2014 "The Year in Miami Food" Photo Gallery via Miami New Times

1/4/2015

Via The Miami New Times:

This year, we took a bite out of the Magic City. From South Beach restaurants like 1826, Fez, and Drunken Dragon to suburban eateries like Finka Table and Tap, Shaddai, and Tira.D.Toss, in 2014 there was interesting food happening all over the city. Wynwood also gained Shikany and Proof Pizza & Pasta, while the Upper Eastside's food offerings continued to grow with Loba and Tap 79.

Check out the full photo gallary here:

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/slideshow/the-year-in-miami-food-42121972/#1

Miami's 11 Best Restaurants of 2014 (Courtesy of Miami Herald/Miami.Com)

12/28/2014

Michael Mina 74 One of Miami's Best Restaurants in 2014

Article Originally Appears at Miami.Com courtesy of Evan S. Benn | Miami.com restaurants editor | ebenn@MiamiHerald.com

Miami Herald and Miami.com critics reviewed 49 Miami-Dade restaurants in 2014. The average rating was 2.61 stars out of four (scale: 1 Poor, 1.5 Subpar, 2 OK, 2.5 Good, 3 Very Good, 3.5 Excellent, 4 Exceptional).

These are the 10 new restaurants (and one extra) that impressed us the most this year and appear poised to please customers in 2015 and beyond.

1. Oolite (Restaurant of the Year): “Oolite’s commitment to gluten-free ingredients cooked with regional flavors does not limit its ability to impress. [Chef-owner Kris] Wessel paints from a subtropical-seeped palette, squeezing acid from Key limes and sour oranges; sussing sweetness from guava, guanabana and late-season mangoes; and sourcing proteins from Florida farms and local waters.” Look for Oolite to delve deeper into health-conscious waters in the new year, adding vegan and vegetarian dishes to its menu. Reviewed in August; 3.5 stars. Evan S. Benn.

2. Michael Mina 74: “Everything we tasted was exceptional, but my favorites came from the sea. ... We chose a tableside preparation of scotch-bonnet-flecked tuna tartare and pine nuts as well as a duo of ceviches with diced octopus in a coconut foam and pompano in bracing Key lime marinade. The real stunner came by way of a red curry broth that supported a rice cake with baby shrimp cake, a plump scallop and a large fillet of red snapper with nicely crisped skin. ... [Chef-owner Michael] Mina and his talented chef de cuisine, Thomas Griese, pull off a spectacular dining experience.” Reviewed in January; 3.5 stars. Victoria Pesce Elliott.

3. Traymore: “Located inside the Metropolitan by COMO, the Traymore presents food that is appealing and approachable without gobs of pork belly, foie gras or caviar to make it so. ... Squid ink carnaroli risotto from Piedmont is subtle perfection with its cubes of squid, bacon, tomato and chervil microgreens, while a fennel-laced seafood stew with meaty prawns, tomato and softshell crab is a delight. ... Service is crisp and competent. Portions are thankfully petite and prices are correspondingly reasonable.” Reviewed in May; 3.5 stars. VPE.

4. The Forge: “With 46 years of dining history, a $2.7 million wine cellar and a notorious past filled with New York wiseguys and tabloid-worthy pop stars, The Forge is like a classic movie you relish revisiting, even though you know the ending. Its new chef, James Beard Award winner Christopher Lee, doesn’t disappoint traditionalists, but he courts new fans with modern, homespun adaptations that counterbalance the opulence of the legendary spot.” Reviewed in July; 3.5 stars. Jodi Mailander Farrell.

5. L’echon Brasserie: “Pork deliciously lurks around every corner of L’echon Brasserie in the new Hilton Cabana Miami Beach. And while pig works well at Pubbelly’s original gastropub and even its sushi bar (see: pork belly and fried clam roll), the other white meat rises to new levels in this French-inspired kitchen. The preferred protein comes three ways in [executive chef Josh] Elliott’s take on stuffed dates, which are filled with tender, roasted pork, wrapped in bacon and drizzled in pork jus under a light herbs-nuts-and-parm salad.” Reviewed in August; 3.5 stars. ESB.

6. Josh’s Deli: “Josh’s Deli revives old-school Jewish fare like matzo ball soup and potato latkes by putting a decidedly modern twist on things. Much of it is downright unorthodox — shellfish, swine and other treif ingredients are a big part of Josh’s repertoire — but nearly all of it works. ... Nothing about Josh’s screams that it’s taking itself too seriously, a common affliction among Miami restaurants. Guests get fist-bump greetings from the chef, young children are welcomed by name, and the lone rotating dessert on the menu is usually baked by a regular customer.” Reviewed in June; 3.5 stars. ESB.

7. Basil Park: “Basil Park is more than your average juice bar. Its food flexes muscles like the ones on the tattooed, ballcapped cooks in the open kitchen. The menu, like Miami, is bustling and a bit all over the place, with flavor influences from the Mediterranean, Asia and Latin America. ... Gorgeous salads are reason enough to come here. One, with butter lettuce and slivers of fresh-peeled grapefruit and hunks of ripe avocado, is dressed so well it shimmers. Bright bits of pomegranate seeds, basil and lemon offer pops of color and flavor. That and a protein-packed salad of red quinoa, sunflower seeds and sweet dried cherries have crunch and cool for days.” Reviewed in July; 3 stars. VPE.

8. NIU Kitchen: “If the all-glass entryway of NIU Kitchen allows a peek into the future of downtown Miami, then we’re in for an inventive time filled with superb flavors and a modern Spanish accent. ... There isn’t a trendy brussels sprout or shred of kale in sight. Instead, Barcelona-born chef/co-owner Deme Lomas (Barceloneta) creates traditional Catalan food with an updated twist. Yes, there are potatoes and eggs and chorizo, but these combinations challenge old assumptions with Dalí-like eccentricity.” Reviewed in August; 3 stars. JMF.

9. Blackbrick: “In the spirit of Chinese voraciousness, [chef-owner] Richard Hales has gotten creative without going fusion on his menu at the new Blackbrick, also known as Midtown Chinese. With the help of chefs from Hong Kong and Hunan province, Hales is putting out treats like lamb tongue flatbread, General Tso’s alligator, fried duck head, whole rabbit and jellyfish salad. His casual, fast-paced spot is at once hip and welcoming. It helps that prices are reasonable and the staff super-friendly. Most days find Hales in the open kitchen, where an occasional chile bomb fills the air with pungent spice that makes your eyes water.” Reviewed in February; 3 stars. VPE.

10. Mignonette: “This Miami/New Orleans-inspired oyster bar caters to seafood fans who like their fin fare both plain and fancy. ... Raw oysters are sourced from both U.S. coasts and are worth a visit alone. Of the cooked varieties, try the oysters Rockefeller — a buttery, crunchy, breadcrumb-topped classic. An exemplary red fish is seared until crispy-skinned and juicy in its piquillo pepper- and brandy-spiked sauce, served alongside snappy haricots verts.” Reviewed in September; 3 stars. VPE.

11. J&G Grill: Chef de cuisine Brad Kilgore was cooking the best food in town this year at J&G Grill in the St. Regis Bal Harbour — straight-up transcendental food presented in thoughtful progressions that belied his youthful age. A re-review in October bumped J&G from 3.5 stars to 4. And then weird things happened. Kilgore quit to open his own place. Sommelier Luis Mejia fled for Scott Conant’s Corsair at the Turnberry. Rumors abound that the St. Regis is shopping J&G to other operators. It’s still functioning at a high level, but after losing two of its brightest talents, it’s difficult to say whether the restaurant can be as great as it was with Kilgore and Mejia. ESB.

South Beach WFF Feb 19-22, 2015

12/21/2014

SOBEWFF 2015

Via www.sobefest.com

The Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is a national, star-studded, four-day destination event showcasing the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University (FIU), the Festival benefits the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management's Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center at FIU. To date, the Festival has raised more than $20 million for the School.

Having just celebrated its 13th year, the Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE began as a one-day festival known as the Florida Extravaganza held at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus. For five years, from 1997-2001, the Florida Extravaganza showcased wines from national and international wineries paired with food from local restaurants and chefs working with students of FIU’s School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. In 2002, Lee Brian Schrager, then director of Special Events & Media Relations at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, took the reigns of the one-day festival and brought his vision for the Festival to life by relocating it to South Beach. The renamed South Beach Wine & Food Festival® attracted close to 7,000 guests to a series of dinners, seminars, a Grand Tasting Village and live Auction in its first year.

In 2006, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival celebrated its fifth anniversary and became one of the largest and most well-known festivals of its kind in the country. During the planning of the 2007 Festival Food Network entered into a partnership to become its title sponsor. The resulting Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE combined the international appeal of top-quality libations from around the world, the national appeal of Food Network and its celebrity chefs and hosts, and the appeal of Latin and Caribbean-inspired regional cuisine.

In 2011, the Festival celebrated 10 years and released the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival Cookbook: Recipes and Behind-the-Scenes Stories from America’s Hottest Chefs (Clarkson Potter), written by Lee Brian Schrager with Julie Mautner, featuring a foreword by Anthony Bourdain.

In 2014, the Festival and Southern Wine & Spirits celebrated the opening of the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory and Mel Dick Wine Tower at FIU; the state-of-the-art educational facility built as a result of the funds raised from the Festival over the years. Looking forward, the 14th annual Festival will take place February 19 – 22, 2015 and will once again feature internationally renowned talent and leaders of the hospitality industry at uniquely crafted events showcasing world-class wine, spirits, food, and fun.

Miami hosts it's first engagement of "Diner en Blanc" Tues Dec 9th

12/7/2014

Diner en Blanc Miami Dec 9th

Get everything starched and pressed for Dîner en Blanc, that combination flash mob/picnic thing out of Paris you may have heard about. Contrary to what you may have thought, this past weekend's pop-up "Evening in White," albeit lovely, was not affiliated with the Parisian organizers of the Dîner en Blanc, the wildly popular dinner party that attracts thousands in cities like New York, San Francisco and Singapore.

For twenty-six years now, in cities around the world, tens of thousands of white-clad food lovers converge annually on the most picturesque locations to dine and drink under the stars. To preserve spontaneity and secrecy, the locations are revealed at the last minute. They bring along not only their own epicurean feasts but also their own tables, chairs, crystal, silver and napery. Now, for the first time, Miami will have its own Dîner en Blanc, rain or shine, when it takes over a secret landmark public space attended by 1000 people on Tuesday, December 9th.

Launched in Paris in 1988, today the inimitable French tradition attracts more than 15,000 people annually. But it was after Dîner en Blanc’s American debut in New York in 2011 that the event truly exploded in popularity—requests poured in to organizers from cities across the globe. This year its reach is fifty cities across five continents including 13 in the U.S. —from Paris to Singapore, from New York to Washington, D.C.—and now, Miami.

Once registration opens, the event sells out quickly and there are wait lists in many cities, including New York which has exceeded 30,000 people.

Article Courtesy of Sara Liss Miami New Times

http://www.miami.com/secretive-quotd-ner-en-blancquot-coming-december-article

Mediterranean Inspired Cleo To Open Friday Nov 14 Redbury South Beach

11/10/2014

Mediterranean Cleo Redbury South Beach

Cleo, the Mediterranean restaurant by Chef Danny Elmaleh that is currently located at The Redbury in LA and at the hotel's sister property, SLS Las Vegas opens it's 3rd location at The Redbury on Miami South Beach.

Elmaleh, who opened the acclaimed Celadon restaurant in Los Angeles in 2006, has created a menu that "will showcase a modern twist on the ingredients and cultures of the eastern and southern Mediterranean, with a collection of unforgettable dishes prepared in a wood burning oven," says a rep. Elmaleh will also "draw upon the flavors of Miami to create dishes that celebrate the local culture."

Among those dishes: ceviche, Jerusalem Hummus, Wagyu Tongue Kebabs, Potato Latkes and Monkfish Tagine.

“Having spent so much time in South Beach, I’ve been playing with the idea of a Miami-inspired Cleo menu for a few years,” said Chef Danny. “The vibrant collage of cultures and cuisines in Miami is very reflective of everything Cleo stands for and it’s brought an exciting energy and flavor to our menu for South Beach.”

Among other things the menu will feature shared plates of meats, seafood and vegetables, as well as salads, homemade Lafa flatbreads, raw bar, and an array of vegetarian items. The bar will offer "a hand-crafted cocktail program using fresh juices and ingredients, and carefully selected wines."

Glasshouse Restaurant Coming To Coconut Grove's Peacock Park.

11/10/2014

Glasshouse Restaurant Coming To Coconut Grove

[Courtesy Of Miami Herald] While rumors have been swirling for months, The Miami Herald has finally confirmed that Glasshouse, a new restaurant helmed by Eating House's Giorgio Rapicavoli, is indeed opening in Coconut Grove.

Glasshouse will be a "contemporary American eatery" in Coconut Grove's Peacock Park in the former 2820 MacFarlane Rd. office space. For this restaurant venture, Rapicavoli has partnered with Grove Hospitality Group, the same people behind the $18 million redevelopment of the Miami City Hall waterfront area, right down the street from Glasshouse.

The "179-seat garden style restaurant" will overlook the park, have a full service bar and a walkup counter for visitors.

No word yet on when the restaurant will open but Rapicavoli is looking forward to the new project telling Eater Miami, "I'm really stoked to be getting to work on this project from the ground up. From the plates to the pans we get to be involved in everything. It's definitely a big change from starting up in a bakery. Crazy how far we've come!" [Miami Herald]

Brooklyn Brewery Mash Comes To Miami Oct 25 to Nov 1st.

10/21/2014

Brooklyn Brewery Mash, The nation’s largest travelling food & arts festival is visiting Miami for its 2nd to last stop of a 12 city tour. Now in its second year, The Mash aims to present some of your favorite chefs, bands, comics, writers and, of course beer, in some of the most interesting places in the country (and two cities outside of the country). Whether from Brooklyn, Stockholm or Miami, Brooklyn Brewery’s goal is to celebrate emerging talent.

For more info and a schedule of events visit :

http://brooklynbrewerymash.com/miami

Miami Spice Highlights Restaurants All August & Sept.

7/28/2014

Miami Spice Offers Top Dining At Reduced Prices

Miami Spice 2014 August September

Get up close and personal with some of Miami's top dining locales during Miami Spice, a two-month promotion where participating restaurants offer up discounted three-course meals (lunches $23, dinners $39) featuring signature dishes and specialties prepared by world-renowned chefs. Participating this year in Miami are top steak houses like Capital Grille and Morton's, trendy hot spots like The Bazaar and Makoto, budget-busters like Juvia and Cavalli and many more.  

For More Info Visit: www.ilovemiamispice.com

Yard House Opening 5th Location on South Beach 2/27/2014

2/17/2014

Yard House Opens New Location on South Beach 2/27

Yard House South Beach

Yard House continues to expand in Florida opening its 5th location in Miami Beach. Located on Lenox Ave. The 12,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 300 and serve lunch, dinner and late-night eats. Look for 140 beers on tap, salads, burgers, tacos, steaks, ribs, sushi and a specialty Eat Late menu available only after 10pm. Feast on black truffle cheeseburgers and monte cristo pops while washing them down with locally-made brews from Cigar City Brewing, Due South Brewing Company and Funky Buddha Brewery.

Yard House Miami Beach
Opening 2/27/2014
1681 Lenox Ave, Miami Beach
www.yardhouse.com

Van Dyke Cafe, Miami's #1 Spot For Live Jazz, Is Closing...

1/1/2014

Van Dyke Cafe Closing after 20 Years on Miami Beach

Van Dyke Cafe Closing

Van Dyke Cafe (est. 1994) has been a Lincoln Rd. staple for almost 20 Years. Unfortunately, after all the rumors that have persisted, Van Dyke Cafe is actually closing. It is yet to be announced what will be replacing Van Dyke's but we are almost certain it will have something to do with retail much like the rest of Lincoln Rd...Live Music and Jazz aficionados will not be pleased...

JennyLee Molina, the restaurant's publicist has confirmed that this is still truth. "We won't know when Van Dyke's last day is until the end of January." Molina said.

However, all hope is not lost yet! Van Dyke's definitely has the possibility of relocating. "It's all being discussed," Molina told Miami.Com. With Graspa's (Van Dyke's Parent Company) other beach-based restaurant Spris spreading onto the mainland, with one Spris Pizza newly opened in downtown and the other in Midtown, some may suspect Van Dyke looking to establish roots somewhere over the causeway as well, though, adds Molina, "Lincoln Road is the heart of Van Dyke's parent company Graspa."

We bid an honorable farewell to Van Dyke's on Lincoln Rd and salute them for all the years of great music and a wonderful dining experience! Meanwhile Lincoln Rd becomes less and less recognizable to longtime residents...

CelebritiesMiami.com is your source for Miami Celebrity Events, Sightings, and ALL other things that are Miami. We cover the whole South Florida area including Brickell, Wynwood, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach and the rest of the South Florida areas. We are always working our best to provide the residents of South Florida with up to date information, news, deals, and reviews. Miami is home to a diverse culture which we spotlight in all our review sections. For those of you looking to satisfy your appetite our Restaurant Review Section & Directory will point you in the direction of exactly what you're looking for.

If you're visiting Miami for the first time, then you've definitely come to the right place! We offer reviews and directories of hotels, attractions, and shopping from South Beach to Homestead. Once you've explored some of the unique boutiques or visited one of our larger (or in this case giant) malls like Sawgrass Mills You'll want to check the Miami and South Florida nightlife. From Las Olas in Ft.Lauderdale to Ocean Drive in Miami we have you covered. Miami is known for great DJ's, live music, parties and fun bars. We are also home to some truly beautiful Art Gallaries & Museums such as the Bass Art Museum. With all Miami & South Florida has to offer, you won't leave disappointed!

CelebritiesMiami.com is your source for Miami Celebrity Events, Sightings, and ALL other things that are Miami & South Florida!

Live Scores