Chowfather Burger Madness!!!! Round One

                                                  

It's that time of year again food fans, March Madness! This year I decided to change things up a little and start the season with the first Burger Madness tournament.  The Burger Committee  has been busy all weekend ranking and seeding the best 32 burgers in South Florida.  As usual, I have removed the seedings from the brackets in order to avoid bias/influence from the committee.  My followers here and on Twitter and Instagram will vote on their favorites.

These are all great burgers but only one will be deemed The Chowfather Burger Madness Champion.

Round one voting is live below.  Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Monday night.  The Sweet 16 will be posted once the results of round one are final.

Have fun burger fans.


ROUND ONE


RESULTS

Shake Shack 81%
Char-Hut 19%

LoKal 60%
Le Tub 40%

Umami 39%
Sakaya 61%

Burger Fi 58%
Jefe's 42%

MM74 51%
Rok Brgr 49%

Wolfgang's 55%
PB Steak 45%

The Cypress Room 82%
A&G Burger Joint 18%

The Dutch 81%
Lure 19%

Swine Southern 63%
Burger & Beer 37%

Tongue & Cheek 83%
Whisk 17%

db Bistro Moderne 68%
Latin House Burger/Taco 32%

Houston's 45%
The Broken Shaker 57%

Blue Collar 61%
The Federal 31%

Pincho Factory 60%
Charm City 40%

Bourbon Steak 58%
OTC 42%

Edge Steak & Bar 55%
J&G Grill 45%

Etzel Itzik (Aventura)

Etzel Itzik is an Israeli restaurant located in a nondescript strip mall on West Dixie Highway in Aventura. My friend ER "Truth be Told" Gagit has been raving about their shakshuka for years. I finally paid a visit several months ago and it has quickly become one of my favorite go to spots.

I've never been to Tel Aviv but I feel transported there every visit because of the food, Hebrew banter and the packed city-esque vibe. Plus my Israeli friends vouch for its authenticity.

They are open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner (close at 7:30) with the exception of Friday evening and Sunday. Yes, they are open on Saturday. They are always crowded and there is usually a line out the door during peak hours. But don't let that dissuade you, service is fast and it's worth the short wait.

Once seated, several complimentary side dishes magically appear at your table. A generous gesture and perfect to nosh on while perusing the menu. Breakfast items include the aforementioned shaksuka, green omelettes, lebaneh, masabacha and bourekas. There are several sandwich options available for lunch and dinner including falafel, schnitzel, pargiot and sabich. Entrees include kofta kebab, chicken liver, chicken hearts, spicy sausage, lamb chops, pargiot, schnitzel, spicy Moroccan fish and goulash.

Jachnun and cholent are great Saturday specials.

If you are looking to try something new, I would highly recommend paying Etzel Itzik's a visit. The food is very good and the atmosphere is unique for Miami. It's full of character and some characters too.



Complimentary treats usually consist of pickles, cabbage, pasta salad, chick peas, beet salad and corn.





The super Shakshuka. A spicy tomato sauce topped with poached eggs.



Jachnon is a Saturday breakfast special. It's a bread/pastry dish that is slowly baked on low heat overnight. It's paired with crushed tomatos and green skhug, a nice spicy green pepper hot sauce.



Lebaneh, strained yogurt topped with zatar and olive oil.



Turkish coffee.



The Limonana is a very refreshing mint infused lemonade.



Hummus topped with paprika and tahini.



Grilled Chicken Hearts.





Israeli salad.



Another Saturday only special. Itzik's Cholent "Shabbat stew" is a savory hit featuring brisket, potatoes, beans, barley, marrow, a whole egg and kishke.



Pargiot aka young chicken.



Yes, download your favorite Hebrew translation app before going.




Hours

Monday 8:00 Am - 7:30 Pm
Tuesday 8:00 Am - 7:30 Pm
Wednesday 8:00 Am - 7:30 Pm
Thursday 8:00 Am - 7:30 Pm
Friday 8:00 Am - 4:30 Pm
Saturday 8:00 Am - 4:30 Pm
Sunday Closed


(305) 937-1546
18757 W Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33180

Nina Compton "Top Chef" Menu @ Scarpetta (March)

Nina vía Bravo-Top Chef

Scarpetta chef de cuisine and Top Chef Season 11 finalist Nina Compton is offering Miami diners the chance dine like the show’s judges on the recently completed season. Beginning Saturday, March 1 guests can enjoy a six course menu featuring some of Tom and Padma’s favorite dishes, priced at $125+ per guest, not including beverages, taxes or service charges. A minimum of two diners at a table are required to order the special menu.

Bravo-Top Chef

MARINATED WAHOO

tomato sauce & salsa verge

episode 12: missippi mud bags

elimination challenge: create a dish highlighting two different types of seafood

SPICED TOASTED LAMB BELLY

tomato mostarda & brussels sprouts

episode 7: jazz hands

quickfire challenge: musical chairs

ORECHIETTE

moist roasted baby goat and concentrated tomatoes

episode 17: finale

elimination challenge: pop-up restaurant finale

TROUT

crosnes & cauliflower emulsion

episode 15: leaving a mark on nola

elimination challenge: create a dish inspired by our time in New Orleans

28 DAY DRY AGED RIBE EYE OF BEEF

charred leeks & foie gras

episode 10: like mama made

quickfire challenge: create a dish featuring dunkin' donuts coffee

CHOCOLATE ZEPPOLE

nutella center, passion fruit anglaise & toasted coconut

FONTAINEBLEAU MIAMI BEACH

4441 COLLINS AVENUE MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140 USA

RESERVE A TABLE ONLINE
or call 877-326-7412

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Sun - Thur
Dinner & Lounge: 6 PM - 11 PM
Fri & SatDinner & Lounge: 6 PM - 12 AM

UM Hoops Wing Fest 3.8.12

The BankUnited Center will host WingFest -- a sampling of chicken wings from establishments across South Florida -- prior to the men's basketball game vs. Wake Forest. For just $22, fans will receive a game ticket plus the ability to eat wings from the following locations:

- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Sports Grill
- Bru's Room
- Kings Creek Village
- Chicks N Wings
- Hooters
- Carolina Ale House
- House of Wings
- Bokampers
- Back of the Road Sports Grill

WingFest will be held in the Multipurpose Room of the BankUnited Center and will begin at Noon. A cash bar will also be available. The game is scheduled to tip off at 2 p.m.

Celebrity judges will include Chef Adrianne Calvo, Channing Crowder and Alex Donno.

To purchase tickets, click the link below and use the promo code, WING.
Click here for tickets

Domaine Serene Dinner @ db Bistro Moderne 3.12.14

Pubbelly (South Beach)

 

I don't believe I've ever done a dedicated post about Pubbelly so I figured I'd share a recent tasting menu I highly enjoyed with you. As many of you know by now, their menu is loaded with great small plate options which makes it easy to create your own tasting menu and a fun way to dine. However, they also offer a Chef Mendin/Navarro curated eleven course tasting menu for $55.00. That represents serious value and a great way to experience some of their signature dishes along with some new ones mixed in.

Cochon 555

It should be noted that Chef Mendin along with his supporting team is on an impressive streak of success. He was recently named a semi-finalist for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for best chef in the South. Finalists will be named on March 18, 2014 so stay tuned. He also recently took home the crown of Prince of Porc at the super competitive Cochon 555 Miami. He will now take his South Beach talents out west to Aspen to take on the winners from other cities across the country.

So stop by Pubbelly, PB Steak or the soon to open L'echon Brasserie and wish him luck.

Oh and he also recently nailed a Cobaya Dinner.

If you've never been to Pubbelly or haven't returned in a while, I would highly recommend paying them a visit. They continue to serve interesting and creative dishes that are executed very well. It's also a fun and laid back place perfect for locals and tourists too. It's located in the Sunset Harbor section of South Beach.

Here is a recap of my excellent eleven course tasting menu:



The popular Dates "avec" Chirizo. It's a delicious chorizo stuffed date wrapped in bacon and topped with goat cream.

 

Savory Shortrib Tartare (Meyer Ranch, CO) apples, quail egg, green mustard, tobanjan, pinenuts.

 

Great Goat Butter Toast.

 

Blurry shot of very good Japanese Amberjack, garlic chips, lemongrass, Romesco, hazelnuts.

 

Tasty Brussels Sprouts, bacon miso, sea salt.

 

A terrific trio of dumplings.

Shortrib & Corn with black truffle, corn soy, shiso, parmigiano.

Pastrami & Saurkraut with white cabagge soy, 1000 island, caraway powder.

Pork Belly & Scallion with su-shoyu, shichimi, onion marmalade.

    

Dynamite Pork Belly (Duroc Pork, Compart Family Farms, MN) kabocha squash, butterscotch miso, corn powder, broccoli rabe.

 

Green Beans, tamari soy, mustard, almonds.

 

Banging BBQ pork wings, chayote, pickled peppers.

 

El Cubano house-made vanilla ice cream, cream cheese glaze & guava.   

 

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza

I love food.  I love fine dining.  I love tasting menus. I love omakase sushi. I love modern cooking skills.  I love pasta. I love burgers.  But what I really love is a kick ass slice of pizza.

And I spend an enormous amount of time and energy hunting for quality pizza in South Florida.    Unfortunately, almost every spot turns out to be a bust.  There are only a handful of spots from Palm Beach to Miami that are worthy of your time and money.  And Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza remains one that should be on the top of your list. My current pizza rankings can be reviewed here.

I've enjoyed Anthony's pizza since they opened their flagship spot in 2002. Owner Anthony Bruno and I not only share a love of pizza but we both grew up on Long Island and are Jets fans. That's a winning combination.

Anthony combines traditional New York style pizza flavors with the high heat of a coal fired oven. This results in a uniquely charred thin crust pizza with a proper ratio of ingredients that is packed with great flavor. And they are consistently great. 

After years of aggressive expansion all over South Florida and the East Coast, I am happy to report that they are still at the top of their game.  We've seen a lot of imitators pop up over the years but most don't compare in quality or consistency.

I've neglected Anthony's over the years primarily because of my quest to find more great spots.  But I'm making an effort to get back to the spots that are doing things right and Anthony's qualifies for sure.

It should be noted that Anthony's has done an impressive job of incorporating craft beers into the mix with a strong local presence as well.  The Aventura location features “Coal Fired & Craft Beer” Mondays and Tuesdays featuring half off craft beers from local brewers. They recently teamed up with Ft. Lauderdale brewery Funky Buddha to create an Italian-American ale, Fuhgeddaboudit Red that is available exclusively at Anthony's. 

And make sure you order their wings.  They are fantastic and easily the best in town. 



Anthony’s traditional pie consists of the fresh mozzarella, Italian plum tomatoes, Romano cheese, basil and olive oil. The sauce, cheese and dough always taste great and I really enjoy the char on the dough and upper crust.



One of my favorite pies is their Broccoli Rabe & Sausage featuring Italian greens sauteed in garlic and olive oil served with their great Italian sausage and served over a traditional pie.  Other favorites include the Eggplant Marino, Paul and Young Ron (meatballs, sausage, hot or sweet peppers & ricotta cheese) and the Philly Cheesesteak (thinly sliced top round marinated and served with caramelized onions).

The pizza is great but the wings are even better.  They are easily the best in town. They are coal oven roasted and served with caramelized onions and focaccia bread.

The aforementioned Fuhgeddaboudit Red from Funky Buddha Brewery.  This "Italian-American" ale is crafted with a blend of European barley and English hops. Their goal was to be flavorful enough to balance out the intense crunch of a coal fired crust and be refined enough to pair with delicate San Marzano tomato sauce.  They nailed it.  For the beer snobs out there, it's described as an English Red Ale with 5.4% ABV and 20 IBUs.

Sausage fans will enjoy their Broccoli Rabe & Sausage.

Eggplant Marino will please the eggplant lover.  It's thinly sliced and served with fresh tomato sauce and Romano cheese.

Meatballs with Ricotta Cheese.  Anthony's serves large hand rolled meatballs that are slowly cooked in their tomato sauce.  I like the sauce and the balls are good but not the best in town. 

Check for locations HERE.