It helps to know influential people. I was a guest last night at the Miami Shores Country Club's Seafood Buffet.
We each started with a cup of Corn Chowder and then a half cold Lobster. This was followed by plates of cold cracked Crab Claws [this is crab season]. They were accompanied by a sweet Mustard Dip. The claws were very easy to eat, contained lots of meat [unlike my frustrating experiences with Alaskan Crab Legs] and were delicious. Love that mustard dip.
Should have stopped there but the buffet was too inviting. I completely skipped the Salads portion of the buffet and headed across the room to the Chefs preparing food.
Started with several slices of Corned Beef [skipped the Roast Turkey] and had one of the chefs prepare me a 'small' portion of Linguine with Garlic and Oil and some fresh Basil and Parmesan Cheese for good measure - fantastic.
Next trip up to the buffet I tried some teeny Brussel Sprouts, a stuffed Roast Pork Loin with Pine Nuts, Tenderloin Tips in a great gravy and Red Bliss Mashed Potatoes.
Now if that sounds like a lot - I skipped the two other meat entrées and the entire Fish selection [4 different kinds] cooked to order.
A dessert selection was brought to the table by my host; I will only say that the plate contained 4 different yummy desserts [chocolate raspberry cake, I do remember].
And I skipped the Ice Cream Sundae Bar!
bloginfo: Miami Shores Country Club is located at 10000 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami Shores, FL [of course]. AND you can't go there unless you are a guest of a member. [I was going to say 'nananananana' but I decided to be nice [yeah].
blognotes: The band and vocalist were a throw-back to the 'good ole days' of dancing music. The crowd was older and dressed to the nines [jackets for men required].
an egg is an egg...meditating at the Museo Miró in Barcelona
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Chef' Fest
My stay in Miami coincides [again] with the Chef's Fest, Olive Oil from Andalusia Menu. Ate tonight at Ortanique [one of the many talked about Coral Gables restaurants].
apps: Avocado & Cucumber Crunch Salad with smoked lamb bacon, crispy romaine, and grape tomatoes in Andalusian Vinagrette or Gnocchi Andalusia with roasted peppers, shallots, and arugula in sweet balsamic drizzle. [the gnocchi was the winner]
entrées: Pan Sautéed Blue Nose Snapper with roasted sunchokes, [they substituted potato as the sunchokes didn't arrive from market] vine ripe tomatoes, feta cheese and Andalusian olive tapenade or Flatiron Steak Roulade with Spanish olive oil peppers, spinach and smoked mushrooms on manchego cheese mash potatoes [both entrées excellent]
wine: two half bottles - a Sinskey Pinot Blanc and a Truchard Pinot Noir [both excellent]
desserts: Andalusian Olive Oil Poundcake with spiced winter fruit compote and a muscat chantilly or Mango Macadamia Tarte-Tatin with vanilla bean ice cream and macadamia brittle [both very good but the poundcake presentation was brilliant]
blognote: Chef's Fest is 12/7 to 12/17/06 in 13 different restaurants.
bloginfo: Ortanique [Cuisine of the Sun] is at 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
telephone: 305.446.7710
apps: Avocado & Cucumber Crunch Salad with smoked lamb bacon, crispy romaine, and grape tomatoes in Andalusian Vinagrette or Gnocchi Andalusia with roasted peppers, shallots, and arugula in sweet balsamic drizzle. [the gnocchi was the winner]
entrées: Pan Sautéed Blue Nose Snapper with roasted sunchokes, [they substituted potato as the sunchokes didn't arrive from market] vine ripe tomatoes, feta cheese and Andalusian olive tapenade or Flatiron Steak Roulade with Spanish olive oil peppers, spinach and smoked mushrooms on manchego cheese mash potatoes [both entrées excellent]
wine: two half bottles - a Sinskey Pinot Blanc and a Truchard Pinot Noir [both excellent]
desserts: Andalusian Olive Oil Poundcake with spiced winter fruit compote and a muscat chantilly or Mango Macadamia Tarte-Tatin with vanilla bean ice cream and macadamia brittle [both very good but the poundcake presentation was brilliant]
blognote: Chef's Fest is 12/7 to 12/17/06 in 13 different restaurants.
bloginfo: Ortanique [Cuisine of the Sun] is at 278 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
telephone: 305.446.7710
Saturday, December 02, 2006
BURTONS Grill
Dinner tonight at BURTONS Grill after the Hartford Stage production of 'A Christmas Carol'.
Started with Risotto Fritters [$8] mild Italian sausage and imported provolone encased in risotto fried and served with a marinara sauce. Also had an order of Point Judith Calamari [$10] fried in a buttermilk batter and served with burtons tartar sauce. Both were fully excellent!
Three entrées: Seafood Casserole [$20] scallops and crab stuffed shrimp in a light cream sauce, topped with bread crumbs and manchego cheese; Ribeye Steak [$24] 14 oz. aged angus beef, seasoned and grilled, served with caramelized onion sage butter. Both entrées were ordered with a baked potato and the seasonal vegetable which was butternut squash. The other order was Barbequed Baby Back Ribs [$24] which came with hand cut french fries and coleslaw.
The food was all expertly prepared and delicious. The check [with a $50 gift certificate to help out] was reasonable for the area, ambiance and qualtity of food and service.
blognotes: The room is well appointed with the traditional TV bar in front, an outside eating area [too cold] and a dining area that is divided into semiprivate booths. The tables for two look a little small. The restroom paper towels got a rave review???
Will definitly go back; the lunch menu looks quite intruiging.
bloginfo: BURTONS Grill is located @100 Evergreen Way in South Windsor, CT
Telephone: 860-432-4575 [reservations would be highly recommended]
www.burtonsgrill.com
Started with Risotto Fritters [$8] mild Italian sausage and imported provolone encased in risotto fried and served with a marinara sauce. Also had an order of Point Judith Calamari [$10] fried in a buttermilk batter and served with burtons tartar sauce. Both were fully excellent!
Three entrées: Seafood Casserole [$20] scallops and crab stuffed shrimp in a light cream sauce, topped with bread crumbs and manchego cheese; Ribeye Steak [$24] 14 oz. aged angus beef, seasoned and grilled, served with caramelized onion sage butter. Both entrées were ordered with a baked potato and the seasonal vegetable which was butternut squash. The other order was Barbequed Baby Back Ribs [$24] which came with hand cut french fries and coleslaw.
The food was all expertly prepared and delicious. The check [with a $50 gift certificate to help out] was reasonable for the area, ambiance and qualtity of food and service.
blognotes: The room is well appointed with the traditional TV bar in front, an outside eating area [too cold] and a dining area that is divided into semiprivate booths. The tables for two look a little small. The restroom paper towels got a rave review???
Will definitly go back; the lunch menu looks quite intruiging.
bloginfo: BURTONS Grill is located @100 Evergreen Way in South Windsor, CT
Telephone: 860-432-4575 [reservations would be highly recommended]
www.burtonsgrill.com
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