EASTER BRUNCH- Best restaurants to reserve

Steak 954
N. Ft. Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 414-8333
www.starr-restaurant.com

For a while on a Sunday, families and friends could gather at Steak954 and have a great time together during brunch. Everything on the menu is delicious and reservations can be made via email, phone or on the internet at Open Table. Some highlights are the American Wagyu sliders, smoked salmon, potato pancake with hollandaise sauce, blueberry pancakes with chantilly cream, and much more.


Coconuts
429 Seabreeze Blvd
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 525-2421
www.coconutsfortlauderdale.com

If there is a visual picture associated with Sunday brunch, it’s smiling family members gathered in front of the restaurant, making their way in for a delicious meal and then to leave with the sun setting on the horizon, ending what seems like a perfect day. Coconuts would be the best place to make this vision a reality with its setting on the water. Coconuts’ Sunday brunch menu makes the mouth water with such choices as the Moo & Cluck (marinated skirt steak, two eggs and chimichurri sauce), shrimp & grits and the seafood frittata (Maine lobster, shrimp, lump crab with tarragon and hollandaise).

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
1600 Lenox Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 538-5220
www.runchickenrun.com

Don’t drive down 16th Street from Alton Road too quickly or you will pass by Yardbird if you’ve never been before. After making the right hand turn, pass the McDonald’s and start to look for side parking. If none is available around the popular restaurant, park at any of the garages on Lincoln Road and take a walk over. Walking through the world-famous blocks on Lincoln Road and to Yardbird is fantastic. Once you get a table, choose from such delicacies as the chicken, watermelon and waffles, big ol’ waffle or the healthy fresh fruit and maple pecan granola.

Devon Seafood + Steak
11715 Sherri Lane
Miami, FL 33183
(305) 275-0226
www.devonseafood.com

Devon makes its brunch menu easy but “easy” doesn’t mean lacking in quality or presentation. It offers a brunch buffet menu with omelets made to order, a cold seafood display, waffles and entree selections like fresh scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, Thai chicken wings, seared Atlantic salmon, etc. Reservations can be made on the Open Table website and customers can take advantage of seating by arriving earlier because the demand for the food at Devon eats up parking spaces.

Crackers Casual Dining
78 Canal St
Miami Springs, FL 33166
(786) 518-3268
www.facebook.com

Located in residential area of Miami Springs, this restaurant has a brunch item that trumps all others — Captain Crunch French toast. Yes, the popular cereal that has fed generations has been turned into a brunch menu item. The food offered is Southern style with other selections like chorizo omelets, Chef Bob’s collard greens, catfish nuggets and chicken fried chicken.


EGG HUNTS

Coral Gables Eggstreme Egg Hunt and Helicopter Egg Drop, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4th, five parks throughout Coral Gables, free. Children will be able to enjoy egg hunts going on simultaneously at five Coral Gables parks, including a helicopter egg drop at the War Memorial Youth Center, carnival, concerts, and prizes.

Easter Brunch at the Delano Sunday, April 5th 11am to 4pm Brunch at the Delano’s Bianca restaurant $90/person. Endless champagne and Bloody Mary bar. Live bunnies and an Easter Egg hunt in the orchard.

Spring Eggstravaganza Party on Miami Beach, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4th, 501 72nd St, Miami Beach, FL 33141., free. Crafts and photographs with the Bunny. Carnival rides and concessions sold. Egg Hunt for children 10 and younger at 11:00 am.

Jungle Island Easter Mega Egga Hunt & Sunday Easter Brunch The three-day event features Easter egg hunts, rides, arts and crafts, bounce houses and the Easter Bunny. The fun runs April 3-5 from 10am-6pm  Easter Brunch at Jungle Island ($50/adults, $37/children) 11am-3pm Price includes park admission, brunch and tax.

Bunny Palooza at the Miami Seaquarium April 3-5, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Easter Weekend in Miami gets underway with BunnyPalooza 2015 at Miami Seaquarium, which hops onto the scene from Friday, April 3 to Easter Sunday, April 5. Guests will enjoy continuous Easter Egg Hunts throughout the day, and five acres of adrenaline pumping fun with bounce houses, slides, rides, Rock Climbing Wall, plus many prizes and surprises. The Easter Parade will start daily at 12:30 p.m. complete with floats, bands, strolling performers, costumed characters and of course the Easter Bunny.

Easter Brunch at Smith and Wollensky Miami Beach Sunday, April 5th. Serving Brunch & Dinner, including a $49 Prime Rib Special with Duck Fat Roasted Root Vegetables and Yorkshire Pudding.

Marshmallow Drop Miami Shores Saturday, April 4th 9:30am Children 10 and under join in the fun as marshmallows are dropped from a helicopter over the recreation fields. Goodies surprises and a magical show.

Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park Spring Egg Hunt, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4th, 1725 NE 135 St., North Miami, FL, 33181 Easter egg hunt, face painting, prizes, and music. For kids 12 and under. $1.00 admission per person.

Easter Egg Hunt at Cutler Ridge Park, 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4th, 10100 SW 200 St, Cutler Bay, FL 33157  Children 9 and under. The Miami Balloon Guy, Egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, and a bounce house. For more info call 305-238-4166

Spring Extravaganza at Gulfstream Park Sat, Apr 4 from 11am-2pm. Meet the Easter Bunny, join an Easter Egg Hunt and enjoy crafts, face painting, sing-a-long & giveaways.

Dino Egg Safari at Zoo Miami April 4-5 from 11:00an-4:00pm Kids 12 and under will enjoy continuous dino egg hunts, fun activities, the Easter Bunny and more. Don’t forget that the zoo makes “special” eggs out of paper maché for the animals to “find.”

Everytime I would drive or walk by or patron this restaurant, I immediately felt transported to New York City--the bistro-like setting, the dark wood storefront with long windows and "wine and cheese" etched in the glass window, and the inviting signage.  For those who know me, I love cats, especially black cats, and I appreciate jazz music.  Le Chat Noir offers live jazz music in a wine cellar! What's the big deal or "novedad" as they say in Spanish?  Read on!


If the name rings a bell, that is because "Le Chat Noir" is the name of the first modern cabaret which opened in Paris in 1881 by impresario Rodolphe Solis.  This 19th century establishment introduced a place where guests could sit at tables, drink wine and enjoy a variety of stage shows with a master of ceremonies that interacted with regular guests.  But the name "Le Chat Noir" is most known for the iconic poster by artist Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen featuring a black cat.



Outside the front door, a painting of a blues jazz black cat signaled of what to expect-- a dark mahogany interior, shades of burgundy and orange, piano notes, and a staircase leading to the wine cellar and the "action".  As it was daytime, around 4pm, the live jazz music was scheduled for later in the evening. 

Hanging light fixture

But this historical tale is not over. A bright yellow sign is permanently affixed to the front window.

This establishment was a designated bomb shelter in the 1960s in preparation for a possible war. The current wine cellar was the protective bunker for locals. There were very few "basements" in Miami and I wonder the origins of the building.  Another project to add to my list of historical research!


For the moment I wanted to take a break, enjoy a small meal, glass of wine and absorb the ambience, the perfect escape from the everyday bustle.



Le Chat Noir is mostly known for its wine and live jazz music. But they also serve lunch specials. I enjoyed a tasty turkey Panini sandwich with choice of soup of the day (potato soup) or salad for only $6.99!! What a great valu !  The wine was additional. Normally $10-12 a glass but I sweet talked the manager for an equally enticing lunch special ($6.50)

Malbec wine from Mendoza  Argentina and Turkey Panini

As I was about to leave, two gentleman sat down at the opposing outdoor table smoking cigars. The talkative and amiable Italian manager greeted them as regulars and introductions were made.  Miami continues to grow as a cosmopolitan city attracting visitors from around the world.  Phil Katz is a native Miamian (a rarity) and Zhenja Prokhorenko is former professional tennis player from Russia. New friendships were made.



Phil Katz, Zhenja Prokhorenko, Christine Michaels

I plan to return to Le Chat Noir one evening for jazz music and more wine. 

The restaurant opens daily at 12pm for lunch except Sundays, and live jazz music performances during the peak season is as follows:

Tuesday 7pm-11pm
Wed. & Thurs 9pm-12pm
Fri & Sat 10pm-1am


 Be sure to visit for lunch or evening entertainment. And ladies, if you visit in daytime, warning! There's a Macy's directly across the street.

Here's to charming bistros, good wine, food, and company; and great jazz music at night!

This year for my cousin's birthday she chose the new La Mar restaurant featuring elevated Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. Combining Asian and Spanish flavors is not new in Miami. Peruvian food has been braided with Japanese flavors for a century. When diplomatic relations between Peru and Japan opened in the late 1800's, thousands of Japanese from that country's southern islands left for the mountainous nation on South America's Pacific Coast. The nigiri and sushi roll are modified yet commonplace now around the globe. At the helm is Peruvian superstar chef Gaston Acurio who teamed up with Diego Oka as executive chef. Oka was born to Japanese grandfather who came to Peru in the 1940's. Seafood is the common bond between the two cultures and Oka marries them in elevated finesse.

Mandarin Oriental hotel on Brickell Key at twilight

Housed in the only hotel on Brickell Key, the Mandarin Oriental, you enter the lobby and saunter passed the bar if you're not tempted for a drink.

Lobby bar of Mandarin Oriental Hotel

The menu is divided in nine sections and portions are small to encourage tapas-style sampling across the board. As competition in fine dining escalates alongside new high rises, authenticity and presentation are the game changers. All products are locally sourced, ceramic dishware is made by Peruvian artisans and wooden boats used for presentation are made by the chef’s father.

MENU
Cebiches (or Ceviches)
Tiraditos -Japanese sashimi Peruvian style flavored with lime marinade, aji peppers, and fish juice
Causas (whipped potatoes)
Peruvian Nikei World - Peruvian nigri inspired by more than 100 years of Japanese immigrants
Ensaladas (Spanish for salads)
Piqueos (appetizers, starters)
Anticuchos (skewers)
Arroces - rice dishes prepared in a wok
Peruvian specialties-full plates of food for single serving

First business of order was a drink selection. Pisco sour is the popular cocktail.  The Passion Fruit Pisco sour caught my attention and craving for sweet and tart.  The serving size was generous than most upscale restaurants and the blending of flavors were exceedingly delicious.

Maracuya Pisco Sour

Next is the staple Peruvian potato dish, whipped potatoes with aji pepper and different toppings. We ordered the Chalanita for a sampling of all three: the Nikei (rocoto pepper, tuna tartar, avocado, sweet chili sauce, rocoto pepper cream, nori;  the Olivo (yellow potato, octopus tartare, olive sauce, piquillo peppers, garlic chimichurri; and the Cangrejo (beet causa, crab, avocado, huancaina sauce, kale, cherry tomatoes, quail egg.) 

Beautiful presentation. See below handcrafted boats.

Causas and ceviches (classic, criollo and nikei)

Plancha Antichuchera

Chaufa Aeropuerto

Anticuchos of Corazon and Wagyu Beef

The skyline and panoramic view at this location is the best in the city. Expansive waterway, glowing high rises and lit bridge make this restaurant destination memorable you'll want to return for more

I award this 5 stars out of 5 stars, for food creativity and presentation, service, and location.
Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!


LA MAR by Gaston Acurio
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
500 Brickell Key Dr 
Miami, FL 33131 33131  

My favorite summer activity is here! Dining indoors at the best Miami restaurants for discounted pricing. The event is an epicurean delight called MIAMI SPICE. From Homestead, to South Beach, to Aventura, restaurants of all scales participate in Miami Spice to showcase their signature dishes at mouth-watering prices.

Miami is known for New World Cuisine, a fusion of international flavors whether it's Asian and Cuban to Japanese and Peruvian or an elegant twist on Thai, Indian and Colombian dishes.  World-renowned chefs are often behind these creations.

The program runs two months, August and September. While considered the slow "tourist" season, the program was created to entice locals to rediscover the fabulous restaurants in their city. Now both locals and Floridians traveling as far as Jacksonville, and tourists who do their homework, plan their visit to Miami to take advantage of this foodie adventure. One can plan an entire week around this event.

This year there are two price sets: $19 and $23 for Lunch and $33 and $39 for Dinner before tax and tip. Keep in mind many of the restaurants do not offer Miami Spice on peak days such as Friday and Saturday. Be sure to check each restaurants schedule of offerings and menu.

Like any program there are the stellar offerings for decent portions and generous offerings across the menu to quite the opposite. Below are my recommendations and a list of ones to avoid to get your money's worth!

Now some restaurants offer more options and portions. Here are some of my favorites on the mainland, Key Biscayne and South Beach.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Start your tour in Coral Gables near the famed Miracle Mile. This modern, handsome, warm and inviting steakhouse offers adequate portions, flavorful meals, outstanding service and an additional twist--a Miami Spice wine menu--wine pairings for each course also at a discounted price. Fleming's raises the bar by offering four courses vs. the standard three course menu. A starting appetizer plus a salad, followed by an entree and finale dessert.  Non meat dishes such as tuna and seafood stew are also available. Click here to read my recent review.



Rusty Pelican
One of my favorites is this long-time icon on Key Biscayne with the best water view. Rusty Pelican also offers a representative sampling of the regular menu -- and that includes all price ranges. Rusty Pelican's five appetizer choices include many of the restaurant signatures, like empanadas of duck confit, foie gras, and goat cheese; sea bass ceviche; and sea bass/salmon croquetas. Main courses are shrimp, mussels, and little neck clams en papillote with lobster broth; sauteed local black sea bass with asparagus, basmati rice, and cinnamon broth; roasted organic chicken with sides; and braised Australian lamb shank with bacon-potato hash. The four desserts include key lime pie, mango cheesecake covered in milk chocolate, coconut panna cotta with passion fruit gelee and berries, or a café con leche/cookies-and-cream ice cream combo. ($23 lunch; $39 dinner. Not available for Saturday lunch or dinner).

Sea Bass ceviche

Tantra
Many restaurants come and go over the years, but this one has lasted not just for its sex appeal but the food that drives it. The "Aprhodisiac Beauty Cuisine" offers choice of sea bass ceviche; crab/rock shrimp cakes; veal pelmeni (dumpling) with creamy truffle-harissa sauce and Paradise Farms pea shoots; and a "Love Apple", which is a layered Caprese salad with Laura Chenel goat cheese in place of mozzarella. For main course, diners can select a surf and turf of butter-poached Caribbean lobster and grilled Angus rib eye steak with yellow curry cream. Or a seafood hot pot, or chicken tikka, or salmon pinwheels with black Thai rice. Desserts are determined daily by the chef. That's a fine selection of dishes -- plus it might improve your looks and sex life. Not too shabby for $39 and they are open Friday and Saturday for dinner. No surprise this restaurant is located on South Beach.

Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi
Speaking of sex appeal, this one get points for entertainment value. Personally I don't eat sushi so I have not sampled this restaurant for portion size or creativity.  However, it's quite the buzz for spicing up the Miami Spice program with its' Naked Sushi. It's Miami, so your guess is probably spot on.  This food is served on a naked model. Click here for local news report. Kung Fu Kitchen & Sushi is located inside the Catalina Hotel & Beach Club.

(Lunch is $19 and Dinner $33; Open daily!)



Restaurants I would not recommend given their low-end or boring menu offerings or scaled down portions:

While Juvia is the most celebrated upscale hotel known for its setting (atop a parking garage) and trinity of food flavors French, Japanese and Peruvian (read my review),  the portions for Miami Spice are stingy.  Other Miami Vices to avoid: Makoto, J&G Grill, Palme d'Or.

Other restaurants to avoid for boring menu: Morton's Steak House, Mr. Chow,  Gibraltar, Trulucks Seafood, and Jaguar Ceviche.

Some of these are popular and Jaguar Ceviche is one of my favorites, but their Miami Spice menu  price is not much different than ordering a la carte. Let's hope they serve regular portions.

For a list of participating restaurants, CLICK HERE.

 Let us know  how you spiced it up by clicking below on "comment" and share your experience!