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Do We Love It?, Food

Do We Love It: Devon Seafood + Steak #MiamiSpice

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20130921_222451Devon Seafood + Steak

11715 Sherri Lane
Miami, FL 33183

Menu Choices:

MAINE LOBSTER BISQUE Cream, lobster, sherry, cayenne
CREOLE GUMBO Shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, bacon, beef, ham, chicken, tomato, green peppers
12 OZ NIMAN RANCH BONE-IN PORK CHOP Mostarda, parmesean roasted yukon potatoes, grilled zucchini
8 OZ COLD WATER MAINE LOBSTER TAIL Whipped yukon mashed potatoes, asparagus
KANSAS CITY STRIP STEAK Mostarda, parmesean roasted yukon potatoes, grilled zucchini

Food: The food was executed very well. The lobster bisque (mostly cream, very little lobster) was very flavorful. When I looked at the menu I was torn between that and the creole gumbo. I was happy with my choice as my friend said the gumbo had a spicy kick to it. The lobster tail was prepared well, no risks were taken but sometime that’s not a bad thing. Luckily we were able to try the steak and the pork chop due to a ordering error. The steak was also done just right, the pork… wasn’t the best I ever had. Unfortunately there are no pictures of the dessert because by the time it was going to arrive I was feeling very ill. I did eat my strawberry shortcake later. It was simple and effective. Let’s be honest this is a steak house, not a concept restaurant. With that being said, they do what they do very well.

Service: The waiter, Daniel, was very personable. He was able to give us great wine choices and his own personal insight on the menu offerings. When it seems the chef prepared a steak as opposed to the ordered pork chop, he was right on it. There were some hit and misses, like us having to remind him about my tea 3x. But all in all he did a good job.

Environment: It looks like the quintessential steakhouse. They kept the decor simple and it works for them. On my next trip, I would like to sit outside on the deck.

What to Wear: This is a date place so you will see folks dressed accordingly. It is also on the outskirts of a mall so there are people wearing more casually as well.

Overall: 4.25. Not eye-popping or jaw-dropping but a good experience.

Would I go again?: It will definitely be in my mental Rolodex when I have steak lovers in town. It is literally 7 minutes away from my house.

CREOLE GUMBO Shrimp, andouille sausage, crawfish, bacon, beef, ham, chicken, tomato, green peppers
MAINE LOBSTER BISQUE Cream, lobster, sherry, cayenne
8 OZ COLD WATER MAINE LOBSTER TAIL Whipped yukon mashed potatoes, asparagus
12 OZ NIMAN RANCH BONE-IN PORK CHOP Mostarda, parmesean roasted yukon potatoes, grilled zucchini
EARL GREY TEA because I knew ebola was coming
KANSAS CITY STRIP STEAK Mostarda, parmesean roasted yukon potatoes, grilled zucchini
60 Second Shorts, Food

:60 Second Shorts: Taverna Opa Brickell #MiamiSpice

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I was out and about with the sisters Saturday handling some chapter business when we ended up having a little nosh at Taverna Opa in Brickell.

Though I had the Miami Spice offering, honestly I was more concerned with the meeting than the food/environment. Since I really wasn’t paying attention, it wouldn’t be fair to write a review. BUT I will say that Taverna Opa never disappoints. The food was delicious and I hope I captured some of that yummy in the few pictures I snapped.

I’m sure to be back there Spice or not.

SHRIMP
OUZO MUSSELS Sautéed with fresh roasted tomatoes, basil, garlic and ouzo
ATHENIAN SHRIMP Sautéed with roasted tomatoes, feta cheese, garlic and a splash of white wine, served with rice, asparagus and diced tomatoes
LEONIDA’S CHOCOLATE CAKE Belgian chocolate cheesecake topped with spoon sweets
Do We Love It?, Food

Do We Love It: #MiamiSpice EPIC SUCCESS at Barley and Swine

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20130905_221403B & S GASTROPUB (BARLEY & SWINE)

Dadeland Area
9059 SW 73rd Ct
Miami, FL 33156

Menu Choices:

CRISPY CHIMICHURRI PIG TAILS (pictured) Niman ranch pork with sambal chimichurri sauce
OCTOPUS (pictured)  Smashed fingerling potatoes and roasted cherry tomatoes and pimiento aioli
PORK RIB TIPS (pictured)  Sweet potato and bacon hash and fried egg and sriracha
HOUSE MAC AND CHEESE (pictured) 
MAC AND CHEESE OF THE DAY (pictured) 
PATATAS (pictured) with black truffles and Parmesan cheese
SWINE BALL (pictured)  Fried brownie and cookie crisp beer porridge
CHURRO BITES (pictured)  Fried bread pudding and caramel dipping sauce

Food: I don’t even know  how to explain how pleased I was with this meal. Every course brought a smile to my face. The Crispy Chimichurri Pig Tails had a delicious crunchy outside while the inside was extremely savory and juicy. The acidity that the chimichurri added was a great element. The Octopus also had a hint of that acidity and a tenderness that made my eyes roll in the back of my head.

While the house mac and cheese was “ok”, the mac and cheese of the day (Thank God for Thursdays) was Carbonara, and amazing. I would be remiss not to mention the he patatas and pork rib tips as they were both very tasty, but my mind continues to drift back to the Octopus. OMG that Octopus.

The swine ball was a great dessert suggestion from our waitress, whodathunk Cookie Crisp cereal isn’t just for breakfast. Unfortunately, the churro bites were over salted, but that didn’t take away from the overall experience.

Service: We were very pleasantly surprised by how knowledgeable and personable the wait staff was. They were almost falling over themselves to give us excellent customer service. That goes a long way in my book. I promised them I would return and I aim to keep that promise. They had a bit of difficulty with the pacing of the meal but that is something that will improve with time (They only opened their doors July 4th).

Environment: Very warm and inviting venue. It is small, literally sitting up to 50 people. We were a tad close to the table next to us. Good thing was they didn’t arrive until we were at the end of our meal.

What to Wear: This is a date place so you will see folks dressed accordingly but the warmth of the wait staff makes you honestly feel you could walk in there in flip flops and receive great service.

Overall: 4.8 out of 5 (with assurance that it will only get better)

Would I go again?: Yessssssssssss! That’s all I got. Yesssssssss!

CRISPY CHIMICHURRI PIG TAILS Niman ranch pork with sambal chimichurri sauce
PATATAS with black truffles and Parmesan cheese
PORK RIB TIPS Sweet potato and bacon hash and fried egg and sriracha
OCTOPUS Smashed fingerling potatoes and roasted cherry tomatoes and pimiento aioli
MAC AND CHEESE OF THE DAY
HOUSE MAC AND CHEESE
SWINE BALL Fried brownie and cookie crisp beer porridge
CHURRO BITES Fried bread pudding and caramel dipping sauce
Do We Love It?, Food, LGTBside, Relationships

Do We Love It: #MiamiSpice Fail at the Oceanaire Brickell

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20130901_170712The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Mary Brickell Village
900 S. Miami Ave., Suite 111
Miami, FL 33131

Menu Choices:

VANILLA INFUSED LOBSTER BISQUE (pictured)
CRISPY FRIED SHRIMP “NUOC CHAM” (pictured) Bacardi Silver Aioli & Haitian Pikliz
TEMPURA CARIBBEAN 6 oz LOBSTER TAIL (pictured) Sweet Chilli Butter, Mango Wakame Slaw & Coconut Rice
BARBEQUE BONELESS BEEF SHORT RIBS “LAND & SEA” (pictured) Crispy Wakame Scallops, Hash Brown & Chipotle Soy Glaze
BANANA BREAD PUDDING (pictured)

Food: Sigh… Deep Sigh. If you know me, you know I love the Oceanaire. I even had my mother’s 60th birthday dinner there. I’ve raved about both the one here and the one in Orlando… but now I can’t do that as whole-heartedly anymore. The Miami Spice experience my girls and I had was meh. The food was not up to the Oceanaire standards I am used to. The vanilla infused lobster bisque was extremely bland. From what the others said so was the mahi mahi. The tempura lobster tail was overcooked, and flavorless (one of my dinner companions actually asked for cocktail sauce). I had to send it back. I couldn’t even eat it.

With that being said, the nuoc cham was very tasty. The BBQ short ribs that I received after sending back the lobster was a LOT better. I was very satisfied with the replacement. And though the banana bread pudding isn’t “your mama’s bread puddin'”  it was really good. At least we ended the meal on a high note.

Service: Brenda was amazing! She was the highlight of the experience for us. She literally kept them from having an even worse rating. She was polite, knowledgable, attentive… all the things you would expect.

Environment: The blue lighting could be seen as a bit cheesy but it’s a seafood restaurant so I let it go. I love the Brickell area in general.

What to Wear: No explicit dress code but it’s always nice to turn it up a notch. If you are going to be casual chic, no worries there is outside seating. (Yes I put you outside again ha!)

Overall: 3.5 which makes me sad

Would I go again?: Yes only because I know they are better in general but if I were a first timer, nope.

Note: The options on the online version of the Miami Spice menu were COMPLETELY different than the ones we were offered. Not slight substitutions, completely different.

THE OCEANNAIRE Signature Martini
VANILLA INFUSED LOBSTER BISQUE
CRISPY FRIED SHRIMP “NUOC CHAM” Bacardi Silver Aiolo & Haitian Pikliz
TEMPURA CARIBEAN 6oz LOBSTER TAIL Sweet Chili Butter, Mango Wakame Slaw, and Coconut Rice
BARBEQUE BONELESS BEEF SHORT RIBS “LAND & SEA” Crispy Wakame Scallops, Hashbrowns & Chipolte Soy Glaze
BANANA BREAD PUDDING
Do We Love It?, Food

Do We Love It: ARMILLARY GRILL AT INTERCONTINENTAL AT DORAL MIAMI #MiamiSpice edition

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20130830_131202ARMILLARY GRILL AT INTERCONTINENTAL AT DORAL MIAMI

2505 NW 87TH AVE.
DORAL, FL 33172

Menu Choices:

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH WARM FLOUR TORTILLA (pictured) Onions, Garlic, and Tomato
BAY SCALLOPS AND BLUE CRAB SALAD TOPPED WITH AVOCADO (pictured) And Grapefruit Sections
PLANTAIN CRUSTED SNAPPER (pictured) Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Broccolini
INDIAN-SPICED GRILLED SUPREME CHICKEN (pictured) Warm Salad of Wilted Spinach and Chickpeas
OPERA CAKE (pictured)
RICE PUDDING MOUSSE (pictured)

Food: Something in my spirit said… don’t do it. You won’t like it. Runnnnn. But the menu said “Come hither my child” like a slivering snake. And that one sentence will be the only exciting part of this review. The food was meh at best. The shrimp with the tortilla has a over-powering citric taste. The bay scallops and blue crab salad was underwhelming. The plantain crusted snapper was bland to the point that my companion refused to eat it. I lucked up with the Indian-Spiced Grilled Supreme Chicken that was actually quite flavorable. Thank goodness! And the dessert which you know I love… I hated. I got one scoop in and decided to push back from the table.

Service:  Marginal. In a crowd of people self-serving at the buffet, you would have thought the only plated table would have received more personal service. You would have been mistaken. She wasn’t horrid but I don’t remember her name either. *shrugs*

Environment: It’s located in the Intercontinental at Doral. Nice enough environment as hotels go. Could use a bit of updating.

What to Wear: You are in a hotel, and not a fresh hip hotel… a regular… meh hotel. Come as you are.

Overall: Struggle 2. (My companion refused to let me give them 2.25)

Would I go again?: Not if I were paid… well maybe if I were paid.

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH WARM FLOUR TORTILLA Onions, Garlic, and Tomato
BAY SCALLOPS AND BLUE CRAB SALAD TOPPED WITH AVOCADO And Grapefruit Sections
PLANTAIN CRUSTED SNAPPER Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Broccolini
INDIAN-SPICED GRILLED SUPREME CHICKEN Warm Salad of Wilted Spinach and Chickpeas
Opéra Cake
Rice Pudding Mousse

All pictures were taken by my trusty iphone Samsung. No they didn’t compensate me for the post and… yeah that’s it.

Do We Love It?, Food

Do We Love It: MIXT PERUVIAN-JAPANESE CUISINE #MiamiSpice edition

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menuMixt Peruvian-Japanese Cuisine

7209 SW 59TH AVE.
SOUTH MIAMI, FL 33143

Menu Choices:

As the name suggests there is an interesting mix of traditional Peruvian food and a wide array of sushi rolls. It was not a pairing I would have ever thought of but they make it work very successfully.

EMPANADAS* (pictured) 
GYOZA (pictured) Asian Peruvian dumplings, served with Peruvian style ponzu
ACEVICHADO ROLL (pictured) Shrimp katsu, avocado, topped with tuna and acevichado sauce
AJI DE GALLINA (pictured)  Shredded chicken breast cooked with cream of aji amarillo and nuts
THAI DONUTS (pictured)
SUSPIRO LIMEÑO (pictured)

Food: Ok I am still stuffed and it’s been a full 24 hours… I’m not kidding. There was a heartiness to the meal that definitely sneaks up on you. The food has a homemade taste that made me question if they had kidnapped someone’s abuela and had her slaving in the back. I was really satisfied when I left there and I only hope that when I come back a few weeks or few months from now they haven’t “grown out of it”.

Service:  I am sure the waitress we had has little to no experience in the restaurant business. She rushed through the meals to where I was still noshing on my appetizer while Naty already had her entree. They didn’t have clean plates so we had to wait while the washed them… one plate at a time. I know this sounds like I am complaining but surprisingly I’m not. They have only been open 2 months so I understand they are getting their footing together. I did love how she brought us a dessert that wasn’t even on the Spice menu simply because she wanted us to experience all their desserts. BIG PLUS!!!

Environment: First off, it dig that it has a trendy look with it’s lime green walls (which if you have ever been to my house you know is a High 5).

BUT this space is tiny… like used to be a froyo shop 3 months ago tiny. The tables are extremely small to where there were a lot of times that the ladies and I were like…. “where are we going to put our water glasses?” lol. They are going to have to get bigger tables to go with their big taste…. I’m not eating out of my lap next time.

What to Wear: This is South Miami… wear whatever you like. It is down the street from the University of Miami so there is an inherent laid-back feel that comes from a college environment.

Overall: Strong 3.75

Would I go again?: It is definitely a gem that I look forward to trying again.

*The empanadas are not on the Miami Spice meal but were a well enjoyed addition*

EMPANADAS
GYOZA Asian Peruvian dumplings, served with Peruvian style ponzu
ACEVICHADO ROLL Shrimp katACEVICHADO ROLL Shrimp katsu, avocado, topped with tuna and acevichado saucesu, avocado, topped with tuna and acevichado sauce
THAI DONUTS
SUSPIRO LIMEÑO
AJI DE GALLINA Shredded chicken breast cooked with cream of aji amarillo and nuts

All pictures were taken by my trusty iphone Samsung. No they didn’t compensate me for the post and… yeah that’s it.

Do We Love It?, Food, LGTBside, Relationships

I do like lesbians… I almost forgot (and a little #MiamiSpice of course)

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20130818_135412Now this is going to sound bad…. I am telling you now. THIS IS GOING TO SOUND BAD… but I’m not a fan of lesbians. I don’t hang out with lesbians. I don’t really go to lesbian establishments. I am not a part of any lesbians organizations (read: cliques). I don’t really have more than 5 close lesbian friends. I just… no thank you. I am making a scrunched face at myself while I write this but it’s true.

(Sidenote: this is going to be one of those posts where the word lesbian is used a lot…. maybe I should try to switch up the terminology to break it up.) 

When you start dealing with lady lovers there is an inevitable level of drama that I can’t be bothered with. I would say it’s a woman thing but no no no the whole vagina connoisseur component takes it to a level. It’s a “who dated who, but is dating who now” environment. It’s a “well you know she has kids, she’s only been out for 2 months, I think she still talks to her ex-husband” environment. There are so many levels on one upmanship that it makes me look at people crazy. I don’t know much about building bonds, but having an open disgust is not normally the best way to start.

So yesterday while I finally had lunch with one of those “Speak in public, Follow on Social Media” acquaintances from around town I was not expecting much. I was honestly more excited about the food. This is definitely episode of “KK Doest’t Know Best”.

After some crazy communication screwup, we finally met at Fish Fish Miami, a local seafood market/restaurant. First things first, as I suspected we had to do the sapphic rain dance. The sapphic rain dance is a term I use when two newly connected lesbians (I couldn’t think of another term except muff diver which I think is derogatory but I’m not sure) go through the who do you know, who did you date, have we shared secretions questions. Thankfully no red flags went up, so we made it through appetizers. We talked and laughed about ourselves and our mannerisms through the main course. It was clear within minutes, there was absolutely no chemistry between us. No one got wet (tears… or otherwise), so the dance came to an end.

20130818_202819After lunch, we ended up going back to hang at her apartment. It was there that I really enjoyed her company. I think wine and one’s own surrounding does that. We talked a lot more casually (and loudly). Jammed to music, India Arie is an instant friendship maker in my opinion, and played the stupidest game in the world. And yes it is only stupid because I lost…3 times. Has anyone else played Phase 10? It’s stupid lol. The only thing that raised an eyebrow was I did notice she made a few dips to the bathroom to make calls… but it’s her house and she is grown so cool.

So in between her whooping me in this STUPID game and several glasses (read: bottles) of wine, Lesbian #2 calls and Lesbian #1 invites her to stop by. Now I know Lesbian #2… but I don’t KNOW Lesbian #2. She is one of those been around a minute ODs (figure it out for yourself) that everyone has met at least once. I SHOULD have made an exit at that time, but I was tipsy and didn’t feel like driving. I am so glad I stayed. Lesbian #2 added a really fun addition to the dynamic. By the end of the night we were all laughing (a little louder than before), eating AMAZING ceviche and playing dominoes where I redeemed myself. I also found out the calls Lesbian #1 was making in the bathroom were to Lesbian #3. Lesbian #3 I also know… but I don’t KNOW. She has actually been to my house weirdly enough but that’s its own story. She was nice the 5 seconds I spoke with her which is all that matters in my book.

We are all actually supposed to hang out next weekend and play cards… or so we said. Could KK actually have new lesbian friendlies? Whodathunk…

Fish Fish Miami

13488 Biscayne Blvd

North Miami, FL 33181

Menu Choices:

ROCK SHRIMP With chipotle dipping sauce (pictured)
JUMBO SHRIMP SCAMPI Over linguini in white wine and butter sauce (pictured)
ASSORTED FRUIT WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM (pictured)

Food: Meh. Overbattered seafood is not my favorite thing. I enjoyed my Rock Shrimp well enough but her calamari was not to my liking. The Jumbo Shrimp Scampi looked good BUT the chef went a bit of overkill with the sauce to where it almost had a soup consistency. The shrimp itself was very tasty so I ate that. My dessert was fruit and ice cream. I like fruit and ice cream… yeah. She really enjoyed her key lime pie (I should have gotten a spoonful).

Service: He was personable. Not memorable but at least personable.

Environment: It is a strip mall of sorts but it is very lovely once you get inside. I really enjoyed the decor.

What to Wear: it seems to be one of those places where is honestly depends on the time of day. It was very casual during the day but I am sure at night with candlelight it could be one worth stepping it up for.

Overall: 3.

Would I go again?: If I were in the area, but I wouldn’t make the commute for it.

ROCK SHRIMP With chipotle dipping sauce
JUMBO SHRIMP SCAMPI Over linguini in white wine and butter sauce
Assorted Fruit with Ice Cream