Sun-Dried Tomato and Bow Tie Pasta: A Romantic At-Home Dinner

Instead of going out to eat, how about staying in and preparing a delicious Italian dinner for your other half. Armando put his OUSTANDING cooking skills to the test one more time with this recipe, and it sure was a HIT! Forget about your typical pasta sauces such as Alfredo and Tomato: that's just too boring. This bow tie pasta dish is filled with flavors since its prepared with a Gorgonzola cheese sauce and cooked with sundried tomatoes, pine nuts, prosciutto, basil, chorizo, and so much more. For an appetizer, enjoy some garlic toast, a Caprese Salad, or Bruschetta. Now, you just have to serve the food and wine, dim the lights, and turn the candles on for a romatic Italian dinner at home without having to break the bank. Watch out for the recipe coming soon.



Tip: Try to serve the food on a plain white plate. It draws the attention to the food and makes it look much more sophisticated.

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!

Meat Market: Every Bite is PERFECTION!

Don’t let the name scare you off because it’s anything but an ordinary Meat Market. Its warm lighting, combination of lounges and table service, and dozens of displayed wines give this steakhouse a twist, making it sensual and sophisticated. After glancing at the Miami Spice menu that Meat Market is currently offering, we couldn’t think about it twice and reserved a table. From the get go, we were treated like royalty. Our server was extremely helpful and had a great attitude. Instead of bringing the typical small bread basket and placing it at the center of the table, another server comes with a large tray and an array of bread to choose from. He neatly places what you choose on a small plate. Now onto the real good stuff! The appetizers we chose were beyond exquisite, they were PERFECT in every possible way. We chose the Alaskan Crab Tail pan fried with baby bok choy and passion fruit butter sauce, and Baby Back Lamb Ribs with Spicy Hoisin BBQ Sauce, topped with peanuts and cilantro. This food had everyone in other tables talking about its deliciousness. Every bite was filled with rich flavors, the texture of the crab tail was nice and tender, and the meat just fell right of the ribs with just the right amount of spices. As the main course we had Slow Cooked Harris Ranch Short Ribs with Tomato, Shallots, Garlic, and Polenta Fries, and the Pan Seared Striped Bass (Asian Style bok-choy and arugula with tomato pesto and lemon infused avocado oil). These two options were so perfect that I simply can’t decide which one was better. They're both different in their own way, but the ingredients are top of the line each time. These meals will simply have you gu-gu ga-ga!
Our waiter also recommended that we order an extra side from the regular menu.... how about some potatos au gratin, but wait, they were beyond unique. This side dish consisted of Yukon Gold Potatos with Sliced Apples and Goat Cheese on top. It was truly to die for and definitely worth putting the diet aside for the night. Although there was only one option for dessert, it was still great. They served us Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta with vanilla cream, a pecan biscotti, and bittersweet chocolate dust. The panna cotta was nice and creamy and not too sweet since you could pair it with the bittersweet chocolate dust. It was the ideal way to top off dinner! Meat Market was glamorous all around, and we recommend that you too give it a try. We guarantee you'll eat and be treated like ROYALTY! Call and make a reservation!

Meat Market
915 Lincoln Road
Miami Beach, FL

(305) 532-0088

5300 CHOPHOUSE: Don't Let The Menu TRICK You

For the most part, enjoying 5 star meals is one of our favorite pastimes, but every once in a blue moon, we find a restaurant that's a big "NO, NO." This time around, we were looking at the Miami Spice lunch menus, and truthfully, not many restaurants offer a good lunch menu on weekends. One of the few menus that caught our attention was at 5300 Chophouse. Don't let the name and menu fool you, instead save yourself a couple of bucks.

We originally thought it was located at the Doral Resort and Spa, but to our surprise, it was just a couple of more blocks down at the Hyatt. It definitely wasn't a resort, but we still wanted to give it a try. Just like the saying goes, "don't judge a book by its cover," but this time around, boy were we wrong to stay. The food wasn't horrible, but it definitely wasn't worth Miami Spice, and the restaurant reminded us of a nicer version of a Holiday Inn. Totally lame for our preference. To start off, the service was horrible and the background music was worse. At first, we didn't know who was really going to be our server, and once we started asking questions about the food, their descriptions were very weak. We ordered Tostones Rellenos and Croquettes filled with Chorizo and Manchego Cheese. Like I said before, the taste wasn't bad, but after waiting forever for your food to arrive, you simply get annoyed. Since it was lunch, we had a pulled BBQ Brisket sandwich and a Churrasco. These meals certainly didn't tickle my fancy. Your best bet is to save yourself the time and money, and "chop" off, I mean scratch off this restaurant from the Miami Spice list.

How To Get Your Money’s Worth During Miami Spice Restaurant Month

1. Visit www.ilovemiamispice.com and read the detailed list of participating restaurants.
2. Make sure the restaurant you select is offering the Miami Spice lunch/dinner menu on the day you plan to go. (Note: Some of the restaurants don’t offer Miami Spice on Fridays or Saturdays)
3. It’s very important to read the Miami Spice dinner menu before visiting. The menus are subject to change, and some restaurants don’t offer a great selection. You want to make sure you like what you plan on ordering so you can spend an enjoyable evening.
4. Bon Appétit

Dine in the Dark

Caffe Di Notte: Indulge Your Palate

Beautifully decorated in warm colors, Caffe Di Notte is Kendall area's hidden gem. If you're looking for a restaurant that focuses on making exotic meals, this is the place to visit. At Caffe Di Notte, it's perfectly fine to leave the menu closed. Why? Well, the greatest meals are always the specials which will kindly be explained to you by the waiter. On a typical night, there are about 15 specials, and they're all so good, you will find yourself debating which one to choose.

Our favorite appetizers include the Crabmeat Crepe and the Cream Cheese filled Shrimp. The crepe is filled with crabmeat served over lobster sauce and topped off with deliciously melted provolone cheese.

The Shrimp is crusted with green plantains, filled with cream cheese and bacon, and drizzled with a sweet blueberry sauce. These appetizers are simply exquisite!

The entrees are quite amazing as well. We ordered Seared Tuna with a sweet glaze on top and paired with Champagne Risotto. The risotto is one of the best ones I've ever tasted. It's nice and moist and very flavorful. The Filet Mignon, on certain occasions, will be served with Black Bean Sauce. It sounds very strange, which is what we originally thought, but it turned out to be unique and perhaps a Cuban way of having a Filet Mignon.

Indulge your palate at Caffe Di Notte, a small, but very romantic restaurant.

Caffe Di Notte
9793 SW 72nd Street
Miami, FL 33173

(305) 412-3310

Wine it Down: Get Ready for Food that's Out of this World

"Great Things Come in Small Packages!" This is the perfect popular saying to describe Wine it Down. It may be a small restaurant located in a small shopping plaza, but the meals are far from small and extremely delicious down to the very last bite.

Armando and I have dined here on several special occasions, and we always leave with an excellent impression. The food is consistently prepared to perfection. During our last visit, we ordered a very creamy Seafood Bisque, the Lobster Pot Pie, and the Croquettes. The Lobster Pot Pie was out of this world. It looks very much like a Chocolate Soufflé, but of course, it doesn't contain any chocolate. A thin layer of toasted bread crumbs cover the top, and as soon as you break into it, you will find lobster chunks in a creamy white sauce. It was so yummy that we ordered two.
Now, onto the ham croquettes. They look as if they're on steroids. No joke! These croquettes are simply huge, but they've got lots of flavor since they're filled with crab meat and ham and they're topped off with a tangy sweet sauce. Outstanding!
My favorite entree is the Filet Mignon accompanied with Creamy Roasted Corn.
The restaurant's chef previously worked at Red Steakhouse Miami Beach which explains why the food is simply magnificent!
Wine it Down is not only the perfect place to visit if you're looking for a menu that's great from beginning to end, but it's also great for small parties or to simply listen to live music on the weekends. Just a little tip, make sure you make a reservation or arrive early, because once customers get a table, they tend to stay for a long time since there's a fun ambiance. The professional and friendly staff will make sure you leave with the desire of coming back another day.

Capriccio in Doral: It's NOT Your Typical Sandwich

It's a tiny coffee bar located in a Doral strip mall, but it's the best kept secret when it comes to paninis, salads, and soups. Capriccio, a family-owned business, opened up its doors over a year ago, and since then, this coffee bar has become a hot spot for lunch.
You can create your own salad by choosing from a variety of greens and over 20 fresh toppings. The soups are homemade and delicious each and every time. My personal favorite is the Cream of Mushroom. YUMMY!! It is so delicate, creamy, and tasty, but unfortunately it's only offered on select days. I ALWAYS order the Capri Panini which comes with Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Basil, and Tomato. These fine ingredients are tucked into the most exquisite bread I have ever tasted. To top it off, the panini comes paired with an aioli dipping sauce.
After enjoying a healthy, yet delicious lunch, order a cup of coffee and relax. The owners are very friendly people, and they are always trying to make sure you walk away more than satisfied. Next time you happen to be in the Doral area, don't go for the ordinary sandwich at Subway or Panera Bread, instead, head to Capriccio. You can also ask about having your meal delivered if your office is nearby.

Capriccio
9551 Northwest 41st Street
Doral, FL 33178

Miami Spice 2010 Kicks Off August 1

It's that time of year again to visit Miami's top restaurants at the lowest prices possible. From August 1- September 30, 2010, more than a dozen hot spots will be serving delectable three course meals (Lunch $22, Dinner $35) created by world-renowned chefs. For the complete list of participating restaurants simply visit http://www.ilovemiamispice.com

Delicias de España: The Hot Spot for World Cup Fever

Although the World Cup is coming to an end, the craze in Miami continues, especially among the Spanish. On Sunday, July 11th, why not enjoy some Tapas and Wine at Delicias de España while watching the game on big screen TVs. This small restaurant satisfies its customers with homemade Spanish cooking such as Seafood Paella, Spanish Omelettes, Manchego Cheese, Serrano Ham, Ali-Oli Potatoes and much much more food that will give you the energy you need to cheer on the soccer players. OLE!!

WATCH Spain vs. Netherlands, July 11 @ 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge: Dine and Dance on the Mile

Excellent food, fun ambiance, and outstanding service, ALL IN ONE PLACE. Red Koi Thai and Sushi Lounge is a small but very hip restaurant located on Miracle Mile. The menu features a wide variety of Japanese and Thai food favorites.

To start off, we love to order the Tuna Tartar or Tuna Tataki. It's always prepared with the freshest ingredients and tangy sauces.
The sushi rolls are to die for. My boyfriend personally doesn't really like to eat sushi because of the seaweed, but at Red Koi, that's a thing of the past because you have the option of having your roll prepared with rice paper instead. The Havana Roll is truly extraordinary, and I promise you won't find this anywhere else.

Why? Well, it's exclusively the owner's creation. Its secret ingredients are guava and cilantro. Somewhat unheard of in sushi rolls, but its what makes it so DELICIOUS and UNIQUE. The Santini Roll contains crispy shrimp tempura mixed with crab, cream cheese, salmon on top, spicy mayo, and crunchy tempura flakes among other ingredients.

The extensive menu boasts almost 30 specialty rolls and 6 signature rolls, and if you prefer Thai food, order the Masaman Curry Chicken or Beef with cashew nuts, avocado, coconut milk, and seasoned curry for just $15.

Once you've finished dinner, head up the red staircase to the lounge where you can listen to music and dance off the calories. It'll be the perfect dinner night from beginning to end.

Armando's Homemade Filet Mignon Topped with Roquefort Cheese Sauce

Most meat lovers out there know that a delicious and tender filet mignon is usually only served at 5 star restaurants at a somewhat steep price, but there's always an alternative that can turn out to be better and more romantic than dining out. Armando and I decided to stay home and cook. He made one of my favorite recipes... Filet Mignon topped with Roquefort Cheese Sauce and Mashed Potatoes. Discover how to make this exquisite meal by checking out the Recipe in the "Tasty Recipes" section.

George's in the Grove: A Piece of France in Miami

Finding an exquisite French restaurant in Miami is no easy task, but tucked away in the heart of Coconut Grove, we were able to find the winner of them all. George's in the Grove is small, friendly, delicious, unique and interestingly enough, very loud for being French. Yes, that's also what makes it so fun.

This little gem, which offers outdoor and indoor seating, is owned by restaurateur George Eric-Farge from Roanne, France. The menu features French classics such as Escargots (one of my personal favorites), Onion Soup, and Tartars... but what is truly delectable is the Filet Mignon with Green Peppercorn Sauce and Potatoes Au Gratin on the side. Yum Yum Yum!! If you happen to be vegetarian, there's no need to worry. Their Seared Tuna is fabulous and always fresh. The food is consistently perfect, and the service like none other. The first thing you get once you sit is a complimentary glass of champagne. You can't go wrong with that.

Whether you're wondering where to take your date or where to celebrate a birthday, go to George's in the Grove and discover for yourself why it's the winner of many awards and accolades, including a long run of Zagat "Best French Restaurant" prizes.

As the saying goes at the restaurant, "If you don't take your girl to George's, someone else will."