The Miami Dolphins Score A Foodie Touchdown At Sun Life Stadium

Tom Garfinkel

It looks like there is going to be a lot more stirring up my appetite at the Miami Dolphins games this season than Ryan Tannehill. The Fins have introduced a slew of new food options at Sun Life Stadium for the 2014 season that are going to keep the Dolfans happy. Miami Dolphins & Sun Life Stadium President & DEO Tom Garfinkel asked fans this summer through social media which food options they would like to see on game day. Season Ticket Holders and the public in general responded with their foodie favorites and their voices (and tummies) were heard.

Now we can watch the Dolphins score their touchdowns while munching on favorites like Bokampers, Sushi Maki, Burger Fi and Cuban Guys. Even Michelle Bernstein is bringing her culinary talent to Sun Life Stadium, with delicious fare from her famous restaurant, Crumb on Parchment. Other additions include Bru's Room Sports Grill and since there's always room for dessert: Cold Stone Creamery..

Of course, we will still be able to buy that traditional hot dog (and depending on who we're playing, the fixings are going to vary), and their regular concession stands will be available, as well as some finger licking good nachos and wings from Everglades BBQ Company right outside the stadium.  If you're in the mood for Mexican, the Chicken and Steak Nachos are amazing, and there's nothing like a good ol' Lobster Roll to get you in the mood for some action.

 

It's going to be Cool & Easy moving forward this season, and there will be a whole lot more reasons to make it a game day at Sun Life Stadium. Scroll down for more photographs of the first bite we had of these winning new options, but watch the drooling. Oh.. and don't say I didn't warn you.



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Oceanaire - Miami Spice

I think its great that we can catch a Miami Spice deal for either lunch or dinner. Last week I had a seafood craving in the afternoon that just wouldn't budge. I headed over to Brickell for lunch and found my mouth watering in front of The Oceanaire Seafood Room, located at 900 South Miami Avenue in the Mary Brickell Village. I've indulged with dinner and brunch here before, but it was time to see what they put together for Miami's food lovers' time of the year.

A sneak peak into their goodies...

It turns out that just as their regular menu changes daily based on availability (it's always fresh here), so does their Miami Spice menu. On this particular day, they offered an appetizer of Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels that was intriguing. The dish was prepared with white wine, butter and shallots.. (Now that's what I'm talking about). Paired with a refreshing tea, (yeah right) it was a great beginning to temporarily erase the office blues.

Steamed Prince Edward Island Mussels

Black and Bleu Churrasco

Who loves their carbs?

The entrees included more than just the expected seafood options. I noticed there was a meaty delight added to the mix. To enjoy the best of both worlds, we decided to go for one of each and shared the Simply Grilled Wild Alaskan King Salmon and the Black and Bleu Churrasco. The salmon's texture was unbelievably firm with a light, delicate flavor. It practically melted in my mouth and I loved it. It was served with grilled asparagus and creamy mashed potatoes. The Churrasco was juicy and tender, and served with caramelized onions and a blue cheese butter that elevated the taste to memorable heights. I was ready for a nap after my last bite. Unfortunately, duty called.

Simply Grilled Wild Alaskan King Salmon

Tres Leches

Ice Cream Brownie Sundae

Except, I wasn't answering till I had my fill of dessert. We indulged in their signature Tres Leches and an Ice Cream Brownie Sundae.. All of this for $23 per person? Not bad at all if I do say so myself.



For more information on Oceanaire and their Miami Spice menu, call them at 305-372-8862.

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A Miami Spice Threesome at Edge Steak & Bar

In honor of Miami Spice, a few of Miami’s ravenous and rambunctious bloggers visited EDGE Steak and Bar.  Upon arriving inside The Four Seasons, located at 1435 Brickell Avenue, they immediately slipped into its serene yet sophisticated spell, until they hopped on the elevator and were ready to spice up their lives. The three-course menu from Chef Aaron Brooks is simple and rustic, yet elevated with the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

J greeted us by our names and provided insightful, amiable, and meticulous service. When Caviar and the Foodaholic dream about food J is there. When the Hedonist dreams about food, however, he is strangely always served by the entire Hooters calendar team. Just as Alex and Maria could not get enough of J, he brought more cocktails. Caviar started with her standard Old Fashioned, and those garnished cherries were getting popped like it was going out of style. All the Foodaholic would say when anyone looked in her direction was Don't Ask Don't Tell, and that's exactly what J brought her. An off-the-menu cocktail that takes muddled berries to new heights.

Crispy Beef Belly

To kick-off the EDGE experience, the ravenous bloggers started the best way they know how – with a belly. The Crispy Beef Belly has an alluring smoke that seduces both your nostrils and taste buds. The sweet Carolina BBQ sauce compliments it marvelously, while the outside has a beautiful charred crisp that envelops a soft and flavorful belly meat. The pickled plums were creative and provided an enticing contrast to the belly. It was the proper way to open up the spice meal.

Mahi Mahi

Duck

As a second course, the options included Mahi Mahi, Rib Eye Steak, Duck and Gnocchi.  The Mahi Mahi was sensational and perfectly executed. The flaky fish was fresh, smooth, and served with a crispy skin and succulent middle. A dish like this only proved how well Chefs Aaron Brooks and Jose Gamez master their skills.  Between the acidity from the sweet baby tomatoes, to the silky avocado puree and the crunchy notes from the hearts of palm, it was more flawless than Beyonce.

Black Pepper Gnocchi

The Black Pepper Gnocchi was just as spectacular; cooked to a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture, that blended in perfect unison with the country, fresh tomatoes, basil and house-made ricotta. The result produced a moment of silence among the happy bloggers, as images of Italian evenings under a Tuscan sun ravished their thoughts with each satisfying bite.

Chocolate Dessert

Then we had to hold the partition please because, it was about to get better, and by better we mean foodgasmic. The Chocolate Dessert was an eclectic mix of riveting sweet flavors. It was made with a Valrhona carmelia mousse bar which was superb, and a coconut passion fruit gel that was equally potent and tasty. It was served with a captivating banana dulce ice cream that included Valrhona smoked white chocolate We could have eaten a wine barrel full of the banana dulce. The Hedonist was caught licking the plate in a very Four Seasons like fashion. (Please don't try this at home.)

The Hedonist being The Hedonist

Caviar went fruity and ordered the Lychee Panna Cotta which she wishes she ate every day. Refreshing splashes from the Mango Lime Sorbet burst superbly with the smooth Italian delicacy. To make a sweeter ending it was topped with necessary notes of citrus crumble.  Overall, the theme of Miami Spice at EDGE had a sophisticated yet simplistic style.  

Lychee Panna Cotta

If you want to learn culinary skills even Yoda can’t match, Chef Aaron Brooks is hosting a Healthy u Cooking Class this Saturday, September 13th from 2 – 4 PM. You can benefit not only your kitchen game but, also Fit To Fight Miami.  Chef Aaron will demonstrate how he incorporates fresh ingredients from the chef garden, as well as healthy alternatives at EDGE – known for its steakhouse "light" concept that pairs prime cuts of meat with seasonal and lighter side options.  Buy them before they sell out; only 25 people will make the cut! Tickets available here.

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Football Season and TGI Friday's

So Football season is just about here. And how do I know that? Because now date nights include beer, wings and places with lots of TVs. The good news is that I found a way for this time of  year to work for me and it is by including my favorite Cosmo in the mix at TGI Friday's

Last Monday the Miami Dolphins played a pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys and that is always an adrenaline inducing rush for me.  Mainly because a couple of my friends are diehard Cowboy fans and I, of course, am a devoted Dolfan. We headed over to TGI Friday's for some Endless Apps (which are still going on by the way) and to watch the Dolphins beat the Cowboys (I had faith in them the whole time.)

 

The place was packed and rocking, and at $!0 an endless appetizer per person, and $3 drafts, we were rolling in fun times without hitting the bank too hard. If you saw the game, you know the Dolphins had to step up their performance in the fourth quarter but, with seconds to go, we defeated the Cowboys 25-20. My friends called it luck, but I think it was the combination of Boneless Buffalo Wings that kept landing at my table and the Cosmos I consumed as part of a new good luck ceremonial thing I got going for this season.

I know where I'll be on most game nights this season, (unless my dates forego the TV thing and actually take me to the game). I'll be sipping beer and cocktails while having some endless fun at TGI Friday's.

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Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

Whenever I hear the words "Maximum Flavor", I can't help but think of Chef Adrianne Calvo, owner and chef at Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, at 11510 SW 147th Avenue. I know you're probably thinking, "Are you kidding me? That's a drive to the boondocks way out in Kendall." All I have to say is..strap on the seat belt 'cause it's worth it.

Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar

You have probably heard of her popular Dark Dining events held once a month at her restaurant. I've never done it but I hear it's quite the experience - suppressing your sense of sight with a blindfold while heightening your other senses as you bite into the unknown. However, I found that a meal at Chef Adrianne's, with or without the sense of sight, is a spectacular adventure. I recently visited her restaurant for the first time to attend a wine pairing dinner, and I walked out giddy and excited (and it wasn't the wine…not entirely).

Chef Adrianne's Signature Sangrias

I've talked to Chef Adrianne several times at foodie events and she is just as amazing in the kitchen as out of it. Down to earth with a genuine passion for her craft, she truly enjoys what she does and it shows. We started the evening with a glass of each of her signature Sangrias - the white with passion fruit and white wine and the red sangria with pomegranate juice, cognac, red wine and rum. They were both sweet and refreshing and a great way to kick off the meal. As we sipped, the appetizers started to make their way to our table and the presentation and color splash on each dish was impressive.

Oysters Two Ways

Fried Oysters

Raw Oysters

First off we had Oysters prepared two different ways. The first were fried then topped with pureed mango chutney, chives, and chili horseradish. The second were raw and served with a celery and horseradish mignonette. They were exquisite. Next up, we had one of my all-time favorite dishes: Raw Tuna over a salt block, prepared with yellow tomato gazpacho and garlic basil, a balsamic reduction, then finished with truffle oil. Are you making plans to head to Kendall yet? I could've licked the salt block.

Raw Tuna

Raw Corvina

Roasted Cauliflower Bisque

The Raw Corvina Tiradito followed, drizzled with sweet peppers, mint, chili, and  a sweet, orange vinaigrette. Each bite definitely provided a burst of maximum flavor that blew me away. To transition our palates into the hot part of the meal, Chef Adrianne created a Roasted Cauliflower Bisque, with poached maine lobster, fresh garlic bread crumbs and whipped ricotta.

Lamb Chops

Did I already mention that each course was paired with wine? Imagine the smile I had plastered on my face at this point. Excellent food and good vino? Now that's what foodie dreams are made of and as I contemplated this realization...out came the most tender, flavorful Lamb Chops, served with mint cucumber and jalapeno relish. They were pretty, oh so pretty and I wanted to kiss them before I ate them. (Again, that was not the wine talking.) We then sampled the Toasted Gnocchi, served over a pool of parmesan cream, next to a butternut squash puree and just a little bit of honey to activate the taste buds. The gnocchi were crowned with crispy kale and parmesan shavings. How does she come up with these things?

Toasted Gnocchi

She still had one more entree for us to try and that was the Crispy Quail with spicy brown mustard cognac sauce over a whipped palm puree. Juicy and with a slight kick, even I enjoyed it and I'm not a poultry lover.

Crispy Quail

Content, tipsy and happy I'm not too far from Chef Adrianne's, I saved just enough room for dessert. (No wisecracks please). A pyramid of light and refreshing Panna Cotta finished our amazing adventure, with a sweet raspberry reduction. It was perfect, as was the glass of bubbly Chef Adrianne bid us adieu with.

Panna Cotta

If you haven't gone to Chef Adrianne's Vineyard Restaurant and Wine Bar, you are missing out. For more information, visit their website or call them at 305 408-8386.

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