TIKL in Brickell Tastes Good So Far

Simon Stojanovic’s TIKL was bustling with business types from nearby office towers on recent weekday. Though it’s only officially been open since September 21, the restaurant’s design, menu format and location seem to indicate that it will be a success. Read also Altamare Team to Open Tikl on BrickellWhether the…

Buddha Sushi Bar: Now Floating Fish Your Way

Buddha Sushi Bar soft-opened a few weeks ago, quietly launching on the Upper Eastside amid the September restaurant craze. After throwing a grand-opening party this past weekend, the restaurant is officially ready and willing to serve you fresh fish (but you’ll have to catch it yourself). Decide what you want…

The House of V: Vegan Cupcakes from an Ex-Bouchon Bakery Pastry Cook

Valentina Cordero, owner of the home-based vegan bakery the House of V, knows exactly what lies beyond the swinging doors of a restaurant kitchen. This boisterous, chaotic world — packed with white coats and sweating brows — contrasts heavily with the chic dining rooms and smooth lines of service that exist…

FroYo From Coco Limon: Birthday Month Just Got A Little Lighter

Birthday Month, every office has one. The term, named by the office birthday expert Pam Beesly, refers to ‘that’ month when there is a birthday in the office nearly every other day. This often translates into being crammed into the kitchen eating sheetcake under a fluorescent light followed by the…

Shokudo Miami: A World Resource in Buena Vista

Depending upon the Japanese dialect, shokudo could mean anything from “canteen” to “peaceful dining” to “path to food.” Regardless of the definition, the essence remains the same: It’s a casual spot for easy eating, and that is exactly what owner and general manager Yoko Takarada and executive chef Armando Litiatco…

Red The Steakhouse Has Kobe From Japan: Is It Worth The Expense?

Peter Vauthy, chef/partner at Red the Steakhouse, greets me with the usual hellos, then asks the question that looms like a giant invisible bovine in the room. “Want to see my meat?” Vauthy isn’t being fresh. He just knows I came to Red to see and taste his Kobe beef.What’s…

Jeff McInnis Melds Farming, Cooking, and Southern Cuisine, Part One

Jeff McInnis was raised in Niceville, a small town in the Florida Panhandle. He spent his childhood on fishing boats and, in the summertime, on his family’s working farms. “Southern food was introduced to me at a young age at my grandparents’ farm in Tunnel Springs, Alabama,” he explains. His…

Cooper Avenue Opens Today In South Beach (Photos)

Amir Ben-Zion’s long-awaited eatery, Cooper Avenue, finally opens today. What started as Gigi Village has now morphed into a new concept that features New American cuisine — contemporary dishes with a few twists.Last night, we were invited to the friends and family preview, which allowed us to scope out the…

Sushi Sake Opens New Location in the Hammocks

Miami likes its sushi like its women – sleek and sexy. Hence the popularity of Sushi Sake, a rapidly expanding South Florida sushi empire that just opened its seventh location.This chic local chain is known for late-night hours, an expansive menu and a dramatic, lounge-inspired atmosphere.The newest branch is located…

September 2012 Restaurant Openings and Closings

September is a transitional month for Miami. It’s the time when tropical storms and hurricanes tend to be their most active (though we had one scare it luckily turned out to be a non-event), snow birds are still up north, and many folks (especially those in the biz) take a…