You know it's summertime in Miami when the city's block parties clash with huge barbecues. A battle of epic proportions will go down this weekend and we're here to referee the teams.
Believe it or not, we will get the choice between not one but two Miami food-centric parties this weekend. That, paired with a good white wine and some seared scallops for dinner, sounds like a bangin' good start to summer in paradise.
Hope your hamstrings are good and loosened. That 20-mile stretch that you're about to bike tonight for Critical Mass is going to be one hell of a wake-up call tomorrow morning. Oh well! Better than waking up hungover, right?! The great thing about tonight's route is that it'll take you through lots of important areas for food -- you just have to know where to look. Lucky for you, we created this nifty guide to show you where the best stops are along the cycling route. Stop for an apple strudel at Schnitzel Haus and then for a refreshing smoothie at La Sandwicherie. Once you've [hopefully] reached your destination, pig out at The Filling Station.
Hidden Kitchen at Blackbird Ordinary
Michael B. Jacobs has probably one of the sweetest gigs in town. See, because he doesn't just get to cook for regular Joes and Janes. No, no. He gets to cook for back-to-back champions like Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James. No word yet on whether the man who feeds the town's favorite boys gets a ring of his own, but when he's not feeding them, he's out doing other things. Like hosting Hidden Kitchen at Blackbird Ordinary, for example. Tonight, head out the Blackbird for $5 truffled mac-n-cheese with brisket bark and other food stuffs.
No body is too good for barbecue. So since we're all in the same boat, best to take advantage of this Saturday's Burger, Beer, & BBQ Bash at Brickell's Miami Circle this Saturday. General admission will run you $45, and you can pay for the food you eat as you mill through the options. Twenty local eateries will be showcasing the brains and brawn behind their burgers and 'cue. The party starts at 4 and runs until 10 p.m. VIP admission is also available for $65 a person -- it'll grant you one extra hour to start munching before the rest of the herd arrives at 4.
You know we've never been fishing? Like, never. We have never once caught our own fish, or any creature from the sea, and cooked it. Pathetic. Especially after living in Florida for so many years. But Bay Scallop season starts two days early this year -- so maybe this weekend we'll get our shot. Starting June 29, you can collect up to two gallons of whole bay scallops (or one pint of meat) per person per day. Which means that from now until September 24, you can have roasted scallops with breadcrumbs and bacon; seared sea scallops with gingered pea puree and cilantro gremolata; or seared scallops with finger lime beurre blanc. WHAAAT?! Yes. Go get some scallops. Go make some finger lime beurre blanc.
The days of Miami's sketchtastic business district are over. Most of those days are, at least. This Saturday, from 1 to 11 p.m., Downtown Miami Partnership Inc. and the Miami Downtown Development Authority are closing NE Third Avenue between First and Second streets for ten hours of food, drinks, and live music. Feel free to bring the tots and pooches to the outdoor affair because there will be plenty for everyone to do, including a cupcake decorating station. Admission is free and food coupons cost just a buck a pop. Chow from the local business vendors (like CVI.CHE 105 and Elwood's) will run you one to four coupons. Proceeds will head straight to New World School of the Arts and Miami-Dade Culinary Institute.
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