Battle of the Burgers at Palmetto Bay Village Center

There are many holidays we look forward to: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mother's Day to name a few. And how about those designated months of the year we always have luncheons at work for: Hispanic Heritage Month in October, Black History Month in February and National Women's History Month In March.  But I bet you don't know what we celebrate in May (besides Memorial Day).  Are you ready? May is National Hamburger Month. That's right. We now have an entire month dedicated to these juicy patties of love.

I was invited to serve as a judge for a Battle of Burgers prepared by participating Miami Food Trucks and hosted by Burger Beast. It took place on May 4th in Palmetto Bay Village Center, located at 18001 Old Cutler Rd. The place has a great family-oriented ambiance and is quite beautiful. It's no surprise then that there is a food truck event usually held there on the first Friday of every month. Being the dedicated foodaholic I am, I kept my food consumption to a minimum for most of the day, only drank Diet Coke and made sure I added an extra 30 minutes to my afternoon workout regime (don't burst my bubble and just let me keep thinking that is going to work.). I was very excited by the time I arrived and took my place at the table with my prestigious fellow judges. We would be sampling a total of 8 scrumptious hamburgers. (Originally there were twelve, but at the end, four were no longer competing.) Since each burger was just assigned a number, we didn't know which food trucks were competing or who prepared what. Basically, they came in random order and we judged them by giving them points according to a predetermined rubric.

When the first ones arrived, we sighed and got down to serious business. I can honestly say I found all of the burgers delicious. But of course, some stood out because they were outrageously good. For example, the first burger we sampled made you want to lick your fingers. It was juicy, had an addicting combination of fried onion rings, honey smoked bacon and jalapeno peppers, and combined all the flavors perfectly. We knew at that point, there'd be a little more meat on our bones by the time we were done with this experience.



The food trucks truly outdid themselves with their burger creations. There were gourmet burgers with brie cheese and avocado, burgers with fried mac and cheese and burgers with fried eggs. The originality was unbelievable and I enjoyed every bite of it. Of course, at the end of the night, three winners were announced. So, after tallying our numbers, the winners were... (drum roll please)

First Place: Cheeseburger Baby

Second Place: Palate Party

Third Place: Chamo's on Wheels

By the way, even though I was quite full from sampling eight burgers, I couldn't help but meander over to the Dolce Gourmet Cupcakes food truck on my way out. It must've been fate I tell you, because I paused in front of the truck for a couple of minutes and admired their Godiva Chocolate Brownie; fighting my every desire to sink my teeth into one. All of a sudden, I heard a wise voice say, "Have you tried their brownies? They are amazing! Go ahead....do it!"  I thought it was an angel, but when my eyes focused on the voice, I realized it was Burger Beast! Well, we all know he knows food so I got me a brownie. Slap me silly it was the best chocolate brownie I have ever had; moist, rich and shamefully decadent . As a matter of fact, I can still taste it. Dolce Gourmet Cupcakes...get the batter ready 'cause I'm coming back for more.

Make sure you visit a food truck event near you this month and try one of the mouth-watering burgers they are offering. Once you do, don't forget to stop by here and tell me which one was your favorite.

Read More

Cinco de Mayo - El Rancho Grande

I'll start by saying this is going to be a post about the Cinco de Mayo feast from hell! I have been lucky to experience more positives than negatives in my adventures and I have always preferred not to do a post at all when a restaurant is a disaster. However, I was compelled to write this post today because it was a special day and I really believe restaurants have to be extremely conscientious and careful in the way they present themselves everyday; but particularly on days like these.  From the circumstances of my visit - I got all wet (that's what she said), to the bland taste of the food - I don't have too many accolades to give.


It was Cinco de Mayo and I was really looking forward to having some out of this world Margaritas and traditional Mexican food. I was staying at the beach and while there were many great  block parties going on all over Miami, I thought it would be better to stay close by. Remembering a Mexican restaurant  I had been wanting to visit for a while, El Rancho Grande, located at 314 72nd Street in Miami Beach, I gave them a call to find out about their festivities. They told me they were having a block party with a DJ, mariachis and great drinks starting at 4 pm. I got excited and thought "Hijole, I just found me the perfect place for Cinco de Mayo." After all, Cinco de Mayo is a day for Mexican restaurants to pull out all the stops, showcase their very best, and leave customers with a desire to come back.


That's where my excitement started and that's where it ended. We showed up to El Rancho Grande about 5 o'clock and there were only a couple of people there. That's OK...it was still early. They asked us whether we wanted to sit inside or outside, and since the mariachis were singing, and it was a beautiful day, we decided to sit outside.  I noticed the table they were preparing for us was very wet on top, but I figured they'd take care of it. After sitting down for a few seconds, I felt wet in the seat of my dress. Hmmm...nothing was going on down there so I looked at my seat, which was made of rattan and wondered what was up.  I then noticed the floor below me was pretty wet also. Now, if you live in Miami, you know it didn't rain on Saturday, so I got up and realized my dress and thighs were soaking wet. One of the busboys noticed me standing and came to ask me what was wrong. I told him my chair was all wet and now so was I, so he explained a dog had been sitting in my chair prior to us taking it and had spilled his water all over it.

Now, I am a pet owner and dog lover myself, so I have no problem with restaurants being dog friendly. However, there is a limit. A dog? On the same chair I was sitting with my mini dress? What if I had worn something more elegant that could be ruined? Are you sure it was his water he spilled? How much water did this dog drink? It had been all over the table, the floor, and now me. OMG! He couldn't understand why I was so upset. So, I grabbed another chair and asked him to please remove that one. The waiter then came a few minutes later and after trying to ignore the cold, wet feeling on my derriere, I thought I'd order one of those delicious drinks they had told me they had. "What kind of margaritas do you have?", I asked. "We only have margaritas on the rocks", he responded. (In a plastic cup, no salt on the rim, might I add.) I took that because at this point I realized I'd probably need 5 or 6 to get me through this.

Guacamole

I looked at the menu, and it was lame to say the least. Where was the queso fundido I had read about? Turns out, it was a very (emphasis on the very) limited menu for Cinco de Mayo. I thought, well, they have their Guacamole listed and I read they prepare it for you at the table while you watch so, I'll start with that. I sat back, hoping the breeze would dry me, and waited, until the waiter came back with a small ***** container with already made guacamole. I looked at him, and didn't ask. Why waste my time?  We didn't have any cutlery yet so we asked the waiter for some to eat the guacamole, and he came with three little packets of plastic cutlery (like the one you get in some fast food restaurants) that contained a plastic knife, a plastic "spork" and a small napkin. Are you serious? It's not like they were so busy they had to break out the paperware. There was nobody here! Back to the food...the guacamole didn't have much flavor and I grabbed big chunks of avocado with every scoop. According to the menu, it was supposed to be prepared with California avocados, which tend to be sweeter, fresh onions, tomatoes, cilantro and jalapenos, but I just didn't taste it. I love guacamole, and make a pretty mean one at home, and this one was less than desirable; which would prove to be the theme of the entire meal.

Mexican Tamales

Rather than going through the agonizing details of each dish we ordered, I'll keep it short. In addition to the guacamole, we also ordered the Mexican Tamales.  These were supposed to be traditional tamales stuffed with seasoned shredded beef, and topped with salsa roja and verde, with a touch of chipotle. Sounds amazing, right? Not! No flavor, I tell you. The meat was tough and very difficult to swallow. My biggest concern when I eat Mexican food, which I love, is that I ask it not be too spicy.  However, I would've welcomed some serious spice here - anything to give it a kick. There just wasn't any seasoning..

Taquitos Dorados

Taquitos al Pastor

While there were three of us, we shared two entrees afraid of what would come. Luck would have it we ordered the Taquitos Dorados as an entree, which were crispy long corn tortillas, filled with chicken or shredded beef, and topped with lettuce, pico de gallo and crema mexicana. Unbeknownst to us the shredded beef was the same one as in the tamales. Miss! As a second entree, we ordered the Tacos al Pastor; which were supposed to consist of soft corn tortillas, stuffed with pork marinated in different chiles and spices, and then grilled with pineapple and topped with onions and cilantro. I really don't know what we got because I never tasted or saw any pineapples and if that meat was marinated in anything, those were some bland-tasting chiles. I have a strong suspicion they served us something else but we were so confused at this point, we went with the flow. If you look at the picture I've included with the dish, you may think I had one too many margaritas since there is nothing stuffed inside the soft corn tortillas. No, I wasn't drunk, and yes you are correct. We had to do the stuffing ourselves unlike the menu stated. To this day, we are still arguing over what meat actually came with the dish. I say it was chicken, others say pork. Very bizarre.


Needless to say, we couldn't finish our food (which you know is atypical of me). I had to get home, and prepare a little something because we were in for a long night and wouldn't be eating anything else. The only positives I found on my visit to El Rancho Grande were that the inside of the place is decorated very nicely and authentic and the bathroom was quite spacious and well kept. That's it. I have heard there is a second location in Kendall, but I have not visited there and really don't plan to after this experience. There appears to also have been a location in South Beach that closed a few months ago.

In case you want to contact them anyway, their number is 305-864-7404 and their website appears to be under construction.

Read More

Eating House

A good friend of mine suggested I visit a relatively new restaurant located in Coral Gables. She talked to me about a couple of the dishes she'd had and how awesome they were, and I got to admit she peaked my curiosity. Then as coincidence would have it, I noticed a lot of buzz circulating on this particular restaurant and chef: how it was a "Pop-Up Restaurant" sensation; how the Miami born and raised chef had been the city's only winner at Chopped on the Food Network, and how their menu changed daily. That's all I needed to know, so I hightailed myself over to Eating House on a Friday night, which is located in Cafe Ponce, at 804 Ponce de Leon Blvd, and decided to see for myself.

Let me start by giving you a little background about Eating House and how it came to be. Chef and co-owner Giorgio Rapicavoli, formerly of 660 at the Angler's, competed in January of this year against three other chefs in the popular Food Network program Chopped, and won. He took his winnings and put them into opening a pop-up restaurant in an existing breakfast and lunch place, Cafe Ponce; and began by serving dinner a few nights a week. It has been a hit; the talk of the town, and in a few short months, Eating House is now open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, and Sunday for brunch. The secret to his success in my opinion? The incredibly original and inventive combination of ingredients in his dishes, and the obvious passion he puts into his creations.

I arrived at Eating House at about 8:00 pm on a Friday night and the place was packed. It isn't very big, and there were people standing outside and at the entrance. The wait ran about an hour and you could see Rapicavoli and the rest of his staff running around, trying to accomodate everyone as quickly as possible. Their menu is rather small, but includes a nice variety of items, including desserts. At first glance, I couldn't quite envision the dishes from reading their description. I mean crispy brussel sprouts with korean bbq sauce and a sesame fried egg? Or maple leaf farms duck breast, with among other things, johnny cake crumbs and Dr. Pepper syrup? But being an adventurer and all, I said here we go...

Homestead Tomatoes

"Head to Tails" Tostada

I started with the Homestead Tomatoes. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Think again. Let me quote the menu as I tell you what they came with: "lime, ginger, nuoc cham, peanuts, frozen coconut milk, herbs, and paradise farm flowers". I know what you're thinking. Frozen coconut milk with peanuts and tomatoes on the same plate? Well, dang they were good! All I could think as I pinched each tomato with my fork and scooped up the coconut milk and peanuts with a spoon was, how did he come up with this? That medley of flavors was genius. When all I had left on my plate was the melted coconut milk, I secretly wanted to use a straw and slurp it up. A couple of minutes later, out came the "Head to Tail" Tostada.  Just thinking about how it tasted, is making me hungry all over again. It was crispy pig ears and tails on a toasty tortilla with avocado creme, cabbage slaw, fresh cheese and lime. Everything came together so good that there was a burst of flavors in every bite. I didn't want the moment to end and it quickly became a favorite for me.

Pasta Carbonara

Niman Ranch Park Pork Belly

I really wanted to try their Fried Chicken Thighs since they looked so scrumptious, but since I had waffles for breakfast and the dish came with buttermilk waffles, I was torn. I asked the waiter to recommend another popular choice, and he suggested I try the Pasta Carbonara, explaining it was one of their signature plates. The Pasta Carbonara came with chunks of applewood smoked bacon, black truffle, sprinkles of toasted bread crumbs, an egg yolk and parmesan cheese. I am a fan of Pasta Carbonara, and again, Chef Rapicavoli's version sounded very interesting. However, I found it tasted OK and although the sauce was original, it wasn't my favorite dish of the night. The pasta was too firm, which is not my preference, and the overall flavor was a bit understated in comparison to the other items I had tried. However, when the next dish came out, I was once again giddy with excitement. It was the Niman Ranch Park Pork Belly. These were two slider sized potato roll sandwiches, filled to capacity with deliciously seasoned pork belly, cilantro, pickled cucumbers, scallions and a guava hoisin glaze. Phenomenal! The mixture of flavors worked well together; creating a sweet and tangy little wonder. As much as I enjoyed them, I could've ordered a couple more of these tasty treats.

Lemon Cake

Breakfast

Finally, it was time for dessert. I saw two items on the menu I liked: The Lemon Cake; a zesty sampling of whipped cake batter, yuzu frosting, small scoops of lemon ice-cream, cake crumbs and a touch of lemon zest; and my favorite, the Breakfast: a frosted flake cereal mousse, with milk panna cotta, candied flakes of cereal on top, and housemade coffee salt. I'll start with the Lemon Cake. It was very refreshing; a perfect balance of sweet and zesty without being too tart. But the Breakfast was the one that "took the cake" sort of speak. I had to lick the spoon slowly because I wanted to make sure I savored each moment. I can only describe it as so very creamy and different; the candied flakes on top brought a rich and decadent flavor to the airy pannacotta on the bottom. Definitely want to have it again.


Eating House is going to be big. They have already earned a following and it's no wonder why. Their innovative style, delicious food and great service is going to take them far. Add to that the freshness of their ingredients and the fact they focus on supporting local farmers and producers and you got yourself a recipe for success. Having a sense of adventure in common with this place, I can't wait to return very soon. I got a date with a certain Fried Chicken Thigh that I don't want to miss.
For more information, you can contact them (after 5:00 pm) at (305) 448-6524 or  visit them online at http://eatinghousemiami.com/.

Read More

NoVe Kitchen & Bar

I am a lover of fine dining in every way. I love to walk into a restaurant and feel a positive energy and a welcoming ambiance. I love to appreciate the presentation of my food for some time before I start eating. I love to taste exquisite flavors and truly savor the moment with each bite and I love to sense the passion and dedication a chef feels when he is preparing his creations - for that is what cooking is: a culinary art. When all is said and done, it all boils down to one thing: I love NoVe Kitchen & Bar, located at 1750 N. Bayshore Drive, in the Opera Tower.



I visited NoVe a few days ago and I am still thinking about the experience. I was so impressed and wooed by their food and service, that I have not been able to stop talking about it. It isn't just one thing that makes NoVe so spectacular, it is the combination of everything it encompasses - a central location, a chic ambiance, outstanding service and the most creative and original Japanese cuisine I have ever tried. It all began when I stumbled across NoVe online and thought the place sounded perfect for one of my adventures. I was even more intrigued when I got to sample their food during a recent Yelp event; finally deciding it was time to see if their food was as good as their menu sounded. It wasn't just as good, it was in a class by itself. The name NoVe stands for "North of Venetian"; cleverly referring to the geographical area in Miami where the restaurant is located. Their menu is very extensive, offering a combination of traditional Japanese dishes infused with familiar, American fare.  It was this uniqueness and originality, created by Chef Hiro Terada, that stood out most for me. Chef Terada is a master in his art; being first introduced to sushi making by his father as a child and then continuing to learn his craft and develop his talent in RKC Chef’s School in Kochi. His expertise in creating unique dishes with exceptional flavors have previously brought his signature style to other restaurants in Miami, but is presently the heart and soul at NoVe.

Spicy Ocean 3

Opera Tower

I knew I wouldn't be able to sample everything that intrigued me in just one visit, so I selected different rolls, focusing primarily with those from Chef Hiro Terada's Originals portion of the menu. I started with the Spicy Ocean 3, a sushi roll made with tuna, salmon and yellowtail, bathed with an inspiring trio spicy sauce, and topped with tempura flakes and scallions. It was delicious ! The spicy sauce had a definite kick to it, without overpowering the taste of the fish. The fish was very fresh and the tempura flakes and scallions added a crunchy texture to the roll. Next, I got down to business, anticipating the arrival of the chef's originals. The first roll to arrive was the one that blew me away hands down: the Opera Tower. It absolutely took my breath away! This roll consisted of tempura fried lobster, asparagus and avocado inside the roll; covered in a mound of their trio spicy sauce, tuna, crab, tobiko, scallions, mayonnaise, tempura flakes and a sweet sauce; all mixed together in perfect harmony. The flavor of the mix was so enticing, I wanted to scoop every last morsel with my spoon. Generous in size, its taste was unparalleled.

NoVe Slider

Up close and personal

Next, I tried a very unique and interesting roll on the menu: the NoVe Slider. A playful original by Chef Terada, it was made with grilled skirt steak seasoned just right, swiss, cheddar, pepperjack and cream cheese, fresh avocado, portobello mushrooms and scallions, rolled in a bun. A burst of flavor in every bite,  the combination of cheeses permeated the "roll" as it combined with the juicy tenderness of the steak. Wow! I was very curious about another roll on the menu so I ordered it next. It was the Calle Ocho roll. The calle ocho roll is another whimsical roll, and as the name suggests, holds a latin flavor to it. Made with skirt steak, black beans and avocado, and topped with tender pieces of sliced plantains, this roll is a perfect tribute to Miami; each bite exhibiting the spanish flare so reminiscent of a trip down eighth street. The combination of sweet and salty flavors does the trick and leaves you wanting more.

Calle Ocho Roll

Shrimp Ceviche

Yellowtail Carpaccio

Since the night was young and I was having such an unforgettable adventure, I was overjoyed to try another special chef's creation: the Shrimp Ceviche. While there are a variety of ceviches available on the regular menu, this one is not. Just think of it as ceviche royalty. Envision six U15 shrimp (they were enormous!), mixed together with yuzu-ceviche sauce, sliced cucumbers, chopped red onions, cilantro and kaiware; resulting in the most fragrant of flavors. It was both refreshing and satisfying all at once, with a most unique and delectable taste.  Finished with this heavenly dish, I sampled one more sushi treat: Yellowtail Carpaccio. The thin slices of yellowtail were covered with red onions, scallions, tomatoes and cilantro and sat in the chef's special ginger, balsamic vinagrette sauce; giving it a most amazing flavor. The tender fish dissolved in my mouth into tasty pieces of paradise.

Dark Chocolate Ecstasy Cake

Panqueque Flambee

While I wish I could have tried more of these captivating dishes, I knew I'd have to wait for a future visit because there just wasn't any more room. But thankfully, the experience wasn't over just yet, and I had room for dessert. Looking at the menu, I couldn't decide between two, so I had both: the Dark Chocolate Ecstasy Cake a la mode, and the magical end to my night: Panqueque with Dulce de Leche Flambee and vanilla ice-cream. Being the chocolate lover that I am, I was mesmerized with the cake - rich, moist and decadent. Couldn't put the spoon down. Then I tried the Panqueque, and suddenly, the world spun. No, it wasn't from overconsumption. It was the incredible taste of the dessert; with its flambeed dulce de leche seeping out from between the crepe as I swirled it with the vanilla ice-cream. Heavenly!

All I could say is that one must return several times to NoVe to get a true feel for their menu. It is that large and impressive! While I was in the mood primarily for sushi, their menu includes a variety of cooked dishes as well including blackened and grilled fish, teriyaki chicken, duck, burgers and fried rice. They even offer a children's menu for the little ones. NoVe will be celebrating its one year anniversary next month, and I look forward to seeing what other imaginative creations Chef Terada will surprise us with. You have to go see for yourself what I'm talking about. After a night of admiration and culinary extravaganza, it wasn't just an adventure...it was an adventure to remember. For more information, you can contact NoVe at 786-871-7727 or visit them online at http://www.novekitchen.com/.

Read More

Greenstreet Cafe

There's always something special about Coconut Grove, sunny Sunday mornings, and brunch. I don't know if it's the sunlight shining on the lush trees lining the street side cafes, or the bohemian, laid back atmosphere that fills the air, but Coconut Grove just makes me want to put on a sundress, a pair of sandals, and head on over for a Noonish brunch. Didn't take much thinking about where to go either. There is one place in the Grove that epitomizes what a friendly and comfort-food laden Sunday brunch should be, and that is Greenstreet Cafe, located at 3468 Main Highway.

Greenstreet Cafe was founded 23 years ago and it has become an iconic part of the Grove. Tourists and locals alike flock to Greenstreet for a mouth watering breakfast, lunch, dinner or happy hour, every day of the week. The place is constantly buzzing with patrons, many of who are daily regulars, enjoying their food, drinks and friendly service. While there are several places offering Sunday brunch in Coconut Grove, Greenstreet is perhaps the most popular; not only because of their appealing a la carte menu, but also because of the vibrant  ambiance you experience throughout your meal.

We sat down in a nice table outside, shaded from the sun by a row of umbrellas. Perfectly situated for some interesting people watching, we sipped our Mimosas; toasting to another beautiful Florida day. While Mimosas are my brunch vice, I have to pause and mention that Greenstreet also offers a mean Bloody Mary, one that will perk you up and bring you back to life on any given post-partying Sunday.


Mimosa



Eggs Benedict

I knew I wanted eggs and they had a whole list of preparations on their menu for me to choose from: Eggs scrambled with Jerk Spices, Cheese, and Caviar, to name a few. Further down, interesting omelettes called out to me: Goat Cheese and Tomato Omelette and Spinach and Feta Omelette. But as I continued reading...Woop! There it was! I found what I was looking for: Eggs Benedict, either Florentine (with fresh spinach) or Nova (with smoked salmon). They both sounded good so why choose? I ordered my Eggs Benedict with both ingredients and let the good times roll. Since the omelettes sounded so interesting as well, we thought, "Ah, what the heck? Aren't eggs an important part of a balanced diet?" Alas! We ordered the Chives and Cream Cheese Omelette. Both dishes came served with potatoes; square little tongue teasers that were so good, I found myself gulping them down faster than I could swallow.

Chives and Cream Cheese Omelette

The Eggs Benedict were classic. The carefully poached eggs were prepared sitting on two halves of a toasted English muffin; sinfully smothered in a smooth and creamy Hollandaise sauce. I absolutely loved the taste of the Hollandaise sauce which was rich and buttery, with just a hint of lemon juice . I pinched the egg, and the yolk oozed out over the plate in the most appetizing volcanic eruption.  By the time it was all over, I pretty much had completely cleaned my plate with every fiber of my being. Shameful I know! The omelette was just as delicious as I thought it would be. The chives added a hint of mild, garlic flavor to the warm cream cheese, totally adding a new dimension to both the texture and the flavor of the dish.  We chose a baguette to accompany the omelette and it was fresh and crispy. Absolutely scrumptious!

When they cleared our plates, I looked over to the side and saw the family next to us had ordered one of the fabulous-sounding pancakes on the menu. Were they Steve's Banana Pancakes? Whole Wheat Pancakes? Blueberry Pancakes? I don't know! I just know they were huge! I found myself staring at their plate like a hungry puppy, wishing I could start again; but I knew I wouldn't be able to take another bite after the enormous amount of amazing food I had just consumed. So, I hesitantly looked away; the only thought in my mind being... next Sunday is only 7 days away.

Penne Tetrazzini

Mini Lemon Ricotta Donuts

But wait, you don't really have to wait seven days to enjoy Greenstreet Cafe. To see if this nirvana could be repeated, I came back for their lunch as well - and it rocked! Their lunch menu offers a variety of dishes including a mix of appetizers, soups and salads, wraps, and pastas. In the mood for pasta myself, I ordered the Penne Tetrazzini, served with a light pink cream sauce, chicken and topped with pine nuts. The pasta itself was good but what made the dish for me was the chicken. The chicken is marinated overnight in ginger, yogurt and cilantro; sealing the flavor until it is ready to burst in your mouth. Yum! The sauce was delicious also and went well with the chicken. Saving some room for dessert, I asked  the waitress her recommendation. Since they have their own pastry chef,  she suggested a couple of selections that were her favorite. I went with her first one: The Mini Lemon Ricotta Donuts with chocolate sauce. They were good and I liked the subtle hint of lemon in the donuts when dipped in the chocolate sauce. For a finishing touch, I ordered a delicious Capuccino and sat back to enjoy.

Capuccino

As for the service at Greenstreet Cafe, it was top notch each time. Everyone was friendly and attentive, and when out of their way to make me feel at home. At this point, all I can say is that I have to go back soon because I have some unfinished business to take care of.  It's almost Sunday again, the weather is looking good and I'm still thinking about the pancakes. For more information, you can contact Greenstreet Cafe at 305-444-0244 or visit them online at http://www.greenstreetcafe.net/.

Read More

Timo Restaurant and Bar

Sunny Isles Beach, the City of Sun and Sea, is situated on a barrier island in the northeast corner of Miami-Dade County between the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. It is in a pristine location, midway between Downtown Miami and Ft. Lauderdale.  Many have referred to Sunny Isles Beach as Florida's Riviera, which is why it became the city's prestigious slogan. It is a beautiful, vibrant community with rich history and cultural diversity.

This is where I decided to have my next culinary adventure; in a neighborhood restaurant serving Italian/Mediterranean cuisine, named Timo Restaurant and Bar, located on 17624 Collins Avenue.

As you drive down Collins Avenue, you might miss Timo, since it sits in the middle of a shopping center. Once you step inside, however, it's a whole different story. The place was beaming with excitement; every table was occupied and from the looks of it, it seemed to be a regular crowd. The manager walked around the dining area speaking to the patrons, and the conversations were friendly and familiar. I learned the restaurant had it's 9th anniversary just a couple of days ago, and while it changes its menu seasonally, it is proud to still offer a few of its original favorites.

We started off ordering a Chilean Pinot Noir that was fabulous: Lai Lai from the Bio Bio Valley. The wine was a bit fruity and velvety; somewhat dry towards the end but lingering just a bit before it said goodbye. Nice! As we sipped our wine, the waiter brought us a basket  that contained the most addicting  breadsticks and bread assortment. I couldn't stop breaking off the pieces and dipping them into the olive oil. Then I saw two appetizers on the menu that immediately caught my eye. They were the Blue Crab Raviolo and the Bufala Mozzarella. The Blue Crab Raviolo was served with citrus brown butter and topped with pine nuts. The flavor was a bit subtle for my taste and while the blue crab was very fresh and tender, it lacked zest.  I was hoping for a more exciting explosion of flavors when I envisioned the combination of the citrus brown butter and the blue crab, but I just didn't get it. The Bufala Mozzarella brought a smile to my face though. It was warm and creamy and it came with clay baked Roma tomatoes and slices of eggplant. Wow! This one was a winner.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Blue Crab Raviolo

Bufala Mozarella

Ahi Tuna

Grilled Whole Dorade

We then moved on to the entrees. I noticed they had a nice brick wood oven and a variety of pizzas that included one called Black and White, made with shaved black truffles. Mmmm...I was tempted after an inner struggle, but after reading over their fish & shellfish selection, I decided on the Ahi Tuna. It was seared "Au Povre" with artichoke puree, sweet and sour cipollini onions and crispy artichoke. Being the sucker that I am for sweet and salty, I was sold. Once again, it didn't hit the mark for me. The tuna was very fresh but missing flavor. There was only a hint of sweetness that I felt every other bite and other than that, not much to the dish. The taste of the pepper was the one that overpowered and while I tried to swirl my tuna in the puree to find what I was looking for, in my opinion, it needed more. The second entree we ordered was better. It was the Grilled Whole Dorade, with smoked sea salt, roasted peppers and grilled lemon. The fish was tender and flaky and had a rich, succulent meaty flavor. The secret to this dish is in the sea salt. I have had it several times in numerous places and found this one to be satisfactory.

Brick Wood Oven

Parmesan Risotto

Chocolate Mousse

Now I have to mention the dish that blew me away: It was a side dish that took me to the moon and back: the Parmesan Risotto with wild mushrooms and black truffles. Delicious! I could've probably ordered three of these and called it a night. Actually, the bufala mozzarella appetizer and the risotto are both part of their original menu and I can see why because they were my two favorite dishes of the night. Enough said! I was feeling pretty satisfied, but really wanted to try one of their desserts. At first, I was leaning toward the Tiramisu, since it's one of my Italian weaknesses, but the waiter suggested I try the Dark Chocolate Mousse Terrine with Orange Caramel Gelato. I only heard three words in that name: Chocolate, Caramel and Gelato. I was game. Out came a chocolate delight filled with creamy, delicious mousse. As I glided each piece through the orange caramel, I savored the heavenly taste. The gelato was smooth and sweet, branding the same orange flavor. Very good combination and a nice finish to the meal.

We received stellar service throughout the evening, from the moment we walked in to the moment we left. The ambiance is very friendly and has a welcoming allure.  For more information, you can call them at 305 936-1008.

Read More