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Home / 2015 (Page 9)

8:29 am
Restaurant Features
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db bistro moderne miami

Street View

If you’ve ever crossed over the bridge from Brickell Avenue into downtown, then you’ve certainly passed by db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Miami; 305.421.8800}. But because of its unpretentious facade, you might have missed it. Those in-the-know know that on the ground floor of the luxe JW Marriott Marquis Miami is where Chef Daniel Boulud’s only South Florida restaurant finds its home. DiningOut recently had the opportunity to dine at this trés chic French eatery with the added bonus of spending some time chatting with Executive Chef Jason Pringle.

db bistro moderne miami bar

Bar & Lounge Area

Our first exposure to the restaurant was via the bar and lounge area, which was abuzz for happy hour (which takes place Monday-Friday 5-8pm). Young professionals and business execs find this casual haven to be the perfect spot for after-work drinks with friends or colleagues.

db bistro moderne miami

White Oak Dining Room

We were seated in the White Oak Dining Room, which features the same sophisticated vibe of db Bistro’s Manhattan and Singapore counterparts, but has been updated to reflect Miami’s tropical lifestyle. Designed by the internationally renowned firm Yabu Pushelberg, each distinct dining room (there are several, making this the perfect location for small groups and special events) feels as if it has been plucked directly from a hip SoHo establishment and pieced together to create one cohesive restaurant that’s worthy of serving up Boulud’s unrivaled cuisine.

chefs jason pringle and daniel boulud

Executive Chef Jason Pringle with Daniel Boulud

We were soon greeted by Chef Pringle, a San Francisco native with over 13 years of culinary experience under his belt. Prior to making his way to Miami, he worked at Boulud’s Michelin-starred Café Boulud in New York City. Though humble and soft-spoken, Chef Pringle shared with us the nuances of the menu, which changes seasonally and features only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients. When prompted to select his favorite dish on the menu, he said coyly, “I wouldn’t NOT recommend anything.”

db bistro

Trio of Appetizers

And so, our culinary journey began. To start, Chef Pringle sent out a trio of bite-sized appetizers, our favorite of which was the Tuna Crudo. Then came the first course: Florida Key Shrimp al Ajillo, local rock shrimp sautéed with butter and citrus, and the Heirloom Tomato Salad with arugula and fennel.

db bistro

Heirloom Tomato Salad

For our main course, we shared the Almond-Crusted Halibut (by far the standout dish of the evening), which is served with forbidden rice, orange emulsion, and bok choy, and the Spaghetti Chitarra, which was like a fettuccini served in a creamy citrus sauce. “I had a guest from Italy come in and said that we make excellent pasta for a French restaurant,” our server told us (who, by the way, was fantastic and beyond attentive).

db bistro

Almond-Crusted Halibut

db bistro

Spaghetti Chitarra

Dessert was certainly a grand finale. In addition to being treated to an assortment of chocolates and macarons and a warm basket of madeleines (which we boxed up and took home for later), we shared the Crunchy Chocolate Bar. This unforgettable delight was prepared with a caramel-praline glaze, brownies, candied hazelnuts, and served with a toasted marshmallow ice cream.

db bistro

Desserts

Our only regret? That we didn’t try the famous db Burger, which we hear is an experience unto itself.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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9:40 am
Restaurant Features
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Made in Italy Gourmet

No plans for tonight? Consider the following:

All summer long, Wynwood’s new Italian restaurant and market Made in Italy Gourmet {10 Northeast 27th Street, Miami; 786.360.5671} presents “Summer Wine Nights,” a unique Thursday night wine dinner series presented by chefs Cristian Zappelletto and Marco Baruffaldi. The highlight of the series is TONIGHT, July 16, at 7:30pm, featuring the breathtaking island of Sicily and wine pairings that will elevate the experience with each bite! Tickets for the four-course wine dinner and two wine pairings are available for purchase at Made in Italy Gourmet at $55 (plus tax and gratuity). Call the restaurant to reserve your table NOW.

THE MENU

Zuppa di Ceci & Gamberi
Chick pea and shrimp soup

Involtini di Salmone e Caprino
Rolled salmon carpaccio filled with goat cheese
Paired with Principi di Butera Chardonnay

Ravioli di Speck & Fontina alla Crema di Funghi
Homemade ravioli filled with speck and fontina cheese served in a cream of mushrooms sauce
Paired with Principi di Butera Merlot

Amaretto & Goccie di Cioccolata
Amaretto cookies and chocolate-chip cake

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9:26 am
Restaurant Features
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Tantalize Miami

It’s one of Miami’s most exclusive summertime foodie events… and YOU’RE INVITED.

On Tuesday, July 21, South Beach’s newest hot spot, Tantalize Miami {330 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; 305.695.1401}, is hosting a private dinner presented by Gilt City and Lee Brian Schrager (of South Beach Wine & Food Festival fame). Prepared to indulge all your senses at this new dining destination, which combines pan-Latin cuisine with seductive entertainment.

The event begins at 7pm with a meet-and-greet cocktail hour, where you can personally chat with Schrager while noshing on specially crafted hors d’oeuvres like Pomegranate-Barbecue Octopus Tacos and Wagyu Sirloin Tartar with a sunnyside-up egg.

Beef Tenderloin Churrasco

You’ll then sit down to an innovative five-course tasting menu by Tantalize’s Executive Chef Horacio Rivadero. The meal will start with a dish of lobster, shrimp, clams, and octopus in a citrus-passion fruit sauce. It continues with Lamb Foie Gras Meatballs with pistachio chimichurri and Cobia with chorizo and plantain gremolata. For the main event, there will be Filet Mignon Churrasco with yuca pastel, heirloom tomato escabeche, and chimichurri, while a duo of Quinoa-Coconut Pudding and Chocolate Flan will end your evening on a sweet note. Each course will be paired with an equally fine wine.

Not to mention that during your meal, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy Tantalize’s cool décor and witness its unique twist on live entertainment.

Sasha aerial

Price is $99 per person plus tax and gratuity. Space is limited, so don’t wait to secure your spot at this one-time-only event. Click here to purchase tickets.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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7:36 am
Restaurant Features
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The heat is on in Miami. Try to make things a little cooler with these must-do July happenings.

quality meats

1. Summertime Cocktails at Quality Meats
When: All summer long
Where: Quality Meats {1501 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.340.3333}
What: The NYC steakhouse celebrates its first summer in Miami with a number of refreshing summer cocktails. Selections include the Loose Cannon, a twist on a tequila cocktail made with fresh-pressed celery juice and a housemade elixir with almost two dozen herbs and spices, served over ice cubes made from jalapeño juice; and the Piña Clara, a draft cocktail made with light rum, clarified pineapple, and coconut.

2. Truffle-Mania at Scarpetta
When: Through mid-September
Where: Scarpetta {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 877.326.7412}
What: While many Italian restaurants take advantage of the European fall/winter truffle season, Scarpetta is taking it to the next level by sourcing black truffles from Australia during their winter season (which happens to be our summer). Guests can enjoy a five-course truffle-laden menu for just $195 per person; add $115 per person to pair the meal with wine.

Marc Irwin Piano concert in The Betsy Lobby

3. Miami Summer Music Festival
When: July 8-27
Where: Betsy-South Beach {1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; 305.531.6100}
What: The Betsy has a commitment to all things cultural, so it’s no surprise that the hotel is hosting nine free chamber music events, salons, and book signings in partnership with the Miami Summer Music Festival (MSMF) and Steinway, which is providing two grand pianos for the series. All concerts are free and open to the public. Some highlights include: an Opera Night with glass of complimentary Champagne (July 8); a breakfast salon and book signing with Deborah Voigt (July 13); and Zarzuela Night (a Spanish musical comedy) with sangría on the house (July 23).

4. Pre-Spice at Tuyo
When: July 8-31
Where: Tuyo {415 Northeast Second Avenue, Miami; 305.237.3200}
What: Miami Spice doesn’t start until August, but Tuyo is getting into the spirit a month early. For just $39, choose an appetizer (Heirloom Tomato Bisque or Caesar Salad); an entrée (Pan-Roasted Yellowtail Snapped with forbidden fried rice, kimchee-marinated bok choy, and orange-saffron cream; or Coffee-Rubbed Braised Berkshire Porcetta with caramelized calabaza purée, lacinato kale, and Biscayne Bay Brewing Company La Colada Coffee Porter jus); and a dessert (choice of chocolates or housemade sorbet).

Mackapooloza

5. BleauLive Presents Mack-a-Poolooza
When: July 11 at 2pm
Where: Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-538-2000}
What: BleauLive welcomes Mack and the rest of the Y100 gang for a poolside concert featuring LunchMoney Lewis, Dutch model-turned-recording artist Natalie La Rose, the “Boombastic” Shaggy, and Miami’s all-time favorite rapper, Flo Rida. Click here to purchase tickets.

db beer dinner 2

6. DBGB Whole Hog Summer Feast
When: July 15 at 7pm
Where: db Bistro Moderne {255 Biscayne Boulevard way, Downtown; 305.421.8800}
What: For the second year, Daniel Boulud’s DBGB Kitchen & Bar has “popped up” at db Bistro, offering limited-edition menu items from the chef’s DC/NYC eatery along with beers from local craft beer company, J. Wakefield. Jonathan Wakefield himself will be the restaurant’s special guest for this family-style dinner—and you’re invited, too! It will be a four-course meal, the highlight of which will be the Slow-Roasted Suckling Pig stuffed with pork loin, Swiss chard, confit tomato, and olives, presented tableside.

stk miami

7. Bubbles, Booze, and Bites
When: Monday-Friday, 6-8pm
Where: STK Miami {2311 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.604.6988}
What: This month, STK Miami introduces a new happy hour with a selection of offerings—including Prosecco, house-selected wines, and specialty cocktails; Lil’ BRG with Parmesan truffle fries; and Mini Tuna Tartare—for just $8 each.

8. Chef Benjamin Murray Wine Dinner
When: July 16, at 7pm
Where: Azul {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
What: Mandarin Oriental’s five-star restaurant recently announced the promotion of Benjamin Murray to chef de cuisine. To preview his impressive new menu that will debut later this summer, join Chef Murray and Azul’s Wine Director Todd Phillips for an intimate four-course dinner featuring wine from California’s Hawk and Horse Vineyards. Advance reservations are required; email [email protected].

Taste of the Nation

9. South Florida Taste of the Nation
When: July 16, 6-10pm
Where: Loews Miami Beach {1601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach}
What: An elegant evening of gourmet food, wine, and spirits, this charity event brings together chefs from over 50 local restaurants to display their culinary prowess all in the name of helping starving children. All proceeds going directly toward Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign toward battling childhood hunger.

10. Peruvian Independence Day
When: July 26 – August 1
Where: La Mar by Gastón Acurio {500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell; 305.913.8358}
What: Though we celebrate our nation’s independence on the Fourth of July, Peruvians celebrate theirs later on in the month. La Mar kicks things off with brunch on Sunday, July 26. For the rest of the week, guests can enjoy an exclusive dinner menu that pays homage to the cooking of Andean ancestors and centuries of culinary fusion that have influenced modern Peruvian cuisine.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

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11:14 am
Restaurant Features
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This year, the Fourth of July falls on a Saturday, which means you have an entire weekend to celebrate (and, perhaps, recover). Here are our picks for the top Fourth of July events in Miami this year.

Unknown1. Red, White, and Woods 4th of July at Hyde Beach Miami
Hyde Beach at the SLS {1701 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.455.2990} is known for its wild weekend pool parties, and Saturday, July 4, will be no exception. The fun starts at 11am and will feature guest DJ Michael Woods, who is currently holding down his new residency at LiFE at the SLS Las Vegas.

IMG_4554

2. MOB Burger To-Go
If you’ve already been planning your own Fourth of July shindig, consider adding a bit more spice to it by serving burgers prepared by Executive Chef Ralph Colon of Midtown Oyster Bar {3301 Northeast First Avenue, Midtown; 786.220.2070}. The special recipe combines the perfect blend of prime beef, including brisket, short rib, and chuck, blended with a seasoning mix that includes paprika, lemon pepper, brown sugar, cayenne, onion, and garlic powder. Anyone can order a minimum of four 10-ounce patties that can be picked up at the restaurant on the morning of fourth between 10am and noon. You MUST order before Thursday, July 2, at 2pm. To place your order, email: [email protected].

slide-july4th3. Fireworks Spectacular at The Biltmore
The Biltmore Hotel {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables} will once again be hosting its famous annual fireworks extravaganza. But in addition to this brilliant display of lights, you can join in on an entire evening of patriotic fun. The event starts at 5pm when the open bar begins (through 8:30pm), and is then followed by an extravagant Stars and Stripes Barbecue Dinner featuring all your favorite Fourth of July eats like hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue chicken, and more. Afterward, stick around, because you won’t want to miss the incredible fireworks, which begin at 9pm. For reservations, call 855.666.1727 or email [email protected].

But that’s not all! From July 3-5, Biltmore Fontana will serve special breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that will include barbecue specials created by Italian Chef Beppe Galazzi. Also for the fourth, Palme d’Or at the Biltmore will be offering a special $55 three-course menu (from noon-3pm and 5pm-close), starring American classics with a French twist.

Delano miami pool

4. Independence Day Night Swim at Delano Beach Club
Get ready for a unique Independence Night at the Delano South Beac {1685 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.924.4071} for a pop-up swim night and pool party, starting at 7pm. Hosted by YesJulz and DJs Tito, Arlette Carlin, and Dave Sol, sounds will be bouncing off the legendary hotel pool, keeping the party going ’til the early morning. Guests will enjoy grilling in the orchard and ice cream carts, while dancers and models provide in-pool performances with glow-in-the-dark beach balls and floaties up for grabs. To rsvp, contact [email protected].

5. An All-American Barbecue, Tamarina-Style
Tamarina Restaurat & Bar {600 Brickell Avenue, Brickell; 305.579.1888} is pulling out all the stops this year with a live band, an endless supply of traditional barbecue staples (including the restaurant’s brand-new, never-before-seen sliders), and unlimited Peroni and Four Roses bourbon. Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence, which inspired the restaurant to offer this special package for just $56.

Oceanaire 4th of july

6. Red, White, and Blue for Two at Oceanaire
The Fourth of July doesn’t necessarily have to be a group holiday. The Oceanaire Seafood Room {900 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.372.8862} is offering a special three-course menu designed for two. Choose from a selection of first, second, and third courses in addition to your choice of bottle of Campanile Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio or 14 Hands Columbia Valley Merlot—all for just $60. If you can’t make it on the Fourth, don’t worry. The menu will be offered from July 1-7.

7. Fourth of July Brunch at Seaspice
Planning on heading out on the water this weekend? Be sure to fuel up first by docking at Seaspice {422 Northwest North River Drive, Miami; 305.440.4200}. And we don’t mean your yacht. On Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am to 3pm, the waterfront restaurant is offering a special Fourth of July seafood-inspired brunch with menu items include Deviled Eggs, Baked Shrimp and Eggs Casserole, Oysters Rockefeller, and a selection of premium caviar.

american social

8. American Social Brickell’s Supersede Group Takeover
What better place to celebrate our nation’s independence than at Miami’s very own red, white, and blue American-themed restaurant and bar, American Social {690 Southwest First Court, Brickell; 305.223.7004}? Join in the fun overlooking the Miami River, with music by the band Locos Por Juana and DJ Spiff. They’ll also be featuring $10 AmSo Burgers and Kobe beef hot dogs and $4 Tito’s cocktails and Bud Lights. Come for brunch and stay well into the night.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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10:57 am
Restaurant Features
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Libertine

Last week, DiningOut attended a very exclusive media event at Downtown Miami’s newest watering hole. This speakeasy bar and lounge has only been open for a week, but locals are already abuzz talking about it.

Located just steps away from popular 24/7 nightclubs Space and E11even, Libertine {40 Northeast 11th Street, Downtown; 305.363.2120} is perhaps the coolest space to make its way to the downtown area—ever.

Libertine Miami

A long, dark hallway with shiny red floors lined with chicken wire and walls with quippy sayings like: “Better Never Than Early.”

When you get to the actual bar area, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered some sort of time and space vortex. Akin to modern-day speakeasies found in urban cities like New York and San Francisco, the entire place feels more like a library or parlor in an old mansion, with its low lighting, leather couches, and coffee tables. On the back wall is a fireplace with a glowing faux log backed by towering bookshelves. The ladder that stands against the wall is real, but the books are painted on (though from afar, we did think they were real!).

Libertine miami

On the opposite wall is a small stage with a baby grand piano, which we were told will serve as a DJ booth and a platform for live musical performances. And to top it all off, the floor is covered in thousands of real pennies, sorted by finish to create a shimmering trompe l’oeil effect.

As if the space itself wasn’t enough to wow, Libertine’s specialty cocktails take mixology to the next level. We had the opportunity to taste four of the Prohibition-style cocktails that will be offered:

  1. The Libertine (Bols Genever, absinthe, and angostura and Peychaud’s bitters)
  2. The Firewater (Bacardi, Zacapa, fresh orange and lime juices, Cherry Heering, angostura bitters, and a float of Peychaud’s and Bacardi 151, served with flame intact)
  3. The Grog (bourbon, egg whites, muddled cherries, and fresh lime juice)
  4. And our fave: The Moonshine (with moonshine, fresh peach purée, citrus, and sparkling soda served with a delicious peach garnish)

libertine miami

Libertine is now open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10pm to “whenever.” Hope to see you there!

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor; Photos by Gianfranco Bianchi 

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2:29 pm
Restaurant Features
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PM Fish & Steak House

Earlier this month, DiningOut had a fun opportunity to attend a special wine-pairing dinner at the upscale PM Fish & Steak House {1453 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 305.200.5606}. The event was hosted by the prestigious Castillo de Argum winery located in Villarrobledo (Castilla-La Mancha), Spain, known for making 100-percent organic wines. We were joined by the winery’s winemaker, Fernando Santos Jimenez, who led us through each wine’s aging process from grape to bottle. Each wine was expertly paired with distinguished and mouthwatering dishes by PM’s Chef Mauricio Rocha.

We started off the evening with the Castillo de Argum Rosada, a fresh and fruity raspberry-pink rosé. It was paired with a colorful sashimi platter featuring cuts of salmon, tuna, and striped bass, along with PM’s signature Octopus Carpaccio, finely sliced pieces of fresh octopus topped with olive oil, ponzu sauce, and lemon and lime zest. The simplicity of the dishes paired with the refreshing rosé wine was the perfect beginning to what turned into an extravagant multi-course journey of food, fun, and friendship.

PM Sashimi

The rosé was soon traded in for the Castillo de Argum Sauvignon Blanc, which is made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The winemaker explained to us that young white wines sugar themselves, paralyzing the fermentation that’s obtained naturally. To fully soak up the flavor, the dish was paired with a mixed ceviche, which was prepared in a light tomato sauce with oyster and citrus juices.

ceviche

The white wine continued to flow before we switched over to the winery’s signature reds: the Cencibel Ecológic, made from 100-percent Cencibel (Tempranillo), and the Roble Cencibel, a Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend aged for just four months in oak barrels, but then kept six months in the bottle before it is even released.

Argum rose wineargum white

We were served even more delicacies from PM’s kitchen, including the restaurant’s homemade chorizo sausage and provoleta cheese, a thick, gooey slab of aged provolone served piping hot. Red wine was all around us before along came the dish we all were waiting for: a prime slab of New York Strip Steak cooked to perfection.

Pm steak

The meal ended on a sweet note with the Chocolatisimo PM, a hot decadent chocolate soufflé served over a coffee reduction with vanilla ice cream. Suffice to say, we were beyond satisfied.

dessert

Our takeaway from the evening was twofold.

  1. Castillo de Argum organic wines are by far superior to a majority of the wines that we’ve tasted in the past;
  2. PM Fish & Steak exudes unmatched sophistication and fine culinary prowess that we know we’ll be back to enjoy in the very near future. Oh, and the next time we’re in Spain, we know where we plan on staying. The winery gets its name from the medieval-like castle in which it sits, a space that doubles as an elegant hotel.

Castillo de Argum

 By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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3:09 pm
Restaurant Features
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“Out with the old, in with the new,” is how the saying goes. But in the case of the three restaurants below, it’s more like, “Out with the old, in with the improved.” Here, a look at three highly anticipated restaurant openings for the summer:

PB Station

PB Station {121 Southeast First Street, Downtown; 305.532.7555}
Pubbelly “goes new American” this summer with the opening of PB Station, the first dining concept outside Miami Beach’s city limits for the Pubbelly Boys’ (Jose Mendin, Andreas Schreiner, and Sergio Navarro of Pubbelly, Pubbelly Sushi, and L’Echon Brasserie fame).

Located on the ground level of the new Langford Hotel in Downtown Miami, PB Station will be led by Executive Chef Guillermo Concha, who will offer original dishes inspired by the restaurant group’s former concepts PB Steak and PB Fish such as the Ceviche Taquitos, Steak Tartare Sliders, and French Onion Soup Dumplings, plus carefully selected à la carte steak and poultry cuts, with seafood selections varying daily based on what is fresh and local.

Tiramesu

TiramesU {101 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach}
The latest buzz in Miami Beach’s exploding South of Fifth neighborhood is the highly anticipated reopening of TiramesU, the 25-plus-year-old establishment that has been a South Beach staple since its inception.

The restaurant made its debut in 1988 on Ocean Drive and later moved to a prime location on Lincoln Road, where it reigned for 17 years. The Italian restaurant caused a stir when it closed its doors in April of last year, announcing that it would soon reopen in the SoFi district. And now, after a seemingly forever hiatus, the time has finally come for it to reemerge bigger and better than ever.

Chef Fabrizio Pintus, who has been at the helm of the kitchen since 2010, will resume his role as executive chef, offering up a new and improved menu featuring the same authentic Italian flavors with a fun, contemporary twist.

CENA by michy

CENA by Michy {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Midtown; 305 759 2001}
Unlike TiramesU, which is essentially an old restaurant in a new location, CENA by Michy is a new restaurant in an old location. After a 10-month closure and a total renovation, James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein’s landmark eatery Michy has reopened its doors, but with an entirely new name, look, menu, and spirit.

CENA by Michy has shucked the original incarnation’s bright colors and cottage-chic décor for a clean, white color palette complemented by dark chrome starburst chandeliers. The menu is approachable yet adventurous, boasting soul-pleasing favorites as well as an array of dishes inspired by what Bernstein says are her current culinary obsessions. The menu will feature nightly selections from the restaurant’s new rotisserie and has already been praised for its innovative and Latin-inspired flavors for which Bernstein is known.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

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11:31 am
Restaurant Features
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Miami Beach’s iconic Fontainebleau {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.538.2000} hotel has a reputation for being the destination of choice for locals and visitors wanting to dine, drink, and dance the night away. To help beat the heat this summer, the sprawling property has launched a number of cool and innovative libations perfect for summertime sipping in Miami.

Caribbean Swizzle

Caribbean Swizzle

The hotel lobby’s central Bleau Bar has added 12 new cocktails that range from spicy to exotic to classic, and everything in between. If you want a bit of a kick, try the Fire in the Hole, with poblano pepper-infused Cabeza tequila, passionfruit-vanilla syrup, lime, Chichicapa mezcal, and jalapeño.

For a tropical treat, try the Caribbean Swizzle, made with Brugal 1888 rum, Ancho Reyes, honey ginger syrup, lime, and mint. And if you have a sweet tooth, go for the Chocolate Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit bourbon, Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao, orange bitters, and angostura bitters, garnished with a handmade praline from the hotel’s coffee and pastry shop, Chez Bon Bon.

Bari

Bari

Chef Scott Conant’s Italian comfort food mecca Scarpetta is also offering new cocktails named after some of Italy’s most vibrant regions. The Lombardia is made with Bacardi 8 rum, Bulleit Rye whiskey, angostura and orange bitters, dry Sherry, and simple syrup, garnished with candied pancetta, while the Bari refreshes with Corzo Blanco tequila, watermelon, jalapeño, basil, cilantro, agave syrup, and lime juice.

Pisco Punch 2

Pisco Punch

Fontainebleau’s Chinese cuisine staple, Hakkasan, is rolling out new cocktails that complement the restaurant’s contemporary Asian fare. The Western Smash, for example, is made with High West Rendezvous Rye whiskey, fresh mint, blackberry purée, lemon juice, and simple syrup, while the Pisco Punch is a combination of Kappa Pisco, Lillet Rosé, hibiscus syrup, pineapple juice, lime juice, and fresh herbs.

Pimm's Cup 74

Pimm’s Cup 74

Celebrity Chef Michael Mina’s namesake Michael Mina 74 restaurant is known for incorporating its beverages with new age techniques. Summertime libations include the Samba Pa Ti, a modern take on a classic caipirinha consisting of Avuá Amburana Cachaça, passionfruit, Chinese five spice, and CO2 effervescence. The Pimm’s Cup 74, a twist on a classic Pimm’s Cup with peppercorn-infused with Plymouth gin, pineapple, Pimm’s No. 1, lemon, and mint.

Macarthur Causeway

And finally, Fontainebleau’s newest signature restaurant, StripSteak by Michael Mina, has introduced a few new cocktails to complement the steakhouse’s fine cuts of meat: The Real McCoy, with Facundo Eximo rum, anise-infused brandy, crème de menthe, pineapple crème, and Cara Cara orange; the MacArthur Causeway, with Ransom gin, Fresno and lemon preserves, velvet falernum, and crème de violette; and the Japanese Whiskey Drink #8, made with Nikka Taketsuru 12-Year, blood orange, yuzu, simple syrup, and angostura bitters.

By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

 

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8:00 am
Restaurant Features
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Beyond the Mediterranean

Paleo. Gluten-free. Raw foods. Which of these dietary trends have you or someone you know tested in the recent past? Award-winning culinary nutritionist and Boulder-based author Layne Lieberman, RD, believes the key to a healthy lifestyle is simpler than these passing fads. While living in Switzerland, she discovered the eating habits that allow the Swiss to enjoy the second longest lifespan worldwide after the Japanese. Now back in Boulder, she has shared the lifestyle secrets she learned abroad in her self-published book, “Beyond The Mediterranean Diet: European Secrets Of The Super-Healthy,” a finalist in the Health/Wellness category of the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

Layne Lieberman

Author Layne Lieberman

The European Lifestyle

All of these “secrets” revolve around a very different lifestyle than we’re accustomed to in the U.S. During her time in Switzerland, Lieberman befriended the locals, dined with them, and observed how they lived their lives firsthand. She found many core differences, including the way they shopped, exercised, and ate. Instead of doing one big shop a week, Europeans went to the store on nearly a daily basis to pick up fresh ingredients. They source high-quality local ingredients, because largely, that’s what’s available to them. And for the most part, she found that Europeans don’t go to gyms. Instead, they’re getting exercise by walking around pedestrian-friendly cities and towns, and exploring the mountains.

A Different Way of Eating

On the culinary side, Lieberman discovered that Europeans cook at home much more frequently than Americans, in part because of the expense. They build their meals around produce, with smaller portions of pasta and meat, and they’re not eating dessert every night.

But it’s also about ingredient quality. Rather than load up on processed foods, Europeans seek out high-quality ingredients. The Slow Food movement bloomed in Rome, and Italians are one of the largest producers of organic produce in the world. At bars there, greasy food isn’t what prevails–rather, patrons can enjoy spreads of vegetables and salads.

So What’s the Secret?

The question Lieberman sets out to answer in her book, is: “How is it that these cultures can be slim without going gluten-free or not eating cheese—without depriving themselves?” However, she does more than just document how the Swiss, Italians, and French eat and live. She recontextualizes the secrets she learned in American culture. “It’s really about how we bring it home,” Lieberman says. Luckily, for Coloradans, our lifestyle is already a little more similar than other regions of the U.S. to that of Europe thanks to our proximity to the Rockies. “Their culture is based on weekends hiking in the mountains,” Lieberman says of the Swiss. “They’re oriented much like people in Colorado.”

“Beyond the Mediterranean Diet” is a rich tapestry of reflections, tips, and 50 recipes for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and dessert that empowers readers to be healthy all while enjoying bread, cheese, pasta, and chocolate. Lieberman shared a few of her secrets with fellow Coloradans, and a recipe from the book.

Smoked Salmon Spread

4 Secrets of “Beyond The Mediterranean Diet”

1. The Swiss eat one to two servings of dairy or protein daily. One serving might be an egg, an ounce of reduced fat cheese, or a quarter cup of fresh cheese, like ricotta or farmer’s. “A lot of their cheeses are fresh and lower in fat,” Lieberman says.

2. Italians learn to count carbs by instinct. “If they eat a bowl of pasta, they’ll only eat a little bit of bread to sop up the sauce at the end of their meal,” explains Lieberman. Learn to include about four to six servings of carbs per day. What’s a serving? A half cup of cooked pasta, a slice of bread, or three ounces of potato, for example.

3. French chefs have a technique of spooning the sauce on the bottom of the plate, rather than on top of the food. This allows you to control how much sauce you eat—and sauce can often be glutted with salt, butter, and sugar. “You can do it with salads or desserts, too,” Lieberman suggests.

4. Got a sweet tooth? Before reaching for cookies or cake, try to satisfy your craving with organic, seasonal fruit or chocolate. “Indulge in pure organic cocoa, which is low in calories and fat and highly nutritious,” Lieberman says, “or have a small square of dark chocolate with at least 70-percent cocoa content once a day.”

Chocolate Tofu Banana Mousse

Photo Credit: Layne Lieberman (All Rights Reserved)

Beyond Mediterranean Recipes

Lieberman shared with us a couple of her favorite recipes from the book. Here are a few to try at home:

Smoked Salmon Spread

Chocolate Tofu Banana Mousse

For more “Beyond The Mediterranean Diet” wisdom and recipes, order Lieberman’s book online, or visit her website for more information.

By Maya Silver | Editor

 

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