Lolita's Kitchen

From the moment we dipped the complimentary, soft Focaccia filled with pecorino cheese and sun-dried tomato into the extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar at Lolita's Kitchen, we predicted it was going to be a good night. Lolita's Kitchen, located at 2219 N. Commerce Parkway in Weston, is a cozy, family-owned hidden gem, serving international cuisine with Colombian flair. It's owner Hector Alonso and his brother Fernando do everything from greeting the guests, to entertaining the diners, to making sure everything runs smoothly in the kitchen. This family is quite familiar with the restaurant business. They have two other eateries in Cali, Colombia: Restaurante Mochika serving an infusion of Peruvian cuisine and Patio Santo (also known as El Patio), a popular place featuring live shows and entertainment.

Focaccia filled with Pecorino Cheese and Sun-dried Tomato

Initially starting with more of a fast food approach, Lolita's Kitchen has evolved in the year and a half it has been around. Now it serves an incredibly diverse menu with traditional favorites and global fare. It has a jovial ambiance, with its "Sharing and Creating Life's Little Pleasures" philosophy and bright green hues. On the walls hang flat-screen T.V.s perfect for watching sporting events (I'm already thinking ahead to next year's Heat win) and for following along during open mic time.

Michelada

Fundido Lolita's

Caipirinha

As we looked at the menu, we decided to order a Michelada: a traditional Mexican drink consisting of a "prepared beer", in this case  made with Aguila, a salted rim and a splash of lime at the bottom. We also ordered a nice, cold Caipirinha, for the cocktail lover in me. Our first appetizer was the Fundido Lolita's, a marriage of mushrooms and vegetables sautéed in cream, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It was creamy, thick and full of flavors and textures. We also tried Lolita's "Mozzarella en Carroza"(Mozzarella in a Carriage) which consisted of fresh baked mozzarella sitting on a bed of basil pesto and topped with a mound of ripe tomatoes. I completely enjoyed how the bold flavor of the pesto complemented the more delicate taste of the baked mozzarella.

Lolita's "Mozzarella en Carroza"

Next we had one of my favorites of the evening: the Mexican Soup. It sounded so appetizing on the menu, I figured I'd give it a go even if I had to walk the block ten times after dinner. One slurp and I was hooked. Imagine a hot, creamy soup filled with crispy tortillas, shredded chicken, melted cheese, pico de gallo, slices of fresh avocado, corn, jalapenos, pork cracklings and sour cream. A meal on its own, you have to try this dish.

Mexican Soup

Hector and Alvaro

Alvaro Ruiz

By now the entertainment was starting, and Hector, the talented owner, was rocking it on the mic alongside Alvaro Ruiz, singer and comedian. Already close to 11 pm. the place was packed and it was a very family-oriented ambiance where everyone was having a good time. The later it got, the more alive Lolita's became. The party continues way into the night on the weekends.

Lolita's "Lomo Jalapeno"

Passion Fruit Salmon

We ordered our entrees: Lolita's "Lomo Jalapeno", and the Passion Fruit Salmon. The 10 oz. steak was thick and juicy,  grilled to perfection and rested on a pool of roasted tomato and honey sauce. It was topped with melted mozzarella cheese and jalapenos, and served with Pasta Alfredo and their special salad. The grilled salmon was tender and flaky, bathed in a passion fruit sauce and also served with Pasta Alfredo and a salad. We enjoyed the combined flavors in this sweet and savory dish.

Nutella Crepes

Banana Wrapped in Puff Pastry

For dessert, we sampled two of their favorites: the Nutella Crepes and the Banana Wrapped in Puff Pastry. The crepes were a chocolate lover's dream - sweet and decadent, filled with the gooey treat and served with vanilla ice-cream. The caramelized bananas were wrapped in puff pastry, drizzled with chocolate and also served with a scoop of ice-cream and fruit.

Cafecito

As you know there couldn't be an open mic night and me not take part. So, I decided to sing the karaoke version of  Olvidame y Pega La Vuelta from Pimpinela, with Hector. While I doubt I'll be getting a call from American Idol anytime soon, I don't think I did half bad. I've actually been practicing these past couple of weeks because it was so much fun, I really want to do it again soon.

And there she is...the next American Idol!

So, if you're looking for a night of great food, in a fun, family-style setting, look no further than Lolita's Kitchen. To add to the excitement, there is something different going on each night: Broadway Night on Mondays, Comedy Night on Wednesdays and Latin Night on Fridays and Saturdays with live entertainment to dance the night away. They also offer a pretty amazing daily happy hour as well with $5 cocktails and light bites from 5-7 pm. For more information on Lolita's Kitchen, you can call them at 954-389-8871 or visit them online at http://www.lolitaskitchen.com.

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Toscana Divino - Brunch

For months I had been dying to try out an Italian place in the Mary Brickell Village. Toscana Divino, at 900 South Miami Avenue has been open for almost a year and a half now and I recently discovered, it is a great place to get a little of that Tuscan sun on. I was excited to find out they were offering a brunch, (not only on Sundays, but on Saturdays too, by the way) and on one slightly rainy, totally Miami kind of day, I headed over to the charming place.

Tuscan anaconda designer handbags

Impressive wine selection

Stepping into Toscana Divino is experiencing the Tuscan lifestyle with a more cosmopolitan flair. There is a large wine cellar right behind the bar that houses an impressive collection of Tuscan wines, while the walls are lined with artwork showcasing Italian artists. The homey ambiance is accentuated even more by the single sunflower sitting on every table and the contrasting candles that surround it. The restaurant is a joint business venture between the city of Florence, the region of Tuscany, and Toscana Divino, LLC, led by restaurateur Stefano Cavinato and Tommaso Morelato.   It was interesting to learn that modern Italian food is not the only thing you'll find here, but also a large selection of authentic items imported from the heart of Tuscany such as porcelain table settings, handmade glassware and luxury handbags guaranteed by the 100% Consortium Italiano to promote craftsmanship from the Tuscan region.

With Chef Julian Baker and Tommaso Morelato

Toscana Divino's brunch menu offers a varied selection of dishes that are not only exquisitely prepared but beautifully presented. Chef de Cuisine Julian Baker, a British native who found his passion for Italian cooking while living and working in various cities in Italy, uses local ingredients along with Tuscan-sourced foods (for example, their mozzarella is imported twice a week as is their olive oil) to create contemporary versions of traditional dishes. Having traveled extensively through Italy, I enjoy the modern-approach Chef Baker brings to his cooking; allowing us to experience here in Miami, what we can expect to taste in Italy right now.

Eggs Florentine

Tartara di Salmone

I sampled several items from the brunch menu and was floored with the flavors in each of the dishes. The Eggs Florentine, one of my favorite egg dishes, was creatively prepared to combine ingredients that would tantalize our taste buds. Organic Poached Eggs sat on a bed of Salame "Finocchiona" and Tuscan Kale, all on a Toasted Crostino, while a bold Bearnaise Sauce took the sensation to new heights. I couldn't believe the intensity in each bite. Just as memorable was the Tartara di Salmone, a salmon tartar created with White Sturgeon, a layer of sour cream, herbed crepe and egg, all sprinkled with organic chives.

Unbelievable breadsticks

Scrambled Eggs & Prosciutto

Zucchine e Pomodoro Omelette

Another dish I reveled in was the Scrambled Eggs & Prosciutto, consisting of organic scrambled eggs, Prosciutto di Parma, Bruschetta Tomato and Mustard Arugula. Simple yet classic, it had the perfect balance of tastes and textures. The Zucchine e Pomodoro Omelette was excellent as well. Served in an iron skillet, seasoned grilled zucchini sat atop an egg frittata,  alongside tomato confit, burrata cheese and organic greens. I loved both the colorful presentation and the medley of flavors that balanced each other. Wanting another bite of their freshly sliced salmon, I also tried the Salmone Affumicato, a generous helping of thinly sliced smoked salmon with blue point oyster, cucumber radish, pickled red onions, frisee & watercress salad, a dash of oyster mayonnaise and fried capers. You can see the variety of dishes is just spectacular for a brunch.

Salmone Affumicato

Of course, you know I always like to end with something sweet so I completed my adventure with their specially made Tiramisu. Served as a cappuccino, the rich treat was crowned with a creamy mound that sent me blissfully into a food coma. I was ready for a nap and some sweet Italian dreams.

Tiramisu

Bottomless Mimosas and a Rose
here and there

Awesome service with
a smile

You'll be very happy to know that you can order Bottomless Mimosas with your brunch and when they say "bottomless" they mean "bottomless". There was never a moment when our glasses weren't full. Which brings me to their service: top notch. The attention to detail did not go unnoticed and I enjoyed the welcome feeling and constant smiles of all the staff.

Brickell's weekend mornings just got even more exciting with Toscana Divino's brunch and I can't wait to return for a taste of their dinner. Remember ladies, the strategy is simple. Choose one of their unforgettable bottles of Tuscan wines, sip it while savoring the mind-blowing cuisine, and once the soothing and relaxing effects take over, walk your man over to the amazing handbags and choose one, maybe two. The perfect ending to a remarkable meal!

Capuccino

In the meantime, you might want to check out their cooking classes and wine seminars. For more information, visit their website at http://www.toscanadivino.com/ or call them at 305-371-2767.

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MPP Brickell

It's National Ceviche Day! Peru has designated June 28th as the day to celebrate that delicious dish we all love made from uber fresh fish, marinated in citrus juice and mixed with ingredients such as the ever popular aji Amarillo and nice, hot chiles. Serve it in glass, and you can drink the Tiger's Milk for some extra fortitude.

 

 

Because I happen to love ceviche, and to be perfectly honest, find Peruvian cuisine as a whole incredible fascinating, I decided to make today's post on a relatively young Peruvian restaurant in the gastronomically booming area of Brickell. MPP Brickell, located at 141 S.W. 7th Street is quickly becoming a hot spot in the area. MPP stands for "Mi Propiedad Privada"; named after its predecessors in Lima, Peru. MPP is one of only five restaurants in the country approved by PROMPERU (Peruvian State Agency) to import its country's products; a  distinction they are very proud of.

 

The ambiance and décor at MPP Brickell is contemporary yet warm. The outside couches welcome you with their colorful orange and brown cushions, while the inside lounge and bar area make it the perfect place to have some drinks and unwind after a long day at work, or simply watch a game on one of their large screen T.V.s. I like the way the ultra chic lighting and the sleek, modern white furniture in the dining area match so well with the upscale Brickell feel.

Maki Causa Festival

Three Pepper Ceviche

The first thing I noticed about the menu was how extensive it was and how they offered an original take to traditional Peruvian dishes. We started with the Maki Causa Festival, a dish consisting of five causa makis (potato causas prepared to resemble sushi rolls), filled with panko-crusted prawns, avocado, and cucumber, and topped with fish and a chalaca style sauce.  They were scrumptious, with a creamy texture and a tongue tickling kick. We also had their Three Pepper Ceviche, a combination of fish and seafood marinated in lime juice and combined with three kinds of creamy pepper sauces. It was an excellent rendition of the popular Peruvian delicacy with a completely different flavor.

Sautéed Filet Mignon

Chiclayana Rice with Seafood

Since I crave and enjoy this country's cuisine so much, I wanted to go for something different while indulging in some of my regular favorites. As a result, we chose the Lomo Saltado, one of the most popular dishes in Peru, (on MPP's menu it's called Sautéed Filet Mignon) and ventured into unfamiliar grounds by ordering the Chiclayana Rice with Seafood. I had never had this before so I was excited. The Lomo Saltado was exquisite. The sautéed beef tenderloin was enticingly flavored with onions and tomatoes, and served with white rice and French fries. The meat was very juicy and tender. While I had had Chaufa before, a Peruvian style of fried rice, Chiclayana Rice was totally new to me. It was amazing! The rice was moist and cooked with a variety of seafood, cilantro sauce and duck reduction; its signature ingredient. I noticed the main source of seafood that predominated the dish was calamari, and I would've liked to perhaps have more of a balance of the others (shrimp, fish, etc.) but it was fantastic nonetheless. I can't believe I have added yet another dish to my long list of Peruvian favorites.

Suspiro Limeno

To finish our delightful meal, I couldn't help but resist a taste of the ever satisfying Suspiro Limeno. While there are many desserts from this country I adore, this one is the one I always come back to. The creamy, sweet custard-like gem has a similarity to dulce de leche but lingers on the tongue just a tad bit longer. Theirs was fabulous and I had to stop myself from licking the glass when I couldn't spoon out anymore.

We truly enjoyed our meal at MPP Brickell.  Our server was very attentive from the moment we walked in and enjoyed talking to us about the dishes and giving us an insight into the origins of the restaurant. They have a number of different daily specials and events ranging from discounts on their ceviches on certain days of the week to live music. I also got a glimpse of their lunch specials and found them to be a great deal, particularly in this part of town.

Before I forget, like I told you at the beginning of this post, today is National Ceviche Day and to celebrate it, MPP Brickell is having an awesome offer. Their wildly popular ceviches will be available for only $10 all day long. This is a great opportunity to try as many as you'd like to and not break the bank doing it. Don't you just love food holidays? For more information on MPP Brickell, visit their website at http://www.mppbrickell.com or call them at 305-400-4610.

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Brother Jimmy's BBQ

 

Back in November, I did a post on Brother Jimmy's BBQ located at 900 S. Miami Avenue in the Mary Brickell Village. I hadn't had a chance to return since, and with a craving to put some south in my mouth, I headed over to the sports fan hangout for a proper lunch to fuel my day.

 

The décor at Brother Jimmy's still gives me a kick. The laid-back atmosphere and the casual ambiance makes you feel like you're in college again. (Oh, how I wish!) On this sunny afternoon, the many screens along the walls were televising a game and even though I had no clue who was playing, I immediately began to cheer when someone scored. It was a great opportunity to high-five the buff cuties around me.

Guacamole and Chips

But back to the food. Last time I was here, I went all out on the mind-blowing drinks, but at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, I figured I'd scale it back on the alcohol and focused on the meat instead. To start off, we ordered the Guacamole and Chips. I know I have an intense fondness for anything with avocado in it, but I have to say, it made the cut. Creamy and with the perfect pinch of salt, we both ensued in a discreet chip-grabbing fight to the finish. You know the kind; where you engage the other person in frivolous conversation just to distract them so you can dip and grab faster than they do.

 

Combo Platter with Brisket and Wet Ribs

 

Tomato & Avocado Salad

Baked Beans & Pulled Pork

Knowing the entrees would  be hefty, we didn't order another appetizer and went straight to the meat of the situation. We had a Combo Platter of  Brother Jimmy's Original "Wet" Ribs and Sliced Brisket, and a Po' Boys Blackened Catfish Sandwich. The ribs were juicy, smoked then bathed with their original BBQ sauce and practically fell off the bone. I love to take my taste buds on a joy ride, so I squeezed some signature Carolina BBQ sauce on them and let loose. The brisket was just as delicious. I actually tried both the marbled and the lean cut. While the marbled was more moist, I personally preferred the lean. However, I recommend trying them both because it's really a matter of what you're in the mood for. The Po' Boys sandwich was a great choice as well, served on French bread with lettuce, tomato and cajun mayo, the catfish was tender and flavorful. Each dish came with one side, so we ordered the Mashed Potatoes and the Baked Beans & Pulled Pork. The mashed potatoes had a nice, herb taste to them; adding a milder, comfort food characteristic to the dish, while the Baked Beans were bold and invigorating. They had a special, smoky, homemade kick to them you could taste from the very start. Back to me loving avocado, I noticed there was a Tomato & Avocado Salad on the menu and batting 100 with the guacamole, I decided to try it. The salad was light and refreshing; a perfect complement to balance out the meat. We also had a taste of their French Fries because well, who could resist some fried potatoes? I can tell you I noticed some definite changes in the food. While it was good the last time I went, I found they packed a lot more flavor on this visit.

I was ready to roll over and take a nap, but I had just enough room for a little something sweet to end the meal. (And I'm not talking about those buff cuties although that would've been satisfying also.) We went for a spectacular, firework-inducing Crack Pie. (You know like the ones from Fireman Derek's World Famous Pies?) The spoon sunk ever so slowly into it, like a pleasure-filled descent into a caramel tasting triangle of quick sand. The ice-cream on the top, the cream on the side, the drizzle of deliciousness - they all came together in perfect harmony and we were the mesmerized audience. Seriously, if you don't have one of these on your visit to Brother Jimmy's, well then you really weren't there. Totally foodgasmic!

Crack Pie

We walked out of there happy, satisfied and with plans to return. They recently started offering a Summer Saturdays Brunch called Kegs & Eggs that sounds outrageous. It includes all-you-can-drink specials, along with original BBQ brunch items and a DJ. As if that weren't enough, Brother Jimmy's BBQ has just launched a food truck! Talk about putting some south in yo mouth the mobile way. For more information on Brother Jimmy's BBQ, visit them online at http://www.brotherjimmys.com/locations/miami.

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