Art Basel Restaurant Recap, Day One. Nopales...

Yes I could bore you to death rhapsodizing about the huge slab of chocolate cake at the restaurant at the Mondrian, and don't worry, I will (it's disgusting, in a word), but the best meals my out of town guests and a few lucky fair-goers and I had were at some local favorites. And so I trade in the 'usual suspects' for my own list of 'UNusual suspects'. Starting with the required trip down to Li'l Havana for some 'Cuban' cigars. And that brought us to 'Mi Rinconcito', about which I've rhapsodized many times, including in the Miami SunPost http://www.miamisunpost.com/1025bites.htm , and elsewhere on this blog.









The new and improved Mi Rinconcito is still the best Mexican food in Miami. The special the other day was 'Tortitas de Pollo en Salsa Verde con Nopales'. I did not know what to expect so I was surprised at what looked like crabcakes, but with chicken (the waitress had described them as "like chicken meatballs", which they weren't at all). The 'nopales' are fresh cactus that is first boiled and then cut into strips, and laid over the chicken patties, which are basically poached chicken breasts that are shredded, formed into a patty with egg whites, and then finished on the grill (or griddle, if you prefer). The nopales really reminded me of okra, which I love, but a little less slimy. Incredible. Also the green sauce was just like I had remembered it, smooth and spicy. The chicken held its flavor, and had a crunchy crust that was an added bonus.





























This restaurant has doubled in size, but the service has stayed smooth and friendly, and, just as importantly, the Tecate is still frosty and inexpensive. One of the best restaurants on Calle Ocho, incidentally, and a nice break from Cuban food. More to come on their holiday treats. They have added a bakery and have one of the most interesting dessert items I've eaten this year, corn cheesecake. As I have said earlier, incredible.




The one on the top left is the corn cheesecake, which they also sell by the slice.

Mi Rinconcito Mexicano
1961 SW 8th St (Calle Ocho)
Miami, FL
305-644-4015
Open 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily

Miami's Mad Cat Theater Presents Mixtape...

I saw this play last weekend, and the run is coming to an end this week with performances Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8PM. You simply must go. Mad Cat is full of talent, and the energy and excitement they bring to every performance is evident in 'Mixtape', a group of plays mostly written by local writers (including '3:59', which was previewed to raves at 'A-B(o)MB'), as well as the Borscht Film Festival's Lucas Leyva, whose short play involves Meatloaf.... The short plays all emanate from a musical idea, and the influences range from the Replacements to the musical Sunday in the Park with George(!). That's quite a wide range. There is also a great performance of poetry and lyrics written by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy. For $25, this play should not be missed. There's a cheap donation bar, and a great selection 0f $5 Mad Cat swag. For more info, go to http://www.miamilightproject.com/index.php?page_id=16

North One10 Hosts Miami Chef's Club...

Gema, Hilary, and Sly


An 'angelic' LoSasso (the wings are hidden)

Some cross-dressers...

Ortanique's Cindy Hutson Belly Dancing...

High-powered publicist Larry Carrino, second from left, as Chef Michael Jacobs plus some star attendees including one blogger-douche...

I had the pleasure of attending a 'Chef's Club' event at North One10 a coupla Mondays ago-well I got there after it was mostly over, as I was bartending at Kingdom that night for MNF. Lots of Miami chefs and restaurant people attend these events, and Dewey and Dale LoSasso rolled out a nice evening for everyone. It was pre-Halloween, so Larry Carrino was dressed as Chef Michael Jacobs, and Chef Nate from Andu came as Mario Batali. Cindy Hutson was, I believe, a belly dancer. After that, it all gets hazy. Chef Dewey was in costume as an angel (go figure). Of course he also played a little guitar, and a good time was had by all. He is doing a pretty cool Thanksgiving menu, for those of you who aren't coming to my house, so check it out. It's their 5th annual T-Giving dinner. Reservations strongly suggested, as they say. For all the details, go to http://www.northone10.com/

Miami's Biscayne Boulevard Battles...

Biscayne Blvd Battles Update: Upper Eastside Green Market and Vagabond Market Fight It Out....
My feeling is that both will survive but only one will thrive. Kris Wessel is selling his ice cream at the Vagabond, as well as smoking up some ribs-I ate one and it was the best-tasting rib I've had of his (although of course he was not satisfied-"needs to dry a little more"). My favorite rib in Miami is still The Fat Man's, though. Celebrity Chef Michelle "Michy" Bernstein was ambling through the place last weekend, and Doug Rodriguez was here Saturday with mozzarella in hand. When asked about the rumor that he was opening a stall at The Vagabond, he scoffed (I actually started that rumor, with that question.). He is rumored to be opening another spot in NYC (actual rumor, not started by me).
Aside from Wessel's 'Green Light' ice creams and sorbets (I tried the hazelnut and chocolate-very nutty), downtown's Raja's was serving some fresh Indian food at reasonable prices. Le Cafe was also there with breads, tarts, etc. Wessel has a lot of ideas for this space, and he told me at least 20 in the span of our four-minute conversation. I envision a day, in fact, when this space has Wessel's fingerprints all over it. He is the original Chef Dennis The Menace; and between he and Vagabond (Motel) Market owner Eric Silverman, they are like two mad geniuses on speed.
Silverman has created controversy with the neighbors with his apparently illegal alteration of the historic signs and other questionable moves. But I believe, after this market becomes a landmark of its own, detractors will begin to move on. I may be wrong; but I believe a lot of neighbors went against the Upper Eastside Green Market, and most eventually came around. In the end, I guess the 'market' will determine if a 'market' is the best use for this property. Right now, there are several things I would change, but again, I think the neighbors and other visitors will be voting with their feet. Although the $8/lb. stone crab claws at the Green Market are hard to beat, maybe people will be walking between the two markets, with a stop at Kingdom for a quick Bloody Mary (shopping can be so hard). Remember, the Vagabond is also open Sunday.
In other News For Boulevardiers...The old Mama Calypso across the street is being renovated by Haitian artist Papaloko-first a studio, then a restaurant. And great news!!!! The old Renaisa, Taj Mahal, etc., is going to become Anise-a new Med place by the Ouzo folks. I think this one is going to fight it out with Red Light for waterfront dining. And it is going to be a battle. They are within swimming distance of each other (don't get any ideas, my drunken friends). This has always been an under-utilized location, as Indian food still remains a very small niche here. But look for the Little River waterfront to start getting more crowded (there's something I never thought I'd say...), thanks to Chef Wessel's efforts in cleaning it up.





Raja's Indian Food...


Doug Rodriguez with Vito's Mozz...




Kris Wessel Whispers His Mantra to Staff-
(Don't Fuck Up...)



Anise Waterfront Dining on left...

Vagabond Wildman Eric Silverman is a blur...

$8/lb Stone Crab Claws...

Wessel Rib, Close-up...

Ribs and Swedish Hot Dogs....

When Celebrity Chefs Collide...

Here it comes...