National Burger Month at Pinch Kitchen: A Different Burger Each Week
National Burger Month at Pinch Kitchen: A Different Burger Each Week

May is here – it’s my favorite month, mainly because it’s my birthday month, but also because it’s National Burger Month. There are tons of burger deals and specials happening all over Miami, but we’re pretty excited about what’s happening at Pinch Kitchen – because I get to have my own burger on the menu!

In celebration of National Burger Month, Pinch Kitchen has teamed up with some local media and blogger friends to develop their own take on the Pinch Burger. 

Each week throughout the month of May, Pinch will feature a different burger developed together with some of Miami’s top influencers and media. Come in and try them all! Even though I get to have my very own burger, I’m pretty sure I’ll be there to try them all.

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Amber Love BondMiamiComment
Charcoal: Josper Grills in The Wynwood Yard
Charcoal: Josper Grills in The Wynwood Yard

When I first read about a restaurant made up of shipping containers, I was a little skeptical and envisioned the tankers at the Port Of Miami with all those stacked up containers with names like Hanjin and Hapag-Lloyd.

But as I strolled into Charcoal in The Wynwood Yard, that vision completely disappeared as I saw instead a cozy outdoor café, a glass enclosed indoor dining room, open kitchen, and a cool bar all from reimagined shipping containers.  Why, even the restrooms were housed in a sleek trailer.

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Ellen BowenWynwood, MiamiComment
What I ATE:  Miami Bloggers favorite dishes
What I ATE:  Miami Bloggers favorite dishes

The food blogger community in Miami is a very special one.  Many of us see each frequently at various media events, SOBEWFF or just while out to breakfast, lunch, cocktails or dinner. 

We take comfort in being with people who understand the need to take multiple photos of food, getting the light just right, and many a meal has gone cold while we staged each picture.

Annoying,  we know. 

But our blogger friends totally get what it is we all do in support of local farms, chefs and restaurants.  And while a little healthy competition (more like a sibling rivalry) may exist, most of us consider our Miami blogger community among our closest friends.

So, this months What I ATE feature includes not just MIAbites regular contributors but also some of our favorite “siblings” and their mouthwatering Instagram links.  Follow them!

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What I ATEMIAbites TeamMiami Comment
Saturday Sweets: Mdoughw Does ONE DAY ONLY Collaboration with Wynwood Parlor
Saturday Sweets: Mdoughw Does ONE DAY ONLY Collaboration with Wynwood Parlor

Calling all dessert lovers! Just in time for warm weather, Mdoughw & Wynwood Parlor will launch four different ice cream sandwiches - but the catch is you can only get them today. Miami-based MdoughW started as a result of Margo Wolfe’s passion for baking. While operating frozen yogurt stores, Margo used her free time and wild imagination to create a new dessert category - the doughie.

Doughies are the original cookie cup stuffed with your favorite treats. You name it - brownies, cookies and cream, oreos, salted caramel, guava - she's stuffed it inside a gooey, fully-cooked doughie by MdoughW. Doughies and ice cream sound like the perfect sinfully sweet pairing.

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Saturday SweetsAmber Love BondSaturdaySweets, Wynwood, Ice Cream, Food Trucks, Cookie Dough, Miami BeachComment
Ghee Field Trip at Chef Niven Patel's "Rancho Patel"
Ghee Field Trip at Chef Niven Patel's "Rancho Patel"

Beyond the sparkle of the blue waters of Biscayne Bay and just an hours drive south is farmland where many organic farms reside including Chef Niven Patel’s farm in Homestead.

Chef Patel was inspired to be serious about having his own farm three years ago after one of the cooks in his kitchen was about to throw out a precious heirloom tomato.  Chef Patel was so aghast at this person’s immediate willingness to throw something out that he decided to take everyone from his kitchen to his two-acre property and asked them to help construct and plant all of the containers for his farm.  Chef Patel’s colleagues in the kitchen quickly realized how hard it is to grow that heirloom tomato and have continued to work with Chef Niven Patel on his latest project, opening this Friday, May 5th. (Yes, it has been a little delayed.) Ghee Indian Kitchen across from the Dadeland Mall, 8945 SW 72nd Place.  “Good things come to those who wait”!

Chef Patel has quite a long and prolific resume, his latest was as Executive Chef at Michael’s Genuine.  He started planting his farm after purchasing a home in Homestead four years ago and realized his backyard would be the perfect place to start his own organic farm. The property is entirely surrounded by lychee trees and was what drew him to this piece of real estate.

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MIAbites TeamDadeland, Homestead, Miami Comment
Smart Bites: Urban Farming and a Healthy Café
Smart Bites: Urban Farming and a Healthy Café

In the quadrant between I-95 and The Dolphin sits the Allapattah “ Healthy” District, a mixture of sparkling glass medical centers and empty warehouses and lots.  On a corner of NE 20th visible with its bright green awning is Smart Bites, a small storefront café that is run by Mari Vila and features healthy soups, salads, burgers (including a Bison Burger!) wraps, sides and fresh juices.

 

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Restaurants, Wellness Wednesday, FeaturesEllen BowenVegetarian, Vegan, Healthy Eating, Urban Farm, MiamiComment
RECIPE: Carol's Papaya Salad at MKT by bazbaz
RECIPE: Carol's Papaya Salad at MKT by bazbaz

It was a hot hot hot Saturday at this week’s HOOD FOOD at MKT by bazbaz Art installation and Marketplace at 2100 North Miami Ave., but that didn’t keep the local artisans, food vendors and many attendees from strolling thru the various stalls, tasting the local food offerings from Jucy Lu, Smart Bites, LadyFingrs popsicles, Mary's Brigadeiros and Lesage Bakery. and enjoying the electronic pop sounds from the very talented Ari Blik. 

But,one of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation from Carol Lopez-Bethel, the Development Director for Slow Food Miami and owner of Swirl Wine Consulting.

Carol took the stage in the amphitheater and talked about Florida’s fresh food scene, and the fact that we have TWO growing seasons. While the rising temperatures will soon end the season for traditional produce like tomatoes,  asparagus, and peppers, the little appreciated season for tropical fruits and vegetables begins.

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Events, Recipes, Wellness WednesdayEllen BowenHealthy Eating, Wynwood, Miami Comment
Saturday Sweets: Tatiana Vernot of Bakehouse Brasserie
Saturday Sweets: Tatiana Vernot of Bakehouse Brasserie

This week’s Saturday Sweets led us to Bakehouse Brasserie in SoFi because I needed to have a Nutella Croissant (and maybe some frosé) - I’m not the only one, right?!  Bakehouse is Miami Beach’s new hot spot for breakfast and brunch with French brasserie items like Croque Madame, Steak Frites, Crawfish Beignets and more, including some delicious pastries. 

While there, I got the chance to hang out with Pastry Chef Tatiana Vernot, who had been in since 4 am re-stocking the pastry case after a busy weekend. Although she has only been working professionally in kitchens for three years, Tatiana turns out all of the most delicious treats in Bakehouse’s pastry display.

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Saturday Sweets, Features, ProfilesAmber Love BondSouth Beach, Miami Beach, South of FifthComment
Finka Table and Tap: Multicultural Fusion from Chef Eileen Andrade
Finka Table and Tap: Multicultural Fusion from Chef Eileen Andrade

Welcome to MIAbites Guest Contributor, Eleanor Hoh aka Wok Star.  Eleanor is a Miami cooking teacher, creator of Wok Star Kit, blogger and soon a digital content producer. Follow her on Instagram @wokstar. Her website is: http://eleanorhoh.com.

Expect the unexpected when you visit Finka Table and Tap, a Cuban, Korean, Peruvian Fusion gastropub, inside a brick building in West Kendall that previously housed a KFC.  It is a 260 seater that would make any chef/owner run a mile, but not pint sized Chef Eileen Andrade. She’s a little firecracker with enough energy to shoot off a rocket!

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MIAbites TeamKendall, Miami Comments
RECAP: Cake Thai Japanese Craft Beer Dinner
RECAP: Cake Thai Japanese Craft Beer Dinner

Did you know that most of the familiar brands of Japanese beer available in the United States are produced right here in the US or in Canada?  Anheuser-Busch produces Kirin in Virginia, while Sapporo and Asahi are both produced in Canada.

And so began our introduction to the Japanese Craft Beer Dinner this past Wednesday at Cake Thai Wynwood.  The craft beers produced in Japan with names like Echigo Kishuhikari Rice Lager and Iwatekura Oyster Stout were paired expertly by Chef Phuket Thongsodchreondee’s, (@KZCake) authentic Thai cuisine for a five course tasting menu.  It was a delicious evening with some of the longest names I have ever seen on a menu.

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EventsEllen BowenMiamiComment
Saturday Sweets: SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo Returns For Its Third Year
Saturday Sweets: SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo Returns For Its Third Year

THIS WEEKEND! Saturday 4/29 & Sunday 4/30! This week’s Saturday Sweets is about the sweetest convention to come to South Florida each year – SoFlo Cake & Candy Expo. Going on it's third year, this cake expo offers everything anyone could possibly need to be a better baker. The trade show is for home bakers and professionals alike to discover the latest in baking and decorating trends, purchase the new supplies, and even take on demos and classes taught by some of the best bakers in the country.

Melanie Richard and Natasha O’Connor, the women behind the SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo, once found it very difficult to find baking supplies in South Florida. Passionate home bakers with a sweet tooth, they decided to open Sweet Life Cake and Candy Supply to fill the void that other South Florida home bakers were coming across. Fast forward to 2015 and they launched the SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo, “After opening up Sweet Life Cake and Candy Supply, we started attending trade shows all around the country in order to be able to provide our customers with the latest tools in baking and decorating,” says Melanie Richard, co-founder of SoFlo Cake and Candy Expo.

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Saturday SweetsAmber Love BondSaturdaySweets, Desserts, Conventions, Cakes, Expo, Miami Beach, Miami Comments
Local Miami Restaurants Giving Back On Earth Day & Arbor Day
Local Miami Restaurants Giving Back On Earth Day & Arbor Day

Earth Day is officially over but you can still support their efforts year round!  It’s an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. And now, more than ever, we all need to do our part to support our fragile environment.  A few of our favorite spots in Miami are doing their part to give back on Earth Day.

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EventsMIAbites Teamearth day, wynwood, giving back, Miami Beach, MiamiComment
Sweet Liberty Rise & Dine Brunch
Sweet Liberty Rise & Dine Brunch

Not only is Sweet Liberty an award winning Miami Beach bar with great cocktails and those amazing cauliflower nachos, but now they’ve got brunch, too! For all the boozy brunch lovers out there they even have a bottomless rosé option available to add for $25.

Sweet Liberty also has a delicious cocktail menu that pairs well with breakfast, including an Espresso Martini made with tequila that’s got enough coffee kick in it to wake even the sleepiest “bruncher” up.

While the menu may seem small, it’s got all the brunch classics. We opted for a little bit of everything, because what is brunch without a table overflowing in food?! The Crudité Plate with green goddess dressing and jalapeno cornbread was a great way to start the meal.

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MIAbites TeamMiami Beach, MiamiComment
The Wynwood Yard: Della’s Bowls-A Morning Refuge
The Wynwood Yard: Della’s Bowls-A Morning Refuge

As Miami continues to embrace healthy eating, MIAbites is pleased to introduce a new weekly feature; Wellness Wednesdays. Each week we will share our discoveries of new and not so new spots offering local ingredients, plant-based and healthy dining options. 

By now most of us are familiar with The Wynwood Yard, the open air space for creative dining, drinking and community gatherings, created by Founder and CEO Della Heiman in 2015.  Her personal project, della test kitchen, offers healthy, fast, casual dining popular at lunch and dinner.

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Wellness Wednesday, Features, RestaurantsMIAbites TeamWynwood, MiamiComment
Lobster Bar Sea Grille Opens In SoFi
Lobster Bar Sea Grille Opens In SoFi

Just around the first of April, Lobster Bar Sea Grille opened in the spot on Washington Avenue and 5th Street that will forever be known by locals as “the old China Grill spot.”

The seafood restaurant is the newest concept from the national award-winning Buckhead Life Restaurant Group of Atlanta, Georgia, and owners of the popular Chops Lobster Bar and City Fish Market in Boca Raton and sister restaurant Lobster Bar Sea Grille in Fort Lauderdale.

Guests are meant to enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere complete with modern-contemporary nautical touches. Management says they really want it to be all about the service and would love to be considered a fancier version of Cheers!, for locals to have a regular dining spot where "everyone knows your name".

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RestaurantsAmber Love BondMiami Beach, South of Fifth, South BeachComment
Italian Culinary Tours in Miami: 4 Neighborhoods 4 Restaurants 4 Courses
Italian Culinary Tours in Miami: 4 Neighborhoods 4 Restaurants 4 Courses

The Italy- America Chamber of Commerce Southeast is excited to announce the first edition of The Italian Culinary Tour in Miami for April 25-26, and May 2-3.

As the tourist season winds down and Miami returns to mostly local residents, The Italian Culinary Tour supports those local restaurants and hard working chefs that are here for us year round.  The tour bases itself on the concept of a mobile meal, where participants can not only taste different food and wines, but also have the possibility to follow a true “Path of Taste” moving from one restaurant to the other in order to explore new locations and the Italian Lifestyle.

Attendees will have the opportunity to not only discover new flavors but also to participate in culinary sessions with Chefs as well as Italian sommeliers for the wine pairings.

The event seeks to develop and promote the authentic traditions of Italian food products and upgrade the culture of Italian food and wine with local consumers. The tour showcases the best of Italian food, wine, and entertainment in one night through a guided tour of four of the most authentic and excellent Italian restaurants in Miami.

Each tour takes almost four hours with each restaurant stop about 30-40 minutes. 

In some cases, transfers from one restaurant to the other will be by private coach, when the next stop on the tour is not within walkable distance.

The Italian Culinary Tour visits four neighborhoods: April 25 – 26 and May 2 – 3 and includes a four-course dinner in four local Italian Restaurants per tour and is priced at $50 pp per tour.  

See schedule and ticket info below:

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EventsMIAbites TeamBrickell, Coral Gables, Midtown, MiMo/Upper East Side, MiamiComment