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Food and Dining Radio Show – 7.24.08

Restaurant Roundabout

**ALL RESTAURANTS DISCUSSED ARE LISTED AT THE END WITH ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS

 

 

Linda Gassenheimer (LG)

Fred Tasker (FT)

Joseph Cooper (JC)

Jen Karetnick (JK)

Rochelle Koff (RK)

 

LG: As you said, it’s our popular restaurant program. It’s the start of Miami Spice Season now and there’s lots to talk about. Jen Karetnick is the restaurant critic from Miami Magazine. Also sitting here is Rochelle Koff. She’s the Herald Broward Restaurant Critic and the Weekend Editor for the Herald.  Welcome.

 

JK: Thank you.

 

RK: I know. You’re looking for the gossip.

 

LG: Yes, I can’t wait. Now there are a few things I wanted to talk about. The coconut grove area around commodore plaza is having a renaissance. There is a new place called George’s in The Grove. George Fage, from Bouchon du Grove, opened it and his special personality is certainly still there. On Bastille Day he was dressed as Marie Antoinette! Also there’s Cita Italian Chophouse across the street from George. Their chef is from Sicily. It  has a charming patio garden in the back of the restaurant. Also I was walking down main highway and there’s a wonderful gelato place and, in the back, there is a little patio garden where they’re making wood burning oven pizzas. In the Brickell Area there’s Andu. That’s a little gem. It’s very pretty. The last one I have is Por Fin. Very hopping Spanish restaurant. I get a lot of calls because people say it’s noisy, but I went upstairs and it was a bit quieter.

 

JC: What kind of noise?

 

LG: Everything. In fact they’re building restaurants now to make them noisier.

 

FT: I ate there the other day. It was good.

 

LG: I also want to mention an old-style restaurant that’s still going strong. This is a piece of old Miami. Fox’s Sherron Inn in South Miami has been there since 1946. It’s packed; very dark, very old Miami…their specialty is thumb bits, which are juicy pieces of tenderloin.

 

FT: Do they allow smoking there?

 

LG: Well technically they don’t allow smoking anywhere anymore.

 

FT: Oh yeah, that’s right.

 

LG: Let’s go to Rochelle. What’s going on in Broward?

 

RK: This is a good time to try upscale restaurants, because there are specials over the summer. Sun Fish Grill is doing a three course dinner for $36, Johnny V’s is having big bar-b-q feast on Thursdays. That’s $40. Christine’s on Oakland Park Blvd is doing a lot of summer specials. There’s something there on Mondays – a three course dinner and a big band. That’ll be a nice Monday night. China Grill in Fort Lauderdale is doing a lot of happy hour specials. There’s many more. You can look at miamiherald.com for the whole list. Or try the sunny.org site.

 

LG: Jen, what’s your take on Miami Dade?

 

JK: I love Miami Spice. This year it’s popular because of the economy. Some restaurants even started it in June.

 

LG: Some started in June?

 

JK: Yes, this has become an almost 4 month promotion. I went to Oceannaire for lunch and it was delicious and extremely filling.

 

LG: That’s a good deal because it’s a pricey restaurant.

 

JK: I go to the places that I can’t get back to or can’t afford on my own. I go to expensive fish houses and steak houses. Another one is Prime Blue Grill. I’m planning on hitting that. That is overlooking the water at the end of South Biscayne Blvd. Capital Grill always puts on a good showing. Go to ilovemiamispice.com. One Bleu at the Regent Bal Harbour is very expensive, like $55 an entree, so this is the time to go there. It’s very romantic and has a beautiful view.

 

LG: That’s www.ilovemiamispice.com for information. What about the non-Miami Spice restaurants?

 

JK: Michaels Genuine is not doing it, but if you go into your favorite restaurant you can find a summer special. Michy’s in on the Miami Spice Program. So places you wouldn’t think has one will have one. Like Azul at the Mandarin Oriental has one.

 

FT: I always warn people to ask about the wine situation. I’ve been to places where it’s $36 but the cheapest bottle of wine is $69.

 

LG: We’re going to take a break now. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic for Miami magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor. We’ll take a break and be back with more.

 

[break]

 

LG: We’re back now. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic for Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the she’s also the Herald Weekend Editor. Now let’s take some calls.

 

JC: I don’t want to tell people about my treasures. Then they’ll get too crowded.

 

LG: Some people like to share!

 

JK: One thing I wanted to mention is that you don’t tip on the Miami Spice menu. You should estimate how much it should cost and leave a tip based on that. So try to do research before you go to the restaurant and get an average so that you leave the appropriate amount for the waiter. They don’t appreciate it when you leave $6 in an upscale restaurant for a Miami Spice Menu.

 

LG: That’s a great piece of information.

 

Caller 1: I wanted to ask, last year was my 25^th anniversary and we went all out to a show in the Carnival Center. At that time Karu and Y was open and they had fixed price with shuttle service to the Center. Can you recommend any restaurants that are within walking distance to the Carnival Center.

 

JC: It’s the Arsht Center now.

 

JK: Well, within walking distance, that’s a tough one. Bin18 is there, but that would be a bit of a walk. That’s close and it’s romantic.

 

LG: 18^th and Biscayne Blvd. I would suggest going to the design district. That’s a quick car ride.

 

JK: Try Pacific Time. Michael’s Genuine, the new Fratelli Lyon. They do a lot of tapas style dishes. Or you could even go further downtown. The shuttle question is really difficult. I don’t believe there’s anything running right now.

 

Caller 2: I was calling to recommend restaurants in Palm Beach. In the antique row area there’s Rhythm Café. I’ve been a customer there for the past 14 years and have never had a bad meal.

 

LG: What kind of food?

 

Caller 2: It’s a wide variety. Steak, seafood, chicken. They do a key lime chicken. I’d also recommend one in Lake Worth called Rustica Italiano. It’s really authentic. The owner is from Capri. The last is a new restaurant called the Beach House Bistro. They serve upscale casual food with interesting twists on things. I like the Spaghetti with Calamari Meatballs.

 

LG: It sounds to me like you like to eat out. Thanks for your call.

 

Caller 3: I wanted to suggest Big Fish.

 

JK: Right on the river.

 

Caller 3: I think their seafood is great.

 

JK: I’ve had inconsistent meals there. It has great views. It’s good to know that you haven’t.

 

Caller 3: Could you recommend a restaurant for me to take my mom in downtown Miami to on her birthday on Sunday? Something not too casual and not too fancy.

 

JK: In Merry Brickell Village there’s Rosa Mexicana, PF Changs, Perricone.

 

LG: I like Perricone.

 

JK: Oceannaire Seafood room is there as well. And you could take advantage of the Miami Spice Menu. The food is very upscale. Call and make sure the Spice Menu is being served on a Sunday.

 

LG: Also, everyone needs to call before they go to these restaurants now.

 

JK: Yes. Another place is The River Oyster Bar also in downtown. Not super expensive. Great atmosphere. I just like that place. I’ve always loved the Chef there.

 

Caller 4: I have a question. Is Michael’s Genuine the same as Michael’s Kitchen?

 

JK: No, that place is gone. It’s now Kitchen 305 and it’s a completely different Chef.

 

Caller 4: I want to suggest Scorch on 130^th and Biscayne. It’s a locals place.

 

JK: I go there all the time. It’s a very friendly place.

 

Caller 4: The other place is on 110^th and Biscayne there’s a new Mexican restaurant. It was good food and good prices.

 

JK: It’s called the Burrito Grill.

 

Caller 4: Don’t forget Johnny V on Las Olas.

 

JK: Never.

 

LG: Thank you very much.

 

LG: We’re going to take a break now. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic or Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor. We’ll take a break and be back with more.

 

[break]

 

LG: We’re back. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic or Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor.

 

Caller 5: I was interested in the restaurant on 26^th street and Biscayne Blvd.

 

JK: The partners split up. The new one is on 79^th street Causeway and the new name is Schnitzel House. They have a really nice beer garden in the back. It’s a great place.

 

LG: Jen, you know your stuff.

 

FT: You must eat out every night.

 

JK: This is many years of Miami Restaurant information stored in my brain!

 

Caller 6: I always like the very good restaurants from NY that open here. They’re not always good. But I love Il Mulino in the Acqualina Hotel on 178^th. It’s excellent, quiet and really good food. They have excellent service. I just discovered a restaurant on South Dixie and 59^th.

 

LG: You’ve had some problems.

 

Caller 6: Well sometimes the NY restaurants that open here are not as good a quality.

 

JK: If you like Il Mulino you should try Il Gabbiano. It’s on South Biscayne. It’s not as quiet but it’s the same style of food. It’s delicious.

 

Caller 7: I’m part of a non-profit that has a wonderful little place across from the Arsht Center called the Manhattan. We’ve been having open houses and it’s a wonderful place to go before an event at the Arsht Center.

 

LG: You have to go upstairs?

 

Caller 7: Yes, and you can come up and take look. It’s a nice cozy place.

 

JC: You have to join a private club?

 

Caller 7: After the open houses you have to join. It’s only 10 cents a day for the year.

 

LG: Thank you for that information.             

 

Caller 8: I’ve been going to a place for 20 years called Café Italia. It’s in Coral Gable on SW 8^th street. They have help that’s been there for years.

 

LG: That’s an unusual thing. It’s nice to go back to restaurant and recognize the staff.

 

Caller 8: It’s clean. And one other Cacao on SW 1^st Street. It’s a luncheon place.

 

LG: Thank you very much.

JK: I heard a terrible story the other day about hygiene. I welcome that information.

 

LG: I’ve always said that, when people think they have the flu, most often it’s a food borne illness.

 

JK: You don’t know what’s going on behind the walls or in the ceiling.

 

LG: Let’s go to another caller!

 

Caller 9: There’s a place called Al Fresco. I love that everything is done from scratch.

 

LG: How did you find this place?

 

Caller 9: My son goes to the Academy of Arts and Minds and it’s right there.

 

LG: I love that place. It’s the most charming place. How does he keep it going?

 

Caller 9: I think they have scheduled parties and clientele from the theatre productions. Also the owner of the property is treating the whole property as a hobby and isn’t expecting to make a lot of money.

 

LG: You can sit out on the patio there. On the wall there’s opera.

 

Caller 9: My family has a number of food allergies. I’m looking for a place with no artificial colors and where we can really know what’s in each item. I’m looking for something near Cutler Bay or Bal Harbour.

 

JK: I have the same problem. My daughter is gluten intolerant. Honestly the way we go about it is to ask to talk with the Chef. We avoid prepackaged stuff.

 

RK: I was going to say that we have Sublime in Broward.

 

JK: As opposed to going to specialty vegetarian place, you can just go to places where you know everything is from scratch. For example, Two Chefs in South Miami does everything from scratch. They’ll make plain chicken with nothing on it for you.

 

LG: We’re going to take a break now. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic for Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor. We’ll take a break and be back with more.

 

[break]

 

LG: We’re back now. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic for Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor.Editor. They’ve been giving us great information. But for those evenings that you’re not going out for dinner, here’s a Dinner in Minutes.

 

JC: Finally.

 

LG: Today’s dinner is Talapia with Mango Chutney and Black Bean and Rice Salad. If you’d like the recipe, go to my website dinnerinminutes.com.

 

FT: I like the chutney.

 

JC: Is there mint in the beans?

 

LG: No, it’s cilantro.

 

JC: It has a minty flavor.

 

LG: All right. [laughing] Fred, there’s been a change in the food section!

 

FT: Yes, the Tropical Life Section and it’s going to be a full broad sheet again. It’s getting bigger when everything else is getting smaller! On Fridays it’s the way it was before but it has something to do with press runs. On Thursdays from now on you’ll have a food story, non-food story and the wine section on the front.

 

LG: What are we drinking today?

 

FT: If you’re a fan of reality shows I’ve got one for you. Come September a group called Doc City Productions is holding auditions for a series called The Wine Makers. They will be taken to Napa and Sonoma in California for a competition. As the season goes on they’ll vote on who gets kicked off the show. The winner gets a contract to produce 1000 cases of wine and a wine tasting tour. They’re actually trying to create a new wine maker. This is actually season 2; season 1 will go on the air in January. Miamiherald.com/wine will have more information about it.

 

JC: Are you going to sign up?

 

FT: You have to go out of town for the entire month of September. It’s hard if you have a full time job.

 

JK: You’re going then?

 

LG: Let’s go to some more calls.

 

Caller 10: You mentioned China Grill and I went to the one in Fort Lauderdale and I had a great dinner. The place was empty though. It’s a great setting too.

 

RK: It’s hard to find.  People don’t know it’s there.

 

LG: Will they have a similar menu to Miami Spice?

 

RK: They’ll have Dine Out. It’s crowded on the weekends.

 

Caller 10: I think they have a fixed price dinner.

 

LG: Thank you.

 

Caller 10: I think there’s a place called the Diner on 167 and Biscayne.

 

LG: 139 and Biscayne – it’s called The Gourmet Diner.

 

JK: It’s very good.

 

LG: They changed owners. Thank you for the call. We have so many other callers and we’ve run out of time. I’m sorry we couldn’t get to all of you. But if you have a pressing question then send me an email at dinnerinminutes.com. Jen Karetnick is here and she’s the restaurant critic for Miami Magazine. Also here is Rochelle Koff who is the Broward Herald Restaurant Critic and the Herald Weekend Editor. Thank you so much for joining us. Next week we’ll be talking about how to turn  your kitchen into a green kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

Andu Restaurant and Lounge (141 SW 7th street in Miami, Florida, 786-871-7005)

 

Azul, (Mandarin Oriental, Miami, 500 Brickell Key Drive (305) 913-8358.)

 

Beach House Bistro (350 S County Rd, Palm Beach, (561) 833-7119)

 

Bin18 (275 NE 18th St # 107, Miami, (786) 235-7575)

 

Burrito Grill (840 NE 116th St, Biscayne Park – (305) 891-1041)

 

Big Fish (221 SW 12th St, Miami – (305) 856-3114)

 

Christine’s (7481 W Oakland Park Blvd, Tamarac – (954) 742-5991)

 

China Grill (Grand Hotel and Yacht Club, 1881 SE 17th St. Fort Lauderdale, 888-554-

2131)

 

Capital Grill (444 Brickell Ave, Miami, (305) 374-4500)

 

Citta Italian Chophouse (3176 Commodore Plz, Miami, (305) 446-2207)

 

Fratelli Lyon, (4141 Northeast Second Avenue in Miami, 305-572-2901 Rhythm Café)

 

Fox’s Sherron (6030 S Dixie Hwy, South Miami – (305) 661-9201)

 

George’s (3145 Commodore Plz, Coconut Grove, 305-444-7878)

 

Il Mulino (17875 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach; $250 per person (305) 466-9191)

 

Il Gabbiano (335 South Biscayne Blvd, 305-373-0063.)

 

Johnny V’s (625 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, (954) 761-7920)

 

Kitchen 305, (Newport Beachside Hotel, 16701 Collins Avenue, 305-949-1300)

 

Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink (130 N.E. 40th Street, Miami, 305-573-5550)

 

Michy’s, (6927 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, 305-759-2001)

 

Manhattan (251 NE 14th St, Miami – (305) 372-1966)

 

One Bleu (The Regent Bal Harbour, 10295 Collins Avenue, 800-545-4000)

 

Oceanaire Seafood Room (Hide map of 900 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130)

 

PF Changs (17455 Biscayne Blvd, Aventura, (305) 957-1966)

 

Prime Blue Grill (315 S Biscayne Blvd, Miami, (305) 358-5900)

 

Perricone’s Marketplace & Cafe, (15 SE 10th Street, (305) 374-9449)

 

Por Fin (2500 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Coral Gables (305)-441-0107)

 

Pacific Time, 35 N.E. 40 Street, Miami, 305-722-7369.

 

Rosa Mexicana (900 S Miami Ave, Miami – (786) 425-1001)

 

River Oyster Bar (650 S Miami Ave, Miami, (305) 530-1915)

 

Scorch Grill (13750 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach – (305) 949-5588)

 

Sunfish Grill (2761 E. Oakland Park Blvd., 954-564-6464)

 

Schnitzel House (1085 NE 79th St, Miami, (305) 754-8002)

 

Sublime (1431 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, 954-539-9000)

 

Two Chefs (2286 NE 123rd St, North Miami, (305) 895-5155)

 

The Gourmet Diner (13951 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Bch – (305) 947-2255)