Posts in Events
Food + Film: Ella Brennan documentary at Miami Film Festival
Food + Film: Ella Brennan documentary at Miami Film Festival

Food + Film makes for a tasty combination and this year's Miami Film Festival (March 3- 12) featured the documentary, “Ella Brennan: Commanding The Table”, which combined the two for a special and unique culinary event.

Ella Brennan is the matriarch of the family behind NOLA’s iconic Brennan’s and Commander’s Palace, an inspiring creator of New Orleans breakfasts and jazz brunches, a great proponent of Creole cuisine, and a pioneer in what would become the modern American food movement. But there’s a fascinating story beneath the glory, a biographical trajectory that swings between familial conflict and dazzling success. The New York Times called her, “The Grand Dame of New Orleans”.

Oscar and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks delves deep into Brennan’s roots, life and work, her struggles and strategies, and the triumphs that make her an iconic figure in American culinary culture and business.

Read More
#SOBEWFF, EventsEllen BowenMiamiComment
Saturday Sweets: Bakers and Bloggers Boozy Baking Competition Part One
Saturday Sweets: Bakers and Bloggers Boozy Baking Competition Part One

The food blogging community in Miami is a fairly close-knit group of great people – many of which I’ve grown to call some of my favorite people. Even though we are close, it doesn’t mean that we rule out a little friendly competition.

In honor of the 3rd Annual SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo coming up April 28-30, we ( the founders of the convention Melanie and Natasha of Sweet Life Cake and Candy Supply and a few of us working for the event ) decided to put together a Bakers and Bloggers Boozy Baking Competition taking place on three dates leading up to the actual SoFlo weekend as sort of a fun kick off.

This competition will consist of teams made up of one home baker and one local food blogger racing against the clock to create cupcakes that not only use a secret ingredient but also represent the variety of themes of this year’s SoFlo Cake Competition.

Last Saturday, Round One was hosted at Sweet Life Cake and Candy Supply in their baking classroom. The bloggers competing were: Geoffrey Anderson of Miami Food Pug, Jennifer Agress of DiningOut Miami, and Mitch Nover of Mitch&MelTakeMiami. The home bakers drew blogger names out of a mixing bowl to decide their teams. The secret ingredient was then revealed to be Rum Chata, a sweet liquor that tastes much like rice pudding with a hint of cinnamon and the theme was Art Deco.

Read More
EventsAmber Love BondMiamiComment
The 2017 “Unofficial” SOBEWFF event guide
The 2017 “Unofficial” SOBEWFF event guide

Welcome the 65,000 attendees of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival February 23-26!  Don’t despair if you got closed out of a coveted event, or found the prices a bit rich for your tastes. In celebration of Miami’s own amazing food scene, local chefs and restaurants have come up with some creative and unique events of their own. 

Hence, the “Unofficial” SOBEWFF guide is here:

Read More
#SOBEWFF, EventsMIAbites TeamMiami Beach, MiamiComment
South Beach Wine + Food Festival : MIAbites picks for #SOBEWFF
South Beach Wine + Food Festival : MIAbites picks for #SOBEWFF

Countdown to #SOBEWFF! February is our favorite month in Miami as the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and it’s over 65, 000 guests take over Miami Beach and surrounding Miami venues from February 22-26 for 4+ days of Food, Wine, Fun and maybe even a little sun in between all of the over 85 different events and seminars.

Now in its 16th year and hosted by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and Florida International University (FIU), the Festival benefits FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center. To date, the Festival has raised more than $24 million for the school.

So, where to begin?  Here are MIAbites picks for best 12 SOBEWFF events with a focus on some of the amazing local chef talent and local venues featured this year in collaboration with many of your favorite Food Network stars. Many events sell out quickly, so check availability and buy your tickets online at www.sobefest.com.  ( Pro Tip- Many of the below events have limited discount tickets available on both Gilt City and Groupon.) 

Read More
Events, #SOBEWFFMIAbites TeamMiami Beach, MiamiComment
Private Party Pairs Foodies and Scotch Lovers at Cypress Tavern
Private Party Pairs Foodies and Scotch Lovers at Cypress Tavern

Britain’s Winston Churchill was known for his quick wit.  The story is told that he was once confronted about his heavy drinking: 

“Prime Minister, people say that you’ve drunk enough alcohol to fill a room.”

“Ah,” Churchill replied gazing up towards the ceiling,  “So much to do, and so little time.”

Churchill himself might have been impressed this past Saturday night if he had been lucky enough to score an invitation to a gourmet Scotch tasting at Michael Schwartz’ Cypress Tavern. 

Organized by Gilt City, an affiliate of the online retailer, Schwartz teamed up with famed Scotch distiller, The Macallan to pair five of their distinct single malts with a number of his signature dishes. 

Read More
EventsMIAbites TeamDesign District, MiamiComment
Weekly Nibble: Outstanding In The Field, Pinch Kitchen collab, Pizza & Burger & Beer and more
Weekly Nibble: Outstanding In The Field, Pinch Kitchen collab, Pizza & Burger & Beer and more

Each week, MIAbites features the Weekly Nibble, a listing of curated upcoming food events in Miami.  Schedule is subject to change so please check ahead to confirm at details and pricing. 

Jaya at The Setai is offering a three course Peking Duck menu to celebrate the Chinese New Year. One dish featured is the Peking Duck Wrapped In Bamboo Leaves with a Tangerine Marmalade and Bok Choy. Executive Chef Mathias Gervais and Executive Sous Chef Vijay Veena also feature desert truffles with Duck Bacon and chocolate. The menu will be available Saturday, January 28- Saturday, February 4th for $95 per person. Jaya at the Setai 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Read More
Events, Weekly NibbleMIAbites TeamMiami Shores, Miami Beach, MiamiComment
Weekly Nibble: Raw Bar Showdown, Jazzy Brunch, Wild Turkey at Yardbird and more
Weekly Nibble: Raw Bar Showdown, Jazzy Brunch, Wild Turkey at Yardbird and more

Each week, MIAbites features the Weekly Nibble, a listing of curated upcoming food events in Miami.  Schedule is subject to change so please check ahead to confirm at details and pricing. 

Thursday January 19th- Celebrate the grand opening of Bàcaro, Miami Beach's newest wine and food destination by acclaimed international chef, Carlo Bernardini. From 8pm to 11pm, the Venetian-inspired eatery and wine bar will offer guests complimentary hors d'oeuvres, along with an open bar of house wine and bubbles. Music will be provided by DJ Nuny Love, and European flair will fill the air at Bàcaro's grand opening experience. RSVP required. Free admission, 3-hour open bar and hors d'oeuvres will be offered only to guests who reserve in advance. To RSVP, email rsvp@bacaromiami.com. Bàcaro Miami is 1625 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 

Read More
Events, Weekly NibbleMIAbites TeamMiami Beach, MiamiComment
Saturday Sweets: A Taste of Heaven at Patch of Heaven Gardens
Saturday Sweets: A Taste of Heaven at Patch of Heaven Gardens

Did you know there’s a farm in the Redlands called Patch of Heaven Gardens, that’s single handedly foresting and producing cacao?  Cacao is the purest form of chocolate you can consume, and refers to the beanlike seeds from which cocoa, cocoa butter, and chocolate are made.

Cacao doesn’t typically grow in our backyards here in Florida, but the ambitious people at POHG have paired up with our friends at Cao Chocolates to make it happen anyway.  Last weekend I was invited on a tour of the property complete with a five course dinner and wine pairing – the best part – each dish was made with cacao!

We arrived at the farm mid-afternoon right after a crazy Florida rainstorm blew through, and blew through it did, as a tree fell and knocked the power out on the entire 20 acre property.  In a hurry to be able to use what daylight we had left, we rushed to the fields for a quick lesson on how to pick the cacao and then over to the Chocolate Bar Tasting area for dinner.  Let it be known that I will definitely be back to check out the rest of the property, I hear there’s an amazing barn that’s almost complete.

Read More
Events, Saturday SweetsAmber Love BondRedlands, MiamiComment
Weekly Nibble: Blue Collar Anniversary, Chef Mendin at PAO, Prosecco at La Moderna, National Peking Duck Day & more
Weekly Nibble: Blue Collar Anniversary, Chef Mendin at PAO, Prosecco at La Moderna, National Peking Duck Day & more

Each week, MIAbites features the Weekly Nibble, a listing of curated upcoming food events in Miami.  Schedule is subject to change so please check ahead to confirm at details and pricing.

Thursday January 12th-   Five years ago, on January 12th in 2012, Blue Collar opened its doors in the MiMo District in Miami, FL. Chef/Owner Daniel Serfer took a gamble on himself and the neighborhood, when he conceived his home-style menu in comfortable surrounds.  To celebrate the restaurant’s 5-year anniversary, Blue Collar will give a 100% guaranteed-to-win scratch-off ticket to every table and take-out order on Thursday, January 12th until all 1,200 tickets have been distributed.  Prizes include Blue Collar coffee mugs; gift cards; a free Blue Collar side dish plus the restaurant’s ‘dailies’; an order of Ribs, Braise Parm.  Blue Collar  6730 Biscayne Blvd Miami, Florida 305 756 0366

Friday January 13th- LDV Hospitality’s Regent Cocktail Club celebrates their first live musical act of 2017 with a night of themed cocktails and a performance by the nine-piece electronica band, Latin Grammy nominees, Spam Allstars who will provide a unique blend of improvisational electronic elements alongside other Latin, funk and hip hop rhythms that they’ve originally dubbed electronic descarga. To enhance the lively evening of Latin funk, Regent’s skilled mixologists have developed a specially handcrafted cocktail menu inspired by the music stylings of the talented musicians. Regent Cocktail Club Gale South Beach 1690 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, FL 33139

Read More
Events, Weekly NibbleMIAbites TeamMidtown, Miami Beach, MiamiComment
Burger Beast Opens First Burger Museum at Magic City Casino
Burger Beast Opens First Burger Museum at Magic City Casino

Looking for something fun and different to do with the kids this next holiday week?  How about a visit to The Burger Beast Museum, curated by Miami comfort food expert, Burger Beast? Amber Love Bond reports on the museum's grand opening earlier this month.  

About eight years ago, I found myself on a Google search for the best burger in Miami and I stumbled upon a newly started blog, called Burger Beast.  Sef Gonzalez was on the same mission as I was, except he was documenting and sharing with others.  He was one of the very first food blogs in Miami and the moment I found him, I instantly added his link to my bookmark bar – think pre-Facebook and Instagram days.

Flash forward to December 2016 and Sef has spent the last 7 years collecting over 2,000 pieces of burger and comfort food memorabilia that now fill his 1500 square foot Burger Beast Museum space.  The history in the museum spans decades and Sef is eager to share it with everyone.  On my visit I chatted with Burger Beast for over an hour learning about restaurants I had never heard of and talking about ones I missed from my own childhood.  There were even a few that I had been to that he hadn’t, and I was able to share my memories of them with him.

Read More
EventsAmber Love BondMiamiComment