Join us at The Water Club in Aventura, home of the talented duo from Talula — Frank and Top Chef Alum Andrea Curto-Randazzo — for a happy hour event. The Water Club (occupying the space that was once Shooters) is a casual upscale restaurant offering indoor and outdoor dining options. The creative menu focuses on fresh ingredients prepared daily using natural cooking techniques. To pair up with the contemporary menu, The Water Club features over 200 wines by the glass.
When: Tuesday, September 7 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: The Water Club in the Intracoastal Mall, 3969 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door and free for paid Dine Club members with an advance RSVP. This includes 1 drink (TBD) and a selection of complimentary hors d’oeuvres.
CANCELLED — new location will be posted soon.
For a classic South Florida restaurant, we introduce you to Chef Allen’s Modern Seafood Grill. Since 1986, Chef Allen’s has been a South Florida dining landmark. At the helm of this welcoming restaurant is the James Beard award-winning chef/owner Allen Susser, whose innovative seafood menu – rich with influences from the Caribbean and Latin America – focuses on only the best local and seasonal ingredients.
When: Tuesday, June 22
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Chef Allen’s Modern Seafood Grill, 19088 NE 29th Ave, Aventura
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
For this event, guests will enjoy a glass of Stella Mosca, La Cala, Vermentino or JL Columbo, Cote du Rhone.
MENU:
Ceviche on a Silver Spoon
Chicken Truffles with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce
Guava and Brie Crostini
Wild Shrimp & Chorizo Skewer
Marinated White Anchovy on Ciabatta
Mini Crab Cake with Mango Chutney
For anyone who would like to stay for dinner, Chef Allen’s offers a 3-course Lobster Dinner on Tuesday nights for $36 (or $46 with beer).
Michael Mina — celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, mentor — whatever you want to call him, Michael Mina is a star. He has been pleasing our palates with award-winning cuisine in his 17 restaurants, one being Bourbon Steak in Aventura. Whenever I dine at Bourbon Steak, I know that I am about to embark on a culinary (and foodgasmic) journey filled with offerings that are elegant, top quality and perfectly executed. So when I received an invite to dine at Bourbon Steak when Michael Mina was in town, I immediately rearranged my schedule to attend.
My evening was filled with multiple courses of Michael Mina’s specialties prepared by Michael Mina himself and executive chef Gabriel Fenton. Each paired with wines from Bourbon Steak’s sommelier, Matthew Turner.
Duck Fat Fries
A meal is not complete to any of Michael Mina’s restaurants without an order of his Duck Fat Fries so this seemed to be a perfect beginning. Going along with the “trio” concept that Mina is famous for, you are presented with 3 variations of the fries and 3 variations of dipping sauces. These are perfect to pair with any one of the sumptuous burgers (I still feel like they are the best around) or one of the spiked milk shakes, or as a starter to your meal.
American Caviar Parfait
Another classic not to be missed is Mina’s American Caviar Parfait. Layered atop a potato croquette cake, this masterpiece melded together the flavors and textures of smoked salmon, creme fraiche and nutty caviar.
Lobster Pot Pie
Another dish, that was downright perfect, was the lobster pot pie. Luscious, tender pieces of lobster were baked with carrots, potatoes, and mushroom with a truffled cream sauce inside a flaky pastry crust. The aromas, the flavors, everything about this dish was exciting, and a feast to remember.
Miso Glazed Sea Bass
And the feast went on… Miso Glazed Sea Bass with toasted pearl pasta brought a fatty fish that melted in your mouth and the trio of desserts included a molten chocolate cake, a passion fruit panna cotta and a plate of beignets with a trio of dipping sauces.
Beignets with trio of dipping sauces
A trip to Bourbon Steak is a feast for your senses, and although Michale Mina being at the restaurant definitely added to the experience, this is one place I can go, where I know I will get a near perfect dining experience every time.
Bourbon Steak is located at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, 19999 West Country Club Drive, Aventura, FL 33180 (786) 279-6600
Join us for a Happy Hour event at Ocean Prime. This Modern American Supper Club showcases a large selection of prime seafood & steaks prepared with simple ingredients, along with handcrafted cocktails & world-class wines. Once inside, you will enjoy the sophisticated and fun atmosphere. For this event, guests will enjoy 1 Xante cocktail and a selection of complimentary hors d’oeuvres like their Truffled Devil Eggs, Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli and Point Judith Calamari.
Where: Ocean Prime, 19501 Biscayne Blvd (located next to Nordstrom at the Aventura Mall)
When: Tuesday, December 1, 6 -8 pm
Cost: $10 in advance, $15 at the door
For this week’s events, we made our way into all three counties. On Tuesday, we made a stop at The Grill on the Alley. Although, it is located at the Aventura Mall, The Grill is a nice change from your typical mall restaurant. With an elegant atmosphere, an attentive and friendly staff, and scrumptious crab cakes that we couldn’t get enough of, we quickly discovered that the Happy Hour at The Grill on the Alley is one of the best around. In addition to the crab cakes, we loved the Kobe Beef Sliders, Endive Spears, Tuna Tartare and Mozzarella Caprese Skewers. Two lucky guests even won $50 gift certificates to the restaurant.
On Wednesday, we were greeted by the very creative Chef Joe Angelucci from Secrets Piano Bar and Grill at The Windsor Gardens Hotel in North Palm. Have you ever had Deviled Quail Eggs? Gingered Chicken Potstickers? or even House made Tequila Gravlax? If you were at our Happy Hour event at Secrets, you were able to taste these culinary treats. Once again, Chef Joe pleased our palates, as we enjoyed an evening of networking and taste sensations. We will be sure to return very soon (well, actually he’s hosting a fabulous wine dinner at the restaurant on September 3 and yes, I’ll be there). We have many pictures for you to take a look at.
