What I'm Eating Now: Fried Chicken & Watermelon

Fried chicken doesn't just go with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or even waffles, it's great with everything!!!

A Taste of Film Benefiting Life Is Art: Tuesday July 31st

Who: Yo Miami

What: A Taste of Film benefiting Life Is Art

Where: Yo Space located at 294 NE 62nd St Miami, Florida 33138

When: Tuesday, July 31, 7:00pm until 11:00pm

Why: Combining two of our favorite things, beer and movies, we’re taking you on a flight of fancy that will showcase local film makers’ short films and pair each one with a beer that reflects the movie’s central theme. We’ll have our very own resident beer expert on hand sharing some background on each brew as it’s served in between each short so that you can see why we paired them. Buy a ticket to the short film showcase for just $10 and we’ll take care of the beers/refreshments, music and everything else you could possibly want in conjunction with watching movies and discussing them afterwards. So not only do you get a great experience checking out some local talent on the screen but you get a nice buzz to boot. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Life Is Art the nonprofit organization whose mission is to “promote and support the arts and community in south Florida through events and education”. Screenings will start around 7 and there will be ping pong and other shenanigans for you to take advantage of afterwards. Your $10 ticket also doubles as a raffle ticket, and the winner will get a custom piece of Yo Art.

How: $10 Entry gets films, beer, ping-pong and a chance to win a piece of art. RSVP on Facebook.



Short Films on deck:
-Sole Food (6:58)- David Yaffe
-EYESORE The Miami Campaign (8:52)- Frankie Coto
-Fuga (12:46)- Pablo Cervino
-With Me (8:40)- Fro Rojas
-Mace & Hatchet (10:12)- Giovanni Torres

What I'm Eating Now: Sweet Potato Soup

Yum!

Big Easy Bar & Grille - Hollywood, FL

Downtown Hollywood is a pretty lively neighborhood full of many restaurants and bars, one of the which is Big Easy Bar and Grille. New Orleans is at the top of my list of places I haven't visited in the United States, so was very interested in dining here so that I could experience New Orleans style food and fun! I was having a relaxing Sunday at Arts Park with my boyfriend, and we were getting hungry, so we decided to head there to eat.

The restaurant was fairly big and decorated with decor that I would expect a typical Bourbon Street bar to look like. It helped set the mood and the vibe made you want to get in on the fun. As we entered the door, we were greeted warmly and seated. Our server came to the table and was just friendly. He was really nice, very helpful, recommend dishes and came back often to ensure that we were having a good time. The menu itself was not what I was expecting. They offer a variety of classic American dishes, a couple of completely unrelated dished that made no sense to be on the menu but very few Cajun dishes.

We started off our meal with the Buffalo Anchor Bar Chicken Wings (hot). The sauce had flavor beyond heat, so they were very good. I am a sucker for wings and spicy food so it was a win for me. My boyfriend ordered the 12oz NY Strip Steak. The steak itself was tender and pretty good but the mashed potatoes and the not so appetizing gravy were not. I wanted the Cajun experience so I ordered the Big Easy Jambalaya. It was huge. It consisted of shrimp, chicken & andouille sausage in a creole tomato sauce, over rice with a cornbread muffin on the side. The cornbread was very good. It was moist and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Jambalaya arrive hot which is always a plus. I am not a huge fan of tomato based dished but I enjoyed this one a lot. It was not only very spicy and flavorful, but delicious. We also ordered two drinks, a Long Island and a Mojito. The Long Island was decent but the Mojito was very watered down so I did not enjoy it at all.

Buffalo Anchor Bar Chicken Wings

12oz NY Strip Steak

Big Easy Jambalaya

Long Island Iced Tea

Mojito

I heard that they have live Jazz and Blues music most nights, but we unfortunately missed it. The band just started playing when we were heading out the door. Regardless, Big Easy Bar & Grille was a solid meal, so you are sure to have a good time when a band is playing.



Big Easy Bar & Grille
1925 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, FL 33020
(954) 924-3006
www.thebigeasybarandgrille.com

Burger King: BK Bacon Cheddar Burger

Don't know how I wound up at Burger King but I was hungry and wanted something fast and cheap. I spied the Bacon Cheddar Burger on the menu for a $1 so I had to give it a try. Considering the price and my level of hunger, it was really good. I love the char-broiled flavor and beside you can't go wrong with anything that has bacon on it! 

I have always preferred Burger Kings' burgers to McDonalds' burgers but it's unfortunate that their fries suck so much since I never go there because of it.

Hooters: Celebrate National Chicken Wing Day on Sunday, July 29th!

On Sunday, July 29th, National Chicken Wing Day, when you Buy 10 Wings, you will get Get 10 Wings FREE by dining in at participating Hooters locations!

SAIA at Sunset: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 @ 7-9pm

Who: SAIA Sushi

What: SAIA at Sunset dinner series

Where: SAIA located at 999 N Fort. Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

When: Tuesday, July 31, 2012 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Why: SAIA invites you to take a journey to Southeast Asia with their new SAIA at Sunset dinner series. You'll enjoy a delicious and innovative five-course menu from Chef Subin Chenkorsorn paired with a selection of premium sakes. Learn about the history of sake and how to best pair the libation with savory and sweet dishes, amidst stunning ocean views.

How: All-inclusive tickets are only $54 per person or $99 per couple and valet is complimentary but reservations are going fast! To reserve a seat please visit OpenTable or call 954.302.5252. To learn about special offers and events at SAIA please visit them on Facebook & Twitter (@SAIAsushi).

Bowling & Budweiser

"Bud" "Weis" "Er" #refreshing

Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery - Homestead, FL

I have known about Schnebly Redland's Winery for quite some time now and have always wanted to go, but the desire to drive an hour to remote Homestead never allowed me to do so. One Friday night, I decided to take the trek south convincing myself that a winery in South Florida was a sight to be seen and that wine tasting, music and karaoke will be well worth it. I must say I am not a city girl; I grew up in the suburbs but I am definitely not a country girl either and a late night drive to the winery was out of this world. It reminded me of the classic horror films when the characters break down in the middle of nowhere and the only person around is the crazed serial killer whose house you stop at and ask to use their phone. It was that kind of drive. But no fear, we rode through the dark lonely night likes G's and finally made it there.

I was relived to see the parking lot was packed. After driving for so long and not seeing any cars, I was excited to see that the winery was on and popping. As we entered, music was playing, people were dancing and everyone was having a great time. We decided to head straight to the tasting area to do the Ultimate tasting of five different types of wine and it was jam packed inside. They had two small serving stations; one for wine and one for beer. My only issue was that only about 4 people were serving so things moved slowly. People were also crowding around the stations so it took some time to get in but it was well worth it (unless you are a very impatient person). It was my boyfriend and I, so we decided to taste both the sparkling and table wines. I was not a fan of all of them, but I did love the Category 3 Hurricane Vino and the Lychee so we ended up purchasing a bottle of each; one to drink now and one to take home.

After the tasting, we went back outside to find a table. We sat back, jammed to the music, laughed at some of the karaoke singers, got drunk, you know the usual. I had a fun time, got a glass and bottle to take home, and didn't have to spend too much cash. Sure, South Beach is always a good time, but for Friday night fun, this was so much more low key and just as much fun. Plus for "non-wine", wine, it was some pretty great stuff!

Schnebly Redland's Winery & Brewery
30205 SW 217th Avenue Homestead, FL 33030
(305) 242-1224
www.schneblywinery.com

National Tequila Day at Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar

July 24th is not only Taco/Tequila Tuesday, but NATIONAL TEQUILA DAY! Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar is celebrating with $5.00 Margaritas, $15.00 Margarita Pitchers AND half off ANY bottle of Tequila, all day long! Visit their website for locations!

What I'm Eating Now: Saltfish & Tostones

 

 #yum #caribbean #goodness

Coffee-mate White Chocolate Caramel Latte

Coffee-mate now has your favorite café flavors in a bottle. The White Chocolate Caramel Latte come together in this delicious blend of sweet white chocolate, warm caramel, and an authentic smooth latte flavor like no other. Its a much more affordable and tasty alternative to your daily coffee shop runs!

Che Pibe Argentinian Grill - Miramar, FL

Food, eat, have some meat. Truthfully, I am a not a big meat eater, but the last time I went to an Argentinian restaurant I opted for salmon, so this time, I wanted to go all out and get the real experience by getting the Argentine Grill for One/Parrillada Argentina. I have to admit when they handed me my plate, it was meats galore (steak, pork, sausage & chicken) and I was taken a bit taken aback. What is considered Argentine Grill for One can really serve one family in my opinion. It was a bit overwhelming for me (although most would love this) but what could I do other than just digging in. The first thing I tasted was the chicken breast and it was cold in the middle, obviously not made fresh but warmed to serve. I continued to sample some of the other pieces; some were alright, other not so much. It gave me the feeling that they just put together random pieces of leftover meat they have and call it a dish. My boyfriend got the New York Strip/Bife de Chorizo and it was much better than what I got. It seems that his steak was made fresh but was nothing special. Overall, the quality of the meat was just not up to par and was extremely fatty. In addition to our entrees, we had the Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella & Heirloom Tomatoes for our appetizer and Tiramisu for dessert. The mozzarella and tomatoes were pretty standard but I have two complaints. It was not designed as a great sharing dish and there wasn't enough balsamic vinegar. The Tiramisu was my favorite of the night. It had a good balance and was not overly sweet. I also loved how it was serve, although that made it harder to eat. They also make Sangria (I had a glass), but it was also sub par and was too sweet (more of a juice than a wine flavor).

 

Considering the food, the service was actually really good. The waitress was very tentative and eager to help. She was friendly and appear to enjoy her job which is always a plus. The restaurant itself is location in a strip mall, next to an array of shops and a Publix. The restaurant is small, minimally decorated but is still inviting, well maintained and clean.

My experience at Che Pibe Argentinian Grill wasn't outright bad, but for me the food has to speak for itself and it didn't, so I will probably not be going back again.

Che Pibe Argentinian Grill

11040 Pembroke Road Miramar, FL 33025

(954) 433-7224

www.chepibegrill.com

Recipe: Homemade Brownies

 

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 35 mins

Serves: 12

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup melted butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

 

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degree F.
2. Combine the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, sugar & baking powder) in a bowl.
3. In a separate bowl whisk together the wet ingredients (eggs, melted butter and vanilla). 
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until just combined. The mixture should have a smooth consistency.
5. Grease a 9×13 baking dish/pan and dust it with some flour or cocoa.
6. Pour the brownie batter and spread it out.
7. Bake it in the oven for 20-30 minutes. It’s done when a toothpick inserted in the tallest part comes out clean.
8. Let it cool for about 30 minutes before serving. 

 

 

 

Notes

• Gluten Free: Use your favorite gluten free flour mix in place of the all purpose flour and add 1 tsp xanthum gum.
•  Fudgy Brownie: Bake for a lesser time. Over-baking will cause them to become hard and dry.
• Thick Brownie: Use a smaller pan size.
• Variations: You can add chocolate chips or nuts into the mixture. Although I find vanilla ice cream the best combination for brownies, you can use may ice cream flavors. I cut the recipe in half for the amount that I had made.

What I'm Eating Now: Grilled Cheese Sandwich

 

Bread, butter and Cheddar cheese #classic

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

I absolutely love Five Guys Burgers and Fries. I have been to many locations from Florida all the way up to New York and I still have not had a bad experience, bad burger or found any complaints. I like that you get to select your own toppings and most importantly is that their burgers are juicy and moist. Their seasoned fries are pretty good too and large enough to share which is what I usually do. Also, they have the Coca-Cola "Freestyle" soda fountain with all the 127 flavors and peanut bins with in-shell peanuts (those are so much better).

Little Bacon Cheeseburger with Jalapenos & Fries

Wingz & Beer at The DRB

Who: The DRB (Democratic Republic Of Beer)

What: Downtown Wingz Nite

Where: The DRB located at 255 NE 14th St Miami, FL 33132

When: Tomorrow, July 12, 2012 5:00 pm - Friday, July 13, 2012 5:00 pm

Why: Come to The DRB for all of your international chicken wing needs! A pound of chicken wings for FIVE BUCKS tossed in your choice of seven international sauces! New York Buffalo, Jamaican Jerk, Thai Sweet Chili, Mexican Chipotle Barbecue, Italian Parmesan Garlic, Japanese Teriyaki, or Indian Curry. What would a chicken wing party be without a BEER Special?! They also have Southern Tier IPA, Red Stripe, Chang Beer, Dos XX Lager, Moretti La Rossa, Kirin Ichiban, and Taj Mahal all for $3 EACH! Ain't no thang but a chicken wang. . . and BEER!

How: For more information, visit their Official Website.

Puglia Wine Festival - Preview Tasting

Who: Tuscany Wines

What: Puglia Wine Festival - Preview Tasting

Where: Tuscany Wines located at 6208 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

When: Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 6 - 9PM

Why: Join in on a preview wine tasting of the upcoming fall event Puglia Wine Festival. Prepare to be transported to the heel of Italy and taste unique and unknown grapes... some of which share its DNA with California's Zinfandel varietal.

How: $15 per person includes wine tasting and light hors d'oeuvres. Check out the Official Website for more information.

Johnny Rockets Restaurant & Sports Bar at GameRoom - (Sawgrass Mills Mall) Sunrise, FL

Johnny Rockets has locations all over the United States, but go to the location at Sawgrass Mills Mall and it stands out from the rest. This location has teamed up with GameRoom to open a restaurant/sport's bar/arcade. The restaurant portion features an expanded menu that includes Monterey Chicken, Center Cut Rib Eye Steak, and Baby Back Ribs in addition to Johnny Rockets' signature burgers, shakes and fries.

On my visit to Johnny Rockets, I opted to stick with their classic menu and had a Bacon Cheddar Single Burger. My friend got the double version of the same burger. I have been to many burger joints but I have never been to Johnny Rockets. A friend of mine had told me that their burgers weren't very good so I was not expecting much. Although the burger was not top of the line, it was fine plus they have sweet potatoes fries so that made me happy. My only real complaint about the burger was the thick piece of white iceberg lettuce in the burger which I had to take out.

Bacon Cheddar Single & Double Cheeseburgers

The service was a little slow but I saw that only one waitress was trying to attend to several tables so it was not intentional but they should consider having more staff on hand at a given time.

The restaurant has a nice setup and although nothing stood out for me to really come back again, for those with kids it is a great place for a meal and entertainment for the entire family!
  


 Johnny Rockets Restaurant & Sports Bar at GameRoom
2608 Sawgrass Mills Circle #1303 Sunrise, FL 33323
954-514-2715
www.johnnyrockets.com
www.gameroomsawgrass.com

Melting Pot of Fort Lauderdale is hosting it's 6th Annual "REALLY REALLY BIG CHINESE AUCTION"

Who: Melting Pot of Fort Lauderdale

What: 6th Annual "REALLY REALLY BIG CHINESE AUCTION"

Where: Visit Dillard's at Galleria Mall to view two floors of prizes that include vacations, signed memorabilia, artwork, restaurant certificates and much more. Galleria Mall is located at 2414 East Sunrise Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

When: Saturday, July 21, 2012 & Sunday, July 22, 2012

Why: To raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. All proceeds will be donated to the hospital. For additional information or questions please contact John at 954-568-1581.

How: Tickets are 1 for $3, 2 for $5 or 5 for $10. Tickets can be purchased now at the Fort Lauderdale Melting Pot or the days of the event at the Galleria Mall. As a thank you, anyone that purchases tickets will receive a $20 Dip Certificate to the Melting Pot Restaurant.

A partial list of prizes...

Vacations

Catalina Hotel & Beach Club, South Beach

Southernmost Hotel, Key West

Marseilles Hotel, South Beach

Marriott Harbor Beach, Fort Lauderdale

W Hotel, Fort Lauderdale

Best Western, Fort Lauderdale

Memorabilia

Omar Infante autographed baseball bat

Andrew Dawson autographed baseball

Florida Panthers Team autographed hockey stick

Mike Miller autographed wine bottle

Mariano Rivera collectors piece

Restaurant Certificates

The Melting Pot

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Capital Grill of Fort Lauderdale

Chima

Texas de Brazil

Truluck's

And more...

Dolphin Encounter at The Miami Seaquarium

Museum of Discovery & Science/Imax tickets

Paddleboard adventure for two

Airboat ride for four

Extreme Indoor Karting

Golf for four at Inverrary Country Club

Miami Food Truck Rally at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Who: Miami Food Trucks

What: The Miami Food Truck Rally brought to you by the combined minds of the Seminole Paradise & BurgerBeast.com.

Where: At the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Seminole Paradise Valet Lot) located at 1 Seminole Way Hollywood, FL 33314

When: Thursday, July 12th, 2012 at 5:30-10PM

Why: To enjoy some great food, hear Pinchadiscos throwing down the jams and to take on everything the Seminole Hard Rock has to offer!

How: This a free event. There will be plenty of Free Parking.

Thursday July 12th Truck Line-Up:

Che Grill
Cheeseburger Baby
ChurroMania
Daddy’s Grill
Dim Ssam a Gogo
Don Mofongo
Fireman Derek’s World Famous Pies
Grill Master Cafe
HipPOPs Handcrafted Gelato Bars
Killer Pasta
Mangia Mia
Ms. Cheezious
Mushaboom
Nacho Bizness
Overload Extreme Street Food
Porkalicious
The Rolling Stove
Slow Food Truck
Taco Fresh
Waffle Gourmet

Pardo's Chicken Miami: Wine Classes

Who: Pardo's Chicken Miami Monthly Wine Classes

What: This month’s class will feature Chardonnay and Moscato, where you’ll learn the origin, best location, aging, description, and food pairing.

Where: Pardo’s Chicken Miami, 2312 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134

When: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 7:00 PM

Why: To expand your wine knowledge!

How: To RSVP, call 305-529-2475 or email restaurant@pardosusa.com. Cost is $10 and includes 2 wines to taste with hors d’ ouvres and lessons.

13th Annual International Mango Festival Brunch

Who: 13th Annual International Mango Festival Brunch

What: Fairchild's Mango Brunch is a tasty tribute to the most delicious of tropical fruits and is held in conjunction with the International Mango Festival. Join some of South Florida's greatest chefs as they prepare their best mango dishes.
Where: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in the Garden House - 10901 Old Cutler Road Coral Gables, FL 33156

When: Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 11:00 AM

Why: The Mango Brunch is a fundraiser for the Tropical Fruit Program
and the Fairchild Farm.

How: Ticket prices for the Mango Brunch are $100 for Members and $125 for Non-members. Tickets are available online or you can call Ashley Amarante at 305.667.1651, ext. 3344 for more information or to purchase tickets.

Miami Subs Grill: 10-piece Krispy Wing Platter Meal

10-piece krispy wing platter meal with fries, celery and blue cheese

I try to avoid fast food as much as possible, but sometimes you are on the road and don't have much of a choice. Miami Subs Grill is one of my favorites because the food is typical made fresh and of better quality than a lot of other fast food restaurants with drive-thru service. Plus, the food isn't just salty but taste like it was actually seasoned with spices.



 

Dunkin Donuts: Donut with an Oreo Twist

The Oreo Donut is frosted with white icing and topped with an Oreo cookie crumble. You also have the option to have it filled with vanilla buttercreme. I would only describe it as sweet, sweet and more sweet but if you love Oreo cookies, this is perfect for you.

How to Eat a Maryland Blue Crab

Pairs well with a pasta salad

1. Flip the cooked crab on its shell (the belly should be faced up). Get the knife, put it under the apron then lift the apron and break it off and discard. Re-flip the crab again (the shell should be on top). Male crabs have a thin apron and female crab’s aprons are wider and rounder.
2. Look for a hole between the shell and the actual body of the crab. Hold the body of the crab with your left hand and stick your right thumb in the hole and lift it up so the shell comes off, discard the shell.
3. Use your fingers or knife to clean the gills on either side of the crab. (the gills are NOT edible, so discard them) The yellow/green/brown/orange colored substance is the fat, heart, lungs, and eggs of the crab, which are edible.
4. Use the knife and break the crab in half. Then break the claw off to save for eating later.
5. Choose one side of the crab and take your knife to cut it in half again (lengthwise) through the center of each half, from there you pick out all the meat with your fingers. You repeat on the other half of the crab.
6. Eat the claw! Put the claw on the table with the pincers facing up. Place the knife just behind the joint and get the mallet and hit the knife gently so the shell will crack (do it on the other side of the claw as well). Then, pull the shell off and the meat should come out whole. If this doesn’t work, use your knife and dig the meat out.

Source: WkikHow