Filet Mignon with creamy béarnaise sauce, seared red snapper with a leek ragout, lavender crème brulee and chocolate soufflé grace the tables of the chicest restaurants in Miami.
For the average college student the thought of a gourmet dinner is food porn. However, now until September 30th Miami is celebrating Miami Spice, the city’s restaurant month.
The event is organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the restaurants are grouped into four districts. The event offers three-course fixed-price meals at some of Miami’s best restaurants including South Beach, Midtown, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.
This year is the event’s 10th anniversary and Jennifer Diaz, associate vice president of Media Relations & Promotions for bureau said in an email that this year is more exciting than ever with 142 restaurants participating. She said it’s a great way to try new restaurants.
“Miami Spice is an excellent opportunity to venture out and explore a new culinary experience with minimal risk because of the discounted rate,” Diaz said. “The program makes a foodie out of anyone.”
“It’s cool because it’s fancier food,” senior Sabrina Ginete said. “It’s nice for an average college student, who’s a little broke, to experience fine dining.”
Ginete went to El Gran Inka in Brickell last week with friends for dinner. She said the menu was amazing.
The Miami Spice menu is only $22 for lunch and $35 for dinner, perfect for students with tight budgets. A word of caution-- not all restaurants participate for both meals and some do not include weekends. It’s best to explore the extensive website of restaurants and menus to find what your taste buds are lusting after.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to try different restaurants,” senior Asha Agrawal said. “Since they have the restaurant list I’m more likely to try a restaurant I wouldn’t have known about.”
She said she plans on going to BLT Steak in South Beach with some friends. Their menu features an heirloom tomato and watermelon salad as a starter. Diners can chose between top sirloin and yellowtail snapper for their main course.
Junior Nicholas Taubes agreed “The best dinners at cheap prices is the best thing that a student could ask for. A lot of these restaurants would have remained completely foreign if it hadn’t have been for these promotions.”
Over 100 restaurants are participating this year, from steak houses to sushi restaurants to tapas bars. The Miami Hurricane found some sure bets for a great meal.
The Royal at the Raleigh Hotel- The Royal serves up American fare with elegant presentation. Miami Spice diners can sample duck breast with morels while overlooking the Raleigh’s baroque pool. The Royal is participating weekdays for lunch. The special dinner menu is available Sunday through Thursday. 1775 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 305-612-1163.
Mercadito Midtown- Mercadito’s Miami Spice menu is perfect for groups. Diners chose different tacos, ceviches, guacamole and desserts for the table while those over 21 sip an included cocktail. The lunch and dinner menus are the same so go midday for ultimate savings. The Miami Spice menu is available weekdays for lunch and every day for dinner. 3252 NE 1st Ave., Midtown. 786-369-0430.
Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge- Red Koi is located on Miracle Mile and is known for it’s Asian fusion and specialty sushi rolls. Miami Spice diners can chose from lemongrass chicken, short ribs of the Havana roll for their main course. The menu is available for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday. 317 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-446-2690.
Shula’s 347 Grill- This restaurant is perfect for freshman, it’s walking distance from campus. A 12 ounce flat iron steak with chimmichurri is on the menu along with grilled salmon and tenderloin tips. Dessert is capped off with cheesecake or key lime pie. The Miami Spice menu is available for both lunch and dinner weekdays. 6901 Red Road, Coral Gables. 305-665-9661.
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Celebrity Chef Night supports charity for children with cancer
Three hundred guests walked the grounds of Rumrunners in Cape Harbour on Wednesday night, sampling fine dining and bidding in live and silent auctions.
It was all to raise money for Barbara's Friends, a charity dedicated to helping children with cancer.
The eighth annual Celebrity Chef Night featured culinary talent from across the area, including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"People were here before 5 o'clock because it's so popular," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. "The quality of the chefs, the food, the wine. ... It's a fun night."
The foundation and Johnson have helped plan the event since 2004. Johnson said the foundation approached him wanting to do a benefit dinner with celebrity waiters.
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity - named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who died of breast cancer at 32 - is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation, call 343-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
Instead, he modeled the event after a benefit he attended in Aspen, Colo.
Guests at Rumrunners went from station to station in three different rooms sampling scallops, beef tenderloin, tuna and chocolate bread pudding. They mingled and meandered through the restaurant while sipping on wine and top-shelf liquor.
Johnson said last year, the night raised $48,000 for Barbara's Friends, and this year's goal is $60,000.
This year, the night had its first Child of Hope. Caliah Russell, 4, was all smiles decorating cookies and eating vegetable scones during the event.
"She went straight for the Norman Love chocolate," joked Caliah's mom, Mindy Russell.
Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has recently gone into remission, but still needs about 15 months of treatment. She has just started voluntary prekindergarten and resides in Cape Coral.
Russell said it's an honor Caliah was chosen.
Emad Salman, medical director of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the oncology center, said treatment of ill children often creates huge demands financially and emotionally.
"Events like this help build facilities, help pay for some of the expenses and make sure we can take care of every patient and not turn one away," Salman said.
He said Barbara's Friends and the hospital have a symbiotic relationship.
"We can't survive without the other," Salman said.
It was all to raise money for Barbara's Friends, a charity dedicated to helping children with cancer.
The eighth annual Celebrity Chef Night featured culinary talent from across the area, including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"People were here before 5 o'clock because it's so popular," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. "The quality of the chefs, the food, the wine. ... It's a fun night."
The foundation and Johnson have helped plan the event since 2004. Johnson said the foundation approached him wanting to do a benefit dinner with celebrity waiters.
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity - named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who died of breast cancer at 32 - is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation, call 343-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
Instead, he modeled the event after a benefit he attended in Aspen, Colo.
Guests at Rumrunners went from station to station in three different rooms sampling scallops, beef tenderloin, tuna and chocolate bread pudding. They mingled and meandered through the restaurant while sipping on wine and top-shelf liquor.
Johnson said last year, the night raised $48,000 for Barbara's Friends, and this year's goal is $60,000.
This year, the night had its first Child of Hope. Caliah Russell, 4, was all smiles decorating cookies and eating vegetable scones during the event.
"She went straight for the Norman Love chocolate," joked Caliah's mom, Mindy Russell.
Caliah has acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She has recently gone into remission, but still needs about 15 months of treatment. She has just started voluntary prekindergarten and resides in Cape Coral.
Russell said it's an honor Caliah was chosen.
Emad Salman, medical director of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida and the oncology center, said treatment of ill children often creates huge demands financially and emotionally.
"Events like this help build facilities, help pay for some of the expenses and make sure we can take care of every patient and not turn one away," Salman said.
He said Barbara's Friends and the hospital have a symbiotic relationship.
"We can't survive without the other," Salman said.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Chefs team up to help charity: Area's best culinary artists unite for cause
Succulent lobster paired with a creamy risotto, a margarita bar, surf and turf and various wine stations are just some of the culinary offerings at the 8th annual Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night set for Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Cape Harbour.
The night benefits Barbara's Friends, a charity whose goal is to help children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event will feature a wealth of local culinary talent including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"It's a privilege for us to participate each and every year," Norman Love said. "It provides us an opportunity to give back to needy children and their families."
Love plans to bring his signature truffles and confections, as well as gelato. He said there will either be a plated dessert with gelato or mini gelato cones.
Johnson said he came up with the idea for the night in 2004. The charity came to him in hopes of having a benefit dinner.
He told them, "Lets really do something special and make it a great event."
Johnson said he modeled the event after one he and his wife attended in Aspen, Colo. Food and wine stations were set up around the property and guests mingled and meandered to each station.
"It was awesome," Johnson said.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. but Johnson said people come early and stay late. Since there is no set time frame for a sit-down dinner like a traditional benefit, guests can eat and drink when they please. He said some go straight for dessert first.
"If you come at 7 you missed nothing, you melt into the crowd," Johnson said.
In the first year, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Charley.
"We didn't lose one reservation," Johnson said. "Every year since then, I've tried to make the event better than the previous year."
The event sells out every year. Johnson said $48,000 was raised last year and his goal for this year's night is $60,000.
"We will raise more than ever," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.
Tickets are $150 per person and include food, refreshments and the chance to bid on items. The event has had a silent auction in the past but this year a live action has been added.
A highlight of the live auction is a nine-course private dinner for 10 prepared by Balink, Johnson and Love.
"It's a unique item and we hope people will bid high," Higgins said.
About Barbara's Friends
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity, named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 32, is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation please call 434-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
If You Go
What: Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night
Where: 5848 Cape Harbor Drive
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $150
Attire: Caribbean casual.
Contact: To register to attend call 343-6950.
The night benefits Barbara's Friends, a charity whose goal is to help children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event will feature a wealth of local culinary talent including Chefs Todd Johnson and Ralph Centalonza of Rumrunners and The Joint, Chef Fabrizio Aielli of Sea Salt, Chef Harold Balink of Cru, Norman Love of Norman Love Confections and culinary teams from Yabo and Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe.
"It's a privilege for us to participate each and every year," Norman Love said. "It provides us an opportunity to give back to needy children and their families."
Love plans to bring his signature truffles and confections, as well as gelato. He said there will either be a plated dessert with gelato or mini gelato cones.
Johnson said he came up with the idea for the night in 2004. The charity came to him in hopes of having a benefit dinner.
He told them, "Lets really do something special and make it a great event."
Johnson said he modeled the event after one he and his wife attended in Aspen, Colo. Food and wine stations were set up around the property and guests mingled and meandered to each station.
"It was awesome," Johnson said.
The event is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. but Johnson said people come early and stay late. Since there is no set time frame for a sit-down dinner like a traditional benefit, guests can eat and drink when they please. He said some go straight for dessert first.
"If you come at 7 you missed nothing, you melt into the crowd," Johnson said.
In the first year, the event was postponed due to Hurricane Charley.
"We didn't lose one reservation," Johnson said. "Every year since then, I've tried to make the event better than the previous year."
The event sells out every year. Johnson said $48,000 was raised last year and his goal for this year's night is $60,000.
"We will raise more than ever," said Duane Higgins with the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation.
Tickets are $150 per person and include food, refreshments and the chance to bid on items. The event has had a silent auction in the past but this year a live action has been added.
A highlight of the live auction is a nine-course private dinner for 10 prepared by Balink, Johnson and Love.
"It's a unique item and we hope people will bid high," Higgins said.
About Barbara's Friends
Barbara's Friends is part of the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation. The charity, named in honor of Barbara Haskell, who lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 32, is dedicated to providing local treatment for children with cancer at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.
To make a donation please call 434-6950 or visit leememorial.org/foundation and click on Barbara's Friends to learn about donating online.
If You Go
What: Rumrunners Celebrity Chef Night
Where: 5848 Cape Harbor Drive
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $150
Attire: Caribbean casual.
Contact: To register to attend call 343-6950.
Cafe true to French-Italian roots: Bistro in Vivo builds following in Cape
French tarts, apricot oreillettes and quiche are handcrafted at Bistro in Vivo in southeast Cape Coral.
The French-Italian coffee cafe opened in May at 4825 Milton St., near the Sweetbay store off Cape Coral Parkway.
Veronique Frelier co-owns the shop with her mother Canelle. They relocated to the area from France this past year.
"We came to be close to the sea," Frelier said.
A family tree on the wall of the eatery showcases the restaurants, pizzeria and other ventures the family has owned in France and Italy. Their first restaurant has been in the family for three generations. This is their first cafe venture.
Bistro in Vivo serves breakfast and lunch along with dinner on Fridays.
All the entrees have a French influence.
Quiches are filled with goat cheese and spinach or brie cheese and sausage.
French baguette sandwiches and paninis delight customers with names from regions of France and Italy. French specialities of crocque monsieurs and madames, crepes and a croissant au jambon can also be found on the menu.
Bo Kagan dined on a croque monsieur, a hot ham and cheese sandwich served with bechamel sauce, for lunch. He said the food is fantastic. She's done a great job bringing in authentic French food, Kagan said.
This is his second visit and he plans on coming back.
"(I'm) real eager to try the other things that they have," Kagan said.
Fridays feature special sunset pricing. For iced drinks and frappes it's 5 percent off the first drink, 10 percent off two drinks and 15 percent off three drinks.
Frelier said that even though she's seen a dip, her cafe opened to strong numbers.
"It's a low season," Frelier said. "It's true that July is slower than others."
She said she looked at other locations in Fort Myers and on Sanibel but ultimately chose the Cape.
"There is nothing like this in Cape Coral," Frelier said.
She said she likes the area because it's quiet, safe and the city wants to improve.
"They try to make it nicer and grow this city," Frelier said.
Hot pink hued walls and large windows give the cafe an inviting feel. French posters and images of the Eiffel Tower create an eclectic vibe.
Chyrsti Castillo said the colors drew her in to the cafe.
"The atmosphere is very intimate, not like anything we have here. A taste of Europe," Castillo said.
Frelier said in the winter the cafe will have longer hours. She also hopes to have special dining of French and Italian specialties on Friday and Sunday evenings during season.
The French-Italian coffee cafe opened in May at 4825 Milton St., near the Sweetbay store off Cape Coral Parkway.
Veronique Frelier co-owns the shop with her mother Canelle. They relocated to the area from France this past year.
"We came to be close to the sea," Frelier said.
A family tree on the wall of the eatery showcases the restaurants, pizzeria and other ventures the family has owned in France and Italy. Their first restaurant has been in the family for three generations. This is their first cafe venture.
Bistro in Vivo serves breakfast and lunch along with dinner on Fridays.
All the entrees have a French influence.
Quiches are filled with goat cheese and spinach or brie cheese and sausage.
French baguette sandwiches and paninis delight customers with names from regions of France and Italy. French specialities of crocque monsieurs and madames, crepes and a croissant au jambon can also be found on the menu.
Bo Kagan dined on a croque monsieur, a hot ham and cheese sandwich served with bechamel sauce, for lunch. He said the food is fantastic. She's done a great job bringing in authentic French food, Kagan said.
This is his second visit and he plans on coming back.
"(I'm) real eager to try the other things that they have," Kagan said.
Fridays feature special sunset pricing. For iced drinks and frappes it's 5 percent off the first drink, 10 percent off two drinks and 15 percent off three drinks.
Frelier said that even though she's seen a dip, her cafe opened to strong numbers.
"It's a low season," Frelier said. "It's true that July is slower than others."
She said she looked at other locations in Fort Myers and on Sanibel but ultimately chose the Cape.
"There is nothing like this in Cape Coral," Frelier said.
She said she likes the area because it's quiet, safe and the city wants to improve.
"They try to make it nicer and grow this city," Frelier said.
Hot pink hued walls and large windows give the cafe an inviting feel. French posters and images of the Eiffel Tower create an eclectic vibe.
Chyrsti Castillo said the colors drew her in to the cafe.
"The atmosphere is very intimate, not like anything we have here. A taste of Europe," Castillo said.
Frelier said in the winter the cafe will have longer hours. She also hopes to have special dining of French and Italian specialties on Friday and Sunday evenings during season.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Freshman 15
Whether it’s Pizza in the Grove, tailgate food, or even those late night snacks we all sneak into Club Richter; college is an eating experience that’s new to freshmen. You’re on your own for the first time and you can do, and eat, whatever you want. However, this newfound freedom comes with a price – The Freshman 15.
Contrary to popular belief, the Freshman 15 is not just an urban legend. There are many factors that can affect your eating habits and cause weight gain. According to Ashley Falcon, assistant director of wellness at the Wellness Center, hectic schedules, buffet-style dining, emotional or stress eating, lack of sleep and alcohol are all factors that can result in weight gain.
The Hurricane has compiled some tips to help all students against the Freshman 15
Unlimited Charties is not your friend—just because you can have unlimited grilled cheese and fries doesn’t mean you should. Give the salad bar a try, and don’t skip the veggies. Stir fry with cooking spray instead of oil is another healthy choice, and try to cut back on the soda, a regular coke with every meal will add up to tons of empty calories.
Eat Breakfast—breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, and as you’ll quickly learn, Chartie’s best. Grab an egg white omelet for a great start to the school day. If you don’t have time to go to the dining hall grab a granola bar. Eating breakfast will help spark your metabolism and keep you from being too hungry during the day.
Walk when you can—walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise you can have on this campus. The campus is small enough that you can walk to all of your classes, and the surrounding area is full of walk able restaurants and shops. You can even track your on-campus walking with the school program, Walking Counts. The walking counts campaign calculates popular routes on campus. Add up your daily routes and you can easily walk up to two miles a day.
Use the Wellness Center- The wellness center is a great resource on campus to help manage your weight. In addition to the machines and weights there are also fitness classes, healthy cooking classes, and the free CHAMP assessment, which measures your fitness level.
Go Easy on the Booze- beer bellies often start freshman year, so go easy on the alcohol. Not every football game and weekend should be a blackout mess. Start to learn self control, your waistline, and your liver, will thank you.
Start your college career off right by developing the right habits, right now. Indulging in sweets and fats is ok every once in a while, but it’s important to remember you’re in a transition phase. What better time to develop a healthy eating regiment? The first step is the most important. Enjoy your college career and worry about the things that need to be worried about. Eating healthy is not something to fret over. At the end of the day a little discipline can go a long way.
Contrary to popular belief, the Freshman 15 is not just an urban legend. There are many factors that can affect your eating habits and cause weight gain. According to Ashley Falcon, assistant director of wellness at the Wellness Center, hectic schedules, buffet-style dining, emotional or stress eating, lack of sleep and alcohol are all factors that can result in weight gain.
The Hurricane has compiled some tips to help all students against the Freshman 15
Unlimited Charties is not your friend—just because you can have unlimited grilled cheese and fries doesn’t mean you should. Give the salad bar a try, and don’t skip the veggies. Stir fry with cooking spray instead of oil is another healthy choice, and try to cut back on the soda, a regular coke with every meal will add up to tons of empty calories.
Eat Breakfast—breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, and as you’ll quickly learn, Chartie’s best. Grab an egg white omelet for a great start to the school day. If you don’t have time to go to the dining hall grab a granola bar. Eating breakfast will help spark your metabolism and keep you from being too hungry during the day.
Walk when you can—walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise you can have on this campus. The campus is small enough that you can walk to all of your classes, and the surrounding area is full of walk able restaurants and shops. You can even track your on-campus walking with the school program, Walking Counts. The walking counts campaign calculates popular routes on campus. Add up your daily routes and you can easily walk up to two miles a day.
Use the Wellness Center- The wellness center is a great resource on campus to help manage your weight. In addition to the machines and weights there are also fitness classes, healthy cooking classes, and the free CHAMP assessment, which measures your fitness level.
Go Easy on the Booze- beer bellies often start freshman year, so go easy on the alcohol. Not every football game and weekend should be a blackout mess. Start to learn self control, your waistline, and your liver, will thank you.
Start your college career off right by developing the right habits, right now. Indulging in sweets and fats is ok every once in a while, but it’s important to remember you’re in a transition phase. What better time to develop a healthy eating regiment? The first step is the most important. Enjoy your college career and worry about the things that need to be worried about. Eating healthy is not something to fret over. At the end of the day a little discipline can go a long way.
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