Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Chef Allen's Miami recs

Interview with Allen Susser (Chef Allen’s, Miami)

Food & Wine Best New Chef 1991 Allen Susser gives an insider guide to Miami, from the best brunch spots to the top bars.

On Miami

With so much great food, art and culture, it’s a great time to be in Miami. The vibe right now calls for a more casual take on food, so I’m relaunching Chef Allen’s this summer to make it more approachable, with lots of fresh, local and sustainable fish (19088 NE 29th Ave., Aventura; 305-935-2900 or chefallens.com).

Favorite Cultural Activity

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables has various outdoor art installations throughout the year, like a recent one with sculptures from Fernando Botero, Dale Chihuly and Roy Lichtenstein (10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables; 305-667-1651 or fairchildgarden.org).

Favorite Brunch Spot

I take my two girls to 1 Bleu at the Regent Bal Harbour for the beachfront view and the raw seafood platter, which is always outstanding (10295 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour; 305-455-5400).

Favorite Nightlife Spot

Yakko-San for late-night eating since it’s open until 3AM. I get the crab hot pot, which is a savory dish, but the crab’s sweetness really comes through (17040-46 West Dixie Hwy.; 305-947-0064 or yakko-san.com).

Restaurant Recommendations

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in the design district has the best heirloom tomato salad and crispy, sweet and spicy pork belly (130 NE 40th St.; 305-573-5550 or michaelsgenuine.com).

Michy’s on the Upper East Side has a great selection of pristine ceviches (6927 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-759-2001).

North One 10. Chef Dewey LoSasso’s roasted duck is always crisp (11052 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-893-4211 or northone10.com).

Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables does West Indian-style bouillabaisse and spicy jerk pork chops (278 Miracle Mile; 305-446-7710 or cindyhutsoncuisine.com).

Pacific Time, for the sautéed grouper in red curry. Chef Jonathan Eismann handles his fish with respect (35 NE 40th St.; 305-722-7369 or pacifictime.biz).

SOURCE Food and Wine Mag

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

W

July 29, 2008 --

AS much as the Bush family is going to hate "W.," Oliver Stone's biopic - which depicts the young Dubya boozing, brawling and getting locked up before he makes it to the White House - the Kennedy clan won't like it, either.

The first teaser for the flick - being rushed into theaters 18 days before the presidential election - begins with George Thorogood's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer."

Click here to see the trailer

Josh Brolin, as the future commander in chief, is seen doing the bump with a hot blonde on top of a bar and then winning a drinking contest by guzzling beer through a funnel. He's also seen being hauled into jail.

Bush's dad, George H.W. Bush, portrayed by James Cromwell, slams his son's bad behavior and failed business ventures, raging: "What are you cut out for? Partying? Chasing tail? Driving drunk? Who do you think you are, a Kennedy? You're a Bush. Act like one!" Then father and son nearly come to blows as the elder threatens, "You want an ass whipping?" - to which Dubya taunts, "Try it, old man!"

In Stone's version of history, an insider says, "It's like the 'Godfather' story, [with] the outsider brother, Michael, who avenges his father and takes over the family business. This movie is about family. It's about vengeance. And it's a wild ride."

Stone trivializes the US invasion of Iraq as the younger Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein, who had thumbed his nose at Dubya's dad. "And Brolin captures the Bush malapropisms beautifully," the insider said. But the director also shows his marriage to Laura Bush (Elizabeth Banks) as "a touching love story."

In a crucial scene, the Bush family tells Dubya he can't run for Texas governor "because it's Jeb's turn." He defies their wishes and runs successfully against Democratic superstar Ann Richards, serving at the same time his brother Jeb is Florida governor.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Starbucks closures

Starbucks lists 12 stores it's closing in S. Fla.

Starbucks, hit hard by the nation's economic slowdown, plans to shutter at least 10 stores in Broward and Palm Beach counties and nearly 60 in Florida as part of its previously announced plan to close 600 stores across the country.

The Seattle-based coffee giant revealed its complete list of store closures on its Web site Thursday evening.

Stores closing in Broward include units at 11 W. Broward Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, the Lakes Mall on State Road 7 in Lauderdale Lakes and at the Coral Square Mall on Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach.

Palm Beach County stores that will close include the unit at Lake Ida and Jog roads in Delray Beach, at Abacoa II on Town Center Drive in Jupiter, at the Boynton Beach Mall on North Congress Avenue, and at City Place II on Rosemary Avenue in West Palm Beach. Also, three stores in Palm Beach Gardens -- at Downtown at the Gardens, the Gardens Mall III and PGA Commons Central -- will shut.

In addition, two stores are closing in Miami-Dade County -- one at Southwest 160 St. and U.S. 1 in Miami and another at 750 NE 125 St. in North Miami.

Thirteen stores are also expected to close in Orlando and surrounding Central Florida area.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Alta Mar three course dinner $25

AltaMar is one of my favorite spots on the beach. Great daily fresh fish specials.

AltaMar, 1223 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach, is offering a three-course dinner menu for $25 Tuesday through Sunday, with entree choices based on the day's catch

Free Ice Cream @ The Frieze 7/4

The Frieze, 1626 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach, is celebrating its 21st anniversary by giving a free scoop of ice cream or sorbet to customers who stop in between 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday; 305-538-2028.


"I have some ice cream, and I'm gonna eat it all, I'm gonna all- all my, ice- ice- cream. You don't have no ice cream. You didn't get none. Cause you on the welfare, You can't afford it, You can't afford it. And yo father is an al-co-hol-ic. Wanna a lick? Psych!"
EDDIE MURPHY-RAW

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Miami Spa Month

The following spas will be participating in the inaugural Miami Spa Month
presented by American Express and organized by Greater Miami Convention& Visitors Bureau.

Please check back periodically for updates on the participants and their

ndividual Miami Spa Month Special Treatments.

Make sure to make reservations with individual participating spas for your special Miami Spa Month Treatment.

Use your American Express Card to pay for your Miami Spa Month Treatment and receive 10% off additional spa services and regularly priced spa products.

Aquagene Spa, Doubletree Ocean Point Resort & Spa
Aquanox, Trump International Beach Resort-Miami
The Boutique Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami
ESPA at Acqualina
Guerlain Spa, The Regent Bal Harbour
Jurlique Spa, Mayfair Hotel and Spa
Le Spa, Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach
mySpa, InterContinental Miami
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Key Biscayne
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, South Beach
Spa Chakra, Conrad Miami
The Spa at Doral, Doral Golf Resort and Spa, A Marriott Resort
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami
The Spa at The Setai
The Spa at The Shore Club
The Spa at Shula's, Shula's Hotel & Golf Club
Spa Terre, The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
Spa V, Hotel Victor
Uhma Spa
Willow Stream Spa, The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club