Meet Shanea

From dives to fine dining, street art to vernissages, boutique hotels to grand dames, farmer's markets to gastronomic food halls, join me on my adventures in finding the hottest to the hautest.
As a Canadian, I focus mainly on my hometown of Toronto and my second home in Miami, also journeying frequently to New York and Italy, but nothing is off-limits for me. My love for food has led me here, to share all things I savour – and I will continue to search out the best and most impresssive, highlight culinary excellence, with dishes that inspire me and regional specialties, feature art, hotels, and current trends, and offer my experience on where to roam, where to stay and where to dine all over the world.
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Shanea
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Meet Shanea
From dives to fine dining, street art to vernissages, boutique hotels to grand dames, farmer's markets to gastronomic food halls, join me on my adventures in finding the hottest to the hautest. As a Canadian, I focus mainly on my hometown of Toronto and my second home in Miami, also journeying frequently to New York and Italy, but nothing is off-limits for me. My love for food has led me here, to share all things I savour – and I will continue to search out the best and most impresssive, highlight culinary excellence, with dishes that inspire me and regional specialties, feature art, hotels, and current trends, and offer my experience on where to roam, where to stay and where to dine all over the world.Shanea
Pull up a Seat
on Social Media

Out and About ...
Where are you off to?
February 7, 2016
This is a Mexican restaurant in case you couldn't guess from the name. This is the third incarnation in the last few years at this spot, and it may not be the last.
The Miami Herald gave it 2.5 stars which is a pretty decent rating, so I was intrigued to try it.
February 5, 2016
Ni.Do. Caffé first opened about five years ago in the MiMo area of Miami to rave reviews. I loved the food and the casual ambience there. However when I ate there several months ago it wasn't up to its typical high standards. So it was with trepidation that I tried the new location at 11052 Biscayne Blvd.
February 3, 2016
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.
January 31, 2016
The menu is divided into four sections. Crudo, small plates, rice and large format dishes. There is also a section called Binchotan service, where they grill meats, fish and seafood table-side.
January 29, 2016
One of my favorite shops in Bal Harbour is Nest Casa. They are purveyors of exceptional gifts. Yes they are extremely expensive, but where else can you find such lines as Baccarat, Hermes Table, Kelly Werstler, Missoni Home, St. Louis Crystal and Riva to name a few under one roof in Miami.
January 27, 2016
I have driven past this shop so many times in MiMo, on my way to the Design District or to Wynwood, and have always wanted to stop in to check it out. The windows always piqued my interest. So I finally decided to drop into Serge de Troyer at 6323 Biscayne Blvd; and I am so glad I did. I wanted to buy out the entire store and redecorate my condo.
January 25, 2016
I am apologizing in advance to everyone who will be upset when I tell them I have never been a fan of the James Beard award-winning Chef, Michael Schwartz. I have never found his food that appealing to me. I have also never cared much for his two other restaurants in the Design District.
January 24, 2016
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.
January 24, 2016
I have been wanting to try Garcia’s for years. After all it is on Michelle Bernstein’s top ten list and she gave it rave reviews. I […]
January 24, 2016
Even though it just opened right after Christmas, Komodo at 801 Brickell, is already making a name for itself.
A collaboration between restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow, of China Grill fame, and nightlife impresario David Grutman, of LIV, Komodo is a beautifully-done, trendy yet high-end, contemporary Southeastern Asian restaurant.
January 23, 2016
Celebrating its 19th year, ArtPalmBeach is the premiere mid-winter contemporary art fair on Florida's Gold Coast.
January 18, 2016
I am a huge fan of Michael Mina's restaurants. He always seems to know what people want, great food and equally matched service. Strip Steak is no exception to this rule.
January 16, 2016
There are very few restaurants left in Miami where you can put on a suit and a dress these days. The Matador Room in Ian Schrager's Miami Beach Edition Hotel is an exception. Located at 2901 Collins Avenue, it's a stunning, sunken circular space, to mimic the feel of a bull fighting arena, with high ceilings, and artwork of famous Matadors and their costumes. Inside is very elegant and refined. I also love dining outside on the terrace surrounding the beautiful pool. It has a romantic, tropical feel which is very sexy. The crowd is dressed to the nines.
January 15, 2016
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.
January 14, 2016
Located at 423 Washington Avenue, between 4th and 5th St., Izzy's Restaurant serves New England fare in a cool, hip South Beach setting.
January 14, 2016
Shh, I have a little place to tell you about but don't tell too many people, I want to be able to get a table. It is off the beaten track in an artsy complex that houses architect and design firms. If you go to Biscayne Blvd heading south turn right at 79th street and drive a couple of blocks in you will run right into the Ironside complex. At 7580 Northeast 4th court in the Little River District, park your car in the lot for free and wander inside this complex till you find Ironside Pizza.
January 12, 2016
This is not your parents deli, but Jewish comfort food with a twist. On a street full of lots of Kosher restaurants it is refreshing to see a restaurant that serves some traif.
January 10, 2016
Whenever I am visiting Miami I try and eat lunch or dinner at Mandolin Restaurant. The food is great, but even more so there is something about this historic 1940's restored house that I find charming. Located at 4312 NE 2nd Ave, in the Buena Vista neighbourhood just north of the Design District.
January 8, 2016
Are you coming here to eat gourmet food, no. But, if you are looking for great family fun, where the kids can run around in a big open space and jump in blow up slides and dine alfresco, you can't get much better than this. The parking is free and there is a DJ spinning tunes. You can pull up by boat as well.
January 6, 2016
We really enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Pinch Kitchen. You can tell they cook with passion as it shines through in all the well-cooked and flavorful dishes.
January 5, 2016
The Driftwood Room is the work of New York Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, the Food Network Star Chef of Butter Restaurant and the China Grill. Located in the newly renovated and restored Nautilus South Beach at 1825 Collins Avenue, the restaurant is quite attractive, but weather permitting I suggest dining on the large terrace. It has that beach inspired feel and reminded me of St. Bart's.
January 5, 2016
In the heart of the Wynwood district on a very interesting street at 218 Northwest 25th Street (it is worth checking out the stores and art warehouses in the area) is a industrial looking space with a wide open kitchen.
January 2, 2016
If you don't mind going to a restaurant that is super casual, with simple decor, ugly art work, and a no frills kind of place but has really good food at reasonable prices then I recommend Proof Pizza and Pasta. It is located at 3328 N. Miami on the corner of 34th street, which is in Midtown and not too far from the Wynwood district. Don't let me scare you, it is still an inviting space and clean.
December 29, 2015
The experience of Talde Restaurant in the Thompson Hotel on 4041 Collins Avenue, starts at the entrance. It's cool, you feel like you are going through some graffiti strewn back alley. The dining room has a large shipping container in the center of the room and has banquets as part of it. There is a lot of hand painted graffiti throughout. The music is VERY loud, making it hard to talk. The majority of the music is hip hop. Overall the atmosphere is fun and casual.
December 26, 2015
We had the pleasure of eating at Via Verdi and we were impressed with the food as well as the warm welcome from the Carro brothers and their staff. A special shout out to Fabrizio who really made our dinner very special with his meal suggestions and conversation.










































