Friday, March 23, 2012

Chef Jonathan Sawyer @ Harry's Pizzeria 4/4/12








I attended the last two dinners in Chef Schwartz's pop-up series over at Harry's Pizzeria and really enjoyed them.  Jonathan Waxman (Barbuto Pizzeria) and Marc Vetri both served outstanding meals to a packed house.  Next up is Jonathan Sawyer from The Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland.  His restaurant menu sounds awesome and it looks like Miami is in store for another culinary treat.  I already purchased my seat.  See you there!






Jonathon Sawyer of Greenhouse Tavern in Cleveland, Ohio will be at Harry’s Wednesday, April 4!
Greenhouse Pizzeria will include four courses, wine & beer, and a party favor of Sawyer’s new house made vinegars for just $129.
Tickets are now on-sale here and read more about the collaboration on The Genuine Kitchen blog!




Greenhouse Pizzeria is coming to Harry's on 

Wednesday, April 4, continuing our chef pop-up series featuring some of Michael's favorite chefs cooking in our kitchen and completely taking over the menu for the night.  



After Gabrielle Hamilton, Jonathan Waxman, and Marc Vetri, Michael welcomes one of Food & Wine magazine’s 2010 Best New Chefs, Jonathon Sawyer to join us for a dinner celebrating his new housemade vinegars!  


The Cleveland, Ohio-based chef/owner of Noodlecat, Brick & Mortar, and Greenhouse Tavern ferments over 300 gallons at a time in his home basement, using them in nearly every dish at the restaurant and now beginning to roll them out in retail.  He’s also got his own wines and new private label beer with Pennsylvania’s Victory Brewery, with a new restaurant in the works paying homage to his wife's Italian roots.  Look for some of these goodies on Greenhouse Pizzeria’s menu, below. 

Guests will enjoy a welcome cocktail, hors d’oeuvre, four courses, wine and beer, and go home with a bottle of Tavern vinegar, with tax and gratuity all included in the ticket price of $129.

*This is an intimate venue with limited seating available, so claim your spot while supplies last*


Welcome

Barrel-Aged OYO Negroni w/ blood OJ

Aperitivi

Roasted Red Pepper & Rock Shrimp Toasts   virgin sauce & florida tomato

Bounty of Florida Veggies in Bagna Cauda  GHT pinot noir, GHT vinegar & buratta

Florida Octopus Pie  crema pazza, scotch bonnet vinegar & herbs
  
Antipasto

Insalata Bresaola  chicory, ricotta salata, salted cabbage & soviet dressing

Primo

Frutti di Mare en Cartoccio  cobia, littleneck clams, seaweed butter & hearts of palm

Secondo

Pig Mittens  whole roasted pork shoulder porchetta-style, fennel, anise & “christmas pudding” mustardo

Contorni

Turnips Apicius  raisins, garlic vinegar garum & 170 day aged khlii

The Whole Radish  lamb liver bottarga & florida oranges

Dolce

Spumoni Panna Cotta


Our best from Michael and the team from Harry's! 

For more information on Harry’s chef pop-up dinners and the upcoming schedule, 


Harry's Pizzeria
3918 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
786.275.4963

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

COCHON 555 in the 305!!! 4/1/12


Saying that I'm excited for this event would be an extreme understatement. I've been waiting for founder Brady Lowe to bring Cochon 555 to Miami since its inception.  Well, Miami's wait is over and the big day is almost here.





I'll keep this simple, you do not want to miss this event food fans.  The contest setup is great and they have selected some great chefs who should make this a very competitive challenge.

Here is what you are in store for.


FOURTH ANNUAL COCHON 555 

Culinary Competition and Tasting Event Celebrates Heritage Breed Pigs

LOCATION
FOUR SEASONS MIAMI 

COCHON 555 – five chefs, five pigs, five winemakers – is a one-of-a-kind traveling culinary competition and tasting event to promote sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs. The event challenges five local chefs to prepare a menu created from heritage breed pigs, nose-to-tail, for an audience of pork-loving epicureans.


THE FIVE CHEFS

Michelle Bernstein of Michy's, 
Aaron Brooks of EDGE Steak & Bar at Four Seasons Miami
James Petrakis of the Ravenous Pig in Winter Park
Michael Schwartz and chef de cuisine Bradley Herron of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
James Strine of CafĂ© Boulud Palm Beach.

THE CHEFS AND THEIR FINE SWINE PARTNERS IN CRIME

                          

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  • Guests will be treated to an epic pork feast of five whole heritage pigs prepared by five chefs and wines from five family wineries, including Scholium Project, Elk Cove Vineyards, Sokol Blosser, Chehalem Wines, and K Vintners. 

    The evening will also include wines from SALDO and Robert Kacher Selections
      T                                                        
      The evening                             

    A butcher demonstration by Alejandro Bonilla of Yardbird and your chance to win cookware through an interactive tasting contest with Jamie Bissonnette of Coppa Boston and Le Creuset.

    A special engagement with Domaine Serene of Oregon paired with Iberico De Bellota by Fermin.

    Libations include Anchor Brew, tastings of Chinaco Tequila and the "Perfect Manhattan" Cochon 555 bar with Daniel Hyatt of Alembic SF featuring Hirsch, Angel's Envy, Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Hudson Whiskey's Baby Bourbon and Luxardo.

    In preview of our new Labor Day event, Yardbird's Jeff McInnis will will serve a Heritage BBQ whole hog family meal.

    Attendees don't forget that everyone votes for the "Best Bite of the Day" before we combine the consumer votes (51%) with the technical score from the local judges (49%) and announce one chef as the Prince or Princess of Porc. The winner will go on to compete against other regional winners at the finale Grand Cochon event at the FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen, June 17, 2012.

    Sunday, 4 pm VIP opening; 5 pm general admission

    TICKETS $125 per person for general admission; $200 for VIP (including a welcome cocktail from The King's Ginger, a showcase of Rappahannock Oysters, reserve wine tastings, artisan bacon and boutique cheeses from Murray's).

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    ABOUT COCHON 555
    Created by Taste Network’s Brady Lowe in 2009 in response to the lack of consumer education around heritage breeds, COCHON is a national event series that takes place in 14 major markets. Every January, COCHON 555 embarks on a 10-city culinary competition and tasting tour where 50 chefs are selected to prepare a ‘snout -to-tail’ menu created from heritage breed pigs. The 10 winners of each regional event are flown to Aspen for the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen for the final competition, Grand Cochon. Cochon All-Star, Cochon Heritage Fire and a new event called Cochon Heritage BBQ competition will be hosted in Memphis on Labor Day every year starting in 2012. For more details about the events, visit www.cochon555.com or follow @cochon555 on twitter.
    More details -http://cochon555.com/2012/menu/2012-tour-dates/cochon-555/miami/



      Michael Mina in Miami @ Bourbon Steak 3.27.12

      BOURBON STEAK Miami Logo



      If you haven't had the opportunity to experience Michael Mina's fantastic cooking now is your chance.  This will be a great meal for sure.



      Celebrity Chef Michael Mina invites
      you to attend a dinner with Mr. Lawrence Fairchild

      of

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      Description: Fairchild Logo_jpg

      Winemaker – Paul Hobbs & Jason Valenti

      Including the wines of Fairchild Estate
      2009 & Library Vintages

      Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
      7:00 p.m.

      ~~~

      Grilled Diver Scallops
      First of Spring English Pea Risotto, Santa Barbara Uni

      Florida Navel Orange Glazed Pork Belly
      Organic Carrots, Fava Leaves

      Prime New York Strip
      Hudson Valley Foie Gras Butter, Classic Sides

      Coconut Bread Pudding
      Glazed Blackberries, Hazelnut Croquant, White Chocolate Ice Cream

      $200 per guest
      Inclusive of sales tax & service charge
      Valet parking is complimentary

      ~~~

      To make your reservation,

      Seating is limited

      Australian Themed Dinner @ Edge, Steak and Bar 3.27.12

      I attended the last dinner in the monthly series and really enjoyed it.  This one sounds like a winner too. 

      EDGE Steak & Bar | Miami


      EDGE, STEAK & BAR HOSTS AUSSIE-THEMED DINNER NIGHT
      Ongoing Dining Series Continues with a Night Down Under
      Channel your inner Crocodile Dundee with an Aussie-themed wine dinner at Edge, Steak and Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Miami on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 7 p.m.
      Guests attending the third Specialty Dinner Night will be welcomed by Aussie-executive chef Aaron Brooks. As homage to his homeland, Chef Brooks has put together an Aussie-themed feast complete- with wine pairings-designed to give diners a glimpse into the delicious cuisine of Australia.

                                                                   Barramundi Carpaccio  
                   combined with pomelo, Australian olive oil, lemon verbena and macadamia nuts

                                                                  Shrimp "off the barbie"   
                                 with roasted tomato vinaigrette, saffron and grilled black kale

                                                            Kangaroo Loin and Emu Meatballs
                         with house-made tagliatelle pasta, arugula, pickled carrots and prunes

               Aussie Lamb Mixed Grill (leg, chops & sausage)
      shank gravy, bubble and squeak, minty peas and mini yorkies

      Pavlova
      Chef Aaron’s ‘mums’ dessert recipe
      with Wattleseed cream, tropical fruits and coconut 

         
      In addition to the delicious five-course meal, guests will munch on Aussie treats upon arrival, andAussie damper (traditional bread) while sipping Australian wines. The dinner is priced at $99 perperson, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Seats are limited, reservations required. Future Specialty dinners will take place the last Tuesday of every month; themes will be announced in advance.
      Edge, Steak & Bar is located at 1435 Brickell Avenue on the 7th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Miami, and serves dinner nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.   Valet and municipal parking are available. Telephone: (305) 381-3190;  www.edgerestaurantmiami.com.



      Saturday, March 3, 2012

      THE LIST

      "That's on my list"
      "Never been but it's on the list"
      "Oh that's on the top of my list"
      "Just added that to my list"

       Everyone talks about their to do eat list but does anyone really have one in writing?

      HERE IS MY TO EAT LIST (Miami) 

      Places I haven't visited yet and need to get to soon.

      1. Tuyo
      2. Atlantico
      3. 1500 Degrees
      4. The Federal
      5. Eating House
      6. J&G Grill
      7. Whisk Gourmet
      8. Charlotte Bistro
      9. The Dining Room
      10. Il Gabbiano
      11. Osteria del Teatro
      12. Pascal's on Ponce
      13. Haven

      Recent openings that I liked and recommend visiting

      Edge Steak & Bar
      Juvia
      Salumeria 104
      Jean Paul's House
      Blue Collar

      BROWARD/PALM BEACH

      1. Pizzeria Oceano
      2. Buccan
      3. Marumi
      4. Max's Harvest
      5. Sushi Bon
      6. Imoto
      7. East End Brasserie
      8. Sea Restaurant

      Miami followers, here are a couple of lesser known spots in Ft. Lauderdale worth traveling for-

      Cafe la Buca
      Cafe Sharaku

      Thoughts on my list, should I skip any of them?
      Any new spots that I may have missed and need to check out?





      The List

      Thursday, March 1, 2012

      First Tiers of a Burger 2012 -Best Burgers South Florida

      The following are the best of the best in South Florida according to ME and broken down into Tiers. (Listed alphabetically within each tier) Let me stress that every burger on this list is great.  No mediocre burgers here.


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      TIER ONE

      Bourbon Steak - Sit back & relax at bar or in lounge with an old fashioned and Miami's best burger.
      Burger & Beer Joint - Big tasty burger. 
      gastroPod-Mo Better Burger, short rib, brisket and sirloin topped with poached egg, slaw and gPod sauce. Soo good.
      Shake Shack - Fast casual serving simple gourmet burgers. That is a tasty burger...

      TIER TWO

      Michael's Genuine Food & Drink - Harry's Burgers??
      Red Light - Everything Chef Wessel cooks is great and his burger is no exception
      The Dutch- Great patty, nicely seasoned and topped with cheddar and a tasty special sauce that yields to the patty. Served on a sesame bun. 
      Tudor House-The Ugly is a juicy meat bomb packed with flavor and topped with bread and butter pickles.

      TIER THREE

      Charm City Burgers- Took a few visits to win me over but they did.
      Le Tub - This is a must do for every local at some point especially during the winter.
      Sustain - Great burger, bun & nice bacon. Only con, bites without bacon taste under seasoned.

      TIER FOUR

      Burger Fi - Wanna be Shake Shack better than expected. Super slow service though.
      Char Hut- Dropped in tiers because of new spots but still best fast food burger after Shake Shack.
      Five Guys - I wasn't a fan initially but it's a reliable fast food burger. I prefer single over double.

      A TIER of Their Own (great non-traditional burgers/food trucks that deserve their own tier)

      Meat Market- American kobe slider duo- bacon/white cheddar foie gras.
      Sakaya Kitchen- Angus beef bulgogi sliders with spicy goat cheese, pickles, roasted pork & kimchi. 
      Sugarcane Raw Bar- Kobe sliders with tonkatsu sauce and fried quail egg.
      The Rolling Stove(food truck)- steak burger (hold the onions though to avoid overpowering)

      BUSTS
      Bulldog Burgers
      Five Napkins
      Smashburger (salt lick burger but could improve if they fix salt issue)

      BURGERS TO EAT LIST

      Blue Collar- Hearing that this is tier worthy.
      Clarkes - Still haven't been there.
      db Bistro Moderne- sirloin burger filled with short ribs, foie gras and black truffles. I need to try this.
      Edge Steak and Bar
      El Mago de las Fritas- I need a Frita!!!
      Whisk

      COMING SOON

      Umami Burgers 

      Please let me know if there are any new spots serving great burgers that I need to try.