Cena by Michelle Bernstein

After almost a year of the original Michy"s closing down for renovations, Michelle Bernstein and her husband David Martinez introduced a brand new concept called Cena by Michy. Cena mean dinner is Spanish. One of the best dinners I have had in months. The ambience is completely different with the opening of the roof now with exposed beams, modern artwork and lighting 

Amazing burger!

Bib lettuce salad

They built a brand new bar now facing the boulevard and are finishing creating a dining in the kitchen experience 

Chef Michelle Bernsteinis high respected in the culinary world and as a Miami native she has now captured the world known as one of the top chefs of all time 

The Best Hidden Gem in South Beach

I am almost afraid to let the secret out! But here it goes... First off, do not show up without a reservation!! #bestkeptsecret #foodie #speakeasy

You walk up Michigan Avenue just off Lincoln Road in South Beach towards a random office building. You see a nice girl sitting at the entrance of the building on a stool and you need to let her know you are there for the restaurant. She then walks you around the building into a garage through a locked door and there it is a very small but quaint place with about 8 tables. 

You are immediately greeted by some of the nicest people ever. Once seated they go over the menu with you in detail offering recommendations.



We ordered the Star Luca, star shaped pizza field with ricotta cheese, pepperoni, mozzarella and San Marzano sauce. It was extremely light, airy, perfectly crisp and with amazing flavors. 

We also ordered the Marco, named after the chef, it features San Marzano sauce, fresh Burrata, Stracciatella cheese, arugula, fresh tomatoes and Italian parmesan, this was my favorite. Thought the burrata was cold, it was served on a extremely warm and crisp crust.

Chef Marco, walked by each table greeting everyone and was so kind to send us an amazing dessert of Croissant with Nutella.

They have many traditional, special and extraordinary pizzas, as well as salads and more.

Highly recommend and so glad they deliver & I live down the street....

27 Restaurant South Beach

One of my favorite bars in the country is Broken Shaker, well  finally, 27 Restaurant opened right next door.

With a surf shack decor it offers a great ambiance beginning with the upstairs bar and lounge

Some of the tables are communal and very comfortable! Best part is the unique one of a kind cocktails and food presentation.

Kale salad

Bubbies latkes ( potato pancakes)

Please visit and enjoy this gem off 27th and Collins! Miami Beach 

Chicken Scratch - The Foundry - Dallas

Wow! You can drive by this place and not have an idea what is behind the wrought iron gates. A field of cactus, shaded trees and communal tables surrounded by gutted containers that were turned into lounge tables and chairs and a few buildings with modern aluminum siding. 

One building is called The Foundry, an eclectic bar with a great selection of beer , wine and alcohol

The other building is Chicken Scratch 

Offering a wide selection of Creative Chicken and Busciut sandwiches and much more!

The Chicken Fingers are light, crispy and flavorful. The Chicken n Buiscuts are amazing with an awesome honey glaze! You can not go wrong. 

Feel the Southern Comfort....

There's more to Dallas than Steak!!!

Miami's Mimo District Foodie Revival

I never thought the day would come when the Biscayne Boulevard Corridor from 79th street south to the 50's would make such a quick and major comeback! The days of the hourly motels are moving out.

The Biscayne Historic Mimo District is now becoming the foodie capital of Miami.

From Soykas, Blue Collar, Dogma, Andiamos, Gourmet Station, Balans to Michele Bernstein's Michi's, there are now so many great places to enjoy.

Today I drove down the boulevard and noticed the new sign at Ms. Cheezious, best know for their food trucks that travel all over Miami and specialize in artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches.
They finally opened a cool brick and mortar restaurant at 7418 Biscayne Boulevard,

My favorite is the Short Rib Melt, but today , I was looking to go "healthier" and decided on the Smoked Turkey on Fresh Sour Dough with Fontina Cheese and Rosemary Honey. It was Outstanding and very fresh.

The prices are very reasonable. With a wonderful location, excellent menu and good looking venue, this will do very well and a wonderful addition to the neighborhood.

 Look out for Jugo Fresh and Panther Coffee opening soon in the neighborhood!

Burger Battle - In-N-Out, Shake Shack, UMAMI and Burger-Fi

Let's Talk Burgers! (Quality "FAST-FOOD" Burgers)

Having just returned from Las Vegas, I could not believe the amount of Burger Restaurants that have opened through out the city and especially on the famed Strip. 

Because I live in South Beach, usually the first thing I do on my way to check to the Hotel in Las Vegas is to stop by one of my favorites of all time burger joints, In-N-Out.

I can't get it at home, so, I have to go for it when I can. For under $5.00 you too can enjoy a great tasting Cheeseburger with freshly made buns and hand cut fries. Every bite, well just look at the picture, you can just imagine.

While in Vegas, I also enjoyed visiting the new SLS hotel. Vegas's most foodie hotel and enjoyed a Truffle Burger from UMAMI another favorite West Coast Burger joint. UMAMI made a short stint in Miami's South Beach neighborhood, but due to a 2 year long major road construction they left. I am hoping they make it back quick!

                                                                        UMAMI Truffle Burger

                                                      UMAMI Burger with Parmesan Crisp

Shake Shack, we all know just went public recently is one of New York City's famed Burger joints. People wait upwards of 45 minutes in line around the block. You can imagine how thrilled I was when they opened one just blocks from my home on Lincoln Road in South Beach. Thankfully, no major lines, but again one of my favorite of all time burgers.

                                                                           Shack Burger

Another new-comer that is growing very rapidly and offers and amazing Burger experience is Burger-Fi. Amazing quality, very juicy and great prices! They just recently signed a deal with Sun Life Stadium home of the Miami Dolphins to offer their selection of burgers to fans.

                                                              Burger Fi Double Cheese Burger

So many Great burgers to choose from, so hard to choose my ultimate favorite in this Burger category. 

Please let me know your thoughts and your favorites!

NYC's Quality Meats - More Quality Back to Miami Beach

In Miami Beach, we have the famed Prime 112, Meat Market, Smith & Wolensky's, Red Steak House and now we welcome our newest neighbor Quality Meats. Straight from New York City, they recently spent $5 million dollars on a renovation at 1501 Collins Avenue.

Located Just step from Ocean Drive, this 200-seat location is one of the best in the heart of South Beach. Formerly the Art-Deco Bancroft hotel and the Bancroft supper club, Quality Meats has certainly turned this place into a first rate Steak House.

     Kale Salad

The "quality" of the service is superb. The waiters were all very informative and they have some of the best mixologists in the nation. What is cool is they took the old check in desk from the former hotel and turned it into a very relaxing and soothing bar.

Make sure you check out the Apple Tart and Ice Creams for Desert

Miami's Taco Craze at an ALL TIME HIGH

Finally, Miami has caught up with the national TACO craze. The latest new concept from the developers of Lime Fresh, John Kunkle of 50 Eggs Group, introduces one of the coolest Taco restaurants in the heart of Alton Road in South Beach, Florida.

BTW, Burger Taco Whiskey offers you a relaxed atmosphere with indoor/outdoor seating along with one of the hippest whiskey bars in the state. Imagine $3 Gut Warmers Whiskey Shots! Yes in South Beach, $3 Whiskey shots! The cocktail selection is wonderful and very affordable.

The food is created by Michelin-starred Chef Danny Grant. I had the opportunity to try the Classic Burger, Mahi Mahi Taco, Chicken Taco and the Carnita, slow roasted pork shoulder, the flavors were rich, fresh and amazing.

But one thing you need to try at the end of your meal is the Vanilla-Churro Soft Serve Ice Cream. It is a MUST HAVE.

Please visit BTW at 1439 Alton Road, Miami Beach