Miami Spice 2017:  Our Contributors 20 BEST SPICE BITES

Every August and September, the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau organizes Miami Spice…two months of specially priced 3 course prix fixe menus designed to encourage locals and visitors to try new places or visit favorites for both lunch and dinner.  Priced at $23 for lunch/brunch and $39 for dinner,

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Where to get Oysters in Miami & Fort Lauderdale

National Oyster Day was Saturday, August 5th... a day eagerly awaited by mollusk lovers all over Miami and beyond.  OK. so you missed it.  BUT, here are the spots that offer some delicious and fresh oysters  Every Day of the Year.  Iced cold oysters are the perfect summer food...high in protein, low in calories, full of zinc and other beneficial minerals, good fat and certainly a better choice for salt cravings than a bag of chips. 

There are over 150 varieties of true oysters but actually only 5 species and traditionally they are named after the body of water or bay in which they are grown and are known by a myriad of names such as Wellfleets, Blue Points, Kumamoto and Kuushi.  

The flavor varies depending on the type of conditions or Terroir they are grown in; rocky soil, tidal or brackish water, etc. with the Northeast areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine providing some of the most delicious and accessible oysters. 

Miami is no stranger to these briny bivalve mollusks, and in celebration of National Oyster Day, here are some local options to slurp up a half shell:

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Saturday Sweets: Cheesecake Favorites in Miami

I think it’s safe to say almost everyone loves a good cheesecake. It’s creamy and delicious, it can be made with fillings and in tons of different flavors. There’s something for everyone. Personally I’m a sucker for two extremes - either lots of chocolate (think Nutella or Oreos) or keep it simple with a classic base and some fresh fruit.

 

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The Million Orchid Project: Fairchild Gardens & Miami Design District

Tucked away on over 83 acres of lush tropical foliage in Coral Gables, is the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. A day spent there is a perfect escape from the work week and the stresses of the world around us.  Fairchild’s mission is to save tropical plant diversity by exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants including mangos, dates, and nectarines.

 

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Saturday Sweets: Keeping it Cool and Boozy with Frozen Treat Infused Cocktails

There are so many fun food holidays - there’s almost one worth celebrating every day. This month is National Ice Cream Month, but National Ice Cream Day is tomorrow July 16th. In honor of two of my favorite things: ice cream and cocktails, I’ll be celebrating with ice cream infused cocktails!

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How To Celebrate Bastille Day In Miami

Bastille Day is a day of celebrations of French culture. It celebrates the end of the French Revolution. Many large-scale public events are held, including a military parade in Paris, as well as communal meals, dances, parties and fireworks. There is a large military parade in Paris in the morning of July 14. Service men and women from various units, including cadets from military schools, the French Navy and the French Foreign Legion, participate in the parade. The parade ends with the Paris Fire Brigade. Military aircraft fly over the parade route during the parade. The French president opens the parade and reviews the troops and thousands of people line the route. Other people spend the day quietly and eat a celebratory meal or picnic with family and close friends.

While we are nowhere near France, we’ve still got plenty of options to do a little celebrating of our own here in Miami.

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National Mojito Day Is Today!

Each year on July 11th, people across America join together to mark National Mojito Day. We don’t know how many people really celebrate this holiday, but we certainly do! The Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball consisting of white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint.

It’s got low alcohol content and is a refreshing cocktail that in Miami can be enjoyed all year long, but around the rest of the world it has found popularity in the summertime and is loved for its combination of sweetness, citrus, and mint flavors.

A classic Mojito has lime wedges and mint leaves garnished an ice filled glass. Although born in Cuba, the exact origin of the Mojito is under debate with theories with origins as early as 1586.

Observing National Mojito Day is pretty easy! Mix up a pitcher to enjoy mojitos with friends and have a great day! We’ve included 4 favorite mojito recipes that are super simple to make at home.

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Beaker & Gray and Burlock Coast Come Together in Collaboration for Best Buddies

It’s no secret that collaboration in the kitchen has been trendy for years, and personally, I hope it never goes out of style. I recently attended the 954 in the 305, a collaborative four course dinner experience with Beaker & Gray and Burlock Coast to benefit the Best Buddies of South Florida. The cocktails and the food were spectacular and inspired by the 305 and the 954.

Beaker & Gray has been serving up trendy, out of the box bites in Wynwood since the day their doors open. At the helm of the kitchen, Miami native Chef Brian Nasajon melds unexpected flavors in a warm and welcoming environment.

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Katz's Deli Comes To Miami To "Pass the Pastrami" at Harry's Pizzeria

A little bit of New York City is stopping in Miami this week! New York City’s iconic Katz’s Delicatessen is sharing the Jewish Deli love across the country with the launch of its first-ever Pass the Pastrami series. Lucky for us - it's in Miami starting today at Harry's Pizzeria in Coconut Grove and can be enjoyed until July 16th. Celebrated chefs will “pass the pastrami” from chef-to-chef with each of their restaurants offering a signature Katz’s-inspired dish.

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Saturday Sweets: Federal Donuts Finally Opens in Wynwood

The year long wait after the first initial announcement is finally over - Federal Donuts is officially open in Wynwood. The concept has been brought to us from Philadelphia by Michael Solomonov and partner Steven Cook. They’ve got a CooknSolo team of veterans running the shop - Chef Dean Hildebrand and General Manager Autumn Tully moved to Miami a few months ago and are now calling Wynwood home with the first ever Federal Donuts location outside of Philadelphia.

The menu keeps things simple with two categories of donuts: Fancy and Hot Fresh.

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It's National Fried Chicken Day!

It’s National Fried Chicken Day!  On this day, fried chicken lovers across the country celebrate this American favorite at a nearby restaurant, home or an outdoor picnic.

A little fried chicken history: Scottish immigrants brought their tradition of deep-frying chicken in fat to the southern United States.  After its introduction to the American South, fried chicken soon became a staple. Over time, seasonings and spices were added to enrich the flavor of the chicken. Fried chicken is a dish that consists of chicken pieces which have been floured or battered then pan-fried, deep-fried or pressure-fried. The breading adds a crisp coating to the exterior of the chicken. Traditionally the chicken is fried in lard.  However, corn oil, peanut oil, canola oil or vegetable oil are also frequently used.

Bet you’re craving some fried chicken now! In that case - here are 5 spots you can get your fill today:

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