Mama Mia these places are good!

Allow me to take you on a gastronomical, culinary and downright tasty tour of Italy…right here in Miami. Pasta, pizza, garlic rolls, ahhh…these are some of my favorite Italian eats.

Right in my ‘hood of North Miami are two great ones like the original Mario the Baker on West Dixie Highway. It’s an institution in classic, comfort Italian food. Although they’ve expanded over the last few years and there are a few others around Miami this is the original. They’re still doing awesome thin crust, wood burning oven pizza here. The crispy crust, fresh sauce, oozing cheese and fabulous toppings are a force to be reckoned with. I recently dined there with my family and could not get enough of their crispy pepperoni which curls up ever so slightly after baking in the oven. The green peppers and onions made it even better. A side of garlic rolls is a must; they’re soft, chewy and dripping in olive oil and garlic with a sprinkling of oregano. For something heartier the lasagna, baked in a small silver platter and served bubbling hot filled with meat and cheese, is comfort food all the way.

Mama Jennie's shrimp and pastaNot far away in Miami Shores is Mama Jennie’s, another Italian mainstay of that neighborhood where the food is unbeatable. They’re known for their pastas and subs, with an abundance of them offered on the menu. Stuffed shells, stuffed peppers with a side of spaghetti, spaghetti with either white or red clam sauce, tomato sauce, sausage, shrimp, meatballs, meat sauce or mushroom sauce are just some of their offerings. I love their baked ziti and baked ravioli. Their hot and cold subs are typical Italian – salami and cheese, Italian and roast beef are some of the cold ones and there’s meatball parmesan, chicken parmesan, steak and cheese and veal parmesan as some of the hot selections. It’s no wonder they’ve done so great with their catering business, who wouldn’t want to have such great food at their party?

Heading over the MacArthur Causeway to South Beach Groovy’s Pizza has been doing it right over there for years. Their original location is on Washington Avenue, sandwiched between two nightclubs and they now have a new location on Lincoln Road, coincidentally also next to a nightclub. The hungry clubbers hit both places in the wee hours of the morning to curb the munchies and they’re diehards and keeping Groovy’s in business. They’ve got ultra huge slices of pizza it’s no wonder they flock here, it’s enough for two, maybe three people. It certainly caught my attention when I went there. I however, opted for a regular slice and the choice was tough because they’ve got so many incredible toppings. As you can tell by now, I love New York style pizza and that’s what all these places offer. Groovy’s is truly authentic New York, fold that baby over and have at it. I’m partial to the four-cheese pesto pizza, a white pizza (no sauce) with a blend of ricotta, parmesan, provolone and mozzarella topped with homemade pesto sauce, sweet red onions and fresh plum tomatoes.

Rocco's Pizza Lounge pasta. Photos courtesy of MyCityEats.comThe newest place I discovered, run by an Italian family who has been in the restaurant business for more than a decade, is Rocco’s Pizza Lounge in Kendall. This place is the complete opposite of the other three. It’s modern, updated look is chic and cool and the food has a bit of a twist from the traditional Italian. I love their presentation. Their arancini appetizer, an Arborio risotto ball stuffed with homemade Bolognese sauce and fried to a golden shell or the tartare di tonno a fresh sushi grade tuna marinated in their homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing are two great examples that are visually appealing and taste just as good as they look. Their pastas are straight up Italian classics including gnocchi di ricotta al pomodoro and pappardelle Bolognese to name just a few.

I hope I’ve made you a little hungry and inspired you to try some of these places which are all part of the IDine Network.

Mario the Baker, 13695 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, 305-891-7641

Mama Jennie’s, 11720 NE Second Avenue, Miami Shores, 305-757-3627

Groovy’s Pizza, 921 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, 305-538-1801; 332 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, 305-531-5454

Rocco’s Pizza Lounge, 8865 SW 72 Place, Miami, 305-671-6262

Hikari - A Vegas teppan and sushi bargain

I have to admit, I am a Las Vegas regular. Like many who live in Hawaii, the pilgrimage to the “ninth island” is a well worn path filled with jackpot dreams and new and exciting dining experiences. Unlike many islanders, I pass on the vintage downtown setting and opt for the excitement and action along the strip. In the past 3 years I have managed to visit Vegas over a half dozen times. I’ve done the Bellagio fountains, the Mirage volcano, the Eiffel tower at the Paris, the TI shows and other free and not so free enticements that the strip has to offer. After six trips in two years, the glitter of the strip was wearing thin. I was in search of something more.

Most folks from Hawaii are very astute about Vegas. They know where to spend their money and what to avoid at all costs. I had been hearing about this teppan-yaki restaurant in Spring Valley from more than one person. The chatter was that the sushi and the teppan menu were excellent and very reasonably priced. Now, islanders are snobs when it comes to sushi and superior and inespensive Japanese cuisine is no stranger in Hawaii, so I decided to set my GPS to Hikari.

The eatery is a small and simple spot located in a strip mall along Buffalo Drive just five miles east of the strip. The Spring Valley area is a collection of shopping centers, apartment complexes, small businesses and other neighborhood necessities.

Even though the GPS announced that we had arrived, I must admit I had to do a couple of passes before I found the parking lot entrance. It’s located on Buffalo between Flamingo and Tropicana. I would have found it easier just knowing that instead of listening to the GPS, actually.

Once inside the casual restaurant, the décor seemed to be more of an afterthought rather than a professional effort, however, the attentive host and warm smile is always something that can make even the drabbest place feel welcoming. The eatery is divided into two sections. Sushi on the right and teppan tables in the rear. After a discussion on dining decisions, the teppan table won out.

The teppan grill was heated up and a small platoon of servers began to whirl into action. I have to admit that this was not my first teppan experience. The last time the food was mediocre and the chef was too much of a comedian for me to enjoy my meal so, I hoped that this would not be a repeat of that performance that was too “off Broadway” for my taste.

Waitresses served up beverages and cocktails and started us off with the traditional miso soup and tsukemono. Then the chef arrived with his tall hat and crisp white and sparkling clean apron. He was pleasant and accommodating and attempted a few funny moves with the salt shaker that did seem funny to me after two very refreshing glasses Japanese beer that was chilled to just the right temperature. The beef was slapped on the grill and the chef went about his work. His knife skills were impressive but not overtly so.

Well, long story short, the beef was fantastic, just like I remember having it in Japan, the style of presentation was impressive but in an expected Japanese way of subtly and  by no means without lacking in refinement. The bill was amazingly affordable. Dining at Hikari was all I could have hoped it would be.

I also hear that there is all you can eat sushi. The sushi list is more than one can imagine at prices that are too good to miss. I’ll have to return for that on my next Vegas trip.

Hikari Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi - 4175 S Buffalo - Las Vegas, NV 89147 - P. (702) 889-6660

http://www.idine.com/details.htm?merchantId=53778

Cafe Luka: With A Menu As Long As Your Arm

Cafe Luka's name might fool you.  It's not a cafe where you share stories while sipping martinis or a fine Cabernet.  Cafe Luka is simply one of New York's better coffe shops, aka diner. When you're in the neighborhood, you go there for a quick, tasty, hearty meal, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner.  If you live nearby, you can phone for delivery.  Food arrives promptly, and hot.

Prices are moderate for a coffee shop, and  inexpensive measured by other restaurat prices. The daily specials are an excellent value.  I have enjoyed soup and a shrimp salad sandwich and coffee. Including  tip and tax, the bill came to about $15.  I also like the small  Greek salad ($9.95) which is huge.

The tough problem is deciding what to order.  The breakfast menu has it all from the standards to classy choices such as Eggs Benedict or Florentine.  Blintzes, steak and eggs and smoked salmon on a bagel or in an omelet are on the menu, too.

For lunch or dinner, choose from  about a dozen entree salads,, five kinds of burgers, or a long list of sandwiches.  Keep reading the menu and consider seafood, steak, turkey, brisket, ham or roast beef.  Would you rather have an Italian dish?  Order pasta, veal or eggplant parmigiana, ravioli or lasagne.  Thinking  Turkish or Greek? Have the spinach pie or Chicken kebab. 

Whatever you choose, it will be fresh and the portion wil be large. 

 Ambiance? Charm? What ambiance? What charm?  Cafe Luka is a place to eat alone or with friends, but is not a place for fancy 'shmancy' dining. Service is speedy, although you can linger indefinitely, while the competant waiter keeps refilling you coffee cup at no additional charge.  The pretty cashier in the front, is a charmer, with a friendly word and smile for everyone.

CAFE LUKA

1419 First Avenue (between 70th and 71st Streets)

(212) 585 2205

FOR FOLKS VISITING NEW YORK, here are definitions of what a Manhattan coffee shop is...and is not.

THE NEW YORK COFFEE SHOP - Cafe Luka is typical, but with better food that many of the others scattered throughout the city.  It  is casual, has a large menu, and opens for breakfast and continues through dinner. A coffee shop is also called a diner.  Think Seinfeld re-runs and you'll know Cafe Luka.

STARBUCKS, OHRENS AND OTHERS  - They primarily sell coffee, but most New Yorkers refer to them by name, rather than as  a coffee shop. i.e. " Let's  meet  at the Starbucks on 57th.". They  would  not say,  "Let's meet  at the coffee shop on 57th."

THE AMSTERDAM COFFEE SHOP  -- In the Netherlands, coffee shops  are licensed to legallly sell marajuana. You can make a purchase  to take home  with you (you cannot  smoke outdoors), or to smoke pot in the shop. A sign above the counter displays  choices and prices.  They do not sell coffee. 

           

BBQ: San Francisco Style

Like most of the residential districts in San Francisco, the Inner Richmond has multiple sub-neighborhoods. One of them, along Geary Boulevard, is a wide, heavily trafficked street populated by small businesses. Unattractive on its surface, it doesn't look like much of anything is going on from a food standpoint. It's a neighborhood that one usually just passes through.

Like most people, my husband and I often travel by restaurants on the bus or in the car and say to one another, “That looks interesting. We should give it a try sometime.” And then we never do. Last week, however, we broke our dysfunctional pattern to try a place we have passed for over a year.

It came about as I was cruising through the iDine website, looking for a member restaurant. (The best part of the program is that it encourages us to try restaurants we might never have noticed. Many have become our favorites.) Since I searched by my zip code, the program brought up restaurants close by our apartment. Right at the top of the list, was Roadside BBQ. Located on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Geary, this casual, small, and extraordinarily friendly restaurant is a welcome addition to the business-oriented area.

While I realize, BBQ is more of a religion than a food style, and preferences run deep, I can unequivocally recommend Roadside BBQ. In developing the recipes for their restaurant, the owner's traveled the country to experience the great variety of barbecue flavors and styles. Because they sampled the various styles, choosing a flavor from here, a spice from there, it is difficult to categorize this restaurant by barbecue region.

The menu does have the standard barbecue options: brisket, smoked chicken, hot links, ribs, and pulled pork. But there are also some interesting West Coast choices like house-smoked salmon and grilled fresh vegetables. One option that I'm saving for a cold, rainy, foggy San Francisco fall day is the Stuffed Potato. You can choose between the standard butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives, or you can deck your potato with grilled veggies or a choice of barbecued meats.

For lunch, my husband selected the Memphis Pulled Pork Platter. After up to seventeen hours in the smoker, the pork was lean, tender, and juicy. For his sides, my husband chose one of the best macaroni and cheese dishes I have tasted in years, along with Sweet Potato Fries.

As the helpful manager assured me the brisket could be ordered extra lean, I ordered the Mr. Brisket sandwich. Topped with a crunchy coleslaw, a mild BBQ sauce, and served on a soft-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-top roll, this was one heck of a sandwich. The first bite sold it — a satisfying crunch of roll and coleslaw, followed by the savory sweetness of the barbecued meat — yum! My side was the Grilled Corn on the Cob. Where most places give a half-ear, this was a full ear of sweet and tender corn with a tasty grilled char.

The handy sauce bar had the standard flavors, along with an amazing Asian-style garlic/ginger sauce. And the best pickles! Our only disappointment was the small corn muffin that came with everything. It was a little dry and crumbly for our taste.

And kudos for the excellent customer service! In these days of slipping standards, Roadside BBQ bucks the trend. All questions about the menu were handled courteously, and the manager (who was working the counter) offered menu descriptions and suggested which barbecue sauce would enhance each of our dishes. He even suggested some menu tweaks that could save us a little bit of money — very much welcome in these tough economic times.

One thing to note: This area, like most San Francisco neighborhoods, has parking issues. Visitors who are staying downtown, though, can get there via the 38-Geary bus going west ($2, exact change). For those who wish to drive, I recommend visiting during early weekday afternoons, as parking is easier at that time.

Roadside BBQ, 3751 Geary Blvd. (at 2nd Avenue); phone 415.221.7427.

www.RoadsideBBQ.com

Michelle's Restaurant, Warren, Michigan

Since joining the Rewards program early in 2010, I’ve tried just about every restaurant in my local area.  Although I have been to Michelle’s Restaurant in Warren, Michigan several times previously, I had yet to go there for anything but breakfast.  Since I was due to post another blog entry, the time was right to give their dinners a try.  Plus, I get to earn more Delta Sky Miles while enjoying dinner.  Since my wife and son were working, my mom was going to be my co-reviewer this month.  Since Michelle’s has a nice selection of Polish dishes, she was more than willing to come along and provide her feedback.  It didn’t bother her that I was treating either.

We went on a quiet Thursday night and they had a broad selection of entrees, including about eight to ten of which were on special.  I ordered the chicken fettuccini with Alfredo sauce, which came with a cup of soup and garlic bread for only $8.99.  My cup of chicken noodle soup was overflowing with noodles and was served piping hot.

As far as the entrée, the noodles were fresh and there was no shortage of Alfredo sauce.  The sauce was a little creamier than most Alfredo sauces that I’ve had, and with a touch of pepper and parmesan, it was just the right mix.  The garlic bread was on the dry side, but it was a nice complement to the sauce.

My mom ordered the stuffed cabbage.  It came with a choice of soup or salad, potatoes and corn.  If you’re not familiar with Polish food, stuffed cabbages are also called guwumpki (I know how to pronounce it, just not spell it).  Essentially, they are cabbages boiled with a red sauce filled with ground meat and rice.  Growing up, it was a treat when we had them for special occasions.  The potatoes that came with the dinner looked like they were a scoop of instant potatoes, however, they were anything but instant.  They had their own distinct flavor that made me think they should be presented a little differently to do the flavor more justice.

Regarding the cabbage, when I asked my mom what she thought of them, she said, “Just like Busia (Grandma in Polish) used to make”.  Growing up in a Polish family, that’s as good of a recommendation that you can get.

Although I went to Michelle’s for dinner, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Sunday brunch that happens every Sunday starting around 10:00.  From omelets to waffles, chicken, kielbasa, mashed potatoes, breakfast potatoes, bacon, sausage and much more for $12.95 per person.  You can also order off the breakfast menu if the brunch buffet is not your style.  The breakfast food is outstanding.

Michelle’s is located at 31920 Van Dyke Road in Warren, Michigan.  You can find them on the web at the following link: http://www.idine.com/details.htm?search=true&merchantId=88407.  They’ve been in business since 1992.  Do yourself a favor and stop by.  You won’t regret it.