series following six aspiring master sommeliers as they prepare for the Court of Masters Sommelier exam), dinner started on a fun note. If you haven’t watched the series, get to it! Fan-girl moment aside, Jane happily put up with all of our questions and decanted our wine. Two enthusiastic thumbs up from her for our choice too!

Read More…

Top 30 Bites: MIAMI

What a year! The Miami culinary scene is booming. Confession: I’m having the hardest time choosing the restaurants that will top my list as 2016’s best (for the annual Miami-Dade & Broward Top Restaurants List I always post). What a great problem to have! As I reviewed my photos for that project, I came across a ridiculous number of dishes I’d love to repeat. […]

Read More…

The 9 Best Foie Gras Dishes in Miami

October 2016 Foie Gras: noun \ˈfwä-ˈgrä\  As per French Code rural – Article L654-27-1: “On entend par foie gras, le foie d’un canard ou d’une oie spécialement engraissé par gavage.“(“‘Foie gras’ is understood to mean the liver of a duck or a goose that has been specially fattened by gavage…” Due to the traditional practice of force-feeding the animals to fatten […]

Read More…

Miami Spice Photo Diaries 2016

Last year I introduced the Photo Diaries as a quick reference guide to my Miami Spice dinners, updated as they happened, and consolidated into one post. All of my past Miami Spice coverage can be found HERE. This 2016 post features Stripsteak/ Le Zoo/ Byblos/ Ariete/ Blue Collar/ Tuyo/ Caffe Vialetto/ BLT Prime/ Timo/ Toro Toro/ Pied à Terre/ Macchialina/ Los Fuegos/ db Bistro/ Bourbon Steak September 30th, 2016 Stripsteak Inside the Fontainebleau Hotel 4441 Collins […]

Read More…

Le Zoo, Je Like

September 16th, 2016 Miami Spice Update Le Zoo 9700 Collins Avenue Bal Harbour, FL 33154 HIT: The Bistro Chicken: pan roasted breast in sherry vinegar and a black pepper jus…simply delightful. MISS: Not a single one. Despite its ritzy location, dining there is surprisingly low key. Le Zoo continues to deliver quality food: uncomplicated, simple French goodness. =================================================================== April 22nd, 2016 Despite my […]

Read More…