Resturant Review: Lo De Lea Argentinean Grill - Little Haiti/Upper Eas Side - Miami, FL

It was a long, hot day. I had been running errands with a friend in the Mimo area and we were starving. I hadn't eaten since morning and it was now close to 4, so we decided to go to my favorite sushi place close by. So excited and ready to chow down on some rolls, we get there and apparently they are not open and won't be until much later. Bummer! I did a quick search for good eats in the area on my iPhone and found three choices that were open, one being Lo De Lea. We decided that we were both really hungry and should just grab an early dinner, so we went there.

Lo De Lea Argentinean Grill is an extreme small stand alone restaurant on the corner of Biscayne Blvd and NE 70th Street with its own small lot (I love convenience). We caught them right after opening (they open at 4pm) so we were the only customers there, but considering the small size of the restaurant, I am glad we came at this time, for a more personal and comfortable dining experience. Our server who may have been the chef and/or owner wasn't too friendly but when we had questions, he answered them with no problems. After placing our order, we were brought bread with ali-oli; what a great introduction of what was to come!

Yes, I know this is an Argentinean restaurant and meat should probably be your first and only choice but I was just drawn to the Salmon Fresco. I started to second guess my choice and think maybe I should have just ordered a steak, but once my food came, boy was I glad with my choice. Putting all steaks asides, the grilling of this salmon was perfect. It was crispy on the edges, fully cooked but still moist as ever on the inside; probably one of the best cooked salmon dishes I have ever had. It was served with rosemary roasted potatoes which was also really good and also perfectly roasted. My friend got the Bife De Chorizo and really loved it (like really really loved it) and espically loved the chimmicurri sauce it came with (we both put it on our potatoes).

Salmon Fresco

Bife De Chorizo

After reaching almost starvation and searching high and low for some food (yes I know that is quite not what happened), Lo De Lea Argentinean Grill was the prefect fix and will have to deal with seeing me again.


Lo De Lea Argentinean Grill
7001 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33138
(305) 456-3218
www.lodeleaargentinean.com

Fruits Are Made For Summer

so refreshing

straight from my tree; mango heaven



Restaurant Review: Morgan's Restaurant - Wynwood/Edgewater - Miami, FL

I am not very familiar with the Wynwood area of Miami so I was very surprised about the almost middle of nowhere location of Morgan's Restaurant. However, once we arrived there and I saw that they had a free parking lot, I was ecstatic. Do you know how frustrating it is to search for parking and on top of that pay for the inconvenience? In any case, I loved the the look of the restaurant. My favorite colors are black and white so of course I loved the decor. We opted to sit outside, and enjoy the summer breeze. It was a nice evening and not at all hot. The atmosphere was just so welcoming and relaxing; I could not imagine eating indoors. The patio seating was the best part of the restaurant.

The food was good but not exceptional. I know that they are known for brunch, but I went for dinner. We started with the crab cakes and they tasted really good but for an appetizer which is something typically shared, I was surprised to see that the serve only one cake. Although a good size, I thought they should have had at least two separate cakes. For my entree, I got the Moules Frites. I enjoyed it, but it was nothing special. My boyfriend got the Charred Skirt Steak and he seemed to enjoy it because he mentioned how he would like to go back.

Crab Cake

Moules Frites

Charred Skirt Steak

The service was awesome. They were very attentive. Since we were outdoors and this is South Florida and summer, there were some mosquito. The waiter overheard my boyfriend complaining and offered him bug spray. Service does not get any better than that.

Although the food wasn't special, it was still good and I did love the ambiance and appreciated the free parking so I will probably go back for brunch to try them out again.


Morgan's Restaurant
28 NE 29th Street Miami, FL 33132
(305) 573-9678
www.themorgansrestaurant.com

Restaurant Review: PL8 Kitchen - Fort Lauderdale, FL

I wanted to take my mother, sister and basically the rest of my family somewhere for Mother's Day so I made reservations to PL8 for a late lunch (around 2pm) although I have never been here. When we finally arrive there, the place was fairly empty but because we had a large group it was fine with me, more space. Based on the setup of the restaurant, you can tell its more of a bar vibe with a lot of small tables and a menu of small plates, so I  am assuming they get more packed later on in the evening. They also have a bit of outdoor seating, which is perfect to people watch and kick back a few drinks amongst the bar crowd of Fort Lauderdale.

On to the best part, the food. The food was really good. What I liked so much about the food was the originality of the combinations and how well put together everything was; how somewhat varied ingredients complimented each other so well. The Skillet Baked Chicken Wings, made with a chipotle-agave sauce, were really good; had a nice flavor. I really liked the Mini Crispy Chicken Sandwich. Watermelon and fried chicken, who would have thought of that? My favorite had to be the Shrimp Bruschetta, I just really enjoyed it; tasty and filling. We also ordered two of their brick oven pizzas. The spicy sausage pizza was alright. I wasn't too big of a fan, but mostly because it was pretty typical but I did really liked the El Caribe Pizza. The pizza was made up of guava, prosciutto, brie and watermelon, OMG!!! We also had the Peanut Butter & Jelly cupcake and that was really good too.

Skillet Baked Chicken Wings

Mini Crispy Chicken Sandwich

Shrimp Bruschetta

Spicy Sausage Pizza

El Caribe Pizza

Not only did I love the food, but I also have to commend the service. The waitress was very helpful. She explained the dishes and when we had one little issue, she rectified with right away. The food was timed perfectly and not brought out all at once which is great with small plates.

All is all, my experience at PL8 was great. Food, service, atmosphere, nothing to complain about here. I will definitely be back to enjoy drinks soon.

 

 

PL8 Kitchen

210 SW 2nd St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(954) 524-1818

www.pl8kitchen.com

Starbucks Cheese Danish

Breakfast of fatties

Double Caramel Magnum Ice Cream Bar

#Belgium Chocolate, Caramel, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream..... need I say more???

Visit Jamaica

I was born in Jamaica but was raised in the States. I always have fun going back home to visit. Great food & amazing people; Jamaica is the best of the best.

Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records Sports Bar (Marketplace) - Kingston, JA

Jerked Chicken Spring Roll (Jerked chicken, roast corn salsa, cilantro, scotch bonnet and pepper jackin a crispy skin and served with creamy cilantro dipping sauce) #foodie #YUM

Small store in the country

Red Stripe Light #veryrefresing

Jamaica Mon, we be jammin' 2012

Appleton Special Jamaica Rum #strong

Restaurant Review: Pink Taco - Las Vegas, NV

I love gambling, partying and obviously I love to eat so naturally Las Vegas is one of my favorite places to visit. I have been to Las Vegas a few times and Pink Taco has always been one of my favorite and more afforadable places to dine. Unfortunately, on my last visit, I was a bit disappointed. I don't know it if was my selection or if they have just simple fell off, but the joy I typically have eating there just was not there. The portion size was good, the prices average and the service was what you typically expect, but the food itself was just not that good. I ordered the Carne Asada Tacos and it lacked something (aka flavor). I had to added so much hot sauce to make it taste an ounce of what it should & steak naturally has a bit a flavor so I am not quite sure why that was. And although they use fresh corn tortillas, it still could not save the taste of these tacos. On the other hand, the chips and salsa were pretty good, but I hardly expect that free chips and salsa can make up for mediocre food you actually pay for.

 

Pink Taco
4455 Paradise Road Las Vegas, NV 89169 ( inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino)
702-693-5525
www.pinktaco.com

Pei Wei Asian Diner - Honey-Seared Shrimp & Fried Rice

Sweeter than your average

White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Me want cookie! #cookiemonster

Chicken Tacos & Roasted Corn

Mexican Fiesta for one #homemade

Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles - Los Angeles (Hollywood), CA

I have been to Europe, the Caribbean and even the west coast, but never to Los Angeles. Well, I finally made my first trip to L.A. and I had a such a great time. When I think of L.A., I think of Hollywood; the sign, the Walk of Fame and Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles. I tried to resist the lure of Roscoe's but just could not resist. Okay let me be honest, I already knew I had to come here once I decided to come to L.A. I have actually gone to restaurants that served chicken and waffles, but forbade myself from trying it, knowing I had to have the original first.

I was so excited when we pulled up to Roscoe's. Although the decor does not match my modern sense of style, it matched the theme of the restaurant. The decor make you know that although you are in L.A., what you're about to experience is a down home country meal. The restaurant was clean and the staff was friendly, obviously used to all the tourist the flock here. In fact, while we are dining, a group of elderly women came in, making their pit stop on their guided tour. 

I ordered the Obama Special (aka Country Boy), which consists of wings and waffles. Although there are plenty of other choice, for me no there was no other option. Wings, waffles, hot sauce & syrup; the right balance of savory, spicy and sweet, I wanted to eat more. The waffles were amazing; fluffy like pancakes (I despise crunchy waffles) and the fried chicken was probably the best I have ever had. Although I grew up in Florida and it is as south as you can get geographically, it does not really count as "The South" so I must admit that I have not had much experience with southern/soul food but regardless my taste buds know a good fried chicken and it was good.

My conclusion, Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles is definitely a reason alone for me to come back to L.A.


Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles
1514 North Gower Street Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-466-7453
www.roscoeschickenandwaffles.com