Whistle Stop Food Truck Rodeo
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Saturday February 5th from 11AM -5PM
12450 SW 152nd ST. Miami 33177
305.253.0063
Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Free Admission 20 Food Trucks
Picnic or dine in our 1940's dining car
Train Rides-Great Food-Adventure
Hosted by Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers
Sponsored by Casa 9 Palms LLC. & Gold Coast Railroad Museum
Participating trucks include: Caza Crepes, CheeseMe, Churro Mania, Dolci Peccati, EatWhereYouAre, Feverish Ice Cream, Grill Master Cafe, Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers, Latin House Grill, The MexZican Gourmet, Miso Hungry, MonTaco, Ms Cheezious, The Rolling Stove, Simone Bakery, Slow Food Truck, Sugar Rush, Yellow Submarine, Wing Commander, and Wrapito Yum.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Beer & Cheese Pairing @ Hollywood Vine 2/5/11
Saturday February 5th 2011
Time: 6:00 pm
$15.00
954 922 2910
hvine@comcast.netFresh Beer Inc & Hollywood Vine
The marriage of beer and cheese goes way back. Farmers often made cheese when they had an abundance of milk that they wanted to keep and brewed during the winter when they couldn't farm. And both beer and cheese have a similar origin, grass. Barley is a cereal grass used in making beer and milk is a by-product of a cow eating grass. As a result, beer and cheese complement each other by sharing some common characteristics in both aroma and flavor, while the carbonation in beer also lifts the palate and brings out many nuances in the cheese.
Beer & Cheeses
Matches made in Heaven
Avery White Rascal
Belgian Style Wheat Ale or White Ale
Laura Chenel’s Chèvre
Goat/California
Victory Helios
Saison/Farmhouse Ale
Truffle Gouda
Cow/Netherlands
Shipyard Prelude
English Ale/ Winter Ale
Drunken Goat
Goat/Spain
Southern Tier 2xIPA
Double India Pale Ale
Peral
Cow/Blue/Spain
Terrapin Moo Hoo
Stout
D’Affinois
Cow/France
hvine@comcast.net
Hollywood Vine
2035 Harrison Street
Hollywood, FL 33020
954-922-2910
954-922-7660 fax
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Top 10 Meals 2010
Last 2010 recap list, I promise. I wasn't going to post a best meal list but I was fortunate enough to have experienced so many enjoyable meals in 2010 that I wanted to post a list as a personal thank you to the chefs and restaurants responsible for a great culinary year.
10a. Sakaya Kitchen "Cobaya in the night" - Midnight madness featuring Papa's shrimp and pork egg rolls, pork buns, Korean fried sweetbreads, frog legs and pork belly with crispy bone marrow and coconut rice. Great meal from start to finish featuring items not seen on the daily menu. Chef Hales killed it in 2010. ** I neglected to include the pork belly dish on my Best Dishes 2010 post and it should have easily been on that list.
10. Cobaya Gras - Chef K, Chadzilla & Big Basco with pastry chef Rissone sprinkled in (Chris too) made for a fantastic meal and fun time. I was transported back to New Orleans which a special place to me. It was almost Cobaya Monsoon but the Cobaya gods came through.
9. Cobaya Altamare - Gracious host, great pours, fun group, enjoyable meal from start to finish. Lamb heart.
8. Michael Mina (SF) - Celebrated a big birthday with the beautiful Chowprincess in a great city. Chef Mina was in the house and it was a fantastic all around meal. Special thanks to Sommelier Matthew Turner for some pours of a lifetime. I'm officially old now...
7. Bourbon Steak (Miami) "Cobaya Steak" - White glove experience all around. Great company, great room, great service, great wine and outstanding food prepared by Chef Fenton. Big thank you to GM John Riccardo, one of the best in the business, for making sure this was a special evening.
6. French Laundry- This may have been the best prepared meal I will ever have coupled with the best ingredients (truffles, caviar, sea urchin) but it was almost too perfect which made it feel somewhat safe and dare I say on the boring side. Still an outstanding meal and experience.
5. Fig (Charleston) - This was a fantastic meal from start to finish. The crispy caw caw pig trotters were my second favorite dish of the year. This is the kind of place I would visit regularly if I lived there.
4. Neptune Oyster (Boston) - Legendary eating display with my closest friend who I don't get to break bread with often. Dozen(s) of awesome oysters, even better warm lobster rolls and a perfect marriage of pork and oysters via neptunes on piggy back.
3. Benu (SF) - Creative, cutting edge, A+ ingredients executed to perfection, delicious. This place is going to be real hard to get into in 2011.
2. Naoe- Creative and exciting bento box followed by mind blowing sushi. I had the good fortune to dine there several times this year and each one was special. My first visit was in early 2010 with three other passionate food lovers. A 3+ hour meal flies by when surrounded by good company and great conversation. Wendy and Chef Cory Rock.
1. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink - Father's Day Brunch with Chowprincess and the Chowbabies a/k/a the Chowtoddlertwins. Nothing beats outstanding food (Kimchi benedict) with your own children on Father's day. Plus it was fun watching my son dominate duck confit hash and my daughter destroy Hedy's pop-tarts.
10a. Sakaya Kitchen "Cobaya in the night" - Midnight madness featuring Papa's shrimp and pork egg rolls, pork buns, Korean fried sweetbreads, frog legs and pork belly with crispy bone marrow and coconut rice. Great meal from start to finish featuring items not seen on the daily menu. Chef Hales killed it in 2010. ** I neglected to include the pork belly dish on my Best Dishes 2010 post and it should have easily been on that list.
10. Cobaya Gras - Chef K, Chadzilla & Big Basco with pastry chef Rissone sprinkled in (Chris too) made for a fantastic meal and fun time. I was transported back to New Orleans which a special place to me. It was almost Cobaya Monsoon but the Cobaya gods came through.
9. Cobaya Altamare - Gracious host, great pours, fun group, enjoyable meal from start to finish. Lamb heart.
8. Michael Mina (SF) - Celebrated a big birthday with the beautiful Chowprincess in a great city. Chef Mina was in the house and it was a fantastic all around meal. Special thanks to Sommelier Matthew Turner for some pours of a lifetime. I'm officially old now...
7. Bourbon Steak (Miami) "Cobaya Steak" - White glove experience all around. Great company, great room, great service, great wine and outstanding food prepared by Chef Fenton. Big thank you to GM John Riccardo, one of the best in the business, for making sure this was a special evening.
6. French Laundry- This may have been the best prepared meal I will ever have coupled with the best ingredients (truffles, caviar, sea urchin) but it was almost too perfect which made it feel somewhat safe and dare I say on the boring side. Still an outstanding meal and experience.
5. Fig (Charleston) - This was a fantastic meal from start to finish. The crispy caw caw pig trotters were my second favorite dish of the year. This is the kind of place I would visit regularly if I lived there.
4. Neptune Oyster (Boston) - Legendary eating display with my closest friend who I don't get to break bread with often. Dozen(s) of awesome oysters, even better warm lobster rolls and a perfect marriage of pork and oysters via neptunes on piggy back.
3. Benu (SF) - Creative, cutting edge, A+ ingredients executed to perfection, delicious. This place is going to be real hard to get into in 2011.
2. Naoe- Creative and exciting bento box followed by mind blowing sushi. I had the good fortune to dine there several times this year and each one was special. My first visit was in early 2010 with three other passionate food lovers. A 3+ hour meal flies by when surrounded by good company and great conversation. Wendy and Chef Cory Rock.
1. Michael's Genuine Food & Drink - Father's Day Brunch with Chowprincess and the Chowbabies a/k/a the Chowtoddlertwins. Nothing beats outstanding food (Kimchi benedict) with your own children on Father's day. Plus it was fun watching my son dominate duck confit hash and my daughter destroy Hedy's pop-tarts.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Best Dishes 2010
2010 was a fantastic food year for me thanks to the opening of some new local spots, several Cobaya dinners, continued excellence from local favorites plus trips to Charleston, Boston and San Francisco.
The following are the20 30 35 best things I ate in 2010. I told you it was a good year...
35. Salumi cone at Boccalone (SF)
34. Stone crabs (to go) at Mr. Lobster (Islamorada)
33. Quail bao at Chow Down Grill
32. Fish dish tie- line caught wild Alaskan halibut, baby purple artichokes, meyer lemon, taggiasca olive at Bourbon Steak Miami (Cobaya) & triggerfish tempura, shaved fennel and buddha hand salad at Altamare (Cobaya)
31. Short rib meatloaf at Gigi
30. Shack Burger at Shake Shack
29. Crawfish Bread "French Dip" with Gumbo Consommé (featuring sausage and quail confit) at Chef K & Chadzilla, Sol Kicthen (Cobaya Gras)
28. Coq au vin at Chanticleer South (Islamorada)
27. Croque madame at Bouchon (Yountville)
26. Tie octopus a la plancha (green olives, crispy chorizo & smoked paprika aioli) at Cafe Boulud (PB) and octopus with warm farro and chorizo at Altamare (Cobaya dinner)
25. Red beans and rice & fried chicken- Chef Mike Marshall (a/k/a Big Basco) Cobaya Gras
24. 3 way tie- Oysters at Zuni Cafe (SF), Neptune Oyster & B & G Oyster (Boston)
23. Korean fried sweetbreads & spicy frog legs at Sakaya Kitchen (Cobaya in the night)
22. Burger at Zuni Cafe (SF)
21. Kimchi Benedict (with pork belly) at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
20. Cracklin duck herb sandwich at Dim ssam a go go (Sakaya Kitchen truck)
19. Veal cheeks with mushroom polenta at Casa Tua (prior chef)
18. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Yank Sing (SF)
17. Pork Belly with spicy melons at American Noodle
16.Tie Charcuterie plates at McCrady's (Charleston) & Perbacco (SF)
15. Lobster roll at B&G Oyster (Boston)
14. Pork belly and geoduck clam salad at Michael Mina (SF)
13. "fruits de mer", octopus, uni and bay scallops at French Laundry
12. Warm lobster roll at Neptune Oyster (Boston)
11. Pork buns at Sakaya Kitchen
10. "Five Seas" a tasting of five fish with five preparations at Michael Mina (SF)
9. Veal sweetbread ravioli with porcini mushrooms at Fig (Charleston)
8. Hudson Valley foie gras terrine w/ strawberry, grains of paradise, pistachio, blue basil at Bourbon Steak Miami (Cobaya dinner)
7. Neptunes on Piggyback (crispy oysters & Berkshire pig) at Neptune Oyster (Boston)
6. Uni (sea urchin) nigiri at Naoe
5. Nantucket Bay scallops & pumpkin risotto at Bourbon Steak Miami
4. "Oysters and Pearls" sabayon of pearl tapioca with Island Creek oysters and white sturgeon caviar at French Laundry
3. Porchetta sandwich at Roli Roti Truck (SF)
2. Crispy caw caw pork trotters with a sunny side up farm egg and field pea succotash at Fig (Charleston)
1. Risotto, sea urchin, butternut squash, celery, black truffle at Benu (SF)
I'm really looking forward to 2011!!
The following are the
35. Salumi cone at Boccalone (SF)
34. Stone crabs (to go) at Mr. Lobster (Islamorada)
33. Quail bao at Chow Down Grill
32. Fish dish tie- line caught wild Alaskan halibut, baby purple artichokes, meyer lemon, taggiasca olive at Bourbon Steak Miami (Cobaya) & triggerfish tempura, shaved fennel and buddha hand salad at Altamare (Cobaya)
31. Short rib meatloaf at Gigi
30. Shack Burger at Shake Shack
29. Crawfish Bread "French Dip" with Gumbo Consommé (featuring sausage and quail confit) at Chef K & Chadzilla, Sol Kicthen (Cobaya Gras)
28. Coq au vin at Chanticleer South (Islamorada)
27. Croque madame at Bouchon (Yountville)
26. Tie octopus a la plancha (green olives, crispy chorizo & smoked paprika aioli) at Cafe Boulud (PB) and octopus with warm farro and chorizo at Altamare (Cobaya dinner)
25. Red beans and rice & fried chicken- Chef Mike Marshall (a/k/a Big Basco) Cobaya Gras
24. 3 way tie- Oysters at Zuni Cafe (SF), Neptune Oyster & B & G Oyster (Boston)
23. Korean fried sweetbreads & spicy frog legs at Sakaya Kitchen (Cobaya in the night)
22. Burger at Zuni Cafe (SF)
21. Kimchi Benedict (with pork belly) at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
20. Cracklin duck herb sandwich at Dim ssam a go go (Sakaya Kitchen truck)
19. Veal cheeks with mushroom polenta at Casa Tua (prior chef)
18. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings) at Yank Sing (SF)
17. Pork Belly with spicy melons at American Noodle
16.Tie Charcuterie plates at McCrady's (Charleston) & Perbacco (SF)
15. Lobster roll at B&G Oyster (Boston)
14. Pork belly and geoduck clam salad at Michael Mina (SF)
13. "fruits de mer", octopus, uni and bay scallops at French Laundry
12. Warm lobster roll at Neptune Oyster (Boston)
11. Pork buns at Sakaya Kitchen
10. "Five Seas" a tasting of five fish with five preparations at Michael Mina (SF)
9. Veal sweetbread ravioli with porcini mushrooms at Fig (Charleston)
8. Hudson Valley foie gras terrine w/ strawberry, grains of paradise, pistachio, blue basil at Bourbon Steak Miami (Cobaya dinner)
7. Neptunes on Piggyback (crispy oysters & Berkshire pig) at Neptune Oyster (Boston)
6. Uni (sea urchin) nigiri at Naoe
5. Nantucket Bay scallops & pumpkin risotto at Bourbon Steak Miami
4. "Oysters and Pearls" sabayon of pearl tapioca with Island Creek oysters and white sturgeon caviar at French Laundry
3. Porchetta sandwich at Roli Roti Truck (SF)
2. Crispy caw caw pork trotters with a sunny side up farm egg and field pea succotash at Fig (Charleston)
1. Risotto, sea urchin, butternut squash, celery, black truffle at Benu (SF)
I'm really looking forward to 2011!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Favorite Spots 2010
The following is a list of my favorite restaurants for 2010, in no particular order. These are places I enjoy frequenting on a regular basis because they consistently serve great food and are the best in class. I highly recommend each place on this list with some of my favorite things at each. I'm sure I've neglected to mention some, sorry.
Mauro's Pizza-an authentic and great NY slice of Pizza. (Downtown Hollywood)
Sage Bagel and Deli-for the best bagel in South Florida. (Hallandale Beach)
Bourbon Steak- burgers, truffle fries and an old fashioned. Wagyu flat iron and strip rock too.
Naoe-outstanding Nigiri plus a great bento box to start. (Sunny Isles)
Sakaya Kitchen - Just order everything-to go go and pig out. Make sure you double up on the pork buns.
Epicure Market-tuna fish salad sandwich. None better.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink- Brunch, lunch and dinner. It's all good.
Shake Shack-burgers but don't forget to try the dogs.
Chow Down Grill-fresh Chinese inspired cuisine. Squid ink dumplings.Special board filled with winners.
Gigi-short rib meatloaf & pork belly BLT.
American Noodle-pork belly with spicy melons.
Yakko-San-crispy bok choy, manila clams, kimchee buta, black pork belly.
Sugarcane Raw Bar-tripe w/ kimchi, duck egg & beef tongue stew, bacon wrapped dates, kobe sliders.
gastroPod-banh mi tacos, mo better burger and an old dirt dog.
Sol Kitchen-word on the street is hot regarding the sol roll and banh mi burgers. Crack dip doesn't stink.
El Goyo Pollo- chicken draws crowds but I go for the ceviche mixto, tripe and beef hearts. (Hollywood)
El Tamarindo- great bang for your buck. (Hallandale Beach)
Nakorn- reliable sushi and thai take out.(Hollywood)
Lola's on harrison- gnocchi and short ribs.
Le Tub- don't overlook the gumbo.
Pho 79-banh mi (Pembroke Pines)
Tark's- gator bites and clam bellies.
Timo-oyster salad, pastas.
Altamare- octopus with warm farro & chorizo, housemade wild mushroom ravioli.
Bulldog BBQ-cornmeal crusted oysters, shrimp n grits, beef brisket.
Gourmet Diner-popular caesar salad w/ chicken, vegetable souffles, tenderloin tips and beef burgundy
Southport Raw Bar-steamed old bay shrimp and raw bar.
La Petit Prince (le sandwicherie on Hollywood Beach) salami provolone or pate.
Pizzavolante-cacciatorini and some burrata.
The Cheese Course- applewood bacon sandwich.
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza-solid pizza and even better wings.
RIP- Talula
Places I like that I just didn't get to enough in 2010 to include-
Red Light
Michy's
Bond St.
Sardinia
Scarpetta
BLT Steak
Meat Market
Macaluso's
Valentino's
Places I look forward to trying in 2011-
Pubbelly
Zuma
db Bistro Moderne
Pucci's Pizza (long time fan of the prior incarnation)
Sustain
1500
Royal @ The Raleigh
Area 31 (new chef)
Cecconi's
Mauro's Pizza-an authentic and great NY slice of Pizza. (Downtown Hollywood)
Sage Bagel and Deli-for the best bagel in South Florida. (Hallandale Beach)
Bourbon Steak- burgers, truffle fries and an old fashioned. Wagyu flat iron and strip rock too.
Naoe-outstanding Nigiri plus a great bento box to start. (Sunny Isles)
Sakaya Kitchen - Just order everything-to go go and pig out. Make sure you double up on the pork buns.
Epicure Market-tuna fish salad sandwich. None better.
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink- Brunch, lunch and dinner. It's all good.
Shake Shack-burgers but don't forget to try the dogs.
Chow Down Grill-fresh Chinese inspired cuisine. Squid ink dumplings.Special board filled with winners.
Gigi-short rib meatloaf & pork belly BLT.
American Noodle-pork belly with spicy melons.
Yakko-San-crispy bok choy, manila clams, kimchee buta, black pork belly.
Sugarcane Raw Bar-tripe w/ kimchi, duck egg & beef tongue stew, bacon wrapped dates, kobe sliders.
gastroPod-banh mi tacos, mo better burger and an old dirt dog.
Sol Kitchen-word on the street is hot regarding the sol roll and banh mi burgers. Crack dip doesn't stink.
El Goyo Pollo- chicken draws crowds but I go for the ceviche mixto, tripe and beef hearts. (Hollywood)
El Tamarindo- great bang for your buck. (Hallandale Beach)
Nakorn- reliable sushi and thai take out.(Hollywood)
Lola's on harrison- gnocchi and short ribs.
Le Tub- don't overlook the gumbo.
Pho 79-banh mi (Pembroke Pines)
Tark's- gator bites and clam bellies.
Timo-oyster salad, pastas.
Altamare- octopus with warm farro & chorizo, housemade wild mushroom ravioli.
Bulldog BBQ-cornmeal crusted oysters, shrimp n grits, beef brisket.
Gourmet Diner-popular caesar salad w/ chicken, vegetable souffles, tenderloin tips and beef burgundy
Southport Raw Bar-steamed old bay shrimp and raw bar.
La Petit Prince (le sandwicherie on Hollywood Beach) salami provolone or pate.
Pizzavolante-cacciatorini and some burrata.
The Cheese Course- applewood bacon sandwich.
Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza-solid pizza and even better wings.
RIP- Talula
Places I like that I just didn't get to enough in 2010 to include-
Red Light
Michy's
Bond St.
Sardinia
Scarpetta
BLT Steak
Meat Market
Macaluso's
Valentino's
Places I look forward to trying in 2011-
Pubbelly
Zuma
db Bistro Moderne
Pucci's Pizza (long time fan of the prior incarnation)
Sustain
1500
Royal @ The Raleigh
Area 31 (new chef)
Cecconi's
Monday, December 27, 2010
All Cried Out- Last Tiers of a Burger for 2010
I've been on a burger bender again recently so the timing is right for the last Tiers of a Burger for 2010.
The following burgers are my favorites for 2010 ranked by tiers.
TIER ONE
Bourbon Steak (bar/lounge menu)
Burger & Beer Joint
Char-Hut
GastroPod's Mo Better Burger, short rib, brisket and sirloin topped with poached egg, slaw and gPod sauce.
Busts (recent disappointments)
Heavy Burger (Aventura) not bad but not tier worthy.
2011 Burger to eat list
The original db Burger @ db Bistro Moderne- sirloin burger filled with short ribs, foie gras and black truffles
Banh Mi Burger from the Sol Kitchen
Clarkes
Boardwalk Burgers (Boca)
Return to Kingdom and Red Light soon
The following burgers are my favorites for 2010 ranked by tiers.
TIER ONE
Bourbon Steak (bar/lounge menu)
Burger & Beer Joint
Shake Shack
TIER TWO
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
Charm City
Le Tub
Red Light *have not had in >9 months
Kingdom *have not had in >9 months
Red Light *have not had in >9 months
Kingdom *have not had in >9 months
TIER THREE
Char-Hut
Five Guys
Jack's Old Fashion
Jack's Old Fashion
Elevation (Coral Springs)
A TIER of Their Own (great non-traditional burgers that are tier one worthy but deserve their own tier)
GastroPod's Mo Better Burger, short rib, brisket and sirloin topped with poached egg, slaw and gPod sauce.
Sakaya Kitchen's Angus beef bulgogi sliders with spicy goat cheese, pickles, roasted pork & kimchi.
Sugarcane Raw Bar's Kobe sliders with tonkatsu sauce and fried quail egg.
THE WORD UP TIER a/ka The Cameo Tier
Zuni Cafe- SF (easily would be in tier one if local)
Zuni Cafe- SF (easily would be in tier one if local)
Busts (recent disappointments)
Heavy Burger (Aventura) not bad but not tier worthy.
2011 Burger to eat list
The original db Burger @ db Bistro Moderne- sirloin burger filled with short ribs, foie gras and black truffles
Banh Mi Burger from the Sol Kitchen
Clarkes
Boardwalk Burgers (Boca)
Return to Kingdom and Red Light soon
Thursday, December 16, 2010
podBrunch III 12/26/10
I unfortunately missed the first two podBrunches hosted by Chef Jeremiah and his gastroPod Miami but will hopefully make it to numero tres.
Hey guys & gals, the pod is at it again! We are excited to announce the 3rd installment of the podBrunch series which first took place back in August and then again in October! These are some of the goodies we served at both brunches:
Individual tickets are $28 and are available using the link below:
OR you can get 4 tickets for $100 using the link below:
Hey guys & gals, the pod is at it again! We are excited to announce the 3rd installment of the podBrunch series which first took place back in August and then again in October! These are some of the goodies we served at both brunches:
- Kahlua Iced latte
- Smoked Trout
- Sweetbread Sliders with Pickled Peaches and Watercress
- Cheddar Grits, Poached Egg & House Bacon
- Sunday Gravy Over Orrechiette
- Orange Crush Float
- Trotter Cakes
- Huevos Rancheros
- Ricotta Gnocchi
- Roast Chicken
- Iced Hazelnut Coffee + Madelines
Individual tickets are $28 and are available using the link below:
OR you can get 4 tickets for $100 using the link below:
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