Eat Local Miami 

 
 
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In just a 40 minute drive, you can be in Ireland. That’s right. Ireland.

When you just want to toss back a few cold ones without having to deal with all the uppity nonsense of the South Beach nightlife, take a drive to the Field. This cozy shack in Dania will have you wondering if you’re in Broward or Donegal County.

Built around a massive but gorgeous tree, this quaint spot sports real bar stools, benches, tables and floors. If you get a chance, don’t sit at the bar… take a seat on the elevated platform. There are some really neat barrels to sit on with a perfect view of the band. Best of all, dim-lighted chandeliers grace the ceiling providing just the right amount of light so you don’t spill your Guinness. But enough about the décor…

Two red-headed sluts later (the drink) lol, and I was ready to try some of the menu’s highlights. If you’re going to have an appetizer, start with the sausage pastries--two golden and flaky puff pastries loaded with sausage on the inside…  Some friends had the wings which were pretty tasty but be warned they carry a spicy kick! An order of coconut shrimp was placed, but my pregnant friend Mia would have to give it a rating… I would guess great since she and baby- to- be left no morsel behind… Hmmm….

The main dishes were to die for. Rave reviews for all the dishes we tried. The Prime Rib—a spectacular hit with the guys and the Gaelic Steak, a superb cut full of flavor. The prices were not too bad either… Each meal was about 20-22… an excellent price for such scrumptious meals.

And who can forget about dessert? Not I! Seeing that our table was divided between chocolate fiends and vanillaholics, it was no surprise that two different sweets were ordered—the chocolate cake and the to-die-for—Whisky Crème Brule…mmmm. If only I didn’t have to share!

 
 
 
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You have always known that your an epicurean. Let's face it-- a Gourmet God or Goddess, but you just can't afford to thrown down big bucks at every meal...

I feel you. As much as I love, adore, ravish food, I can't always afford all these fab places all the time too. That's where Miami Spice comes in... I wait for it every year. That special time of the year where I can eat at the greatest spots for what me and my guy spend on Sportsgrill's wings and beer!

And for a little while, you can feel free to indulge too; Miami Spice offers gourmet dining at a price you can actually afford.

Some of Miami's finest restaurants roll out a prix-fixe menu, offering three-course lunches for $22 and three-course dinners for $35. Sample some of that top-notch cooking you've been depriving yourself while you're "between jobs", between girlfriends or boyfriends or just in the mood to splurge!

Although it contines into September, there are certain places where the books have filled up fast. Make sure you get reservations way in advance if you want to dine at  Emeril’s, Hakkasan, DeVito, or Scarpetta.

Oh, and if you need a dining buddy, I can suggest a great one: Me!

For a full list of participating restaurants, visit ilovemiamispice.com.
 
 
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Let's Dicuss this ... Leave your thoughts on my Bite Me Section...

On June 12, 1957, Surgeon General Leroy E. Burney stated that “evidence pointed to a causal relationship between smoking and lung cancer,” thereby changing the official position of the United States Public Health Service. This small but significant move opened the door to regulation of Big Tobacco, beginning a battle that came to a head last week with the FDA being granted the most power over the industry to date.

More than half a century later, Michael Pollen sheds light on another industry wreaking havoc on our nation—Big Food. His film, Food Inc. reveals the dysfunction our current food system. Highlighting the obesity epidemic and the constant threat of contaminated food,  makes sure to let us know that we have a problem as big as smoking: an addiction to cheap, unhealthy food perpetuated by an industry intent on maximizing profits at the expense of our health and our land.

Watch the film. It will change the way you think about those Cheetos you snack on during your favorite show or the burghers you snarfed this weekend. But most important it will make you want to take action. We need to get together and demand that our current food system be reformed. We cannot allow these companies to reap profits while our country’s waistlines thicken and our health declines.

But being part of a sustainable solution is not in Big Food’s interest. Instead, they continually deny the correlation between obesity and fast food as “junk science.” Remember Big Tobacco? They spent years insisting that there wasn’t enough evidence that smoking caused lung cancer. The results were that millions of people had to die before the government acted.

Good health, food safety and sustainability will never exist in our current food system because Big Food is standing in the way. There are too many politicians that have ties to the industry and there is unfortunately too much profit to be made by exploiting people like us.

While millions still die of smoking related illness every year, it’s not too late to lift the veil from Big Food, and in doing so, save lives and public health for years to come.

 
 
 
Organic food probably has modest nutrient advantages over conventional food. For example, a literature review in 2008 summarized several hundred matched pairs, where one observation was organic and the other conventional. Organic had more nutrients in 61% of cases, which is notable but not overwhelming.

It is wisest to make your decisions about organic and conventional food primarily based on your assessment of the environmental considerations. The nutrient differences are not as decisive. If you don't care about artificial pesticides or GMOs, you may prefer whichever is less expensive. If you want food grown without artificial pesticides or GMOs, you may prefer organic.

In any case, I would not yet give credence to the much-circulated Reuters report yesterday that organic has no nutrient advantages over conventional food. The report is based on a literature review released yesterday through the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The review, funded by the UK Food Standards Agency, had different selection criteria from the earlier research mentioned above.

It seems to me the new UK literature review was not sufficiently powered to detect the small advantages of organic that one might realistically expect. For example, unless there is an error (in tabulation or in my reading), it shows a 10% advantage of organic over conventional in zinc, but the result was not statistically significant (for example, because the sample size was not large enough). The authors say this shows organic is no better than conventional. But, nobody ever expected a greater than 10% advantage for organic anyway. Really, the new results are essentially consistent with the older research. I think the authors err in summarizing their results as refuting the earlier claim that organic food offers slightly more nutrients, and the Reuters report is mistaken in its news summary of this research.

The new study has also been critically covered by Paula Crossfield at Civil Eats and Charles Benbrook at the Organic Center. From Benbrook:
Despite the fact that these three categories of nutrients favored organic foods, and none favored conventionally grown foods, the London-based team concluded that there are no nutritional differences between organically and conventionally grown crops.I leave this fuss in the same place I started. There are probably modest nutrient advantages from organic production.
 
Rock-A-Bangkok 08/04/2009
 
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13718 SW 88th St
Miami, FL 33186-1302

Every once in a while I get a hankering for Thai food.  Why?  Rock-A-Bangkok is why.  

When this craving gets the best of me, I make sure to get to little spot in Kendall and fast!

 It doesn’t look like much on the outside, but the inside is beautifully decorated making the experience delightful and intimate--- it’s a small place….



Start with the Spring rolls—delicious rice paper rolls freshly and tightly packed with noodles, basil and large shrimp with the requisite peanut dipping sauce. The steamed dumplings were a big hit for me too!  A mixture of ground pork and water chestnuts was enclosed in pastry pouches before being lightly steamed.


For entrees, don’t miss out on their pad Thai with shrimp. The classic dish of stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts, green onions and roughly ground peanuts never fails me and if you’re in the mood for something a bit different than just Pad Thai try the Three Karat chicken—chicken bathed in tamarind and red curry sauce along with green beans, bell peppers and fried basil leaves…. Mmmmm… My Favorite!

For dessert, definitely the fried banana… It is just sweet enough to satisfy. The chef wraps thick banana slices in small wontons, fries them off and then drizzles the golden pillows with honey.

Service is fast but not rushed, and the wait staff is sharp and friendly.

For the timid, it's important to stress that this place makes dishes to order. I know Thai spots get a fiery rap, but here, you can order foods as spicy as you want or keep them as muted as you like. The hallmark of good Thai food is a balance of all the flavor elements and Rock-A- Bangkok achieves it in the kitchen and dining room.

Don't worry about braking the bank either....
The menu is full of moderately priced items so no section is off limits. Here are two suggestions to stretch your dining dollars:

Dinner for $15: You can get in just under the wire with the salmon filet curry ($14.50) with green beans, bell peppers and steamed jasmine rice.

Dinner for $10: Order the garlic delight ($8.95), a saucy dish of your choice of chicken, beef, pork, vegetables or tofu with streamed vegetables and rice.


 
 
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385 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134


If you’re looking for something authentic, I’d have to say fuhgeddaboutit. But a cool place to people watch and dine in style, come right in.

The décor is probably something I’d describe as mobster chic. The walls are crammed with memorabilia from Marc Randazzo’s (chef and owner) days as a boxer, and kitschy/gaudy religious/rat pack/Italian-American stuff. Basically, absolutely fabulous.

As for the food, pretty damn good. The menu says that all the recipes are Marc’s mom’s, and, if you don’t like any of them “call her and tell her – phone number given on request.” It’s flavorful; the sauces are just the right texture and amount; the ravioli was stuffed with the perfect amount cheese and the salad, amazing! Artichokes, ham, beans...mmmmm

The prices are a bit expensive though.. Around $20-27 for most plates. But in all fairness, when you get your plate, you’ll feel this little wave of relief because there’s just so much food. Really, they look like family-style servings. The place isn’t cheap, my fabulous foodies, but it’s not terrible either.

Randazzo’s is one of those places you come with a date or for those nights you want to be uber-fab. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the best Italian place around or even semi-authentic, but I can say it’s a cute, chic place to get your Mickey Blue Eyes on...  

 
Casita Tejas 07/18/2009
 
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27 N Krome Ave.
Homestead, FL 33030

I don’t know about you, but when I have mentioned to people that I’m going out for some Mexican food, I always get the same answer-- “There’s no good Mexican food around here… Well, maybe Chevy’s I guess…”

Um. Yeah. No.

Everyone is wrong. There are some fabulous places where one can get some authentic Mexican grub. A small trek to Casita Tejas in Homestead will have your taste buds thanking you for the culinary fiesta!

My friend Wendy and I arrived during lunch hour on Sunday and took a seat in this sunny, sunflower themed restaurant. The interior of Casita Tejas is small, but adequate.

We waited a few minutes and our server came with a basket of chips and a small bowl of salsa. The chips were fragrant and slightly warm. The salsa was chunky, fresh and had a small touch of sweetness to it.

Wendy and I placed our orders and decided to start with some Tamarind soda. We both had to get the Burrito Norteno because it just sounded soooo good on the menu and my God, it was. The burritos were jammed packed with flavor and the sides of rice and beans, a delight. Large portions and everything fresh and flavorful. All in all, my meal was exceptional. I don’t think there was a single molecule of food left on my plate. Although we had eaten everything on our plates, Casita Tejas proved to be a nice place to stay catch up on some much needed girl talk.

After requesting our bill, we continued to munch on the chips and enjoyed the buzz of the place. People were chatting away and you could hear the dulcet tones of a tiny AM radio being played in the kitchen. Our server returned with our bill and a nice surprise. The total for our fabulous eats was a mere $21.00!

As we left Casita Tejas, we were still talking about the burritos. They really were that good. along with the service and atmosphere.

I don’t think Chevy’s stands a prayer.

 

 

 
Robert is Here 07/12/2009
 
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19200 SW 344th St
Florida City, FL 33034

I still remember the first time I visited a farmer’s market. I was in San Francisco and instantly it changed my life. Seriously, I am not being dramatic. I picked up a few fruits here and there, had the freshest and best coffee ever, and listened intently as a few of the farmers talked about their plight and the benefits of eating local foods. It was from that point on that I became obsessed with how much our food choices impact the world.  I have been spreading the message as much as possible down here in Miami, but hadn’t found a market that struck me until today’s visit to Robert is Here.

What a place! Way down in Homestead, this corner fruit stand is worth the trip--their creamy and thick fruit milkshakes alone!  Robert offers his customers all sorts of goodies. From a variety of marinades, sauces, natural honey and exotic fruits, there is definitely something for everyone.

The stand started in 1959, when seven-year-old Robert sat at this spot selling his father's bumper crop of cucumbers. Now Robert ships around the world, and everything is first quality.

Friendly and a fellow foodie, Robert is always around if you have some questions. I had never tried lychees and he was kind enough to give me a taste. When I asked him if it was some sort of mamonsillo, he chuckled and said “it’s the Lexus of mamonsillos!” Boy, he was right. Absolutely delicious! My fabulous friend Wendy had come along on this fruit stand exploration and took some home too. After a few questions about some exotic fruits, we sipped on a mamey milkshake we had agreed to split and hit the road with our creamy goodness.

If I were you, I’d get to Robert’s quick. The summer heat in Miami is the best time for one of his refreshing milkshakes. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Robert before he shuts down during September and October. The stand opens bright and early at 8am and never closes before 7pm.

Robert is Here means Monica is there!

 
Steve's Pizza 07/08/2009
 
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18063 S Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33157-5546


People often search high and low for a pizza spot that well, hits the spot. Pizza is one of those foods that can sometimes fall into a hard-to- please -everyone category.  With good pizza being relegated solely to the streets of NYC, it can be quite a challenge to convince people—especially New Yorkers that Miami has some great spots too.
Pizza is just one of those foods. We Americans have some sort of loyalty to our pizza parlor of choice. How many times have you heard: “Nobody make its like” Too many times right?
I’ve decided that I would begin a quest for the best local pizza joints in Miami. One absolutely fabulous spot and a personal favorite of mine; Steve’s Pizza is where I’ll begin.
It is interesting to note that when the pizza arrived, it appeared slightly burnt. The cheese and pepperoni looked good, but the crust was exceptionally dark brown. I hate burnt anything, so as soon as I saw the pie, I was a little worried. All my worry went away as I dove into the first bite. The cheese was just the right consistency and flavor, and the pepperoni was very high quality. It was very flavorful and not oily. It was not crisp like it was cooked on broil.
Something I noticed right away is that despite this being relatively thin crusted pizza, there was no oil pooling anywhere on the cheese or from the pepperoni. I haven’t had thin crust pizza with this property before, and was impressed, because overly oily pizza can sometimes be a bit gross. I finally got to the crust, which was dark brown, almost black in spots, and reluctantly took a bite. Instantly, it became apparent that this was not burnt pizza, and no ordinary crust. It was pizza fabulousness!
And it gets better! Steve’s doesn’t sell just pizza. They’ve got a full line of baked pasta dishes & Italian dinners.  But with such good pizza I’ve yet to make it to that part of the menu.
Another fab piece of the pie is their prices. They are pretty darn reasonable. A large pie is about $15 and it’s large.
Steve’s Pizza has two locales--one in west Kendall and another on US 1. Both delicious and both will be seeing my face every time I’m in the mood for pizza. Now that’s amore!

 
 
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This past Sunday, I took a trip to lovely Tarpon Springs. Yes, I know it is not in Miami, but I cannot help but spread the word about this small town with just about the most fabulous Greek food you'll ever taste!

One of the largest Greek communities in the USA, the city of Tarpon Springs is about 4 hours from Miami and well worth the drive.  There is tons to do and tons to eat! Just drive out to the main strip-- Docadenese Drive. Surrounded by Greek delicacies, hand rolled cigars, the salty smell of the water and cheery Greek shop owners, you won't want to leave.   

Known for sponge diving, you'll see more sponges and sponge boats then you could ever imagine. Venture into the sponge factories and pick up a few to take back home. Don't forget the soap though... Right on this strip is hands-down the best soap shop in the world--GETAGURU. Made in house with all natural ingredients, this small pink-washed shop will have you dreaming of opening your own specialty store. Once you're done dreaming, its time to start eating!

You cannot say that you've been to Tarpon Springs if you left without eating at Hella's. I've been here a few times and everything is really good. But the Gyros top my list.  The gyros are hot, stuffed and absolutely delicious. I was really happy with the amount of tzatziki sauce they pour on-- sometimes many places make them too wet or too dry. This was perfect. The Greek salad, complete with large chunks of feta cheese was amazing. Big enough to be a meal on its own, it won't dissapoint. And don't forget to wash it down with some Greek beer or a deliciously refreshing Sangria. It was so good, I had to ask the waitress for the secret. Apparently, a few fruits isn't enough--you have to add all kinds of fruit juices too!

As for dessert, the Baklava is outstanding--Hella's has a bakery attached to it as well! Everything is fresh and baked right there... just ask the waitress who proclaimed that their signature dessert, "baklava cheesecake"  is life changing!  I'm sure it is-- given that it often runs out before noon. Tip: Bring a cooler--take these sweets home!

So, what's the pricing like? Well, that too is fabulous! The gyros are about $8, beers $4 , Sangria $6.

Tarpon Springs may not be in Miami, but it is definitely worth a visit--the whole town is all about "local." What is nice about the strip is there are a ton of shops that you can't find just anywhere. 

Although a bit touristy and often a bit tacky, a lot of the stores have European linens and shoes (super amazing Italian leather shoes, to die for!) because the majority of the people that live in that immediate area are Greek. And the people that work there sound like every single person from the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". AND every other shop/boat/place was called Nicholas, I swear to God! It was awesome!

 Maybe Tarpon is Greek for Food Fabulousness! Lets ask Mr. Portokalos! :)