Salumeria 104

Salumeria 104

Meat lovers beware: I am about to stray you into dangerous terrains; where you will be seduced by the lulling sound of tender meat being sliced to perfection and the enticing aroma of a high quality  Prosciutto; and you won't even have to make the long flight to Europe. Let me give you some background. Italy is known for its superior Salumi, or cured meats such as Prosciutto, Pancetta, Salame, and Capicola. A Salumeria is basically a cured meat shop, or Italian delicatessen. Its history dates back to Roman times when there was a need to cure meat in order to preserve it. Through time, it became a culinary delight; a sort of art enticing meat lovers with the originality and creativity of the spices used in the curing process of salting, smoking and air-drying the fresh meat. The result is a heavenly delight; boasting a distinct blend of flavors, as well as unique saltiness, and aromatics. While there are numerous Salumerias in Italy, they have also spread to other parts of the world, adding Italian favorites, sandwiches, and salads to their delicious menus, as well as artisanal cheeses and breads. Some may feature items directly imported from Italy, while others may choose to use local products instead.

Specials of the Day

Chef Angelo Masarin

In looking for my next adventure, and being a fanatic of everything Italian, I decided to visit a relatively new place I had the pleasure of being introduced to through a culinary demonstration: Salumeria 104, located at 3451 NE 1st Avenue, Suite 104, in Midtown Miami. Upon arriving, I immediately felt that I had been transported to an authentic trattoria in Italy. The charming decor is simple yet tasteful, providing a casual ambience with a cozy allure. I was welcomed by the waiter, Marco, who quickly gave me a nice table by the window. I absolutely loved being able to look to the area behind the marble bar, where all the meats are lovingly kept, and see the chef as he cut the salumi and prepared the dishes. The chef/owner of Salumeria 104 is Angelo Masarin, a brilliant chef  originally from the beautiful city of Treviso near Venice, whose  passion for cooking is as great when he is preparing his creations, as it is when he talks about his food. While the menu is not extensive, the selections are very traditional and classic, and there is also a chalkboard highlighting the specials of the day.

Piccola Selezione

I was looking forward to trying some of the cured meats at Salumeria 104, so I started off with their Piccola Selezione, a wooden board of cured meats, where you can choose one type of prosciutto and two salumis. Never having tried the Prosciutto San Daniele and knowing it isn't easy to find, I opted for that, and asked Marco if he would recommend the two salumis. He suggested the Cacciatorino and the Cotto al Tartufo. I trusted his expertise and wow, was the experience divine! The Prosciutto San Daniele was incredible; slightly sweet, with a silky texture and a delicate taste. As I savored each bite it was as if the thinly sliced delicacy was melting in my mouth. Chef Angelo pointed out that in order to retain the flavors of the meat,  it is important to use a slicer with a slow-spinning blade  that never heats up, such as a hand-cranked slicer versus an electric one, otherwise it can slightly "cook" the prosciutto, altering its taste and texture. Moving on to the Cacciatorino,  it was exceptional as well. Sporting a robust, spicy  flavor, it had a firm texture and intense aroma that definitely satisfied the palate. Chef Angelo prides himself in acquiring this artisanal delight from an exclusive curing facility in Connecticut, therefore it may only be found here. Finally, I tasted the Cotto al Tartufo and realized something I hadn't realized before: I was in pork heaven. This organic tender meat was exquisite! The subtle truffle taste lingered in my mouth and went well when I paired it with the basket of bread Marco brought to the table.

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Since the portion of salumi  was very generous, I didn't think I would be able to eat all of my next dish: the Tagliatelle Bolognese. A very classic dish created with housemade tagliatelle and a classic Bolognese sauce. Of course, for Chef Angelo, classic will always include a bit of his spectacular touch, so instead of the traditional all beef sauce, he uses 1/3 of each of the following: veal, beef and pork, to ultimately create a gastronomical pleasure full of flavor. The pasta was cooked al dente, and needless to say, although I initially didn't think I could finish it, I actually scraped all the sauce from the plate and didn't leave a single noodle behind.

Salame Al Cioccolato

Capuccino

Sitting back, meditating over this Italian feast, Marco offered me dessert. You'd think I'd say no, that I'd realize it was time to stop, but I couldn't. I wanted so badly to see what incredible sweet delight awaited me so I ordered a whimsical item on the menu. The Salame Al Cioccolato. It was a sort of chocolate log, cut to look like a slice of salami, consisting of a biscuit rolled with dark chocolate. Out of this galaxy! The strong flavor of the cold chocolate permeated through the crunchy biscuit leaving me breathless. Just when I thought I was done, along came a delicious, foamy cup of Capuccino and while I thought somebody should stop me, I pursed my lips on the cup, and let the foam take over. An incredible ending to an incredible meal. Bravo Chef Angelo! I cannot wait to return.

For more information, visit Salumeria 104's website at http://salumeria104.com/, or call them at 305 424-9588.

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Hungry Tarpon Restaurant - Islamorada, Florida Keys

As the song says, "Everybody knows a little place called Kokomo..." That's one of the tunes I like to play on the car radio as I head down south for some R&R in the Florida Keys. I felt I needed to downshift and get my "keys on" last weekend, so that's exactly what I did; I treated myself to a day trip to a place I love because of its great seafood, relaxed ambiance, and tropical flair. Not to mention quite a bit of excitement, with great watering holes such as the world famous Tiki Bar, in Holiday Isle.

Although I have my usual favorite eateries in the Keys, which I've posted about before, I decided to try something new on this trip. Driving down to Isla Morada, I let my hunger be my guide. While traveling south on US1, we spotted a slightly hidden place right off the bridge, quite easy to miss, which had a colorful open air market. Loving to shop almost as much as I love to eat, we parked and saw it was bustling with people, and "shacks" selling all kinds of goodies - sunglasses, jewelry, t-shirts... you name it. Further down, we noticed there was a building which appeared to house a restaurant right at the waterfront; sporting a dock heading out to the water.  I realized we were at Robbie's of Islamorada, a popular marina, famous for Tarpon Feeding. I had been here a few years back and had had a lot of fun feeding the approximately 50-100 tarpon that come here daily to feed. To the left, there was a nice sandy beach with lounge chairs and some shacks to rent a boat or perhaps a kayak, and head out to the nearby mangroves. The old Florida Keys restaurant was naturally named Hungry Tarpon Restaurant, located at 77522 Overseas Highway, roughly on Mile Marker 78, and it had a great outside seating area overlooking the water; inviting us to sit down and relax, as we enjoyed the nice breeze under the trees. This was definitely our stop!

Smoked Fish Dip

Soup and House Salad

The menu was very interesting, with a good variety of soups and salads, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos, burritos and "baskets" of fried fish. We all ordered something different and of course, I was the lucky one that got a taste of everyone's food. The things I must do! I decided to start off with the Smoked Fish Dip, which I love. It was a generous portion, with three scoops of fish dip, served on a bed of lettuce with onions and banana peppers. The fish dip was extremely tasty and carried a kick to it that lingered in the tongue. Very enjoyable! Next, I tried the Soup and House Salad Combo. From the selection of soups, we ordered the Real Lobster Bisque, and the House Salad consisted of lettuce, tomato, onions, peppers, cheese and a choice of dressing. The salad was not spectacular but fresh and crisp, and the Lobster Bisque was thick, savory and a bit spicy. I found the refreshing salad went nicely with the hot, tasty bisque.

Matecumbe Fish Sandwich

Chicken Breast Sandwich

Another amazing dish was the Matecumbe Fish Sandwich. It consisted of a choice of blackened, grilled or fried mahi-mahi with provolone cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato, and thousand island dressing on a grilled sourdough. As a side dish, it was served with fries.  Since mahi mahi is a very "meaty" fish, I chose to have it "blackened", giving  it a nice bold and smoky flavor, instead of the delicate taste usually associated with the fish. It was amazing; very fresh, nicely seasoned, and with a rich texture. The final dish I sampled was the Chicken Breast Sandwich, also served with french fries. Just as we ordered, it was perfectly grilled, and came with lettuce and tomatoes. Although simple, the chicken was marinated nicely; with a zesty punch.

The spectacular aspect of our lunch was that not only was the food delicious, but the ambiance was laid back and tropical, creating an authentic Keys experience. Everyone was relaxed, and time didn't seem to matter as we enjoyed the views, and the laughter of the children as they fed the tarpon and chased the pelicans. Once we finished our meal, we joined the rest of the tourists and locals out on the dock, and had some fun of our own; creating yet another wonderful memory in Isla Morada.  For more information on this little piece of paradise, visit their website at http://www.hungrytarpon.com/ or call them at 305-664-0535.

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Berries In The Grove

Enjoying the sunny South Florida weather, I thought I'd have lunch at a spot I could catch a breeze in, while savoring a nice meal. I decided to head over to an area of town that is laid-back and eclectic, and offers great restaurants, regattas, shopping, and festivals: Coconut Grove. "The Grove" as locals affectionately call it, is home to a variety of art galleries and has been the location for the Coconut Grove Arts Festival for almost 50 years. Situated between Biscayne Bay and US1, it offers rich history to this city with its freespirited, trendy ambiance dating back to the 1800s, and was officially annexed by the City of Miami in 1925. Many notable personalities, such as Madonna and Lebron James, have called The Grove home, and historical spots such as the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, and Barnacle Park bring thousands of visitors to the city each year.

With so many great choices available, it can be difficult to decide on a single spot to dine in. So after driving around for a bit, I chose Berries in the Grove, located at 2884 SW 27th Avenue. Berries in the Grove started out as a small place selling take-out wraps and smoothies many years ago, and grew into the popular and hip establishment we know today; after being acquired by its current owners in the year 2000.  It offers health conscious dishes and amazing favorites, with generous portions. While the inside is just average,  it has a fabulous outdoor seating area in the back with umbrellas, and a tree planted right in the middle. From here, you can see the wood-burning oven where the delicious pizzas are made and enjoy good conversation in a relaxed ambiance.

Lemonade

Fiochetti Di Pera

As I looked at the menu, I started off with a refreshing pink Lemonade.  I noticed an appetizer I had never tried before and decided to be adventurous (isn't that what I do?) So, I ordered the Fiochetti Di Pera, since it sounded so delectable. The dish was made from pasta purses filled with bits of pear, tossed in a Gorgonzola cream sauce, and finished with toasted walnuts. Totally made my head spin. The blend of sweet and salty flavors, and the creaminess of the Gorgonzola sauce were phenomenal. I looked forward to each bite of pasta, anticipating the hint of pear I would savor. My favorite dish by far.  I can't wait to have it again.

Mahi Wrap

In the mood for fish and wanting to have a healthy dish, I decided on the Mahi Wrap. It was filled with grilled mahi, mozzarella cheese, guacamole, salsa and mixed greens on a spinach wrap. It also came with a mixed greens side salad, dressed with their homemade balsamic vinaigrette. The wrap was excellent. The fish was fresh and tasty and combined very well with all the ingredients. The guacamole was well made and all the flavors were subtle and well balanced, none taking over the other. I also enjoyed the side salad, as the dressing was light and did not overpower the greens, allowing you to taste its crisp freshness.

Olivia

To sample their meat, I also tried the Olivia Wrap. It was a grilled chicken breast, thickly chopped, with vine ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, baby mixed greens and their homemade balsamic vinaigrette, also in a spinach wrap. This one came with a mixed greens salad on the side as well. It was just as amazing as the Mahi Wrap. The chicken was well seasoned and very tasty; while the salad imitated a Greek salad, but not quite. It had a generous amount of feta cheese, which predominated to the palate, and blended harmoniously with the chicken; while the combination of vegetables was perfect, creating a balanced fusion of flavors and complementing each other well.

I truly enjoyed my lunch at Berries in the Grove for its fabulous food and relaxing surroundings. The service was very good and when I finished my meal, I felt refreshed and ready to continue my day. I plan to return on a Saturday night to embark on a seafood adventure, as this is their Lobster Night; offering great deals. I can hardly wait! For other drink and food specials, visit them online at http://www.berriesinthegrove.com/ or call them at 305 448-2111.

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Islas Canarias Restaurant

Miami has always been known for its melting pot of cultures. It's no wonder then that in a city with streets named Celia Cruz Way and Jose Marti Blvd., there would be an intense, welcoming charm and political passion; or that in a section of town called "La Pequena Habana", or Little Havana,  you would find an older generation of men in Maximo Gomez Park, ( Domino Park as it is referred to by the locals), playing dominoes and chess, and smoking hand-rolled cigars. All this takes place while tourists walk down the "Paseo de las Estrellas" ( Walkway of the Stars), taking photographs of  engraved stars on the sidewalk, and paying tribute to celebrities such as Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino; with as much excitement and anticipation as you'd find in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Add to that a huge annual festival, Calle Ocho, that brings in millions of people to the city each year, and that in 1988 was the scene of a Guinness World Record, as 119,986 people joined in the world’s longest conga line, and you've got yourself an image of the strong, colorful and proud Cuban culture you could find in Miami.

While we can choose from an infinite number of restaurants in this part of the city, serving authentic Cuban cuisine, with a cafecito to complete your meal, my adventure takes place farther west, in another part of Miami known simply as West Dade. Venture here with me, and you will find a popular gem, always full of people either sitting inside the restaurant or standing outside the cafeteria, engaged in conversation and friendly banter, greeting you warmly as you walk by. This place is Islas Canarias Restaurant, located at 13697 SW 26th St (Coral Way).  Islas Canarias is a Cuban restaurant established in 1977, which has grown into an empire including two locations, cafe/bakery, catering services and most recently, a food truck known as CubanCube. I happen to love this place, and quite honestly, sometimes come here on the weekends for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is very convenient, since it even offers a drive-thru service, similar to fast food chains, where you can order delicious, traditional Cuban food after a long day at work, and just pick it up without ever leaving your car. Pretty awesome, right?

Croquetas

There are so many dishes I can recommend at Islas Canarias, that I'm just  going to talk about my latest dinner adventure there to get things started. If you're familiar with this place, and I ask you what is your absolute favorite food here, I'm sure nine times out of ten, I'd get the same response: their Croquetas. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but when I say addicting, please take me seriously. In the cafeteria alone, they take them out in batches of 25, and they don't last. People order them in large quantities because they are so extremely amazing. Possessing a flavor totally different from any other croquetas, these are big, creamy inside, and make you ooh and aah as you bite into their soft, tasty texture. I would literally fight someone for the last croqueta remaining on the tray. Great, now I can't stop thinking about them!

Tostones Rellenos

I'll move on to an appetizer I love: their Tostones Rellenos (stuffed green plantains). There  are a variety of fillings that you can order these delectable treats with: seafood, shrimp, chicken or ground beef. The order of three plantains comes with just one of these fillings, but I asked for a combination of shrimp and ground beef because they are my favorite. Aside from having the most incredible seasoning, the tostones sit on a pool of black bean sauce which gives it an additional flavor you want to scoop up with your spoon. So extraordinary!

Vaca Frita

As for entrees, their selection is huge, and reminiscent of the homemade cooking we find in Cuban homes. I had the Vaca Frita, which would loosely translate to Fried Cow, but is really Marinated Grilled Flank Steak.  It is a slice of heaven, cooked to perfection, crunchy yet tender and juicy, and topped with a mound of cooked onions. I like to add a spritz of lemon, to give it that tangy finish that makes you want to jump up and dance a cha cha cha. The dish comes with two sides, and you have a variety to choose from. I chose Arroz Moros (black beans and rice cooked together) and Platanos Maduros Fritos (fried sweet plantains).

Bistec Empanizado

Another entree I tried was their Bistec Empanizado (breaded steak). It is gastronomical! Big! Humongous! The steak actually extends out of the plate. And it is delicious. It is thin, well seasoned, and a pleasure to chew, not tough like can be the case in other restaurants. This dish comes with one side, so we had the Arroz Blanco (white rice), and ordered a side of Frijoles Negros (black beans), and  tostones (green plantains) Yes, we're fans!

Flan de Queso

Cafeteria

By the time we finished what we could (the rest we packed in a to go box), we decided we had to have traditional dessert to finish our Cuban extravaganza. We shared a slice of Flan de Queso (cheese flan). While it was good, it wasn't the best part of the meal. I would've liked it more moist and with a tad bit more caramel on it, but it was still an amazing dinner and I was happy. Of course, after we paid and walked out, I stopped outside their cafeteria, and ordered my usual Cortadito for the road. This is an espresso, "cut" with a small amount of warm milk to reduce the  strength of the coffee. (The ratio of milk and coffee is about 1:1) I love to have it sweet, light and with evaporated milk, as it gives it a creamier finish. Sure, I could've ordered it inside, but no one prepares it like Yenisleiny. She always knows exactly how dark and sweet I like it, and I look forward to my afternoon shot almost everyday. She is amazing!

Islas Canarias is a staple in the neighborhood, and this particular location is the one I love. I highly recommend that when you get a craving for some outstanding Cuban food, with a homemade, nostalgic taste, and you want to go out and explore another cultural part of town, you stop by; but remember, if there are only a couple of croquetas left, you just might want to rethink getting them, because I'm probably on my way. For more information, visit them online at http://islascanariasrestaurant.com/ or call them at 305-559-6666.

 

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Amazing Happy Hour Bites

The other day, after a long and arduous week, I felt like having a couple of cocktails with my friends to unwind. I went into a local restaurant and sat at the bar. I realized I was hungry and noticed they had a special Happy Hour menu with some pretty interesting stuff on it. That's when it hit me! Why don't I check out some local happy hour menus around town and share the ones I thought had delicious food, great drinks, and all at an attractive price? (Kashing Kashing) After two weeks of research, and a couple of cab rides later, I bring to you three places, in different areas of Miami, that offer some Amazing Happy Hour bites and cocktails that will make you do the happy dance.

Tropical Margarita

My first adventure took me to West Dade to the Bonefish Grill located at 14218 S.W. 8th Street. The Bonefish Grill is a national restaurant with two locations right here in Miami. I was pretty excited because they were introducing some new items to what they call their Happier Hours Menu, which runs everyday from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. It includes 5 dollar drink specials including Raspberry Vodka Collins and Classic Sidecar & Mango Twist, and 1/2 priced mixed drinks, which is what I opted for on this visit. I was in the mood for a Tropical Margarita or two - and they knew how to do them just right. They were sweet, refreshing and hit the spot.  Within minutes of sitting back, enjoying the ambiance, Andrew Bear, Managing Partner, came by our table to see if we needed anything. I really liked how he took the time to explain all the ingredients in the new items, and I could see his commitment to ensure we were having a good time. What's best is that he dedicated the same kind of attention to pretty much everyone in the restaurant. Nice! 

Bang Bang Tacos

Lollipop Roll

About halfway into my drink, the first dish came out. It was the Bang Bang Tacos and they were incredible! Two tortillas filled with Bang Bang shrimp, crisp lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream; served with house made chips. The shrimp were amazingly tasteful, tossed in a creamy sauce with a spicy kick to it that tickled my senses. Next I had the Lollipop Roll. I like how they created a unique twist to a sushi roll. It was made with Atlantic salmon, Albacore tuna, Ahi tuna and crab wrapped in cucumber, with a rice wine wasabi dipping sauce. Totally cool and refreshing.

Fresh Ceviche

Bang Bang Chicken

I was on a "roll" sort of speak so I went on to dish number three: Fresh Ceviche. This was a combination of pure mouth watering proportions.  Imagine chilled John Dory, scallops, jalapeno shrimp, avocado, red onion, red peppers, cucumber, citrus, and cilantro all mixed into a seafood delight and served with corn tortilla chips. That's what this was and I loved it. Also had quite a kick to it. Feeling pretty full, but going for the last dish, I ordered another Margarita, and the Bang Bang Chicken. I figured if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it with a "bang". The Bang Bang Chicken was a bowl of crispy chicken also prepared with the same spicy, creamy sauce as the shrimp. Just as tasty and addicting. Wow! Great menu and I saved the best for last: Each dish is only 5 dollars during happy hour. Unbelievable! Everything was so amazing, I am planning to return soon for dinner. You can visit their page at www.bonefishgrill.com or  call them at 305 487-6430.

My next adventure went across town to Brickell, at Fado Irish Pub, located at 900 South Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor, in the Mary Brickell Village. This area of Brickell has become a very trendy, and popular part of town to relax and meet with friends. There are a number of restaurants and lounges and it is usually busy with a nice crowd. The minute I walked into Fado, I noticed how interesting it was designed. Instead of being one large area, it is divided into sections, or rooms, each with its own unique feel and decor. There are numerous traditional Irish decorations throughout the pub and the ambiance is relaxed and casual. Whitney, the Marketing Manager, explained to me that Fado is the Irish expression meaning "long ago". It was commonly used as the preface of old Irish stories told by the Seanchaí or storyteller. I thought that was really cool. Another interesting fact I learned was that Fado was constructed in Dublin and then shipped to Miami for assembly at  the Mary Brickell location. Amazing!

Peachy Cian

Chicken Bacon Boxty

Now that we've done some trivia, I'll move on to the delicious food and drinks. I read through the happy hour menu, which takes place weekdays from 5 pm to 8pm, and decided the first drink I'd order was the Peachy Cian. It was made with Ketel One orange vodka, orange juice, peach simple syrup and a splash of Sprite with a cherry garnish. It was sweet and light and I really enjoyed it. Fado has a happy hour menu of food broken down into three prices: 3,4, and 5 dollar bites. I thought I'd choose a dish from each one and sample it. So, I started with the Chicken Bacon Boxty. As they'd say in Ireland, "Bhí sé fíor-bhlasta"! (It was truly tasty!)  This is their homemade potato pancake, topped with chicken, cheese and bacon, then drizzled with Guinness BBQ sauce. While everything I tried was delicious, this was my all-time favorite.

Southwestern Chicken Egg Rolls

Paddy Morgan

Next I had the Southwestern Chicken Egg Rolls. This dish was made with blackened chicken, roasted corn, cilantro and cheddar cheese, wrapped in an egg roll, and served with honey mustard sauce. It was slightly spicy and totally delectable. The fresh ingredients went very well together and created a fusion of flavors that had a nice bang to it. At this point, I ordered a second drink. I figured I'd try something different so I asked Colleen, my waitress, for a recommendation and she suggested I try the Paddy Morgan. Great choice! It was Captain Morgan, Stoli Vanilla, orange juice, triple sec and a splash of Grand Marnier, shaken and served martini style with a sugar rim. While not as sweet, it was stronger and a perfect complement to the happy hour mood around me.

Smithwick's Mini Burgers

I sat back and ordered my last bite for the evening: Smithwick's Mini Burgers, Smithwick’s ale-flavored beef burgers topped with Guinness mayo, pickles, onions and melted cheese. The meat was juicy and well seasoned, and the bread was toasted just right. The Guinness mayo was absolutely the best I have ever had! The entire happy hour experience was extremely pleasant and all at an unbelievable price. By the way, I noticed Fado is having their second annual St. Patrick's Day Festival on Saturday, March 17th with a series of activities starting as early as 8 am and including  an outdoor street event with Irish dancers, bag pipers, and a band. For more information, check out their website at http://www.fadoirishpub.com/miami/home, or contact them at 786 924-0972.

Wine Wall

Outdoor Seating Area

My final adventure in my quest for amazing happy hour bites took place at CRAVE Restaurant in Coral Gables, located at 4250 Salzedo Street, Suite 1425, at Merrick Park. This place truly offers "the king" of all happy hour bites, with an extensive menu of food ranging in price from 4 to 6 dollars, and a variety of dishes from kobe beef tacos to sushi. It is also a beautiful place, with an exquisite outdoor dining area where you can kick back and enjoy a nice breeze, as well as an ornately decorated interior, housing a "wine wall" and glass chandeliers created in a whimsical yet elaborate fashion. You can also find a spectacular sushi bar inside, cozy "chef tables" for some privacy, and a nice event room for social gatherings that seats about 50 people. I was astonished at the size of this place, and yet it emitted such a warm and inviting ambiance; along with the  attentive customer service of  Clifton, the Assistant General Manager, who was always visible throughout the restaurant, conversing with the patrons.

Malibu Peach

Indoor Seating Area

I looked through their happy hour specials for both food and drinks and they were phenomenal. Their happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 3pm-7pm and then again from Sunday-Wednesday from 10pm-Close. Not bad. You can actually eat a few bites, do some shopping, and come back after 10pm for a second round. After perusing through their variety of beer, wine, sake and cocktail specials for 5 dollars, I chose the Malibu Peach, a delicious tasting mix of Midori, Malibu, peach puree and soda. It was good; so good that I swished it down rather quickly and needless to say, ordered a second. At this point I have to say that their happy hour bites menu was so amazing, that we ordered about 9 different plates. I just couldn't stop. I was craving "CRAVE", what can I say? So, I chose my four favorite plates, which were very hard to pick because they were all so delicious, and will talk about those. You'll just have to come here to try the rest.

Philly Roll

Mini Burgers

First up is the sushi. It is so fresh and tasty that I would have liked to continue trying different rolls. My favorite was the Philly Roll. It was masterfully prepared with salmon, cream cheese and sesame seeds. We also added an order of Salmon Nigiri (two pieces to an order) which was actually priced the same as their regular menu. Loved it! Next we ordered the Mini Burgers, which came with smoked cheddar and caramelized onions with a side of fries. I just can't resist sliders on a menu and these were definitely worth it. The two patties that came in the order were thick, and the meat was savory. I thought I wouldn't be able to finish them but I couldn't put them down.

Ceviche Shooter

Fresh Margherita Pizza

My third favorite bite was the Ceviche Shooter with Wonton Chips. The pieces of shrimp and fish in the ceviche were very fresh, and it was tangy with a bite that truly stood out. I had a hard time sharing this one. It was right up there with the best ceviches I've had. Finally, the fourth dish I'll tell you about is the Mini Fresh Margherita Pizza. I bit into it, and had to close my eyes to relish the flavor explosion. It was made with Focaccia pizza dough, oven dried tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil. The taste that lingered most in my mouth was the combination of mozzarella and fresh basil, which was perfectly balanced.

 Miniature Desserts

Before I finish, I do have to admit I couldn't resist ordering a couple of their desserts - CRAVE Miniatures. They are not on the Happy Hour menu, but at $2.95 a pop, you can't go wrong. Carla, our waitress, very subtly laid the carrousel of delights in front of me, unaware (or maybe quite aware) that this was my weakness. So, despite being full to capacity, we ordered two to sample: The French Silk and the Tiramisu. I think I may have entered a Time Continuum while I ate these, because there are seconds in my life I don't recall anything other than the decadent taste of these desserts. I highly recommend that you leave some room for them when you come here, and if you don't, just hold your breath and swallow, like I did, because you'll regret it if you don't. As a matter of fact, I'm making reservations for dinner next week because there is so much more I want to try. For more information, visit CRAVE online at http://craveamerica.com or call them at 305 444-4595.

I hope you have a chance to visit these amazing happy hours and enjoy their food and drink. The service was impeccable in all three, and the adventure, one I will repeat very soon.

 

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