City Hall (no not that one)

This morning, Thrillist alerted me to a new restaurant in Downtown Miami that TOTALLY seems up my alley. City Hall not only has a NYC vibe, but listen to this menu:

The no-joke menu kicks off with Guinness-braised Mediterranean mussels w/ homemade chorizo, plus thick-cut applewood bacon w/ shaved truffles, then gets into mains like the houseblend meatloaf w/ chorizo-maple mac ’n cheese, Karubi pork ribs, and a Maine lobster/ shrimp/ scallop pot pie stuffed with parsnip mashed potatoes, seafood veloute, sweet corn, and English peas — which, over there at least, actually help you drop a few pounds. 

Consider me there.

City Hall The Restaurant 
2004 Biscayne Blvd; Downtown;305.764.3130 

09:23 am, by mynameisclaudia 2

Get to Know Your Culinary Neighbors

Midtown who? Take a summer field trip to Downtown Miami, the city’s newest neighborhood-that-could, where shady electronics stores are being eclipsed by newly opened artisan shops like Bryan in the Kitchen.

When owner Bryan Underwood isn’t busy whipping up strawberry and basil cupcakes, he moonlights as a gallant community crusader. We asked him to give us the lay of this new culinary land.

Eternity Coffee Roasters
This shop has really elevated the coffee experience. They roast in-house, and the baristas allow you to try a variety of flavors.

Little Lotus Miami
The assortment of Asian tapas always interests me. Sure, you have the traditional staples like gyoza and edamame, but there are also things like fried gizzards and fish jerky.

Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue
I am a sucker for sauces, and owner Kevin Kehoe makes all of his from secret recipes — which he keeps tightly guarded. (Go-to order: the pulled pork sandwich with guava and habanero BBQ sauce.)

Cvi.Che 105
I love this Peruvian spot for the creative drinks. Go for the Pisco with cilantro or chile.

El Cartel
Order a bucket of Colombia beer and chomp on chicharrón (salty pork rinds).

Bryan in the Kitchen, 104 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Downtown (305-371-7777 or bryaninthekitchen.com).

(via DailyCandy)

09:55 am, by mynameisclaudia 1

The Local Craft Food & Drink— Throw a few back, then eat a ton

People will often go to great lengths just for a good beer, although Ron Jeremy has been known to occasionally drink them flaccid, too. For a laid-back joint from guys fed up with having to leave town just to get one, hit up The Local Craft Food & Drink.From two 305 dudes who seriously used to hop Spirit Airlines to DC to grab craft beers on weekends because it was more affordable/ laid back than a night out in Miami, Local’s a brick-lined mini-gastropub filled with scavenged stuff from all over the city, like a red booth from Waxy O’Connors, ’40s photographs of Coral Gables liquor stores & hog-riding cops, plus a huge vintage wood bar from now-closed Michael Collins, which is a pretty revolutionary move. Chef Alberto Cabrera (who’s done stints at STK, Karu, and Y) is spearheading step-up eats including starters like jerky in a jar (grass-fed beef w/ soy and Thai chiles), Palmetto Farms pork samplers (bellies & ribs, plus pickled peaches, baby fennel, and peanut brittle), curd-coated tater tots with oxtail gravy, and squid ink meatballs made w/ Rice Krispies, although after all this food, the popping and snapping you hear will be your belt. The aforementioned bar’s overflowing with 30-40 bottled brews plus 24 micro-heavy taps including Avery Maharaja Imperial IPA, Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale, and Hobgoblin Dark English Ale, with rare kegs rotating in thanks to the owners’ suds connections, such as a rum-barrel porter currently aging in Tampa, along with the bulk of its residents.For this week, Local’s just open for dinner, but will eventually do lunch too, and the owners are working with a pastry chef to create a dessert menu as well as ironing out weekly happy hours, which Ron can provide even if he hasn’t been drinking.(via Thrillist)

02:00 pm, by mynameisclaudia 1

Kyma Lounge: Downtown lounge ups the homey vibe

 

There’s nothing like a good neighborhood joint, which explains that episode where Mr. Rogers breakdanced with Jermaine. Wave it, Fred!! For a place keeping it a bit more down to earth, hit up Kyma Lounge.Kyma’s taken over River Lounge’s two floors, keeping the circular bar and 30ft windows peering over the Miami River, and adding some abstract paintings and leopard-skinned chairs while shifting away from its former event space feel by bringing in food and themed nights, even though Lancelot looks totally ridiculous as a tennis pro. Fillings come in the form of traditional Spanish tapas like quince jelly with Idiazabal cheese, piquillo con atun (olive oil-soaked tuna & piquillo peppers), crispy potato chips with fresh anchovies, stuffed olives, and house dressing, plus pulpo a la Gallega, or octopus w/ paprika, olive oil & rock salt, also what Why Did I Get Married Too? poured in his Tooth Fairy wounds. Because booze is the new Ecto Cooler, Kyma’s whipping up cocktails including the Cocofresa Martini (coconut rum, fresh strawberry puree, coconut cream, half & half), the Minorca Bay (vodka, gin, celery blossom, lemon juice), and the orange vodka/ Cointreau/orange marmalade Orange Blossom, also what Mayim Bialik called herself when she got really into ‘Cuse basketball during the John Wallace days.Starting next week, they’ll be rolling out the aforementioned themed fun, like Monday “Guilty Pleasures” offering discounts on Scotches and bringing in cigars to be smoked on the waterside terrace, and Sunday “Sun Down” with daytime deals on mimosas, sangria, and Bloody Marys, also what Miss J. Blige ended up when it turned out her Reverse Airbaby skills were Make Believe.Kyma Lounge Epic Hotel and Residences; 270 Biscayne Boulevard Way; Downtown(via Thrillist)
03:29 pm, by mynameisclaudia 2

The Weekend Guide

WATCH 
With Me 
What:
 Beloved local filmmaker Fro Rojas debuts his latest short film with an all-star cast of Miami natives (Josie Loren, Lauren Berger, Melvin Lima) at the Borscht 7 Film Festival. 
Why: Because we can all relate to the story of a little girl with imaginary friends. 
When: Sat., 8 p.m. 
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts,1300 Biscayne Blvd., at MacArthur Cswy. (305-949-6722). Info at 786-468-2000. Reserve preferred seating ($20) online at arshtcenter.org. Admission is free for first-come, first-served seating.

PARTY 
ECOMB’s GreenRaiser 
What: 
The Environmental Coalition of Miami & the Beaches hosts an Earth Day celebration honoring those actively pushing our city toward sustainable practices. 
Why: Your money benefits our local soil. Plus ecofriendly fashion, organic cocktails, recycled flower arrangements by Karla Events, and live music. 
When: Thurs., 8 p.m. 
Where: Sagamore Hotel1671 Collins Ave., Miami Beach(305-535-8088). Info at 305-534-3825. Tickets ($75) online at brownpapertickets.com.

DANCE
Layer Cake
What:
 Get your groove on with five international superstar DJs of the fairer sex.
Why: Local hero Jessica Who?Mia Moretti and violinist Caitlin Moe, and Australian twins Miriam and Olivia of Nervo(listen up for their famous electro-pop sound).
When: Fri., 9 p.m.
Where: Living Room at W Fort Lauderdale401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. (954-414-8200).

EAT
Piola’s Earth Day Menu
What:
 The local pizzeria creates special dishes with produce from the Roots in the City Overtown community garden. Ten percent of proceeds go back into the soil.
Why: Insalata Coconut Grove (kale, organic eggs, radishes, smoked salmon) and gnocchi Overtown (organic La Chipper potatoes, kale, butter, sage, arugula). All diners get a bag of seeds and planting instructions. 
When: Thru Sat.
Where: 1625 Alton Rd., Miami Beach (305-674-1660); 1250 S. Miami Ave., Brickell (305-374-0031).

(via Daily Candy)

09:44 am, by mynameisclaudia

The Weekend Guide

STRETCH
Lululemon Athletica Opens
What: 
The yoga-inspired athletic gear shop debuts in South Miami with two days’ worth of festivities.
Why: Free yoga and schwag surprises.
When: Fri., 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 5734 Sunset Dr., South Miami (305-663-3478).

SHOP 
Sage Lifestyles Opens
What:
 Miami Shores welcomes a new wellness boutique, stocked with gifts, local artwork, and accessories by Floridian designers.
Why: Prints by Valentina Ramos, art by Drago Milic, Body Up yoga clothing, Cedar Cove soaps, Soy Candela candles, accessories by Natural Life, and Curly Girl Design.
When: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 211 NE 98th St., Miami Shores (305-456-5337).

SAVE
Lorie Lester Deal
What:
 To celebrate the launch of her summer collection, the local designer offers DailyCandy readers 25 percent off.
Why: Lester’s signature ’70s-style boho look: dresses, skirts, and tops dominated by nude, coral, and electric blue.
When: Thru Apr. 30. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., noon-8 p.m.
Where: Lorie Lester Studio + Boutique, 6301 Biscayne Blvd., ste. 103(305-756-8070). Mention DailyCandy at the register.

EAT
Makoto Opens
What:
 Stephen Starr (of Buddakan and Morimoto fame) introduces his latest dining concept, helmed by Iron Chef regular Makoto Okuwa.
Why: Bal Harbour could use a swanky 200-seat (indoor and outdoor) restaurant — plus steamed black edamame with sea salt and spicy garlic and frosty Kobe fried rice with foie gras.
When: Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 11:30 a.m.-midnight.; Sun., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.
Where: Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Ave., Bal Harbour (305-864-8600)

(via Daily Candy)

10:32 am, by mynameisclaudia

Crumb on Parchment

There’s really nothing quite like food made by Mom, although over the years, you’ve gotten pretty darn good at heating up Toaster Strudels yourself, you clever boy. Proving food made by other people’s moms can be pretty good too: Crumb on Parchment.Open now in the atrium of the 3930 Building, Crumb’s a mid-century Cape Code-inspired cafe blessing you with all manner of hearty eats and baked goods whipped up daily by owner Michelle (Sra. Martinez) Bernstein’s mom, and offering impossible-to-find Design District convenience, like maybe the only ATM around, a newspaper/mag rack with theNY TimesEconomist, etc., and even cigarettes, which for the area, is pretty damn Kool. Amidst mismatched vintage furniture and coolly shabby cupboards are the made-daily cookies, croissants, cakes (German choc w/ roasted walnuts, Mom’s specialty coconut), muffins (cranberry-orange, molasses bran), and pastries like strawberry rhubarb tarts and gigantic chewy granola bars, all displayed on old-school ceramic pedestals and cake stands, also how Kirstie Alley impresses everyone at AEPie parties. Things also swing savory with Manchego and Serrano scones, a breakfast sandwich (served ‘til 5p) with kale, shallots, chicken sausage, and melted cheddar on challah, and “Warm ‘n Messy Hot Sandwiches” like pulled rotisserie chicken, caramelized onions, goat cheese, arugula, and roasted pears on crusty bread, which the clown makes tons of thanks to The Simpsons being syndicated.Waitresses clad in Leave It To Beaver-style aprons’ll also bring you an array of drinks, from teas served in the apothecary glasses with silver spigots, to huge glasses of milk to go with your cake, to ice-filled tin buckets of Pacifico, because while food made by Mom is fantastic, the one thing she can’t make is beer, unless your mom’s the St. Pauli Girl, a fact you’d be drinking to forget.Crumb on Parchment 
Open Mon-Fri, 830a-530p: 3930 NE 2nd Ave; Design District; 305.572.9444 
(via Thrillist)

10:29 am, by mynameisclaudia