Welcome to Miami, Bienvenido a Miami

Miami South Beach is one of those places everyone should check out at some point in their lives.

but when you are there be AWARE of the places you choose to dine.

I was in South Beach a couple weeks ago with my good friend's Jimmy and Gina. We had walked 3 miles after a 10 hour day on our feet. We were starving and exhausted and finding a restaurant when you feel that way, is no easy task. They all look the same. It is hard to make a decision as to what cuisine you want. It is like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach. You just shouldn't do it.

We got down to the main strip of South Beach. Here, restaurants are a dime a dozen. In fact, I am not sure there is anything but restaurants for several blocks. Every restaurant has al fresco dining curbside for maximum people watching. They also have the notorious carnival barker.

No matter how many times this has happened to me in my life. I seem to fall every once in a while for the tricks of the barker. Tip #1 if there is somebody hawking you into their restaurant, RUN! Run as fast as you can to a place that isn't doing it. Granted in South Beach there is a restaurant every few feet so you think to yourself maybe these establishments feel that if you walk by, you won't come back? Don't fall for it! If a restaurant has a carnival barker out front, they have a trick up their sleeve. In Miami, this is the trick. Barkers tell you the prices are 50% of for food, or 20% off the entire check. As they tell you this, if you pause at all, they start showing you to your table. When you sit down you realize, everything has prices except the drink menu.

If something doesn't have a price on it, unless you're extremely wealthy, and in this economy you are one of the lucky ones, let this be a red flag. Anything that doesn't have a price on it is usually overpriced for the average American.

At the restaurant we went to they drew us in with 50% off the menu, but this did not include drinks, and the drinks were between $18 and $25 dollars, and we couldn't have known this unless we asked or upon the arrival of the check. We expected to pay above average, but this was really steep.

Tip #2, if the barker is successful in getting you into his restaurant, don' t get anything that is on "special" and not printed anywhere. If the server says an item is on special, beware! In our case the server was suggesting a Buffalo Mozzarella special. I noticed there was Buffalo Mozzarella listed on the menu. I said what is the difference? He said the special is much better. Not much to go on, so I said, "What is the price?" I did this knowing he was up to no good. He said $20, this was $8 more than what was listed on the menu. Lou and I fell for this once in Greece as well. The barker got us in, then he asked us if we would like to try the special cactus juice. We did at 15 euros or $20 a pop!

Tip #3 If the barker or server in a barker's restaurant offers you anything like bread, don't assume you won't be paying for it. This was another thing that happened to Lou and I in Greece. We ordered a Greek salad and our barker asked, "Would you like bread with that?" We said, "Sure", and for 3 pieces of bread we were charged 10 euros!

It is ashame we didn't get to check out eating establishments that weren't over priced in Miami. I am sure they are out there, and to be honest, our food was very good, but tourists, when it comes to the barker, consider yourself warned!

Beehive and first impressions

Beehive

541 Tremont Street

Boston, Ma 02116

Menu: Eclectic upscale American fare

Prices: Reasonable for the area

Kid Friendly: I know I know we never go to kid friendly places sorry!

Beehive in the South End is a place we have checked out before, but we have never made a conscious effort to eat there. Last week during a long period of not eating and wandering around, we found ourselves outside Beehive at 5 0'clock and thought, we would try it.

As we looked at the menu outside along with another couple, a gentleman approached us from inside and said, " We also have a prix fixe menu so keep that in mind, it is a great deal." Lou and I decided to try it.

This is the part of my story that anyone working for Beehive should pay close attention to. We walked into the, then completely empty restaurant, and said to the two hosts standing there. "Two for dinner." They asked if we had a reservation, which a lot of restaurants in the South End do, no problem there, but the next statement from them was, " Just so you know, we are VERY busy tonight with reservations" Really Beehive? Your completely EMPTY restaurant at 5 o'clock is that busy that you can't offer two people a table for dinner? or suggest a seat at the bar to eat? and do you realize there is a guy outside your door barking people in for the prix fixe menu? The tone of the two hosts was annoyance as they began to look through their list of empty tables to see if they could "fit us in". I immediately said, "No problem, we will go somewhere else." What I was thinking was, "You have got to be kidding me with this first impression." We started to walk out, and if we had made it out the door, I doubt I would have ever returned.

Lucky for Beehive they had a third hostess who realized what was going on, and as we went to exit said, "Wait, we can sit two now."

What do I think they should have done differently? How about looking to see if they could seat us first, then if they were in fact that busy with reservations, saying, " I know it sounds crazy because the restaurant is empty, but we have a lot of reservations at (insert time), so we have to put you on a (insert time frame) wait."

Ok, so obviously our first impression was not good, but as soon as we were sat, the atmosphere and our server completely changed my initial opinions.

Beehive is two floors, our server told us it used to be the boiler room of the Cyclorama, which is home to the Boston Center for the Arts, and located next door. The structure is completely unique. It is as if a large building was cut into sections, and Beehive was left with this section to create a dining experience with. They have done a great job. The top floor has a large seating area with a bar A balcony overlooks the bottom floor where seating faces a central stage for performances. The walls are exposed brick. Small crystal chandeliers light the dining area throughout, and a tapestry, artifully hides the host stand and stairs to the bottom floor from diners. We sat across from the railing of the balcony which overlooks the bottom floor. There is an interesting area across from this railing where Beehive continually broadcasts a reel of burlesque type movies from what looked like the 40's or 50's. The wall looks as if there may have been two windows to the outside at one point in the past, and now the windows have been removed. The area between these two windows is approximately a 10x5 foot brick area where the movies are shown. I was thoroughly amused at the movies and what was considered risque for the time.

After we were sat, our server, Corey, approached our table. Corey was laid back, friendly, accommodating and had a hospitality that was noticeably not a result of growing up in the NE. Lou being the inquisitive guy he is, asked, and we found out Corey was from TX.

I started off dinner with a glass of Two Worlds Pino Noir from Germany. The wine list was extensive and this glass was very good.

Despite the prix fixe menu, Lou and I opted to order ala carte. We couldn't resist the Sage and Garlic Frites for an appetizer. It was a generous portion of fresh cut fries smothered in sage and garlic. We ate them all in about 2 minutes, and although we were really hungry, I think we would have finished them just as quickly anyway. They were delicious.

For dinner Lou got the Chicken Piccata with sage gnocchi and asparagus. Sage must be a favorite flavor of the chef as it was in several dishes. I got the Sole with mashed potatoes over a bed of wilted spinach. Both dishes were just as good as the fries and we had no problem finishing them off.

After a delicious meal like that, we had to try to dessert. We opted for the Maple Walnut icecream atop of warm maple bread pudding. At this point, or server Corey was starting to wonder where we were putting all this food. I also got a cappuccino which was perfectly prepared.

In the end Beehive redeemed themselves from the first impression of making me want to walk away. The prices were reasonable. With an app, two dinners, one glass of wine, and dessert, our bill came to $73. The atmosphere was unique and fun. There was no band playing while we were there, but could see they were setting up for a show, and our server Cory was excellent.

I forgive you Beehive hosts, we'll be back:)

I've gotten behind....

Cheesecake at Finale

Writing a blog has been much harder than I anticipated when I started. (Case and point, I started this entry a week ago, and I am just getting around to finishing it.) I began gungho posting every couple days determined to be the best food blogger in the universe, but then I realized a few things. Not every restaurant I go to has a wow factor, or great story. Sometimes I forget my camera and think without out the pictures the post will be lame. Sometimes I am too busy to post, and sometimes I would just rather play Farmville. I admit it, I am a Farmville addict.

With all this in mind, I thought I would sum up a few places into one entry. As Abraham Lincoln once said, and I take poetic justice on this, forgive me if it gets too long, I don't have time to write a shorter entry.

Best pizza we have found in Southie, and friendliest staff and delivery guys. Alfredo's 243 Dorchester Street. Closest I have found to NYC pizza in Boston, and every time I call in an order the guy affectionately calls me sweetie.

Applebee's. I know NOT ANOTHER CHAIN, how dare I? but it is a great place to meet for a quick lunch and they have a damn good Oriental Chicken salad with a grilled teriyaki chicken on top.

City Feed- 672 Centre Street, Local, Fresh, Organic, in JP. This place is hipper than hip and oh so green. They try to buy only from local vendors and support free trade. You country folks living in the city, don't let the outside fool you. I totally thought it was some kind of garden store, animal feed store, or grain storage. I know that sounds ridiculous being it's in the middle of JP, but I can't be the only one! Anyway, try the vegetarian egg sandwich here. You meat eaters won't think those Vegan's are so nuts anymore. You may want to go across the street to JP Licks for your coffee though.

Douzo- Swankiesh sushi 121 Dartmouth street. This is the place I most wish I had my camera at as I ate mini Octopus topped with a sesame oil. Oh how I wish I had lined them up like little soldiers for my blog. Alas, I forgot the camera. Douzo is good, a little expensive and I think you can get just as good sushi somewhere else cheaper, but it is a nice setting, and we were with nice friends, so we had a good time. Service wasn't the best, but we had been there before and the same guy was much better. I think it was just a bad night.

Finale- In the Park Plaza hotel. Want to impress someone over dessert or have dessert for dinner? Bring them here. They have combination desserts that cost as much as $25 but are big enough to share. The dessert bar craze may be all the rage, but these guys were first in the game. They do have some dinner items on the menu, but don't go for those. Live a little! Have your dessert first! or skip dinner all together. The Valrona hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapp's is the perfect warmer after a day of shopping on Newbury street in the winter. The Molten Chocolate cake is a house special. They do it better than anyone. Also outstanding are their creme brulee, and fruit tarts.

JP Hanlon's- This place is in Ayer and outside the city, get out and explore! It's an Irish bar, with Irish type food, and the best damn dipping sauce for sweet potato fries you will ever come across. Honey mustard and horseradish mixed together make up this tasty concoction. Sure you can make it at home, but everything tastes better when someone else makes it.

So there you have it, I am caught up. It's been a tough March and speaking to friends, I think we are all about as busy, but I promise to keep up with the blogging going forward.

Sea to You Boston Sushi School

Thanks to my friend Maureen last night I got to take a beginner's class in making Sushi!!!

The place was Sea to You Boston on the Brookline/JP border. If you go to their site and click on Sushi School, you can get all the details. There are 3 different courses, the beginner course basic Maki Roll Making, and then a level 2 Making Nigiri and Tamaki and level 3 Making Designer Rolls.

http://seatoyou.ipower.com/store/page14.html

The instructor was soft spoken, so if you take the class sit up front, or listen closely. He is really funny, and thorough.

The first hour we talked about safety, the art of making rice and the best places and types of sushi to buy. The content is a little boring compared to the sushi making itself, but very important so listen up!

The second hour was filled with rolling sushi! You can roll as much as you want. You learn how to roll rice in, rice out, and jumbo rolls. The costs for classes are on their site, but we were lucky enough to have a groupon which gave us a discount. Costs include all the materials in your sushi making.

If you already know how to make sushi and are looking for a place to buy supplies check this place out.

And now for the main event....

My master pieces!!!!