Norman (Oklahoma)

Tuyo: Miami culinary icon Norman Van Aken stays true to his New World vision

View a slide show of Tuyo.

Tuyo Delivers Classic Norman Van Aken New World Cuisine

​After a brief elevator ride to the top floor of the new Miami Culinary Institute, diners entering Tuyo are instantly captivated by the sweeping view afforded by dramatically framed floor-to-ceiling windows. The breathtaking vista brings the illuminated Freedom Tower and American Airlines Arena fr ... More >>

Norman's 180 Closed ... Three Months Ago! (And Nobody Noticed)

180 is 86'd.​Maybe the news got past me because I was out of town...or just out of the loop. Or maybe Norman's 180 was such a nonentity in the local dining scene that nobody noticed that it was gone.But not only is it no more, but according to Shane, a front desk worker at The Westin Colonnade tha ... More >>

Six Worst Miami Restaurant Names

Riki AltmanMicah named her restaurant neMesis. Huh?A good restaurant name can help bring in business. It can reflect the specific type of cuisine being served (Prime Italian), the restaurant's philosophy (Michael's Genuine Food & Drink), or even remind people where the venue is located (11th St. ... More >>

Second Career Ideas For 10 Miami Chefs

​With the news that former Pacific Time chef/owner Jonathan Eismann is now a realtor, it seemed like an opportune time to reflect upon potential second careers for other local chefs. After all, we know that the restaurant biz is a bitch, and dining establishments don't last forever, and...well, le ... More >>

Norman Van Aken Kicks Off Enthusiast Classes at Miami Culinary Institute

​Chef Norman Van Aken and his son, Justin, will teach the first series of classes for "enthusiasts" at the Miami Culinary Institute. The two-part series kicks off on June 7 and continues the following Tuesday, June 14. Classes begin with a champagne toast and talk with the chefs. Students then ... More >>

Proposed Bill Would Make It a Felony to Photograph Farms

...and if you dare snap a photo of it, he'll make sure you wind up behind bars for 30 years, E-I-E-I-O!​State Sen. Jim Norman, a Republican from Tampa, is very concerned about a farm's right to privacy, while showing little regard for the First Amendment. He has filed a bill in the Florida Senate ... More >>

12 Top Miami Chefs Who Were Not Too Big To Fail, Part Two

Ben FinkIt was a genuine struggle to the top​In yesterday's installment, we listed six chefs, in alphabetical order, who at one point or another in their careers encountered a flop. We continue with the remaining half-dozen:7. Chef: Andrea Curto-Randazzo and Frank RandazzoFlop: Water ClubTalula fo ... More >>

Two Chefs' Jan Jorgensen Talks Soufflés and Simple Food

Photo by Letticia JorgensenJan Jorgensen has operated Two Chefs in South Miami since 1994. During that time he has successfully surfed the turbulent waves of South Florida's fickle economy, fussy diners, and vacillating trends, while putting out consistently great fare at his restaurant.In part one ... More >>

Five Great Places to Watch The Super Bowl in Miami and Miami Beach

​The big game is Sunday and you still haven't finalized your plans. That's cool. We know there are so many bars and restaurants that the options can seem overwhelming. We've compiled a list of great places to watch the game - some large, some small dives. All awesome.

Big Name Consulting Chefs Make Reputations Smaller

​It is neither unusual nor unseemly for chefs to provide their names and consulting expertise to restaurants when they ultimately won't play an integral role. Nobody, for instance, really expects to see Wolfgang Puck twirling pizza dough in the kitchen of one of his 50 Wolfgang Puck Express restau ... More >>

Bigfoot Spotted At Norman's 180!

Photo taken in Norman's 180 parking lot​Kathy Fib, spokesperson for Norman's 180, today claimed that Bigfoot has been seen not just once, but "numerous times" at the Coral Gables restaurant. "He's sort of a semi-regular," said Fib. "He really enjoys the duck meatballs."When it was pointed out that ... More >>

Where in the World is Norman Van Aken?

​There were rumors that father-son chef duo Norman and Justin Van Aken had been fired from Norman's 180 a couple weeks ago. So we decided to stalk em. Or at least their Twitter.Yes, this is indeed sick and disturbing behavior, but someone had to put the rumors to bed. Norman Van Aken does a great ... More >>

UPDATED: Norman's 180 Rumors Are False

Photo by Jacquelynn D. PowersNorman Van Aken (right) with Emeril Lagasse. ​The rumors posted on Eater and elsewhere about Norman Van Aken being fired from Norman's 180 in Coral Gables apparently aren't true. According to Norman's 180 co-owner Kim Wood's Facebook page, "Norman's 180 and Chef Norman ... More >>

Norman's 180: Good, not best

Sneak Review: Norman's 180

The chef team at Norman's 180​A pre-review nibble from next week's Cafe:While Norman is head honcho, co-chefs are son Justin Van Aken and Philip Bryant, the latter working with the elder Van Aken since 2005. "Globally inspired, seasonally wired," is their menu motto. The first part is true: This b ... More >>

Five Best Places to Eat Alone

Carissa Chesanek​Let's face it, sometimes we just need a little alone time, and that includes when we eat. Whether we are taking a lunch break or grabbing a quick dinner after work, sometimes we just want our own company. Here are our Luckily five top places here in Miami to eat solo. 5. Pelican C ... More >>

Norman Who?

Artist sketch of Norman -- no known photos of the man exist.​Seems this fella named Norman Van Aken is debuting a restaurant in Coral Gables tonight. It's going to be called Norman's 180. Lord knows Coral Gables can use a boost. Too bad Van Aken didn't try this a decade ago, when the neighborhood ... More >>

Opening Dates for Norman's 180, Burger & Beer Brickell Announced

Photo by Jacquelynn D. PowersNorman Van Aken (pictured with Emeril Lagasse) is all set to open Norman's 180 at the end of the month. ​Two new anticipated restaurants are debuting in the next few weeks in Miami.Norman's 180, from famed chef Norman Van Aken, officially launches in Coral Gables on Tu ... More >>

Let's Talk Chef Shoes, Part 2: What The Pros Wear

Friday's opening shoe post was mostly about my own experiences with kitchen footwear. Today we find out what Miami's real chefs wear when they're working -- and why.Michelle Bernstein, Michy's, Sra. Martinez: Clogs, as they not only help me from falling on my back side but they also give me those co ... More >>

A Sneak Peek at Norman's 180, Sort Of

Photo by Ann Remotigue​The photo is of Norman Van Aken and Malcolm Berg, Architect and Principal of EoA, Inc., who designed the upcoming Norman's 180. The steel panel they are scrutinizing is laser-etched with one of some twenty Normanisms (my word, not theirs) that will be backlit around the back ... More >>

Norman Van Aken's New Gables Place: An Exclusive View of the New Menu

Photo by Jacquelynn D. PowersNorman Van Aken (with Emeril Lagasse) is set to open Norman's 180 at the end of the month. ​Next to the Forge's recent reopening, everyone in Miami is buzzing about the debut of Norman's 180. This Coral Gables eatery marks the return of famed chef Norman Van Aken to th ... More >>

Weekend Blog Watch: Ted Turner, 850 Bottles, Tailgaiting, Beer, and Key West

Photo via albertoalerigi's Flickr / CC2.0Aaaah! A plate.​Some people are saying this recession is over. Maybe it started when "they" gave us back some time (sorry Arizona), literally. Fall Back dropped early Sunday morning. We're pretty sure that has something to do with farming. Here are some fre ... More >>

Norman Van Aken does a 180 in the Gables

Van Aken Offers Nibbles of Norman's 180 Menu and Its New "Broadly American" Inspiration

Norman Van Aken Staying on his game in Orlando (here with "Cuba Libre" Pork Belly Biscuit for its Taste of the Nation,) things are looking mighty tasty.​Norman Van Aken and his '180' team, including Chefs Philip Bryant and Justin Van Aken, are operating under a three-word mantra when it co ... More >>

Norman Van Aken: "The Best Thing I Ever Ate"

Foodnetwork.com Our turn!Norman Van Aken, chef/owner of Norman's at the Ritz-Carlton, Orlando (and soon-to-be Norman's 180 in Coral Gables) A war might break out in the family if I decided on one barbecue dish, but I feel safe recalling a fried treasure.  We went up to Charleston, South Caro ... More >>

Banh Mi, Pretty Please, @NormanVanAken?

Norman Van Aken Thanks for TweetingAsk and you shall receive.  Norman Van Aken is up in Orlando hanging with his Ritz Carlton crew, and hit up the Twitter about some insane twist on Banh Mi causing a stir with guests...  I fell in love at first bite when I was introduced to these french ba ... More >>

The Scoop On Norman's 180

Norman Takes A 180 TurnIt was just over a month ago that I started to pester Norman Van Aken with emails. Like everyone else, I had heard he was returning to Coral Gables with Norman's 180 in the Colonnade Hotel (180 Aragon Avenue) and asked whether he would share some of the back story to the new p ... More >>

Let's Play, "Where's Norman?"

Coming soon, to a restaurant near youA couple of weeks ago we were musing about hot old chefs, and we wondered aloud where the hell Norman Van Aken had got to. I'm a bit late with this news, being way up here in Broward, but it turns out the Norman has returned at last to stage further conquests. A ... More >>

Whatever Happened To Coral Gables?

It wasn't that long ago that serious diners in these parts pointed to Coral Gables as the go-to spot for eating out. Palme d'Or, Pascals, Ortanique, Christy's, Caffe Abracci, Francesco's, Norman's, Mundo, Chispa, Restaurant Brana, Max's Grille, The Palm Steakhouse...quite a roster. Mundo, Norman's, ... More >>

The South Florida Newspaper Apocalypse is Imminent

Bob Norman, over at our sister paper the BPB New Times, has been chronicling the misfortunes of our local daily papers for quite some time now, and the shit hit the fan this weekend. It is 2013 for the black and white and red all overs. To Recap:  The New York Times reported late Friday that Mc ... More >>

Pro Poker Hurts

It's not all glitz and glory at the table.

Dog Day Chronicles

A term synonymous with the heat and stagnation that defines Miami in August

BEST CHEF

Norman Van Aken

Puttin' on the Blitz

Palm Beach Dramaworks conjures up a World War II acting troupe under fire

BEST PLACE TO PLAY DARTS

Normans Tavern

BEST RESTAURANT IN CORAL GABLES

Normans

Norman to Open New Nest

The king of New World cuisine is finally branching out

Crime Always Plays

The other Shaffer's Murderer is no Equus, but it sure moves

Best Bar Food

Norman's American Bar & Grill

I See Dull People!

The only thing more boring than the surface of this Ford/Pfeiffer "thriller" is What Lies Beneath

Best Neighborhood Bar/Miami Beach

Norman's Tavern

Best Restaurant In Coral Gables

Norman's

Best Festival

The Biltmore Great South Florida Wine Festival

Good Taste Returns to the Beach

Astor Place

Chefs Who Stick to Us

Halfway to Paradise

Seville Servile

The Catcher in the Fly