La Cabana Paisa Grill

I love to travel all over the world but in the absence of being able to hop on a plane anytime at whim, I usually satisfy my craving for the exotic through food. Looking through my Food and Wine magazine, I started reading an article about Colombia. Immediately I was sparked with the desire to have some of their cuisine. I gathered my crew and we drove up to La Cabana Paisa Grill, located at 12743 Southwest 42nd Street.

It was a Sunday night and the restaurant was not too full. While there was no live entertainment going on at the time, I noticed they had a small stage in the restaurant, so after inquiring, I was told they offer live music and karaoke on Fridays and Saturdays. We looked over the menu and decided to start with a couple of appetizers. We ordered empanadas de carne, morcilla, and chorizos. Of the three, my favorite was the meat empanada. The filling wasn't the usual type of ground beef found in most meat empanadas, but rather a creamy mixture that was extremely tasty. There was a sauce on the table to put on the empanadas if you wanted a spicy kick to them, made of what appeared to be cilantro, green onions, red or black pepper, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice.

The main attraction was my entree. I had to brace myself when the plate arrived. Normally known as the Bandeja Paisa, it is called by another one of its names here: Bandeja Motanera. The Bandeja Montanera is a typical fusion cuisine Colombian dish, especially popular in the Paisa Region.  The dish, served on a platter because of its large portions and variety of ingredients, consists of carne asada (or you can have it ground), white rice, fried egg, red beans, pork rinds, sweet plaintain, a slice of avocado and an arepa. No, this is not a typo. All this food is part of the traditional platter! Since I absolutely love this dish, I've had it in several Colombian restaurants, but I have to say this was probably the best Bandeja Paisa I have had in Miami. The meat was succulent and cooked just right, which is important to me since depending on the dish, I like my meat to be to prepared to different cooking terms. The beans were incredible and the plaintains were tender and not overly sweet. Even the avocado slice was perfectly ripe!

I also got to try another entree called Chuleta Calena, which is a breaded pork steak topped with slices of onions and tomatoes, accompanied by white rice, their delicious red beans, thinly sliced homemade potato chips, and a large toston (fried plantain). The seasoning of the steak was flavorful and it was not dry, but rather savory.

By the end of the meal, we could barely breathe! The portions here are astronomical and the food is delicious. The service, I have to say  was average at best, since we had to call our waitress several times and despite the restaurant not being full, she didn't dedicate too much time to us. However, the meal itself was well worth the experience, and I plan to return and have my Bandeja Montanera again soon. For more information, their telephone number is 305 480-7667.

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Food Truck Frenzy

Red Koi

The Food Truck Frenzy that has reached South Florida is out of this world! I thought why not go and sample the food in some of the many food trucks out there, bringing back some 411 for you. I checked around and saw that there was going to be a Food Truck Invasion occurring at Tamiami Park that very same weekend so I decided I'd join the frenzy and make it a Food Truck Friday.



Shrimp In The Blanket

In order to truly be adventurous, I tried out several food trucks. I started with an appetizer at Red Koi. I've been to their restaurant for sushi and curry and have enjoyed it but I wanted to see what their food truck was about. I decided to order their Shrimp In the Blanket which is shrimp stuffed with ground chicken, wrapped with rice paper, fried and served with plum sauce. Very tasty. I liked the combination of the chicken and the shrimp and the plum sauce gave it that sweet and salty flavor I enjoy. The portion came with 4 medium sized shrimp. I would've loved to have more because they can become addicting, but I needed to continue on to the next leg of my adventure.

Ms. Cheezious

Crabby Cheese Melt

My next stop was a favorite for me: Ms. Cheezious. I usually have their Goat Cheese and Prosciutto  sandwich which is a heart-stopping, mouth-watering sandwich made with goat cheese, prosciutto, tomato and arugula on marble rye bread. I have to close my eyes when I eat this one because I don't want to miss a single sensation of each bite I take. This time though, I wanted to venture out of the box so I ordered another one of their "Must Haves": The Crabby Cheese Melt. This creation is a combination of fresh made crab salad with sharp cheddar cheese on sourdough bread; then grilled to perfection until the cheese is melted into the salad. I found it to be very tasty and fresh. I accompanied it with a side of Sweet Potato Fries that were crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and delicious all over.  Although I am loyal to my Goat Cheese and Prosciutto sandwich and it continues to be my favorite, I can definitely see why the Crabby Cheese Melt is a must-have on their menu.

Malanga Cafe

Pan Con Lechon

I walked around some more and found some trucks I hadn't tried before. The first one was Malanga Cafe, a truck claiming it has "The World's Best Pan Con Lechon" Well, I don't know if it's the world's best, but it was pretty darn good. The meat was moist, very flavorful and a generous amount was served on a hefty piece of bread; mixed with onions and toppings like lettuce and tomatoes.

Latin House Grill

Muffin Top Box

We then came across Latin House Grill. By now, we were obviously pretty full but they had an interesting burger on their menu we just had to try. It's called the Muffin Top Box and it's a 1/4 lb mix of ground brisket, chuck, sirloin slider in a freshly baked brioche bun. The toppings included tomatoes, onions and a special sauce that appeared to be made with avocadoes .The burger also came with a side of nachos and cheese. This dish was the highlight of my evening! I had to go find out what kind of meat was in the burger because it tasted scrumptious! Just the right seasoning and cooked to the perfect temperature. I also saw there were other versions available such as the Cuban Muffin Top with dulce de guayaba mermalade and queso blanco and a French Muffin Top with brie cheese, topped with sliced almonds and honey. Just imagining that combination of flavors on their delicious burgers makes my palate jump with excitement!  Oh my, I think I just might become a stalker!

Guayaberas and Chocolate Cupcakes

Sugar Rush

As I made my final rounds, I came across the food truck for Sugar Rush. They offer an array of creative desserts ranging from delicious cupcakes, to sweet corn creme brulee with cane sugar and ancho chili lime popcorn, to thick, creamy shakes. Sound decadent? It is. I looked at their cupcake selection for the evening (since it varies) and found my favorite was there: Guayabera. Visualize a guava cake with guava filling, cream cheese frosting and a piece of guava on top. Yes, it's as good as it sounds. I figured these mini cupcakes are so cheap at a $1.25 each, I'd get four, so I also ordered their Chocolate Cupcake made with double chocolate cake,  chocolate butter creme and chocolate sprinkles. I know that sounds like an awful lot of chocolate, but when you bite into it, all you can think of is "Give me more". I took my little box of cupcakes, excited that  now I'd have tiny moments of happiness to take home. If you don't have a Food Truck event near you and are craving some of their sugar rush, they have a store on 9549 Sunset Drive called Sweetness Bakeshop where you can choose from a large variety of cupcakes and other delicious treats to your heart's desire.

I walked slowly back to my car, and quickly checked my phone to see when the next Food Truck Invasion near me would be taking place. I'm definitely looking forward to trying out some more gastronomical surprises. If you want to try different kinds of foods, at great prices, in a nice relaxed environment, join the frenzy and sample some of the unlimited yumminess the Food Truck revolution has brought to South Florida.

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Diego's Andalucia Tapas & Delicatessen (Under New Ownership as of Nov 2013 - Review No Longer Applies)

It's a Thursday night, I don't feel like cooking and I am in the mood for something different. I want a place where I could enjoy good company, has good food and will bring a welcome break to the winding down of my week. Driving down 8th Street, I see Diego's Andalucia Tapas & Delicatessen, located in the Granada Plaza Shopping Center at 4825 S.W. 8th Street. That's it! I want to "tapear".  

We are greeted by Roberto, a friendly waiter who whisks us off to a nice table in the center of the room.  It is 7:30 in the evening and about half of the restaurant is full. There is a man playing the guitar and singing some familiar tunes, and the ambiance is exactly what I was looking for. I notice several "salted hams" hanging from the ceiling and the walls are decorated with bottles of wine and traditional  items from Spain. Roberto hands us a couple of menus; a full menu with all their dishes and a "tapas" menu that includes their tapas (cold or hot small plates), paellas, verbenas (small wooden boards with different tapas to sample), and bocatas (sandwiches). We chose their tapas menu since I felt like embarking on a mini trip to Spain tonight - even if only through my senses.

Their tapas menu is very extensive, listing over 77 cold or hot tapas; all numbered on the menu for easy recall on your next visit. It took us a while to sift through it and decide what we wanted to try this visit, so I ordered a refreshing glass of Sangria to start off as I dipped my toasty bread in delicious olive oil mixed with chunks of garlic. Our first tapas were the Gambas al Ajillo, Morcilla de Burgos, and Chorizo al Brandy. It was a great combination and the three offered different, distinct tastes. The Gambas al Ajillo were three shrimp, sauteed with garlic, that sat atop a slice of bread which was bathed in olive oil and herbs. It was just enough to grab my interest while allowing me to continue sampling some more. Although I don't particularly love blood sausages, the Morcilla de Burgos appealed to me. The two rice blood sausage "patties" topped some more slices of bread and were accompanied by "patatas" or potatoes. The Chorizo al Brandy was delicious! Imagine chunks of sausages swimming in a brandy sauce. The portion was perfect and a definite treat to the palate!

The next tapas we ordered were the Croquetas de Bacalao, Serrano Ham, and my personal favorite: Huevos Diego. The Croquetas de Bacalao were cod fish croquettes that came two to an order. They were delicately seasoned, not too salty and just the right texture. The Serrano Ham tapa was actually  a few slices of very fresh serrano ham sprinkled with olive oil. I was definitely left wanting more. Now, on to the Huevos Diego. This tapa consisted of two Quail Eggs with fried cod fish, each on yet another piece of bread. Amazing burst of flavors!! I absolutely loved it and it became my fast favorite immediately.

Because "tapeando" just wouldn't be right without some drinks, and I had finished my sangria, I ordered some Spanish beer and my next round of tapas. They were Flamenquines, Pan Tumaca c/Jamon, and Tapa de Paella Diegos. The Flamenquines were comprised of Pork Loin stuffed with ham and eggs, and were also accompanied with potatoes. The pork loin was tender, not too dry and the stuffing gave a kick to the flavor. The Pan Tumaca, which I really enjoyed, were two pieces of bread with crushed tomatoes and serrano ham. The typical Spanish combination of crushed tomatoes on bread, together with a slice of fresh serrano ham, gave this simple tapa a bold and appetizing flavor. Finally, the Tapa de Paella Diego's was one of several different types of paellas available on the menu. This one in particular was made with sausage and meat. It was quite flavorful and moist. Something I really liked was that any of these tapas could be ordered as a full dish for $10.95 so if there's a favorite, it can be enjoyed to a larger scale.

Finally, to complete my tapas evening we ordered dessert. We had the Crema Catalana and the Flan. Of the two,  I enjoyed the Crema Catalana the most. Crema Catalana is sort of like the Spanish version of the French Creme Brulee.  It was rich, creamy and sweet but not overbearing; with a delicious caramelized topping. It was a perfect ending to a perfect meal.

I have a great tip! The tapas here are usually $2.49 each but on Mondays and Tuesdays between 5 pm and 8 pm, they are only a dollar each! It's a wonderful opportunity to get together with friends or family for some great conversation and some amazing food and drinks at a reasonable price. Who knows? We may just run into each other next time we both have a craving to "tapear".... To contact them call 305-456-8130 or visit them online at http://www.diegosandaluciatapas.com/. *****


**** Under new ownership as of November 2013. Review no longer applies. Quality of food, service and overall ambiance has declined substantially.

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50's Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios

To complete my dining adventures in Disney World, I want to share my experience at 50's Prime Time Cafe at Hollywood Studios. We stepped in and I immediately felt like I was a character in a 1950's sitcom. To start, the host called us by saying "Salas kids....time for dinner!" and took us to a table in a kitchenette-like area that was nostalgically decorated with a cool-looking black and white TV at one end. I, of course, was sending a quick text on my cell phone and the host gave me two options...either put it away to engage in family conversation or risk having it confiscated. I looked at him and thought I had just stepped into "Father Knows Best"; regressing back to my teenage years and getting some straightening out from my dad - all of course in a good-natured, funny way. I liked it! So, after putting the phone in my purse, I settled into my 50's table, and sat back to enjoy some old-time TV favorites, like "Dennis the Menace", while I waited for the waitress to stop by. Turns out she was our "Cousin Quinn", (I guess from a side of the family we didn't know we had) and she'd be bringing us our food, but we had to set the table ourselves (we couldn't very well expect her to do everything around here). She was really funny, going over some of the dining behavior she expected from us (no elbows on the table, etc.) and then she gave us the menu.

Blue Claw Crab Cake

Coke Float

I looked through the appetizers and saw what I wanted on the spot: Blue Claw Crab Cake. It was a lump crab cake, served on succotash with bacon, chili sauce, crispy onions and lima beans. Three words to describe it: Mmmm Mmmm Good!!! We ordered a second one because it truly tasted amazing. I looked around and saw another customer had ordered a float that looked so inviting I had to have it. So, I asked Cousin Quinn for a Coke float. (I'm not a fan of Root Beer). Delicious! Really thick with lots of ice-cream.

Grandma's Chicken Pot Pie

For an entree, she suggested we try a Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes which brought three of the signature staples here: Crispy Fried Chicken, Fork Tender Pot Roast, and Traditional Meatloaf with all the fixings. Being the rebel that I am, I decided I wanted to go a different route. I ordered Grandma's Chicken Pot Pie, which was a creamy cheese mixture of chicken, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, and peas topped with a flaky pastry. I'll tell you, while the Pot Pie wasn't bad, it wasn't too flavorful and the chicken wasn't seasoned enough for me. You gotta listen to your relatives!

Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken

Dad's Traditional Meat Loaf

Because the rest of my party was more obedient, I had the indescribable pleasure of trying two of the three famous recipes in Mom's Sampling dish. They ordered Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken, which was served with mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, and southern greens with bacon and Dad's Traditional Meatloaf, a blend of beef and pork topped with tomato glaze and served with mashed potatoes and green beans. I thought it might be too much food but Cousin Quinn said not to worry, she'd sit down in a couple of minutes and help us eat it. Hilarious!! Can somebody say, "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" These two dishes were spectacular!! The chicken had so many flavors, it made my mouth water. The skin was crispy, the meat was tender and I just couldn't put it down! The meatloaf was mind-shattering. It tasted like it was made at home with the kind of secrets passed down from generation to generation. I enjoyed it so much, I actually had to get the recipe and am going to attempt to make it at home. I'll have to let you know how that goes later!

50's Boston Cream Parfait

I told Cousin Quinn I thought I was done; nothing else was fitting in my jeans, but she reminded me there was always room for dessert and being that I don't need much coaxing, I budged (and so did my pants!) I ordered the 50's Boston Cream Parfait, and closed my eyes to enjoy it. It had layers of chocolate fudge, vanilla ice-cream, and pound cake, all topped with whipped cream. Sweet, creamy and addicting are three words I can use to describe this dessert.

Dining at 50's Prime Time Cafe is a fun, memorable experience that will be enjoyed by the whole family. The service is superb and all the staff works hard to make the 50s experience complete. I loved their food and the decor is true to Disney's standards. Since I didn't have a chance to try their pot roast, I can't wait to return. When you come, make reservations ahead of time since this is a place many people want to dine in and gets filled quickly. Oh and don't forget to wash your hands before dinner...Cousin Quinn might just check if you did.

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Boma at Animal Kindgom Lodge in Disney World

There is always something magical about a visit to Walt Disney World. It happens in the four theme parks, in the hotels and even in some of  the restaurants. Whether it's transporting us back in time, or to another land, Disney has a unique way of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. The same happens when you embark on a unique dining adventure at Boma, located in the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 The minute you step inside, the decor is reminicent of an African lodge, featuring high polished carved wood on the walls and rustic furniture. Boma offers a buffet that includes an array of dishes from over 50 different African countries! Each exotic dish has a unique combination of flavors that allow you to savor the culinary traditions of the different regions; making them come alive. Since they change their menu daily, it is quite possible to come here several times and be able to try out different dishes each visit.

Carving Station

Salads and Bread

As in most buffets, there are several different stations or "pods" with about four or five choices per pod; each with chefs nearby to answer any questions you may have. Since tonight was a cold night, I'll begin with the soups. There are at least five soups and stews available every evening! Although there were so many choices to pick from, such as the Butternut Squash and the Curried Coconut Seafood Stew, I decided to go for the Chicken Corn Porridge. The main reason I chose this one was that since I wasn't in the mood for spicy food, I asked one of the chefs which one he recommended, and he suggested it. However, he also explained that the others were only mildly spiced so I really could've chosen any. It was delicious! It turned out to be a thicker soup, similar to a chowder, filled with chunks of chicken, corn, onion, red pepper, and potato in a creamy broth.

Braised Pork Shoulder

The carving station included two different kinds of meat. This particular evening they were Rotisserie Beef, and Braised Pork Shoulder. I didn't find the Rotisserie Beef extremely flavorful but the Braised Pork Shoulder was divine and quickly became my favorite. It was very tender and juicy with just the right amount of seasoning. Although it needed nothing else, there were four dipping sauces available in case you wanted to give any of the meat an additional punch.  These were the Boma Mustard,
Tamarind Barbeque, Masi Mara  and Sambal Sauce.

Durban Spiced Chicken

For those who prefer fish or chicken, Boma offers a roasted salmon dish and a Durban Spiced Chicken which I adored. I had the pleasure of speaking with Vee, a hostess at Boma, who happens to be from Durban. She explained how this delicious dish is made,  and how each time she has it here, it always reminds her of home. There are 12 spices used in this recipe, and the chicken is slow roasted to achieve the right amount of tenderness without losing any of the flavors.

Bobotie

The same goes for a special dish called Bobotie. This dish is similar to a "shepherd's pie". It is made with ground beef, lamb, curry and cumin. It is then set in a semi-sweet egg custard. The final result? A flavor explosion!! I had to go back for seconds!

Fufu

Other delicious side dishes that I truly enjoyed sampling were the Fufu, a sweet and white potatoes dish mashed with coriander and cinnamon, Cous cous with dried fruit, rice, and several African breads, including my favorite, Mealie Bread. There were also several different hummus to choose from. These were White Bean, Black Olive and Sun Dried Tomato hummus. An entire pod was dedicated to salads, which included a watermelon rind salad and an avocado, grapefruit and papaya salad that had many people coming back for more.

Sampling of Desserts

Zebra Domes

Finally, I reached my grand finale for the evening: the dessert pod. Boma has a wide variety of bite size desserts to choose from which happens to be perfect, because you can sample several (or all of them) and still walk (not roll) out of the restaurant. My three favorites (yes, I said three) were the Peanut Butter Mousse, the Caramel Cheesecake and the world famous Zebra Domes.  The Zebra Domes are a coffee/ Kahlua flavored mousse on top of a tiny dome shaped sponge cake, all covered with a thin white chocolate/gelatin, and striped with chocolate to resemble a zebra. If I could have, I would have walked away with an entire tray or at the very least, hidden a couple dozen in my purse to munch on later. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a purse.

My dinner at Boma was a tribute to the senses and an introduction of how wonderful a traditional African dinner is. If you come to Disney, I highly recommend a stop at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and an awe inspiring dinner at Boma.

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Crossroads at House of Blues at West Side Downtown Disney

When I first sat down at the House of Blues and began to read over the menu, I started to panic. Where were the Crispy Catfish Nuggets served with sweet potato fries and spicy tartar sauce I loved so much? What about the crab and artichoke dip? Wait a minute...something looked totally different! I called the waitress over in a frenzy and as she eased my nerves she calmly replied, "This is the new menu put together by Chef Sanchez". I realized immediately who she was referring to: Celebrity Chef Aaron Sanchez, cohost of Chopped, Heat Seekers and other shows from the Food Network.

I decided to give this a chance. While I enjoyed several dishes from the House of Blues (now renamed Crossroads at House of Blues), I understood we should always have an open mind to change and welcome new opportunities (although I really wanted a mouthful of catfish at that point). I perused the menu and found it to be rather interesting. It was bold and classic yet contemporary; incorporating flavors from around the world. There were still many of the staple items such as the jambalaya, burgers, cornbread and pulled pork sandwich but I noticed there appeared to be some changes in the preparation of these as well.

Crispy Prosciutto Grilled Flatbread

New signature dishes such as the shrimp and grits, short rib meatball sliders, hand stretched grilled flatbreads, and street tacos caught my eye and made my ability to choose a bit more difficult. I finally decided to start off with the Crispy Prosciutto Hand Stretched Grilled Flatbread.  It was made with roasted garlic puree, blue cheese mozzarella, oven dried tomatoes, pine nuts and crispy fried prosciutto. It sounded out of this world and I was really hungry! Believe me when I tell you it was a very generous appetizer. I thought it would be a small flatbread but it really could've been an entree in itself. It was scrumptious, the ingredients were fresh and it was gone within a couple of minutes.

Lobster Mac & Cheese

Next I ordered the Lobster Mac & Cheese. This was by far the most amazing dish I had. Imagine maine lobster meat in a creamy cheese sauce and topped with crunchy panco breadcrumbs.  Divine! The macaroni was tender, the cheese very creamy and there was a generous portion of lobster meat.

Jambalaya

I also tried the Jambalaya.  Always finding it delicious, I was glad to see it remained on the menu. Full of flavor, you could taste  the marinated chicken, spicy andouille sausage, sweet peppers and roasted green onion in the traditional jambalaya sauce. However, I did notice the absence of shrimp. While it was still extremely tasty, and I especially love how the rice is completely immersed in the seasoning, making it achieve the color it does, I do enjoy shrimp in my jambalaya.

Since I find comfort in familiarity, I couldn't help but order a side of their famous Sweet Potato Fries. As always, they didn't disappoint. They were crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, without  being too sweet.

Sweet Potato Fries

To my disappointment, I realized I was just too full for dessert. I guess I never expected the flatbread to be quite that size and the rest of the dishes came in generous portions as well. I did see one particular dessert that I plan to try when I return. It was the Molten Chocolate Cake. It looked tantalizing but unfortunately, I couldn't indulge this time. No worries... I grabbed a schedule of upcoming concerts since not only is there amazing food here to satisfy your cravings, but also music for your soul. I had a wonderful dining experience at Crossroads at House of Blues and I will come back again to try some more of  Chef Sanchez's creations; this time leaving some room for dessert.

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Johnny V Restaurant and Lounge

I always love to visit Las Olas and take in the ambiance of the picturesque strip of stores and restaurants that line the street.  I was especially excited this evening to be having dinner at Johnny V Restaurant and Lounge, located at 625 E. Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, and co-owned by award winning Chef Johnny Vinczencz. When we first arrived, I noticed the restaurant had a nice seating area outside, where most of the people were sitting. After debating whether to join them "al fresco" or go inside where it was warm, we decided to bypass the people watching and enjoy the cozy surroundings inside.

Lobster, Lobster, Lobster

The waitress came over to our table right away and brought the menu. It had several items we wanted to try and it took us a while to make up our mind. Finally, we decided to go for the  Lobster, Lobster, Lobster as one of our appetizers.  It sounded rather interesting since I love lobster and would be enjoying it three different ways: in a Sherried Lobster Bisque, Baby Chilled Lobster “Roll”, and a  Lobster Crab Cake. Of the three preparations, I was particularly fascinated by the Lobster Bisque. It was very flavorful, with an appropriate amount of lobster meat, and without having a strong sherry taste or being too heavy. The "roll" was actually more similar to a lobster salad, but tasty nonetheless; and the lobster crab cake was a mouth-watering treat that came alive in a combination of flavors, especially when joined with the sauces that accompanied it.

Breast of Duck Meatballs

For a bit of variety, the next appetizer we ordered was Breast of Duck Meatballs.   The three "meatballs" were sitting on a Portobello Mash with Pesto, Pine Nuts, and a Demi Glace.  All of a sudden, I regressed to my early childhood and  decided I didn't want to share my meatballs! They were that succulent! After those tender moments of bliss, we ordered our entrees.

They were the Sage Grilled Mahi Mahi  and the Venison Three Ways: Venison Chop, Sliced Venison Tenderloin and Venison Blueberry Sausage.  

Sage Grilled Mahi Mahi

The Mahi Mahi was served on top of a Rock Shrimp Plantain Stuffing, which was bathed in Lobster Pan Gravy. To bring an exotic flavor to the dish, there was a hint of Cranberry-Mango Chutney, and all was paired with Baby Green Beans and Carrots. Absolutely divine! The taste of sage was very prominent in the fish and when this flavor mixed with the sweetness of the Cranberry-Mango Chutney, there was a serious explosion in my mouth. Definitely took my time savoring each bite!

Venison Three Ways

The Venison was no exception.  The meat was tender and bold and the distinct fashion in which each of the three portions of venison was prepared, gave a totally different rendition of this tasty meat. Being that I like mixing sweet and salty, I especially enjoyed the Venison Blueberry Sausage. The dish came with a trio of baby Baked Potatoes with Three Cheeses, Grilled Leeks and Black Berry Demi Glace.

Chocolate Sampler

Finally, came the time I always await with a childlike anticipation: Dessert! Succumbing to my weakness for chocolate, I caught a glimpse of two words on the menu that held my gaze and made me look no further: Chocolate Sampler. I had the pleasure of sampling a Cheesecake Bar, Brownie with Nutella Ice-Cream, Peanut-Butter Cup & Chocolate Pudding with Biscotti. Remember my regression into childhood earlier in the dinner and my refusal to share? For some reason, it resurfaced now! This is definitely a tantalizing dessert I highly recommend and would have over and over without hesitation. Needless to say, I really enjoyed my evening at Johnny V and find his take on mixing Latin flavors with bold Caribbean influences a very refreshing twist on American cuisine.  For reservations, call 954-761-7920   http://www.johnnyvlasolas.com/.

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