THE FESTIVAL OF CHOCOLATE COMING 

TO FT. LAUDERDALE!

It's simply Chocolate Heaven!

The Festival of Chocolate is the Largest All-Chocolate Event in the Southeastern United States featuring an incredible Vendor Showcase with chocolates and treats from the region's best Chocolatiers and Confection Companies; Demonstrations by World Class Pastry Chefs; Live Competitions by Pastry Professionals; Chocolate and Wine Pairings; a Chocolate Game Show Stage; The Math and Science of Chocolate; Kids-4-Chocolate Workshop; Crazy Chocolate Contests for children and adults; Interactive Chocolate Classes and much more!  

ADVANCE PURCHASE OF TICKETS REQUIRED.

This past Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to visit a very popular restaurant in Midtown Miami--Sugarcane restaurant.

A balmy September weeknight, we eyed the Miami Spice menu. Upon learning the portions are appetizer- size plates, we then compared the Miami Spice menu ($39)  to regular menu.  Our voracious appetites tilted the scales to order a la carte.  So in Rome we followed the Romans AND ordered three separate dishes and shared the dessert.

Leni and I both ordered the goat cheese croquettes for our first dish--something fast. Fresh, hot out of the oven, the breaded cheese lava balls seemed to lacked flavor. Our hunger pangs cinching our stomachs, we inhaled them and enjoyed them nonetheless.

Next, I ordered the famous bacon wrapped dates. This week I'm on a quest for the most memorable bacon/pork belly dish.  The dates, with orange mush oozing out reminded me of squashed cockroach. Sorry for the visual but that was the appearance in very dimly lit outdoor patio.  If I had not tasted bacon wrapped FIGS, a memorable experience from YEARS AGO, then the dates would rank high.  But there was no comparison.  Figs are superior to dates.



For final main course, I ordered skirt steak with chimichurri sauce.  Portions were small, but as our third plate, it was filling.  For dessert Leni and I shared three scoops of ice cream and sorbet. The total bill came to $38 after taxes so we actually ate more for less than the Miami Spice menu.

Expectations were high and the results fell short. However, in studying the menu, other cleverly named dishes and ingredients did pique my palate. The cocktails appeared sumptuous. Perhaps a second visit is in the foreseeable future.

Miami Beach a growing mecca for celebrated and celebrity chefs with evolving fusion recipes, is now kicking off the seafood season, Saturday, October 19th in Miami Beach. And in style. Notable icon restaurants, Truluck's, Smith & Wollensky, Joe's Stone Crab will each host a Wine Pairing and Seafood Dine kickoff event. Attend these high flutin events and receive admission to the all day festival on October 19.

Join in the fun at this oceanfront Seafood experience, complete with local restaurants, full bars, live music, demos, a kids zone, and more. Area restaurants will feature individual culinary gardens and menu options of signature dishes, like stone crabs, lobster mac, raw bar, ceviche, and paella. Stay busy with chef demos and interactive activities and don't forget the little ones in the kids' zone.

 Visit www.sobeseafoodfest.com for more information and to purchase your tickets.