Location: 7001 Biscayne Blvd, Miami
t: 305.758.3353
Cuisine type: Italian
Price: Moderately priced
Hours: m-f.11am-3pm, m-th.6pm-11pm, f-sa.6pm-11pm
A cozy, warm, and inviting restaurant beacon, I wish I would have driven in front of and just kept on going.
Instead, the siren like charm of its well lit outdoor seating area lulled me and my dining companions in, only to reveal yet another very bad Miami Italian eatery. The most frustrating part of this was the fact that I was actually on the way to a great restaurant. Instead, in the name of my adventurous sensibilities, I had to settle for a total gastronomic loss.
We began with the eggplant filled with goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes and the meat carpaccio. I was so disappointed with the taste of the eggplant dish that I did not even call the waiter to inform them that the sun-dried tomatoes were nowhere to be found. As for the meat carpaccio, it was mediocre at best.
We followed the appetizers with a blackberry risotto with mascarpone and a linguini pesto. I know what your thinking, blackberry risotto, how very ambitious. Ambitious indeed, so much so, that it was a complete bust. I likened it to risotto cooked in Hawaiian Punch, my girlfriend and friend thought that was a bit much, but I can't in good faith, apologize for the simile. The pesto produced more of the same feelings. Pesto, like mole, if you read the previous review, is, for me, of essential importance at any Italian restaurant. In this case I am afraid that I have nothing good to say about it.
We concluded our dinner with an amaretto infused apple raisin tart with cinnamon ice cream. I think at this point I was so disillusioned that I barely tried the dessert at all; the only thing I will say is that the ice cream did in fact taste very much like cinnamon.
Even now, as I attempt to say something positive after such harsh criticism, as is human nature, I cannot find a single redeeming quality in my experience, short of saying that the owner was helpful and accommodating, and that the bottle of wine we had was worth the $27 price tag.
Having spent $100 (around $50 per person) I am still growing my mental list of: '20, and counting, ways I could have put $100 to better use'.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Poblano
Location: 5850 Sunset Dr., South Miami
t: 305.740.9087
Cuisine type: Mexican to Tex-Mex
Price: Moderately priced
Hours: m.closed, t-th&su.11:30am-9pm, f-s.11:30am-11pm
Give this place your patronage.
I am probably getting a jump on most of your usual restaurant review sources with this one. Poblano, has become a part of my restaurant repertoire, and quite frankly my Mexican restaurant of choice, thus far. It's a family run operation. The family is always on hand and seems to champion the ever elusive concept that the sole function of any business is to make their customers happy. They are quick to satiate my craving for enchiladas in mole even though it is nowhere to be found on the menu. This symbolism merits mention because, one I get what I want, and two my parting point for all the Mexican restaurants I judge is the mole. That said the mole at Poblano is good, honestly it's very good, the best I have had in Miami. I warn you though it's spicy, so like me you'll probably use that as an excuse to wash it down with 4 or 6 beers.
I know you will like the place the moment they serve you their rendition of chips and salsa. The other day I tried their fajitas and loved them, I can think of only two places that top them and they're both in Texas. However, don't expect the fajitas to be accompanied by extra fixings like sour cream and shredded cheese; these are in the nude without embellishments, in all their glory. Though, believe me when I tell you that you won't miss the accompaniments.
They are open for both lunch and dinner every day, closing on Mondays. Lunchtime is distinguishable from dinner in that they serve several specials at lunch time prices. This might probably be a good time to mention that Poblano is moderately priced, maybe even verging on expensive, depending on your relativity factor. Appetizers range from $6 to $10, and entrees average about $18.
The decor goes a long way in adding to the positive experience. Furniture pieces like the mirror at the entrance and the old Mexican doors, turned partitions, abutting the bar area look like objects I'd like to have in my home, thus the plot I'm devising for a favorable relocation of the mirror in the men's bathroom. The reason why I even mention these things, and I know just about now you've started to ask yourself that precise question, is because they add to the overall ambiance. Even the art work makes you feel at ease.
So call up some friends, rendezvous at Poblano, order a few beers (I like the Negra Modelo) or the cucumber lemonade, let the chef do the work, and amuse yourself with the notion that there is no place you'd rather be.
Oh yeah and if you try the Gruyere cheese soup with tequila or the Margaritas made with wine before I do, let me know what you thought.
t: 305.740.9087
Cuisine type: Mexican to Tex-Mex
Price: Moderately priced
Hours: m.closed, t-th&su.11:30am-9pm, f-s.11:30am-11pm
Give this place your patronage.
I am probably getting a jump on most of your usual restaurant review sources with this one. Poblano, has become a part of my restaurant repertoire, and quite frankly my Mexican restaurant of choice, thus far. It's a family run operation. The family is always on hand and seems to champion the ever elusive concept that the sole function of any business is to make their customers happy. They are quick to satiate my craving for enchiladas in mole even though it is nowhere to be found on the menu. This symbolism merits mention because, one I get what I want, and two my parting point for all the Mexican restaurants I judge is the mole. That said the mole at Poblano is good, honestly it's very good, the best I have had in Miami. I warn you though it's spicy, so like me you'll probably use that as an excuse to wash it down with 4 or 6 beers.
I know you will like the place the moment they serve you their rendition of chips and salsa. The other day I tried their fajitas and loved them, I can think of only two places that top them and they're both in Texas. However, don't expect the fajitas to be accompanied by extra fixings like sour cream and shredded cheese; these are in the nude without embellishments, in all their glory. Though, believe me when I tell you that you won't miss the accompaniments.
They are open for both lunch and dinner every day, closing on Mondays. Lunchtime is distinguishable from dinner in that they serve several specials at lunch time prices. This might probably be a good time to mention that Poblano is moderately priced, maybe even verging on expensive, depending on your relativity factor. Appetizers range from $6 to $10, and entrees average about $18.
The decor goes a long way in adding to the positive experience. Furniture pieces like the mirror at the entrance and the old Mexican doors, turned partitions, abutting the bar area look like objects I'd like to have in my home, thus the plot I'm devising for a favorable relocation of the mirror in the men's bathroom. The reason why I even mention these things, and I know just about now you've started to ask yourself that precise question, is because they add to the overall ambiance. Even the art work makes you feel at ease.
So call up some friends, rendezvous at Poblano, order a few beers (I like the Negra Modelo) or the cucumber lemonade, let the chef do the work, and amuse yourself with the notion that there is no place you'd rather be.
Oh yeah and if you try the Gruyere cheese soup with tequila or the Margaritas made with wine before I do, let me know what you thought.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
The Aperitif
Now, I know that colorful saying, 'opinions are like _____' (you can madlib the rest) and though we all have them, some are more full of it than others. My opinions, are just that, opinions.
Why then should you even begin to waste your time with what could be just another long winded, and often times down right pompous adoration of food?
I, like you, have found myself sifting through wordy restaurant reviews trying to find which one could satisfy the high expectations of a Saturday night outing. Though some do a great job feeding my appetite and painting quite an appealing picture, I often find myself wishing I had a quick, clear, and earnest opinion from which to make a decision. I plan to do just that.
I am not a professional, nor do I have the financial sponsoring to try most of the dishes on a given menu, but I love food and I love talking about food. That said, I promise to provide you with a true and sincere opinion, with the ultimate goal of generating some good discussion and paving the way for a free exchange of ideas.
I truly hope that you find this site helpful, and that we will be able to chat, you know, no big whoop.
Welcome,
Andres
Why then should you even begin to waste your time with what could be just another long winded, and often times down right pompous adoration of food?
I, like you, have found myself sifting through wordy restaurant reviews trying to find which one could satisfy the high expectations of a Saturday night outing. Though some do a great job feeding my appetite and painting quite an appealing picture, I often find myself wishing I had a quick, clear, and earnest opinion from which to make a decision. I plan to do just that.
I am not a professional, nor do I have the financial sponsoring to try most of the dishes on a given menu, but I love food and I love talking about food. That said, I promise to provide you with a true and sincere opinion, with the ultimate goal of generating some good discussion and paving the way for a free exchange of ideas.
I truly hope that you find this site helpful, and that we will be able to chat, you know, no big whoop.
Welcome,
Andres
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