Top 5 Miami Gas Stations to Eat At

Sure, there’s that pesky oil spill dumping hundreds of millions of gallons of deadly crude into our fish basket. But when all the seafood is dead or infected, we can find sustenance in the industry that put us in this situation.Besides, gas station food is awesome at 3 a.m. or 3 p.m…

Plato Royale: Battle of White Wine Sangria, Jaguar vs. Por Fin

Plato Royale usually compares and critiques food. But in this edition, it’s all about sangria. The punch-like concoction is traditionally made with Spanish red wine from the Rioja region. But white wine sangria, sangria blanca, is a cool and crisp alternative. Restaurants throughout the area have their own spins on…

Fin Is In

With all the hubbub over the Norman’s 180 debut, perhaps you missed the news that Fin, Jonathan Eismann’s local, sustainable seafood restaurant in the Design District, opened its doors last night. Last December, Short Order sampled some of Fin’s dishes, including a delectable Palm Beach Spanish mackerel with broccoli rabe (in photo)…

Classified Margaritas at Talavera

Talavera Cocina Mexicana is keeping secrets. The cilantro margarita may be wildly popular, but its recipe might as well have been developed by government intelligence.In reality, seasoned bartender Damien St. Lawrence conjured up the cocktail recipe ten years ago. He got the idea from a cilantro/lime-flavored sorbet at a gelato…

The Restaurant at the Setai Offers Summer Prix Fixe Menu

If you’re not a subscriber to our weekly Café Bites dining newsletter, here’s a taste of what you’re missing. Click here to subscribe.​They’ve been busy over at the Restaurant at the Setai, reworking the menu, adding a weekly “Summer at the Setai” prix fixe menu and wine specials, and gearing…

A Preview of Norman’s 180 in Coral Gables

As Lee Klein reported earlier today, chef Norman Van Aken’s new restaurant, Norman’s 180, will open in Coral Gables tonight. It’s a homecoming of sorts for Van Aken, whose return to the neighborhood has been highly anticipated. And he’s very happy to be back. Short Order got a peek of…

Sipping Rums at the Four Seasons

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.” Maybe it’s because of our ancestors’ torrid…

Sean Bernal Quits the Oceanaire Brickell UPDATE

Despite working for a chain, chef Sean Bernal has always brought local authenticity to the Brickell outpost of the Oceanaire Seafood Room. But we found out via Facebook that Bernal has decided to move on from the restaurant. He wrote, “Today is a good day, my tenure as the executive…

The Bomb at the Icebox Café

No news in this post. No quotes. But man, this is the best dessert you will ever eat if you are a chocoholic. It includes chocolate mousse, brownie, and cheesecake. The thing set me back $48, which is rather steep. Service stunk, but eventually servers wrote a name on it…

Sushi House Adds Late-Night Menu, Couches, and Mist

Sushi House in North Miami Beach has introduced a new “twilight” menu with reduced pricing on many of its appetizers, the full sushi menu, and several of the entrées. Late-night bites will include the spicy tuna tower, crispy honey shrimp, and purple plum barbecue ribs. A free glass of hot sake…

Fourth of July Ice Cream and Pie at Bee Heaven Farm

Forget the burgers this Fourth of July. Start your day with a tasting of locally made, tropical-fruit-flavored ice creams at Bee Heaven Farm. July is, after all, National Ice Cream Month.We’re talking white sapote, lychee, passion fruit, mamey, South Florida peach ice cream, and others. They’re all prepared by local…

Flapjack Flip-Off X: Bagel Emporium

The decade has seemingly flipped by faster than a griddlecake in midair: The Tenth Annual Mrs. Beeton Flapjack Flip-Off is just around the corner (Mrs. B. being our patron saint for her prescient in-print assertion, made 101 years ago, that pancakes “must be regarded as somewhat beyond the capabilities of…

Norman Who?

Seems this fella named Norman Van Aken is debuting a restaurant in Coral Gables tonight. It’ll 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 was one of the best around for dining. Would…

Beat the Blues at Blue Martini Happy Hour

The Place: Blue Martini900 South Miami Road, Miami305-981-2583 The Hours: Daily 4 to 8 p.m. The Deals: 2-for-1 on cocktails, beer and liquor (with few exceptions). All food is half off. The Scene: Like its signature drink, the Blue Martini’s happy hour is saturated with neon, a bit too sweet,…

Meatless in Miami: A Master Cleanse Diary, Part Two

Click here to read part one of the Master Cleanse diary.Lemonade Day 6I skipped the tea/saltwater today because I stayed up too late and had early meetings to attend.  I’m going to free yoga at Bayfront Park later which will be interesting because usually after a hot, sweaty yoga class…

Miami Chefs Attend Club Med Wine & Food Fest

Club Med, the all-inclusive vacation concept company with its North American headquarters in Miami, has hosted an annual culinary event for years, but it was always kept on the down low.  Erik Peters, Club Med’s corporate chef, has worked to get it big enough to tout. [The Wine & Food…

Pizza Bread Basket at Spris

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-house in…

Hot Plates: Lucas Cardillo at Scarpetta

Lucas “Luca” Cardillo is a 32-year-old, tall and suave Argentinean who strives to create the ultimate dining experience for everyone he serves at Scarpetta. He pays attention to detail, looks you in the eye, and can make anyone, male or female, feel sexy. His bright smile and thick accent make…