Entries from The Amateur Gourmet tagged with 'Miami'
When You Can't See Your Food (Michael's Genuine)
Once I was throwing a party in Atlanta and I had the fluorescent lights on in my apartment and my friend Ricky came and said, "Adam, no, no, no, turn off the overhead lights and turn on the lamps; this is a party, not a doctor's office." The lesson I learned then is a lesson that successful restaurants have long understood: lighting matters. You may take it for granted, but the difference between the corner diner with the buzzing, yellowing strips of light and the trendy, upscale bistro two doors down with sconces and a soft, ambient glow is more than just the quality of the food. Dining is theater--people go out to see and to be seen--and if a restaurant makes you look bad, or makes the food look bad, you won't likely go back....
Cuban Food in Miami (A Tour)
Nick Calzada is Craig's film school friend who lives in Miami. Anytime we go to Florida, Craig says: "Let's go visit my friend Nick in Miami" and inevitably we never have the time. This trip, though, we made a point to schedule a day with Nick; not only to hang out (he and Craig had lots of film stuff to catch up on) but, more selfishly, so I could convince Nick--who happens to be Cuban--to give us a tour of Miami's Cuban culture. Specifically: the food. Lucky for us, Nick was totally game. He told us to meet him at Versailles Restaurant on SW 8th Street. That's where our story begins....
The FN Dish Goes to Miami (The South Beach Wine & Food Festival)
At the end of the weekend and our trip to The South Beach Wine & Food Festival, my director, Matthew Horovitz, turned to me and said, "You've met everyone now. There's no one left to meet!" Watch the following video--the 2nd official episode of "The FN Dish"--and tell me if you disagree. If that video left you dazzled and discombobulated, allow me to walk you through everything you just saw: a day-by-day breakdown of the festival with some big surprises thrown in too....
Off To South Beach
What a chore this Food Network job is turning out to be... now I have to leave this 26 degree New York weather for the tropical beaches of Miami and a forecast of 83 degrees. Could life get any harder? Feel free to hate me. Full reports and videos on Monday! Until then, have a great rest of your week....
