Welcome to my blog, a collection of sights, meals and experiences. Hope you enjoy!
As impressive as the location is, the main attraction is truly the food. Chef Alfredo Alvarez, formerly of Seasalt and Pepper, has created a stellar mediterranean inspired menu that knocks it out of the park. Having visited on various occasions I can safely say that I have not had a dish here that I did not like. That being said, there were definitely some standouts; but with the constantly changing menu it is never guaranteed that a dish will be available on your next visit.
Chinese food and Miami have never really been synonymous. Only with the recent culinary revolution has Miami stepped up its restaurant game and more and more good places to score quality Chinese food have popped up. But Tropical Chinese has been around way before dim sum and Peking duck were trendy. This place is the real deal, it is a family run operation that has been open in Miami since 1984, a fact that they proudly display on their wall and menu. And rightfully so because after more than 30 years it is still slammed every weekend for their Hong Kong style dim sum cart brunch; many people (including myself) consider it to be one of the best Chinese restaurants in Miami.
From the hugely successful team behind New York City staples such as Tao and The Stanton Social comes Vandal, a “celebration of art, architecture, and food of global street culture from New York to Vietnam to Barcelona and beyond”. At least, that’s what they claim on their website. Travel and food is my catnip, and someone claiming they can give me both in one restaurant sitting? I had to see this for myself.
A Tokyo experience in New York, or what I would imagine a Tokyo experience to be. I have never been to Japan… nor even a Yakitori restaurant. But here I felt what you feel when you travel to a foreign country, with a different language, a different culture, and of course, a different cuisine. It was a little intimidating, a little uncomfortable, and a lot delicious.
When Harry Sasson, Colombia’s most famous chef, decided to open his 6th restaurant, and first one out of Bogota, in Cartagena’s Charleston Santa Teresa, there was no doubt it would be a hit. His name has become synonymous with high quality food, mix that with the exquisite location within a restored 17th century convent turned hotel in 1995 and you have a recipe for success. Harry’s Cartagena has quickly become a local hot-spot as well as a tourist destination, which is why I was surprised to find less than stellar reviews about it online. Having visited various times I have found that it has as many strengths as it does weaknesses causing a disparity in dining experiences. You can have the best meal of your trip, or the most mediocre, depending on what you order.
Chef Constantine Delucia, formerly of Momi Ramen, has finally brought us the slurp spot we deserve in Coral Gables. Ok… that was a bit dramatic, but seriously it’s about damn time Miami caught up with one of my favorite (and messiest) of food trends: Ramen. The name “Ichimi” means “Dedicated to” thus it comes to no surprise that Delucia brought out all of the stops with his new venture. It is a casual Ramen and Izakaya spot with a main dining area that fits about 60 people, small outdoor seating and The Miami New Times reports that it will also have a beer and sake room.
