On October 12th I had the pleasure to assist to the 10th anniversary edition of the Moss Foundation “Eat Your Heart Out” presented by BBI to benefit Heart Gallery of Broward County at Galleria Fort Lauderdale.

The Eat Your Heart Out Culinary Soiree is an annual event that combines the love for food and the passion for making a difference in the lives of children. This event, organized by Heart Gallery, aims to raise funds and awareness for their mission of finding loving families for kids in need.

At this year’s event, the Heart Gallery of Broward County proudly honored Michael Goodman as the Child Advocate of the Year. Goodman’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of foster youth has made a significant impact in the community. Through his tireless efforts, remarkable achievements have been made in finding permanent, loving homes for children in need. The recognition of Goodman’s outstanding contributions serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing and supporting our future generations.

By bringing together renowned chefs, top restaurants, and individuals passionate about making a difference, Eat Your Heart Out creates every year a unique platform to celebrate the culinary arts while supporting a noble cause. This year event was an unforgettable culinary experience, with the finest restaurants in Broward County reunited to showcase their culinary prowess. This culinary event was a diverse array of cuisines, from exotic flavors to classic favorites, carefully crafted by some of the most talented chefs in the region. From mouthwatering appetizers to delectable desserts, every bite was a testament to the culinary artistry and creativity on display.

Here are the finest food & beverage participants that attended to this culinary experience:

I had the delightful opportunity to savor a myriad of exquisite dishes, each a culinary masterpiece. Among the culinary gems, three dishes stood out upon my personal taste, leaving an indelible impression on my palate and senses. My top three dishes at the culinary event were a symphony of flavors, a culinary journey that I won’t soon forget and I’m glad to share pictures of these delicious dishes with all of you:

#3 Tulio’s Tacos – Wilton Manors

Their guac was fresh and flavorful and they sure didn’t skimp on the lobster in their tasty tacos!

#2 Hellenic Republic – located in The Walk at University in Coral Springs

Their braised/shredded lamb was by far the most delicious bite of lamb I ever had the pleasure of tasting; served over perfectly cooked & season mashed potatoes.

#1: Takato’s – located in the Conrad Hotel Ft Laud Beach

Serving Japanese Korean Fusion cuisine, this bite of Wagyu they served melted in my mouth. The quality of this cut of beef and the simplicity in how it was treated let the product speak for itself. 

From the moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted by an electric atmosphere filled with laughter, music, and the aromas of delectable dishes. I engaged in lively conversations with fellow food enthusiasts, network with like-minded individuals, and immerse myself in the spirit of giving back to the community.

By attending the Eat Your Heart Out Culinary Soiree, I didn’t only treat myself to an unforgettable culinary experience but also contribute to finding loving families for foster youth. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of these children and give them the love and stability they deserve.

Until we eat (and drink) again…

I send you Delicious Wishes, xo

Denise

The post Savor the Flavor: Exploring the ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ Culinary Event appeared first on Savor Our City.

I know it’s been a while since my last blog post and I do apologize for that but we have been super busy the last few months with several group bookings in both South and Central FL. It appears that many companies that had to postpone their travel plans have now been given the green light to take their teams out and for many of them who have been working remotely for the past two years, this is their first opportunity to bring their remote staff together for some team bonding/building activities which they are booking like crazy right now. The size of the groups that are being booked now, as compared to prior to the breakout in 2020 has increased quite considerably. Up until 2020, the average size group was around 20 people. Now the average is 40+.

At any rate, I happened to see a post on my Instagram feed highlighting this place called Cerveceria La Tropical nestled in an Oasis nestled in Wynwood and it definitely caught my eye. So much so, that I reached out to them and scheduled a visit to check them out. Not only so that I can share my find with you, but so I could hopefully plan some fun events there for my groups. Gloria, the Event Manager was off on this particular Sunday when I arrived, so she arranged for me to meet with Mike, one of the restaurant managers on duty on this day. I drove down from Boca and soon after I arrived, I met Mike who was expecting me. We bumped into Gloria of all people, who came on her day off with her family, to celebrate her birthday (now that sure is a testimonial to how much she loves this place!)

Cerveceria La Tropical is a “Tank to Glass” concept where they pour their brewed-in-house beers right from the tanks in the main dining room that also happens to have a great back story.  On July 21, 1888 The Blanco-Herrera family establishes Cervecería La Tropical on (Cuban) lands once owned by Federico Kohly. Cuba’s Oldest Brewery grows and grows, and by 1958 La Tropical accounts for over 60% of all beer production in Cuba, making the brand world-renowned. La Tropical stands alongside cigars, rum and music as the pride of Cuba.

“La Tropical founded the Cuban beer industry. La Tropical comprised acre upon acre of a brewery, tropical gardens and a baseball stadium, whose in-field sand was made of crushed La Tropical bottles. There were many owners, but my family held majority ownership. As a kid, I loved going to the brewery with my father. I can still smell the sweet and thick malty scent coming from the brewery.” RAMON BLANCO-HERRERA 4th Generation La Tropical Family Member

In 1896 Florida’s First Brewery is founded in Ybor City/Tampa, Florida, by Cuban cigar industrialist family: Martinez-Ybor. In 1897 La Tropical beer is produced and distributed in Florida. The Florida La Tropical brand has an affiliation with the La Tropical brand from Cuba. In the early 1900’s La Tropical in Ybor City produced 80,000 barrels of beer at its’ peak. The Cuban embargo and new Florida competition from Anheuser Busch and Schlitz forced the shutdown of the brewery in 1961. Dale Swope, a Tampa attorney, acquires the old La Tropical brewery in Ybor City in 1999 and embarks on a historical preservation project to save the building after years of neglect.

in 1904 The La Tropical beer gardens are opened, near the banks of the Almendares River, and quickly become a must-go destination for cold cerveza, fun, music and dance. Designed by Cuban architect Ramón Magriñá, the gardens were inspired by the Spanish gardens of Gaudí. Los Jardines de La Tropical included a botanical Tropical garden with a multitude of concrete structures designed in a modernist and organic style, as well as a replica castle of the Alhambra de Granada in Spain.

SYLVIA MUÑIZ DE MURAI

“My father was the General Manager of the brewery and we lived in an exquisite castle within Los Jardines de La Tropical. They were the happiest days of my childhood.”

1960 marks the arrival of the revolution in Cuba begins and La Tropical’s assets are seized. The Cuban exodus begins and over one million Cubans flee the island, including the now impoverished Blanco-Herrera and Kohly families. Miami welcomes them with open arms.

“It was Christmas Eve, December 24, 1960, when our world changed forever and our family was forced to flee our Cuban homeland. The Castro government stole our home and investment properties. My mother was widowed, with three young children, and landed in Miami with only $5 in her pocket. It was very tough at first. Sixty years later, Miami became our new home and where my children were born and raised.” GRAZIELLA RODRIGUEZ-KOHLY 4th Generation Kohly And Mother Of Manny Portuondo

1960 – 2020

The Disappearance

Inside Cuba, La Tropical is now run by the revolution. La Tropical is eventually lost, but never forgotten.

“They came at gunpoint to take the brewery. I was one of the last senior managers at the brewery that day and was forced to hand over the keys. They knew about managing a brewery, what I knew about going to the moon.”

JULIO FERNANDEZ-SELLES Last Master Brewer Of Cervecería La Tropical (Pre-Revolution) 1917-2002

In 1998, The Comeback Begins…

Manny Portuondo, great-great grandson of Federico Kohly makes it his passion project in life to bring La Tropical back. At the age of 32, after a successful career with Anheuser-Busch and the Brahma Brewery of Brazil, he mortgages his home and raises capital from the prominent Cuban American community in Miami, including Ramon Blanco-Herrera.Three Palms Holdings is formed and for two decades Manny Portuondo fights to secure control of the La Tropical brand in key markets throughout the world.

“In my early 30s, I entered a phase where I longed to learn more about where I came from and how my family got to the United States of America. I became fascinated with my family’s past and the La Tropical story in particular. Not long after, I decided to do something about it and fight back.” MANNY PORTUONDO 5th Generation Kohly, Founder Of Three Palms Holdings & CEO Of Cervecería La Tropical

In 2016 La Tropical hosts a teaser beer launch in the heart of Miami under license with the Boston Beer Company. The launch is a great success with customers lining up for hours to taste the original recipe of La Tropical’s award-winning La Original Ambar Lager at a local Wynwood brewery. Very quickly, La Tropical becomes a best seller. La Tropical generates local and international attention that leads to interest from many of the world’s largest brewers.

After two decades of fighting to save La Tropical, Three Palms Holdings completes the majority sale of La Tropical brand to Heineken NV. With no physical brewery, Heineken makes a significant investment to build a Miami home for Cervecería La Tropical. Scouting begins for the perfect site. A ¾ acre site in the Wynwood Arts District is acquired and construction begins in 2019 to include a 32 thousand hectoliter per year brewery, tap room, restaurant and beer garden. A true destination brewery for beverage consumers everywhere.

Cervecería La Tropical has a new Miami home, a testament to perseverance, passion, hard work and the belief that all is possible if you dare to make your dreams come true. Over a century in the making, and inspired by the tropics, Cuba’s Oldest Brewery is now one of Miami’s Youngest.

Manager Mike was happy to give me a tour of the place which included the brewery and the tropical garden (which is an extension of the Fairchild Tropical Gardens I learned). Tropical trees such as guava and herbs can be found in the gardens and are labeled with each tree or bush’s description and a QR Code to hover over to learn even more. He informed me that Chef Cindy Hutson was expecting me and was preparing to have a number of their popular dishes brought out for me to try. Funny thing is I have been following Chef Cindy for years. I first heard about her work at Orantanique on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables (which sadly closed this location after 21 years in business.) I was super excited to finally meet this chef who I have the utmost respect and admiration for. First up on the tasting menu was my choice of beer. Whenever I see a “Sour” on the menu, this is my go-to. I ordered the Dulce Sour and got to choose a flavor to infuse it with; I went with my server Brittany’s suggestion, guava, and man o man, was this beer ever so refreshing, it really hit the spot. So much so, that even though I had only intended to consume one, I just had to have another.

Cervecercia just began offering brunch on Sat, Oct 1st and this was only their second day when I came that Sunday. They had a live band that was setting up to go on at 1pm. They have a weekly live music line up which can be viewed on their website. Live bands throughout the week nights and during Sunday Brunch from 1 -4pm.

First dish brought out for me to try was a sample size portion of their popular guava and cream cheese French Toast with vanilla bean cream cheese drizzle and blood orange maple syrup and guava compound butter. Went terrific with my guava sour beer! (If you like guava like I do, you will love this place as guava makes its appearance throughout the menu.) I think this might have been my favorite dish of the afternoon.

Next, came the Caribbean Avocado Toast. This was a very unique version of an avocado toast. It came with toasted pepita seeds, charred shishito peppers, tomato marmalade, cojita cheese and topped with a soft cooked egg. I really enjoyed the flavor profiles and they combined perfectly to create a balanced bite. It was a little top heavy for the bread though, so it became a little soggy and a little messy as a result.

Next came the Harnish de Maiz con Queso – Cheesy Grits…(again, the pic below is a smaller portion than what is typically served). This one pot wonder consisted of chorizo sausage, onions, peppers, and served with a side of Cuban toast for mopping up all the deliciousness.

Something on the menu caught my eye. It was “woo aioli”. I asked Brittany what was this and she brought me out some plantain chips with a side of this secret sauce. It way yummy. I could have ingested a whole container of this stuff . LOL

My final two tastings were the Ham Croqueta and the Cuban Sandwich Empanada. Both were very tasty and I can see why they are crowd pleasers.

Manager Michael Moss was most accommodating. He is pretty new to the Cerveceria La Tropical team but not new at all to the restaurant business. He had recently joined the team having been with a large restaurant group for many years prior.

Brittany, my server was so cute and super helpful.

It was so great to finally meet Chef Cindy in person. She is so creative. Super talented chef!!!

There is a $10 cover to enter on the weeknights there is a live band performing, but that fee also includes one complimentary cocktail that will be served inside the “Birdcage” as guests enter on the right.

Cerveceria La Tropical is an ideal spot for casual dining for brunch, lunch and dinner and is a perfect venue for group events too!

They are closed on Mondays and are open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 4PM-11PM, (Kitchen until 10PM)

Friday: 12PM-1AM, Kitchen until midnight (limited menu past 10PM)

Saturday: 11:30AM-1AM, Kitchen until midnight (limited menu past 10PM)

Sunday: 11:30AM-10PM, Kitchen until 9PM

Until we eat (and drink) again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post Cuba’s Oldest Brewery Is Now One of Miami’s Youngest…Cerveceria La Tropical appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s blog post comes from one of Savor Our City’s very own, Emily Shea.

Food halls are one of the fastest-growing dining trends of the last decade— and for good reason! Originating in Europe and Asia, the food hall trend has reached the states and has proven to be ever-popular. Picture an elevated food-court concept, offering a diverse array of cuisine and cultures.

The Time Out Market in Miami is one such food hall, located in a unique and modern building on the corner of Drexel Avenue. In 2019, the 17,000-square-foot hall was launched with space for 17 kitchens, 3 bars, a demo kitchen, and a video wall. Since it’s opening, Time Out Market has opened food halls in Chicago, Montreal, New York, and Boston.

In 2020, Time Out Market Miami closed due to Covid. They reopened a year later with expanded seating and restaurant space. Although some restaurants had to pack up shop during the closure, many new restaurants have opened up in their place. Here are some of the dining options available to you during a visit to Time Out Market Miami:

Azucar – Homemade Cuban Ice Cream

Benito’s Cafecito – Coffee & Pastries

Chick’N Jones – Modern Fried Chicken

Clyde’s Caribbean – Trinidadian Cuisine

King Patty’s – Jamaican Cuisine and Patties

La Santa Taqueria – Tacos & Quesadillas

Lur – Spanish Tapas & Basque Gastronomy

Necessary Purveyor – Artisanal Sandwiches

Pho Mo – Vietnamese Cuisine by Phuc Yeah

Plants & Bowls – Salads, Smoothies, & Bowls

Square Pie City – Detroit-style Pizza

Yu Me – Japanese Cuisine by Chef Hiro-San

33 Kitchen – Peruvian Cuisine by Sebastian Fernandez

In addition to the restaurants listed above, a full-service bar sits in the center of the market. A booth called “Tunes” features live artists, musicians, and DJ’s most nights of the week. The wide array of food and drinks available is guaranteed to make Time Out Market a must-visit while dining in Miami. It’s a great place to try a bunch of different dishes, often prepared by up-and-coming chefs who can’t yet afford their own brick & mortar restaurant. So, if you’re interested in trying something new, Time Out Market is the place to go!

Parking is available in an attached garage. Be sure to save your receipt from the Market, as a parking discount is offered to all who patronize the hall. Dogs are welcome in the large outdoor seating area at the Market.

Time Out Market is open everyday starting at 12pm and closes at 10pm (11pm on Fri and Sat eves).

You can visit their website for more info.

Until we eat (and drink) again…

We send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post A Break From The Norm: A Look Inside Time Out Market Miami appeared first on Savor Our City.

They started out as just a dessert concept, since it is something that Orlando has been seriously lacking in. The only other dessert bar in Orlando is Better Than Sex, so Dolce is a great addition to the area. They quickly found that the patrons who frequented the area had a need for breakfast and lunch, prompting them to create a menu that included sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, and more.

Co-founder Christopher Buxton’s goal was to create an intimate but inviting atmosphere. He wants guests to feel as if they can casually come in for a dessert with their friends and have a very “café” feel to it rather than date night. That being said, Dolce does make a GREAT spot for a date, too.

During the day, the café is very bright and open, offering a wonderful space for a lunch meeting or outing with your friends. At night its quite the intimate spot for you and your lover or a dessert before going

out on the town.

From the lunch menu, I tried the ahi poke stack, brie apple fig panini, and the teriyaki chicken brown rice bowl. I was a HUGE fan of the panini. There was a perfect balance between the cheese and sweetness from the apples and fig. The teriyaki chicken bowl made for a fabulous healthy lunch that tasted great without killing you in the calories (which leaves more room for dessert, right??). The ahi poke stack was fresh with a nice subtle kick.

From the dessert menu, I tried the chocolate valentino indulgence, key lime garbo parfait, and the bees knees cheesecake and waffle cone.  The chocolate valentino is chocolate cake with a chocolate mousse filled dome and served with hot chocolate fudge to pour over it, melting the shell. It is absolutely divine. The key lime garbo is layers of key lime pie filling, grahm cracker crust, whipped cream and key lime gelato. This was my favorite of all the desserts. You just can never go wrong with gelato or key lime pie. The third dessert, the cheesecake and waffle cone, is a freshly made cone with cheese cake spilling out and filled with freshly made brownies. The cheesecake is so creamy and the brownies a perfect amount of fudgy.

If you’re running low on time, they do also have fantastic lattes and tea here. It’s a pretty place to sit outside and sip on some coffee or a glass of wine. I truly enjoyed this spot and believe they are going to make a great addition to the Thornton Park district, an area that I love so much.

Dulce is located at 500 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801 and is open Monday 9am – 4pm, Tue – Sat 9am – 10pm, Sun 9am – 8pm. (407) 800-6100

You can check out their website here.

Article written by Christina Petsos

All photos taken by Christina Petsos of C.Petsos Photography.

The post Chocolate, Chocolate, and More Chocolate! appeared first on Savor Our City.

Like Superman, everyone of us has our own kryptonite, and in my world, mine is bread! I grew up eating sandwiches for lunch and  as my palate matured over the years, I began experimenting in the kitchen coming up with clever new concoctions. I would start of with something basic like a grilled cheese sandwich and then making a few simple tweaks (from upgrading the bread, spreading butter or mayo on the outside of the bread before cooking in the pan, to utilizing a caramelized onion jam)  I was able to elevate that classic sammy into a gourmet masterpiece. Yes, sandwiches are my jam! So when I received an invite to come check out Press Gourmet Sandwiches in Boca, it was a no brainer. The motto at Press Gourmet is every sandwich, every salad, every side is handmade to order with only the freshest, natural, best ingredients. Each sandwich is handcrafted to order. All of their meats are slow roasted to perfection. Chicken is marinated and cooked to order and all sauces and toppings are prepared daily. They consider themselves to be a five-star gourmet experience in a fast casual setting – eat in or take out.

The back story:  It all started at Johnson & Wales University when Rand and Chris met. They noticed from their name tags and they were both commuting from Delray Beach to Miami. So they started to carpool; those rides together to Miami were where their friendship really started. After only a few weeks of carpooling Chris and Rand decided to move into Chris’s apartment near Johnson & Wales University.

In only a few short months they had become best friends living together in Miami. During culinary school Rand and Chris excelled to the top of their class, becoming the go-to guys to get things done.
Every Tuesday, the food trucks would set up on the campus at JWU and serve to all of the students. Chris and Rand became immediately attached to the food trucks, asking all of the owners questions every time they came out. In their heart they knew someday they would open up a food truck of their own.

Soon after, Rand was asked to work as a sous chef for a husband of one of his professors. He was a private chef to the rich and famous in Miami. It only took one year before the clients asked Rand to be the head chef, at the age of 22. One of the first things that he did was to make Chris his sous chef. This was a time in their lives that they would never forget. Chris and Rand were living half the year in Miami and the other half in New York City while cooking for the rich and famous.

While in New York, Rand and Chris were living on their client’s yacht. Rand really enjoyed living on the yachs, he said, “because it was like a huge house right on the water, that swayed back and forth with the current, just rocking you to sleep”. One year Chris actually rode the boat up for 4 days to New York City, through the rough seas, while still cooking all of the food for the crew. Let’s just say he probably won’t be taking a boat across the country anytime soon!

After three years of being private chefs Rand and Chris caught the entrepreneurial bug. They received so much praise for the food, from some of the most important people in the country. They knew they wanted to bring their food to the masses, but they didn’t quite know how to start a business. So Chris and Rand left their jobs as private chefs to head to Chris’ family’s company, Uncle Giuseppe’s, a chain of Italian supermarkets. While at Uncle Giuseppe’s, Rand and Chris were taught the importance of food costs, business smarts, and the ability to scale larger while remaining consistent with the food throughout different locations.
So they headed back to Florida to start their own business. The location of the first restaurant caused arguments, as they just weren’t sure where to put it. That was when they thought back to when they were in culinary school and the food trucks would come every Tuesday. Rand and Chris thought very hard about what their next move would be. They decided to start a food truck as a proof of concept and to find the best locations for the eventual restaurants to come. They called it Miami Press Gourmet Sandwiches Food Truck. The concept quickly took off, as the Miami Press Food Truck became one of the top trucks in South Florida. It was a dream for Chris and Rand to be able to serve their great food to the masses. They knew that if they used good fresh and local ingredients and prepared the food to order that they would always have people wanting to eat their food.

While the truck was taking off, Rand got the opportunity to go on Food Network and compete in a reality competition cooking show. The show is called Food Truck Face Off, the show is a mix between The Great American Food Truck Race and Chopped. Rand brought one of he and Chris’s signature dishes, the Mac’n Cheese Ball. He won the competition, bringing the spotlight to the Mac n’ Cheese Balls and the already well-known Miami Press Food Truck. The lines became even longer as their food truck became more and more popular by the day.

As the success out grew the food truck, Chris and Rand finally knew it was time to open up a Press Gourmet Sandwiches Restaurant. Press Gourmet Sandwiches, or PGS for short, is a fast casual sandwich restaurant serving pressed sandwiches. All of the sandwiches are made to order from scratch and pressed on ciabatta bread until crispy on top and soft in the middle. It’s made with all fresh and local ingredients.

Press Gourmet Sandwiches has two locations, one in Ft. Lauderdale and one in Boca Raton. They are open Mon – Sat 7am – 8pm, closed Sundays. For more info, check out their website.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post Press Gourmet Sandwiches appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s post features one of my favorite fast casual foods: tacos!  I received an invitation to dine at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Ft. Lauderdale a few weeks ago and I’m happy to share my experience with you today.

Since opening its doors to their original location in South Beach, just steps away from the famed Lincoln Road Mall on 16th Street in 2015, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, founded by Menin Hospitality’s Keith Menin and Jared Galbut and led by Culinary Director Bernie Matz, has been offering traditional Mexican favorites as well as unconventional and innovative interpretations, Bodega specializes in tacos and tortas, homemade sodas and authentic beverages in a dynamic, eclectic “puebla” inspired setting.

“We’ve always loved Fort Lauderdale and have been waiting for the right moment and location to open a Bodega Taqueria y Tequila there since we opened our first flagship location in South Beach in 2015,” said Keith Menin, Co-Founder & Principal of Menin Hospitality. “When we saw that they were developing and re-envisioning the riverfront, the new towers, and the Wharf, we found an iconic historic corner that just felt like Bodega. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome guests to Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Fort Lauderdale.” 

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila has been revered as one of the hottest Mexican restaurants in America. GQ Magazine has named Bodega “the most popular restaurant in the entire state of Florida for late-night eats”;  InStyle Magazine said it’s one of “4 hot spots worth visiting on your next trip to Miami”; HuffPost called it the “hottest Mexican restaurants in America”; and Elite Daily boasted it as one of “Miami’s hottest nightspots.” A favorite among celebrities, fans include Michael B. Jordan, Niall Horan, Brody Jenner, Diplo, Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union, Travis Scott, Nina Agdal, and Joe Jonas, to name a few.

Inside the taqueria, a door leads guests to Bodega’s late-night speakeasy – the perfect spot for happy hour, daytime fun, and late-night debauchery – that features an extensive cocktail menu and live music by local bands and DJs. Signature cocktails include the Pico Picante (Herradura Silver, Ilegal Mezcal, Cucumber, Cilantro, Jalapeno, Lime, Orange Bitters); La Diablita (Don Julio Blanco, Apricot, Blackberries, Ginger, Fresh Lime); and Mezcal Old Fashioned (Casamigos Mezcal, Ancho Reyes, Old Fashioned Syrup). Additionally, every Monday, Bodega is activating ‘Margarita Monday’ specials, where guests can enjoy a curated $5 margarita menu from 6 PM-close. Happy Hour is Monday – Friday from 6 PM – 8 PM, and offers $2 Classic Tacos, $3 Chips & Salsa, $4 Chips & Guac, $4 Bottled Beers, $5 Frozen Margaritas, and $7 Bottled Cocktails.

Open daily from 11:30 AM – 12 AM, Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, Fort Lauderdale mirrors the flagship South Beach location, doubling as a fast-casual taco joint and a late-night speakeasy-style lounge. The front half of the venue is a taqueria featuring an authentic Mexican street food menu created by culinary director and Chef Bernie Matz. Signature menu items consist of Loaded Carne Asada Nachos (Grilled Rib Eye Steak, Chili Queso, Cotija, Red Onion, Tomato, Cilantro, Chili Crema, Sliced Jalapeno); Late-Night Burrito (Guajillo Braised Short Rib, Roasted Pork, Roasted Chicken, Mexican Rice, Black Bean Refrito, Oaxaca Cheese, Potato Sticks, Salsa Rosada); and Steak Chimichurri Tacos  (Grilled Rib Eye Steak, Purple Cabbage, Tomato, Potato Sticks, Radish, Cilantro, Chimichurri Aioli). Guests order from a full-sized, retrofitted vintage airstream trailer turned into a taco truck and then dine in the garage chic seating of picnic tables, neon bar stools, and graffiti walls. In addition to the regular menu, a weekend brunch menu is available.

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Fort Lauderdale is located at 21 W. Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL and can also be experienced in South Beach and in American Airlines Arena.  For more information, please visit BodegaTaqueria.com and follow on Instagram @BodegaTaqueria.

*Hours of operation are in accordance with mandated COVID-19 regulations and are subject to change. 

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post Bodega Taqueria y Tequila appeared first on Savor Our City.

Think about the food just in your state. It probably differs from one spot to another, based on who settled where and when, what they grew, where they originally came from, and what resources they had. History, people, preferences, and culture all play into regional food, and that’s what makes exploring it so interesting and diverse. And with road trips on the rise, digging into the food scene wherever you’re going, or wherever you live, can be a rewarding and delicious reward.

If you want to learn more about food, wherever you go, there are a couple of steps you can take. For starters, you can always contact your favorite food gurus here at Savor Our City.  Additional resources are local eats apps or local bloggers, who may also have a presence on social media sites such as Instagram. Many food magazines also have good regional recommendations. Want more tips? This graphic offers some ideas to get you traveling, eating, and enjoying what food has to offer.

Let us know if you found this info useful and if you have any additional tips that you turn to find great places to eat when you are traveling out of your home town.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post New Ways Discover Food While Traveling appeared first on Savor Our City.

Epicurean: fond of luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking; devoted to sensual pleasures, esp food and drink. Synonyms: gourmet, luxury, lavish, deluxe, rich. Get ready to awaken your senses and indulge your soul as I share with you my two night gourmet adventure in Tampa. In this blog post, I will be covering our stay at the fabulous Epicurean Hotel. In part two, I will share with you our discoveries as we ventured out to check out the Tampa culinary scene.

Eat: At Elevage, they’re crafting dining experiences that speak to lovers of life’s great flavors. The way they see it – there’s no greater celebration of life than to indulge our most basic human need, and I for one, couldn’t agree more. They do it exceptionally well here.

Drink: The perfect cocktail or the right glass of wine can turn an ordinary evening into an unforgettable one. There are many options for imbibing here; you can order a drink pool side, at the lobby bar or head up to Edge, the hotel’s roof top bar;  the perfect place to catch an innovative cocktail with a view to boot.  You can also partake in any of the wines that have been selected and placed for you in your room.

So now that our tour was done, we bid Tom adieu and headed back to our room to get ready for our dinner.  We decided to stay on property our first night and dine at Elevage, which turned out to be a good thing, since it began to rain as we headed down for our 7pm reservation. Fortunately for us, that was the only rain we saw the remainder of our trip. Shaina and I decided to mosey up to the bar before sitting down for dinner. Bartender Jack (donning a blue & white checkered shirt which we discovered was a highly favored choice of garb of men in Tampa) crafted up a Moscow Mule for me, which I am happy to report was served in the proper copper cup and was outstanding. Shaina ordered the Watermelon Pisco which of course I got to try and it was delicious as well. It was made with Kappa Pisco, House watermelon syrup and lime juice. Time to have a seat for the main attraction.

Our server Kylie and Restaurant Manager Joshua were very attentive and helpful in making recommendations to us.  We decided to start off by sharing the Horiatiki Salad, made with watermelon, feta, cucumber, pickled onion, spicy greens and tossed with a cracked olive vinaigrette.

I spotted sauteed Fiddleheads on the menu and was so intrigued. Neither of us had ever heard of them. Turns out they are the furled fronds of a young fern that we were told were only available for a short window in the Spring. Ours were sauteed with garlic, shallot, chili flakes. They had the texture of a crunchy green bean with a slight bitterness that we both found to be irresistible. We devoured these.

 

Another side that we both really went crazy for was the smashed cauliflower made simply with farmhouse cheddar and breadcrumbs. The ingredients may be few, but what they do to transform them back there in the kitchen is what Elevage is all about- taking the familiar and elevating it to a whole new level. I think we are both still salivating over this dish.

For our entrees, Shaina chose Scallop a la Greque with artichokes, sunchokes, asparagus, licorice herbs and saffron vinaigrette. Of course I got a taste and the scallops were cooked perfectly and the flavors all came together very nicely. I ordered the Duck Paprikash with crispy duck confit, buttermilk dumplings, kale and spicy paprika cream. I loved every bite of the duck and the sauce complimented the dish perfectly.

Rounding the bend, we approach the final stretch of the evening…dessert. Decisions, decisions. The pecan brownie with ganache and salted caramel ice cream won out amongst some stiff competition. As Shaina so eloquently put it, “So fudgy, so chocolatey, so delicious.”

Our room overlooked Bern’s Steak House. I have been to Bern’s many many years ago but on this trip, we just did not have time. We did learn though that Bern’s has a farm about a half hour away. Also another fact which may be of interest to some of you, there’s a huge nondescript building next door to Bern’s. Turns out that’s their warehouse where they store well over 700,000 bottles of wines. There are 7,000 plus wines on the Bern’s wine list. They have earned the designation as having the largest and most extensive wine list in the country for a restaurant. Pretty impressive, I’d say.

I can’t thank the Epicurean team enough for hosting us and for their most gracious hospitality. We will be back. Maybe this summer for the Epic Chef Showdown to support Feeding America Tampa Bay. Friends, if you are interested in visiting the Epicurean Hotel, I would highly recommend that you do so. You will be glad you did!

The Epicurean Hotel is located at 1207 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606

Their phone number is 813-999-8700. Click here to be taken to their website.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

Denise Righetti

C.F.O. (Chief Foodie Officer)

Savor Our City

www.SavorOurCity.com

 

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