An Interview with Chef Eric Ripert

Chef Eric Ripert needs no introduction.  A French native and world-renowned chef, Ripert is truly a master in the kitchen.  Just one visit to Manhattan’s Le Bernardin where Ripert is executive chef will turn you into a passionate and devoted fan.  You may not need an entire meal — I was hooked after a few [...]

The Ultimate Valentine's Day Chocolate Indulgence

Give that special someone the ultimate chocolate gift this Valentine’s Day — an entire buffet dedicated to the delicious aphrodisiac! Cantina Beach, the coastal Mexican-inspired restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, is bringing back its lavish Valentine’s Day Chocolate Buffet.  This year’s feast will feature more than 100 pounds of chocolate spanning the entire 20-foot [...]

AG Pick Under $10: 2009 John B. Sauvignon Blanc-Colombar

If you’re looking for sunshine in a bottle with a price tag that will have you beaming, you’ll find it in the 2009 John B. Sauvignon Blanc-Colombar.  This wine comes from the Rietvallei Wine Estate, a family-owned winery in the Western Cape of South Africa. Colombar, also known as Colombard or French Colombard, is a [...]

Black Truffle Menu at the Setai

If you love anything with black truffles and have plenty of cash to spend, head over to The Grill at the Setai for the restaurant’s seven course black truffle tasting menu. The intimate 50 seat restaurant at the Miami Beach hotel reopened last month with an inviting new menu of Mediterranean-influenced small plates.  In tandem [...]

Four Seasons Offers Free Brunch to Miami Marathon Runners

What better way to celebrate completing the ING Miami Marathon than with unlimited Mimosas and free brunch at the Four Seasons? The Four Seasons Hotel on Brickell Avenue is inviting all the runners from this Sunday’s marathon a free fuel-up before the marathon and free brunch after the race.  Participants in the half marathon will [...]

It's Time for Wine: Pinot Noir Dream Week

With MacMurray Ranch, Fort Ross and Freestone We taste an amazing amount of wine. Usually that makes for nice times where we find some good bottles, some bad bottles, and a lot of average bottles. But we must have been charmed this past week because we went three for three. Three wineries, three absolutely superb [...]

Gazpacho

As the weather starts to get warmer, enjoy a refreshing bowl of gazpacho!  This cold tomato-based soup originated in Spain and is perfect for a hot and sunny afternoon. This gazpacho needs time to chill so it’s best to make it a day ahead. Here’s what you’ll need: 1 can (46 oz) tomato juice 5 [...]

Concert for Haiti in Downtown Miami

Haiti Mizik Relief, a two-day concert with proceeds going to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti, will be held this weekend in downtown Miami. The concert will be held at the Tina Hills Pavilion at Bayfront Park on Saturday, January 23rd from 4pm to 10pm and on Sunday, January 24th from 2pm to 8pm. [...]

It's Time for Wine: Nonsense in the Wine Ratings Game

Educate — don’t pontificate. Have we become a nation of people who are afraid to be critical of things that are nonsense? When did the wine community decide it would almost universally muzzle its public comments regarding their dislike of a system which allows a shockingly few people and publications to literally have a major [...]

Lentil Stew

Keep away the winter blues with this hearty, healthy and delicious lentil stew!  It is sure to warm you up and keep you full for a long time. If you’re not eating lentils then you’re missing out on all their health benefits.  Lentils are a great source of protein, fiber, iron and other nutrients. This [...]