Friday, May 30, 2008

Check, Please!

Check, Please! is back and starts next Monday, June 2nd at 7:30 on PBS.
Monday's show features Happy Wine in Miami, Cafe Martorano in Ft. Lauderdale and Dada in Delray. The show is hosted by Michelle Bernstein.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Kobe Club

SIX COURSE WAGYU TASTING MENU AT KOBE CLUB, SOUTH BEACH
Kobe Club Miami is now offering a six course Wagyu tasting menu ranging in prices from $95.00-$165.00 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Prepared by executive chef Tim Nickey, the six course menu begins with an “Amuse” of Kobe hot dog in puff pasty; followed by Kobe Club beef tartare prepared with American, Australian & Japanese Wagyu; diver scallop & braised American ‘Kobe’ short rib with roasted chanterelle mushrooms; and American ‘Kobe’ beef cheek ravioli in a truffle broth.
For the main entrée, diners get a choice of Wagyu strip loin (which determines the price of the menu): American Wagyu, 4 oz ($95); Australian Wagyu, 4 oz ($135); or Japanese Wagyu, 4 oz. ($165). All dishes are served with a side of hash browns with lobster, chorizo, red bell pepper & caramelized onions. Kobe Club’s signature desserts: beehive baked Alaska with honey ice cream; chocolate caviar with sweet vanilla blinis & raspberry crème fraiche; or assorted homemade sorbets.
Kobe Club Miami is open for dinner, Tuesday thru Thursday from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM; Friday and Saturday, 7:00 PM to 12 midnight. 404 Washington Avenue (next to China Grill), Miami Beach, 305-673-5370

Summer At The Setai

“SUMMER AT THE SETAI”, FOUR COURSE PRIX-FIXE MENU, MIAMI BEACH
To showcase his new menu, The Setai’s Executive Chef Jonathan Wright, has introduced "Summer at The Setai," a four-course, multiple choice prix-fixe menu for $55. The menu begins with a dim sum selection followed by small plates, noodles, and salads such as warm grilled Thai beef salad ; warm mushroom salad with soba noodles & truffle vinaigrette; and chicken with galangal, kaffir, lime leaf and oyster mushrooms simmered in coconut milk. Entrees list from cinnamon glazed salmon, bok choy, cucumber and lime salad and BBQ Kurobuta pork with five spice, honey, dry sherry and chinese wine, to Cantonese style thick rice noodles, black mushrooms, napa cabbage skirt steak. And for desserts: traditional Asian, Thai and Indian specialties.
The new Sommelier Dwayne Savoie , formerly of Karu & Y, is offering "Hidden Values From Around The World," an extensive fine wine collection of 55 bottles of wine priced at $55. The Setai, 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami, (305) 520 6000. www.setai.com

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Bourbon Steak deal

Bourbon Steak Miami, a Michael Mina Restaurant, at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, 19999 W. Country Club Dr., Aventura, offers a three-course $55 prix-fixe menu, Mondays through Thursdays. Entree choices, all from the grill, include yellow tail snapper, New York strip steak, salmon, organic chicken and skirt steak. 786-279-6600.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Free Pinot Noir Tasting at Hollywood Vine 5/13

HOLLYWOOD VINE WINE TASTING!

Tuesday May 13, 2008 6:00-9:00

No Charge for tastings!

Zind Humbrecht

Alsace, France

Pinot Gris

This wine was harvested with a high ripeness and some noble rot from the two oldest vineyards in the Herrenweg. After a slow fermentation, it remains slightly sweet, and shows powerful roasted, nutty, almond flavors on the nose and the palate.

Retail $21.99 BTG $8.00

Mountain View

Carneros, California

Pinot Noir

A deep ruby garnet color, full of character with aromas of ripe cherry and lush dark berry fruits. Well-focused and solid, silky smooth it delivers beautiful layers of fruit and spice, minerals, and just a subtle backdrop of terroirs.

Retail $19.99 BTG $7.00

St. Clair

Marlborough

Pinot Noir

Concentrated aromas of blackcurrants and plums are integrated with lifted floral notes and underlying hints of savoury mushroom and toasty oak characters. A lush, full-bodied Pinot Noir with well integrated tannins and nice acidity. Ripe cherry and plum dominate the palate, supported by subtle hints of rich coffee. 100 per cent new and used French oak lends elegance, structural support and savoury smoky notes.

Retail $21.99 BTG $8.00

Paul Pernot

Burgundy, France

Pinot Noir

Ripe, slightly candied fruit aromas, concentrated tart red cherry flavors and spiciness.

Retail $21.99 BTG $8.00

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Zagat Buzz gives props to Design District

Spring Flings: Hot Miami Openings

Published in Notable Openings

Befitting its location in the trendy Design District, the new Mediterranean Brosia has an eye-catching setting complete with an alfresco courtyard featuring an ancient white oak tree and dramatic mosaic mural backdrop; reasonable tabs are a plus (163 39th St. NE; 305-572-1400).

Also in the Design District, the upscale Japanese bistro Domo Japones bears the hip stamp of an owner from Bond St. Lounge and Miss Yip and a trendy menu offering dishes such as veal-cheek gyoza; stylish quarters adorned with racy art depicting naked models, easy-on-the-eye servers and a killer soundtrack add to the lively package (4000 Second Ave. NE; 305-573-5474).

Named for its edgy Upper East Side neighborhood and the motel-with-a-past where it’s located, Red Light, a waterside New American with regional leanings, has New Orleans–reared, eco-conscious chef Kris Wessel in the driver’s seat; he’s generating traffic with a menu of down-home takes on barbecue, seafood, burgers and ribs served in a tiny, diner-style space enlivened by touches like orange faux-lizard bar seats (Motel Blu, 7700 Biscayne Blvd.; 305-757-7773).


http://www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SCID=42&BLGID=11906


Saturday, May 3, 2008

Kentucky Derby Picks

There are three clear cut favorites today in the field. Big Brown, Colonel John and Pyro. Big Brown was very impressive in his win at the Florida Derby @ Gulfstream and there is a chance that he runs away with it today. However, he is in the 20 hole which could pose a problem. He will probably go off as a 2-1 favorite so I am passing.

Colonel John is currently 4-1 and should go off in that range. 5-1 would be a tempting win play.

Long shots- Court Vision is currently at 15-1. He is a closer and could make this interesting
Visionaire is 20-1 and a real sleeper.
Monba- 15-1.

The pick- Colonel John gets the nod.
Exacta Box- Colonel John, Court Vision and Visionaire. I may add Big Brown to the Exacta in case he is the real deal...

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Top Chef Chicago Final Four

I've been meaning to post my Final Four for a few weeks now and figured I better go on the record ASAP.

1. Richard- clearly the favorite and he will be very hard to beat.
2. Dale- He should make it to the finals unless he implodes one week.
3. Antonia- consistently good and has a shot to win.
4. Stephanie- She's had a couple of bad weeks now but she's been in my final four for weeks so I will keep her here.

wild card- Andrew