Wines Tasted Instore- The Paring, Dutton Goldfield and Loring

PROFILE / Bravo Italiano Ristorante

via Alexandra Roland @ WINE & DINE July / August Edition
BUZZ Bravo, is not at all pretentious in nature. “I want (guests) to feel like they’re walking into their own home,” said Russ Dickson, owner.
MENU Specialty soups such as the Eggplant and Roasted Pepper Bisque or the Minestrone “pizza soup,”are offered on a “soup of the day” basis... The Penne Vodka is one of Bravo’s most popular dishes... a huge fudge brownie topped with caramel, big squares of chocolate, drizzledwith nuts and served a la mode.
SERVICE gregarious black clad servers

>>> read the entire article 

LOL / Scott Presents: The Greatest Pizza Box On Earth

People send me pizza boxes from all over the world, but I may have found the best one this week in NYC (although it is made in Italy).

REVIEWS / Hollywood Prime In Hollywood @ The Westin Diplomat

By John Tanasychuk, Sun Sentinel - July 28, 2011
BUZZ  High-end steakhouse civility. The steakhouse meal that follows is one of the finest you'll have in South Florida.
MENU  perfect lobster bisque ($14.95) relies more on the flavor of lobster than cream... nails it with this intensely flavored version... One bite of the prime rib ($44.95) and I'm inclined to believe that this is some pretty incredible beef. While restaurant critics are reluctant to use the words, "the best," this may be the best prime rib I've ever had the pleasure of cutting into... Family style sides include very good white cheddar mashed potatoes ($9.95)
SERVICE wait to be pampered by the charming staff.
>>> read the full review 

THE BEZT / Fuego Latino voted best Cuban restaurant in South Florida by Sun Sentinal readers

 Fuego Nachos




 

MENU "All of the favorites, from classic Cuban sandwiches... to the house specialty a fish filet topped with shrimp scampi and house-made green sauce. The Mexican menu includes chimichangas, burritos and the signature Fuego Fajitas"
BUZZ "Fuego is very much a family affair. The elder Nietos arrive at the restaurant early in the morning to prep for the day. They're gone by 2 p.m., when the sons take over."
$$$$ "Average dinner check is $12. Lunch specials start at $3.95."
>>> Read the entire Sun Sentinal review

>>> Coupons from Valpak

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>>> Company Website  / Facebook 

>>> More user reviews Urbanspoon  Yelp  Google Places 

FEATURE / Why Florida Tomatoes Suck "TomatoLand"

from npr  

• "It takes a lot to grow a tomato in the sand of South Florida: tons of pesticides, herbicides, and chemical fertilizers... about eight times as many chemicals per acre on tomatoes as California...
• from October to June, virtually all the field-grown tomatoes in supermarkets come from Florida. 
• They are picked when they are green; the only reason they are red in the stores is that they've been gassed with ethylene, which changes their color... 
• saw tomatoes falling off a truck going 60 mph; when he stopped to examine the tomatoes that hit the road, he says, they "looked smooth and unblemished. Not one was smashed."  

>>> read the entire NPR article via Jon Wiener

EVENT / Miami Spice (starts monday) Video Overview

Toni Gonzalez walks you through everything that is Miami Spice!

NEW PRODUCT / The Ultimate Angus Cool Deli Sandwich - Try It And Get FREE drink and fries

The Ultimate Angus Cool Deli features oven-roasted, thinly sliced USDA Choice Top Round Angus beef served cool. It is topped with Swiss cheese, banana peppers, garlicky pickles, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato and onion, tangy herb vinaigrette and mayonnaise, served on a customer’s choice of either a toasted Italian-style roll or whole grain wrap. The offer is valid from Friday, July 29 through Thursday, August 4 (coupon required).* >>>> get the coupon here

THE BEZT / Miami Herald Offers It's Picks For Miami Spice Event Which Starts On Monday

Indulge your favorite carnivore
BLT Steak at the Betsy: Great food (don’t skip the popovers), friendly service and prime Ocean Drive views

See And Be Seen

Blue Sea at the Delano: Locals, tourists and the chaos of Collins Avenue served with sushi (lunch only).

Biggest Bang For The Buck

Azul Newbie executive chef Joel Huff offers fluke crudo, braised Kobe beef cheeks and coconut lime panna cott

>>>> more from Valerie Nahmad Schimel @Miami.com

>>>> event web site 

NEWS / The food truck craze comes to Fort Lauderdale!

Yesterday (Wed) the Riverwalk Trust of Fort Lauderdale held a Gourmet Food Truck event at Esplanade Park in the heart of the Himmarshee Village near Las Olas Riverfront. Over a dozen trucks posted along the streets for the locals to enjoy! Families, couples, and many friends made an outing out of this event. Most people set-up shop picnic style throughout the park with blankets, beach chairs, and picnic baskets to boot!

>>> more via Tiffany Lanier, Fort Lauderdale Culture & Events Examiner