Thank you Mr Moes for bad service

So our trip today to Coconut Grove was another fantastic time. After my hair appointment we walked looking for a place to eat a light lunch. We decided to enter Mr. Moes. The place was not busy at all (that was the first sign), we sat down and a girl placed a few menus and well that was the last time we saw her. Apparently she found it better to go hang with co workers and eat and chill instead of attending to customers. So we decided lets just leave. We left and went found an Indian Restaurant called Bombay Darbar. Well the service was much better, we actually had people come to the table. We decided to do a taste of appetizers. We started with Tandoori Chicken Wings that had great seasoning mixed with yogurt herbs and spices with a plum sauce. The wings were juicy and full of flavor. Great choice! Then we went with Pandor Faucora which is basically Indian Fried cheese in small squares. This was a nice dish too. To end the tasting we went with Garlic Naan which is basically garlic bread. This was another great item to have. So I highly recommend this restaurant if you want to stop in the Grove.

So there you have it our little stop in the Grove. Where shall the next place be?

Stay Tuned.

If you love it then visit it and I love the Grove!

So we decided that since I truly always loved Coconut Grove the best way to show is to visit them and patronage their services. So I found me a nice hair salon called M Salon. M Salon M is located on Fuller street and come Saturday will be my first appointment. Hopefully this will be the start of a beautiful friendship. Next we said ok lets go to places and try them out. The businesses need it and we can have some fun at it. Yesterday we stopped at Barracuda Bar and Grill. I had the Shrimp Po'Boy with their home made Cajun Sauce. Well the heat index on that was a bit high (a bit too high for me) but I was still able to taste the flavor that was pretty darn good. I may have it again if I go. This place at first glance looks like a dive bar but let me tell you that is where I think you can find some of the best dishes. So next week we will go back to the Grove and see where we end up at.

Cheers and Stay Tuned.




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666 Park Avenue Episode 2

Well this show just seems to continue to spark interest. Episode one (Pilot) opened up with us the audience wondering is he the devil or is he just a man of magical powers. This episode did not answer that question but left me wondering oh what secrets are laying within the Drake walls.

One thing is for sure the character Jane is a nosey little creature. I use to think that Lois Lane was nosey and of course she was a reporter it goes with the job, but Jane is, well, right now the resident manager. She tends to wake up in the middle of the night and have the urge to walk down to the basement of the building she lives in. Ok come on who does that? I love how she wakes up one time and goes to her boyfriend oh I just realized I left the laundry in the dryer and he goes get it in the morning. Yeah that would be my first response too but come on this is Jane the wanderer she gets up and she does start to pick up her laundry but then is drawn to a noise which of course leads to a door. Oh now what is the next step? Of course she opens the door and hears music playing and it appears to look like a nice apartment and yes Jane does a walk thru only to find a dead body! But wait the person does one of those oh let me open my eyes and jump at you and then next thing we know Jane wakes up in her bed and her laundry is next to her bed. We later learn that the man she saw in her "dream" was a resident that was found dead in the mid 50's.

We got to meet another resident Danielle Vincent who at first just seems to appear like a single girl just trying to find love in the big city. But, this is the Drake and nothing is what it appears to be. Poor Danielle just cannot seem to find good men. Gavin the ever "fixer" is more then happy to hook Danielle up with a business associate. We then later learned that this business associate did Gavin wrong and did he forget to tell Danielle that he was married? Poor Danielle did not take it very well that he was a married man as a matter of fact she was a "bloody mess" over it. Not to worry Gavin stepped in to help clean things up. But when Danielle sees herself in the mirror she sees herself as an older woman and memories come back to her one killing no two no three, four...or was there more? Oh dear a bloody mess we have on our hands. Not to worry Gavin will make all your memories and aging effects go away by the morning.

Then there is Brian, he is the writer who last week his wife appeared to get attacked by the elevator. He is also the writer who has a direct view of an apartment where a certain blonde is just well always almost naked and he just cannot help but stare. Of course he freaks more when the blonde ends up being his wife's new assistant. It scares him a tad bit more when the blonde likes that he stares at her and she starts coming on to him very strong. Oh we have not seen the last of these residents.

If you have not watched the show go watch and let me know what you think, until then..

Stay Tune..

Oh where to go and what to do - I know Coconut Grove!

The weekend is upon and some of us who work hard all week like to sit back on the weekends and just pretty do nothing. We like to think of places to go and people to see and of course this leads to the ever popular question where am I going this weekend? So in case you are asking yourself this same question may I lead you to the Grove. The Grove needs all the help we can give it, so here are some places you may want to consider.

Green Street Cafe This is a popular go and beseen or go to see type of place. Try their pancakes, scrambled eggs or bagels for a breakfast fix or go the lunch route with hearty salads, sandwiches and wraps. You can sit in one of the lovely tables outside or lounge in the sofa outside like the chic people do.

Lulu- Across the way, Lulu offers great brunch options too. Specials include huevos rancheros and eggs
benedict, but they also serve an array of omelets, salads, sandwiches and more. Try to snag a spot on one
of their comfy couches outdoors and you might stay all day long.

Jaguar Restaurant - Jaguar's unique philosophy incorporates menu items showcasing traditional tastes and textures throughout Latin America. Signature items feature traditional favorites with a contemporary flair from Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Chile. Jaguar’s menu offers a broad canvas of spices and… ingredients with perfectly balanced presentation of each dish to showcase its individuality.

Gardener’s Market- Want to do some post-brunch grocery shopping? Then Gardner’s Market might be
your choice. They serve sweet pastries and omelets for breakfast, or opt for one of their freshly prepared
sandwiches that you can build yourself. The cozy cafe tables outside are a great spot to sit down and enjoy
your lazy weekend meal.

Now if the Grove is not where you feel like heading how about South Beach for some pizza? Here is my recommendation for Pizza on South Beach.

Pizza Fusionn - Located at the entrance of South Beach (1115 5th Street) this is one unique place. Do not feel guilty about having pizza my friends this is the place to go to eat and be guilt free. As the chef puts it "we create mini masterpieces of tasty goodness that are good for you too." Foods such as organic veggies, hormone-free meats and all natural cheeses. They cater to vegans, veg-heads, gluten-free peeps and even carnivores.

Where you pick enjoy the time and enjoy the moment!

666 Park Avenue or is it 999?

A new show started on ABC this week (Sunday) and I finally got the chance to watch it and I have to say it is a bit DARK! It has sort of the feel of a mini-horror series.

Henry Martin and his girlfriend Jane Van Veen are new to New York and initially are in the city for different individual jobs. Jane's job did not seem to pan out and Henry's job is well a work in progress one might say. So they see an ad in Craig's List for a Building Manager and they decide to check it out. The address of the building is 999 Park Avenue however in a certain evening light the number appears to be 666 Park Avenue - hum. No Henry and Jane did not notice this we the audience do. Well they meet with Gavin Doran who at first seems to have no interest in the couple but then something Jane saids well makes him take a second look. You see Gavin is all about helping to bring out the talent of people - oh but at what price. He tells the couple that they can keep their day jobs but this job comes with an apartment so after a few moments they are taken to their new luxury apartment. During this time they meet Gavin's adorable wife Olivia (Played by the seductress named Vanessa Williams). Olivia looks a bit devilish should we say and she too is pleased with Gavin's choice. Now here are some things that happened all in the first episode:

We learn that the Drake (666 Park Avenue) has 13 floors in total (Gavin and Olivia live in the penthouse on the 13th floor), 203 apartments and 388 residents that Gavin Doran picks himself.

Olivia invited Henry and Jane to the symphony and told them it was black tie, but that is ok because Olivia took Jane dress shopping and bought her a $4,000 red dress. Gavin took Henry to the golf course for a few rounds. We learn that since Gavin Doran is in legal dispute with the city and Henry is technically working for the Mayor that it may be not right for even the two of them to be talking. Gavin apologizes and Henry is left saying oh that is ok it is not like you knew about it - ah yeah Henry good luck with that.

When they move their stuff into the apartment, Jane gets spooked by a resident that has blood on his hands. John Barlow recently lost his wife and would do anything to get her back, including murder. Gavin makes it clear to John that he’s only renting this life. Mary is returned to John for the murder. However, she quickly begins to die again and John is told to kill again or lose Mary. Jon Barlow reneges on his deal and refuses to kill Daniel Stone ( a man who refuses to have business dealings with Gavin and publicly told off Gavin). Gavin tells him his contract is done since he failed to deliver on his end. Tortured souls come to claim John through the wall.

Jane meets Brian Leonard and later his wife Louise. Brian is a struggling Playwright and has just started writing his first play. His wife is a successful photographer and is about to shoot her first cover for Vogue. Brian has noticed a cute blonde across the street and she has noticed him in return. Brian comes face to face with her when his wife needs a new assistant and Alexis is recommended. Louise makes a joke about Brian being attracted to Alexis and the elevator decides to act up and almost kills Louise.

 Jane continues to meet new residents as she does the rounds and makes a list of required maintenance. Jane finds an old mosaic of a dragon on the floor and is intrigued. She decides to look into the history of 999 Park Avenue and finds an old picture of a fraternity called the Brotherhood of the Dragon, with a door behind them. However, in the basement the door has been sealed and hidden. Jane wonders why. While sleeping Jane wakes up because of some noise she heard (John Barlow being sucked into the wall) and she decides to take a walk around to see what is going on. She ends up on the roof and there she sees Mary! But wait Mary is dead? Mary turns around looks at Jane and tells her that she’ll never be able to escape from 999 Park Avenue before she dives off the building. Jane wakes and thinks it’s all a bad dream. However, her feet are filthy.  

Jane and Henry go meet Gavin to sign the employment contract. Gavin distracts Jane by asking for her help with the renovation plans and gets the happy couple to sign their contracts without reading them. Oh bad move guys!   There you have it all that in one episode, what will the 2nd episode bring? 

Stay Tune!

Homemade Hot Sauce

Well a challenge was set by the man to get him a hot sauce that is worthy of his picky palate. To know the man is to know that he truly likes it hot on many levels all high and never low. So I decided well the only true way to get it to burn is to make it at home. This would only be for him because well fire in my mouth is not my cup of tea. Well I came across a recipe and decided to make it and I am happy to say it was a success!

Here is the recipe:

Garlic Habanero Hot Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups habanero peppers, sliced in half lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup water
• 4 cups white vinegar
• 20 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 8 tablespoons sugar
• 3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• ½ cup lime juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Set habanero peppers on a baking sheet and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
3. Roast in the oven 12-15 minutes or until soft and skins begin to blister.
4. Heat a large pot to medium and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer about 20 minutes, or until onion and garlic soften.
5. Add roasted habanero peppers and simmer about 5 minutes.
6. Transfer mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth. Alternatively, use an immersion blender and puree directly in the pot.
7. Simmer another 5-10 minutes.
8. Serve, or seal into sterilized bottles to allow flavors to truly develop.

The only items I changed was the sugar. Instead of sugar I used Agate Nectar which is a healthy sugar substitute. It is in a liquid version and we found it worked very well. I also did not add the salt since low sodium is always in order.  

I found it easy to make so I will most definitely be making it again. Now in order to test the taste I decided to make monster mutant burgers. The burgers were stuffed with ricotta cheese, fresh oregano and some basil. To top my burger I put Guacamole while the man used the sauce as his burger sauce. Both sauces were great! 

Try it and let me know!

  

A new Burger place with a twist

Ok so here is something I came across that sounded some what different. It just seems lately the trend is to have a burger place. Really isn't a burger like BBQ? In the end it is all the same? I do not know either but that is what it seems to me. Perhaps we need to challenge ourselves to find the best Burger place in Miami? Let's see how that goes. Here is one I came across and before you ask NO I have not tried it yet.

Elevation Burger

Elevation Burger has opened its doors across from the Dadeland Mall.

The burger restaurant offers ingredients that are 100% USDA-certified organic for an "elevated" experience.Elevation Burger is located at 8975 SW 72 Pl, near the Chilis.

So I checked the menu that Elevation Burger has and some of the menu burgers are called:

The Elevation Burger (DUH) - Double meat and Double Cheddar Cheese (real cheddar)

Cheeseburger - Are you really surprised?

Hamburger - of if they did not have a simple burger I would of been disappointed.

Vertigo Burger - it's billed as a stack them up build your own 3 to 10 patty burger

Veggie Burger #1 - Fire roasted taste

Veggie Burger #2 - Vegan Burger

Half the Guilt Burger - 1 beef patty and 1 veggie patty

Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Have no words to say about this

So there you have it go try it. If I do I will be sure to report the findings either good or bad.

Stay Tuned..