The group behind Graziano's restaurant and Market in Coral Gables are taking over the once and very briefly occupied space in the Lattitudes building that was Rybaks, off Brisckell avenue in Downtown Miami. While the former tennant failed to make any significant impression, in fact it openened and closed faster than anyother restaurant I can remember in recent years-but remember where you heard it first when it opened that I said the concept wouldnt fly and that the woners were in way over heir heads...What else is new its the same old story all over town, big eyes, big dreams and no money (Cashola) to back it up. Lets hope Graziano's people have what it takes as it would be a welcomed addittion to the area in which I live as currently I am sooo not impressed with the local pizza and offerrings that have sprouted up in the area-Having lunch today at the newly opened up outpost of Rosinella's newest Pizza jopint located right next to their other restaurant in Mary Brickell Villiage and if it is anything like mamma Rosinella's other establishements we could have a winner here-look for my review later today as again my blog is all about whats going on in the food Biz....Good Luck Graziano's as you will need it heading into the Long hot summer that we face here in the magic city-hopefully your takeover of this space wont be short lived, yet I feel that that area is a ghost town waiting to happen, but hey you heard it first here!!

RECESSION BLUES I Think NOT....tables packed at area restaurants this passed weekend

$20.00 Thursday all the spoons you can eat not too mention three (3) drinks is just what the doctor ordered during this recession, or atleast thats what one would think but from the looks at the tables this past weekend from Sobe to MBV saw just the opposite, making me wonder just what recession as the wait at some of the local tables were in excess of 30 minutes, so touche and congrats to all of us who are weathering this serious downturn, maybe the end is near, although the summer is just upon the horizon, I say kudos to Jaguar and hope to see many others jumping on the value train to offer us locals what we so deserve for our continued patronage

In Tough Times We take rediculous Marketing approaches?? and whatever happened to their pasta???

Pizza Hut Seeks Twintern
Big food is getting a little desperate in its advertising these days — and we’re not just talking about burger porn, e-stalking, or (most recently) Kellogg’s dubious claim that Frosted Mini-Wheats improves attentiveness in kids. Pizza Hut is taking marketing to a truly absurd place by hiring a Twitter intern who will act as a “social media journalist, chronicling in 140 characters or less what’s going on at Pizza Hut.” Hmmm, you know who might just be good for this …

And its the best burger here in South Florida. Since its arrival a few months ago from the highly successful restaurant team that has brought us The city group and Rocco's Tacos comes the tastiest burger in town. Made from Organic beef (slightly higher price) this succulent burger was dripping with flavor, include the rich homemade brioche bun and your choice of some amazing toppings ( I opted for the bbq burger) none will disappoint. Even for you Ecoli hating carnivors I will aslo say that their turkey burger laced with herbs and spices and topped with avocado is an amazing healthier alternative-not too mention the bunless burger salad that for us carb conscious might find quite pleasing-As far as sides while not many they do compliment as the crispy perfectly seasoned fries outshined even the taudiest of other places that have recently entered the scene and the Onion rings, well they would make any southerner proud. Needless to say that for the craving and the product no matter where you are in South Florida Clematis isnt that far a drive-if only the parking were cheaper.

This weekend saw the Grand opening of the new Zushi Flirt at the Regent Hotel or should I say Crown property on Miami Beach. Ok for the record let me reiterate this in saying that this is not the first run of this wanna be sushi as sex restaurant whereby the names of the entrees are seductively named after your favorite khama sutra offerring..if only the food was as good as the ideas that they conjure up. From the "Miso Horney" soup to the octopussy delight let me tell you it was no delight to chew and chew and chew on this rubbery and overly salted sushi appetiser, and it went from bad to worse as the "Orgy" was more like a sumo event than an actually sensual festival as I don't need bulk amounts of food I just want food that tastes good, and in this instance this was not the case. Look for another quick exit back to New Jersey for this wanna bee trying so trying to add some life to a restaurant space that like the latter will soon look for another location, just remember where you heard it first-

Once twice three times and your out, isnt this the case in Baseball, well not in the food industry as within a month The Peppermill restaurant in The Waterways of Aventura has been shut down by the health department for a laundry list of violations, a list that has only been growing since the first closing back in March, then the second the next week, and now finally again with the third closing last week. When will the owner realize this type of publicity will only keep people away as if the waterways wasn't already a retail failure the last thing they need is the only real restaurant to be closed continually. I must say that for many of the rsidents in the area while the food was only so so the location and the serenity of the water was the reason they were loyal-now I know of atleast three long time patrons that will no longer be dining there-

This years Crawfish festival was truly a feat for the entire family, as the folks over at Tobacco Road surely know how to kick it up a few notches when it comes time to boil down that New Orleans specialty, and they were delish. Lots of smiling Happy people , dancing, throwing frisbees and listening to some amazing tunes all day long. Other than the trays of Crawfish the other food related offerrings did not live up to the usual tobacco road standards as the basic BBQ street food compared to a roadside fair, and not too mention the price for beverages, considering the amazing Friday 96c happy Hrs. I was I was better served going around te corner buying a cold 6 pack and sitting back and enjoying the music..See ya next year!!!