lianas's Profile
Dinner out in South Beach - where to go?
If you go to El Chalan, (not that I recommend it) don't order ceviche, you'll end up asking for more fish to accompy your onions and vinegar... seriously. Also, last time I went (last week) I had the oysters with corn and onion and tomato and they used regular corn, not peruvian corn. Confusing since they have a peruvian market right next door (which is owned by the restaurant).
Wine week is here!
I haven't seen any posts about Wine Week at Smith and Wollensky's... why is that? I know that you people know about it right?? ok, well IF you dont, just wanted to let you know that this week (Mon-Fri) S&W is having it's super special wine week during lunch (12-3). Basically, for $10 (along with the cost of your lunch) you can try a bunch of different wines. I don't know how it works exactly, but I think the wine distributors send their people to tell you about the many different types of wines and the proceeds go to a local charity. A great reason to have some wine! As if you needed a reason. I'm going for lunch tomorrow, and will have plently of wine along with my Miami Spice meal (also a great deal at S&W) and I'll let you all know how it is : )
Best BBQ in Miami
Some very good recommendations are on the following post:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/418530
(The Pit is my favorite)
Italian in South Beach [split from another thread]
I went to Grazie for my birthday a few months back, and it was my first time there. We had a great experience, great service and the food was excellent. My boyfriend had a snapper with pistacho and I remember we got a side of risotto infused with truffle to share... the truffle was actually a bit overpowering in the risotto, they could have used about half the amount and it would have been better (in my opinion). Anyway, I'm looking forward to going back soon.
701 Washington Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 232-5533
where to buy fresh fish off the boat
Does anyone know of a place where I can buy freshly caught fish off the boat? something in the Miami/ Key biscayne/ North Miami beach area? I heard that Key Bicayne has a marina where you can go in the afternoon and buy fish from the fishermen, but I never got an exact location... some help please.
Sardinia, Michys, or Michaels Genuine?
I had the conch escargot-style at Michy's too. I'm so glad someone agrees with me, it was awful, haha! (thought maybe I was just crazy) But the rest of the meal was very nice.
Yakko San
We went last night- one of my favorite places!
Try:
fried oysters (must try- we always get 2 orders!)
hamachi kama (grilled yellowtail jaw)
yellowtail sashimi (excellent quality)
pork belly
tuna belly steak (special, not on menu)
short ribs (if you want more meat)
kobocha tempura
I would go somewhere else for dessert, I love baking and eating desserts in general, and the selection at yakko-san is not very impressive
How To Ease Into Sushi?
Yellowtail is not tuna... it is snapper. You are probably thinking of Yellowfin tuna.
How To Ease Into Sushi?
As much as an omakase can be an amazing experience, I don't think being served uni sashimi is the best way to begin one's venture into the world of sushi. I don't want him to be turned off by having something many would consider great, but perhaps may be an acquired taste. Go slow, somewhere with very fresh fish (i.e.- usually busy) and ask for some popular dishes. Most Japanese/ sushi places have small portions, so it's easy to try many, small things. Always ask for recommendations, from the chef or the server.
Best Challah in Miami Beach?
There is a jewish bakery called Rolling-Pin Kosher Pareve Bakery
9523 Harding Ave
Surfside, FL 33154
(305) 868-1578
great breads, cookies, cakes, etc... I always show up when they are closed, so I recommend calling first.
Best sushi in South Florida?
--Matsuri has great, no - excellent traditional sushi and traditional Japanese food, but very limited sake.
--Yakko-san in North Miami has good (not really mind blowing) Japanese food, (but I do crave the crispy oysters) and a decent sake menu and very well priced.
--Sushi Samba on Lincoln is fusion (Peru, Brazil, Japan), but they have great quality sashimi and I'm a huge fan of their sake list. They have over 60 bottles in many sizes and price ranges.
Miami Wine Lists exposed & Chowhound Recs
For a good deal, try Le Bon on Lincoln Road on Wednesday. During the summer slow season, all bottles of wine and champange are 1/2 off the list price (wed only) and everyday they has specials on 1/2 kilos of mussels. I think it's less that $10 for a 1/2 kilo pot between 5:30 and 7:30, something like that.
Overrated Miami Restaurants
I wanted to comment on Sushi Samba... while I agree that it's expensive (around $50/person) they also have a great menu and turn out consistent great food. The menu has changed a little bit recently. Not only is this a place for sushi and great seviche (and awesome tiradito-Peruvian sashimi), but they also have excellent cuts of meat. Try the aged NY or ribeye or the kurobuta pork chop (from a Japanese black berkshire pig), very fatty and flavorful. Great to go with a group, lots of plates that are good to share, and you do get a good amount of food if you are willing to spend $50/person. oh yeah, best sake menu on the beach, maybe the best in miami... and staff has a good knowledge of the bottles.
Best Gyro Delivery on South Beach?
Miami Gyro is on Washington and 6th. Great gyros, they were closed for a while, but I believe there are up and running again. I'm pretty sure they do delivery. Very nice people, great food, very cheap- gyro is around $6
What is your favorite BBQ in Miami-Dade?
The Pit is the best, but it's all the way out in the everglades, so it's definitly a hike. Not a huge fan of the individual key lime pies, a litttle too sweet... but I would go back just for the ribs and biscuts.
Beach BBQ is ok. The problem that I have with them is not the cheesy decor or the fact that it's a "chain-wanna-be"; it's their side dishes. I've been their twice now and the ribs are pretty good, but the side of collards were soggy and tasteless and the mashed sweet potatoes have all brown sugar flavor, no salt, not even the taste of the sweet potatoe. French fries were sub par, and even the corn bread isn't that great. I think the problem with the cornbread is that the loaf is too big, so you get all of the crumbly inside and not enough crunchy outside. Just my opinion.
