Around the World Culinary Festival at The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

On Saturday, April 20th, the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne took foodies on a gastronomical trip around the globe; with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross. Kicking off its first Around the World Culinary Festival, the Ritz featured four exotic destinations as guests strolled through food stations and sampled dishes and desserts prepared by their talented culinary team. Wine & spirits experts added some thirst quenching fun to the mix while musical entertainment kept the ambiance lively and festive. Initially taking place on the resort's oceanfront Grand Lawn, the liquid sunshine brought the festivities inside to the lobby where everyone continued partying and enjoying the food and libations. There were mouthwatering Tacos Arabes and Al Pastor, Potato Gnocchi, Pulled Pork Cuban Sandwiches with Mojo Aioli, and Grilled Salmon Sliders with Potato &  Octopus Salad. The sweet finale came in the form of a Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich with Banana Dulce de Leche Marmalade and a Florida Citrus Float, Blood Orange Sorbet. I'll just say by the end of the afternoon, and after sipping all that Prosecco, we were already looking forward to the second Around the World Culinary Festival! In the meantime, check out the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne's upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebration on their website at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/KeyBiscayne/Information/Calendar/Default.htm.  It will be the fiesta of the year!

Photo Gallery

Putting on the Ritz

Ready for our culinary travels

Say Cheese! or Burrata!

Pulled Pork Sliders coming up

Fried Yuca Side Dish

Juicy and delicious

Executive Chef Ezio Gamba from Cioppino

See her smile? That's how good the pasta was!

Gnocchi Fest

All the fixings for the salmon sliders

My favorite of the afternoon! Incredible Octopus Salad

Taco Fever!

Do I see dessert over here?

Preparing the Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich

The Grand Finale

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Mancini Modern Italian

Jack is Back! And he's back with a vengeance. Mentioning Restaurateur Jack Mancini on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is nothing short of bringing up a household name.  After a decade of success and loyal clientele at Mancini's, his previous iconic East Las Olas eatery which closed in 2011 when the lease expired, he has returned with a new take on his Italian flair.

With charming restaurateur Jack Mancini

Fast forward to the present. The west side of the downtown business district of Las Olas is now beaming with popularity and growth, and you can go out there on any given night and the streets are filled with a lively crowd enjoying the South Florida nightlife. Mancini saw this opportunity and opened his most recent venture: Mancini Modern Italian at 401 E. Las Olas Blvd, Suite 105. Just off the main street, Mancini's new upscale spot features his signature contemporary Italian cuisine with some bold new twists. The first thing I noticed when I walked up to the restaurant was the indoor/outdoor white, Cararra marble bar that separates the outdoor eating area from the sleek, modern dining room. Inside, sophistication reigns supreme, with custom stone work, wood-beamed ceilings, and chic lighting. The seating includes custom banquettes, two hi-top communal tables and a semi-private chef's booth sporting an interesting sign reading "Wine Me Dine Me".  My thoughts exactly.

Executive Chef Claudio Sandri is at the helm of Mancini's kitchen. A native of Torino, Italy, with a Midas touch with food, he and Mancini go way back, since Sandri also worked at his first restaurant. Sandri is a celebrity of sorts, possessing over 30 years of culinary experience in Italy, Central America and the U.S. and having worked with celebrity Chef Roberto Donna for over eight years at the acclaimed Galileo in Washington D.C. He even  appeared with him on an episode of the Food Network's Iron Chef. (In case you were wondering, the duo beat Chef Masaharu Morimoto on the episode.) 

Executive Chef Claudio Sandri and Sous Chef Edwin

Confession: We ate a
few before clicking.

Tuscan wood-burning oven

Upon sitting down, guests are welcomed with a basket of Ciabatta Italian bread and warm, crispy breadsticks, served with a homemade whipped butter infused with garlic. I must tell you that we couldn't keep our hands out of the breadsticks even long enough to take the picture. They are unbelievable.  Made in the restaurant's authentic wood-burning Tuscan brick oven, these babies are crisp, perfectly seasoned and absolutely addicting.  I have only one suggestion: Please package these and sell them. I could imagine myself biting into them one by one at home as I watch a marathon of The Godfather 1, 2, 3 and 4. Mancini, what's a girl gotta do for a lifetime supply of these salty temptations?

Sous Chef Edwin is smiling and so is the mozzarella

Table Side Hand Pulled Mozzarella

Oh that looks good!

You know how you have guacamole made tableside at Mexican restaurants? Well here at Mancini's you have Mozarella made tableside. We started with the "Table-Side" Hand Pulled Mozzarella, a fun, experience where we got an up-close-and-personal look at Edwin, the sous chef, as he explained each step in the process (He's got magic hands.) The end result was an incredibly creamy, delicious cheese bathed in our choice of light, medium or hello! olive oil, balsa
mic vinegar, salt and pepper. The flavor of the mozzarella was enhanced even further by the delicious homemade pesto and pomodoro fresco it was served with.

Tuna Crudo

Stuffed Squid Squid "Al Forno"

Throughout his trips to culinary hot spots like New York and San Francisco, Mancini noticed that crudo was an emerging favorite on menus. He decided to incorporate several choices into his, like Tuna, Salmon and Red Snapper crudos and Lobster and Beef Carpaccio. He has plans to add more very soon. Our next course was the Tuna Crudo, a light Italian version of the raw fish served with fennel, frisee, capers and an original ingredient: anchovy-garlic vinaigrette. The addition certainly infused another flavor profile to the dish that stood out. It was different and flavorful. Following this course, we indulged in the Stuffed Squid "Al Forno". One of our favorites of the night, it was 50 shades of delicious with its sopressata and  smoked tomato, served over cannelini beans, oregano and parsley.

Pappardelle Pasta

Pistachio-Crusted Rack of Lamb

Dessert Time

Next up, we had the homemade Pappardelle pasta with rabbit sugo in a demi-glaze reduction, topped with a delicate white truffle foam. From the minute the dish arrived, I was enthralled by the alluring aroma. The taste was just as impressive. As we sat back and took in the awesomeness of the meal so far, our waiter, Joe W., arrived with our next course: Pistachio- Crusted Rack of Lamb. As he did with each previous dish, he explained the preparation that went into it. I have to stop here and say that Joe was amazing the whole evening, paying close attention to detail. Service at Mancini Modern Italian is exemplary. But back to my Maria had a little lamb...this one was cooked to perfection. Tender and seasoned just right, it was served with parsnip puree, braised pistachio and drizzled with lamb jus. I loved the crunchy texture the pistachios added to the lamb. As dessert arrived on the table, I was excited to see what was in store. We had the Bomboloni Italian and the Strawberry & Orange Biscotti Panzanella. The Bombolini Italian was an assortment of golden brown beignets with sweet espresso panna cotta.  Molto delizioso finale italiano. The Strawberry & Orange Biscotti Panzanella was a medley of basil macerated strawberries and bread cubes with mint and balsamic drizzle. Although I'm not a fan of fruit for dessert, it was refreshing and light.

You'll be happy to know Mancini Modern Italian is open for both lunch and dinner. Once you try it the first time, you'll dream of returning right away. I know I did. For more information, you can visit them online at http://www.mancinilasolas.com.

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WD 555

If you're like me, when you go buy a bottle of wine, you can't wait to open it and take a sip. The thought of tasting it right there and then, is incredibly alluring. As a matter of fact, many times I fantasize about what dish  I'd pair my newly purchased bottle of wine with, or even wondered what would bring out its flavor the most. To be able to do this, is unbelievable and at WD 555, located at 555 Jefferson Avenue in Miami Beach, you can.

Formerly known as Wine Depot, a popular neighborhood wine store in South Beach, WD 555 is under new ownership. It has taken Wine Depot's original concept of enjoying wine purchases while delighting the senses with light bites - to new levels; offering over 300 exquisite wines at very affordable prices. The menu has been expanded to include signature flavors from the Mediterranean coast such as Mediterranean anchovies and seared octopus, along with favorites such as Foie Gras "Au Torchon" and cheese and charcuterie platters. Another new addition to satisfy the palate is a grilling station that will offer Ribeye and Skirt Steaks, Rack of Lamb and Tuna dishes accompanied by typical South of France, Greece and Italy sides.

The decor inside WD 555 continues to be sleek and ultra-modern with a horseshoe-shaped bar overlooking the bistro tables and aisles of wines. The outside patio features a large, beautiful space enclosed with a brick wall, lighted palm trees and lined on one side with their very own grapes. While it's not a vineyard, I thought that was extremely original. The furniture is chic, consisting of Italy's Pedrami Bergamo's white acrylic tables and whicker chairs. It is a very relaxing and welcoming ambiance set apart from the usual SoBe scene. You know what also makes it unique from every other place on the beach? It has its own parking lot.

Besides the updated wine list, I was impressed by the selection of Rose, Champagne and Grand Cru. I totally enjoyed the Rose and if you want to come sample some for yourself, the best time is during their new Pink Friday, a WD 555 twist on traditional Happy Hours. Every Friday evening from 5 pm to 10 pm (notice the long hours) you can come and indulge on $1 tapas and $5 glasses of Rose, while listening to the tunes of DJ Rico from Paris. Seriously, what better way to start the engines for a hot night? Kick off the weekend while picking up a bottle or two to continue the party at home. Oh yeah!

For more information on WD 555, you can visit their website at http://www.winedepotmiami.com.

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Veritage Miami - Fine Wine Tasting At Village of Merrick Park

Veritage Miami, formerly known as the United Way Wine and Food Festival, hit Miami by storm this past April 17-21. In it's 18th year, it brought together food, wine and spirit lovers from all across South Florida through a series of notable events. Aside from being fun and a great opportunity to spend some time with renowned chefs and sommeliers, Veritage Miami benefits the United Way of Miami-Dade, supporting programs for our very own residents.

This year's events included a Craft Beer Tasting at Wynwood Walls on Wednesday, April 17th, showcasing the best brews and food from around the world and a Fine Wine Tasting at Village of Merrick Park on Thursday, April 18th, where wine lovers (like myself) got to sample a variety of incredible wines and tasty treats from excellent restaurants. Friday, April 19th, marked their signature Interactive Dinner with famed Chef Daniel Boulud at the J.W. Marriott Marquis and everyone headed over to the Orion Center on Saturday, April 20th, for the Auction and Wine Dinner with Michelin-star chef Davide Brovelli of Italy.

Chefs Ingrid Hoffman and Norman Van Aken

I attended the Fine Wine Tasting on Thursday, and indulged on delicious Shrimp & Grits especially prepared by Chef Aaron Brooks from EDGE Steak & Bar at The Four Seasons. There was Ceviche from the Miami Culinary Institute, a spectacular Jambalaya that made me come back again and again, and signature oysters shucked by Chef Kareem Anguin from The Oceanaire on Brickell. Chefs Norman Van Aken, Ingrid Hoffman and Allen Susser signed copies of their books for fans and I even got some great hair tips from Ingrid Hoffman herself. (It was a hot day in Miami) The wine flowed, the ambiance was lively and the music was entertaining. But don't just take my word for it. Take a look at the pictures from the Fine Wine Tasting of Veritage Miami 2013.

This is where the fun started

This Jambalaya made me think I was back in NOLA

Interesting wine..would love my face on one of these bottles

Diet who?

Sweets sweets and more sweets

Where should we go next?

Aspiring chefs from the Miami Culinary Institute

Missed my picture moment

Hard at work on taste bud ticklers 

This Short Rib Cupcake had the crowd going wild

Yo quiero tacos...you get it

Toro Toro's treat was yummylicious. 

All smiles from Miccosukee Resort & Gaming

Sprinkle Designs

Your wish is my command

The place was packed

I'll take one of each please... Misha's Cupcakes

Guess who!

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