Showcasing the finest produce and Roman delicacies, an authentic taste of Rome, and a must-visit if in New York.
Lodi in New York does not compromise on quality ingredients, even when serving a simple dish, and draws inspiration from Italian aperitivo culture.
El Carajo International Tapas and Wine in the Coconut Grove area of Miami feels like your own secret culinary discovery. Come for the gas, and stay for the tapas and wine.
Acclaimed celebrity Chef Marcus Samuelsson, a James Beard Award winner, champion of Top Chef Masters, and Chopped All-Stars, has opened his third location of Red Rooster in the historic Overtown district of Miami.
Maison T in Toronto was recently opened by a veteran chef with exceptional restaurant experience, and features French classics like mussels, poutine, duck confit, soups, and steak and frites.
I have always longed for delivery from upscale and delicious purveyors. Unfortunately, it took a pandemic for eateries in Toronto to bring delivery and takeout to the masses. Here is my latest list of restaurants in Toronto offering takeout and or delivery.
I have always longed for delivery from upscale and delicious purveyors. Unfortunately, it took a pandemic for eateries in Toronto to bring delivery and takeout to the masses. Here is my latest list of restaurants in Toronto offering takeout and or delivery.
I have always longed for delivery from upscale and delicious purveyors. Unfortunately, it took a pandemic for eateries in Toronto to bring delivery and takeout to the masses. Here is my latest list of restaurants in Toronto offering takeout and or delivery.
More Toronto eateries are jumping on the takeout/delivery bandwagon offering first-rate meals and groceries direct to your home. Many of these places have very difficult reservations to snag, so now is your chance to sample their fare!
I have shared some of my favourite places in New York open for takeout or delivery during the Covid-19 social isolation quarantine. Many of these establishments need our support now more than ever.
I have shared some of my favourite places in Miami open for takeout or delivery during the Covid-19 social isolation quarantine. Many of these establishments need our support now more than ever.
I have shared some of my favourite places in Toronto open for takeout or delivery during the Covid-19 social isolation quarantine. Many of these establishments need our support now more than ever.
From the daily specials to the well-curated menu, the food at Fresa Francesa Petit Café and Bistro in Hialeah, Miami is soulful, luscious and delightful. It isn’t often when I say that I enjoyed every single thing I ordered.
Chef Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc in Napa, CA is a great place to walk to if you are staying in Yountville, especially if you are craving some family-style comfort food! Recommend!
Osteria del Tempo Perso in Ostuni, Puglia is a good example of local dishes, done well in a setting that is memorable. It’s a wonderful temple of Pugliese cuisine.
Cindy Lou’s Cookies in Little River, Miami has become a destination enterprise for many cookie monsters. Cindy’s baking some of Miami’s best cookies that “warm the heart and nourish the soul”. I love finding a place as special as this, and you will too.
Back by popular demand, my personal favourite list of Miami restaurants for 2018/2019 in no particular order, as well as new openings I want to try.
At Emily in New York the tough decision is agonizing over what to order, the fabulous burger or the sumptuous pizza. I say order one of each and split them.
Palat Restaurant is an eye-catching spot, and made me do a double take as I was driving by. I hadn’t heard a thing about it, but decided to try it on a whim, for lunch. It was so good, I returned for dinner the next day.
Sherwood’s Bistro and Bar in the Little River district of Miami is a uniquely charming place with reasonably priced, simple food.
The food at Paon in Miami is cooked with depth and complexity by Chef Cassino. There are many options for carnivores, pescatarians, and vegetarians in a warm, friendly atmosphere, where the chef’s talents are highlighted in every dish.
Everything is extremely fresh at Sud Forno in Toronto. One fabulous treat is the bombolini, an Italian sugar donut with fillings of Nutella or crema.
The selection is outstanding at Bakehouse Brasserie in Miami. Everything is made fresh each morning and tastes amazing. I couldn’t be happier, who doesn’t love brunch?
I recently discovered Casa Gioia (which translates to “house of joy”) in Miami – my new favourite bakery for 2016/2017. Everything is truly exceptional, artisanal and unique. It’s a new local treasure for me, “sharing joy one bite at a time”.
Fantail Bakery & Café in Toronto has a warm comfortable atmosphere – it’s a perfect neighborhood spot. It’s family owned and operated by a New Zealand family.
Harbord Bakery is an institution, one of the few left in Toronto. Shopping here is an experience, it makes you feel like you are a kid again. They make THE best challah in the city!
Anet Gesualdi Macarons in Toronto creates artisanal French macarons of the highest order. They are super fresh, with an amazing flavour profile and many unique rotating flavours.
With the opening of Nichi’s Sweet Confections, people in Bay Harbour, Bal Harbour, Surfside and North Miami can rejoice! There is finally a bakery serving delightful, made-from-scratch baked goods! It’s really filled a void in the area (and in my stomach …).
Everything I tried at Roselle Desserts in Toronto was outstanding. They make delicious French-inspired desserts, and as their slogan says, “desserts make you happy”. Well their desserts certainly do!
The main thing is there is an astounding array of sweet retro treats that makes me nostalgic. Now I have a reason to drive north of Bloor so I can get me a fix and add some comfort as well. They take sweets to the next level.
Bachour Bakery and Bistro in Miami is great for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Be sure to leave room for one of Bachour’s breathtaking creations. He was a 2016 James Beard Awards Outstanding Pastry Chef semifinalist.
Miami’s dining scene keeps getting better. Let me introduce you to last season’s favourites, new restaurants and my most anticipated for the Fall and Winter of 2016-2017 …
This may be a Jewish inspired restaurant but you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy it, as witnessed by the crowds lining up to get in on the weekend. Make sure you reserve well in advance as this is probably one of the hottest brunch tickets in New York right now. It has a trendy vibe, with a young handsome crowd and solid food offerings.
A neighbourhood staple for many, this place is always packed. Their bagels – some of Miami’s best handmade, still rolled, boiled and baked in shop – are in available 17 varieties.
The space was quaint and homey, and bright and airy with a vintage feel to it. The pastry shop really is adorable and there are tables to eat in or you can take out. In their well-stocked display cases they offer things like, French macarons, the prettiest buttercream cupcakes, pastries, scones, cookies, tarts, and birthday cakes. You can wash these down with coffee, pressed espresso, teas and use their free wifi.
For two years now my nose has led me into Baker and Scone at 693 St. Clair Avenue West. The fresh baked aromas wafting out of this pretty little shop are unbelievable. In fact, I think this bakery is the best thing to happen to this area of St. Clair (I know some will say it is the Stockyard Restaurant).
Last weekend Shanea took over Social Miami’s Twitter to share her food and fun adventures.
20 Most Delish Dishes in Miami – El Cielo, Beachcraft, Pubbelly, Myumi Food Truck, Pinch Kitchen, Le Zoo and More. I tried to do a top 10 list, but I just couldn’t narrow it down! The truth is, I have dined out every night for 3 ½ months … I’ve tried a lot of dishes, to say the least!! Here’s some of my favourites (including honourable mentions (I know, I’m bad …)).
Antonio Bachour, James Beard award nominee and one of the city’s most acclaimed pastry chefs (from Bal Harbour St. Regis) has teamed up with Henry Hare, the former chef of Eating House (a favourite restaurant of mine) to launch this delicious new spot. One of the perks of my job is having a little extra pull. Chef Antonio came outside to greet us and warmly invited us inside.
Marion is a restaurant with the flavours of the South of France and elements of Spain, Greece and Italy. Located in the Brickell area. It’s a little tricky to find but worth the effort.
We started with some rolls, like the NaiYaRa Roll, which was probably my favourite. It contained salmon belly, cucumber, avocado and truffle oil. The presentations were all pretty, but if you know good sushi, you are mostly getting pretty rolls. Is the quality of the rice or the fish transporting? No. It is more designer rolls, which is fine.
Here is my list of restaurants that I want to try this year, or that I have already tried and enjoyed.
Whenever I am shopping in the Design District in Miami I almost always make a quick pit stop to 3930 NE 2nd Avenue, to have lunch at celebrity super chef Michelle Bernstein’s bakery/cafe, Crumb on Parchment.
I have searched high and low to find a great bakery in Miami for years, but to no avail. Thankfully in 2013, True Loaf Bakery opened in the Sunset Harbour area at 1894 Bay Road a couple of doors down from Lucali Pizza. Yes for those of us on the beach it is a schlep to drive all the way there but let me tell you, it is worth it. I just load up on a large order and freeze a large portion of it.
I was a fan of Zak the Baker before he opened his bakery/cafe in trendy Wynwood. I have had some of his fabulous breads in some of Miami’s top restaurants. Most recently I enjoyed his breads at Beachcraft and Cypress Tavern.
I have been curious to try Fireman Derek’s Pies for quite some time as he has been getting a lot of press. It is located at 2818 North Miami Avenue in Wynwood. You can feast here on all things sweet.
Of course everyone wants to try The French Laundry at least once in your life. So go ahead, beg your concierge or use a connection to try and get you in. We have been twice and I wouldn’t go back again.