Downtown Miami Spris Offers Fast-Casual Service With a Side of Paninis

Just last month, the Downtown area welcomed a new tasty resident to the Southeast Financial Center. Say hello to the second Spris, the popular Italian pizza place which first opened on Lincoln Road. Droves of tourists and locals alike have been flocking to the Spris on the beach for a while now to get a taste of the real deal. It's become a signature spot on Lincoln Road. The new Spris, located at 200 S. Biscayne Boulevard, serves its usual menu of perfect Italian pizzas, gourmet salads and Panini sandwiches, but in a fast-paced, order-at-the-counter style to accommodate the hurried Downtown clientele. Not only can you eat your heart out here, but you can also lift your spirits with well..spirits.  There is a nice selection of craft beer and wine.

I headed over to the new Downtown Spris to pig out a bit (OK...a lot) and savor some of that homemade Italian flair I love. For those who have a hard time making up their mind, beware. Spris offers a selection of over twenty varieties of gourmet, thin-crusted pizza, with over a dozen vegetarian options on whole wheat and gluten-free pizza dough. The good news is, if you come here a twice a week, you'll have had a chance to try them all in just two and a half months. Then you can start all over again indulging in their fresh entree salads and lip-smacking good panini sandwiches. 

Why continue talking about it? Just check out the images below and run down to Downtown Miami to get in some people-watching (I love how they run in sneakers wearing skirts) and make some weekend plans to return. Stay tuned because who knows? There might be another one popping up somewhere else real soon.

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Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove New Pop-Up Restaurant - A Passage to India

Traveling to India has never been easier, at least in the culinary sense. The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, located at 3300 S.W. 27th Avenue, has launched a new Pop-Up restaurant serving authentic Indian cuisine in a sultry, unbelievable ambiance. A Passage to India: An Authentic Indian Pop-Up Restaurant, spearheaded by Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru, just opened on Thursday, October 3rd in their well known signature restaurant, Bizcaya.

Inspired by the foods, flavors and culture of Chennai, India, Kaduru brings a touch of his hometown to Miami through authentic spices and aromatic herbs. A part of the Ritz-Carlton family for over ten years, Kaduru has orchestrated culinary masterpieces for Indian weddings throughout several of the properties. His expertise in Indian cuisine has brought him here, to Coconut Grove, to entice Miamians with the original flavors and ingredients of the most exotic of dishes, by marrying tradition with a modern flair.

With Executive Chef Ramesh Kaduru

To our surprise and amazement, we were welcomed by a couple of regal camels who were very well behaved and more than happy to pose for our photographs. In true Ritz-Carlton style, we started off the evening with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, while we were led to our tables by gracious hostesses wearing traditional Indian garb.  

It was a Happy Hump Day!

The moment we stepped into A Passage to India, we were immediately transported into the mysterious land where time and civilizations intermix; a place where rich, vibrant hues permeate through layers of shimmering multicolor fabrics and plush pillows. Our visit was a preview to what lay ahead; an opportunity to taste the flavors the night before the official opening, and experience what this temporary restaurant would offer.

Luxurious and colorful decor

Detail in every corner

Mango Lassi

Judging from the oohs and aahs, it was evident that everyone was blown away by the decor showcasing rich blue and green drapes, majestic umbrellas hanging from the ceilings, and a large screen playing scenes from Bollywood movies. We got to experience some of the live entertainment that will be featured on selected nights and it was astounding to see the level of detail that went into the creation of this pop-up. Served on the tables were different types of traditional breads and dips to satisfy every palate and a sweet, refreshing shot of Mango Lassi.

Table Setting and Assorted Dips

Our dinner was served family style and each dish reflected its own medley of flavors and spices. Take a virtual journey with me to A Passage to India and get a glimpse of what you can expect to taste.

Dal ke Shorba, Crispy Papadam 

Roasted Red and Golden Beet Salad
Paneer Cream, Petite Greens, Citrus Vinaigrette

Saffron Basmati Rice Layered with Vegetables

Aloo Choole
Potato Chick Pea Stew

Malai Kofta Curry
Potato and Cheese Dumplings, Cashew Fondue

Mughlai Chicken
Tandoori Chicken, Butter Masala

Masala Shrimp
Goan-Style Shrimp, Do Pyaaza

Dessert
Gulab Jamun
Warm Dumplings, Rose Scented Syrup, Vanilla Ice-Cream and
Ras Malai
Cardamon, Pistachio Sorbet

Wonderful Not-To-Be-Missed Experience

Hurry! A Passage to India will only be around from October 3rd through November 3rd. It will be open from Thursday-Sunday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm,. Reservations are strongly recommended. But that's not all. If you want to try to recreate some of these dishes at home, Chef Kaduru is offering intimate cooking demonstrations in the private dining room that will include tasty bites, appetizer and entree. For more information, visit the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove online or contact them at 305-644-4680.

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Recap - Rock the Tot at Bar Louie

Who doesn't like a good tot? Well, on Thursday, September 19th, I sure had my fill of them. Bar Louie locations around the country hosted their 6th annual "Rock the Tot" tater tot-eating contest and set out to break the world record of most people eating the tasty treat at the same time. I went to the location in Midtown Miami, at 3201 N. Miami Avenue, Suite 106. The place was packed and spirits were high. There was entertainment, great food and lots of beer and cocktails flowing.

Since I had never eaten at Bar Louie before, I decided to ingest more than just tots for the evening. However, I can see why they choose their tots as the celebrity of this event. They totally rocked. We tried their Loaded Tots, crispy yummies topped with queso, bacon, scallions and a spicy mix. They had a slight kick and huge flavor. I really couldn't stop popping them in my mouth.

Loaded Tots

Blackened Salmon Sliders

Mango Mojito

While we waited for the competition to start, we also tried the Meatballs Al Forno and the Blackened Salmon Sliders. While the Loaded Tots were the winners of the night, the meatballs were swimming in a tasty marinara sauce with mozzarella cheese. They were served with a generous portion of parmesan crostini. The salmon sliders were a great pick too. Served with french fries, the salmon had a nice, smoky flavor that went well with the bacon, fresh spinach, tomato and pesto mayo. I have to tell you the Mango Mojito I was sipping while the totters were rocking the tot was spectacular. I totally loved the sweet element of the mango puree on the Cruzan Light Rum blended with lime, mint, pure cane syrup and ginger ale.

Meatballs Al Forno

The winners were impressive! I saw tater tots being smothered, pancaked, and practically swallowed whole in the quest for the prize. First came the guests, then came the employees and the crowd kept cheering. Ian, the manager, took the win for the employees. He had a huge incentive: if any of them won, they got to write their schedule for a couple of weeks. Oh Ian, you were a sight to see popping those watered-down tots!

Nobody's writing their own schedule if Ian can help it!

While I whimped out from competing when I saw the level of tot eating expertise and determined faces that were all around me, I did pick up a few foolproof strategies that I plan to implement next year. Ain't nobody taking that Rock the Tot trophy from me then!

Future Rock the Tot Winner! Me!

Here are some moments we captured of the fun! For more information on Bar Louie at Midtown, you can call them at 786-879-7260.

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