Food & Drink

Hundreds of people stood in the pouring rain to witness history being made in Little Havana yesterday. The inaugural Calle Ocho croqueta-eating competition, El Croquetazo, was about to begin. Hosted by Major League Eating, the contest drew the nation’s top-ranked professionals to Miami. At stake: a $1,750 purse and the chance to become the reigning croqueta king or queen. According to the event’s MC, Sam Barclay, the rules were simple: Eat as many croquetas as possible in eight minutes.

Happy Monday, Miami. Start your week on a fresh note with a half-off smoothie or açaí bowl at Bertoni in Brickell. If you prefer a cheat day, MdoughW, a Miami-based food company known for freshly baked cookie cups, is officially available via UberEats Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Miami is one of the best cities for going out. Palm trees, neon lights, and hot clubs just scream to be explored. But sometimes, all the fun and excitement get to be too much, and you just want to Netflix and chill. Whether you’re hung-over, have the flu, or simply want to be alone with your cat, it’s all good. Let Miami’s eats come to you. Here are five ways to get the 305’s best delivered to your door.

Michael Shikany, once a luminary of the local culinary scene and a pioneer of Wynwood restaurants, has passed away, several sources reported Saturday. He was 38 years old. The blog the Whet Pallette says he died Friday. No cause of death was mentioned. “Gone too soon,” a blogger named Brenda wrote. “Heartbroken. Forever missed.” The death was confirmed in a comment on Shikany’s Facebook page.

If you’re looking for something a little wild to do on your Friday, head to Zoo Miami tonight for its annual Feast With the Beasts. The event, held inside the zoo after dark, features food from Miami’s best restaurants, along with cocktails and entertainment. It’s also the best way to support the zoo and the creatures that live in it.

This Sunday at 5 p.m., the world’s champion eaters will converge on Calle Ocho for the first croqueta-eating contest sanctioned by Major League Eating. The event, El Croquetazo, will see some of the highest-ranked eaters in the nation chowing down on Miami’s favorite snack. Some local notables will be there too.

Happy Friday!  Miami’s teeming with plenty to do. Get wild at Zoo Miami’s Feast With The Beasts or take your four-legged friend out for a beer at Bark and Brew. Enjoy a poolside barbecue at the Confidante or party at Calle Ocho!Weekend starts now

Miami’s most luxurious shopping destination, the Design District, has enjoyed a renaissance that’s difficult to ignore. The former rundown, crime-ridden neighborhood is now home to world-renowned designers’ storefronts, such as Tom Ford, Christian Louboutin, and Louis Vuitton. Prominent chefs like Michael Schwartz and Michelle Bernstein flocked to the area to open eateries, such as Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Harry’s Pizzeria, and Crumb on Parchment, that have become mainstays.

Here’s the deal: You’re having some friends over and want to pick up a few items, like some Panther coffee, quiche from Buena Vista Deli, and dessert from Fireman Derek’s. You could run around all over Miami to procure these items — or you could simply order them from AmazonFresh and get them delivered to your doorstep.

As Miami’s restaurant scene flourishes, diners have watched many locally grown concepts mature into sought-after dining destinations. Thanks to heightened demand, five of the Magic City’s most prominent eateries have announced openings beyond Miami. From Fort Myers and West Palm Beach to Brooklyn, D.C., and the Dominican Republic, here are five homegrown restaurants representing Miami outside the 305.