The Chowfather

neMesis Urban Bistro (Miami) Photo Recap

2012-01-29T23:06:00.000-05:00

neMesis Urban Bistro, is located in the Legal Arts Building a few blocks West of the American Airlines Arena and close to the Adrienne Arsht Center (hint hint). It's a funky little spot serving fantastic global cuisine. It's the brainchild of former Top Chef contestant Micah Edelstein. Micah's wordly travels are clearly on display throughout her menu.

Bravo tv

I love everything about this place from the decor to the vibe to the great food and wine. This is the kind of place you can go with a group of close friends yet it's also first date appropriate.

The menu is broken down into four sections, sexy nibbles, cool couples, main attractions and happy endings. She had me at sexy nibbles and happy endings... Although the menu has remained the same since opening last summer, Chef Micah also offers daily specials that are worth exploring.

One of my favorite items on the menu is the Caramelized Shallot Focaccia which is topped with hibiscus mascarpone and black lava sea salt in addition to the caramelized shallots. This is a sexy tasting combination and the perfect nibble to start your meal.

Next up on my last visit was Micah's sexy dim sum. Her potstickers are filled with leek and fig braised duck and paired with a guava cardamon sauce. These are another must order.

Our journey continued from China to Japan via Italy. Tuscan Sushi is Micah's Italian riff on sushi. It's prepared like traditional maki sushi (roll) without the fish or rice. She pairs a delicious combination of mascarpone, gorgonzola dulce and figs and wraps it in prosciutto. This may sound odd but it really works well together.

Corn chowder with lamb bacon was a daily special and may have been more homey than sexy but it was good nonetheless. It showcased some very fresh vegetables with a nicely seasoned broth.

The P4- purple Peruvian potato pancakes falls under the cool couples portion of the menu. The P4 is paired with house made apple sage chickensausage, hibiscus ginger syrup, maple granules and crispy sage. The menu tends to read sweet but most dishes are not overly sweet at all with the exception of maybe this one. That said, the house made apple sage chicken sausage are a nice twist on your typical sausage and the dish really works. Just wondering if the sausage should be on the sexy nibble part of the menu...

For her "main attraction" Chow P went with the daily pasta special which featured house made lamb agnolotti paired with the a coward (no nuts) pesto. This was probably one of my least favorite dishes I've had there primarily because I didn't love the thickness/texture of the pasta. Not a bad dish but I am a pasta snob for sure.

I opted for the Piri Piri Bison, paired with a huckleberry dark chocolate chili sauce and sage squash hash. This was an outstanding dish. The bison was tender, flavorful and had a nice char on the outside. Another winner.

It was very difficult to pass on the Willy Wonka sampler platter for dessert but I was in the mood to sample something new and neMesis sort of reminds me of a funky spot you'd find on Magazine Street in New Orleans. Plus, whenever I see bread pudding on a menu I am immediately transported back to Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Micah's version included white chocolate, greek yogurt and a hibiscus sauce. Happy ending indeed.

This is easily becoming one of my favorite spots in Miami. It has a neighborhood vibe sans a neighborhood. Chef Micah is clearly proud and passionate about her food and it shows.

Go, sit back, relax and enjoy the journey. I'm confident you will leave very happy.

Legalart Building
1035 N Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33136

(305) 415-9911

www.nemesisbistro.com/

First Date(s) - Blue Collar (Upper East Side Miami)

2012-01-29T11:24:00.001-05:00

Blue Collar recently opened in the old American Noodle spot on Biscayne Blvd. in the Upper East Side of Miami. It is owned and operated by Chef Allen veteran Daniel Serfer.

It was love at first site for me after seeing the menu posted on their website. The Big Ragout Sandwich had my name written all over it. The Shrimp and Grits, Pork and Beans and Chanukah Latkes also turned me on.

The American Noodle Bar blackboard remains and lists the daily specials which features rib, parm and braise options. It also lists their extensive "veg" menu.

The simple, clean and modern decor features lunchboxes mounted along the walls.

The first dish I tried was the Shrimp and Grits. Chef Serfer's version features a generous portion of fresh, perfectly cooked shrimp. They were accompanied by bits of bacon and New Orleans style, (think Worcestershire sauce) bbq sauce. I would defer to my Southern friends regarding the grits although this Yankee ate his fair share while residing in New Orleans and I liked the texture of these. This was a very nice overall dish and one of the best versions I've had in Miami. That said, the KING of bbq shrimp in Miami is Kris Wessel and Red Light.

Next up was The Big Ragout sandwich. This monster of a sandwich features pork and veal shoulder, brisket and is topped with fresh mozzarella. It's served on semi hollowed out bread that is made specially for The Big Ragout. Bread can really make or break a sandwich and this bread was fantastic. It had a really nice chewy dough with a nice crisp outside that supported the "ragout" perfectly. This is a large, heavy sandwich that I admittedly had a hard time finishing post shrimp and grits. Nevertheless, I did and I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of the debris sandwich I love from Mother's in New Orleans. A side of some of the extra juice would really elevate this to an off the charts knockout sandwich. Regardless, this will be on my short list for Super Bowl meal options. I also liked their fries which were perfectly seasoned with a nice crisp texture.

After enjoying my first meal I paid a second visit a couple of days later with Chow P. She ordered a veggie burger with bacon. Hilarious!! First up were Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Croquettes paired with a pomegranate fig jam. The croquette combination was perfectly proportioned resulting in a very nice bite. I'm sure these will be a hit.

Next up was a dish I really wanted to try on my first visit, the Pork and Beans. This was a hearty dish that combined smoked bacon, sausage and white beans topped with a fried egg. Dangerously good. We also sampled the beets and brussel sprouts which were fine but nothing special.

Dessert-you can never go wrong with a $3 pint of beer.

Blue Collar is a small, laid back neighborhood spot that features solid comfort food prepared by a chef who is stepping down in restaurant "class". That's a nice combination and a welcome addition to Miami.

6730 Biscayne Blvd
Miami,FL33138

First Date- Salumeria 104 (Midtown Miami)

2012-01-06T18:02:00.002-05:00

I excitedly ventured out on another first date today. This time it was at an enticing neighborhood Italian spot that recently opened in the Shops at Midtown Miami . Who could resist? Salumeria 104 is run by chef/owner Angelo Masarin who hails from the Northern Italian town of Treviso. He spent the past few years working in the Italian kitchens of Casa Tua, Sardinia and Cecconi's. Early reports I read focused on the salumi which makes sense based on the name and visible cured meats plus the three Italian meat slicers in plain view. But I wouldn't get hung up on that. There is more going on here including several housemade pastas and sauces. There is also a daily specials board which the chef told me was a major focal point of his vision for the place. They also feature several reasonable priced wines by the glass, carafe and bottle. The setting was on the casual side with friendly and knowledgeable service.

Fresh bread and three Italian slicers

I had heard through the grapevine from a reliable restauranteur and chef that Chef Masarin made a mean amatriciana sauce so that's what I was gunning for when I arrived. After taking a seat at the bar, I was immediately advised by the pleasant server of their daily specials. They all sounded great but when she blurted out trippa with parmesan and polenta I got wide eyed and uncontrollably blurted out "oooh" and quickly ordered it along with the rigatoni amatriciana.

Rigatoni Amatriciana

The rigatoni was cooked perfectly al dente and paired with a tasty and lightly spicy tomato sauce that included guanciale and onions. I really enjoyed the combination. The only possible issue people may have is the portion size at $15.00.

Tripe with Polenta

Next up was the trippa. Chef Massani prepared the tripe in the traditional roman style with parmesan cheese and a fantastic tomato sauce. It was accompanied by three bricks of perfect polenta that served as a nice contrast to the tripe and sauce. The tripe (I believe the chef mentioned a 24 hour process) was super tender and had a great soft texture. The flavor off the tripe and the wonderful accompanying tomato sauce made for a knockout dish.

Look at that ass oops the prosciutto di parma

As with all great first dates, halfway through, I was already planning the second one. Obvioulsy I need to try the salumi next go round as well as some of the housemade pastas. But my focus is going to be on the special board. If Chef Massani continues to deliver more dishes of the tripe caliber we will have a neighborhood gem on our hands.

Salumeria 104 is the type of place we need more more of if we are going to continue to evolve into a legitimate food city. My first visit was a great experience and I highly recommend checking it out.

3451 NE 1st Ave
Miami,FL33137

First Date - Smashburger (North Miami)

2012-01-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

As many of my loyal followers know, I'm a big burger fan. As I indicated in my last Tiers of a Burger ranking, I've cut back on my burger intake recently primarily because of the over saturation of burger joints and food trucks in South Florida. Nevertheless, I couldn't resist stopping by the newly opened Smashburger located next to Total Wine in North Miami.

Smashburger is a rapidly expanding fast casual burger parlor that employs a highly complex and top secret "smashing" technique. It's doubtful that you will find a medium rare burger on your plate after being smashed but you never know.

On my first date, being a burger purist, I opted for the classic smashburger which was accompanied by American cheese, ketchup, leaf lettuce, tomato slices, red onion, pickles, and smash sauce on an egg bun.

My burger was good but flawed. It was overly salty which may have been the work of a heavy handed smasher or the result of the smashing procedure. Hopefully, it was an isolated incident because over seasoning doesn't work for me. Additionally, the American cheese was on the thick side and slightly overpowering. The smash sauce which appeared to be a mustard, mayonnaise, relish combination was good but awkwardly placed on top of the large leafy lettuce instead of the burger. The egg bun was properly sized to support the burger and toppings but I wasn't crazy about the taste or its texture.

I'm a big french fry fan and had to try their Smashfries as well as their traditional ones. Both were a huge disappointment. So weak that I doubt I would order them ever again and that is nearly impossible when ordering a burger. Gun to my head I would opt for the Smashfries.

I know I'm sounding overly critical for a first visit but they are national big boys and should be ready to play. In fairness, I actually liked the patty itself and thought the smashing provided a nice crusty texture.

It's not in the same league as Shake Shack but that's a lofty comparison since most aren't. The jury is out for me but I will definitely be back for a second date.

14730 Biscayne Blvd
Miami, FL 33181

Nose to Tail @ Edge Steak & Bar 1/13/12

2012-01-04T13:45:00.000-05:00

I haven't had an opportunity to visit the new restaurant at the Four Seasons, Edge Steak & Bar yet but I have heard good things about it. Chef Aaron Brooks' nose to tail dinner sounds cool so I wanted to pass along the details.

EDGE, STEAK & BAR ANNOUNCES DINNER SERIES KICK-OFF

Trio of Chefs Collaborate to Produce an Interactive Nose-to-Tail Dining Experience

Edge, Steak & Bar, the progressive steakhouse at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, is pleased to announce a dinner series starting with a “nose-to-tail” pork tasting on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Organized by executive chef Aaron Brooks and restaurant chef James King, the first dinner will be an introduction to the monthly dining series kick-off. The Edge duo will be joined by chef Joshua Smith of Esquire Magazine’s “Best New Restaurant”, Tico in Boston for the series kick-off. The trio will discuss the farm-to-table relationship with pork purveyor Palmetto Creek Farms and interact with guests in the private dining rooms of Edge. “We want diners to get to know the chefs with this unique experience,” explained chef Brooks. “We all bring something different to the table.”

Diners will gather in Edge’s beautiful private dining rooms and enjoy a five-course dinner with paired wines by Seghesio Winery of Sonoma County.

The dinner is priced at $99 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Seats are limited, reservations required. Future dinner themes and dates will be announced periodically.

Edge, Steak & Bar is located at 1435 Brickell Avenue on the 7^th floor of Four Seasons Hotel Miami, and serves dinner nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Telephone: (305) 381-3015; www.edgerestaurantmiami.com.

Tiers of Excellence - Final Rankings for 2011

2011-12-31T00:34:00.001-05:00

2011 is quickly coming to an end and I'm looking forward to even better food year in 2012. My final tiers of excellence for 2011 are:

The following tiers feature the best restaurants in Miami.

TIER ONE - The best of the best in Miami and must do's.

Azul - In a league of their own doing creative and cutting edge cuisine. Chef Huff is a super star and Azul should be at top of all lists.

Bourbon Steak-Much more than a steakhouse. Chef Fenton is the most underrated chef in town. Best service and best wine list around.

Naoe- Great daily changing bento box followed by mind and wallet blowing sushi. 100% omakase so leave your reading glasses at home. Slow pace so leave your watch too. Relocating shortly.

TIER TWO

Michy's- The Queen of Miami. Always delivers a great meal.

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink-The King of Miami. Great daily specials keep menu "fresh". Don't miss dessert or Sunday brunch.

Red Light- Tier one caliber food. Slow service and setting only drawback. Go with an open mind and let Kris blow you away.

TIER THREE

Yakko-San- Go with a group and order away. Look for daily specials, pass on new sushi options.

Makoto- Quality sushi across the board.

Sushi Deli-Special place for sushi fans. Casual place with limited seating plus they close early so check times.

Macaluso's- Best meatballs in Miami and not even close. Fahgettaboudit!! Everything else is great.

TIER FOUR

Area 31- Make the effort to go. Chef Reidt has skills.

Tudor House - Pork belly Cuban sandwich and his meatballs are awesome but Chef DeRosa has fine dining skills too.

Sustain- Great affordable wine list and cocktails. Keeping it real.

The Dutch Chef Carmellini is a welcome addition to the South Beach food scene. Don't miss the lobster roll.

db Bistro Moderne- One word-Boulud

Hakkasan- Weekend dim sum lunch is a must do.

TIER FIVE

Altamare- Great service and consistently good food. South Beach's finest.

Timo- Diverse menu with something for everyone.

Sra. Martinez- Go early and stay after dinner so you can enjoy their great cocktails.

Chow Down Grill- Chef Josh's specials board is the play.

NeMesis Urban Bistro-Chef Micah's world travels on full display. Sit back and enjoy the journey.

Sugarcane Raw Bar- Deceiving name with ambitious menu that delivers the goods. Lively scene.

TIER OF THEIR OWN (non traditional tier featuring great unique spots)

gastroPod- Miami's best food truck. Chef Jeremiah is the real deal.

Sakaya Kitchen & Dim ssam a go go truck-Don't be fooled by this fast food-esque place. Addictive food is served.

Crumb on Parchment- Chef Michy's delicious breakfast/lunch only spot in the design district. Don't miss Mrs. Bernstein's cakes.

Kings County Pizza-Best NY slice in Miami. Sicilian and grandma pies even better. Don't miss the baked ziti.

Shake Shack- That is a tasty burger.

Joe's Stone Crab - Miami institution. Fresh stoney's from Oct. 15- May 15. Save $$ via takeout counter.

Chef Philip Ho - Newly opened spot in Sunny Isles featuring outstanding dim sum from former Setai dumpling chef. Push cart service during lunch daily. May move into tier three next go round.

Harry's Pizza- Chef Schwartz is charring some creatively tasty toppings in his wood burning oven. Cool casual spot in the Design District.

Places that I need to get back to because of new chef- Sushi Samba (Bloise), The Royal (Schwartz/Gorenstein- Raleigh Hotel)

Places that I suspect are tier worthy but I have not tried - Tuyo, Zuma, The Local Craft, Setai, Osterio del Teatro, Edge, 1500 Degrees.

Coming Soon- The Federal, JG Grill (Jean Georges-St. Regis), The Bazaar by Jose Andres (SLS Hotel), Katsuya (SLS Miami)

Places that were tier worthy at one point but have dropped off because I have not been in a long time, Nobu, Bond St, Sardinia, Scarpetta, Blue Door, Casa Tua.

Best Meals 2011

2011-12-29T23:04:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned earlier in the week in my Best Dishes 2011 post, I unfortunately didn't travel to any real food meccas this year unlike the past couple. My Top Meals 2010 list was populated by some national heavyweights such as French Laundry, Michael Mina, Benu and Fig. The lack of travel did not make things easier for me. This list contains some awesome meals from outstanding South Florida restaurants and chefs.

I must admit that ranking these meals was very difficult as all were truly great. My ranking takes every facet of the meal into consideration.

Big thanks to all of the chefs, kitchen crews, managers, sommeliers, bartenders, servers and support staff for making 2011 a happy year for my belly!!

Honorable Mentions-

Naoe- Every meal served by Chef Kevin Cory is special and top meal caliber.

Michaels Genuine Food & Drink- Father's Day Brunch- Unranked because it was #1 last year and now a tradition. Food is always fantastic but I get even more enjoyment watching the Chowtwins dominate Hedy's pop tarts and donuts. Highlight of my year.

15. Sustain- The "Bubble Dunch" Great food paired with great bubbles from start to finish. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon/evening.

14. The Local Craft Food & Drink - Cobaya Dinner- Chef Cabrera's charcuterie featuring pig head terrine and his cured foie gras and country duck ham dishes really hit a sweet spot. The wine cave was a perfect setting for an "underground" Cobaya Dinner.

13. Makoto - Omakase with Chef Makoto. Arrived solo for a late lunch/early dinner and was the only person in the place. Mano a mano with Makoto and the fish starting flying across the sushi bar. He even gave me a money back guarantee on some offerings. Obviously unnecessary.

12. Chow Down Grill- Cobaya Dinner- Chef Joshua Marcus really grasped and embraced the concept of Cobaya. He was aggressive and took a lot of chances that worked well. Fun time.

11. Bourbon Steak- Montille Burgundy Dinner- Producer Etienne de Montille was in the house for this intimate dinner featuring several outstanding burgundies from the Montille portfolio. The wines were the star of this show but Chef Fenton's food easily matched and surpassed the outstanding juice.

10. Jeffrey Brana- "Kiss My Pork Butt" starring a whole Berkshire pig and his Mangalitsa friend. Chef Brana's mangalitsa belly was my dish of the year.

9. Chef Jeremiah and the gastroPod - Cobaya Jeremiah- Some real treats on this extensive tasting menu from Chef Jeremiah, the King of Cobaya. Plus an off the charts dessert from Pastry Chef Antonio Bachour. (St. Regis)

8. Tudor House - Truffle Tasting Menu- Late entry into the mix but a worthy one. This would have been a great meal sans the truffles. They made it special and the perfect way to end the food year.

7. Common Threads Dinner at Area 31 with Michael Reidt, Kris Wessel and Sean Brassel. Fantastic meal for an even better cause. This would be ranked 6 but I already had Reidt's dishes at his Cobaya. Wessel's dish was jaw-droppingly good and #4 overall for 2011. Hey Wessel, I know you have a killer Cobaya in you... Come out and plaayaaaay!!!

6. Area 31- Cobaya Dinner- Two words Foie Fluff!!! Fantastic flavors exhibited by Chef Reidt throughout the meal. Hidden gem.

5. Azul- Cobaya Dinner with Andrew Zimmern and Bizarre Foods- those who were not in attendance may get to catch a glimpse of this fantastic dinner when the show airs this summer. One word- beetzanella!! May have ranked higher if I wasn't on camera and miked the entire meal....

4. Azul- Tasting Menu- In a league of their own. Joel Huff and team are doing creative, cutting edge and really tasty things in that kitchen. The complexity and attention to detail of each dish is astounding. Super special place. This meal featured several of Azul's hits and Chef Huff's killer Bacon Eggs & Toast dish give this a slight nod over the Cobaya dinner. slight!!

3. Jeffrey Brana - The Wagyu Dinner- Chef Brana sucker punched me with a knockout meal from start to finish. Big time Wagyu hits across the board in an intimate setting with a great group of strangers plus RR from Miami Power Rankings.

2. Michy's - Cobaya "Sra. Michybaya"- First class meal in every way from my favorite Chef. Chef Bernstein is a consummate pro and it trickles down to the entire team. She's a rock star and she rocked it. My favorite Cobaya to date.

1. Bourbon Steak- Birthday Dinner- Special day, shared with a special person at a place where I always feel welcome. Caviar, stone crabs, foie, Alba white truffles, A3 Wagyu were paired with outstanding wines and coupled with the best service in town.... Insanely good!

Terrific Truffle Tasting @ Tudor House

2011-12-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

The Tudor House located in the heart of South Beach on 11th and Collins Avenue has been offering a Truffle Tasting Menu for the past month or so. Unfortunately, I did not take advantage of this outstanding meal earlier. They are offering the menu for two more nights and I highly recommend paying a visit if you are a truffle fan.

DeRosa & Iron Chef Zakarian-Tudor House Site

The first bite was a fantastic amuse-bouche which was a dish that Tudor House Iron Chef/Partner, Geoffrey Zakarian served on his way to victory on the most recent Iron Chef America. Congratulations Iron Chef, allez cuisine!!! This dish featured an olive oil soaked halibut crudo with a coconut lime foam. Knockout dish and one that would have made my top dishes 2011 had I waited a day to post it for sure.

The first course was Chef DeRosa's riff on a classic truffle pairing, the deviled egg. Here, Jamie featured a perfectly cooked sous-vide duck egg that had been stored with some potent truffles that noticeably permeated the thin duck egg shell. This provided an awesome aroma and added infused flavor. The egg was topped with caviar and shaved Alba truffles. Winner.

At this point I didn't think the meal could get any better but was wrong. Jamie hit a real home run with the next course. It featured a generous portion of extremely flavorful Wagyu which was prepared as a carpaccio. It was paired with powerfully good Castelvetrano olives, black truffle vinaigrette and topped with shaved truffles. This was fantastic combination and the best dish of the night.

The last savory course featured a perfectly cooked steamed turbot paired with a bone marrow custard, buttery sea urchin and topped with generously shaved Alba truffles. I really enjoyed the texture and flavor of the bone marrow custard. My only knock is that the turbot could have been served a tad warmer for my liking. Great dish nonetheless.

Accompanying the turbot dish was another classic pairing, a very comforting black truffle mac n cheese. Jamie's version was topped with crispy and tasty pieces of pork belly that added great texture and flavor to the dish. The restaurant started to fill up at this point so I turned off the flash on my camera. Sorry for the poor quality picture.

The night ended with a couple of rich warm chocolate beignets. Jamie also sent out a couple of additional sweet treats to sample, a Catalan cream with wild berry salad and an outrageously good popcorn milkshake paired with a homemade kit kat. A great ending to an outstanding meal. On a side note, the service was excellent and the pacing of the meal perfect.

If you are unable to make to down to the Tudor House before the tasting menu ends, I would encourage you to make an effort to get down there soon to enjoy what Chef DeRosa and his team are doing on a daily basis.

Tudor House
1111 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
T 305 534 8455 F 305 534 8435

Best Dishes 2011

2011-12-27T20:49:00.002-05:00

I initially decided that I wasn't going to write about my favorites dishes of 2011 because I didn't take any real food related trips this year. My 2010 Best Dishes list was littered with gems from San Francisco, Napa, Charleston and Boston in addition to some great local standouts. But when I started to review my year in food I realized that I ate even better meals this year that featured some mutha fuckin kick ass dishes right here in my own backyard.

I intended on limiting the ranking to my top 25 but after studying my notes, posts and tweets, I ended up with double that amount. Thus, I decided to go with 35 again this year. (plus three for good luck...) Each dish listed was outstanding and brings back really fond memories. Unfortunately a lot of them were on special menus and may not be available at the restaurants on a daily basis. However, if they are you should order and enjoy them.

There are no repeats from prior lists. These are dishes that I experienced for the first time in 2011.

As you will see, it was a great year for wagyu, foie and pork belly.

Thank you to all the chefs out there that help make 2011 a great year!!

Drum roll please....

Honorable mention to two great cocktails I had from Bar Lab. The Bacon and Bourbon, Benton's washed cream soda at Chef Jeremiah's P.I.G. III and their modern old fashioned served at the Common Threads World Event.

And best breakfast/brunch dish goes to the octopus omelette with chorizo- Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

38. Uni okay this was on last years list but it was my first bite of 2011 just past midnight on 1/1/11 paired with Cristal compliments of Chef Corey. Outstanding!!- Naoe

37. Grandma & Sicilian Pies- King's County Pizza

36. Shrimp Po-Boy- Rum Cake Factory

35. African spiced wild boar tenderloin with gumbo braised shank, whipped peanut sauce, caramelized yams, plantain coins, kale- Market 17 (Cobaya Dinner)

34. Duck Ropa Vieja with lake meadows hen egg and parsnip puree- Sustain (Burgundy Dinner)

33. Squab Bao- Chowdown Grill (Cobaya Dinner)

32. Crispy Pig's Head Ballotine with Asian pear, spicy mustard and crostini ~~American Noodle~~ Chef Michael Bloise (currently at Sushi Samba)

31. Egg Yolk Carpaccio with sweet shrimp topped w/ crispy shoestring potatoes- Sra. Martinez

30. Bánh Cuốn - "Oodles of Noodles" - rice crepes, roast pork, wood ear mushrooms, bean sprouts, crispy fried shallots, salty pork terrine, fresh cilantro and mint and Vietnamese fish sauce- Phuc Yea!

29. Crackly Pork Belly & Bacon Brussels Sprouts Riesling Dinner at ~~Blue Piano~~ Chef Cesar Zapata (The Federal- coming soon)

28. Benton's Ham Fried Rice- jasmine rice, scallion, poached egg. Chef Jeremiah Bullfrog & the gastroPod (P.I.G. III)

27. Pork Belly Cuban sandwich- Tudor House

26. Live Scallop topped with caviar and meyer lemon- Bourbon Steak (Montille Burgundy Dinner)

25. Live Orange Clam - Makoto

24. Osetra Caviar, Stone Crab, Yuzu, Taro- Mound of sweet stone crab meat topped with a generous layer of Osetra caviar and paired with an awesome champagne- Bourbon Steak (birthday tasting menu)

23. Lamb Belly with Cauliflower - Chef Jeremiah Bullfrog (Cobaya Dinner)

22. Cured Foie Gras Country Duck Ham - frisee, pickled mango, scarlet beet puree, duck fat vinaigrette. The Local (Cobaya Dinner)

21. Chawan Mushi Carbonara, custard, dashi broth, bacon served in the shell of the duck egg. Chef Jeremiah Bullfrog (Cobaya Dinner)

20. Smoked Octopus, cauliflower-vadouvan puree, burnt babbaganoush, crispy cauliflower leaves- Azul (tasting menu and Cobaya Dinner)

19. Parsnip Soup- local royal red shrimp, brown butter, parsley. Bowl licking good- Bourbon Steak (birthday tasting menu)

18. Carnaroli Risotto, Basil Snails, 63 degree Organic Egg, Chantrerelles, Nasturtiums on an aromatic "forest floor" - Azul (Cobaya Dinner)

17. Imperial Farms Wagyu New York strip "A3", chestnut potato puree, brussels sprouts, charred onion, red sorrel- Bourbon Steak (birthday tasting menu)

16. Alba White Truffle Risotto- Perfectly cooked Japanese rice topped with first of the season Alba whites- Bourbon Steak (birthday tasting menu)

15. Diver Scallop, crab, farro, chorizo, English peas, coconut broth - Area 31 (Cobaya Dinner)

14. Wagyu Picanha (Sirloin Cap), blistered tomato, salsa criolla. Chef Jeffrey Brana (wagyu tasting)

13. Beef Duo "72" Snake River Farms A9 wagyu strip, 72hr. wagyu short rib, marble patatas bravas, parsley root, Castello Vetrano olive. Wagyu was awesome but the mini potatoes bumped this dish up the list. Azul (Cobaya Dinner)

12. Oyster Chawan Mushi with Scallop and Uni Ceviche- Custard steamed in oyster shell topped with mushroom and green onions. Paired with a poached scallop topped with uni. Chef Michelle Bernstein (Cobaya Dinner)

11. Pistachio Sponge Cake, Lemon Cremeux, Green Apple Sorbet, Greek Yogurt- I'm a non dessert fan and look where this landed in a sea of wagyu, pork belly and foie. Enough said. This Star Chef has mad skills. Chef Antonio Bachour (St. Regis) (Cobaya Jeremiah)

10. Chupe de Mariscos with Squid Ink Croquetas. Sous vide cooked shrimp, paiche, mussels, purple potatoes and a fried quail egg paired with a killer broth were great but the black squid ink risotto croquetas stole the show and are the reason for the top ten ranking. Chef Michelle Bernstein (Cobaya Dinner)

9. Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras- matsutake consomme, breakfast radish, shiso leaf. Bourbon Steak (birthday tasting menu)

8. Foie Gras Fluff- smoked peach puree, crispy basil sponge, pineapple, tamarind gastrique- Area 31 (Cobaya Dinner and Common Threads Dinner)

7. Wagyu Ribeye featuring potatoes cooked in beef tallow, butter poached breakfast radish, braised lettuce, bordelaise. Chef Jeffrey Brana (wagyu tasting)

6. Whole Roasted Foie Gras- with garden vegetables and carrot-orange sauce. Chef Michelle Bernstein (Cobaya Dinner)

5. Robata Grilled Pork Belly- with red miso aioli, king crab, liquid gel pickled ginger, served on a shiso leaf - Azul (Common Threads World Festival)

4. Sour Orange-Lychee "fire glazed" Florida Pompano, calabaza hash, agua de coco callaloo- Most flavorful fish dish I've ever had period. Explosive! Kris Wessel/Red Light (Common Threads Dinner)

3. Beetzanella- Beet salad with 32 Components, Wisconsin Bleu Panna Cotta,
Brioche, Gorgonzola Snow - Azul (Cobaya Dinner)

2. Bacon Eggs & Toast- 12 hour suckling pig, tempura duck egg, bacon air, black truffle pomme puree, and pork jus- Azul (tasting menu)

1. The Mangalitsa Belly- Prepared sous vide with saikyo miso, heart of Chinese cabbage, chives, turnips, and ginger oil. Melt in your mouth pork belly coupled with amazing flavor and texture- Chef Jeffrey Brana

Twitter Killed the Blog Part II

2011-12-26T15:53:00.000-05:00

As some of you may recall, I posted back in March about how Twitter killed the blog. Well that may have been a slight exaggeration although I do post less quick hit type reviews on the blog primarily because I've probably already said it on the twitter. Anyway, I decided to post my food related tweets for the past few months here for all my non twitter followers and as a year in review type post so that all my tweets can be found in one place.

3.10- Holy shit that was good- shrimp po-boy from The Rumcake (163rd nmb) Jambalaya on Fri I'll be back tomorrow... Good call Lee @Short_Order

3.13- 45 minute wait post reservation time at Meat Market #bullshit food mediocre

3.15- Just got home and chowtwins are waiting yelling "food trucks, food trucks, we want Daddy food" #uhohcouldbeburgerbeastskids

3.31- FYI tomorrow is @BurgerBeast day. If he sees his shadow he will only eat 30 burgers during burger month. No shadow carte blanche

4.2- Just picked up my final four feast, nasu buta, takoyaki, spicy manila clams, yamasen & black pork sausage @YakkoSanMiami

4.3- Killer brunch as usual @MGFD_MIA lamb hash, bone marrow, crispy rice cake, bfast pizza & here come the donuts #lifeisgood

4.15- Wow at burgundy wine dinner @BOURBONSTEAKMIA and Chef Gabe brought his A+++ game.

4.16- Mangalitsa skinnnnn

4.16- Awesome Berkshire pork belly @branafoodgroup

4.16- Frank and beans!!!! @branafoodgroup

4.16- HOLY SHIT mangalitsa belly insane

4.17- Another really enjoyable meal from start to finish courtesy of @branafoodgroup & his Berkshire/mangalitsa friends

4.18- I've tried a lot of pork belly @ a lot of places & the mangalitsa belly w/miso chef Brana served @branafoodgroup on Sat. night was the best

4.22- Yet another great meal @BOURBONSTEAKMIA tonight. Big props to Lisa and Monique for top notch service and cocktails

5.5- I've watched every episode of Top Chef & Top Chef Masters. That streak will come to an end next week. This Masters is unwatchable.DVR cncld

5.8- Day 6- No Pork Belly. 2011 record

5.14- picking up last stone crabs of the season @ Catain Jims

5.15- Mo' Better Burger from @gastroPodMiami is easily one of Miami's best burgers

5.17- Cobaya @chefmichy is on!!!!!!

5.17- Awesome start to Cobaya @chefmichy First course: Oyster Chawanmushi, Scallop and Uni Ceviche twitpic.com/4z1qlz

5.17- WOW!!!! RT @chefmichy second course: Foie Gras, farm fresh vegetables, carrot jus twitpic.com/4z1x7j

5.17- Dr. Martinez & the Botox steak... Love it @chefmichy is fuckin killing Cobaya

5.17- What's not going unnoticed tonight at cobaya @chefmichy is the awesome service and wine pairing. First class

5.28- Just 8 all spcls all vg ribs stole show RT@ChowdownGrill 2nite smkd pork ribs/Bbq brisket,Pork dumplings,beef cheek bao&roast pork eggroll

5.28- Big thumbs up for the Marc Cuban Cowboy from @SlowFoodTruck

5.29- Intended on taking kids to Racks for pizza but made last minute change to Bertoni's. BUST!! Pizza blows

5.30- Chow Twins loving @CrumbMiami ChowP refusing to share her goat cheese quiche. Not even a bite!!

6.4- Enjoying the red curry mussels from @thelimetruck lil chowfather likes the limeade they are at melting pot north Miami

6.5- My pork belly fast ended on Day 34 b/c of @MichysMiami's irresistible pork belly w pork jowl tortellini. Mixed in bibb lettuce salad

6.5- Great meal last night @MichysMiami Bibb salad, creamy polenta, duck confit, gnochetti w/pea puree, pork belly w/ pork jowl tortellini

6.13- Chef Reidt (area 31) knows flavors. Flounder w Maine lobster asparagus vanilla turnips another winner

6.13- Cobaya Area 31 is on. Chef Reidt's foie gras "fluff" is awesome. Great flavors http://yfrog.com/h83e0ptj

6.14- Great job by Chef Reidt and crew @ Area 31delivering an enjoyable Cobaya. Impressive combinations of flavors & textures in each dish

6.15- Went one on one w/ @chefmakoto and he crushed me. Great stuff today. Staff "you got lucky chef prepared all your sushi"

6.17- Spinach butter @YakkoSanMiami is buttaaaa 1st time trying their yakiniku don,winner Has anyone tried every dish on menu?perhaps @frodnesor ?

6.18- NY Style Pizza fans, stumbled on a winner. New spot,Kings County Pizza (dixie hwy NMB) owner worked @ Umberto's(new hyde park) Grandma pie 2

6.18- Just left high end (& way overpriced) Italian restaurant in Boca where waiter thought it was funny to tell fart jokes to table #wtf

6.19- Octopus omelete w/ chorizo @MGFD_MIA HELLO!!! pastrami hash & sonny rollins too. Kids giddy for pop tarts & doughnuts

6.19- Wow!! That octopus omelette w/ chorizo was even better than it sounded @MGFD_MIA @chefmschwartz

6.23- Great shrimp po-boys @ RumCake Factory

6.23- Kings County Pizza is legit. Crisp crust,nice chewy dough,perfect sauce to cheese ratio. Sauce is more spice than sweet if that matters 2u

6.27- Hanging in the atrium and having coffee and a pastry (oatmeal for me..) @CrumbMiami kicks Starbucks ass

6.28- As expected, the shrimp ceviche w tostones from the @chefmichy mobile was great

6.28- Thumbs up for @gastroPodMiami's sous vide salmon w pickled corn & pepper relish watermelon salad next up

6.28- Perfect summer food truck fare thanks to @chefjeremiah @gastroPodMiami sous vide salmon & watermelon salad nice light treats

7.3- Nice dinner @ Wheatleigh (lenox) Even better wines. Cpagne, gcru chablis Fevre, vosne romanee Girardin & sauternes

7.8- I don't care what the defensive haters in South Florida say, NY pizza blows South Florida away

7.9- Who needs Eataly when Mom's making meatballs,eggplant parm,lasagna,vermicelli w zucchini,garlic/olive oil & Dad grilling sausage/peppers

7.13- Finally found a water I like & can drink frequently @smartwater. Yes Fiji is good too but pricey

7.13- Walking into @naoemiami always puts a big smile on my face. Been too long. ChowP's first visit

7.14- Another outstanding meal @naoemiami @ChowPrincess started to fade at 2 hour mark/1 round of sushi in."lasted longer than u shopping" #valid

7.16- Gotta love being able to hit @YakkoSanMiami for lunch. Shrimp/unagi batterra on its way

7.17- No burger streak ended on day 30 w/great burger @sustainmia nice patty, great bun & bacon.Fries great too. Burger Bash'12? @Lee_Schrager

7.18- Cobaya Market 17 is in full effect.@ChefDanielRamos came to play next up kangaroo, wild boar, pheasant & bison

7.19- Looking forward to the @Common__Threads dinner tonight @ Area 31 w/ Reidt, Wessel & Brasel in the kitchen

7.19- Wow!!! Wessel just killed it with his fire glazed pompano & calabaza hash #holyshitgood

7.19- Chef Reidt's sous vide duck breast & pork belly was awesome again a laCobaya. So was the fluff

7.19- Chef Brasel's wild sockeye salmon 2 ways w truffle tiradito was legit too

7.23- Just killed some awesome BBQ shrimp @RedLightMiami been way too long

7.23- Nice1-2 punch 2night bbq shrimp&crawfish stuffed poblano @1chef1river &perfect dessert @bluepianomia Burg&roastd figs w goatc & duckprosciut

7.28- The influx of burger joints in South Florida has ruined my love for them. Shark has been jumped

7.28- Killer dish-crackly pork belly&bacon Brussels sprouts @BluePianoMIA #wow

7.30- SoFla Pizza fans you have to check out Kings County Pizza(NM)NY style pie great.Grandma/Sicilian better, baked ziti best in town wings 2

7.30- The sauce Kings County uses for the side pasta dishes that come with entrees is the best sauce I've had down here.small pizzeria doing >rest

7.30- Fantastic first meal @neMesisbistro Top Chef Micah Edelstein's new restaurant in Miami. Check it out

8.1- ahhh McDonald's spice, 30 cheeseburgers and a large coke for $35.00 woo hoo

8.2- Kids calling bread vanilla bread and ham pink turkey. Oy

8.3- mmmm the hot one w/sun sauce from @ Here Comes the Sun #healthyeats

8.4- First time trying the beef curry stew @ Sushi Deli & it's a winner. Props to @jsdonn for the tip. oh & it's $4.95 hahaha

8.5- Losing 2 of my favorite guinea pigs @mango_lime & @djkmia (ok 1 ha) good luck with the move. hope u plan return visits around @CobayaMiami

8.5- Spice this! RT @1chef1river 2night @RedLightMiami,cheap date 3crse $29 golden crab cocnut bisque,sour orange snapper & mango krisp flan

8.5- Getting Spicey with it @TudorHouseMiami nice first meal. Would be 3.5 stars if I had hot waitress for sure...

8.7- Must do Miami Spice- dim sum lunch @ Hakkasan great food and great deal. Forgot how good their dumplings are

8.7- As good as Hakkasan is I have little desire to venture back to Fontainbleau & deal with the tourist crowds and parking situation

8.7- Looking forward to first visit to @STKMIAMI tonight

8.7- Didn't think a bad porterhouse existed but STK delivered one. Disappointing. Cool place though

8.8- Second visit to @TudorHouseMiami for lunch spice great again. The pork belly Cuban Sandwich is awesome

8.8- Parties over, going into the "food cave" Paleo starts tomorrow via Primal Plan

8.12- There were 2 reasons I enjoyed going 2 Blue Piano @EpicuriousChic & her wine & @CeeRoks' food. That place is dead to me. CYA bit.ly/qSYyPq

8.17- Wonder how much $$ Prime 112 made off of Nevin Shapiro. #clawback

8.18- Bullshit was thre no offer/sign of deal RT @ThrillistMiami .@STKMIAMI's unlimited glasses of red/white vino and Champagne from 6-11p for $25

8.19- Agree.Type of place Miami needs more of RT @frodnesor Very good things going on at @neMesisbistro - really nice first dinner there tonight.

8.20- someone should starts a "food" truck that has no kitchen. just air conditioned seating at these truck events. $5 cover charge #meltnomore

8.20- @EpicuriousChic no expert but I get my fix at Pho 78. May want to check out Basilic in Pompano basilicvietnamesegrill.com

8.20- Watching the lil ones make and destroy their own sundays @DuffysMVP is priceless #noneforme

8.21- @BOURBONSTEAKMIA if 'cane can I evacuate to the B Steak wine Cellar on Thursday? Just me and my Amex

8.23- Cobaya mutha fuckin Yakko San is ON!!!!!

8.23- tile fish honey mustard miso @YakkoSanMiami @CobayaMiami is a winner

8.24- Good beer, food & company @cigarcity beer dinner @SustainMIA w @SteveBM & @romanforum

8.25- Orders in- uptown gumbo, BBQ shrimp and fish creole w/ grits plus drinking an Abita. #awesome

8.26- Doesn't having 60 food trucks in the same spot defeat the purpose of the @BurgerBeast APP? spread out!!!!!!!!

8.28- enjoyed 1st meal from @ Copper Chimney (Sunny Isle) tried bunch of things, favorite was Jhinga Masaledar & jeera rice thx for all the tips

8.28- Chowtwins big fans of the French toast sticks @SustainMIA + CF jr almost ate entire burger. Only one bite for me #chowmonsters

8.30- Cannoli bar? I'll settle 4 Zeppoles RT @hedygoldsmith I'm playing around with desserts for @harryspizzeria . they taste deeelicious. Sweet.

8.30- Just destroyed a tasting of smoked salmon/sturgeon/sable from @LoxPopuli favorites Western Nova, Sturgeon, Gravlax & NZ King. Thx ChowP

9.1- Is the pop up a segue into a @phucYEA mobile??

9.2- That gumbo was great RT @RumcakeFactory @TheChowfather Thank you for stopping by..Enjoy!!

9.3- Cause Lois Laine needs her $10 RT @frodnesor @Short_Order Why not just retweet @eatermiami post instead of acting like it's your own story?

9.3- editor of year @jdduran RT @frodnesor @Short_Order Another outstndng job repeating practically verbatim what rcntly appeared in another pub

9.9- Great food & Great time @phucYea tonight. Congrats guys

9.10- Chef Pous nailed the foie last night @LittlePalmFL plus great table on beach

9.18- Did @OceanPrimeCMR at Aventura mall close? #justwondering

9.18- I'd go with Mamma Michy's RT @romanforum @chefmichy Zach's Pizzeria has a nice ring to it. Congrats to @chefmichy and Senor Martinez.

9.18- CobayaJeremiah is on!!!!!! @CobayaMiami @chefjeremiah

9.18- Ok we have a holy shit delicious moment @CobayaMiami @chefjeremiah's "duck egg carbonara"

9.19- Food fans- looks like very interesting stuff going on over @ Azul @MO_MIAMI check out Sous Chef Kilgore's blog.

9.23- Zeppoles!!! RT @hedygoldsmith Excited for today's @harryspizzeria's staff tasting. Zeppoles, Chocolate Panna Cotta and Biscotti

9.24- Great recap as usual.lamb belly& chawanmushi my fav2 RT @frodnesor A recap of our @CobayaMiami dinner w @chefjeremiah -

9.25- Are people really excited about Pubbelly Sushi. #yawn

9.26- @GinAndButter @frodnesor fyi I called P Ho on Sat and was told that they were serving dim sum all day

9.27- FINALLY watched Big Night. Enjoyable movie for food fans. Any other food movie recs? Ramen Girl worth watching? #timpano

9.28- Saw a sign on my way into SBucks for new "banh mi" @ mama fu's. B line of course. Mmmmm this really sucks #banhdogpoo

9.29-Special things going on over @MO_MIAMI & Azul. Wonderful tasting menu tonight thanks to Chef Huff & crew. Get a glimpse http://thepowerofpassion.wordpress.com/

9.30- Word! Same w sauce/cheese pizza ratio RT @djkmia It's amazing how many restaurants don't understand the importance of Bun to Burger Ratio

9.30- Craving more of last nights awesome meal @MO_MIAMI's Azul. 8 great courses chef trained under Andres @ minibar &was CDC @ Saam The Bazaar

10.1- Getting ready to devour sum Ho's in Sunny Isle

10.1- Great 1st visit to Philip Ho in Sunny Isle. Legit dim sum w/ push carts. Best Ho in town!!!!

10.1- Isn't there an App 4 that? RT @BurgerBeast The Rolling Stove truck has been stolen. This is not a joke. Please keep your eyes peeled for it

10.3- 6- # of months McInnis lasts at Yardbird, 10- # of Yardbirds they open over next two years,15- # of yelpers who wet themselves 2nght

10.6- The duck fat fries @BOURBONSTEAKMIA The fries @SustainMIA are legit too RT @shadowhostess where can I find the best fries in miami?

10.7- Make sure u buy some popcorn 4 ur vagina RT @DaleMurphy3 Won husband of year tonight.. going to a movie w Nanc, instead of watching game

10.9- Very nice brunch @mistercollins1 Duck confit hash, hen of woods lake meadow farms duck egg. Winner hmade pretzel great2

10.10- so it's ending just as it cools down? #genius RT @NMBDeals Don't miss the last Intracoastal Mall Food Truck Frenzy of the year! Oct. 19th!

10.11- What? Pizza is sauce+cheese+dough RT @harryspizzeria "Pizza is a sandwich. It’s bread, sauce, meat, and you bake it. There’s no difference!"

10.11- better than another steak or burger joint though RT @frodnesor Like a hole in the head: Another Italian restaurant coming to SoBe @ Delano

10.11- I go @BOURBONSTEAKMIA @SraMartinezRst @SustainMIA RT @eatermiami Taking noms 4 hottest Miami area cocktail bars 4 Eater Heat Map cocktail ed

10.11- and add @MGFD_MIA and @meatmarketmiami RT @eatermiami Taking noms for hottest Miami area cocktail bars 4 Eater Heat Map cocktail edition...

10.11- question for bar/restaurant owners. If your bar menu says $14 for say Angel's Envy and I order neat, what is my bill?

10.12- sweet!!! Chowtwins love the SK RT @SakayaKitchen New Kids Menu at the restaurant

10.13- @BABYSITTINGco Kings County Pizza is the best. Great NY style, Grandma and Sicilian Baked Ziti and wings great too

10.14- New global cuisine spot Rouge is open. Next to Racks. Menu is attached and expanding soon

10.14- Chef is Michael Korchmar(blt stk) RT New global cuisne spot Rouge is open.Next 2 Racks Menu is attached & expanding sn

10.16- How can a pizza place be closed on Sundays? #justsayin

10.16- Awesome seeing so many little kids chowing down on dim sum w/ their fams @ chef Philip ho (sunny isles)

10.17- From @chefmakoto RT @BalHarbourShops dinner & a glass of red @ Carpaccio tonight.What do you suggest we order?

10.19- Barceloneta. It’s here. Spanish tapas from the Pubbelly guys. menu attached http://tinyurl.com/5we3u4n via @UrbanDaddy

10.19- Good to hear RT @stannenbaum @thechowfather strikes again! Barceloneta was fantastic.

10.20- 5 tables,no menus all pastas housemade/fresh, pizzas coming out of the wood burning oven looked awesome Cafe Le Buca (pompano) #mulberryst

10.21- U have to love the Asian Sensations along Collins or close by @ChowdownGrill @chefmakoto @naoemiami @YakkoSanMiami & @ Chef Phillip Ho

10.22- ChowP taking me to sprise dinner 2night Gave 5 spots plus wildcard. she hasn't cracked yet.Azul, BourbonS, Michy's, MGFD, NAOE & Palm d'Or

10.22- Hoping Jeffrey is Brana.. RT @normanvanaken Testing 4 our new menu @ about 2B born #Tuyo Jeffrey cooked Grouper Sous Vide/55C for 20 minutes

10.22- That is GREAT news. Can't wait RT @normanvanaken @TheChowfather Yes. JB. Pastry Chef Max Santiago is on board too. Happy about both. Very

10.22- Very excited for special tasting dinner @BOURBONSTEAKMIA "curated" by ChowP @johnriccardo

10.22- First up stonecrab topped w caviar paired w fantastic champagne. Three of my favorites. Ok last tweet til I'm done

10.22- Ok i lied need to tweet again. possible dish of year #truffles & Justin's Barollo is awesome pairing

10.23- Meal of year caliber dinner last night @BOURBONSTEAKMIA thnx to chef Fenton & crew paired w/ some fantastic pours from @thirstysomm

10.23- First dim sum visit for Chowtwins today. All they wanted was the cheeseburger cart...not quite ready 4 DS.they liked the "donut" buns though

10.26- Miami is no Longer dry cause we've got @RedemptionRye via @BOURBONSTEAKMIA (Thursday) Big props to @SteveBM aka Mr.Bourbon #bootleggergood

10.26- Enjoying first visit to @PubbellySushi totten inlet oyster sashimi hit the spot paiche robata & porkbelly & clam roll next

10.26- Feeling like a pubbelly crawl night...

10.26- The only problem with the @pubbelly crawl not enough distance to actually walk off the food... #chowfatherproblems

10.26- Orders in @BarcelonetaSoBe escargot, rabbit sausage & garlic butter and octopus, fingerling potato foam, chorizo..

10.28- Wow! The BEST thin slice pizza in Florida @ cafe la buca (pompano) great dough, sauce, cheese

10.28- Meant best thin crust... Gnocchi is great too. Love their sauce @ Cafe la Bucca

10.29- another screw up by Miami RT @darrenrovell Love the idea of food trucks @ stadium Seven outside Coliseum for USC game

10.30- When did Scorch close? just pulled in and it's closed. Slice pizza coming soon. Shoot need plan b

10.30- Plan b - Bulldog BBQ. Brisket hit the spot. Had a few bites of the morning glory burger. Ehh. Burgers continue to be pedestrian.

11.1- a real trendsetter RT @eatermiami Chef Allen Susser's Burger Bar opening this month in PB Gardens

11.1- Miami Prime closed. Not surprised with Duffys down the block

11.3- Loathe seeing a chef pick a wedgie from their Arse while I'm eating

11.4- Finally "breaking burger" with @BurgerBeast @BOURBONSTEAKMIA

11.5- someone left a comment on my bog indicating that Goyo El Pollo opened on South Beach. if they are related to 1 in Hwood try their ceviche

11.5- Every time I see Hogzilla BBQ I think of chef @kurtisdj & @zillamonster

11.6- Looking forward to a great week of drink and eats via Burgundy Dinner tonight @SustainMIA & a @CobayaMiami on Thursday

11.6- Doing an @SustainMIA doubleheader today. Brunch & Burgundy #thesustainablefather

11.6- Big thumbs up for the Butcher's Board @SustainMIA porchetta di testa a real treat

11.7- dish of the night & gr8 wines RT @SustainMIA 2nd course duck ropa vieja with lake meadows hen egg and parsnip puree

11.7- Piggie Smalls RT @gastroPodMiami P.I.G 3 - coming soon

11.7- oh I want that brisket RT @MGFD_MIA Woah din din ding dong! New meat notes tonite! house smoked brisket housemade honey mustard, 16

11.9- finger puss? RT @MGFD_MIA BTW @harryspizzeria there is chorizo, manchego, finger, puss, parsley. It rocks.

11.10- All aboard the Local #20 @CobayaMiami. In a kick ass wine cave w chef Cabrera. It's on!!!!

11.11- Another great @CobayaMiami in books thx 2 chef @albertoacabrera @thelocal150 & crew 1st up some kick ass charcuterie

11.11- Wow. Panther coffee has some competition with Alaska Coffee Roasting Co @akcoffee Cold brew & wood fired pizzas.

11.11- Here we go... Coffee is better than Panther. Yeah I said it @akcoffee

11.11- Curing my post @CobayaMiami blues with some kick ass escargot and veal kidneys @ gourmet diner #everythinggoodbuttheinstantmashedpotats

11.12- Back at Alaska Coffee Roasting (north Miami) the Ethiopian yirgacheffe is fantastic. @akcoffee

11.12- Egg yolk carpaccio with sweet shrimp topped w/ crispy shoestring potatoes @SraMartinezRst for first time. Won't be the last. Great dish

11.13- I freakin LOVE Matzo Balls

11.13- hmm much better than expected first bagel from Mish Mash bagel in the Waterways (Aventura) A return visit def warranted

11.13- Chef Philip Ho to go is the call for Jets game

11.13- I could eat Philip Ho's steamed scallop & black truffle dumplings all night.

11.15- Wow @ChefEMichael @ @sugarcanerawbar nailed their common threads dishes. Onward...

11.15- Fantastic modern old fashioned from @BarLabCocktails at common threads. Fuck the food

11.15- Good lord Red miso pork belly from chef Huff @ azul is insane @jsdonn just ate 20

11.17- Orders in polenta fries (addictive), caponata, escarole salad, marg pie (chowtwins), oyster mushroom, rock shrimp pies & Hedy's choc chunk

11.17- Oh snap! ChowP just dominated the KIDS @hedygoldsmith chocolate chunk cookies from @harryspizzeria #WOW #Momoftheyear

11.18- Fasting has begun in prep 4 Judging the @BurgerBeast Burgies 2morrow night 22 burgers in 2 hours..who will win???

11.19- Salt lick. Last tweet until I get a good burger

11.19- I just ate the worst burger if all time. I need a barf bucket.

11.19- 15 burgers down and I am ILL noLie

11.19- We have a DQ. Trucker came in w his burgers and a beer for a judge. Trying to bribe LD

11.19- I've never felt worse. Sweating and about to puke. Channel 10 is filming now too. Great

11.19- And @gastroPodMiami wins best truck burger

11.19- And burger beer joint won best restaurant burger. Those were tops on my ballot

11.20- Lobster roll & old fashioned @andrecarmellini The Dutch

11.20- Two for two- great lobster roll (loved the bun) & great old fashioned from @andrecarmellini's The Dutch.

11.21- Oyster sliders?? RT @andrecarmellini Attention nice couple about to have sex in our private dining room it's not thaaaat private!!

11.23- Great lunch break with ChowP at the Dutch. Really enjoyed the pappardelle w/ lamb ragu/mint. She loved lobster roll @andrecarmellini

11.24- Outstanding turkey from @openkitchen305 new place in Bay Harbor from Chef Stefani (CasaToscana) and Ines (Ice Box)

11.26- Laying low with some Sushi Deli & sake to go

11.27- Get off your couch.. U don't want 2 miss the Benton Ham Fried Rice w/ poached egg from @gastroPodMiami & the tequila punch @BarLabCocktails

11.30- Future superstar chef in our backyard. Check out Azul Sous @brad_kilgore's blog

12.2- Duck bao @Chowdownsobe and a little Jay-z/Kanye. Sweet

12.2-Chef @JamieDeRosa wasn't kidding. His meatball is killer @TudorHouseMiami

12.3- Hitting @BarcelonetaSoBe tonight. Any must gets?? #pubbellycrawl

12.3- Off to a great start @BarcelonetaSoBe ordered a lot of food

12.4- Cruising the IC. Duffy's bound. J-e-t-s jets jets jets

12.9- Hit my goal of dropping 20 lbs. w/out changing my eating & drinking habits too much. BP back to perfect.Big Props 2 Crossfitnmb #lifechanger

12.11- Fantastic bubble dunch @SustainMIA

12.11 Great riff on a nicoise - tuna confit, egg, rosemary potatoes & haricovert @SustainMIA

12.11- Home run. Perfectly cooked salmon w/celery root & myer lemon sabayon @SustainMIA paired w/ Fleury Cepages Blanc 90 & 04

12.11- Best dinner I've had @SustainMIA last course- braised veal cheeks,carmelized onions, potato purée w/ Gardet Cpagne

12.11- hat tip to @GinAndButter 4 another great wine dinner @SustainMIA nice bubbles poured inc 90 & 04 Fleury Cepages Blanc & Gardet BlancdeNoirs

12.13- Great start to @CobayaMiami Azul.

12.13- Good lord I hate to touch this stunner @CobayaMiami at azul. Chef huff is on fire

12.13- Fcuk that tasted even better than it looked

12.13- Not your Moms octopus. Chef huff & crew killing this @CobayaMiami @andrewzimmern

12.14- Thanks 4 joining us RT @andrewzimmern Cobaya @ Azul curated by chef Joel Huff & team was one of best meals in memory.

12.17- Looking forward to killing some of @1chef1river's Gumbo & New Orleans BBQ shrimp tonight @RedLightMiami

12.17- Great dinner as usual from @1chef1river @RedLightMiami gumbo, BBQ shrimp, blackberry quail. Plus shrimp sandwich I tried was killer.

12.19- Cocktail fans, do yourself a favor and try the Bootlegger's Run @SustainMIA another great drink from @GinAndButter

12.22- Booked RT @TudorHouseMiami @TheChowfather just a reminder Truffle Tasting Menu ends on the 30th- From your trusty truffle alarm clock :)

12.23- First bagel from new spot in Aventura @lovebagelworks Decent but on stale side. Need to try a fresh one... No Sage

12.23- Over/under on the wait at Chef Philip Ho this Sunday??

12.24- just finished first pizza from newly opened @sicilianoven in Aventura. OK but nowhere near the hype I read about other locations.

12.25- Chef Philip Ho still jumping

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!

2011-12-24T19:48:00.003-05:00

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!!

Here are two of my favorites this time of year. Enjoy.