KidsBites:The Kid Food Critic goes on South Beach Food Tour

My name is Wyatt. I'm twelve years old, going into 7th grade and I like food. I like it so much, that I decided to be a food critic. With parental supervision, I started my own awesome blog to give you my honest opinion on food. I am excited to be contributing to KidsBites.

I went on the South Beach Food Tour hosted by Miami Culinary Tours with my mom. Our tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable, her name was Marie. In between the restaurant stops, Marie told us about the local history of South Beach. We also learned about the different kinds of architectural styles from different time periods in the area. It was very interesting and I learned a lot. Our first stop was a Colombian tavern called Bolivar, 661 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. The inside had a lot of wine bottles on the walls. The adults were served a drink that was a Colombian beer mixed with Colombian cream soda, I just got the soda. It was like a lot of other cream sodas I've had, but it was red. We were served Colombian ceviche, a corn empanada with potatoes and beef inside and ahi sauce on the side. I've never had ceviche before. It had a mustardy citrus marinade with onions and popcorn, which was just popped on the inside. It was a nice change of pace compared to other fish that I've had before. The corn empanada was crunchy and the filling was very hearty.

MIAbites TeamJune 18, 2014South Beach, Miami BeachComment

Miami Spice Preview: J&G Grill and Pubbelly!

MIAbites TeamJune 16, 2014Bal Harbour, Miami BeachComment

Ocean-to-Ocean Gin Crawl

Gin is a spirit, which derives its predominant flavor from juniper berries. From its earliest origins in the Middle Ages, gin has evolved over the course of a millennium from an herbal medicine to an object of commerce in the spirits industry. Gin is nothing but flavored Vodka, usually with added botanicals, spices and herbal extracts.

Gin lovers of the world rejoice as World Gin Day returns for its sixth year on Saturday June 14, 2014!!

The Gagit’s went on a recent visit to London and visited and joined the London Gin Club at The Star at Night , the preeminent Gin Club in London. On our return to Miami, we visited the newly reopened Traymore Restaurant and Bar at The Metropolitan by COMO, the preeminent new Gin Bar in Miami.

We started our trip in London at The Star at Night Bar where we picked our Gin Club membership card (as shown). The bar itself had over 130 Gins (shown above) and we were seated immediately at the fully booked club.

Our server, Emily, so knowledgeable and with the right colored hair to match our drinks, goes over the menu with us.

RecipesMIAbites TeamJune 13, 2014Miami BeachComment

RECIPE: Pan-Roasted Cauliflower Wedges with Bagna Cauda

The Foodie Teacher contributes to MIAbites this week a simple but delicious recipe for Cauliflower in a creamy sauce-like dip called Bagna Cauda

Bagna cauda (pronounced bahn-yah cow-dah) hails from the northern Italian region of Piedmont and translates to "hot bath" in local dialect which is fitting since it is Italy's version of a warm dip.

Oil, butter, anchovies, garlic, and lemon are combined to create a smooth dipping sauce that is often used for cooked vegetables and crudités. It is always served warm and is consumed in a similar manner to fondue.

Some variations involve cream, some play with the ratio of butter to oil, but I find that this recipe doesn't overpower the flavor of the cauliflower yet the umami flavor of the anchovies still peeks through.

This is a great alternative to the ubiquitous cream-based crudité dips and is sure to impress your guests!

Serves 4-6

· 1 head of cauliflower, outer leaves removed, stalk cut to about 1 inch, cut into 6-8 wedges.

· 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

· 8-10 anchovy fillets, rinsed

· 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

· 4 tbsp. of butter, preferably unsalted

· handful of chopped Italian parsley

· 2 teaspoons of lemon zest (or more if you like it lemony like I do)

Here's what you do:

MIAbites TeamJune 11, 2014Comment

Show some Love to "Your Miami HEAT"!

#HEATNATION #LETSGOHEAT #3PEATHEAT are all trending on Twitter in Miami

Thursday June 5th begins the NBA Finals in San Antonio, Texas where The Miami HEAT go up against The San Antonio Spurs for the NBA Championship.

There are plenty of places to watch the games, Sports Bars, local restaurants, and even the comfort of your own home, but since the games don't even begin until 8 or 9 pm....here are a few options to fuel your viewing pleasure and may sway you to stick around for tip off. After all... you do have to eat...and take out pizza may not be to your liking.

MC Kitchen- 4141 NE 2nd Ave. Miami 305 456 9948

Chef Dena Marino makes no secret about her love for the Miami HEAT! If you follow her on Facebook or Twitter, she can always be counted on for her enthusiastic posts, fun pictures and of course the final score...followed by many hashtags! Courtside whenever her crazy cooking schedule allows, she even has a special MC Kitchen set up in the Founders Lounge at The American Airlines Arena. And the players love her back...on any given evening after the game or off season, players like Shane Battier, LeBron and Dwayne Wade can be seen enjoying her freshly made pastas and other delicious entrees.

MC Kitchen features a great bar area, or plan a private "viewing party" in her private dining room with 72" TV and family styles portions.

**MIAbites picks MC Kitchen as #1 for great dining and enjoying the Finals.

Tongue and Cheek- 431 Washington Ave. Miami Beach 305 704 2900

Another passionate HEAT fan is Tongue and Cheek's Chef, Jamie DeRosa, who reports that the T&C Happy Hour drink and special menu will be available all throughout the Finals. He invites all fans to join him and his staff to cheer on the HEAT!

MIAbites TeamJune 3, 2014Brickell, Design District, South Beach, Miami BeachComment

"No Kid Hungry" Benefit for a Cause on June 17th 2014

SAVE THE DATE! Tickets now on sale!

Tickets are now on sale for South Florida's premier culinary event benefitting Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry initiative.

One in five children in this country struggles with hunger, including more than 1.1 million kids in Florida,

The No Kid Hungry campaign is ending childhood hunger in this nation by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day by connecting them to nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and by teaching families how to cook healthy, affordable meals at home.

“The inaugural Taste of the Nation South Florida in 2013, which combined what used to be known as Taste of the Nation Miami and Taste of the Nation Fort Lauderdale, proved to be a much stronger event, attracting a larger group of restaurants, attendees and sponsors,” notes the event’s Restaurant Chair, Chef Timon Balloo.

MIAbites TeamJune 2, 2014Comment

The Traymore- Reimagined by COMO Hotels and Chef Jonathan Lane

Is 24th St and Collins still considered South Beach? I certainly think not after visiting the new Metropolitan Hotel by COMO at 2445 Collins Ave. The 1939 Art Deco classic (one of the few still left north of Ocean Drive) has been completely renovated by high end Singapore based COMO hotel group into a quiet, luxury boutique hotel on a stretch of the beach mostly occupied by condos, and therefore rarely overrun with tourists and visitors.

The Art Deco details have been lovingly restored from the vaulted ceiling, large fluted columns and terrazzo floor, but it is The Traymore Bar and Restaurant that reminds one of the almost casual elegance of dining in the 30’s and 40’s.

Ellen BowenMay 30, 2014Miami BeachComment

Uvaggio- A Hidden Gem in Coral Gables

Coral Gables has been sorely lacking in the wine department for quite some time. Any true oenophile can tell you that there really isn't a place where you can sit, relax, and enjoy great wine from unique, boutique wineries. On Tuesday, March 25th, 2014 that all changed when Uvaggio opened its doors.

The cozy, bright wine bar, located at 70 Miracle Mile, focuses on small production wines paired with an impressive food menu. The decor is simple yet cheerful with high-top tables and a small bar with comfy, padded, leather stools. Blink and you might miss the unassuming storefront sandwiched between a couple of retail stores.

Owner Craig DeWald, a former Human Resources executive, is aiming to create a casual, unpretentious environment for his customers with an emphasis on great customer service. "We're serious about the wine, serious about the food, but we are trying to create a relaxed environment where people can come hang out, sit, talk, and have an awesome bottle of wine and super great food."

MIAbites TeamMay 23, 2014Coral GablesComment

Bocce Ball Competition with Miami Chefs!

MIAbites TeamMay 23, 2014Comment

"Fed Up", " Chef " and MIAbites Canned Film Festival Picks

For years, food and food preparation has been entertaining us in our kitchens, favorite restaurants, on TV and even on the " Silver Screen". It has been a pivotable story line in documentaries, dramas and comedies, and so far 2014 has already cooked up two new buzzed about films....Just in time for Memorial Day weekend!

"Fed Up" a revealing documentary , by top fimmaker, Stephanie Soechtig and TV journalist Katie Couric about our misinformed food and eating habits and "Chef" a new feel-good comedy starring an all-star cast including Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergera, Scarlett Johansson and Dustin Hoffman.

" Chef ", with much of it filmed in Miami including at Versailles in Little Havana, is the story of a top chef in LA, who is trapped in a popular restaurant making the same dishes "day in and day out". He tries to win back the favor of a food critic by changing the menu, much to the displeasure of the owner, and finds himself out of a job. A beat up food truck and a passion to make Cuban sandwiches takes him to Miami and then onto other foodie destinations including New Orleans and Franklin BBQ in Austin. The Washington Post review likened many of the food scenes to, " culinary porn".

"Chef" is filled with plenty of food scenes to satisfy even the most discerning appetite , and includes a wonderful soundtrack of Cuban music, New Orleans Jazz and Texas blues.

Both "Fed Up" and "Chef" are currently playing at The Regal South Beach Cinemas at 1120 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, FL 33139 with plenty of dining options for before or after the movie.

And in case you prefer at home watching, MIAbites presents... The Canned Food Festival: A collection of top "foodie films" over the past few decades.

Ellen BowenMay 21, 2014Comment

The OBIES: Chefs Cook to Benefit Local Charities

MIAbites TeamMay 19, 2014Comment

SUSHISAMBA Coral Gables- Sushi & Sake 101

Local fans of sushi know that SUSHISAMBA was pivotable in introducing Miami to fresh and creative Japanese cuisine, sushi and sashimi, and with a Latin American twist as far back as 2001, when New York based SUSHISAMBA opened on Lincoln Road in South Beach.

The newly opened location in Coral Gables in the Westin Colonnade Hotel on trendy Aragon Avenue offers both an inventive menu and the first outdoor bar and robata grill in the area.

And MIAbites is excited to feature the Coral Gables SUSHISAMBA series of interactive and educational classes entitled, Sushi & Sake 101.

The two-hour classes will introduce attendees to both the history and traditions of sake, and an “insider” introduction to the art of sushi making, including each participant creating their own sushi rolls to share and enjoy.

The class will begin with an introduction to sake by SUSHISAMBA’s sake sommelier and includes five flights of varying quality sake. You will learn about the differences in hot vs cold sake , the technique of polishing of the rice, and differences between Junmai and Ginjo sake.

MIAbites TeamMay 14, 2014Coral GablesComment

VOTE for Best of Miami 2014! Voting closes JUNE 4th!

MIAbites TeamMay 12, 2014Comment

Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill and Bocce Bar: “Chef Talks” with Chef Timon Balloo

“ I remember when” seems to be a refrain many a Miamian shares when asked about changes to Miami. Be it the building boom in the early 2000’s when the “crane “, (and I don’t mean the bird), was considered the state bird, to the emerging of hipster neighborhoods like Wynwood and Sunset Harbor, where abandoned warehouses and auto body shops stood, to the explosion of unique and exciting food concepts and culinary niches.

Chef Timon Balloo is no exception, having burst upon the culinary scene in the mid-2000's with the opening of Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill, a three-kitchen concept catering to the popular and very social Miami trend of sharing tastes and dishes.

Ellen BowenMay 9, 2014MidtownComment

Guest Chefs- Special Dinners this Month in Miami!

As Miami continues to grow and be recognized as an international food destination, guest chefs from all over have been flocking to cook alongside some of Miami's own excellent chefs.

A couple upcoming special dinners have been brought to the attention of MIAbites...and we wanted to share with you these unique opportunities to enjoy those creations and collaborations by these visiting chefs.

On Friday, May 16, as part of the 50 Eggs Guest Chef Series, Yardbird – Southern Table & Bar hosts guest Chef Michael Laukert of H undred Acre Wine Group, for a one-night-only, midnight dinner collaboration. Laukert, bringing over 25 years of experience, is a chef and specialty food consultant, as well as editor and author of One True Vine: A Journal of Food, Wine, Life. Since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1991, he made the Napa Valley home and began to establish his culinary foundation at Tra Vigne restaurant.

Chef Laukert and 50 Eggs Culinary Director Clayton Miller will serve a fabulous four-course dinner paired with three of Hundred Acre’s award-winning wines: Layer Cake Chardonnay; Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon and Cherry Tart Pinot Noir. The meal will also feature an exclusive preview of The Duke – a bourbon based on John Wayne’s 40 year-old recipe.

MIAbites TeamMay 8, 2014South Beach, Miami BeachComment

Breakfast with the Beast: an update on what's going in Miami's comfort food world.

If you're a fan of food in South Florida you will agree with me that Sef Gonzalez, a.k.a. Burger Beast needs no introduction. His highly popular blog is the most comprehensive compendium of comfort food lists, "where to" updates and events there is; he is single handily responsible for curating and organizing the vast majority of food truck events in this part of the country.

I recently met with Sef over breakfast to discuss his upcoming events, particularly the Burger Brawl planned for this coming May 9th from 7-10 pm at Magic City Casino in celebration of National Burger Month. If you like hamburgers and haven't done so, I suggest you stop reading this and head over to his blog to hunt down a pair of tickets. The line-up is as impressive as it gets when it comes to restaurants known for a great burger. There are over 20 competitors including; S hake Shack, Blue Collar, Burger and Beer Joint, Eating House, Bread and Butter Counter and Pincho Factory just to name a few. The event will settle once and for all, the debate about who can make South Florida's best burger.

For our breakfast sit-down, I suggested Latin American Bakery, sister to the Latin American restaurant I mentioned in my recent MIAbites "CCC Tour" post. It seemed appropriate since it was Sef himself who pointed me there when I asked him where I could find the best Cuban Sandwich. Putting together two of Miami's worst gluttony offenders led to a breakfast table that could've fed an army, yet it was just the two of us. We enjoyed croquetas, pan con tortilla, medianoches, "Elena Ruz" (more on her later)", all over a colada of course. Confused about what is all that? Let the pictures do the talking and head over there one day for breakfast. You won't regret it. Not only is their medianoche sandwich probably the best in town, the vast selection of breakfast options is impressive, including Elena Ruz. Apparently Elena was a young Cuban lady that used to order this sandwich combination so frequently back in Cuba, that it stuck and became a staple. The combination is strange, but not so much if you enjoy eating turkey breast with sweet cranberry. Elena chose to blend in some cream cheese and ..... a star was born; or a monster? You be the judge.

MIAbites TeamMay 5, 2014Comment

Aragon 101- Shopping and Cooking in Coral Gables

Editors Note: The world of food and the world of fashion have become forever entwined, as the topic at most parties and even many business meetings today features “where you ate” or “what you ate”. Dining out has become the top form of entertainment for the stylish set and lunch has replaced shopping as the weekend activity for young and old alike. Celebrity status has been given to chefs, and cooking shows are the newly popular reality shows. Food photography and then posting to social media is a favorite pastime as we have all become willing food “paparazzi”!

In local Miami author, Mandy Baca’s article below, she covers just such a destination…Aragon 101, a blending of owner, Erica Guzman’s, love of retail and food.

Stepping into a world of culinary beauty and homey enchantment amidst the hustle and bustle of Coral Gables’ Aragon Avenue, Aragon 101 is located one block from the famed Miracle Mile. Set up as the extension of the owner’s home, the store is plucked straight out of the covers of the top home design magazines. The ample sleek kitchen is the centerpiece of the room, which opens up to the rest of the store’s carefully placed departments, all clad with inviting seating for lingering. The store is the stuff of dreams and after entering, you may never want to leave- you have been warned. These are the best kinds of stores; the ones that lure you in and whisk you away to happiness. For those that work in Coral Gables, a visit to the store offers a welcome respite from the stresses of the office, whether visiting during lunchtime or the grueling midday slump.

RecipesMIAbites TeamMay 2, 2014Coral GablesComment

The Vegetable...It's What's For Dinner!

Allison Riley is Southern born. Farmer's daughter. Food adventurer... And writes as Y'all Taste This!

Tonight, I thought I had dinner plans. I rushed home from work, ran three miles, jumped in the shower, and just as I was about to dry my hair, I received an all too familiar text...flight delayed. leaving now. eat dinner without me. text you when I land. love you.

Hmmm. What to do? Go out alone or eat at home? Might as well just stay home.

I opened the refrigerator only to find three carrots and a bag of Brussels sprouts among my ever growing collection of mustards, preserves, and pickles. For many, this refrigerator inventory means a follow-up call for pizza or Chinese delivery. Not me though. Within thirty minutes, I sat down to a dinner of curried carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic in ginger sauce, and couscous with toasted almonds. A comforting dinner complete with sweet, savory, and spicy flavors, a little crunch, and beautiful colors. A dinner of vegetables.

As the daughter of a beef cattle farmer, I grew up with the understanding that a meal had two basic components: meat and whatever mom made to go with it. Other than the occasional peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, I don’t recall any meatless meals on mom’s rotation. The concept of a dinner revolving around vegetables was foreign, even taboo. I’m not sure when it occurred to me that a meal doesn’t need to follow a “meat and three” formula to be satisfying, but I do recall a conversation at Eating House with Giorgio Rapicavoli a few months after he’d opened the pop-up. We were talking about his evolving menu, and I mentioned that I found myself always looking forward to his new vegetable dishes, because he approaches vegetables with complete ideas, not as side dishes.

That’s still somewhat novel in Miami. Ask someone on the street where you can find the best burgers, Cuban sandwiches, pizzas, or seafood, and most people immediately have thoughtful responses with multiple options. Ask someone on the street where to get the best vegetables, and you will likely find yourself face to face with a blank stare.

RecipesMIAbites TeamMay 1, 2014 Comment