My impressions from the visit were mixed. It’s more of a feast for the senses, with live entertainment and plenty of dramatic flourishes.
It is not often you can find a decent restaurant at a mall. Kudos to Micheal Mina for opening a crowd-pleasing option with Ornos Estiatorio in Miami. I am sure people in the area are thrilled about this new alternative.
Dinner at Chef Niven Patel’s new restaurant Mamey in Coral Gables Florida was vibrant, bursting with flavour, and had my taste buds dancing. His food is always top-notch.
In the hope people are continuing to support local eateries and caterers by ordering takeout or delivery from participating restaurants, I’ve created a second edition of my favourite spots in Toronto for takeout / delivery.
The food at Amber restaurant in Hong Kong is definitely gastronomic but not gimmicky. There is a modern approach to the cuisine, it displays a multitude of refined and meticulous and indulgent details. Highly recommended.
Le Jardinier in Miami really surpassed any expectations we had about it. Decor, service, presentation, creativity, and dynamic flavours make this a memorable meal. They also get a gold star for not adding gratuity on top of the tax, but just on the food. Bravo!
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Lake Como in Italy was my experience dining at L~Aria restaurant at the newly opened Mandarin Oriental Hotel on the shores of the breathtaking lakeshore.
Mirabelle in Rome combines a great view with refined gastronomy. You know you are in excellent hands and are in for a special lunch or dinner.
All in all, Paris Paris in Toronto is an inviting vibe, with an original, innovative menu. It is a welcome refuge, to get together with friends or loved ones, over a glass or two of wine, and a few bites.
At Toronto’s Assembly Chef’s Hall you can eat out with friends without worry about someone’s dietary restrictions. It is fun, unfussy, and won’t break the bank.
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.
Michael Schwartz recently opened Genuine Pizza in Miami’s Aventura Mall and will be expanding this new restaurant in 18 locations in the next 3 years.
When I find myself in Buffalo, New York, I always make sure to stop by Anderson’s Frozen Custard. Luckily there are now seven locations and a food truck.
Ocotillo in Phoenix is the quintessential modern Arizona eatery. They are a new gold standard, capturing the hearts of locals and tourists alike.
Luke’s Lobster rolls in Brickell City Centre are the real deal, with ultra-fresh wild-caught Maine lobster. An exciting new addition to the Miami food scene, if you are a lobster fan it is not to be missed. The food made me hum, I will return!
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.
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 …).
Located close to the Miracle Mile, “Oh My Gosh”, is the perfect name for this Miami sweet shop because that is what you say when you will bite into your first brigadeiro.
Miami’s Paradigm Kitchen serves “clean soul food”, and they serve it with a smile. It’s no wonder when I visited during lunchtime the place was doing brisk business – the food is really good and crowd pleasing.
I am always seeking out new restaurant spots and I forget to revisit some of my favourites. I am embarrassed to say that is has been years since I have been back to Carisma, but you would never know it from the warm greeting we received from owners, Margi and Michael Pagliaro..
It is so easy to get addicted to this high-end candy. They also offer chocolate, licorice, marshmallows, hard candy and jelly beans. There are also bags of squish mixes. Know a good dentist? I do!
Pi Co. is Yorkville’s new grab-and-go place in the Bay and Bloor area at 1200 Bay Street. The verdict? Not bad. I think they will do very well at this spot and I predict this will be the first of many locations.
D Liche doesn’t cut corners and it shows, they have really hit a home run with their product. The triple chocolate was off the charts delicious. It was moist, dense, intense in flavour and incredibly rich. It was not your average cupcake, surpassing the many previous versions I have tried. The cupcake “bar” has been raised.
As you may know by now, I am always looking for new, unique discoveries – especially the delicious kind. Well, I believe I found another to share with you. Let me introduce you to Seed & Mill in the Chelsea Market.
The ice cream wars are in full swing now that summer is here. Celebrating their second season is a new contender called Booyah, located at 16A Vaughan Rd, south of St. Clair.
If you are looking for a real indulgent treat, look no further than the Rice Cream Shoppe in NYC. It’s a wonderful addition to the neighborhood and a great concept. The cookies and cream, the rocky road and the chocolate hazelnut are all recommend ?. I found the texture thick and very creamy but not too sweet.
A cool concept has opened at 7610 NE 4th Ct., in the same courtyard as Ironside Pizza. At F27 they serve customized ice cream using liquid nitrogen to freeze the it to 27 degrees Fahrenheit. They operate specially designed machines to enable them to use liquid nitrogen, which is injected into the ice cream liquid base. This is a flash freezing process that causes water crystals to be the smallest, achieving a velvety, creamy and smooth texture.
I have read rave reviews about the newly opened Salty Donut so naturally, I had to give it a try. The Miami born craft donut shop is currently operating out of a trailer at 29NW 24th St. This this their temp pop-up location is before opening in the Wynwood Arcade once construction is complete.
We visited Cantina la Veinte for the first time last year. It is located at 495 Brickell Avenue on the ground level of the Icon Brickell. It is owned by Mexico’s largest hospitality group, the Cinbersol group. They obviously have deep pockets because this is not your average Mexican joint. It is a 210 seat Mexican showcase, with a black onyx bar, antiqued mirrors, black and white tile floors, dark wood paneling, and shelves with copies of tasteful Mexican artifacts. The space is quite glamorous, the waiters are well dressed, and the crowd is hipsters or wannabes ready to make a dent in their wallet.
I heard about a new place in the heart of South Beach, called Dirt at 232 5th St. (between Washington and Collins). It bills itself as a new “fine food” served fast, dining experience. They serve high-quality, nutritious food quickly and affordably.
Not every restaurant is trendy or a scene. A restaurant doesn’t have to be hot to be good.
The Traymore Restaurant at the Art Deco Metropolitan by Como hotel isn’t cool but it it is low key, warm and inviting.
Miami has a beautiful new restaurant reminiscent of a Parisian Bistro, displaying bold and playful artwork that is for sale. The crowd is tres chic, but you shouldn’t go before 9pm to get the full impact.