Friday, February 27, 2009

Gulfstream Park

per the Miami Herald

"Forest City Commercial Development made it official Thursday by unveiling a list of 13 restaurants, 17 retailers and two nightclubs opening at The Village at Gulfstream Park.

The retail list is dominated by home retailers, including Pottery Barn, West Elm, Williams-Sonoma, Z Gallerie, Crate & Barrel and The Container Store. Restaurants will include Texas de Brazil, Brio Tuscan Grille, Ola Cuba by Chef Douglas Rodriguez, Lamborghini Cafe, Cadillac Ranch, III Forks and Cantina Laredo.

Entertainment options include Santanera, a Latin-inspired nightclub, and Greenhouse Nightclub, the first eco-friendly nightclub in South Florida.

Gulfstream's opening date was also pushed back to Feb. 11, 2010, marking yet another delay in a project that has already been in the works for six years.

The project is only 50 percent leased. It will ultimately have 70 stores covering more than 410,000 square feet of retail and entertainment space, plus 80,000 square feet of office space."

Hell's Kitchen

Just wanted to remind everyone that local chef, Paula Da Silva is on this season Hell's Kitchen.
She has survived the first four weeks and appears to have a shot to win this. It's on FOX Thursday nights at 9p.m. oh yeah, she works as Chef De Cuisine at 3030 Ocean in Ft. Lauderdale. (Her boss, Chef Max is a semifinalist for Best Chef in the South award by James Beard)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Chef for a Day

Allen Susser -- a James Beard regional best chef himself in 1993 -- has unveiled a novel concept: For $195, students in his Chef for a Day reality cooking class can spend 4 ½ hours in the kitchen at Chef Allen's, 19088 NE 29th Ave., Aventura, with Susser, chef de cuisine Daniel Serfer and their crew, chopping, dicing, sautéing and learning. No minimum skill level is required. Classes are available 3-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 305-935-2900

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wine Tasting For A Cause

"Wine a little, Cure a lot"

$35 includes: Two glasses of wine, heavy appetizers, raffle tickets, & prizes. Test your wine knowledge at the blind tasting booth to win additional raffle tickets. You'll have a great night and the satisfaction of helping others.

This event benefits the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.

Your donation is tax deductible.

Please RSVP to

shari@goldmedaltour.com or jodzac@bellsouth.net

Date: Feb 25, 2009 (Wed)
Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: $35
Place: Hollywood Vine
2035 Harrison Street
Hollywood, FL 33020

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Washington DC Must Do

If anyone is heading to DC I would highly recommend trying the Latin Dim Sum brunch over at Cafe Atlantico on Sundays. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to try Mini Bar.

The meal was great and the experience was a lot of fun. We opted for the tasting menu which was 14 chef's choice dishes for $35.00.
It should be noted that the drinks were also very good. I started with a bloody mary which was really fresh tasting. Also enjoyed a mojito during the feast.

I don't remember the exact order but here is a brief recap. There were no losers and several standouts.

Standouts:
Duck confit with passion fruit oil- everything about this dish was outstanding. The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was melt in your mouth tender and both were really tasty.

Hot & cold foie gras and corn soup- great combination of hot/cold and very flavorful.

Seared cigala with vanilla oil- not a lot of meat but the vanilla really made this interesting.

Grilled skirt steak “Carne Asada”- tender and packed full of flavor. real winner.

Winners
Watermelon and tomato skewers- simple and a nice refreshing combo.
Jicama-avocado ravioli- light and tasty
Oyster with mango-lime oil- oysters, mango-lime oil, enough said.
Potato & vanilla mousse with American caviar- This is on the standout cusp. What a great combination. This probably belongs on the standout list..
Scallops with cauliflower puree- scallops were very fresh

Good but not great
Tuna ceviche with coconut- Not a big coconut fan so this combo didn't really do it for me.
Coconut rice, crispy rice & ginger-least favorite dish. A coconut fan may disagree

Fried egg with mashed black beans & pork- One of the larger sized portions and I actually devoured it but it wasn't special enough to make the standout list.

Pineapple-unagi with avocado sauce- okayyy
Conch fritters with a liquid center- second least fave. Didn't love the liquid center, usually don't..

Pan dulce with cinnamon syrup- nice end to a great great meal.

This was an exceptional meal and experience and I highly recommend it. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Café Atlántico on Urbanspoon

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Craft Beer Fans

Craft Beer Fans check out Lola's on Harrison's Beer Menu

THE JACKSON’S FIVE BEER FLIGHT $15
Michael Jackson (March 27, 1942-August 30, 2007) was known throughout the beer world as the “Beer Hunter.”
It is in his honor that Lola’s on Harrison present’s the “Jackson’s Five Beer Flight”. Five world class craft brews
presented in a weekly flight.
So sit back, relax, and leave the hunting to us.

NOW FEATURING: A Tour of the British Isles
1. Black Sheep Holy Grail, England 4.7% ABV
2. Brouwerij Moreland Hen’s Tooth, England 6.5% ABV
3. Belhaven Twisted Thistle IPA, Scotland 6.1% ABV
4. Wychwood Duchy Organic English Ale, England 5.0% ABV
5. Orkney Skull Splitter, Scotland 8.5% ABV
AMERICAN HAND CRAFTED BREWS
Gordash Brewing Company, Holy Mackeral Golden Ale, Florida 12 oz 8.5% ABV $7
Pennsylvania Brewing Co., Penn Pilsner, Pennsylvania 12 oz 5.2% ABV $5
Seadog Brewery, Blueberry Wheat, Maine 12 oz 4.0% ABV $5
Flying Dog Brewery, Gonzo Imperial Porter, Colorado 12 oz 7.8% ABV $7
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, 90 Minute IPA, Delaware 12 oz 9.0% ABV $8
Avery Brewing Co., White Rascal, Colorado 12 oz 5.5% ABV $5
Left Hand Brewing Co., Milk Stout, Colorado 12 oz 5.2% ABV $5
Left Hand Brewing Co., Black Jack Porter 12 oz 6.4% ABV $5
Rogue Ales Brewery, Chocolate Stout, Oregon 22 oz 6.0% ABV 12
Rogue Ales Brewery, Dead Guy Ale, Oregon 12 oz 6.5% ABV $6
Stone Brewery, Ruination, California 22 oz 7.7% ABV $12
Stone Brewery, Smoked Porter, California 22 oz 5.9% ABV $11
Stone Brewery, Arrogant Bastard, California 12 oz 7.2% ABV $7
Stone Brewery, IPA, California 12 oz 6.9% ABV $7
Shipyard Brewery, Barleywine Style Ale, Maine 22 oz 8.5% ABV $15
Shipyard Brewery, Old Thumper ESA, Maine 12 oz 5.9% ABV $6
Shipyard Brewery, Export Ale, Maine 12 oz 5.0% ABV $6
Lagunitas Brewery, Brown Shugga, California 12 oz 9.9% ABV $6
Lagunitas Brewery, Censored Copper Ale, California 12 oz 5.9% ABV $6
Mendocino Brewing Co., Winter Ale (IPA), California 12 oz 7.5% ABV $6
Clipper City Brewing, Small Craft Warning Uber Pils, Maryland 12 oz 7.2% ABV $6
Boston Beer Company, Sam Adams Black Lager, Massachusettes 12 oz 4.9% ABV $5
Boulder Beer Company, Hazed and Infused, Colorado 12 oz 4.85%ABV $6
Native Brewery, The Eleven Brown Ale, Florida 12 oz 4.2%ABV $5

HAND CRAFTED IMPORTED BREWS
Black Sheep Brewery, Monty Python’s Holy Ale, England 12 oz 4.7% ABV $9
Brouwerij Moreland Brewery, Hen’s Tooth, England 1 pt 0.9 oz 6.5% ABV $9
Brouwerij Lindemans, Framboise, Belgium 12 oz 4.0% ABV $10
Orkney Brewery, Skull Splitter, Scotland 11.2 oz 8.5% ABV $7
Belhaven Brewery, Twisted Thistle IPA, Scotland 1pt 0.9 oz 6.1% ABV $10
Youngs Brewery, Double Chocolate Stout Widget Can, England 14.9 oz 5.2% ABV $8
Weihenstephan, Hefeweissbier, Germany 12 oz 5.4% ABV $6
Brouwerij Huyghe, Delirium Tremens, Belgium 12 oz 9.0% ABV $9
Wychwood, Duchy Originals “Organic English Ale”, England 16.9 oz 5.0% ABV $9
Hofbrau, Dunkel, Germany

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Free Bordeaux Wine Tasting

HOLLYWOOD VINE WINE TASTING!

Tuesday February 10th, 2009

6:00-9:00 pm

No charge for tastings

Maurel Vedeau Viognier 2005

A well-balanced medium-bodied dry white wine with a bouquet of apricots, peaches and blossoms. A fresh and intense flavoured wine that drinks well young.

BTG $6.00 Retail $15.99

Les Portes de Bordeaux 2006

Dry & rich red wine lightly spiced and woody with acid red fruits aromas

BTG $5.00 Retail $12.99

Ch Labadie Medoc

A deep purple colour, with a boquet of of figs and ripe blackberry. A well rounded attack of dark fruit and plums, supported by fine tannins and good acidity. A long, elegant finish of sweet oak.

BTG $7.00 Retail $19.99

Ch Haut Chatain Lalande 2005 Lalande de Pomerol

From one of the most consistent properties in Lalande de Pomerol. Delightfully ripe and balanced in what was a great vintage. If only more petit chateau wines like this came out of Bordeaux, then their reputation would be so much better. Produced from Merlot (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) and Cabernet Franc (10%).

BTG $9.00 Retail $24.99

Ch Valois Pomerol

80% Merlot 20% Cabernet Franc

Clear, intense dark ruby. Generous bouquet, dark berries, flowers and cedar wood, touch of oak. Structured, plenty of tannins, ripe, good fruit and freshness, fine persistence, feminine & elegant.

BTG $11.75 Retail $32.99

Hollywood Vine

2035 Harrison Street

Hollywood, FL 33020

hvine@comcast.net

www.hvine.com

954-922-2910

954-922-7660 fax

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Slow Food Event 2/17/09

SLOW WINTER NIGHT @LOLA'S
on Harrison
FEBRUARY 17
5:30-7:30
hosted by Chef Michael Wagner


Tuesday February 17th, 2009


5:30pm-7:30pm

$25 Cocktails and Canape

Rated "Best Place for a Cocktail" 2009 by Florida Trend

Join us for a basic mixology workshop and learn
great tips for infusing your favorite cocktails
with fresh local ingredients.

Call 954-927-9851 for reservations

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Hollywood Craft Beer Crawl

Held the second Wednesday of Every Month

A beer at each location (you’ll get to choose from pre-selected choices)-

February Theme: Will You Be My Valentine? (Games to be played in teams of two!!)
Special Guests: New Times Street Team
Date: Wed Feb 11th
Time: 6:30 - 9:30
$15 - Cash Only
Meet: Hollywood Vine 2035 Harrison Street
Park: Free Parking in lot on Van Buren and 21st (Behind Lola's on Harrison) with white fence -
Info: Call [masked] Contact: Heather Keenly
website: http://www.meetup.com...

Crawl Schedule:
Hollywood Vine 6:30-7:15 to start
Lola's on Harrison 7:15-8:00
TBA 8:00-8:45
Mickey Byrnes 9:00- you decide you have had enough