If the sea of pink around you didn’t give it away already, it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month! And here in South Florida, our most popular hotels, restaurants, bars, hangouts, and more are all gearing up for the cause.
Now in its 10th year, the “Bleau Goes Pink” campaign at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 800.548.8886} has once again partnered with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System to launch a series of month-long dining, spa, and room deals that benefit breast cancer research, treatment, and care. As South Florida’s leader in breast cancer diagnosis, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center delivers leading-edge patient care by the region’s best doctors, powered by the groundbreaking research and medical education of the University of Miami, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
But these charitable deals aren’t the first thing guests will notice at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach. To launch Bleau Goes Pink 2018, the Fontainebleau will once again illuminate its iconic Chateau building in pink to honor those who have battled and been affected by breast cancer, as well as those dedicated to discovering its cure. The lighting, which requires over 100 high-powered lighting fixtures, will kick-off on Monday, October 1 and will continue to light up the Miami Beach sky every night through the month of October, from dusk to 10 p.m.
Running through the last day of this month, here are the deals guests can get excited about this October:
Stay for the Cure: Throughout the month of October, the “Stay for the Cure” Room Package will donate 10% of every room booked to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. This package will start at $579 per night and include: an overnight stay for two in a Deluxe room or higher, a bottle of rosé for the room, one 50-minute spa treatment, and a three-course pre-fixe dinner for two at StripSteak by Michael Mina, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, or Hakkasan.
Dine for the Cure: Head to Fontainebleau’s signature restaurants—StripSteak by Michael Mina, Scarpetta by Scott Conant, or Hakkasan—and get a three-course, prix-fixe menu for just  $55 per person. Each menu will include an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and in honor of the month, a glass of rosé. On top of that, $5 from each menu will be donated to the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Spa for the Cure: Throughout the month of October, guests of Lapis Spa at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach can book select treatments to benefit the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Specifically, those who indulge in a Swedish Massage, a Deep Tissue Massage, or a Triple Cleanse Facial will automatically donate $2 per treatment to breast cancer research.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

October is always a fun month in Miami. It’s fall. It’s the South Beach Seafood Festival. It’s Halloween. And now at The Standard Spa, Miami Beach {40 Island Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.1717}, it’s the start of a new Hot Chicken! series.
Kicking off October 1, from 7 p.m. to Midnight, this recurring event will take place on the first Monday of every month. On these nights, both Miami locals and hotel guests alike can indulge in a Southern-fried feast, with Hot Chicken priced at $12 per half a bird, and sides like Pimento Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Skillet Corn Bread, Potato Chips, Salad, and Braised Greens—all priced at $6 each or $15 per three sides.

Keeping it casual, guests don’t have to worry about buying a ticket ahead of time. Instead, they can RSVP here, head to Lido Bar & Lounge, make an order ticket at the counter, and grab a seat where they can. The wait won’t be long, but you won’t be bored while your food is being made, either. Rumor has it Jesse DeVille will be setting up a DJ booth, and he’ll keep the good vibes going until the very end.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Eggplant Curry from Jaya at The Setai

serves four    
Ingredients
16 oz tomatoes, canned
1 cinnamon stick
2 cardamon, whole
1 clove
1 bay leaf
1 star anise
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp Fenugreek leaves, dried
1 tsp sugar
2 oz heavy cream
100 g eggplant
50 g okra
25 g onion
25 g tomatoes, fresh
20 g potatoes, boiled
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp garlic paste
Oil, for sauté pan
Salt, to taste
Cilantro, fresh, for garnish
Method
Blend the canned tomatoes. Put them in a saucepot and add the cinnamon stick, cardamon, clove, bay leaf, and star anise. Bring it all to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat. Let it simmer for 15 minutes, or until the raw flavor of the tomato disappears. (You should be able to smell the spices at this point.)
Add the ginger, garlic paste, and all the powdered spices to the same saucepot. Let it all simmer for another 10 minutes. Add the heavy cream and stir well. After two minutes, add the dried Fenugreek leaves; giving the sauce mixture a nice orange-red color. Once it thickens a little, the sauce should be ready.
Cut the boiled potatoes, eggplant, okra, onion, and fresh tomatoes in any shape you desire. Sauté with a little oil in a sauté pan. Add the sautéed vegetables to the sauce mixture. Let the vegetables cook in the sauce itself.
To serve: Garnish the mixture with fresh cilantro. Serve with Basmati rice or naan.
Jaya at The Setai is located at 2001 Collins Avenue. 

Here is this week’s Miami food news:

Tuesday, September 25: Taco Tuesdays at Tacology
Brickell City Centre’s gourmet taco spot, Tacology {701 South Miami Avenue, Brickell; 786.347.5368}, has everything you need for a solid Taco Tuesday—from good food and good drinks, to fun vibes and big-screen TVs playing whatever football game is on. Get two tacos for just $5 all day long, and if you go during happy hour, you’ll also get half-priced beer, wine, and classic margaritas from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 26: Live Music at BarMeli69
This and every Wednesday, pair your wine and tapas with live Flamenco rumba tunes from musical duo Anabel & Mounny at BarMeli69 {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, MIMO; 305.754.5558}. Live music begins at 8 p.m.
Thursday, September 27: Tapas Thursday at Palat
Head to Palat {4702 NE 2 Avenue, Miami; 786.953.7577} every Thursday, and you can get small dinner plates like Manchego, Shishito Peppers, Fried Zucchini, Hummus, Meatballs, and Eggplant Caponata Crostini for just $6 all day long.
Saturday – Sunday, September 29 – 30: Brunch at Joe’s Take Away
Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., head to Joe’s Take Away {11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.673.0365} for a casual Joe’s brunch! All dishes are priced reasonably and a la carte, and include plates like the Crispy Corn Flake French Toast, Bagel and Lox, Joe’s Morning Wrap, Power Bowl, and a classic: Joe’s Morning Rush with two eggs any-style, toast or a biscuit, and your choice of smoked applewood bacon, turkey bacon, or pork sausage.
Sunday, September 30: Bottomless Brunch at Café Roval
Every Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., grab a table at Café Roval {5808 NE 4 Court, Miami, Morningside; 786.953.7850} (we recommend sitting outside!) and indulge in a Mediterranean-inspired brunch. For an additional $29 per person, you can even make it bottomless.
All Week Long: Miami Spice
It’s the last week of Miami Spice! Where are you eating? Read here to find out which restaurants are participating.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

There’s never a bad time for pizza. Sad? Eat pizza. Happy? Eat pizza. Watching a basketball game? Eat pizza. Hungry? …Really, just grab a slice of pizza.
The question isn’t whether or not to eat it; it’s deciding just what pizza you want and, if you’re in Miami, where to get it. Lucky for you, in honor of National Pizza Month—which will run from October 1 to October 30—we’ve narrowed down the list to our top five pizza pies in the Magic City.
Here they are:

1. The wood-oven Margherita Pizza tops a crispy crust with tomato, daily-made mozzarella cheese, and basil. Where to get it: Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante {1801 Purdy Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.531.2228}
2. The Pizza Arrabbiata Calabrese comes with a “kick,” thanks the fact that it spices up a tomato-sauce-and-mozzarella pie with hot calabrese salami. Where to get it: Hosteria Romana {429 Española Way, Miami Beach; 305.532.4299} 
3. With its mozzarella cheese, Old Farmhouse-imported tomato sauce, artichokes, mushrooms, peppers, and Kalamata olive toppings, the Ortolana is anything but ordinary. Where to get it: Spris {721 Lincoln Road , Miami Beach; 305.673.2020} 
4. When in doubt, hit The Farm! This one is topped with bacon, egg, Yukon Gold potatoes, Bermuda onion, Crimini mushrooms, and smoked mozzarella. Where to get it: Pizza & Burger by Michael Mina {4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.4636} 
5. Seafood lovers, rejoice! This thin-crust Frutti di Mare pizza is packed with fresh clams, mussels, calamari, and tiger shrimp. Where to get it: Cibo Wine Bar Coral Gables {45 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables; 305.442.4925}

Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Heirloom Cauliflower Tacos from Lolo’s Surf Cantina

serves one
Ingredients
2 corn tortillas, fresh
2 Tbsp guacamole
1/2 c rainbow cauliflower, pan-roasted
1 Tbsp queso fresco
1 Tbsp salsa roja
pumpkin seeds, for garnish
cilantro, for garnish
Method
Warm the tortillas. Spread guacamole on both tortillas. Place roasted cauliflower on top. Add queso fresco and salsa roja.
To serve: Garnish tacos with pumpkin seeds and cilantro. Serve warm.
Lolo’s Surf Cantina is located at 161 Ocean Drive.

Caffeine addicts, unite! National Coffee Day is almost here, and it’s taking place Saturday, September 29.
In honor of this special day, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite coffee drinks and desserts in Miami. Find out what they are—and where to get them—below!
Tiramisu
Layered dessert with a chocolate sponge cake, espresso coffee, amaretto, and mascarpone cream
Where to get it: The Biltmore Fontana {1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables; 305.913.3189}
Price: $10
Greek Frappe
New at Kiki on the River, this beverage is a traditional Greek coffee drink
Where to get it: Kiki on the River {450 NW North River Drive, Miami; 786.502.3243}
Price: $6.95, but free with lunch on National Coffee Day

Coffee & Chocolate Cube
A delicate fusion of black cardamom cremeux, praline feuilletine, and baklava ice cream
Where to get it: Boulud Sud {255 Biscayne Boulevard Way, Downtown Miami; 305.421.8800}
Price: $13
Grey Goose Espresso Martini
A sophisticated mix of Grey Goose vodka and espresso from Dolce’s in-house coffee bar, Corso Coffee
Where to get it: Dolce Italian {1690 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.975.2550}
Price: MP
Pour Over Coffee
There are seven different regional and seasonal roasts to choose from
Where to get it: Market at EDITION {2901 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 786.257.4600}
Price: $7
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

Celebrating 50 years of culinary service, MR CHOW {2201 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.695.1695} has been dishing up bites of Beijing to delighted diners in six locations across the United States, plus London. Known for its crowd-capturing Noodle Show and its internationally-recognized Beijing Duck, MR CHOW has long been a stronghold in the Chinese food scene, boasting authentic Beijing classics and inventive chef originals, like their Chicken Satay and Ma Mignon. On top of the one-of-a-kind dining experience, the Miami locale brags a beachfront location with breathtaking dining rooms, an expansive outdoor patio, and an indoor bar and lounge. Though you’ll no doubt be impressed with what’s on the menu here, snag a serious treat with some of the off-menu specialities. These are favorites of Miami pasta chefs Chung Yi Lau and Yiu Ming Tsui, and give a special nod to each of their family’s cultures. These dishes are often featured on holiday menus, but are always available upon request.
Pasta Chef Chung Yi Lau’s favorites:
Crabmeat Little Dragon: Steamed dumplings containing warm broth and fresh crab meat. “This is one of my favorite dishes to make as it reminds me of my father—it was his favorite dim sum. When I was little, my father often took me to a Shanghainese restaurant that had been around for years. Each time he would order this same dish, Crabmeat Little Dragon. Having the soup inside the dish is like having crabmeat soup. One taste, it leaves you wanting more.”
Shanghai Pan-Fried Buns: Pan-fried dumplings filled with tender pork. “This dish immediately brings back memories of my childhood growing up with my mother, as she would cook this frequently. I find myself cooking it for her now. Funny how that works.” These pan-fried buns are highly requested by MR CHOW’s celebrity guests!


Pasta Chef Yiu Ming Tsui’s favorites:

Zebra Dumplings: Water dumplings filled with tender pork, and distinguished by the unique striped dumpling skin inspired by MR CHOW’s signature Squid Ink Rice Noodles. “As a child, my mother made the effort to make dishes with unique color combinations to entice me to eat, such as these zebra dumplings. From which, she taught me a lot about virtues—like in life, what is right and what is wrong, good versus evil, and seeing things in ‘black and white.’ The dish is a direct representation of my mother’s teachings, which I continue to practice and appreciate dearly.”

Chashu Pork Puff: Deep-fried puff pastries filled with barbecue pork. “I remember when I was young, my father would take all my siblings to a restaurant to have dim sum and drink tea when school was not in session and on holidays, which made a perfect occasion for family gatherings.  At that time, I was still living at home, but my siblings were out of the house and only came home once in a while. When they would visit, our father would take us out to have dim sum, allowing us more time to be together. I remember my father’s favorite was chashu pork. Made with multiple types of spices, chashu pork is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine. It is sliced and applied with honey after baking, which makes for a delicious dish.”
Happy dining!
By Dining Out Miami