6th Annual STMC Pig Out

Who says you can't have the pig and eat it too? Wait, isn't that how the saying goes? On January 18th, 2014, St. Timothy Men's Club in West Dade hosted their 6th Annual STMC Pig Out, one of the biggest charity pig roasts in Miami.

The day was filled with fun including bounce houses for the kids, local vendors, art, and live DJs. Over 16 pigs were roasted and dressed in costumes, while guests salivated nearby, awaiting their chance to sample a piece of crispy skin and juicy meat.

The VIP tent featured complimentary beer from Wynwood Brewing Company, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Miami Club Rum. To keep the hunger pangs at bay while the piggies were roasting, the VIPs also got to savor a nice, moist paella cooked onsite. Both the judges and the guests got to vote for their favorite pig and it was a tough choice to make.

The winners were:

1st Place:                Pig Pirates

2nd Place:              Chicharron Crew

3rd Place:               Pig Dynasty

People's Choice:     Los Maestros del Lechon

Kid's Choice:          Notorious P.I.G.

At $10 for General Admission (included all-you-can-eat pig samples) and $20 VIP Admission (included all-you-can-eat pig samples, plus paella, beer and cocktails in the VIP tent), the event is a winner. Check out the picture gallery below and don't miss next year's STMC Pig Out.

Photo Gallery 

Read More

Giralda Under the Stars

Miami is the envy  of many during the winter months.. The weather is golden and there's no better way to spend it than outside. That is one of the main reasons I think Giralda Under The Stars in Coral Gables is genial!. Produced by the Business Improvement District of Coral Gables and presented this year by Zacapa Rum, it happens on the first Friday of every month from November to April. Just imagine music, art and over a dozen restaurants and bars bringing Giralda Avenue alive between Ponce de Leon Boulevard and Galiano Street.

Giralda Under The Stars in January

Otherwise known as "Restaurant Row", the street becomes one giant party, as participating restaurants bring out their tables and chairs from 7 pm to midnight and serve their culinary delights to the beat of some live music.  I love how you can choose food from all the over the world in just one block and there are opportunities for all tastes and budgets.

Let the feast begin!

Taking advantage of  the starry night, I came out for this past month's Giralda Under the Stars and had a marvelous time. The weather was cool, the ambiance was festive and the food was delicious. I munched away at Spritz Pizzeria, Divino Ceviche and The Local Craft Food & Drink. Oh what a night!

Live Music keeps things lively.

The next Giralda Under The Stars will take place on Friday, February 7th. For more information or to see a directory of participating restaurants, click here.

In the meantime, walk down Giralda Avenue with me through my photo gallery:

Loved sitting outside Spritz Pizzeria

The pizza was finger licking good! Did you know you can
make your own pizza here? This one had a crispy thin crust,
and a decadent combination of mushrooms, black olives,
goat cheese and tomatoes. Can I get a "yum" please?

Divino Ceviche, one of my top Peruvian food spots, has opened
its second location.  Now you can satisfy the craving both
in Doral and in Coral Gables.

Divino Ceviche- a taste of Peruvian Nirvana. The chunks
of mango give it a Miami flair.

Chicken Causa - Always order one of these treats when I'm here.

The place was packed and the street is lit up so nicely.

My first time at The Local Craft Food & Drink. I liked!

Duck Pate Croquettes served with Olives and Cuban Crackers

Roasted Bone Marrow with Asian Chimichurri and Toast Points

Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel and
Crème Anglaise. The place was packed and we had to wait
a while for it, but I'll tell you, it was worth the wait.

Read More

Batch Gastropub

Right before we bade farewell to 2013, a promising new place said hello in the Brickell area. Batch Miami, located just blocks from the Mary Brickell Village at 30 S.W. 12 Street, is a new concept that provides top-of-the-line cocktails without the usual wait from the bar. Say what, you ask? Well, as the name implies, instead of a bartender mixing your drink at the time you order it, master mixologists actually prepare them ahead of time in pre-batched 5-gallon, nitrogen enriched kegs. Then they're served, "draft" style, in a much more efficient way, without comprising taste or quality. I thought the whole concept was cool and couldn't wait to check it out.

Along with these signature cocktails, Batch offers "American Tavern" cuisine, featuring a combination of small plates with big tastes, innovative entrees and brick oven pizzas. I had the opportunity to come sample some of the items on their menu prior to their opening in late December. I found the ambiance to be inviting and fun, mixing antique furnishings with contemporary elements. Adding to the eclectic feel, they incorporated a garage-door style facade, which brings the outdoors in and allows for a more relaxed experience.

Naked Zombie

Batch Miami Chili Glazed Wings

Black and Stormy

I'll start with the drinks, since I know you're all curious to read how the whole "batch" concept turned out. We tried two cocktails during our visit: the Naked Zombie (On Tap) and the Black and Stormy (Old School). Of the two, my favorite was the Naked Zombie. It was sweet (just how I like it) and packed an impressive punch with its blend of three different rums: Bacardi Select, Gold and Anejo. The tropical fruit, island spices and cinnamon rock candy syrup definitely won me over, and I was sipping it up like a madwoman. The Black & Stormy was prepared with Blackstrap infused Santa Teresa Anejo Rum, ginger beer and apple-cinnamon essence. I found it to be more fragrant but not as sweet. My dining partner was quite wooed with it.  Our friendly server brought out the first small plate, which was the Batch Chili Glazed Wings. They were flash fried and glazed with cinnamon, then sprinkled with, get this, Dorito dust, and served with an emulsified blue cheese foam on the side.

Mac Attack

Next up on the tasting was my all-time winning bite of the night: the Mac Attack. This is one dish you must try when you visit Batch Gastropub. It's their own original version of Mac & Cheese except it's made with Gnocchi and Aged Gruyere. It was creamy and flavorful, and honestly took my taste buds for a ride. This baby was followed by the Tomato and Mozzarella Salad prepared with fresh heirloom tomatoes and a light smoked mozzarella. It was interesting to learn that in order to keep ingredients as local as possible, the team at Batch has created an on-site agroponic system to grow their own fresh herbs, vegetables and spices.

Tomato and Mozzarella Salad

Toasted Quinoa

Wynwood Stout Aged
New York Strip

Our next sampling was the Toasted Quinoa, sitting on a pool of arugula pesto and topped with shaved baby carrots, asparagus, avocado, and radish. I'm normally not a fan of quinoa so this dish wouldn't be on my list of top picks but as far as quinoa goes, it was good. The toasting gave it a subtle, nutty flavor and the presentation was nice. The entree we tried was the Wynwood Stout Aged New York Strip, served with a sundried tomato chimichurri and a side of french fries. The steak was juicy, tender and bursting with flavor. They had us try their homemade, secret B1 Steakhouse and I liked it so much, I was dipping my fries in it. Needless to say, I tried to bribe our server into divulging the recipe, but he just wouldn't budge.

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

To finalize the meal, we shared a Pumpkin Creme Brulee. Creamy and silky, it had just the right amount of pumpkin flavor to add an interesting element to the dessert without overpowering the sweetness.

We were pleased with Batch, and I feel it's going to be a great place to hang out, and enjoy some outstanding cocktails over tasty bites. Something else you'll love about Batch Gastropub is that unlike other restaurants in Brickell, it has very convenient parking. There is a parking garage adjacent to it, and you get a discount when eating there. For more information, visit their website here.

Read More