Going Underground - Cobaya Dinner with Chef Alberto Cabrera

This past Thursday, the Cobaya "underground" dinner actually lost its' parenthesis as 43 Guinea Pigs gathered in a legit underground wine cave at La Bottaga in Coconut Grove for a 8-course meal courtesy of Chef Alberto Cabrera.  Chef Cabrera has an extensive resume here in Miami and currently heads up the kitchen at a badass spot called The Local in Coral Gables.  Having dined there many times and sampled other bites from Alberto at various events, I knew this was going to be a great meal.  First glance at the menu confirmed that.

The Vesper
Ridge Silver Tip Gin – Boyd & Blair Vodka – Lillet Blanc Aperitif
Mixologist David Ortiz

Charcuterie
Pig’s Head Terrine
Pickled Vegetables
Foie Gras Brioche
Mustards

Maine Sea Urchin
Corn Custard - Yuba - Compressed Cantaloupe - Ginger Flowers - Dashi Froth
Paul Cluvner Gewurztraminer, Elgin, South Africa 2010

Cured Foie Gras
Country Duck Ham – Frisee - Pickled Mango - Scarlet Beet Puree - Duck Fat Vinaigrette

Beef Heart
Broccoli – Farro – Shiso – Coriander Flowers – Gochugang
Neudorf Chardonnay, Nelson, New Zealand 2008

Matsutake Mushrooms
Pine nut Risotto – Coconut Fondant - Shellfish Emulsion – Parsley 

Cuttlefish Linguini
Cotechino - Romesco – Almonds – Orange - FennelInama Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy 2009

Squab
Quinoa – Dark Chocolate – Strawberries - Whipped Balsamic - – Red Vein Sorrel
Chateau de St. Cosme Crozes Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France 2009

Pork Tenderloin
Crispy Shoulder – Anson Mills Grits Puree – Grapefruit Gel - Local Honeycomb
Marietta Cellars Angeline Cuvee, Alexander Valley, California 2007

Raspberry-Yuzu Sorbet
Crème Fraiche – Mexican Vanilla - Thyme
Moscato d’Asti, La Spinetta, Piedmont, Italy 2010

Peanut & Dark Chocolate Turron
White Chocolate – Grapefruit – Lavender

The night underground started out with a cocktail, The Vesper, courtesy of local mixologist David Ortiz who said this cocktail was good for cleansing the palate before the meal.  The flavors of the gin, vodka, and lillet blanc had a harmonizing flavor to them with a sort of musty finish that I likened to tequila.  And we're off!

When we first walked in, I noticed the centerpieces on the table looked like pickled veggies.  That was indeed the case and they were to be paired with a nice head cheese terrine.  An added touch was a foie gras brioche that I thought was fantastic.  The foie really came through nicely. 

The hits kept coming after that first bite.  Up next was a small bowl with a corn custard in it, layered with compressed cantaloupe, crispy bean skin, ginger flowers and some uni.  This dish was exploding with fresh flavors, each component announcing itself through the chew and working in harmony to brighten the overall flavor.  A fantastic dish.  

A pretty plate

The next dish was impressively plated with our server, Leslie (whom I later discovered was Chef Alberto's wife), making sure the plate was rotated properly for presentation.  Frisee greens with pickled mango and a kickass country duck ham were covered in a duck fat vinaigrette and then layered with cured foie gras.  I liked the way the acidity of the pickled mango and vinaigrette balanced out the richness of the foie.  A swipe of beet puree added a fresh flavor that, to me, served as a nice bridge from the previous dish.

Beef heart, shaved thin and flavored with Gochujang (a Korean fermented hot pepper paste that Chef Cabrera also uses at The Local in his homemade beef jerky) took the stage for the next course.  It was paired with one of my favorite grains, farro, and a nice bushy piece of broccoli that had some spiciness to it.  The thin shavings of the beef heart were light on the tongue while the farro and broccoli provided a nice textural contrast.

Our fourth dish was my favorite of the night.  Matsutake mushrooms were paired with a pine nut risotto and shellfish emulsion to create a masterful dish.  The earthiness of the mushroom took center stage, supported by pine nuts that had been pressure cooked (I think) to soften them up for a risotto.  It's been two full days since Cobaya and I am still wanting more of that dish.  Damn, it was good!  I think it was so good that I totally forgot the next dish, a cuttlefish linguini.  I actually omitted it from the menu and this post after The Chowfather and I talked and couldn't remember having it at all.  We were convinced it didn't happen until we saw that Mr. Frodnesor had posted a picture of it.  Weird.  Maybe it was the wine haha.

The last two savory courses brought some nicely prepared proteins to the table.  First up was a half of squab with its' leg wonderfully crispy and plated with some quinoa which is another one of my favorite grains.  After that was a pork tenderloin laid on top of Anson Mills grits puree with grapefruit gel and a piece of local honeycomb laying nearby on the plate for dipping and mixing.  At first I didn't think I would like the honeycomb but it did play nicely with the savory meat and slight tartness of the grapefruit gel.

The final two courses were desserts but I was pretty much done after the first one, a Raspberry-Yuzu sorbet paired with flavors of vanilla and thyme.  I'm not really a dessert guy but this was the perfect dessert for me, especially after the number of courses we'd already had.  This was a light dessert with the raspberry-yuzu combination giving the old taste buds a nice massage before sending them to bed for the night.  Fresh, clean flavor.  I ended up wishing that I had stopped after that as the peanut/chocolate dessert that came next was way too rich for me.  

I knew when I first talked to Chef Cabrera about doing a Cobaya dinner that he would put out a kickass meal and he really did a great job embracing the spirit of Cobaya and plating dishes with a myriad of flavor and textural contrasts.  It felt good afterwards when we were chatting and he told me that it felt good to do a dinner like this where he could really get creative.  Courses like the matsutake mushroom dish and the sea urchin dish really impressed me as phenomenal compositions.  A huge thank you to Chef Cabrera for a truly fantastic meal and for securing one of the coolest locations we've had for a Cobaya dinner as well.  Additional thanks to local chefs Jeremiah Bullfrog of the gastroPod and Brad Kilgore of Azul who also runs a pretty badass blog called The Power of Passion, as well as all of the servers, additional kitchen help I may have missed, and the good folks at La Bottega in the Grove for letting us use their awesome wine cave.  That's not to leave out the Guinea Pigs whose enthusiasm and sense of adventure is what drives these dinners and keeps them going.  Here's looking forward to the next one!

2011 Taste of the Grove Lacks Flavor

During this past week while traveling the Pacific Northwest for business, I was catching up on some blog reading on the Miami New Times Short Order blog when an article reminded me that the Taste of the Grove would be held this weekend.  The article also made the ridiculous claim that over 30,000 people attended this event last year.  I'd really love to know where that "fact" came from considering last year the event was held in January and it was freezing cold and rainy all weekend.  I'd be surprised if even 3,000 people attended.

Anyhow, I was happy to be in town to be able to attend and met up with a friend to walk in and check it out.  We purchased $20 worth of tickets and began to do a walkthrough to see what sort of offerings were available.  We quickly realized we would need more tickets after buying two beers at $5 apiece.  I guess I was thinking that was acceptable for an "event" beer but it bothered me later on when I attended a movie at the O Cinema in the Wynwood district and got a Brooklyn Lager for $3. 

After grabbing more tickets we decided on the mixed ceviche offering from Panorama.  I'd had a few meals at this restaurant that were ok but I mostly enjoy their spot on the 8th floor of the Sonesta for a mojito and a great view of the bay.  The ceviche was a nice portion for $8 and contained a variety of seafood.  Clams, scallops, calamari, and even some octopus were tenderized in citrus and mixed with onion, cilantro, and some Peruvian cancha.  For a dish marinated in citrus it really lacked that flavor.  Instead an overpowering dose of garlic was the main flavor punishing our palates.  It was too bad because other than that the dish was quite tasty.

As we looked for our next bite to eat, a highschool band took the stage and began cranking out covers of Nirvana before launching into some death metal that I couldn't recognize.  It was really awkward at a food festival like Taste of the Grove.  I guess they took anyone that wanted stage time.  As we neared the end of the last tent, I smelled smoky barbecue and found a booth offering some ribs, chicken, and conch fritters.  I think it was called Master C Culinary or something like that.  I'd never heard of them but we were hungry and barbecue sounded great.  We had $10 left in tickets and were able to negotiate a deal for a plate of ribs and two conch fritters (instead of 4) with the nice people in the booth who also recommended we had some hot sauce.  The ribs were tender and I was impressed with how meaty they were but the sauce wasn't anything special.  The fritters were just ok.

I was pretty disappointed in the lack of variety at the Taste of the Grove.  Most of the food sold at each booth was stuff you could find at any carnival, fair, or average outdoor festival.  There were sliders, greek gyros, barbecue, and pizza.  Wow, big deal.  It all amounted to a bunch of overpriced, underwhelming food.  Popular Grove spots like Le Bouchon, Greenstreet, and Lulu didn't even take a booth at the festival.  I guess it shows the culinary state of the Grove these days isn't really too impressive at all.

Local Love: Coral Bagels - A Rare Find in Miami - Coconut Grove, FL

Growing up in MA I always liked the feel of a good diner, a place where you could have a simple breakfast or lunch for a couple-a-bucks.  Something about those places always had a good vibe.  Down in Miami there really aren't many diners that capture that feel.  One that does, however, is Coral Bagels in Coconut Grove.

I've been going to Coral Bagels for years now.  I love that I can walk in at any time of day and get a quick, hearty breakfast and be on my way.  The staff there is really friendly, even when the place is mobbed and there are a line of diners waiting to scoop up the next available clean table.  People of all different ages, shapes, and sizes come in and out and actually show courtesy to one another, holding the door, helping to move a table.  I've even offered a lone stranger a seat across from me at the table when the diner was crowded and they looked like they wanted a quick meal.  Something about the place just makes people feel good. 

I get the same thing every time I go to Coral Bagels - two eggs scrambled w/ cheese, bacon, homefries, wheat toast, and an iced tea.  Service is fast and the food is good.  I especially enjoy getting some slightly charred homefries from time to time.  I'll sit and read the paper or some blogs and websites on my phone and work away at my plate.  I always save a slice of bacon for last before slapping some grape jelly on my toast for "dessert".  It's the same meal, every time.  Today I went crazy and used orange marmalade on half of my toast.  That's right, I'm a rebel.  But sorry orange marmalade, grape jelly is the one for me.  This meal sets me back $8 and that includes tax and a $2.10 tip.  Awesome.

Being inside Coral Bagels is a nice break from the hustle-bustle of Miami.  I once talked to the owners of the place and told them it was a great spot and that I'd been coming for years and years.  They were appreciative and said they love having all of their customers in to get a simple meal.  I told them I hope they never change the place and I'm quite certain they never will. 

Coral Bagels

2750 SW 26 Avenue

Coral Gables, Fl. 33133

Phone: (305) 854-0336

Fax: (305) 858-5759

The Inaugural Burger Beast Miami Burger Tour

Sunday night, I participated in the inaugural Burger Beast Miami Burger Tour, organized by the big guy himself.  It was a gluttonously good time.  When I got home, I posted a hilarious video of what the tour reminded me of, a scene from one of my favorite movies of all time - Hamburger: the Motion Picture.  Today I'm getting a little more serious and providing my commentary on the restaurants that participated and the burgers themselves.

But first, a song to get you in the mood.  Hamburgers for America!



If you aren't familiar with the Burger Beast, take a minute and check out his blog where he writes about burgers 'round the clock.  I first met the Beast a few weeks ago at the Latin Burger & Taco Truck.  I had purchased a ticket to the Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine & Food Fest but then booked a business trip that overlapped, rendering my ticket useless.  I knew if anyone would be able to help me sell my ticket it was the Burger Beast himself.  He took the ticket off of my hands as a surprise gift to his wife, Marcela.  Yup, he's a real Softee.  We chatted while I beasted a Latin Macho Burger and I asked if he really eats burgers every day.  Much to my surprise, he doesn't actually eat burgers every day.  Ok, so it wasn't a big surprise and I commented that had he answered, "yes", my follow up question was going to be, "So, are you and your plumber on a first name basis?"  The Beast told me he was in the process of organizing a Miami Street Food Fest, inspired by all the mobile eats that had popped up all of the city as of late and later on he informed me that there was a lone seat left on the Burger Tour he had organized and asked if I wanted in.  Luckily, I was in between business trips and was able to attend.

The lineup for the Burger Beast Miami Burger Tour consisted of The Taurus in the Grove, The Filling Station in downtown Miami, and Burger & Beer Joint on Miami Beach.  Transportation to and from each stop on the tour was provided by Gus and Michelle of the Miami Tour Company who also run the blog, Miami Beach 411.  I was happy to finally meet Gus in person as he and I have exchanged comments on a few blog topics in the SoFL blogosphere and I've always thought he was a standup guy.  I was right.  Both he and Michelle are great and it's no surprise that their tour business is booming.

I met the group at The Taurus in the Grove, a mere couple of blocks from my home in Coconut Grove.  I had had tried their burger previously and recommended it to the Burger Beast while noting that the fries are the best I'd ever had.  The Taurus did a great job as leadoff hitter for the Burger Tour, setting each of us up with a 1/2 portion of their burger and a bunch of baskets of their truffle fries.  The burger was cooked medium without being too dry.  I usually don't like toppings on my burger but they didn't overdo it by piling toppings on too high so I scarfed down the burger, tomato, lettuce, and all.  It was a good burger but nothing to rant and rave about.  The fries, however, were a huge hit.  Fried super crispy and coated with truffle oil and a blend of seasonings, these fries were not long for this world.  Jen, from Dine Magazine, made the mistake of sharing a little basket with me.  I think she maybe got 4 fries.  I inhaled the rest. 

We loaded the tour bus and began our trek to the next stop - The Filling Station.  It was pretty cool that the bus had the tour audio going, dropping little nuggets of Miami history on us as it chugged through Coconut Grove and into downtown.  I was surprised to see that the Filling Station was located right around the corner from where I used to work when I had a job downtown.  We walked in and were greeted by a very friendly staff and this sign.

 

This burger was obviously gonna be awesome based on name alone

The Filling Station is a tiny joint with a menu that packs quite the variety of sandwiches and burgers along with some apps and salads.  The burgers all have auto-associated names like Julie's T-Bird (turkey burger), and more interesting burger combos like the Speed Racer (burger with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, jalapeno jack cheese, bacon and a fried egg) and the Super Sport (burger w/ creamy peanut butter(??!!??), peppered bacon, red onion and lettuce).  Steve's "Respect" Mobile sure earned my respect.  The burger was cooked to a nice medium and topped with a nice jerk-sauced pulled pork.  I had just had this combo at a bar in Minneapolis recently and loved it and the Filling Station's version was even better with the buttermilk ranch served on the side for burger dunking.  They also served up some tater tots with the burger along with some iced tea.  I thought the burger was very good and I'm definitely going to make plans to go back and try the Super Sport sometime as I'm dying to know what peanut butter on a burger with bacon tastes like.  More than anything though, I was really impressed at how friendly the staff was, from the owner on down the line.  Everyone seemed really pumped to be a part of the Burger Tour.  Hell, they aren't even open on Sunday night and opened just for the Burger Tour!

Once again, we boarded the tour bus and traversed over the causeway to Miami Beach to the last stop on the Burger Tour - Burger & Beer Joint.  I was already a huge fan of B&BJ, with my first experience detailed here.  Because of that, I wasn't too worried about the fact that I was already pretty full after 1.5 burgers, tots, and truffle fries.  I had been there, done that.  Burger & Beer Joint served up a slider version of what we thought was supposed to be their Thunder Road burger (burger, cheese, bacon, bbq sauce) along with some gigantic onion rings.  The burger was not the Thunder Road and instead was just a tiny patty with a little lettuce on top.  It was also cold which sucked.  If I wasn't already full and if this burger wasn't magnificently seasoned, I'd have been majorly disappointed.  But, even cold and sad looking, it was still pretty good.  The burger was cooked to a perfectly pink medium and the meat tasted fantastic and melted on the tongue.  The onion ring was impressive in size but just ok in taste.

Jacob Katel, from the Miami New Times Short Order blog, asked me what I thought about the tour and if I'd do it again.  I said that it was a great time and that they were probably going to have to wheel me outta there because I was so full!  I think I would definitely do the Burger Tour again but I think it would be better if it started a little earlier.  We got delayed a bit at the first stop which resulted in the last burger being consumed at 10pm at night, not very conducive to the whole digestive process.  All in all though, I thought the Burger Beast Miami Burger Tour was planned properly and executed well.  The Beast did a great job making sure everyone was set up for a good time and the value for the dollar was phenomenal.  Big thanks to the Burger Beast and the Miami Tour Company!

Ribs @ Gardner's Market

I was on my way to hit some golf balls on Saturday when I noticed the signs for RIBS being offered by Joy Wallace Catering at Gardner's Market in the Grove.  I needed lunch so I stopped in to scope it out.  I ended up purchasing a 1/2 rack of ribs that came with some slaw and baked beans for $8.50.  It ended up being a great deal.

After paying for the ribs, I sat at one of tables that Gardner's has in front of the store.  When I first unwrapped the ribs from their foil, I noticed that they were pretty big and that they weren't cut.  They also looked like they were going to be tough and certainly weren't falling off of the bone.  Luckily, they weren't tough at all and they were loaded with meat! 

I tried the first rib by itself and thought it was ok.  The meat was nice and tender but the rub didn't have much flavor.  Things got better when I added the barbecue sauce that came on the side.  It was a little too ketchup-y but pretty good.  A few people walked by and saw me eating ribs outside the market and went and got their own.  One woman pleaded with her husband not to go for ribs, a battle she obviously had no chance of winning.  When I wasn't making a mess of myself devouring ribs, I was digging into the beans and the slaw.  The beans were average if a bit sweet but the slaw was unbelievably good.  I honestly never eat slaw but this came with lunch so I tried it and it was awesome.  It had a fresh, crisp texture and just the right amount of moisture.

I didn't see what days these ribs are available but I do know that the Joy Wallace setup is currently there from 11am to 6pm on Saturdays.  If you're looking for a nice deal for lunch and you happen to be in the Grove then, check it out.  The half rack I got was a ton of food, so much that I actually left a rib on the plate and had my membership to the Clean Plate Club temporarily suspended.  All for a good cause :)

Good Find at Fresh Market

I walked into Fresh Market the other day and noticed that they had Asian pears that were bigger than my fist!  I love Asian pears and I'm trying to make more of an effort to make dinner at home instead of going out all the time so I picked one up.  Look at the size of this bad mutha!

I also picked up a bushel of Earthbound Farms' fresh herb salad mix and some goat cheese and then I noticed that blueberries were 2 pints for $5 so I jumped on that too.  If you like raspberries, blackberries, and/or blueberries, Fresh Market usually has them on deal at 2/$5.  So, if they aren't that price on your particular visit and you don't mind waiting check back the next week they likely will be.

Tonight I sliced up 1/2 of the Asian pear to make a salad for dinner.  This thing was so big that I only needed to slice up 1/2 of it.

Then I filled a bowl with the fresh herb salad mix, added the pear, blueberries, and goat cheese and tossed with a tiny amount of olive oil and this pinot noir vinegar I'd received at a Slow Food Miami dinner.

The end result was a winner.  I liked the sweetness of the pear against the slightly tart blueberries and the acidity of the red wine vinegar.  The goat cheese balanced everything out nicely.  I suppose you could also add grilled chicken to make this a more hearty salad too.  If you've never tried one of these pears, give it a shot.  They are great in a salad and I also like to use them with brie and turkey in a sandwich.  Or you could just eat them like an apple.  Regardless of how you use them, you can find these giant Asian pears at the Fresh Market in Coconut Grove.

2010 Taste of the Grove

Yesterday with football on all day and with the the Taste of the Grove food festival ending early due to the cold and rain, I didn't have a chance to walk into the Grove to check it out.  Today the temperature dropped even lower than yesterday and the wind picked up but the rain held off enough for me to walk down to Peacock Park to get some lunch at the Taste of the Grove.  All things considered, it was pretty good.

I left the house wearing a t-shirt and sweater.  It was pretty cold but I knew I wouldn't be gone more than an hour and I like to soak up a nice chilly day here in South Florida.  In hindsight, I probably should've worn a hat too because the wind while walking down the hill of South Bayshore and at Peacock Park was howlin'!  When I got down to the event, I hit up the ticket booth for $10 worth of tickets and went to search for my lunch.  There was a band playing some good jazz/funk music that people were enjoying and there was plenty of cover in case it did rain. 

I first spotted Ideas Restaurant's booth and went for some white bean soup with chorizo ($4) to help me warm up a little bit.  The soup was nice and warm without being too hot.  I liked the bits of chorizo and the flavor of the soup but there was some sort of pulp in the soup that was very stringy.  The texture just threw the whole dish off for me.  I'm not sure it was worth $4 either.  I finished off the soup and went in search of something a little more hearty.  I stopped by Panorama's booth and liked the looks of both the raviolis de aji de gallina and the lobster ceviche but the tax was too high at $6-$8 each (I forget the exact prices).  I just didn't feel like getting more tickets to give it a try and I was in a hurry to make it back to my place to watch the Patriots/Ravens game.  Glad I rushed for that...

I saw the booth for Atchana's East/West Kitchen and remembered that they had some good value there last year and figured that I could fill up on something with the 6 tickets I had left in my pocket.  I checked out the menu and saw something simmering in a foil pan and figured that was a good option.  Turns out it was curried chicken and rice which could be had for $5.  "How hungry are you?  This is a pretty big plate..." was the reply I got from the guy in the booth after asking for a plate the curried chicken.  He wasn't kidding.  He set up a nice pile of rice and ladled some of the yellow curried chicken on top.  Then he let me know they had some hot sauce if I wanted, which made me happy.  I squirted on some hot sauce and found a standing table in the sun to dig in.  I'm not sure if I was seeing things when I saw the curry in a foil pan, or if it was really that cold but by the time I took my first bite the dish was barely warm.  No matter, it was good.  The rice was a little sticky and clumped together but I'm certain the cold had a lot to do with that.  I thought the flavor of the curry was deliciously sweet without being overpowering and it made for a great combination of spicy/sweet when I worked in some of their hot sauce.  There was plenty of chicken in the dish and the vegetables were nicely cooked while staying crisp.  I'd like to give this one another shot when I can get it hot off the stove.


I stuck around for a few minutes while the band played on through the wicked winds that battered the park.  I noticed that Johnsonville Brats had a HUGE setup in the back by the stage.  It was some sort of mobile big rig with a bunch of bbq grills.  There were about half-a-dozen people standing at the booth, most likely workers that were to man the grills and pass out marketing schwag.  Talk about Ma Nature making a mockery of your PR efforts, geesh!  It must've been two days of standing around chatting in the cold for that poor booth. 


It was not the best conditions for the Taste of the Grove this year but the vendors showed up and did their best.  The cold weather keeping crowds away did allow me to have two dishes in about twenty minutes though and that curried chicken dish was pretty darn good albeit a little cold.  Perhaps there will be "Another Taste of the Grove" this year when the weather is a bit warmer? 

7 Meals in 7 Nights: Wednesday - Jaguar, Coconut Grove

I woke up Wednesday morning still feeling full from the final round of the Pizza Crawl and wondering if Id even be able to eat anything all day. I tallied 8 slices consumed by me the night before (4 full slices at Fratelli la Buffala and 8 half slices at Casale), not to mention about 4 beers and then a few bourbons afterwards. That's a lot of 'za.

After another long day at work and only eating a cup of soup for lunch, I headed home with the intention of giving up my quest for 7 meals in 7 nights. I was just too full and it was clouding my brain and preventing me from figuring out where I would eat that night. Just as I got on 95, my friend/neighbor gave me a buzz. I hadn't seen her in awhile so when she said, "I'm running some errands then wanted to see if you wanted to meet up at Jaguar later?", I was happy to oblige. The quest was back on!

I eat at Jaguar a lot. To me, its the best spot in the Grove for good food on a consistent basis. I have a few options that I order depending on my mood. If I'm really hungry, I get the ceviche spoon sampler (2 nuevo, 2 black market, 2 oriental is the way to go) and then follow up with the Shrimp Casserole*. If I'm in a simple mood, I go with the burger which comes topped with chorizo for a nice hearty touch. The Mexican Lasagna has also been on my radar but I haven't taken the plunge yet. If I want a light meal, I go with the ceviche sampler on its own or I start with the ceviche sampler and then move on to a 1/2 Caesar salad with chicken. The Caesar at Jaguar is one of the best Ive ever had as they use just the right amount of creamy Caesar dressing and the lettuce is always crisp. The 1/2 portion option with chicken is a steal at $8 too.

Being that I was still full from the night before, I just went with the ceviche sampler and a Woodford Reserve on the rocks. They serve up some great chips and spicy salsa while you wait for your meal, so I really didn't need more than the ceviche. If you go to Jaguar, be sure to ask for the "Salsa de la Muerte" or "Death Sauce". Its very spicy but it tastes awesome with the chips or you can kick up your ceviche with a few drops. Trust me, you'll have a sweat going in no time. The Oriental ceviche pairs tuna, ginger, avocado, lime, sesame, jalapeno, and cilantro and is usually the first spoon I eat. The Nuevo comes with choice of shrimp or calamari, aji amarillo, ginger, soy, and lime. I like the texture of the calamari best with this spoon so that's how I always order it. The Black Market has white fish, shrimp, calamari, aji amarillo sauce, and corn. I think my favorite is the Nuevo overall though the Black Market is a pretty close 2nd.

I really like the dining space at Jaguar. They have a nice, long bar with plenty of stools along with about 4 leaf-shaped hightops and 2 lowtops. There is also a little seating area just past the bar where many sit for their "Thirsty Thursday" wine tastings. The wine tastings are from 7p - 830p and offer samples of 6 different wines plus steak/chicken skewers and assorted ceviche spoons for $15 plus tax/tip. Its a pretty good deal and a good way to meet people too. The only negative I noticed on the few nights Ive participated is how selfish people in Miami can be. Only a certain amount of skewers and spoons were coming out and rather than take one so everyone had a chance to eat, people were loading up like inconsiderate pigs. Last time I went was over 6 months ago so hopefully things have changed by now. The main dining area has plenty of tables and I also really like the high ceilings. Jaguar has a nice vibe, really mellow, non-intrusive music, and an effective layout for groups or dining solo.

With my 3rd meal in 3 nights under my belt, I headed home to enjoy a few more bourbons outside in my courtyard, strum the guitar, and catch up on some blog reading. Before long it was time for bed and I was already getting excited for my meal at Naomi's Grill in Sunday Isles. Stay tuned for more on that...

*The Shrimp Casserole offers 4 shrimp with aji amarillo and 4 with salsa negra along with white rice. This replaced my favorite dish on the menu and also what I considered the best offering on the menu: the Shrimp Trio. Shrimp Trio had 3 grilled blackened shrimp with salsa negra, 3 fried shrimp with a sweet mango(not sure if Im remembering this sauce correctly) sauce, and 3 sauteed shrimp with an aji amarillo sauce plus the rice in the middle. Id eat all 3 groups and then mix up all the sauce with the rice. It was awesome and it hurt me to see it go. I havent tried the Shrimp Casserole yet mostly because nothing will ever replace my Shrimp Trio... :(

7 Meals in 7 Nights: Monday - The Taurus, Coconut Grove

"Mon-day, back from the dead. Im letting it go, back for another one.", starts the song "Days of the Week" by Stone Temple Pilots and also pretty much sums up how I was feeling on Monday. After 7 days in Vegas, 18 hours in Miami, and 4 days in Boston/Rockport, I was looking forward to a night in my own bed. Unfortunately, my flight that was supposed to depart at 7pm didnt depart until a little after 10pm which had me arriving at my condo at around 2am. Since Id slept a bit on the plane, I ended up being semi-wired and couldnt fall asleep until about 4am. Three hours later and it was time for work...yay! It was during those 2 hours of tossing and turning that I reviewed my upcoming week and decided I was going to dine out every night - 7 meals in 7 nights.

After a long day of playing catch up at work, dealing with fires while putting out new ones that were popping up everywhere, I was beat. There was only one thing I was thinking about that would put me in a nice, sleepy mood: a good burger. I had heard thru the Grapevine that the Taurus had reopened and supposedly used to be known for having a killer burger. Being that the new owners were completely different from the old, I was a bit skeptic but I decided to stroll on over to give this meat patty a shot. A nearby lady friend of mine was feelin my burger buzz and met up with me at the Taurus.

The Taurus is a tiny little hole-in-the-wall on Main Highway in Coconut Grove. They have outdoor patio seating and an indoor bar with bar seating, a few hightops, and then an area with couches and chairs. Some of the chairs are made from horse saddles which was pretty cool but I cant imagine it being comfy. I ordered a Guinness to start and asked if they had a menu. The bartender pointed to a blackboard on the wall at the end of the bar and said, "Here's what I've got today." There were 3 choices: a burger, 6 wings, or 12 wings. That makes things easy I guess. The bartender confirmed my assumption that the reason for the limited menu was so people could smoke in the bar. I guess this is great if youre a smoker. I personally dont like inhaling secondhand smoke while I eat and a suit-clad press type of guy was sucking em down like his life depended on it. Luckily he left right as our food arrived.

We both opted for the burger. I went with medium-rare with swiss cheese, she went well done with american. The burgers come piled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and a pickle. There was also some sort of mayo-based sauce smeared on the bottom bun. I added a little ketchup and mustard and decided Id do a few bites without Tabasco to get the regular burger flavor before getting the awesome burger flavor (Tabasco + burger = awesome) and went to town. The burger was juicy, seasoned, and cooked a perfect medium rare. It was also a rather large burger. I muscled my way thru it but my friend raised the white flag halfway thru and took the other half home. Burger aside, the huge surprise for me was how kickass the fries were. Crispy fries are my favorite and these ones were mega-crispy. They also had some sort of paprika seasoning on them that really enhanced the flavor and complimented the awesomeness of the burger.

After mowing down my plate of fries, I noticed my friend had a few on her plate that looked poisonous so I made sure to eat those just in case. Nice guy I am, right? Now me belly was full. I enjoyed a few Makers Mark on the rocks while she sipped a couple of the bartender's lemon drop martinis. When we got the bill, it came to about $80 with tax and tip included. I thought this was kinda high but most alcohol in the Grove is kinda high in price anyways. The burger was about $11 or $12 which seemed fair for its size and the amount of toppings and fries. The owner stopped by (he owns Calamari Restaurant next door) and asked if we had made it for happy hour. I said we just missed it and he suggested that maybe they would increase it to 8pm from 7pm. Nice guy. The bartenders were also really cool and attentive and seemed to match the casual vibe of the place. All in all, I can definitely see myself having a few more burgers at the Taurus, most likely at an outdoor table if its not too hot so I can avoid the chain smokers. Hell, forget the burger, Im going back for the fries. :)

Taurus (Another Round!)
3540 Main Highway
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305-441-0219

Out and About for 7 Meals in 7 Nights

Last week, I noticed early on that my motivation for cooking anything was way low. Epically low, as in no-way-do-I-feel-like-cooking-eating-cleaning-even-once-this-week-finances-be-damned low. I had just gotten off of back to back trips out of town, the first being a week in Vegas for work and the second being a long weekend up in Rockport, MA sitting on the beach. Both trips came with an 18 hour stint in Miami between them. Gotta love workin those airline miles... I also had already had such a great time on both trips that I wanted to keep the good times rollin and that meant no toiling away at home. With a few planned events for that week on the horizon, I decided that I was going to eat out every night, Monday thru Sunday, and thats exactly what I did.

Im going to do posts on each experience on their own but here is a rundown of my week:

Monday - The Taurus, Coconut Grove
Tuesday - Pizza Crawl - Round 4, Fratelli la Buffala & Casale, Miami Beach
Wednesday - Jaguar, Coconut Grove
Thursday - Calafate Grill & Naomi's Grill, Sunny Isles
Friday - Casale (AGAIN!), Miami Beach
Saturday - Palm Beach Grill, West Palm Beach
Sunday - The Breakers (lunch), West Palm Beach; Hakkasan (dinner), Miami Beach

Up next: The Taurus, Coconut Grove

Out and about in the Grove

Met up with some friends at Greenstreet this morning for brunch. I love the breakfast dishes at this place. Im always good for the scrambled eggs w/ cheese, side of bacon (of course), homefries, and wheat toast. I love their raspberry iced tea too. THe homefries today were some kind of awesome. I got lots of little crispy grilled onion bits mixed in with the potatoes which made me wanna high five someone so I did. Miami Heat guard Chris Quinn showed up with his wife to eat. As I passed Le Petit Paris on my way home I saw Philadelphia '76ers coach Maurice Cheeks having lunch with his wife. I met Maurice at George's in the Grove one time so I said hi and was surprised that he remembered meeting me. Nice guy. Owns a flat at the Lofts at Mayfair I believe. Big fan of the Grove. The Heat played Philly last night in Philly so I guess they took a flight out after the game.

Lots of sportscars and a few custom choppers out on the streets today too. The sun has been peaking out but its cloudy overall. We've had a lot of these days lately where it looks like it might rain then doesnt. I kinda wish it would just to get it over with already. Gotta love the jeans and t-shirt weather though.

Restaurant Review: Cita's Italian Chophouse, Coconut Grove

A few nights ago I met up with a few friends for dinner at Cita's Italian Chophouse which had just opened in the Grove recently. I had been wanting to give this new joint a try because I need a new place to add to my "just back in town dinner" rotation. We started with the burrata and the scallop appetizers. The burrata was good. Nothing to get excited about but good nonetheless. I thought it was lacking in the creamy department, like the piece we got was mostly the outside layer. Anyhow, the scallops kicked major ass. They came wrapped in prosciutto on top of some sauteed greens with a creamy mustard/red peppercorn sauce. The sauce was housed in a little cup so you could apply to your own taste and I liked that because I like to taste the scallop without sauce first. This scallop was perfectly cooked and tasted delicious on its own but the sauce took it to a whole 'nother level.

Next up 2 of us had the Soup of the Day (potato) and one requested the house salad. The soup was incredibly good. Normally when I think potato soup I think "heavy" but this was potato puree and it was light and tasty. Arugula and parmesan floated around and added flavor to each bite. I didnt try the salad but I was told it was really good. So good, that when the person who ordered the "house salad" found out it was the Cita's Chop Salad at $14 he said he'd get it again anyday.

Mains came out and each one was a winner. I had the grouper and my friends had the rack of lamb and salmon. The grouper was moist and flaky and full of flavor. The lemon caper sauce was a great add too as was the side of jasmine rice. Only disappointment for me was that I was so full that I had my membership to the Clean Plate Club temporarily suspended. I just couldnt finish the rice. I tasted the rack of lamb and it was damn good, especially with the roasted garlic. I was too full for the salmon but the person who had it was picky about salmon and said it passed the test.

Throughout the meal, the waiter was very informative and made recommendations when asked. At one point, there was a mixup with what was ordered and what was received and the waiter not only found a way to remedy the situation, he then offered to buy dessert. Dessert came like a "chocolate 5-ways". There was a chocolate lava cake, peanut butter panna cotta topped with chocolate shavings & whipped cream, chocolate cookies, chocolate ice cream, and a white/black chocolate mousse. I dont even like chocolate much but I tried everything but the cookie and it was allllllll gooooooood.

I gotta say, I went it expecting to have an average meal and was completely blown away. The menu is quite extensive, good wine selection, incredibly good service (just opened recently and still working out a few kinks but the staff was informative, speedy, and eager to please and remedy any mistakes), and the food was phenomenal. We got a tour after dinner that exposed a whole other mini-bar and back dining patio that I never wouldve imagined being there. It was really cool. This one will be a winner in the Grove, mark my words. They have what Grove yuppies and the like have been looking for - fantastic food in a neighborhood setting. The prices are slightly expensive but they are justified by the ingredients and quality of each dish. I definitely recommend checking out this restaurant to anyone looking for a nice meal in the Grove.


Cita's Italian Chophouse
3176 Commodore Plaza
Coconut Grove, FL 33133
305-446-2207

Restaurant Review: George's in the Grove, Coconut Grove

Well, this will be less of a review and more of a rundown of the food and experience Ive had at George's in the Grove on my first 2 visits. Ive been there twice and Ive yet to order an entree. This is for 2 reasons. First, for some reason the 2 times Ive been I wasnt super hungry. Second, the apps are HUGE. Here is a quick rundown of what Ive had there. Bear with me because Im long-winded :)

Tuna Tartar - this French version uses creme fraiche in the mix along with some chives. The pile o' tartar was enormous and came with a little side of greens w/ balsamic. I could only finish 1/2 of it. This was my least favorite dish to date because the creme fraiche left it tasting really bland. Needed some spice of some sort. I mentioned that to one of the managers there when he asked my opinion and he said it was valid point. You could easily split this dish between 2 people and be fully satisfied portion-wise.

Mediterranean Vegetable Salad w/ Lobster & Truffle Oil - This dish was surprisingly awesome. I was surprised because usually when you think salad you think "greens of some sort w/ veggies on top". This one was ALL VEGGIES. Julienne carrot, zucchini, squash, and cauliflower all mixed together and topped with Maine lobster - both claw and tail. Although the menu said "truffle oil" mine tasted more lemony, like the veggies had been marinated a little bit. They still were very crisp and fresh. The dish was light and really hit the spot after the tartar, plus I got more than my daily intake of veggies. This could be split between 2 people as well.

Caprese Salad - its called something else on the menu but its basically a tower of caprese. This was really good as well. The orange and red tomato and the mozzarella are stacked thin with nice pieces of basil in there as well. The dish is drizzled w/ EVOO and a little balsamic. I believe there was a little pesto action goin on there too. Looks pretty and again comes w/ a side of greens w/ balsamic. Another one that you could split between 2 as this nearly filled me up on its own.

Sauteed baby artichoke and shittake mushroom salad - I think this is the name of it anyways... This salad was a winner too but I was a little disappointed that the shittake mushrooms never made it to the dance. Instead, however, was a nice portion of thinly sliced pancetta (or some similar cured pork) and the best way to make up something to me is to provide something along the lines of bacon. Pine nuts were there, cherry tomatoes, and a light drizzle of balsamic dressing.

Also, the 1st night I was there they gave me a free slice of pizza. It had creme fraiche for the sauce and was topped w/ lox (or was it nova?) and capers. Strange but it was actually really good. The warm dough mixed with the cool, salty lox and capers and smooth creme fraiche worked well.

Another reason to check this place out - George himself. The guy is a good guy, funny, and likes to make customers feel special. I knew him from the Le Bouchon days and told him he probably didnt remember me but he would most likely remember the ladies I brought to his old haunt and that got a good laugh. They give free glasses of champagne (at least everyone Ive seen in the place has got one) and George is constantly hustling around, whistling like a songbird to get his staff's attention, and shouting things in French. Really makes you feel like youre out of Miami. I was actually their 1st customer which was pretty funny when they made a big announcement as I paid my bill. Also, I was there the night before last and had dinner with Maurice Cheeks, the coach of the Philly 76ers who just bought a place in the Grove. We chatted about a variety of stuff and he was a pretty cool guy and really likes the area. Mo really enjoyed the salmon he ordered although the goat cheese terrine that George gave him for free was out of his tasting zone. Just not a goat cheese fan. He did enjoy George's whistling and running around and said if anything he would come back just because of that haha.

Definitely give it a shot. The Grove needs the business and I cant afford to lose another quality restaurant in my 'hood!

George's in the Grove
3145 Commodore Plaza
Miami, FL

Restaurant Review: French Kiss, Coconut Grove

The French have brought 2 great things to America - French cuisine and French kissing. So, its only fitting that an ambitious restaurateur attempt to combine the two for an unforgettable experience. OK, so we aren't talking about making out with your escargot in a bed of pommes frites, but we are talking about French Kiss - a relatively new restaurant hidden away in Coconut Grove that specializes in French cuisine.

French Kiss is located on 2779 Bird Road right next to Flanagan's in Coconut Grove. The restaurant is set back a ways, which allows for a decent little outdoor area for dining. There is also seating inside and a small bar that contains a nice variety of wine and beer. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a lovely woman who was the wife of the owner. She welcomed us and gave us our choice of seating, and we opted for the screened in outdoor deck. As we looked over the menu, our waiter came by and offered us complimentary champagne with a very thick French accent that my female companion loved. Its always nice to go to a restaurant where the people are from the country where the cuisine originates. In this case, we were being served by some legit Frenchies, so I knew we were in for some good food served with some great sauces.

Our waiter brought out some menus along with some french bread that was fresh from the oven and served with a creamy tarragon butter that I could not get enough of. The menu has a variety of appetizers, salads, and entrees. I opted for the escargot - my all-time favorite - while she ordered the french onion soup. I was blown away by the portion of escargot. Usually, escargot comes in a dish with 5 to 6 divots around the edge and one in the middle, with each containing 1 escargot. This one was LOADED with escargot and had 2-3 per divot! I was in heaven and took down another loaf of bread by dipping it into the garlicky pesto juice. My lady friend said the french onion soup was great as well, especially with the crusted cheese and large croutons on top.

One of my favorite things about eating out is finding out the specials for the day. I get bored with menus pretty easily as most of them are similar to other restaurants in some way, shape, or form, so having the option to order off-menu items based on availability is appealing to me. Today, I was in luck. Not only did they have some special entrees that sounded great, but one happened to involved scallops, another one of my all-time favorites. The scallops were offered with creamed leeks and came in a lobster bisque broth and, seeing that I had already devoured almost 2 loaves of bread, I thought it would be a nice light course. Now, I cook a lot at home and if there is one thing Im great at its cooking scallops to perfection. Well, the chef at French Kiss must have that talent too because these scallops were spot-on perfectly cooked. Nicely seared outside, tender as all heck on the inside. The leeks and lobster bisque complimented the dish perfectly and I was able to resist mopping up the little remains of the bisque with another piece of bread even though it took a lot of willpower to do so. She had the salmon which came with pan-roasted potatoes and some crispy green beans with a nice butter sauce. The salmon was cooked perfectly as well and the beans and potatoes had a great crunch to them that contrasted the smoothness of the salmon.

My willpower was on a roll, so we resisted the chance to sample some dessert. Id had their creme brulee on a previous visit and it was a nice, creamy vanilla that hit the spot just right. Instead, we opted for the check and spent a few minutes enjoying conversation over a glass of savignon blanc. My date was happy to see that our meal only came to $90, including a 20% tip, and mentioned . Not bad for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and 4 glasses of wine, not to mention the free champagne and killer bread and butter. With a polite, friendly, and welcoming staff to compliment great food, French Kiss definitely earns a "highly recommended" rating.