Coral Gables Restaurant Week: June 6-19

The fourth annual Coral Gables Restaurant Week is right around the corner. Beginning June 6, food lovers will be able to choose from specially-priced three course menus at more than 30 fine restaurants.

Some of the restaurants include Anacapri on Ponce, Bangkok Bangkok, Benihana, Caffe Abbracci, Caffe Vialetto,Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fritz & Franz Bierhaus, Graziano’s Restaurant, La Cofradia, La Dorada, Le Provencal, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Norman’s 180 and Ortanique.

Most restaurants offer a lunch and dinner menu. We highly recommend that you call in advance and make reservations since the Coral Gables Restaurant Week is a popular event in the neighborhood.

For more information visit www.coralgablesrestaurantweek.com.

Coming Soon... Taste of the Gables

In just a few weeks, foodies can treat their palate to a bit of sweet and spicy food during the Taste of the Gables event, Thursday, June 2, 2011. More than 20 participating chefs will offer samplings for attendees who will later vote for their favorite dish. The event will be held in the Westin Colonnade Hotel's rotunda from 6 to 8 p.m. To purchase tickets CLICK HERE.

Taste of the Gables is a preview event for the fourth annual Coral Gables Restaurant Week beginning June 6-19. Some of the participating restaurants include Talavera Cocina Mexicana, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge, Caffe Vialetto, Bangkok Bangkok and Caffe Abbracci. Make sure to stop by the Great Meals Miami blog for some great recommendations.

Where to Go for Cinco de Mayo...

No matter what your nationality may be, most of us love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at local trendy Mexican restaurants. Great Meals Miami has a list of where to dine and drink for this spectacular Mexican fiesta!


1. Cancun Grill in Miami Lakes. Enjoy a LIVE Mariachi Band, lots of drinks and food starting at 5 p.m.

2. Mercadito Midtown

3. Talavera Coral Gables

4. Rosa Mexicano in Brickell celebrates with live music, a special menu and lots of prizes and giveaways.

5. Jaguar, 3067 Grande Avenue, Coconut Grove, will have a grand party starting at 8 p.m.

6. Chilorio’s, 130 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, celebrates with 2 for 1 Mexican beers. The restaurant also is giving complimentary nachos with a purchase of $20 or more.

7. Lime celebrates with $3 Cornoas, drink specials, entertinment & giveaways between 11am-10pm. Extra bonus - keep the party going all month long with $3 Coronas through the end of May.

Special Event: Dine for a Great Cause

On Tuesday, May 17, take the opportunity to dine with some of South Florida’s most popular chefs during the Chefs For a Cure event at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. The five-course feast will benefit the American Association for Cancer Research. Enjoy an exquisite meal prepared by the very best while helping out in the fight against cancer. Participating chefs include Paul DaSilva(1500°), Dean Max (3030 Ocean), Michael Bloise (American Noodle Bar), Timon Balloo (Sugarcane) and Sean Brasel (pictured from Meat Market). Some of these restaurants have been featured right here at Great Meals Miami. The menu will feature a variety of items to give guests a taste of the best of Miami.

More Details:
Chefs For a Cure
Tuesday, May 17, 7pm
1500° at the Eden Roc Hotel, Miami Beach
$150 per person
For reservations call 305-674-5594

Special Event: 32nd Annual Food & Garden Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Looking for something to do this weekend in Miami? Check out the 32nd Annual Food and Garden Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.



Click here to find out how to get $2 off admission.

Dining in the Dark at Chef Adrianne's

Imagine eating in the dark while blindfolded with nothing but candlelights on, and to top that off, not knowing what's on the menu. To truly enhance this unique experience, you'll be better off putting some of your table manners aside. Letting go is even easier in the dark. It may sound somewhat bizarre, but it's a concept that originated in Europe. When you lose your sense of sight, all your other senses become more acute. Therefore, the flavors become even more alive when you savor them. Instead of traveling thousands of miles to be a part of it, you can do it right here in South Florida at Chef Adrianne's Vineyard. This special event only takes place a few times a year, but when it does, it's truly unforgettable. The theme on this occasion was "Morrocan Nights." After seating about 50 guests, Chef Adrianne introduces herself and gives an overview of the event. It's an 8 course dinner, but all the portions are similar to samplers. Now, blindfolds on and be very careful not to spill anything. Trust me, it's quite a difficult task.

First, the servers brought a glass of champagne and Naan (pita with a curry garlic olive oil and oregano). It's amazing how your sense of smell and taste is enhanced. As you begin to feel the food and smell it, you can immediately detect some of the key ingredients. The following course was a delicious and very refreshing Morrocan Chickpea and Feta Salad with olives and cucumbers. No forks were needed for this salad, just your fingers! One of our personal favorites was the Moroccan Lentil soup. It took approximately 7-8 hours in preparation, and it was simply exquisite. The soup was very creamy and also had a hint of bacon. By now, everyone is even more excited to try the next courses. The tables are starting to get a little messy, but remember, no one is looking. The fourth course was a Curry Chicken topped with Caramelized Onions and Red Wine Tasting. Chicken is normally not very flavorful, but this meal was the exception. The chicken was tender with yummy Moroccan spices and curry. The onions were also so amazing that I couldn't even tell what they were. The next dish is saved for the richest class in Morocco, Filet Mignon with Curried Carrot Puree. Can I just say WOW?!?! Armando was even licking his fingers which would be a big NO NO had it not been dark dining. Just refer to the picture on the right. The carrot puree was beyond extraordinary. It was sweet with a hint of spices and very creamy, and the filet mignon was sliced into small pieces so it could be eaten easily. This truly had us craving for more and more. The night started coming to an end with a Honey and Pepper Salmon with Pine Nut Couscous, and last but not least, dessert, a Passion Fruit Goat Cheese Cheesecake. Every dish truly took you to Morocco. Once the blindfolds came off, we had quite a couple of crumbs and stains on the white tablecloth. Well, I guess that was no surprise.

We recommend this event to any food lovers out there that also enjoy a little adventure. There is nothing to be afraid of because Chef Adrianne will never let you down with her cooking. Trust that everything she serves, even when you can't see it, will be MAGNIFICENT! For those of you interested in partaking in this unique event, we will certainly keep you posted. You just might find us there again because we won't miss it!