GourMe

South Beach Food and Wine Festival 2011-LESS THAN 2 weeks!!

Vanessa — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:07:11 +0000

If you are like most foodies in Miami you have been counting down the days to the 2011 South Beach Food and Wine Festival since the festival ended in 2010!!

And now we are less than 2 weeks away!

If you have been living in outer Mongolia and have not been to the most fabulous event Miami has to offer you have certainly missed out.

The Festival Starts Thursday the 24th with the Famous Annual Burger Bash and continues with exciting events each day leading up to the Grand Tasting Village on Saturday and Sunday with Food and Wine Tasting on an amazing scale, Celebrity Appearances, Cookbook signings, Classes and more.

Most of the fabulous events have sold out(the usually sell out within seconds of tickets going on sale in October).You may be able to find some tickets through outlets such as craigslist if you are lucky. However as of today there are still tickets available for the following events:

1. Original MOONSHINE® presents SHINE & SWINE hosted by Master BBQ Chef Adam Perry Lang Thursday night

2. Crystal Clear: Does the Glass Make a Difference? Hosted by Maximillian Riedel Friday at 3

3. Kohl’s Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Kellogg’s Kidz Kitchen on Saturday and Sunday-this is a great event at Jungle Island and a STEAL at $20 a ticket!

4. The Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village on Saturday and on Sunday-this is the main event you DONT want to miss

5. The Barilla Interactive Lunch and Dinners

and several others

Take a Look on the Tickets Page for more events available and visit the Festival Site for more information.

Review-MaiTardi

Vanessa — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:52:28 +0000

I knew that I would not be disappointed trying MaiTardi as it owned and operated by one of the most successful Restaurant/Lounge Group in Miami-Graspa Group. Do the words Segafredo L’Originale on Lincoln, SPRIS, Tiramesu and Van Dyke mean anything? I am sure most of us have eaten or had a drink at one of these before.

With MaiTardi, they definitely have another hit on their hands! Gorgeous location in the heart of the Design District, fabulous atmosphere-just trendy enough but not pretentious.

The Mediterranean Menu offers a large variety of Tapas from Earth to Sea, Pizza of the same quality as SPRIS, as well as Pasta and Risotto Dishes and Mains such as Zuppa Di Pesce.

We tried the Tuna Tartare which was just right, the fabulous Mussels in a Lobster Bisque, Beet Chips with Pistachio Goat Cheese and the Squid Ink Risotto with Scallops which was outstanding.

The Wine List is varied and affordable with bottles available at even $20. The Menu prices are also varied-offering options for all budgets. Tapas range mostly from $7-$10 with pizzas $11-$15 and the Pasta/Risotto from $14-$20.

Five out of Five Stars-Highly Suggested

MaiTardi Miami

http://www.graspagroup.com/maitardimiami/

163 NE 39 St

Miami, FL 33137

305.572.1400

Review – Le Bouchon Du Grove

Vanessa — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Decided to give Bouchon Du Grove a try the other day. It always looks charming walking by and there are always people so I thought it would be a good bet. But I cam honestly say I have not had food this bad in a long time…
Service was not bad, they do serve a complimentary glass of sparkling wine as a welcome, as do all the French Restaurants in the Grove.
We opted for a selection of appetizers, starting with the French Onion Soup which was very disappointing. The cheese was not fully melted and the flavor was way off. We had ordered two but only received one and had to reorder the second. We then had the Pate Plate which was unimaginative and bland. A thin slice of mediocre pate, a couple olives, 2 cornichons, a little prosciutto and a supermarkt quality brie. The only redeeming item was the onion compote though I dare say that was probably jarred and not home made.
Next were the Escargot which were ok but lacked some flavor.
Next was the Special – a salad with shrimp and clams. We agreed this was the worst salad we ever tried in our lives. Inedible.
The mussels were good which was a surprise but the Duck Confit was dry and overcooked with a too rustic and oily gravy.

Overall I would recommend skip it and go around the corner to George’s instead.

1/2 out of 5 stars.

Le Bouchon Du Grove
3430 Main Highway
Miami‎ FL

Recipe Idea Greek Farro Salad

Vanessa — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:20:55 +0000

I have been on a kick lately trying out various ancient grains. I was inspired to try Farro in a Cold Greek Style Salad the other night and it was a big success.

Here are the basic ingredients and guidelines but experiment yourself as with any recipe and add your twist.

1 Cup Farro

12 Large Shrimp Peeled and Deveined

1 Red Pepper Diced

1/2 onion diced

1 cucumber diced

2 tomatoes diced

diced good quality kalamata olives (I would purchase them with pits from the olive bar)

Crumbled good quality Feta in brine (drained)

For Vinaigrette

1/4 cup Olive Oil

2 tblsp Red wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 tsp italian seasoning

Method:

Cook Farro in lightly salted 3 cups water at light boil for 15 minutes (it will be still chewy) Drain and let cool

Season Shrimp and Saute in hot skillet in a little olive oil. Set aside

Make vinaigrette making sure to add olive oil slowly to vinegar and seasons while whisking to get a good emulsion.

Combine all other ingredients. Add in Faro and Shrimp. Toss in Vinaigrette.

Ready to Serve:)

Review-Bodegon de Brickell

Vanessa — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:16:34 +0000

Went to Bodegon de Brickell with the hubs over the weekend based on a livingsocial deal. I was impressed by the online menu and thought well on Brickell it should be a nice atmosphere so lets try it.

Upon further inspection I found out its not directly on Brickell but on the Bay located in the Four Ambassadors Hotel. Pulling up to the Hotel I already got a bad feeling…old and empty. It got worse going inside…the building is terrible and I was very apprehensive going into the restaurant.

The restaurant itself was beautifully done with a great space and bar. However it was empty except for one other table….Did I mention this was Saturday night about 9pm… which should have been packed. Nonetheless we let our hostess (all in black ultra sexy) take us to a table since we had already purchased the certificate.

We ordered a Reserve Merlot which completely surprised me-it was excellent! We ordered the Octopus Ceviche and another Seafood Ceviche type dish in a lime tomato sauce. Both were generous portions and again excellent. Much better than what I have tasted around.

So all in all it left us confused-such great food and wine in such a dismal location…very unfortunate. However if you are looking for some great food (Ceviche, tapas and Paella) and you dont mind an empty restaurant try it out. I know your taste buds will leave happy. Your wallet will be semi-happy…appetizers and tapas range from $7.95 to $15.95 and a Paella can go as high as $34.

Bodegon de Brickell

Four Ambassadors Hotel

801 Brickell Bay Dr #2
Miami, FL 33131
Ph: 786.360.6019

http://www.bodegonbrickell.com

2 out of 5 stars

Review-Fresh from the Market-Seasonal Cooking with Laurent Tourondel

Vanessa — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:49:41 +0000

This is one my favorite new cookbooks! I routinely review new cookbooks and am most often disappointed. It seems the run of the mill cookbook lately has a few recipes that stand out and the rest are fillers-basically the same recipe as in any other book.

My biggest problem with cookbooks (especially Celebrity Chef ones) is that they obviously have redone the recipe for the home cook and have not tried it-the flavors are off and I find myself doctoring recipes constantly.

NOT SO with this book. It is absolutely fabulous with surprising flavors, interesting twists and solid instructions.

The book is divided by Season (lol although in Florida that usually makes no difference). It is well organized and well laid out with beautiful food styling and photography.

This is a book that you will have a tough time choosing just a few recipes to make for a special dinner. It will inspire you to eat more seasonally which tastes better always and you will find yourself coming back again and again to try something new.

Highlights are

-Crispy Red Snapper with Braised Cabbage and Orange Polenta- a melody of flavors

-Pan-Seared East Coast Halibut with Caramelized Cauliflower & Hazelnuts

-La Quercia Proscuitto & Blue Ledge Farm Crottina Salad with Creamy Lardon Vinaigrette

-Steamed Lobster in Gingered Lime-Scallion Broth with Baby Bok Choy

Published by WILEY. Suggested Retail of $30.

How to be prepared for unexpected Holiday Guests

Vanessa — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:19:54 +0000

Don’t be unprepared for all those unexpected holiday guests.
Keep your pantry stocked with a few basics and delight any guests that drop in.

1. Few bottles of Prosecco or Champagne
2. Few bottles of Red and White Wine
3. Good selection of Cheeses such as:
Brie, Goat Cheeses, Parmesan, Artisanal Cheddar, Blue Cheese and any others you enjoy
4. Good quality crackers
5. Olives, Sundried Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers to add to the platter
6. Chutneys, tapenades
7. Pate
8. Fancy or Better yet Homebaked Cookies
9. Store bought or better yet ingredients to throw together a “hummus” in a couple minutes

Add the following to a blender or Food Processor:
1 can drained Chickpeas
1 clove garlic
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp water
Salt to your taste
Blend/pulse to combine.
Check seasoning and add more lemon juice and/or salt to your liking

Now you can mix in some other ingredients to make the hummus interesting
Suggestions: Dried basil, dried parsley ( about 1 tbsp each) and some chopped sundried tomatoes. Blend/pulse for an Italian take.
Or add a few drained and chopped roasted peppers.

Sous Chef/Semi Prepared Meals

Vanessa — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:07:53 +0000

Don’t want to have fully prepared meals that you heat up? Simply don’t have the time to shop and prepare everything you need to cook? No Problem.

GourMe also offers “Sous Chef” Services.

We meet and discuss a menu and GourMe will do all the prep work for you including Shopping, dicing, slicing, marinating etc. All you have to do is the final cooking. So its still homemade without the hours of prep work.

786.319.6210

GourMePersonalChef@gmail.com

Too busy to cook?

Vanessa — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:42:33 +0000

Let GourMe prepare delicious dinners for you and your family.

GourMe will meet with you and create a menu that fits your needs and tastes.

On the day GourMe will shop for the finest and freshest ingredients and prepare the meals in your home.

GourMe will then freeze or refrigerate the meals and leave you with detailed reheating and plating instructions.

Private Cooking Classes make a perfect Holiday Gift

Vanessa — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:20:18 +0000

Looking for that perfect gift? A Private Cooking Lesson or a series of Classes are a great idea.

Choose from a variety of classes or let the recipient choose.

Each Private Lesson runs 2 1/2 hours and costs $300. *

Purchase a series of 3 classes for $795.

* Students will be sent a detailed shopping list based on the class(es) chosen prior to class so they will have the necessary groceries on hand.

Add a friend or family member to your class at no charge! (Each additional student is $50 up to 4) For Larger Groups please visit the Group Classes Page.