Miami

May 23, 2013

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La Côte at the Fontainebleau takes oceanside dining to a whole other level!

May 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Are you looking for a place where the food, service and location will exceed your expectations? La Côte at the Fontainebleau is the spot where you can enjoy delectable French Mediterranean cuisine with sweeping views of beautiful South Beach.

All the photos in this post were taken by me during lunch last week and my only wish is that I could somehow share the delicious flavors of each dish with you virtually. But since I can’t, I want all you Miami folks out there (and those of you planning a trip to our sunny oasis) to pay a visit to La Côte and Chef de Cuisine Christina Coupet who will ensure you have an amazing dining experience.

Chef Christina picked a variety of her best lunch options for me to sample and each one was better than the next. We started off with the Hamachi Ceviche (photo above left) that was flavored with lemon and coriander oil. After growing up in a Peruvian household, I feel I can call myself an expert on ceviche and this one was delish!

Following up next we tried the Seared Haloumi Cheese Dish which had cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and an oregano lemon vinaigrette. If you are a fan of cheese, I highly recommend this item. The dressing was also so good I was hoping a bottle of it would be available for sale so I could have it more often but alas I will happily just have to go to La Cote more often!

Seared Haloumi Cheese

Their Tomato Salad wasn’t far behind and was sprinkled with fried feta, basil and a side of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This dish was also very good but I think after having so many tomatoes with my Haloumi Cheese plate that I was wasn’t prepared for more.

This would be the perfect dish however if someone is looking to enjoy a light healthy lunch on its own.

The salad was followed by the Vegetable Pissaladiere (Photo, top right) which was grilled flatbread with caramelized onions, goat cheese, olives, roasted tomatoes and mixed greens. This is the perfect example of a dish I would have never picked out for myself but totally took me by surprise!

The star of the Pissaladiere is really the goat cheese which gives you a punch of flavor just as you take a bite.

Our final dish of the afternoon was the Seared Scallops with snap peas and crispy shallots. Did someone tell Chef Christina scallops are my favorite??!! Yeah this dish definitely a highligh and I know you will enjoy it just as much if you are a fan of seafood.

Seared Scallops

Throughout lunch, I sampled two varieties of their sangria– the Sancerre & Pear White Sangria and the Côte de Provence Rosé Sangria. I don’t want to pick a favorite because they are each SO different but I did prefer the Rosé version.

There was no way Chef Christina would let us get away without sampling a bit of dessert no matter how full we said we were! So she sent over a Quatro Leches– a coconut biscuit topped with salted caramel ice cream.

Quatro Leches

It goes without saying but I didn’t have dinner that night. I was so full and happy!! :)

La Côte is located poolside next to the Ocean Lawn and is open for lunch & early dinner fom 11 AM – 6 PM daily and dinner from 6 PM – 9 PM Thursday – Saturday. If you want to experience the stunning view of the ocean, make sure you request a seat upstairs.

For more information, click here for their website or call (305) 674 – 4710 for a reservation.

*Disclosure: I was treated to lunch at La Côte for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Filed Under: Miami Tagged With:

Miami Food Trucks ‘Breakfast Challenge” winner is…….

February 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

To anyone who says they can’t find anything fun to do in Miami that doesn’t include a trip to a South Beach nightclub is dead wrong! The party was hopping last night at Tobacco Road where the famous Miami Food Trucks lined up to welcome foodies from as far away as Port Saint Lucie.

Sef from Burger Beast hosted a fun “Breakfast Challenge” where judges tasted samplings from all the trucks before crowning one lucky winner. As one of the honored judges, I will tell you this is a very difficult process. The more I sit in as a judge at these fabulous food events I’m learning the tricks of the trade…ie. don’t eat more than a bite or two or you will not make it through the contest!

I walked into the event with an open mind, even though I don’t count myself as a “breakfast” fan. My favorite meals are normally lunch or dinner, but I will say I left with many new ideas when creating the “most important meal of the day” from home.

Every single participant should have taken home a special badge for originality. No two dishes were alike though many breakfast staples were incorporated like bacon and eggs.

But since there could only be one winner, the truck with the most votes was Purple People Eatery who made these small waffle sandwiches that featured honey maple ham, a quail egg, scallions and blueberry syrup. YUMMY!

To work off all the calories I took in, I walked around with friends to check out the different trucks and to visit my fellow judge Jack at the Patio Bar located inside Tobacco Road. After 30 years of employment at this South Florida institution, you can bet I heard some pretty amazing stories!

The ones about Colin Farrell during his time shooting Miami Vice will have to remain a secret, but Jack did tell me what the reformed bad boy enjoyed nibbling on during his frequent visits. His go to menu item was, the Cowboy Burger! It has cheddar cheese, grilled onions, and is smothered in bbq sauce.

YUM!

I also heard stories about hunk Lenny Kravitz! I can’t tell you the one that features 5 Russian models, but I can tell you he loves the “Death Burger.” This one features pepper jack cheese and a special blend of sauteed onions and jalapeños they call, “Death Love.”

To find out where you can experience the food trucks yourself, go to their official website here. And for details on Tobacco Road, check out their website here. You never know who will be stopping by!


Photo Cred: Photogenpix
Filed Under: Events, Miami Tagged With:

Santigold rocked the house at Absolut’s Miami Launch Party

January 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There is a reason Miami is known as The Magic City! Not only do we know how to party but we have some of the most breathtaking locations and warm temperatures you won’t see anywhere else this time of year!

Absolut Vodka celebrated the launch of their sixth limited edition, city-inspired flavor—ABSOLUT MIAMI at the Fontainebleau Hotel on South Beach last week. Headlining the event was singer/songwriter Santigold who entertained the excited crowd with her high energy and popular hits.

Speaking of the crowd, do you guys know that one of my favorite artists of all time was in attendance?!  Yep, Taylor Dayne was in the house jammin’ to the bumpin’ beat!

I wish I could have taken you all with me so that you could have seen the crazy bars Absolut set-up throughout the hotel’s outdoor garden area! They had drinks flowing all night including three signature cocktails: Absolut® Miami Mojito, Absolut® Miami South Beach Breeze, and the Absolut® Miami Sizzle.

Absolut Miami features a citrus combination inspired by the Sunshine State – passion fruit and orange blossom. My favorite cocktail of the night was the South Beach Breeze.

To make this at home all you need is:

2 PARTS ABSOLUT MIAMI
1.5 PARTS FRESH ORANGE JUICE
1.5 PARTS FRESH PINEAPPLE JUICE

Build over ice in a highball glass and stir. Garnish with a pineapple spear and lime wedge.

Absolut Miami is on sale throughout the United States, grab yours before they are all gone!

Photo Cred: Absolut

Filed Under: Events, Miami, Music Tagged With: , , ,

Whitney Port and Ciara face off in Miami Bikini Battle

July 19, 2011 by 5 Comments

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week brought in many famous faces to sunny South Beach. And with all the runway shows and parties that took place, it’s no wonder Whitney Port and Ciara took some time off to enjoy our beautiful beaches.

The girls showed off their trendy bikinis and fit bodies on Monday, July 18th, 2011. Whitney opted for a floral patterned two piece while singer-songwriter Ciara opted for a sparkly pink suit.

I feel like both girls picked designs that suited their skin tones and body types perfectly. But if I had to choose one for me I think I would go with Whitney’s suit because of all the beautiful colors featured on her bikini.

Which do you like best?


Photo Cred: Pacific Coast News

Filed Under: Fashion, Miami Tagged With: , ,

Tom Cruise jets from Miami

May 17, 2011 by 2 Comments


You can tell that a longtime actor like Tom Cruise knows EXACTLY how to evade being photographed when he doesn’t want to be seen. Tom managed to be in Miami, Florida for at least a week for rehearsals of his new movie Rock of Ages without being snapped once!

He even attended a read through in full costume and managed to avoid the flash bulbs!

Though today became a very different day as he was (slightly!) captured while departing from the Opa Locka Airport via his private jet with daughter Suri and wife Katie Holmes. (May 17th, 2011)

No one knows exactly where the couple is heading to since filming is set to begin quite soon, so we can only assume that they will be back.

Good thing little Suri tried to hide from photographers in that half a second shown in the pictures or we wouldn’t have seen Tom’s face!


Photo Cred: Larry Marano

Filed Under: Celeb Life, Miami Tagged With: , , ,

Diego Boneta stays fit under the sun

May 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

We sure are seeing a lot of twenty year old Diego Boneta these days! I am elated that the Mexican actor and singer has been in town rehearsing and recording the soundtrack for the upcoming film, Rock of Ages right here in Miami, Florida.

Diego was photographed working out with a trainer getting in a variety of exercises including an ab workout with a medicine ball, running and jump roping early on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011. It sure must be difficult to stay fit under this South Florida heat and humidity but the 90210 hunk seems to be doing a great job at it!

Both Diego and his fitness companion are my heroes!

I have heard varied updates as far as shooting locations and dates so I am keeping a close eye on the situation for you guys. Stay tuned….


Photo Cred: Fame Pictures

Filed Under: Celeb Life, Miami Tagged With: , ,

FIRST LOOK: Charlie’s Angels

May 17, 2011 by 1 Comment

When Upfront times come around each year, it’s almost like getting a second Christmas. Television networks make the big announcements when you find out who has been naughty (cancellations!) and who has been nice (renewals/series pick ups!).

ABC announced early this morning that they were picking up one of MY most highly anticipated programs for their Fall 2011/12 season, Charlie’s Angels! With a cast including Friday Night Lights alum Minka Kelly, Rachel Taylor, Annie Ilonzeh and super hot Latin papi Robert Rodriguez what more could you ask for?

Well for starters, one of the sexiest city’s in the world as a the backdrop for the 1970′s reboot, MIAMI!!

Here the show description from the official press release:
Get ready for the knockout hit of the year. Charlie’s Angels is back and hotter than ever. Meet three ex-bad girls who are earning their wings by busting the really bad guys. Together with legendary producer Leonard Goldberg and Drew Barrymore, Smallville’s Alfred Gough and Miles Millar re-imagine the popular 1970′s series with more action, more eye candy and more heart than ever before.

You can catch Minka and the girls Thursday nights at 8 p.m on ABC.

Don’t forget to follow their official Facebook and Twitter accounts for all the latest news!

Check out the first official teaser trailer below:

Filed Under: Television Tagged With: , , ,