Christina Staalstrom

Share Our Strength: Miami Food Bloggers Bake to End Childhood Hunger

In an effort to help Share Our Strength, an organization that aims to end childhood hunger in the United States, eight Miami food bloggers are teaming up to make a dent in the charity's donations with a bake sale, set to take place at the South Miami Farmers Market April 28.Participating bloggers in ... More >>

First Bites: Flame Caffe & Grill on Espanola Way's date dining for the right price

​Espanola Way has its' charm but for the past 10 years it is often neglected by  locals.  But don't be put off by the tourists who take over the many quaint alcove-like restaurants and shops that flank this pedestrian street.  There are a few hidden gems along the two-block stretch ... More >>

Pubbelly Sushi Opens to Fish on a Plate and Erni Vales' Pigs on the Walls

​The guys who've been filling you to the brim with pork at Pubbellly have birthed a sibling to their winning concept with Pubbelly Sushi.  Opening tonight right next door, look for mouthwatering rolls briming with  porkbelly and clams ($12), softshell crab BLT ($13), and heirloom tomatoe ... More >>

It's National Chicken Day? Tudor House, Joe's, and Morgans Still Offer the Bird

​It's no secret that publicists will do anything to get their clients some press. Pollo Tropical, no exception to this rule, announced that today is National Chicken Day. After reading articles about this "food holiday" from local publications throughout the country, we did some research and could ... More >>

Magnum's Fried Chicken is All About the Bird

​Last night's episode of Crave on the FN was Fried Chicken: Deep Fried Love in a Bucket, during which the food critic host, Troy Johnson, gnawed his way through several states looking for "the most crave-worthy fried chicken." There was no Miami stop, but fear not, because here at Short Order we c ... More >>

Lizarran's Pinchos Are Tabletop Toast Art

​Who can forget Cher as the flamboyant Mrs. Flax in the '90s classic Mermaids. Her favorite dinner is finger food followed by marshmallow kebabs. She says, "Anything more represents too much of a commitment." Mrs. Flax, it seems, was a bit ahead of her time. From Asian tapas at Little Lotus, meze ... More >>

Scarpetta's Scott Conant Cooks a Mean Polenta for Miami Spice

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Scott Conant has all the makings of a celebrity chef -- charm, good looks, award-winning restaurants, multiple cookbooks, and popular network shows. But this begs the question of whether Scarpetta's owner can work his magic in the kitchen and be held to the same ... More >>

Tacontento in South Beach Closed?

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​A year after opening its doors, the Guatemalan-based tacqueria chain Tacontento seems to have given up. The outdoor furniture is haphazardly stacked indoors along with what looks like some plumbing pipes and the inside "bar agave" area with the large blowing angels lo ... More >>

La Cote's Newly Opened Terrace Offers Cooling Breezes and Cocktails

photo by Christina Staalstrom​Earlier this summer, we gave you a short list of suggestions for dining on the boardwalk. Temperatures have now soared into the high 90s, and all we want is to check out the beach scene with a light breeze and some shelter from the sun. As it turns out, this is hard t ... More >>

South Florida Foodies: Looking For a Foodgasm at Tudor House

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Secret supper clubs, underground dining groups, hidden kitchen groupies -- whatever you choose to call them, private dining clubs are popping up all over South Florida. And they're enticing food-obsessed diners who share a common passion -- the search for the ultimate ... More >>

Miami's best restaurant dishes

Zuma: Decadent Sunday Brunch Dishes and an Ethereal Egg In Pictures

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Zuma, known for contemporary Japanese dishes that are a feast to both eyes and mouth, now offers diners another opportunity to get "Zumafied" with a new Sunday brunch. The signature izakaya-dining style encourages sharing of dishes -- and the brunch takes this concept ... More >>

Ozzi Sushi Bar: Grab and Go On the Sushi Merry-Go-Round Downtown

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Downtown Miami was once bums, tourists, and day-old moros spilled on the sidewalk. But now it's cool. Case in point. Ozzi Sushi, a kaiten-style sushi bar -- or sushi-go-round. A large orchid mural is the bright backdrop for canals where miniature wooden "sushi b ... More >>

Prime One Twelve, Salad Creations, Joe's and the Five Best Chopped Salads

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​A chopped salad includes ingredients that -- you guessed it -- have been cut to uniform size and then mixed in some fashion depending on the style of the salad.A simple enough concept, yet the folks at Jimmy'Z Kitchen missed the mark with the big bowl of green s ... More >>

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Cafe to Reopen

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of those Miami gems that just gets better with age. Next month you'll be able to enjoy it at the cafe, which is due to re-open next month. The place was closed in 2005 when Hurricane Wilma flooded the ground level cafe located in John ... More >>

Roach Coaches: Miami's Original Food Trucks

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​With the surge of mobile food in the Miami area, it's easy to forget the" Roach Coaches" that stop at construction sites and building parking lots throughout the day to offer beverages, snacks, baked goods and hot food for bargain prices.Evelyn Garcia owns and operate ... More >>

Oriental Bakery Keeps It All in the Family

Amaya and Soha​Here at New Times, we've always been big fans of Oriental Bakery & Grocery and its freshly baked pita, falafel, and other Middle Eastern specialties. So we decided it was time to find out who is behind these mouthwatering treats.We make our way along the sidewalk, shaded by ... More >>

Mediterraneo at Jade Brickell: A New Neighborhood Hangout

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​"It feels like an aquarium." That's what Thierry Matamoros, executive chef at Mediterraneo Brickell wants you to say when dining at his restaurant located in Jade residential tower on Brickell Bay Drive. The blue lights, clean lines, fluid walls, and blue back-lit bar ... More >>

Hani's Organic Cheeses and His Fried Haloumi

​Hani Khouri did not grow up on a farm, yet today he looks right at home herding his 17 Nubian goats with the shepherd hook he carries. You would never know that three years ago, Hani and his wife Maria Lee led the life of expats residing in places such as Brazil, Saudia Arabia, Dubai, and Austria ... More >>

Conchita Brands, Just Like Your Mother's Pantry

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​If you've spent any time in a South Florida supermarket you'll recognize Conchita Brands. The signature red label with a blue square is synonymous with ingredients necessary for any pantry with a Latin flair. With flavors reminiscent of those that "Conchita" herself m ... More >>

Hialeah Products Company, not just for the nut lover.

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​If you've ever been to a bar in Miami, chances are Noah Lesser had some say in the snacks you ate.  Stayed in a hotel room and devoured the candy and dried fruits from the mini-bar? Thanks Noah. The second generation owner of Hialeah Products, Inc, started workin ... More >>

Flavor Exploration at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

photo by Christina Staalstrom​On a visit to Columbus, Ohio, this ice cream lover found the holy grail of all things frozen. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams shops is a small family owned business with big flavors. Using local fresh ingredients the seasonal flavors and toppings are a tribute to the Ohio ... More >>

Agave Loco Pepper-Cured Tequila Gives Drinks the Golden Touch

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​The Mexican craze continues to sweep Miami and Agave Loco Pepper-Cured Tequila is just what you need to go with that late night taco run.Made from 100 percent agave, this reposado tequila from Jalisco, Mexico is infused with a blend of six peppers to give it just the ... More >>

First & First Southern Baking Company: American Bakery, Southern-Style

photo by Christina Staalstrom​Ray Hicks, owner of First & First Southern Baking Company in downtown Miami, is a nice Southern boy from West Virginia. He wants to share with South Floridians his love of good old-fashioned baked treats and Southern cooking. Soft-spoken and cheeful, he ... More >>

Summer Road Trip: Highway Food Stop #2 Boiled Peanuts

photo by Christina Staalstrom​Heading north on I-95 through Georgia are roadside signs in bright red marker luring you to stop. They promise fresh peaches, tomatoes, watermelon, Vidalia onions, and boiled peanuts. At Exit 58, we leave the highway for "Mrs. T's Diner-Southern Country Cooking." Soon ... More >>

Summer Road Trip - Highway Food Stop #1: Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q

photo by Christina Staalstrom​Packing into the car and driving 1,300 miles to see friends up North for a summer break is in theory a lot of fun. But as the dullness of flat highway hits, conversation shifts to stopping for eats. Then, just as you cross the state line on I-95 and enter Georgia, the ... More >>

Delicias de España's "Fabada" Cooking Kit

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​In preparation for the Spain vs. Germany World cup semifinals which takes place at 2:30 on Wednesday afternoon) we hit up Delicias de España on Red Road to find out how to eat like a crazed Spanish soccer fan. This bright and friendly grocery-restaurant is a little b ... More >>

Nacho-Style Onion Rings at Smoke't Southern Tap and Kitchen

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Not for those with a weak stomach, but definitely worth the heartburn, the nacho-style onion rings at Smoke'T Southern Tap and Kitchen near the University of Miami are worth the extra hour you might need to spend at the gym. They are made with beer-battered onion ring ... More >>

Cheez-It: Your July 4 Cracker

photo by Christina Staalstrom​It's a holiday weekend and time to hit your local grocery store to stock up on party supplies. For most Americans, July 4 means burgers, hot dogs, ribs, coleslaw, and ice cream. And it seems everyone is jumping on the holiday discount bandwagon. A visit to a few local ... More >>

Sipping Rums at the Four Seasons

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Rum has a long and romantic history. Pirates in the Caribbean spun tales during rum-infused journeys, the British Navy was said to be run on "rum, sodomy, and the lash," and smugglers who satisfied America's thirst during Prohibition were known as "rum runners." ... More >>

Pizza Bread Basket at Spris

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​In this weight-obsessed, low-carb world, it is important to sometimes stop and smell the bread basket. Hit up Spris Restaurant on Lincoln Road to check out a warm, airy loaf with a crisp crust best enjoyed with some olive oil and a drizzle of salt. The bread, made in- ... More >>

USA Soccer Fever at David's Cafe

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​If you've been in Miami Beach for more than a day, you know that David's Cafeehas great coffee. But you might not know that Adrian Gonzalez, second generation owner of David's, has added big flat screen TV's to both locations making them a top World Cup viewing ... More >>

A.C.'s Icees Frosted to Fight the Heat

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​What does an athletic Midwestern boy do after moving to Miami? Sell lemonade, of course! That was Allen Cohen back in 1978, when he decided to say goodbye to Michigan winters and start "living the dream" in Miami.  An avid runner, he set up shop in Coconut Grove' ... More >>

Charlize Theron's Favorite: Baboutie for the World Cup

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Soccer fans from around the world have descended upon South Africa for the World Cup but not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to make the trip.  So we set out on a quest to find what South Africans eat on game day.The choices are varied.  Boerewors sa ... More >>

Home Cooking: Baboutie Recipe

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Try your hand at this dish, it's simple and delicious.Ingredients2 lbs ground beef or lamb, or a mixture of the 21/2 stick of butter1 onion chopped1/2 tsp crushed garlic1 tbsp curry powder1 tsp turmeric2 slices bread crumbled1/4 cup milkzest and juice from 1 small lem ... More >>

Fresh Pasta a la Mexicana at Laurenzo's Italian Specialty

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Norma Vargas-Matus is not exactly what you would expect from a pasta maker. She's a "Mexicana" from the beautiful town of Acapulco who grew up working at her family's bakery located in the hip Condesa district of Mexico City.  Today, this latin lovely finds herse ... More >>

Dad's Day Cookies at Elsylee Galetes Artesanals

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​The word artisan seems to appear on food items everywhere: cheeses, jams, crackers. Yet by the very definition of the word, this cannot be the case. An artisan produces things in limited quantities using traditional methods. So Nabisco's Wheat Thins Artisan Cheese cra ... More >>

Frieze Ice Cream Factory Offers the Perfect Cool Down

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​It's 9 p.m. and the digital clock at the end of Lincoln Road shows 98 degrees. C'mon! Are you kidding? It's only June...Those numbers don't lie and you are in fact walking around in a large outdoor sauna. Just as you feel you are about to blow a casket, hit The Frieze ... More >>

Healthy Dad or Not, Granola is Where It's At

photo by Christina Staalstrom​Miami is full of health enthusiasts and Matt Pawlik, one of three founders of Mix My Granola, ​is no exception. An avid triathlete, granola is the fuel that keeps him going through his training and those grueling races. He even has his own blend appropriately called ... More >>

Ice Powder at Sandwich Bar Cafe: Get Cool Fast!

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​It's 98 degrees outside, the sun is beating down, and neither AC nor another Super Big Gulp will do the trick. What could be more deliriously refreshing and delightful when you're downtown than something called Aloha Ice?Miami can thank a handsome Hawaiian named ... More >>

Headless Pei Pa Duck at PK Oriental in Miami's Chinatown

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​It's 9.26 a.m. on Saturday and this crazy foodie is sitting in a car outside PK Oriental Market waiting for the "open" light to click on. As the clock approaches 9:30, the metal doors are pulled back and a smiling face beckons eager shoppers to come in.When ente ... More >>

Grab 'n' Go: Taste of the Gables

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​ Friday's torrential rainstorms did not deter hungry fans from coming out to Taste of the Gables. The crowd was large and organizers packed them all in to what could be best described as a human conveyor belt of open mouths and hands grasping for the samplings ... More >>

Carnivore's Delight: Gaucho Ranch

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​From the moment you meet Pablo Liberato you sense that here is someone who is truly passionate about his meat. As the owner of Gaucho Ranch, this self-proclaimed health enthusiast spends his day touting the benefits of grass fed meat. No hormones, no antibiotics, no g ... More >>

Fire Eater: LC's Hot Sauce

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​LC's Roti Shop is known for the wonderful flavors in the dishes she manages to put out year after year from the tiny kitchen of her restaurant in North Miami. The secret is in the sauce and this sauce is for sale.LC's hot sauce and mango chutney ($3-$15) are mad ... More >>

RumChata: Rum and Rice Makes Everything Nice

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Having spent five years in Mexico, I am an horchata lover. Fortunately, the recent influx of Mexican restaurants to Miami has made it easier to find this sweet refresher locally. Some versions are better than others, but that is a different entry....Horchata is a swee ... More >>

From Triscuits to Basil in Two Weeks

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Remember the excitement when you dug around for the prize in the Cracker Jacks box? Well, now there's a healthy way to relive the experience. There is a "green prize" in your Triscuit box. It seems every consumer product is jumping on the "green" bandwagon these days ... More >>

Krispy Kreme Coming to a George Foreman Grill Near You

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Fried doughnuts are truly an overindulgence that has become an American breakfast staple. This airy piece of dough with a hole in the center is about as close to a healthy breakfast as a beer. But what if you have it as a dessert after a beer? A friend recently introd ... More >>

A Date With Jack at Casablanca Fish Market

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Florida is surrounded by water and the water is full of fish. What better way to enjoy Miami than to try my hand at cooking up some of the local catch? I head over to Casablanca Fish Market on the Miami River. Walking in through the unassuming front door I'm pleasantl ... More >>

Ricky Bakery in Coral Gables Offers Croquetas and More

Photo by Christina Staalstrom​Any good Cuban will tell you there are good croquetas and great ones. The good ones are crunchy and chewy and leave a comforting layer of grease on your hands. The great ones are a dichotomy of flavors and textures with a warm crispy, salty layer on the outside and a ... More >>