Azucar: I Melt for You

     Fresh local ingredients, grandmother's recipes, and a whole lot of passion...no I'm not talking about some pretentious farm-to-table restaurant (not that there is anything wrong with that), I'm talking about Azucar.  South Florida has no shortage of options to make our perpetual summer just a little more tolerable.  Whether you want gelato, smoothies, Italian ices, or ice cream sandwiches, it is available.  As a born and raised local, that means I have spent numerous field trips, straight A report card celebrations, and dates, at different establishments around town.  However, in my experience, nothing has managed to capture the essence of our fair area, quite like Azucar.
    Located along Calle Ocho across from the Tower Theater, this ice cream shop makes you nostalgic for the days when your biggest concern was trying to avoid the cracks in the sidewalk (ever since some smart aleck had remarked it would "break yo mamma's back").  Even from the street it is pretty hard to miss, Little Havana's version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  The pile of rainbow scoops beckons you inside and offers solace from the unbearable Miami sauna.

The shop is bright, colorful, and just plain fun, combining elements of whimsy with a definite nod to the owner's Cuban heritage.  There is a huge portrait of Cuban singer Celica Cruz, chalkboard walls covered in bright scribbles, and a stunning mosaic floor.

Even better, the owner makes ice cream just like her abuela, with fresh ingredients and a whole lot of love.  All of the options are homemade (or rather, shop-made since they have machines in the back constantly freezing up new creations), and the fruits used come from the nearby fruit market.  While you can call ahead to request your favorite flavor, they have around 24 on hand at a time, usually with some new innovative concoction you just can't resist, and a couple more choices hidden in the back.  The end result?  A truly distinct variety, and some tantalizing artisanal ice cream and sorbets.

As for the flavors...While you can get Mantecado, the Cuban version of French vanilla, they've also got options like Pinot Noir, Flan, Mamey, Beam Me Up (Bourbon Heath Bar), Plantano Maduro (Sweet Plantain), Dulce de Leche, Elvis (Peanut Butter and Banana), Mango, Nutella, and Rum Cake.  Abuela Maria is an homage to Cuba in a cup (or cone), boasting a creamy vanilla ice cream base with chunks of crunchy galletas Maria cookies, and miniature nibbles of guava and cream cheese. 

My absolute, hands down, penultimate favorite though is the Lemon Basil.  The perfect balance of sweet and tart, it is light and refreshing.  Even if the snowy white concoction bears no visible bits of lemon or basil, you can't deny the robust flavor.  Since that isn't always available though I've had to branch out.  The nutty taste in the Almond is unmistakable, and the Avocado is a surprisingly delectable choice.  Contrary to what you might think, the avocado flavor is subtle, and somehow works really well for making a silky smooth dessert.  Additionally, I discovered a scrumptious Rose Petal ice cream around Valentine's Day, and most recently, I became enamored with a rich Peanut Butter ice cream filled with peanut butter cups, and Nutter Butter cookie bits.

They've also got something for the Diabetics and the diet conscious, sugar free options like a Strawberry or Pineapple ice cream.  Furthermore, I'm consistently impressed with how attentive they are, and that even when the place is completely packed and on the verge of chaotic, they manage to move the crowd along efficiently while maintaining a friendly demeanor.  Great service, charming ambiance, and the best ice cream around, Azucar will satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more.
  Come, enjoy, and indulge!

Azucar
1503 Southwest 8th Street
Miami, FL 33155
(305) 381-0369
http://www.azucaricecream.com/
You can also follow them on twitter for events and new flavors @AzucarIceCream

Pig Out at Pubbelly

The Pubbelly Empire has really expanded on South Beach.  Whether you are looking for Spanish tapas (Barceloneta), sushi (Pubbelly Sushi), or Italian (Macchialina) they've got it covered.  The original, and my personal favorite though is Pubbelly, a gastropub in the back corner of South Beach.  As a gastropub, this means they tend to offer not only quality selection of food, but also a pretty reasonable assortment of alcoholic beverages.  The beer selection is quite cleverly fleshed out with more unique offerings than most places, and they've also got a fair amount of wines ranging from fresh and crisp whites to bolder more robust reds, along with some sake cocktail options.  The cuisine skews heavily towards the pro-pork side, and many of the dishes have a tinge of Asian influence (dumplings, udon, miso, etc.).  While vegetarians might be able to find a couple of choices, they definitely cater to the carnivore.  It is most similar to a Spanish tapas style meal, and accordingly, they best option to to indulge in a couple of the small plates.

     For no explicable reason, I waited far too long to check Pubbelly out.  Then as part of our summer dining series (an informal dining group of friends), we decided to make it part of our rotation, being fortunate to dine with a seasoned veteran.  We were also lucky to have a beer expert in our midst who knew exactly which options on the menu would work best with the meal.  We started with a Buffalo Stout from Brouwerij Van Den Bossche, and then we later opted for an Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel by Brauerei Aying Franz Inselkammer, both of which were very easy drinking choices.  The decor was fairly simple, with brick walls and wooden tables.

     First up was the bacon wrapped dates, a classic tapas staple.  Ok, I've had them a million times, and every restaurant in town seems to exploit this basic and addictive dish, but they really are pretty foolproof, and Pubbelly amped up the flavor with a bit of chorizo zestiness and some silky goat cream.  Slathered in a luscious sauce and wrapped in bacon, you can not go wrong!

To balance the more decadent aspects of the meal, we also opted for a salad.  The heirloom tomatoes with blueberries, amazu ponzu, soft tofu and red onion slices was refreshing, albeit I thought it could have used some minor tweaks.  The blueberries worked better than I had expected, but since tofu is such a sponge, I felt like it became a little too soggy, and might have benefited from a touch of pan searing.  While it was more interesting than most summer salads, it just seemed a bit amiss.

While the menu is frequently changing, one of the options available to us was the short rib and corn dumplings.  Served four to an order they came topped with generous shavings of parmigiana cheese, corn soy, sorrel, and were presented in a miniature skillet.  The meat inside was juicy and flavorful, with a nice aroma from the black truffles.  I would definitely order them again.

The butterscotch miso pork belly with kabocha and corn powder is potentially a lick your plate clean kind of magical.  Again, it is the kind of dish you've heard of at multiple other spots.  You roll your eyes thinking "Pork belly?  Again?  Been there, done that."  Contrary to expectations, it would be a travesty to ignore Pubbelly's rendition.  Perfectly balanced composition of sweet and salty, it truly is an idyllic version that is optimally prepared.  The meat is cut into pretty large slabs, and yet it is very tender nonetheless.  If you like pork, you really have to try it!

Not to be forgotten, the brussel sprouts with bacon miso and sea salt proved to be a standout side.  I've only recently begun to appreciate the tasty aspect of these health-benefit packed veggies, so whenever I find them on a menu it's usually a safe bet that I'll snag an order.  That being said these are, hands down, the most flavorful and delectable brussels I've ever encountered, bar none.  I think a fork fight almost broke out as we all pretended to be generous, well mannered adults that can share, while secretly wanting to dump the entire ramekin onto our own plates.

The kimchi fried rice is definitely meant to be split.  This massive bowl kind of reminded me of a Korean bibimap, with lots of umami flavor plus a touch of spicy.  It was served with an egg on top, which was mixed into the bowl tableside by our waiter.  Also, while the heat might not to noticeable to more seasoned spice eaters, I'm pretty sensitive to it, and it was a little more than I would have preferred.  Not inedible for me on any count, I just definitely noticed it was there.

Time for dessert!  The bacon brownie promised a delectably potent combination.  Our waiter suggested a Gonzo Imperial Porter by Flying dog Brewery to pair with the rich chocolate, and since our table beer snob confirmed this would indeed pair well, we went for it.  The brownies were thick and dense, managing to stay incredibly moist too.  However, much to the chagrin of myself and my dining partners, we only noted an occasional sprinkle of salty, the promised bacon was disappointingly absent.  I was also a teensy bit let down that a restaurant of that caliber would serve us plain vanilla soft serve under the bulk of the dessert.  Surely they can do better.

Minus a couple of points for some lackluster elements, I found myself really enjoying Pubbelly.  I'm quite pleased I went with a group so that we were able to optimize the variety.  It probably also helped that we were with a regular that knew the better choices, so there wasn't really too many disappointments.  While I can not guarantee every item will be a winner, there definitely are a couple of gems.  Sure the concepts do not seem particularly original, but they are incredibly well executed, and the taste alone makes this gastropub worthwhile.  Furthermore, I  appreciated the exceptional service, our waiter was not only attentive but he was also quite knowledgeable about beer pairings.  Another important note, unless you are with a large group they don't take reservations, so either arrive when they open or expect a wait.

Pubbelly Miami
1418 20th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 532-7555
pubbelly.com

Buttercream: This One Takes the Cake

   As the cupcake craze swept the new millennium, cupcakes have become a dime a dozen (obviously, not literally since sometimes these bite-sized servings come with a somewhat hefty size-to-price tag).  I won't bore you with a debate as to why cupcakes have enjoyed the sudden rise to baked goods power (obviously there is something to be said about ease of carrying and portion control).  However, finding a quality option in the overabundant present state, post-cupcake renaissance, is far less likely.  Sure you can buy these delectable morsels pretty much everywhere, but are they really worth it?  Frequently the cupcakes I have encountered are cloyingly sweet, or the cake itself is dry and bland, making it, in my opinion, just not worth the extra calories.  Among Miami's multitude of options, I have found that one tends to stand out above its competitors.  Tucked along a quiet tree lined street, just around the corner from Sunset Place, lies my clear winner, Buttercream.

   If you are looking to order cupcakes/cake for a special event, to grab cupcakes to go, or just to come in and sit enjoying a indulgent mini-dessert, Buttercream is the place to come.  They've got a little table inside for rainy days and to escape the humidity, as well as a couple of bistro style tables set up outside.  Be warned though, while this is the best you can get in Miami in terms of taste, it is not exactly the place to find caramelized maple bacon or ginger lemon basil.  Their flavors skew more towards the mundane, although that's not necessarily a bad thing since they tend to do that very well.  They don't have crazy fillings, or quirky bases, the cake is pretty much always chocolate or vanilla, and then the frosting varies.  These are the cupcakes you'd make for yourself at home, if you were to take the time to find imported sprinkles and high end vanilla.

    In spite of the lack of crazy creativity, when you're looking for a well made chocolate, vanilla, red velvet, oreo, or peanut butter, this is the spot.  They use only the freshest ingredients (I remember learning on my first visit they use a Callebaut Belgian Chocolate and Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla), which leads to cupcakes tasting extra moist, and full of flavor.  I've never had such a fantastic and rich vanilla cupcake, and I really appreciate that the vanilla bean seeds are visible, reifying the whole quality ingredients concept.  However, while standard flavors dominate the menu, the do offer up a couple more original options too on a rotating basis. 

Like I said, Buttercream really wins me over with just a plain vanilla cupcake (a surprisingly simple favorite).  However, if you're looking for something a bit more, they've also got an oreo version, which come with either a vanilla or chocolate base and then vanilla frosting with oreo bits. 

I also am a huge fan of the chocolate cake with peanut butter and the chocolate cake with hazelnut, both of which offer very light and tasty frosting to compliment the cake without overwhelming it.

I recently also discovered their pistachio cupcake, a rotating variety that I stumbled upon out of sheer luck.  I thought it was quite pleasant, with a lot of pistachio flavor in the frosting, and a fair crunch from the sprinkling of nuts on top.

The Red Velvet has received many accolades from friends, although this is the one cupcake that for me, just isn't quite what I'm looking for.  Maybe it's that the frosting is more vanilla bean than traditional cream cheese, but whatever the cause, I just find it a bit off.  Again though, I know other people that love it, so it is probably just a personal preference thing.

Recently, I also went to a party where they also had ordered a Neapolitan cupcake, which was a regular vanilla cake base with strawberry frosting, and then the cupcake was dipped in a chocolate ganache, and sprinkled with pink chocolate shavings.  Stylistically beautiful and delicious!

     If you're not quite in the mood to indulge in a decadent diet-ruining treat, don't fret.  They may still have something to pique your interest.  Another huge selling point of Buttercream is their selection of drinks!  Even if the bakery isn't open yet, you can call ahead for a curbside delivery of their coffee.  Mon.-Sat. from 8am-11m, and Sundays from 9am-12pm, call up (I've posted their number below), drive over, and they'll come out with a piping hot (or iced) version of your favorite beverage.  I'm personally partial to the spiced chai latte, which is sweet, creamy, and has hints of spice (in a flavorful cinnamon, not hot kind of way).  If that isn't your thing though you also get white chcocolate mochas, dulce de leche frosted coffee, frosted tea, or your standard espresso, vanilla latte, and hot brewed coffee (they use a Colombian roast).  For a marginal charge they offer soy or organic milk, or a shot of regular or sugar free syrup.

To place an order or to learn more about them, check out their website at: http://www.buttercreamcupcakes.com/

You can find the store located at:
     1411 Sunset Drive
     Coral Gables, FL 33143
     (305) 669-8181

     

Bamboo Fire Cafe is Heating Things Up in Delray

     Downtown Delray has really emerged over the past couple of years as a veritable nighttime option.  While it doesn't have the notoriety along the same lines of South Beach or Las Olas, it stands as a solid option for those in North Broward and Palm Beach, as an entertainment outlet after a long week.  While most of the main drag along Atlantic Avenue is filled with a litany of bars and overpriced trendy dining choices, the area does boast a couple of great finds.  Coffee District is a coffee shop by day, that becomes a fun hangout at night, which offers a huge selection of quality craft beers.  Dada is another cool after dark scene, a funky house turned restaurant, offering live music and cocktails.  My most recent discovery though, and now area addiction, is the Bamboo Fire Cafe.

     Just a few blocks off Atlantic, Bamboo Fire offers flavorful Carribean food for all tastes.  The couple that runs the restaurant, Beverly and Donald, are genial and hard working.  I'm consistently impressed by their memory of each of their patrons.  They are so cordial and welcoming, you feel like you're part of the family.  The inside area is casual and colorful, with fish nets, a rainbow of hanging ornaments, and an eclectic assortment of furniture.  The space is a bit cozy, with room for only a couple of tables, so come early or plan to eat outside (assuming they have room there either).

   While you peruse the menu they bring out some complimentary jerk meatballs to nibble on.  A perfect bite of slightly spicy, moist meat. As you decide what to order I'd recommend cleansing the palate with some Calypso lemonade, a special concoction that tastes like lemonade spiked with almond syrup and perhaps a hint of vanilla. 

When you're ready to order be sure to start with some grilled conch (either the appetizer or the dinner).  Yes conch fritters are more common in South Florida, but they often mask the flavor of this sweet, white mollusk (although you can still get an order of them here if you really want).  At Bamboo Fire they pound the conch fiercely to ensure it is extra tender and thin.  Then, the entire piece gets grilled and topped with garlic, lime, and capers.  Whether you're a seasoned conch eater, or even if it's your first time trying it, you won't be disappointed.  They prepare the shellfish with such dexterity and brilliance, it is a touch chewy but not at all rubbery, with strong garlic flavor complimenting the meat.  One of the best preparations of fresh conch I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying.

The roti are another good way to delve into the menu.  Not that I'm exactly a roti expert, but I believe it is a paratha roti.  Either way, the flaky pastry is soft and chewy, making the perfect vessel to tear off a piece and scoop up some filling.  I personally enjoy the pork, which is very tender and comes pulled.  By itself it can be a little bland, but they give you a bowl of the sauce it is cooked in, and this seasoned, almost soy like mixture adds quite a bit of flavor.  If you're looking for some real heat, they also have a hot sauce bar, where you can pick your poison to spruce up your plate.

The mac and cheese, gets a bit of a revamp here as well.  Depending on what seafood is seasonally available, you can get shrimp, or even lobster.  They use cheese tortellini for the base, add a gooey cheesy sauce, and then bake the dish so it becomes just a touch crispy.  Definitely different, one of the more creative and tasty ways to enjoy a dish ubiquitously found on menus everywhere.

My friend recently became enamored with their coconut shrimp too.  Don't worry, they would never give you a mediocre I-just-defrosted-this-from-the-Publix freezer kind of quality.  Served butterfly-style, the succulent shrimp meat is covered with an ultra crispy coconut breading, and then served with a tangy, sweet, kind of zingy, dipping sauce.

Don't forget to see what their specials are.  The first time I went, they offered a zesty curried crab special.  It wasn't exactly easy to eat, and by the end I had curry sauce all over me (please don't order this on a first date), but when you could extract that luscious meat (inserts my cries of jubilation), it worked really well with the sauce.

All of the mains also come with family-style servings of sides.  In addition to an okra fried rice, you also get fried plantains and a colorful salad.  The salad is a mixture of fresh greens topped off with minced tomatoes and mango.  It's bright, punchy, and a nice complement to some of the heavier aspects of the meal.   Living in South Florida maduros are a staple on many a menu and there is nothing worse then receiving a hard desiccated pile of charred plantains.  Hence, I appreciate that their plantains are, in my opinion, ideally prepared, wonderfully crisp outside with a moist, almost candied, and tender, mush inside.  

I've heard their rum cake is equally sensational, but full disclosure, I have been far too full after the main meal to ever try it myself.  Bamboo Fire Cafe has me seriously craving conch, and they manage to make Carribean accessible for even a spicy-intolerant wimp such as myself, without sacrificing flavor.  The food is made with lots of love, and is always fresh and delicious.  To check out this wonderful, unpretentious find for yourself, head to:
  149 NE 4th Avenue
  Delray Beach, FL 33483