Grab the Mumu - It's Thanksgiving at Red, The Steakhouse

Most of us look forward to Thanksgiving because it's that one day of the year where you can eat dish after dish, clean your plate and repeat, and nobody will look at you in disgust. As a matter of fact, they'll be doing it along with you. After being the hostess of my family's Thanksgiving for more than 20 years, and enjoying their gluttonous smiles around the table, I thought I had most of the recipes down to perfection. I did anyway, until I was invited for an early Thanksgiving feast at Red, The Steakhouse, located at 119 Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.

Secret Thanksgiving Recipes

Being that I have been wearing the apron the fourth Thursday of November for so many years, the thought of spending a holiday such as this at a restaurant brought images of divorced father Scott Calvin, played by Tim Allen in The Santa Clause, taking his son to Dennys for Christmas Eve dinner. However, after spending a couple of hours at Red, The Steakhouse with friends, and getting the opportunity to savor Chef Peter Vauthy's turkey and fixings, I think I am going to officially retire my apron and come here this year instead.

Hey there big fellow
Chef Peter Vauthy with the star of the show
Organic Turkey Breast with Housemade Gravy

The feast began with a cocktail (don't they all?) which kicked off the occasion to a happy start. As we munched on the warm Parker House Rolls that tasted like decadent croissants, the parade of dishes began to arrive. One signature plate after the other of Thanksgiving goodness were laid before us on the table and all conversation ceased temporarily. The sign of a good meal is when chatter is replaced by chewing, and that is exactly what happened here. In anticipation of the most calorie-ridden holiday of the year, check out some of what you will be indulging in, if you let Chef Peter Vauthy prepare your Thanksgiving dinner:

Loved the pecans. berries and dressing on this sweet and refreshing Fall salad

Juicy dry aged Certified Angus Beef Prime Tomahawk Ribeye
had us salivating at first glance

Apple Sausage Stuffing
I  can never get enough stuffing at Thanksgiving and this
one took things to a whole new level. Want to try it at home?
Check out my Recipes section for Chef Vauthy's very own recipe.

Cranberry Sauce
Can't set a Thanksgiving table without it

Mac and Cheese
With dishes like these, are you still seriously considering
slaving away in the kitchen?

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Be sure to grab a big spoon for this one because it's addicting

Sweet Potato Fondue with Honey Marshmallow
Creamy and finger-licking good, this was one
of my favorites of the night

Pumpkin Tiramisu
I can never resist anything with pumpkin in it.
'Nuff said

This sampler of desserts included Chocolate Pecan Pie
Apple Pie

Get ready for an exploding finale!
Specially prepared ice-cream with favorite flavors such as
Fruit Loops and Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter

Don't miss out! Call 305-534-3688 for reservations, and don't forget to check out my Recipes section to learn how to make the kind of Apple Sausage Stuffing that will have everyone talking about you until next year's feast. Happy Thanksgiving!

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15th & Vine Kitchen & Bar at the Viceroy Miami Hotel

Photo Credit: 15th and Vine

Sometimes you just want to feel like you're on top of the world. What better way to accomplish this than to find a place up in the sky where you could look down at it all? I had one of those days recently and I decided to visit 15th and Vine Kitchen and Bar, located on the 15th floor of the Viceroy Miami Hotel, at 485 Brickell Avenue.

The date night started off just right...

The decor at 15th and Vine is elegant yet comfortable, with an open ambiance that exudes a Miami vibe. You can either sit inside at one of their communal tables or catch the breeze outside overlooking the largest infinity pool in South Florida. The menu offers fresh and interesting small plates, all with a unique twist, that are meant to be shared. It's young and innovative Chef Frank Rog, brings flavor and excitement to the menu offerings, with visible passion and risk, that ultimately create an unforgettable dining experience.

With Chef Frank Rog

On our visit, we tasted a plethora of original dishes from Chef Rog's Autumn menu and we were very impressed with both their flavor and their presentation. In addition to their regular menu, 15th and Vine currently offers a seasonal prix fixe menu, very similar to Miami Spice, which also includes a glass of house wine. The menu is priced at $39 with the option of adding additional plates for just $5 a plate. It's a must go for that intimate night out with the guy/girl you met on Match, or with the group of friends giving you advice on him. Check out some of the incredible plates we sampled that night.

Braised Bacon & Candied Pumpkin Flatbread

Autumn Salad
Prepared with Baby Beets, Roasted Pumpkin, Autumn Brown Butter
and Pistachio Puree

Key West Tacos
Gulf Pink Shrimp, Key Lime Relish and Avocado

Moroccan Lamb & Pork Albondigas
Served over Dahl Lentils

PB&CJ especially prepared with Foie Gras
Pine Nut Butter, Cabernet Jelly and Connamon Brioche

Roasted Ribeye
Served over Ropa Vieja and Red Wine Jus

Prosciutto Wrapped Snapper
Served with Braised Savoy Cabbage and Citrus Soy Reduction

Sampling of Boozy Desserts
Their desserts are named after popular cocktails such as
Mojito, Cuba Libre and Manhattan

 For more information on 15th and Vine, or to make reservations visit their website.

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Downtown Bistro

One of the things that always worries me when I'm going to go eat somewhere in the Downtown area is parking.  You know how rough that can get - circling around aimlessly  - whether you're on a quick lunch fix or an evening date.  So when I find a spot that has accessible parking nearby, and most importantly, at an affordable price, it automatically gets a star in my book. Let me tell you about Downtown Bistro, located at 114 S.E. 1st Street. Downtown Bistro is a relatively new place serving a modern twist on French fusion cuisine. Think of it as a"joyau caché" or  "hidden gem" with a cozy decor that has the potential to become the newest neighborhood hot spot. They offer lunch, dinner, Saturday brunch, take-out and catering, so there's pretty much a menu for just about any craving (and I say that with my very sexy, albeit probably not accurate, French accent).

We went to Downtown Bistro for a media dine with a bunch of other local foodies and got the opportunity to check out their dinner menu, sampling a hefty number of their dishes. I have to say I was quite impressed. We started off with some hors d'oeuvres and one of their Sake Cocktails. While they don't offer a full bar yet, they do have a nice selection of wine and beer, and kudos to their bartender for doing wonders with that.



Once we sat down and the debauchery began, I felt like I was Belle in Beauty and the Beast. They weren't spoon, forks, or suave candlesticks, but these waiters placed dish after dish of delicious French fare in front of us and I am sure I could hear them singing "Be Our Guest" in my mind. (They probably weren't but I've always wanted to be in that musical.) Tie your napkin 'round your neck cherie and take a look at what you can savor at Downtown Bistro:

Carpaccio de Poulpe
Octopus carpaccio with sauteed cherry tomatoes & passion fruit vinaigrette

Crudo de Thon
Yellowfin tuna crudo on a bed of garden radish and cucumbers

Escargots a la creme
Snails in a heavenly cream sauce

Le Steak Tartare au Couteau
Raw filet mignon cut by hand, capers, onions, anchovies, dijon mustard and a quail egg. One of my faves by far.

Petit Veloute de Potiron
Butternut squash shooter

Medallion de Chevre frit sur Potiron et roquette avec senteurs de truffes
Fried goat cheese medallion on pumpkin puree, arugula and truffle oil

Caprese de pasteque tiede avec mozzarella de buffalo, huile de truffe, miette de prosciutto croquant
Watermelon and buffalo mozarella caprese, truffle oil, and crispy prosciutto crumbs

Les Moules au Bleu
Steamed musssels in red wine, blue cheese and spinach

Ravioli de Short Rib, Sauce, Quatre Fromage, gambas pochees, asperges
Short rib ravioli with a cheese sauce, poached shrimp and asparagus

Carre d'agneau avec Risotto maison
Lamb rack with portobello risotto infused with truffle oil

Variation de Desserts
Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry Tartelette, Creme Brulee and Fried Oreo

Hungry yet? Let me finish by saying... pardon my french. But now you know how to ask for these dishes in two languages. For more information on Downtown Bistro, visit their website at http://www.downtownbistromiami.com/home.html.

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Petit Bistro in Miami Beach

When someone mentions Purdy Avenue, I think of Purdy Lounge and a few very interesting memories pop into my head from my newly single again days a while back. But I'm sure you don't want to read about that (or maybe you do). However, there's another spot on that very same street that has caught my eye, or my appetite, and that is Petit Bistro, located at 1929 Purdy Avenue in Miami Beach.

Petit Bistro is the latest venture of restaurateurs Luca Guelfi and Simona Miele, the dynamic duo behind several very successful restaurants in Italy and Spain. They designed Petit Bistro with the charm and warmth of the French Provence, and its décor immediately took me back to my visit there - from the pickled wood, to the antique accessories - walking into the cozy place is transcendental.  Aside from the interior space lit by an endless number of candles, there is an outdoor terrace, just as charming, that draws your attention with its simple elegance.

Salmon Tartare

Peach Bellini

Tuna

Basking in the ambiance, we perused the menu and decided to start with a round of refreshing Peach Bellinis and a Salmon Tartare. Like the ambiance, the salmon tartare was flawless, prepared with avocadoes, spring onions and sweet vinaigrette. After some sweet conversation in such a magical place, we ordered our entrees. We chose the Veal Chop, which was the Special of the Day and the Tuna. Made with pistachio nuts and sunchoke puree, the texture of the tuna was impeccable. What the dish lacked in presentation, it more than made up for in taste. It was fresh, flavorful and absolutely alluring. The hit of the night, however, was the Veal Chop. I don't think we had tasted one like it before.  It was lean and tender, practically dissolving in a nirvana of deliciousness with each bite. The veal was served topped with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes and potato wedges.

Veal Chop

Tiramisu

Nutella Cheesecake

After such an enthralling meal, we were excited about dessert. We chose the Tiramisu and the Nutella Cheesecake, both equally calling out to us. It was a sweet finale to a very memorable evening. As a matter of fact, I loved my experience so much, I just returned to Petit Bistro this weekend for another exciting adventure in what is sure to become Miami Beach's virtual trip to the French Provence. Now I have a whole other place to make memories at on Purdy Avenue.

Of course.. a café to end the evening

For more information on Petit Bistro or to make reservations, you can visit their website at http://www.petitbistrogroup.com/miami/ or call them at 305 534-9887.

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