Wednesday, December 4, 2024
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USSA Sommelier CourseBy Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

Wine lovers unite! If you’ve always wished you knew more about wine, but just didn’t have the time or the opportunity to learn, you’re in luck! USSA (United States Sommelier Association), a non-profit dedicated to promoting wine culture to amateurs, oenophiles, and industry professionals, offers informative, convenient, and easy-to-follow courses throughout the year. And lucky for you, the headquarters is located right here in Miami. Focusing on the practical aspects of enjoying and tasting wine, each class is led by an expert wine professional who covers everything you’ve ever wanted to know about vino—and more.

If you’re interested in getting your sommelier certification, be sure to sign up now for the upcoming United States Sommelier Certificate Immersion Course, which will take place at USSA’s Corporate Campus and Education Center {1111 Lincoln Road, Suite 400, Miami Beach} from Sunday, April 12 through Friday, April 17.

USSA Wine Course

The course includes:

  • Tasting over 100 different premium labels from all over the world
  • A history of winemaking from ancient to modern times
  • Varietal component wine tastings with Le Nez du Vin 54 Master Aroma Kit
  • An in-depth look at the major wine-producing regions around the globe
  • An explanation of the three styles of wine: sparkling, still or light, and fortified
  • Food and wine pairings: 11 different foods with five of the most popular wine varietals
  • The art of the sabreur: Learn to saber the top of a Champagne bottle with a sword

USSA Wine TastingA premium selection of wines from around the world will be tasted, many tasted blind to make learning both interactive and fun. Upon completion of the course and passing both a written multiple choice test and tasting exam, students will receive their USSA Intermediate Sommelier Certificate.

For more information on the upcoming class and other courses and specials available, visit ussommelier.com.

Bright-By Sherri Balefsky | Online Editor

Located just across from the Townhouse and Setai hotels, Bâoli {1906 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305.674.8822} has managed to keep a relatively low profile. But that doesn’t mean that this SoBe hot spot doesn’t draw a crowd. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Beautiful locals and the jet-set flock to this chic hot spot night after night for its lounge ambience, live DJs, and club-like atmosphere (after all, the The Bâoli Group is best known for its trendy restaurants and lounges in Cannes, France).

While Bâoli is oft pegged as a late-night destination, many may not realize is that it is also an elegant Mediterranean and Asian-inspired restaurant with a tranquil foliage-filled outdoor patio that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a romantic date, a business dinner, or a girls’ night out. We were lucky enough to score a table here recently and couldn’t have been more impressed by the sheer volume of menu options, the beautiful presentation, and the impeccable service.

Greg O'SullivanBe sure to come early and have a seat at the hip outdoor bar, where head bartender and master mixologist Greg O’Sullivan will whip you up a tasty cocktail from his expertly crafted menu of signature drinks to tempt even the most discerning palate. Choose from fruity favorites such as the Summer Fresh, an amalgamation of Absolut Citron, St. Germaine, lemongrass-infused agave syrup, lemon juice, and pineapple; or the Bâoli Pear Spirit, Absolut Pears Vodka, St. Germaine, Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, club soda, and lemon juice.

Next, sink into one of the comfy booths or quiet tables and let your server guide you on an incredible journey of regions and flavors. Executive Chef Gustavo Vertone blends his Italian-Argentinian background into his own unique interpretation of modern Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. In the mood for sushi? Bâoli offers over a dozen perfectly prepared and presented sushi and sashimi rolls. Our recommendation here: the Mango Tango roll, a perfect combination of shrimp tempura, asparagus, cucumber, and spicy mayo topped with avocado, hamachi, and mango salsa.

Hamachi Sashimi TacosIn the mood for Italian? Try the Heirloom Tomato and Burrata appetizer, a gooey blob of creamy mozzarella cheese paired with fresh tomatoes. Other menu must-tries include the Hamachi Sashimi Tacos appetizer, the Charbroiled Octopus Salad, and the Truffle Mac ’n Cheese, and Bâoli Kobe Burger—worth every penny of its $50 price tag! Make sure you leave room for dessert, too, as all options are made in house and include a Warm Chocolate Fondant and Banana Rum Pudding, and Green Tea Brûlée.

Baoli Burger

And the best part is that after dinner, there’s no need to hail a cab and relocate to your next venue of the evening—this is it! The party gets going around 11pm and continues well into the wee hours of the morning.

By Sherri Balefsky | Contributing Writer

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South Beach eatery Siena Tavern {404 Washington Avenue; 305.534.5577} recently introduced its own rendition of happy hour to the South of Fifth neighborhood with its daily Cicchetti (che-kett-ee) menu. In Venetian tradition, cicchetti is the name used to describe the small plates and appetizers that are typically offered in pubs at the end of the work day.

From 6-8pm daily, Siena Tavern now offers such dishes along with specialty cocktails at unbeatable happy hour prices. Choose from antipasti favorites such as Frito Misto, meatballs, and salumi and cheese boards for just $7 each; East or West Coast oysters for just $2 each; and classic pizzette offerings at for only $9 each. As for drinks, specialties include housemade sangría (a Siena Tavern favorite), negronis, Moscow mules, and other classic cocktails, all for just $7 in addition to $4 draft beers and $6 house wines.

But that’s not the only thing that’s noteworthy here. Join Siena Tavern every Saturday and Sunday for an impressive brunch featuring everything you could possibly want from a brunch menu—and more. (Think: Caramelized Waffles, Almond Pancakes, and Tiramisù French Toast.)

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It’s the perfect setting for larger groups, as there’s the option to mix your own breakfast beverage concoctions by ordering either the Bloody Mary or mimosa kits. The Bloody Mary kit comes with a bottle of Absolut vodka along with housemade Bloody Mary mix, celery sticks, dill pickle spears, and olives, along with cubed mortadella and fontina cheese skewers. Likewise, the mimosa kit includes a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for the table served with freshly squeezed orange juice and two seasonal juice purées such as blood orange and elderflower or cucumber limoncello.

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So if you’re looking a new place to earn your “regular” status, whether it’s a relaxed after-work hangout or a libatious weekend brunch spot, Siena Tavern has you covered.

Cibo South Beach

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

This was the theme of our evening at Cibo Wine Bar South Beach {200 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach; 305.987.6060}, the newest addition to the South of Fifth dining scene, which made its official debut in December last year. It was only a matter of time before the Cibo concept, which was an instant success in Coral Gables when it debuted just over three years ago, made its way to the beach—quite literally, as its location on South Pointe Drive means it’s mere steps from the sand.

Bad decisions aren’t possible here; that wasn’t the problem. But selecting from the sheer volume of great choices proved to be much harder than you’d think!

Cibo Miami Beach

Decision No. 1: Upon arrival, we were greeted by a hostess who asked where we’d like to be seated. Inside the aroma-filled dining room facing the expansive wine cellar and open kitchen? Within the first-floor lounge area, which features an industrial-chic wraparound bar and the whimsical designs of pop artist Mr. Brainwash, whose signature slogan, “Life is Beautiful,” adorns the wall in bold letters? Or, did we want to dine on the sizable rooftop patio (one of the largest in South Beach), a quieter oasis romantically lit by flaming heat lamps and table lanterns?

Cibo Miami Beach

We opted for the rooftop, to which we were instructed to take the elevator up to the third floor where another hostess greeted us, escorting us to a cozy wooden table with plush white couches.

Cibo Miami Beach patio

Decision No. 2: We were quickly greeted by our server, who prompted our next big decision: wine. There is a tempting cocktail menu and plenty of fine beers on offer, but it’s called Cibo Wine Bar for a reason. The restaurant is engulfed by wine bottles, the focal point of which is the two-story cellar at the center of the first floor. If your desired bottle is up top, a harnessed “wine angel” ascends to retrieve it. We learned that the restaurant in total has some 2,500 bottles on offer.

Cibo Miami Beach wine

After settling on a bottle of Italian white, it was time to for the next—and perhaps the most monumental—decision of the evening: what to order.

Decision No. 3: This expansive menu is Italian cuisine at its finest, featuring fresh ingredients that have either been flown in from Italy or are made in-house. Hats off to Chef Massimo Giannattasio, who has created a menu of mouthwatering pizzas, pastas, and main courses. Again, there were no bad decisions here. Our words of advice: be sure you come hungry!

You’ll be tempted to fill up on the freshly baked loaf of rosemary-sprinkled bread that’s presented to the table with a side of the restaurant’s signature special chili-pepper olive oil blend (warning: spicy!), leaving us with the difficult Decision No. 4: “More bread for the table?”

Decision No. 5: For appetizers, we settled on the Buffalo Mozzarella and Tomato and the Black Tiger Shrimp served with a spicy wine-garlic tomato sauce. Both looked so incredible, we had nearly devoured them by the time we realized we’d forgotten to take our obligatory hashtagged photos of the dishes.

Cibo Fusilli

Decision No. 6: For entrées, we selected the Chicken Parmesan and the Fusilli with chicken and mushrooms in a light cream sauce. Both were served in beautiful heaping portions that made our eyes wide with awe and amazement. A happy food coma soon followed—that magical moment just past the point when your stomach tells you it’s full and your brain allows you to take that one last bite.

Cannoli

Then, the final debacle: Decision No. 7–dessert. How could we resist? We opted for the Cannoli, which seemed like an appropriate Italian choice. Fair warning: the plate comes with four! We again dug in immediately before realizing that a proper photo had yet to be taken. Before we left, we surveyed the bustling bar area, which was significantly more crowded than before. It was a Thursday, which meant that it was Ten After Ten Thursdays: two drinks for just $10 after 10pm.

As we made our way out in a lethargic, sleepy daze—an astoundingly blissful experience that one could only hope to have after relishing in a large meal and finishing off a bottle of wine—it occurred to us that life, at least at that very moment, certainly was beautiful.

By Sherri Balefsky | Miami Editor

semilla brunch menuMiamians looking to get their Sunday brunch on in style have yet another option to add to the list: Semilla Eatery & Bar {1330 Alton Road, Miami Beach; 305.674.6522}. And on Sunday, local journalists, bloggers, and culinary tastemakers—DiningOut Miami included—were treated to a VIP tasting event in honor of the newly launched brunch menu.

Not only does Semilla Eatery’s brunch have a respectable all-you-can-drink option (just $24 for bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, or Bloody Marys), but its à la carte menu features just the right combination of traditional fare and unexpected offerings.Semilla Omelet
Feel like breakfast? We recommend the decadently gooey Vegetable and Swiss Cheese Omelette. Feel like a light lunch? A must-try here is the Key West Shrimp Salad. And if you’re in the mood for a heartier meal, the menu also features entrées like the Braised Beef Short Ribs “Parmentier.”Semilla Shrimp SaladWe’ll also let you in on a secret: order the Pork Rillette. This French pâté-esque spread (though much meatier) is not listed on the brunch menu, but is still available to order, and it’s served with a slab of freshly baked baguette.Semilla Brunch

So be sure to head over to Semilla for brunch, offered every Sunday from 11am to 4pm. You might even see us there … we’ll definitely be going back soon.

Semilla Brunch