This month eating and drinking news includes the Wok Star and her event for Chinese New Year Miami, a soon to come restaurant featuring British food from UK Food Network Star Andy Bates, top of the line Nicaraguan coffee made in K-Cups right here in Miami (and sold wholesale), and an event billed as a “Decadent Afternoon” coming up.
Looking for a place to celebrate the Year of the Monkey? Leave it up to Eleanor Hoh, the Wok Star, to have what promises to be one of the best Chinese New Year’s celebrations in town. Based on reviews from former celebration goers, the evening is not only a culinary feast, but also, great camaraderie with like minded foodies and Asia lovers. This year it will be February 21 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Bazi, the new dining outpost in the Marlin Hotel from the owners of Macchialena. The dinner is for 50 guests only. Diners can get their year off to a lucky start by enjoying menu items such as long noodles served to symbolize longevity and house made dumplings for prosperity.
The price is $50 which includes tax and gratuities. Reservations and prepay: Bazi Reservations or call Bazi directly (tel: 305- 695-0101. Parking: Valet $15 OR public garage right opposite the Marlin Hotel. And if you like wok cooking, don’t miss her class. Guaranteed to make you a convert if you aren’t already (as a result I now have my Wok Wednesdays — read my earlier review).
If NR Investments have anything to do with it, what’s called the A + E District will be the next Wynwood, albeit with an important twist. (A + E is between Midtown, Downtown, Wynwood and Brickell). While Wynwood is all about art, A + E is focusing on the performing arts – music and theater. Food, too, is a major part of the equation. The developers wanted to bring excitement to the area and came up with a novel idea.
They launched a contest, A+Eats: The Search for Miami’s Next Great Restaurant Concept. It was a community-driven contest aimed at discovering Miami’s next ‘it’ restaurant. A search that began in July and drew more than 60 submissions, 4,000 online votes, and 30+ semifinalists, culminated with Food Network UK star, Andy Bates as the winner .
The prize is one year rent free. His concept features refined British pub food classics, paired with American craft beers. We were invited to a pop up to sample the signature menu items in the Filling Lofts, a cutting edge space that will house his restaurant The Avenue when it opens this fall. Mr. W and I went with an English friend Sara who knows good food in general and especially British grub. We all gave high marks to the scotch egg — soft boiled egg wrapped in sausage, breaded and fried, and served with curried mayonnaise. The outside was crispy, and the eggs semi hard, the way they should be.
Then it was on to Pie & Mash — beef, ale & bone marrow pie with mash & peas. I didn’t think I’d like it from the description, but I had to hold back not eating the whole thing. The stew like center was rich and beefy, and oh that crust. Dessert was the killer as in killer good: sticky toffee pudding which is date and treacle sponge with condensed milk ice cream. Soooo rich. All these dishes will be on the restaurant’s menu plus traditional fish and chips accompanied by vinegar on the table, roast beef, and they’ll even do tea. All in all, a welcome change of pace and addition to the Miami dining scene.
Are you one of every three households in the US that uses a Keurig coffee machine (can you believe so many people!). If so, thanks to the Solorzano family, you’ll welcome the news that Miami now has its own — a first for us — factory that produces K-cups with Rain Forest Alliance Certified coffee from Nicaragua. The high end, high altitude coffee, 100% Arabica is called San Basilio. The company has a network of mountain farms that provide the coffee which is then imported into Miami where it is locally roasted and packaged. It comes in three roasts :dark, medium and decaf. And best yet, on the last Saturday of every month you can visit the factory near Tamiani airport and buy them wholesale, plus find out about k-cups and the farm to cup process. A box of 96 cups, the wholesale price, enough for a month, is $39.95. They also sell the whole beans. For more information, click here. The factory is located at 14815 SW 137th street, #4, Miami.
How does a “Decadent Afternoon” sound as in craft cocktails paired with delectable Valhrona Chocolate pastries created by renowned local chefs? And there’s more at this one time event — tastings of Valrhona Single Estate chocolates all led by Master of Ceremonies, celebrity Chef Johnny Iuzzini from Top Chef: Just Desserts. Capping the offerings is a “Blindfold Mixology Sensory Experience”, an interactive session open to all participants. It’s all taking place at Drinkhouse Fire and Ice Lounge (1672 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 33139) in South Beach on Sunday, February 28th from 2pm-5pm. Participating chefs and bakers include Odille Arias (Coya Restaurant and Members Lounge), Keith Wallace (The Cupcake Galleria), Stephanie Frei (The Palms Hotel & Casino), Gina Sansonia (Cucina Bambina), Jenniffer Woo (So Woo Cakes), and Paola Levy (Paola Cake Atelier). Beverage partners include: Van Gogh Vodka, Tap Whisky, Cherry Heering, Xante, Don Q Rums, Jim Beam Whiskies, The Perfect Puree of Napa Valley, and Maven Cocktails. For more information go to: www.ChocolateandCocktails.com. For tickets which are $55 VIP and $40 general admission, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-deliciously-decadent-afternoon-of-chocolate-cocktails-tickets-20705581953.
Photography by William Oberheiser
One Response
You’re the best kind of Wok Star, Karen, love your Wok Wednesdays, look forward to seeing some South American wokking! Thanks for mentioning my Chinese New Year Feast!