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The Inside Scoop on Taste of the Nation Miami
The Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne provided the beautiful backdrop to this year’s 20th Annual Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation premiere culinary event in Miami. The 4-hour festivities began at 6 p.m. on August 1st with a champagne reception sponsored by Pernod Ricard. Guests were greeted with culinary samplings from over 40 chef stations - representing Miami’s finest restaurants. Attendees also sipped on fine wines and spirits, and participated in a live and silent auction – both of which were held to raise money to help end childhood hunger in America. What better reason to eat, drink and make a difference!
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Trendsetters, food lovers
and fans of Miami Spice Restaurant Month started this popular two-month
initiative off by piling into the grand ballroom and mingling over
the first few wine stations… eventually scooping out the scene to
decide in which order to start their culinary journey. Decisions,
decisions!
With hotspots like Nobu, Chef Allen’s, Blue Door at the Delano,
China Grill, Cioppino, Mark’s South Beach, Kary&Y, SushiSamba Dromo,
Smith & Wollensky and Social at Sagamore Restaurant dishing out
innovative treats – guests were beyond pleasantly satisfied! From
Tuna Tartare to Filet Medallions, the aroma coming from each station
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trying everything (so, we didn’t resist!). ‘Winos’ were equally impressed with the extensive selection of imported and local Chiantis, Pinots, and Cabernets.
The Cruzan Rum-sponsored “Iron Bartender” competition” (similar to “Iron Chef”) at the event was also a huge hit! Guests sampled concoctions made by Miami’s hottest mixologists, and then headed straight over to the live auction, which followed the competition. The crowd bid on vacation packages, dinners, golf sets and a splendid |
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selection of other donated packages. (Since 1988, “Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation” has raised over $70 million for the cause.)
The lineup of the nationally acclaimed chefs who participated in this year’s Taste of the Nation Miami was impressive. These food gurus even went as far as to grace the stage in order to thank all the attendees for coming – talk about a great opportunity to finally put a (chefs) name to a face!
With an abundance of first-class food, wine and company, journeyPod will definitely be back next year! And, we’d encourage your presence too! |
Miami Spice Restaurant
Month
Celebrating its sixth consecutive year, the Miami Spice Restaurant
Month (held in August and September) boasts more than 60 of Miami’s
top restaurants that provide a specially priced three-course meal
($22 for lunch and $35 for dinner). Well-renowned culinary masterminds
create signature dishes that represent their eatery… driving locals
and travelers alike to South Beach, in order to check out these
gastronomic specialties. Talk about a great excuse to try a new
restaurant without spending an arm and a leg! For updates on participating
restaurants, menus and sponsors, visit www.ilovemiamispice.com.
Some of journeyPod's picks for Miami Spice Restaurant Month include:
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Santo
The food and atmosphere at this trendy restaurant/lounge deserve a perfect 10! Chef Cory Smith creates magic night after night with modern American dishes like Parpadelle Taormina and Crispy Free Range Chicken.
Ola
Talk about mouth-watering! Nuevo Latino cuisine was born at this top-notch spot (located at the Sanctuary Hotel). Offering Latin-Caribbean-Spanish infused dishes (and desserts of sweet ecstasy), Chef Douglas Rodriguez knows exactly how to satisfy. |
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Table 8
“Top Chef” Judge Govind Armstrong fuses together American cuisine with flavors he’s acquired from his many travels to Costa Rica and San Sebastian, Spain. Using fresh seasonal foods from local producers and farmers, be prepared to see only ingredients that originate within Miami. Table 8 offers dishes like Bucatini with Fennel and Roasted Mushrooms, as well as New Zealand Lamb with sautéed Arugula.
Sushi Samba Dromo
The ladies of “Sex in the City” sure knew how to pick a hotspot! Chef Jose Mendin does an excellent job of mixing Latin ingredients with traditional Japanese dishes to create a very unique flavor. You too will become a “regular” who swarms back for dishes like the Omakase - a multi-course freshly prepared seasonal dish chosen by the Chef. |
Cioppino
Named one of “America’s Top 20 New Restaurants” by Esquire, Cioppino is a true delight – dishing out regional ingredients from the coastal villages of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the famed Tuscan countryside. Chef Ramon Guerrero does a magnificent job of sending his guests on a culinary journey with a melt-in-your-mouth Burrata Cheese to prepare the palate - followed by a Rigatone alla Melanzano e Ricotta Salata.
Tantra
One of South Beach’s sexiest and most exotic culinary dining destinations, this sexy lounge/restaurant is a huge celeb hangout every single night! Chef Sandee Birdsong offers an unforgettable aphrodisiac-inspired international fusion menu of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Indian delights- there’s no other place to indulge in your deepest senses. Check it out as journeyPod goes behind the scene’s in Chef’s Corner with Sandee Birdsong. |
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The date of next year’s “Share our Strength’s Taste of the Nation
Miami” will be announced soon… so make sure to check out http://taste.strength.org/
to get it on your calendar. Oh, and book your tickets and hotel
early – things sell out quick! Here’s a tip: fast the day before
you arrive, so you’ll really be able to indulge in every savory
flavor! Also make sure you visit the official I love Miami Spice
website http://www.miamirestaurantmonth.com
(Check out our Miami
Destination Guide for more information on these picks and others
in the area!)
To hear more about the
festival check out our live podcasts
at the 20th Annual Share our Strength's Taste of the Nation Miami!
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