Serendipity 3

You know how sometimes you lay there and dream of giant chocolate sundaes in pastel-colored hues? What...that just happens to me? Well that's just the feeling I got when I stepped into Serendipity 3 located at 1102 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. The place has a cool retro meets chic meets Victorian feel to it that I've only experienced before in my dreams.  Think Tiffany-style chandeliers hanging over large Alice In Wonderland-like couches. That is why I found the name of this restaurant so appropriate. Serendipity means "the art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance or sagacity". That is what you'll find here: a pleasantly unexpected combination of great service, tasty food and whimsical desserts.

Originally from New York, Serendipity 3 started out in the 1950s as an over the top place for gigantic desserts that made you develop a decadent sugar rush.  Opening up in Lincoln Road about 4 months ago, Serendipity 3 has brought Miamians its charming ambiance and rich, delicious desserts - along with a full dining menu, brunch menu, happy hour and bar. You can pretty much sit back at any time of day and enjoy your socks off!

Heavenly Fast Lane

I went for dinner and absolutely loved the place from the moment I walked in.  Their cocktail menu is so creative and fun, I just knew I had to have one of their Serendipi-tinis. They had catchy names and even catchier ingredients: Cotton Candy, Cake and Heavenly Fast Lane. After an in-depth consultation with my super knowledgeable (and awesome I might add) waiter, Brian C, I decided to go for the Heavenly Fast Lane; a sweet concoction made with Vodka, a muddled mix of strawberries and kiwi, and finished off with cranberry and lime juices. My oh my, it was Heavenly indeed!

Tropical Tuna Tacos

Close-up of Tacos

Crab Artichoke Dip

A few sips later and on we went to the appetizers. We decided to start off with the Tropical Tuna Tacos and the Crab Artichoke Dip. The Tropical Tuna Tacos came with a deliciously prepared tuna tartar bathed in a tropical mango salsa, and were served in crunchy taco shells. The tuna was fresh and the mango salsa gave it a special kick that was totally awesome. To add another layer to the already outrageous flavor extravaganza, Brian suggested I dip the tacos in a bit of ponzu sauce. Be still my hungry heart, why didn't I think of that? Absolutely incredible! The Crab Artichoke Dip was another great choice. Creamy Maryland Jumbo Lump Blue Crab, seasoned and mixed with artichokes, was topped with melted cheese and served warm with crisp Ciabatta Toast Points. The blend was flavorful and succulent, and the portion quite generous. I couldn't help but overload the toast points with the luscious dip and slowly savor each bite.

Steak Frites

Crab Cakes

Wanting to have a little land and a little sea for entrees, we went for the "Don't Drop Your Skirt Steak Frites" and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Their version of the meat and potatoes combination was brilliant. The skirt steak was seasoned to perfection and masterfully grilled to retain its juiciness and texture; while the chimichurri sauce gave it an extra flavor. The sweet potato fries were amazing as well; crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Addictive, to say the least. It didn't take me long to figure out this place knows its crab, because the crab cakes were a winner too. Two plump jumbo lump crab cakes adorned the plate, served with a tasty mustard slaw and roasted tomatoes with pommery mustard. The crabcakes contained nice creamy chunks of crab, blended together to create a well balanced rendezvous of flavors. I completely loved the texture and it truly went well with the earthy mustard slaw.


As I sat here eating each dish, I saw the parade of desserts going to the other tables. It was a vision of sweet temptations to my eyes! Sundaes, Milkshakes and Cakes... I want them all! But then I realized, how am I going to fit anything else in? Well, you don't come to Serendipity 3 and not have dessert. That's like going to New York City and not visiting Times Square. So I did what any self-respecting food lover would do. I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my pants and said "Bring It On!!"

Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

Just then I saw it; a mirage of sorts only it was real. It was the dessert I'd heard about only in urban legends but had never actually experienced. I knew then my adventure was about to reach new heights. I ordered the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate! A mix of several exotic cocoas and a variety of chocolates, blended together and topped with a cloud of whipped cream is what this champion of desserts is made of. It is so incredibly delicious and refreshing that you must, I repeat, you must try it for yourself to understand. I just had to close my eyes and slurp away; forgetting momentarily that I was in a public place.

Once this wonderful experience was over, I sat back and looked through their happy hour and brunch menus. They sounded phenomenal also. Happy hour plates and cocktails at $5 and $4 beers? Gotta try that. And their brunch menu left me planning my next visit. That's when you know a restaurant is good...when you walk out the door dreaming about the next time you walk in.


For more information on Serendipity 3 or to make reservations, you can call them at 305 403-2210.

Read More

Mixologist Mix Off at the Ritz Carlton's Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge

There is nothing more relaxing than sipping a refreshing cocktail while feeling the ocean breeze lightly caressing your face. Wait, what about sipping four refreshing cocktails; all made with Grey Goose Vodka's newest flavor, Cherry Noir, as their "secret ingredient"? This newly launched flavor features the signature vodka we all know and love, blended with the rarest and freshest cherries found in the French Basque Country. That is exactly where my latest adventure took me when I attended the Mixologist Mix Off hosted at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne, at Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge this past Sunday. This fabulous-on-so-many-levels event was the official launch of Social Key Biscayne.



The Mixologist Mix Off consisted of a friendly, one-on-one competition between bartenders from the resort's four restaurants. The task was to create a signature cocktail containing Grey Goose's Cherry Noir, and the favorite among the crowd was the winner. After tasting all four cocktails, and more than once if necessary, we voted for our favorite by dropping a token at their table. Let me tell you a little about each of the contestants and their creations.

Yoshi's Sherry Raspberry Dreams

The first one I tried was Yoshi's majestic cocktail: Sherry Raspberry Dreams. Yoshi is the incredible mixologist from Cioppino and his signature drink blew me away. He created a tantalizing foam with the vodka and some jello that made the drink seem like not only a cocktail, but a delicious dessert! Mmmm...very refreshing and tasty. Not only was the drink amazing, but Yoshi entertained the crowds with his great personality and obvious joy of mixing.

Alex's Cherry Noir Sling

Next, I walked on over to Alex Rodriguez's table to try his special treat.  Alex, from RUMBAR, created the Cherry Noir Sling. Besides the vodka, it contained cherry liquor, grenadine and was topped with seltzer water and lime. Fruity and cooling on a hot Miami afternoon!

Frank's Island Paradise

Two down, two to go. I mozied on down to try Frank Smith's appealing concoction, Island Paradise,  which reminded me of a beautiful sunset as it swirled in the glass. It was divine! Frank, from Cantina Beach, added a splash of midori to his creation (among other ingredients) preparing the perfect summer drink.

Geno's Dual Cherry Breeze

Finally, I walked over to the last contestant's table (or swerved, I'm not really sure): renowned mixologist Geno Marron, from Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge. He was right at home in more ways than one, as he shook and mixed and explained to all how his mystical, magical fusion, the Dual Cherry Breeze, was as refreshing as the "gentle breeze that caressed our brows" on that gorgeous Sunday afternoon. It had Grand Marnier, cherries that had been marinated for over 2 weeks, cherry brandy and Prosecco. Very creative and very cool!

Once everyone had had the opportunity to try all the cocktails, and had voted for their favorite, the winner was announced. The prize was a $150 gift certificate, however, all contestants received a mixer for their amazing work. And the winner was....drumroll please....Frank Smith from Cantina Beach!! Congratulations and I say we all go celebrate with a round of Island Paradise.

Frank Smith, Winner of Mixologist Mix Off

Of course, I am the Foodaholic so my adventure would not be complete if it did not include some good, mind-blowing food. You didn't think I was just going to talk about the alcohol, did you? Right after the spectacular Mix Off, we grabbed a nice table in front of one of their flat screen T.V.s to enjoy the remainder of the Miami Heat basketball game (we won by the way) and had us some dinner. While deciding on what to order, they brought us their signature lavash crackers with a bowl of hummus and a bowl of chopped olives.

Half of a Mediterranean Burger and Kobe Beef Slider

Dune's menu includes appetizers, salads, and gourmet burgers. We decided to share two items: their Kobe Beef Sliders and their Mediterranean Burger. The Kobe Beef Sliders were two per order and were incredible. They came with Foie Gras, Baby Arugula, and Balsamic Roasted Onions and were served with a side of french fries. The meat was well seasoned, juicy and grilled to perfection. The Mediterranean Burger was just as appetizing and came with Prosciutto, Manchego Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions and Pesto Sauce. Also served with french fries, it was a generous size and absolutely delicious.


Needless to say, we had a great time at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne. If you're looking to spend a lazy afternoon in the sand, enjoying great-tasting food and a breathtaking view, check out Dune Oceanfront Burger Lounge. They have events planned all the time and you'll love it. One tip though, they do close at sunset, so you want to make sure you come early enough to enjoy yourself to the fullest. For more information, you can call them at 305-365-4500 or visit the hotel's site at http://www.ritzcarlton.com.

Read More

The Rainforest Cafe

A couple of my friends with kids have asked me for suggestions on good places to go that children will not only enjoy, but will have their very own adventure in. While there are many kid-friendly restaurants out there with plenty of items on their menus for the little foodies, there is one place that not only the mini mes flip over for, but makes the adults give off lots of "ooohs" and "aaahs" as well. This chain restaurant has locations in many parts of the United States, and we are lucky to have one nearby. Fun and wild all at the same time, this place is the Rainforest Cafe, located in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, 12801 West Sunrise Blvd.

The decor at the Rainforest Cafe is absolutely awesome! Imagine having a meal in the middle of a recreated tropical rain forest, complete with lush vegetation, waterfalls, exotic fish tanks, and animatronics. Elephants, gorillas, tigers, parrots and other indigenous wildlife take turns roaring and coming to life as you enjoy a nice tasting dish. Every few minutes, lightning flashes in the rainforest, and you can hear the signature thunder blasting around you. Pretty cool! Off to the side, you'll find a large mushroom housing a bar, with rain drizzling down all around it. The tables are playful, depicting colorful rainforest scenes and there is also a store to buy merchandise to remember your visit by. Right outside the restaurant, there is a play area for the smallest of foodies called Cha Chas Adventure Area. It houses a playground the little ones can have fun in while you wait for a table. There really isn't anything the designers of this place didn't think of in its creation.

Awesome Appetizer Adventure

Dining Room

Now, when a restaurant is this spectacular in its decor, it sometimes lacks a bit of quality in its food. That wasn't our experience. I was just as excited about the cuisine as I was with the visuals. Since we were hungry (are we ever not?) we started off with the Awesome Appetizer Adventure. Not only did everything in this dish sound mouth watering, but it was part of my namesake, so how could we go wrong? It consisted of: Chimi-Cha-Chas: light, crispy, wontons wrapped around roasted and deliciously seasoned chicken breast, sweet corn, onions, black beans, roasted red peppers and Mozarella cheese. Insanely delicious! Spinach and Artichoke Dip with tri-colored tortilla chips: Creamy spinach dip with tender tasty artichokes, smothered with parmesan and cream cheese, topped with pico de gallo, and served warm. Stop the world I want to get more! It was that good. Cheesesticks: breaded mozzarella sticks, fried golden and served with marinara sauce. While these were just regular mozzarella sticks, the cheese was perfectly melted and the marinara sauce was tasty. Chicken Tenders: Pretty straightforward again but crispy and flavorful. The honey mustard dipping sauce added a nice touch. The dish also came served with guacamole over a bed of shredded lettuce. A big hit with us!

Macadamia Crusted Tilapia

Fish Tacos

Off to the first entree! I had the Macadamia Crusted Tilapia and Coconut Shrimp. The dish consisted of a baked Tilapia filet prepared in the most delicious way. It was brushed with cream of coconut and then topped with a macamia nut crust that gave it a crunchy finish that was to die for. As if that wasn't enough, it was served with a sweet mango puree that added an extra flavor to the fish and a tangy teriyaki sauce. Awesome! The dish also came with skewered coconut shrimp; very fresh and grilled to perfection and your choice of side. I ordered the french fries which I gotta say were rather good. Next up, between roaring tigers and gigantic elephants, we ordered the Fish Tacos. These were made with white fish, cooked your choice of either blackened or tempura fried, and wrapped in corn tortillas with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, red cabbage and their homemade avocado cream sauce. It was also served with Caribbean rice and black beans on the side. The fish tacos were fresh but the fish was not very seasoned. While they were o.k, they lacked flavor.  The same went for the Caribbean rice and black beans. A bit on the bland side, it was not a dish I would repeat.

Rainforest Burger

The third entree we tried was the Rainforest Burger. It was awesome! The burger was HUGE and juicy, topped with a fried onion ring, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and cheddar cheese, and served on a toasted bun! Mmmmm! It was difficult to get my mouth around it at how big it was, but I managed.

Finally, came time for dessert. I know, I know, how could she even think of dessert after all that food? Well, I usually ask myself that same question after I'm done eating and have a hard time  breathing, but once I'm on that foodie adrenaline rush, it's no holds barred. Are you ready? We ordered the Volcano! Yes folks, the name appropriately fits the dessert. It was three giant chocolate brownies arranged in the shape of a volcano, filled with a mound of creamy vanilla ice-cream inside, and quite literally erupting with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and caramel. A serious sugar rush that made me want to jump in with the gorillas and pound my chest!  The fun part about it is that it comes with a lit sprinkler and they yell "Volcano!" as they bring it to your table; letting everyone around you know that you are indeed a glutton! Fabulous ending to a fabulous meal!

Volcano

We truly enjoyed our adventure in the spectacular setting of the Rainforest Cafe. It is a must visit for the entire family and you will not only enjoy the surroundings but the food as well. For more information, you can call them at 954-851-1015 or visit them online at www.rainforestcafe.com.

Read More

Blue Collar Restaurant

If I had to imagine where Barney Miller, Sanford and Son and Laverne & Shirley would go for lunch in between chasing bad guys and living out their signature antics, I'd imagine them coming here for some wholesome American comfort food. In the middle of the MiMo District, alongside the Biscayne Inn Motel, we find the setting of my next lunch adventure: Blue Collar Restaurant, located at 6730 Biscayne Boulevard.  A word of advice....don't let the neighborhood's reputation deter you; it's no longer about getting a quickie but about satisfying your taste buds.



Once we walked into Blue Collar, I could feel the passion Chef/Owner Daniel Serfer felt when he envisioned his restaurant. A cozy place, featuring blue painted counters with small tables and white art deco chairs, Blue Collar is more reminiscent of a neighbohood diner than anything else. A large chalkboard hangs straight ahead, displaying the Dailies and the Veggie options, while vintage lunch pails decorate the wall. Chef Serfer proudly creates his dishes inside the open kitchen, as he chats with his patrons and occasionally walks around and says hello. It's a very relaxed, casual ambiance that makes you feel like you're family.

Croquettes

I had one item in mind that I wanted to try as an appetizer and that was the Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Croquettes, which came served with Pomegranate Fig Jam on the side. They're not part of the lunch menu but Chef Serfer was kind enough to make them for us. The croquettes were tasty, with the mushrooms prevailing in flavor. They paired very well with the jam, which added the sweet kick I love. However, I didn't taste as much of the goat cheese as I would've liked.  I had envisioned a more creamy texture inside, with the signature boldness of goat cheese, which it didn't have. Regardless, they were pleasing.

Shrimp and Grits

Close-up

Next I ordered a menu item that caught my eye. It was the Shrimp and Grits. You can't get any more down home and blue collar than that. The grits were made with Trugole Cheese, Neuske Bacon and a New Orleans style spicy BBQ sauce that rocked my world. Add to this a good portion of seasoned shrimp, that were a tad bit sweet in nature, and I felt like jumping up and yelling "Schlemeel, schlemazel, hasenfeffer incorporated.."  (Can you tell what channel I tuned into on Tuesday nights in the 80s?)  Delicious! It turns out Serfer gets his shrimp from no more than 15 miles away from the Florida coast, allowing him to serve up the best of the best.

Veggie Plate

Noticing the menu offered a large selection of vegetable dishes, which is rather rare, we opted to also order their Veggie Plate. The Veggie Plate comes with your choice of four vegetable items, providing a healthy alternative selected from their Veg Chalkboard. We picked the Mango Chow, Curried Cauliflower Puree, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms and Roasted Artichoke Hearts. While they were all good, my favorites were the Cauliflower Puree and the Roasted Artichoke Hearts. The Cauliflower Puree was smooth and flavorful with bits of roasted cauliflowers. So incredible! The Roasted Artichoke Hearts came with lemon aioli which gave it a tantalizing taste I really enjoyed. The Mango Chow had a nice refreshing twist, combining citrus and jalapeno; and the sauteed wild mushrooms were well, sauteed wild mushrooms. Unlike my friend, I am not a vegetarian but I would definitely come back here and have a Veggie Plate again because it was that amazing.

Bread Pudding

Although we were full, I had heard their Butterscotch Heath Bar Bread Pudding was to die for so I wasn't about to walk away without giving it a try. When I sunk my spoon into the warm, moist delight, I momentarily closed my eyes and savored each bite. I think Chef Serfer actually caught me a couple of times. It comes with a dollop of Chili Spiked Whip Cream that will make you say "Bam" so watch out. A bit spicy but oh so good! It's their way of balancing the sweetness of the pudding made from Challah bread; and it works.

We walked out of Blue Collar with satisfied tummies and happy hearts at the friendly service and good food we experienced. Too full to order a thermos of Panther Coffee, I'll have to save some room for it next time. Because Chef Serfer...there will be a next time. For more information, you can call 305-756-0366 or visit their website at http://bluecollarmiami.com.

Read More