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

The 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival is coming back to South Florida in February 2019! And considering the schedule of events was just made public, it’s safe to say this year’s festival will have us all salivating in more ways than one. Taking place February 20-24, 2019, the festival will include 100+ dinners, parties, cocktail hours, walk-around tastings, and more throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
To kick-off the festival, guests can start with the Dinner hosted by Donatella Arpaia, PJ Calapa and Michael Chavez at Terra Mare {551 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale; 954.414.5160}, in Fort Lauderdale. This evening of food and fun is actually the first official event of the CRAVE Greater Fort Lauderdale Series, which will include food-focused events like:
Dinner hosted by Anne Burrell and Angelo Elia
Dinner hosted by Elizabeth Karmel and Martina McBride
Clambake hosted by Alex Guarnaschelli and Jorge Ramos
Rock ‘n Roll hosted by Adam Richman
The Great DOCG Wines of Italy Wine Seminar presented by Bank of America
Drag Brunch hosted by Alex Carr and Elvis Duran, in collaboration with PRIDE Fort Lauderdale
Sunset Spritz Party hosted by Valerie Bertinelli
A Siren’s Soirée: Dinner hosted by Paula DaSilva & Friends
Cajun-Cooking Master Class & Lunch hosted by Sam & Cody Carroll
Bloody Mary Brunch hosted by Jeff Mauro & Geoffrey Zakarian
Of course, it wouldn’t be the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival without the classic events the five-day fête is known for. The Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village will return to SOBEWFF’s iconic white tents, as will evening parties like Italian Bites on the Beach sponsored by HCP Media and the Miami Herald Media Company, hosted by Giada De Laurentiis; the Heineken Light Burger Bash presented by Schweid & Sons, hosted by David Burtka & Neil Patrick Harris; and the Beachside BBQ hosted by Guy Fieri, with special musical performances from Cassadee Pope and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real.
Ensuring there’s fun for foodies of all ages, families can also get excited for events like Fun and Fit as a Family featuring Goya Foods Kidz Kitchen, the Family Ice Cream Social hosted by Duff Goldman, and Nulo Pet Food’s Yappie Hour hosted by Katie Lee. In the same vein, fitness enthusiasts can partially indulge in the week’s festivities with Bootcamp & Bites hosted by Robert Irvine and Buddhas & Bellinis. In contrast, this year’s spotlight dinner will no doubt be the festival’s annual Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America, part of The NYT Cooking Dinner Series. Taking place at the Loews Miami Beach, this year’s elegant affair will honor two pioneers of the food and beverage industry: acclaimed chef and restaurateur Nancy Silverton, and Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery CEO, Rhonda Carano. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will be author, editor, and former restaurant critic, Ruth Reichl.
And like it does every year, the team behind the 18th-Annual Food Network & Cooking Channel South Beach Wine & Food Festival has come up with a schedule of brand new events debuting in Miami this February. Here are just some of the new celebrity events foodies can get excited about:
Bites & Beats on the River hosted by Adam Richman
Wine & Cheese Happy Hour hosted by Martha Stewart
Taste Jamaica hosted by Cindy Hutson & Delius Shirley
Mangia After Dark hosted by Marc Murphy
Rosé Pool Party hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian
Sunset Stone Crab hosted by Emeril Lagasse
BACARDÍ’s Beach Carnival hosted by Andrew Zimmern
For more information about SOBEWFF 2019, or to buy tickets for any of its events, click here. The exclusive Mastercard pre-sale for begins Monday, October 8, 2018 at 9 a.m. EST. General ticket sales begin at Midnight on Monday, October 22. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 877.762.3933. All proceeds benefit the festival’s mission to EAT. DRINK. EDUCATE. with the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Since its inception, SOBEWFF has raised more than $28M in support of this cause.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor

What began as a standalone, 45-seater restaurant on a once quiet street in the Sunset Harbor neighborhood, has morphed into a bonafide Miami empire. In just eight short years, this Miami-born hospitality group has produced hit after hit by way of sushi, tapas, and pork. Of course, we are talking about Pubbelly Hospitality Group and those Pubbelly Boys.

Most local foodies know the story of the trailblazing trio—chefs José Mendín and Sergio Navarro and hospitality guru, Andreas Shreiner—behind Pubbelly Hospitality Group. Formed in 2010, the playfully dubbed ‘Pubbelly Boys’ made their mark on the sizzling Miami scene right from the get-go, beginning with the pork centric, Asian-inspired gastropub, Pubbelly (now Pubbelly Noodle Bar). Fueled by the success of their flagship restaurant, the group quickly commandeered the block, introducing neighboring sushi joint, Pubbelly Sushi, and a legion of tapas with authentic Spanish gin and tonics to match at Barceloneta. Collaborating with Norwegian Cruise Line, the boys dished up dumplings, Peruvian ceviche, and other delights on the great ocean blue by opening Food Republic aboard the Norwegian Escape. Speaking of international waters, Mendín launched PB Ysla in Puerto Rico while Pubbelly Sushi has debut in the Dominican Republic and Mexico City.

Racking up countless awards and accolades over the years—including five James Beard award nominations for “Best Chef South” for Mendín—the troupe decided it was high time to start a new chapter. Thus, they launched Food Comma Hospitality Group (FCHG).
Unleashing a handful of cutting-edge culinary concepts with that oh-so-familiar fusion twist that Miami has come to know, the trio now operates under Food Comma Hospitality Group. Established in late 2017, the rebranded hospitality group marks the next step for the burgeoning empire.
“We created Food Comma Hospitality Group as to complement Pubbelly Hospitality Group,” says Sergio Navarro. “It is a blank canvas for new, versatile concepts, backed by a unique culinary identity.”
“The story continues with Food Comma Hospitality Group,” says Joey Cancel, President and CEO of Food Comma Hospitality Group. “From a formal restaurant experience to a bustling food truck, FCHG showcases how flexible and agile our team can be.”

Powered by Chef Mendín’s unmistakable fusion approach, the first venture under the new title rolled onto the food scene, literally, presenting the massive street food concept, Baja Bao. The mother of all food trucks, the 32-foot-long food trailer parked on the patio of Veza Sur Brewing Company seamlessly merges both Asian and Latin flavors, dishing up puffed buns filled with shredded chicken mole to a Korean BBQ Steak number with kimchee and gochujang.
Crossing over into the hotel industry came the ambitious concept, Habitat at 1 Hotel South Beach. Forging new territories for the newly minted hospitality group, Habitat culls inspiration from across the globe, churning out fare influenced by the elements—earth, fire, water, and air—prepared with simplicity in mind. Divvied up by land and sea, guests can get their feet wet with various raw bar offerings, many of which are flown in from Spain, including the thinly Hamachi Aguachiles, which swims in a watermelon and guajillo pepper broth. Whole fish like Branzino and Skuna Bay Salmon are charred to perfection, thanks to the 15-foot open-fire grill.
Not only does Habitat showcase Mendín’s culinary roots, the restaurant houses a number of international talents, including Spanish pastry chef, Patricio Larrerra—a protégé of world-renowned pastry chef Oriol Balaguer. Creating alongside FCHG Corporate Pastry Chef Maria Orantes, the sweeter side of Habitat features a menu of Choco Bread Pudding made with sweet potato “pie” custard topped with chai tea ice cream alongside Ningyo Yaki—a take on a Japanese apple pie. Bite-sized confections like Pecan Praline Bonbons and Raspberry Coated Marshmallows can be found in the La Confiteria, a mobile dessert display that traverses around the dining room every night.

Never forgetting where they came from, the group continues to build upon the concepts that made them successful. For example, Pubbelly Sushi making its debut inside the buzzy Aventura Mall. Debuting last spring, the new outpost initially catered to busy, on-the-go shoppers with grab-and-go signature rolls and limited seating. But with an eye on the needs of the customer, the team quickly pivoted to a full-service restaurant by upgrading to larger digs inside the mall’s outdoor atrium. Alongside Mendín’s signature items, Pubbelly Sushi fanatics can nosh on the restaurants claim to fame, like the Butter Krab Roll and Tuna Pizza drizzled with garlic aïoli and truffle oil.
Introducing innovative culinary ideas while finessing tried-and-true concepts seems to be the hallmarks of this newly found hospitality group. So, is it time to call them the Food Comma Men?
“Nah…The Pubbelly Boys just evolved to a second generation,” chuckles José Mendín. “We are stronger together and hungry for growth.”
Happy dining!
By Dining Out Miami Editors

Today, one in 10 babies in the United States is born premature; and the same stats go for Florida, too. To combat this problem, March of Dimes has fought for the health of all moms and babies for 80 years now—constantly raising money to support research and education, and making the health of every mom and baby their top priority.
Sticking with that commitment, on Wednesday, September 26, the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction will once again bring together some of Miami’s best chefs for a great cause. Hosted by Executive Chef Paula DaSilva, of Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, this 22nd-annual event will feature a collaborative dinner by 13 chefs, all of whom will come together to raise money for beneficiaries of March of Dimes.
Starting at 6 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, this tasting-menu dinner will include signature dishes prepared exclusively for this event by each participating chef. In addition to Chef Paula DaSilva, the star chefs will include: Chef Culinary Chair Reynier De La Osa (Publix Aprons Cooking School), Sous Chef Derrick Connor (Royal Pig Pub & Kitchen), Executive Chef Adrienne Grenier (3030 Ocean), Executive Chef Marc Gruverman (The Capital Grille), Executive Chef Javier Jaramillo (Sea Level), Executive Chef Eric LuBan (JB’s on the Beach), Chef Gordon Maybury (Culinary Director of Corsair Kitchen & Bar), Executive Chef Jeff Pfeiffer (Lobster Bar Sea Grille), Executive Chef Chris Miracolo (TRP Taste), Chef Pablo Salas (Lona Cocina Tequileria), Pastry Chef Carlos Salazar (The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale), and Executive Chef Jeff Vincent (Funky Buddha Brewery). As an added bonus, Kenny Walker of 102.7 The Beach will emcee the event.
After the tasting, there will be a plated dessert and live auction, where attendees can bid on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and raise money for the research, programs, and education needed to advocate for the health of every mother and child. We hope to see you there!
For more information about this dinner and auction, or to purchase a table and/or tickets, click here. Individual tickets are priced at $250 per person, and tables of 10 can be purchased for $2,000 per table.  
Sponsors of the 22nd-Annual March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction include: Florida Community Bank, Holman Enterprises, Sunshine Health, Wells Fargo, Brustman Carrino Public Relations, and Entercom.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor