Canyon Southwest Cafe - Florida

Canyon Southwest Cafe

http://www.canyonfl.com/
1818 e. Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, Fl
954 765 1950

I'm always up for trying new restaurants. Canyon's in Fort Lauderdale serves up sophisticated and modern Southwest cuisine - some of the best I've ever eaten.  I love the flavors and its so unfortunate that Southwestern isn't that popular in Montreal like it is in the US.



Move over Bobby Flay! (I'm serious)
 

Now, these guys absolutely, under no circumstances take reservations. They are well worth the wait and I'd do it again week after week. 
Both times we went, we were told that there is a 40 minute wait but I did not wait for more than 25 minutes. Here at Canyon, it's small and packed with a hip atmosphere. They have a crowded or "cozy" bar area (as it is affectionately described), where patrons often enjoy the signature drink The Prickly Pear Margarita. Prickly Pears are Cactus Pears - Google 'em. Anyway, I loved it! It was fuity and pink with that salty/sour rim.  This nice couple walked in - looked like regulars - They started some small talk with us and urged us to try this drink! They ordered two at a time for themselves...yes, they had 4 Prickly Pear Margaritas for themselves at one time..lol..So, we tried them..Geez, they must be good!!  and ...just 'cause they're pink and fruity doesn't mean that its exclusively a girly drink. All the men were having one too! There's tequila in there you know ;)


The cuisine is modern southwestern with asian, south + central american influences.

We tried a variety of dishes since we went there twice..:)

As appetizers we had the :
-Blue Corn fried Oysters with Cilantro Cream - Only the interiors were served, no shell They were breaded with blue corn flour - crispy and the cilantro cream just added to the wonderful, light "new" flavor.
-Sweet and Spicy Calamari with thai honey dressing- they were great. The sweet and salty flavor, with a hint of Thai inspired spice!
-Finally...the best thing on the menu!! Comal Grilled Red Chile Chicken Tostada with grilled chicken, goat cheese crumbles, caramelized Bermuda onion , all topped with baby arugula, avocado, serrano chile, white truffle crema! OH!!!!! The flavors were so distinct, so clear! It was a real party in my mouth! The goat cheese and arugula, the sweetness of the onion , the cool avocado..all served on a crispy corn tortilla..it had everything you would want in a dish -  incredible guys.


Some great main courses:


Beef Tenderloin Tip Burrito , very tender- with red chili sauce, red pepper, mushroom, Bermuda onions and Mozzarella.
Comal Grilled Black Florida Grouper, served with swiss chard and potato mash, Chipotle cherry tomato chutney.
and finally, there's always someone in my gang who orders the Filet mignon and as usual, it did not dissapoint! - served with poblano pesto (ai-ya ya!) , goat cheese, zinfandel sauce, micro cilantro chive potato. 
     *ai-ya ya - A Mexican exclamation of glee 


We had a side of Yucca sticks. Yucca is a veggie that has a similar texture to a potato. So it was kinda' like Yucca fries. I had never had them before and they were a great change- They were just a little more firm than potato fries.


We didn't have dessert because we really overate but next time I go I will surely have the Chocolate Bread Pudding..can you imagine??


Enjoy Canyon guys!

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza
http://www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com/
17901 Biscayne Blvd.
Aventura, FL 33160
305.830.COAL (2625)

Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!

I cannot even put into words how great this place was..They're motto is "Pizza - well done" and it suuuuuure is.

Book your flight, pack your bags...make your way to Anthony's !

They don't take reservations and are packed every single night of the week! There is a 20 minute wait but its well worth it,let me tell you.

Their pizza is on the "well cooked" side literally.  The crust is traditional (not too thin) and crispy. The dough was honestly great on its own..The reason I know this is because my fiance, Andre has a funny way of eating his pizza. He eats the cheese and toppings first and eats the bare crust last..He was like, " try this crust , you won't believe it..try it !!" He was right! The coal-fire must enhance the flavor.

They have the traditional pizza as well as a few special ones like, meatball pizza and arugula pizza, broccoli and sausage pizza, fresh mozzarella and tomato...and many more....


What to eat at Anthony's:

-Pizza - Duhhh

-Anthony's italian Salad - big enough to share

-Side order of Sausage and Broccoli Rabe - wonderful...just wonderful..Both times we went, my dad kept saying..."ohhh just add some pasta to this and it would be even better....just add pasta....." lol

-Side order of Meatballs served with a side of ricotta and fresh basil leaves (They were like my mother's meatballs. Even SHE said it was like her meatballs!! )

**Beware! Side orders are really big and can be shared between 2 to 3 people.
Visit their web site and check out their menu.... http://www.anthonyscoalfiredpizza.com/

Barton G. The Restaurant

Barton G. The Restaurant

http://www.bartong.com/restaurant/

1427 West Avenue

Miami Beach, FLA

(305) 672-8881

Now....This was a fun place! In fact, it was so fun, we went twice.

Barton G has a vibrant bar scene so make sure to have a drink while you wait for your table! You'll most surely have to wait a little because this place is packed every night including Monday and Tuesday..they never rest.

At Barton G. you'll find partons of all ages, from young, hot and single to couples and even some families with kids. However, don't let the fact that there are a few families with children give you the impression that place is not "happening". It is! I don't know why but it does not affect the vibe at all!!  This ain't no TGI Fridays! The food is exquisite and the atmosphere is hip.

The menu is extensive including a really interesting cocktail list including their signature Sub-Zero Martinis. The cocktail arrives with "smoke" billowing out of it, like dry ice. The martini itself is partially frozen so its not like regular ice...its the alcohol that's actually frozen so it stays really cold 'til the very end and your drink never tastes watered down - Must try!

The menu items have interesting names...they intregued me so much that I wanted to order everything! For example...the "Disco Grouper" or the "Lobster Pop-tarts". Then, when we got our orders, we realized that it wsn't only the names that were special..Check this out:

The lobster and cheese pop-tarts were served in a toaster - cute, eh? They were excellent.

Lobster and Gruyere in a lovely flakey crust, served with a trio of sauces - Hallandaise, Brandy Tarragon and Lemon Caper.

 

My Disco Grouper. It was pan seared black grouper with sweet curry and brioche panade, sauteed arugula, cherry tomatoes and grilled Honshimiji mushrooms...There were actually different colored lights under the dish , giving it a disco look :)

 

So not only do the dishes served at Barton G look good and sound good, they taste even better!

My fish was tasty and perfectly cooked..the next time I went I had filet mignon and it was perfect too. I got a little gravy boat shaped like a cow..lol so cute. Oh, they had a great wine list too! You can't pass up the chance to try this place. You'll have a blast.

Devito - South Beach - Florida

Restaurant Devito South Beach
http://www.devitosouthbeach.com/
150 Ocean Drive
South Beach, Florida
(305) 531-0911

Hello Everyone!

I didn't know what to expect from this restaurant. Danny Devito is the owner...seemed pricey, the menu was interesting but very long. Meaning, that there were too many different things on the menu and not all Italian.  I honestly thought it would be commercial. I really wanted to go because my father bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Devito himself. Its no joke - we get stopped everywhere! I guess I was expecting a reaction from the patrons or staff. However this was the one place that he got absolutely NO attention! It makes sense if you think about it 'cause, they've seen the "real Danny" more than once! However when we went to Joe's Stone Crab, people sitting accross the bar asked the bartender if my dad was Danny Devito and he said "yes, but don't go up to him, he doesn't like that" lol too funny!

Anyway, the restaurant was striking - brick walls, television screens built into the wall , framed like a painting, showing classic black and white movies; beautiful marble tables.. but best of all everything we ate was to die for so I was definitely proved wrong about this place. The terrace was really beautiful too. I would have loved to eat there but it was too cold for me that night.

I had the Burrata Mozzarella
Charred Roma tomatoes, basil salsa, grilled eggplant, crostini as a starter which is a fresh Italian cheese, made from mozzarella and cream.

My mom had the Sicilian Crab Cake - which was one of the best I've ever tried.

Jumbo lump crab, tomato, arugula, garlic aioli, chili vinaigrette, they were really great!

Andre had the 2 Big Eye Tuna and Foie Gras Tacos with Chipotle aioli

As you can see from the picture above, even the cutlery was beautiful.

For my main I had Rigatoni - Sunday Gravy

Meatball, sausage, country ribs, San Marzano gravy,whipped ricotta. This really hit the spot! I was in the mood for comfort food.

Andre had the 12 Ounce Barrel Cut Filet with a side of fries It was perfectly cooked.

My sister had the Four Cheese Pear Tortelloni

Pear, Mascarpone, Ricotta, Pecorino, truffle, Zambagiano, Parmigiano. It was great, the slight sweetness of the pear went so well with the creamy, cheesy sauce.

The dessert was super fun. This is the new thing, it seems, to have fair food..here, cotton candy, cheese cake lollipops and mini banana zeppole. Soooo good. 

Make sure to check out the web site to view pictures of the restaurant and to view their extensive menu.

Check this place out the next time you're in the Miami area. Its a little pricey so be prepared :)

Mundo Trattoria (My home away from home)

Mundo Trattoria
17003 Rte. Trans-Canada
Kirkland, QC
514-696-7887
http://www.mundotrattoria.com/

I've been working hard, making pie crust (lol) and all sorts of things and I haven't reviewed the restaurant which is the most special to me! It’s my home away from home. I first went to Mundo's and was seduced by the food about 8 years ago and I haven't stopped going since!

Our friend Vito, the chef and owner of Mundo's is somewhat of a celeb in the West Island these days. Apart from his exquisite Italian food, people go there to see him in action and I can definitely understand why. He's passionate, hilarious, and he makes every single customer feel special. He'll remember your name and what you ordered the last time you were there! lol...If he doesn't remember your name, he'll remember something about you - its almost a certainty.

This beautiful restaurant has a modern and elegant feel. The floor-to-ceiling dark, brown velvet curtains accentuate the lofty ceiling. The colors are earthy, much like its sister restaurant, Bufala. There is an open-concept kitchen , where you can watch the chefs do their thing...and, sometimes, hear what's going on! (a la Gordon Ramsey). It can be quite entertaining :) During the warmer months you can take your cocktails outside to Mundo's outdoor lounge and enjoy the weather. You'll find a few couches and coffee tables placed on wonderful faux grass. It's beautiful; relaxing, almost back yard feel, but chic back yard.lol However my two favorite things about the look of this restaurant are the glass wine cellar, it towers to the ceiling - a major focal point and I love the pictures hanging, framed above the kitchen's opening. These pictures feature some of the most stunning and celebrated Italian sites! I often sit there, admiring those pictures, imagining myself there - drinking my prosecco and eating my plate of Mundo's pasta. ahhh....  :)

Like many of Mundo's patrons, I often chose to host my events there. My engagment, for one, was gorgeous and the food was delicious. I could not have asked for more. They even helped me plan the event.
I knew I could trust them to take care of my guests and of course I trusted them to serve supreme food.

Now for the food...My favorite appetizers are ..The Melanzane fritti, which means fried eggplants litterally. They are actually more like patties of eggplant, breadcrumbs, cheese (I'm guessing. He won't give me his secret recipe). The consistancy is more like a meatball. They are usually served with a creamy Gorgonzola sauce..mmm I can taste it now..I've also had them with tomato sauce. That's the way Mundo's served them way back when. The grilled octopus is another favorite - tender pieces of grilled octopus served on arugula salad with a olive oil and balsamic dressing.  The muscles marinara are so tasty....If you order this, you and everyone around you will be dipping their bread in the sauce! Its that good.

For my main...He has many pasta dishes which are always available and I'm happy to say that you will seldom find your typical spagetti in tomato sauce. Many of the pasta dishes are original and always tasty. I've had the Black (squid ink) tagliatelli with seafood and fruity green peppercorns in a light, creamy sauce. You've gotta try it..Don't think of the squid ink! It was heavenly - I wouldn't lie to you!
I've enjoyed the manicotti with tomato and buttercream sauce.. mmmm I'm getting hungry..
A Mundo's regular on the menu is the braised lamb shank. Its braised meaning its melt-in-your-mouth tender.

What I like about Mundo's is that their table d'hôte changes often and they aren't afraid to try new flavors and be innovative. I'm always excited to see what's new. Lately they've had a dish of stuffed peppers and eggplant. Holy Toledo! It was good...real comfort food.

Staff is always friendly and attentive and when they get to know you, they can be quite funny.

You have to give Mundo's a try and when you do - tell me what you thought!

PS: Coffees are fantastic - always! We love you Vito!!!

Update on Bufala Pizzoteca

Hello all, (Check out my first review of this restaurant before reading this one)

Gnocci Poutine

I went back to Bufala this past Friday. Some family members wanted to try it out so I happily tagged along. I took more pictures of the food and decided to share them with you.

My Dad had the Grilled Sardines which are not pictured here. He loved them! You can kinda' see them in back of  the Carpaccio in the first pic. The Mac n' Cheese pictured below blew me away! It was rich, creamy and the truffle flavor was subtle. Sometimes truffle oil flavor can totally take over with a dish - but not in this case :) It's not normally on the menu. It was the special that evening. It was popular so maybe he'll add it to the menu or at least feature it more often.

When the dishes arrived to our table, everyone wanted to dig right in but I yelled, "STOOOOOOOOOP!!! I must take pictures for my blog before we attack!!" So my family patiently waited, salavating, while I positionned the plates and snapped away. I didn't take a picture of my cousin's four cheese pizza for some reason. Anyway, it was amazing! One of the cheeses used is Gorgonzola. Again, the flavor of the Gorgonzola was not overpowering. Many pleople at the table aren't fans of this cheese but agreed that on this pizza
it just works!

We had the Nutella Pizza again for dessert and this fantastic warm banana bread. I definitely recommend both!

Check out my original review of this resturant for the address and phone number!

Thanks for reading!

Carpaccio

Mac n' Cheese with Truffle oil

Potato Pizza

Crispy ham and Wild Mushroom Pizza

Bufala Pizzoteca

Restaurant Bufala Pizzoteca
18425, Rue Antoine -Faucon
Pierrefonds, QC
514-624-2777

My new obsession, Bufala in the West Island is THE place to go for Pizza! The very talented chef, my friend Vito has done it again. Although I haven't reviewed his flagship restaurant, Mundo yet, I was just too excited about this new place that I just couldn't review them in order!

Trattoria Mundo review to come! Didn't forget about you!

Bufala just opened last week and I've already been there twice..Wednesday and this past Friday!

For Vito fans, the restaurant is located in Mundo's previous location. The street Antoine-Faucon is right off St-Charles Boul. You'll have to drive down quite a bit and through a residential area to get to the restaurant. Don't worry you're not lost (everyone always thinks that they got off course somehow).

The look of the restaurant is modern with clean lines. The colors are vivid and earthy. I love the mini-tile that lines the back  wall. There's a large open kitchen which takes up almost the length of the restaurant. People love watching the chefs do their thing.  Its a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere where you can dress down, bring the kids but you can still order a great bottle of wine.

The menu lists a wide range of appetizers which everyone loves. It seems like people these days, maybe because of the Tappas scene,  love to order a bunch of appetizers and share with friends. Well, you can definitely do that at Bufala! My favorite appetizers so far include the Gnocci poutine...yes ...Gnocci poutine! Its fantastic. Like my aunt Melina would say, I wanted to roll around on the floor, it was so good!!! The gnocci are fried so they have a wonderful crispy exterior and soft interior. The gravy is light and flavorful and they use real Quebec cheese curds. It is heaven! I think about it every day since then!! Oh my, I have issues lol.I shared with  my fiance Andre both times that I went because I wanted to have some poutine and  another appetizer. Next time though...I'm ordering the poutine for myself..Andre was a little selfish with this dish..but who wouldn't be :)
I also tried the Grilled Caesar Salad. Its a whole heart of romaine lettuce, gently grilled on the exterior. The caesar dressing is drizzled overtop with shavings of parmigian cheese. The interior leaves were crunchy, the dressing was just right.  They also have grilled calamari, fried calamari served with wasabi mayo and a little soy drizzled on the plate, Sicilian rice croquettes, called Arancini and seared tuna salad, just to name a few.

You won't find your regular, run of the mill all dressed pizza at Bufala..Don't fret, the selection of pizzas are a refreshing change. The crust is pretty thin and crispy. There is one size that's big enough to share between two people if you each have an appetizer. You'll find potato and onion pizza, crispy ham mushroom and artichoke pizza, prosciutto and arugula pizza and so many more! They also have Panzerotties which are kind of closed or stuffed pizzas, with fillings such as rappini and cheese, sausage...uhhh I forgot the last one...sorry.

Dessert...Honestly I'm sure all the desserts are great BUT guess what they have at this snazzy pizza joint??? Nutella and Bannana Pizzaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! OMG! Need I say more? Didn't think so.

My cappucino was great by the way.