I know I said I wasn’t going to go to Wynwood for a while BUT this wasn’t intentional. I was supposed to go to a tequila event with exploretheyummies. Due to an unforeseen marathon happening in downtown Miami, we couldn’t make it. So we decided to go to a new spot Le Chick.
The place is really cute and cozy. Non traditional space, which is great b/c I like things to be a tad bit different. We sat and viewed the menu. I say “Royale with Cheese”, took a pic to send to DJ FMO, and ordered. Now if you know me, you know I’m a huge Pulp Fiction fan. I had to do it for the culture!
It was everything it needed to be! Two beef patties, tomato, lettuce, pickles, cheddar, and a secret sauce. I added bacon on mine b/c you know.
I don’t know how to end this b/c I have to go run an errand so I’ll just add this...
In December 2015 I decided to create my food blog. I sat on my bed, came up with the idea, told my sister, E, and Quasi, and... that was the beginning.
I wanted this blog to showcase my skills in photography and passion for food. So, I decided to create a logo. I wanted it to be simple b/c I really hate gimmicks. In a time where almost everyone wants to go viral and have instant fame, I made it a point to have an alter ego angle to my blog. I wanted to showcase my growth in photography, my expanding food tastes. I didn’t want it to be an overnight success. No one would know who I am but they would recognize the blog name. It is now March 2018 and things have changed.
So Nessa? Why a change of heart? A few reasons:
Where are the other bloggers of Color?
29 to 30
Black Panther
Recently I’ve had a yearning to have more representation in the foodiesphere. I love my fellow bloggers. Whenever I’m with them, it’s never not a good time. However, I’m over always being the ONLY one who looks like me. So, one of the reasons I ditched my logo is to maybe inspire someone to do the same as me. I, one day, want to be recognized as the person who created a path for others to follow. Now, I am not crowning myself the Tubman of the Minority Miami Foodie scene. There very could well be other people of Color who are doing this. Actually I know a few ... However, I don’t see hardly as many as I would like. This epiphany came earlier this month. I went to a tasting. I was optimistic but my aura was heavy. “Great... another one of these where I’m going to feel weird..” I left and I still had the feeling of being anchored. I knew I had to change something...
I turn 30 on August 16th of this year. (Crazy right? I still get carded when I play the lotto. I don’t even look 18 to most... sigh). I have been forcibly placed in a space of growth, self actualization, and meditation. Simply put, the Universe put my ass in a frame where I have no choice BUT to gain my Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The last step of the Hierarchy is self actualization. It’s basically when you realize your level of you and all the potential you have amassed thus far. For those who don’t know, I am my harshest critique. I can destroy my entire self esteem with one swift thought. I constantly try to perfect my blog. i’ve been off and on with my blog since summer 2016 for personal reasons. That only increased my insecurities with DICWB. It wasn’t until I saw a picture of myself (my current logo) did I realize how much of a badass foodie blogger I am and how far I can take myself. So why am I still standing behind this logo?! I need the world to see me, baby! haha! Well maybe not that far. However, as previously stated, the logo was a shield, a Trojan horse, whatever you want to call it. But now it’s time to let it go. It longer is serving me or my purpose.
LASTLY... DID YOU SEE BLACK PANTHER?! This reason is more of the little dash of parsley to make your food look pretty. It actually saw Black Panther after I changed my logo. It was a cementing factor that I am doing this correctly.
Will I change it back to a logo? Maybe. However, for now, this is me. This the next chapter. This is DoesItComeWithBacon
I know what you’re thinking: NESSA GET OUT OF WYNWOOD! THERE IS MORE TO THE CITY!
I actually I no longer frequent Wynwood. It’s not what it used to be. However! I was recently there for a good reason: the beautiful @sincerelymiami invited me to do a tasting at Crudos Fusion Art. Now, I love @sincerelymiami to the fullest. So she invites me anywhere and I will appear. I, accompanied by other bloggers, headed to the cute Peruvian-Japanese fusion spot to enjoy and indulge.
Overall, I loved the food. I didn’t get a chance to see if the price points were fair (you know how these nouveau places be), but I highly recommend it. (They pretty much brought us dishes. I checked online and the price aren’t listed either). Yes, this is coming from me, the now Wynwood Loather. I know Peruvian-Japanese is one of the new things in Miami (after dining halls) so what makes this place stands out? Unlike the other places I’ve frequented, Crudos’ food has a punch. Sure you eat one tuna tartare, you’ve ate them all. THE DIFFERENCE BEING you can taste the culinary love and flavor in the Crudos dishes. It’s really a place where the food is meant to be savored.
My favorite dish was … you guessed it: the grilled octopus served with potatoes. Octopus and wedges are the new steak and mash. I had many other dishes. I took photos of some
Okay, we’re gonna take a detour from the usual posts and talk about my relationship with coffee.
I, being a 1st generation Haitian American, am not stranger to coffee. My Grama used to give me small batches of it as a kid. I remember eating it with my toasted peanut butter sandwiches. I thought I was cool b/c I thought I was being like her.
In being a Miami resident, coffee is pretty much ingrained into all menus. As the played out saying goes, Miami is a cultural melting pot. Turns out a lot of cultures love coffee.
I, being a member of the workforce, am OFTEN harassed asked if I want a cup of some variation of coffee. I also get the looks of “wtf is this bitch on?” when I decline and say “No I don’t drink coffee”. YES THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO DON’T DRINK COFFEE!
But all in all, I do like to drink a small DE-CAF espresso after every meal. It’s not really sincere. I usually order it to get a cool pic to post on the social media platforms I manage in order to crowd source self validation form people who are aimlessly scrolling on their phones. :)
Raise your hand if you’re on the downward side of the Wynwood enthusiasm bell curve.
Okay, that’s a can of warms that I’m not going delve into. However, I will talk about is Gramps’ Pizza Tropical. Nothing fancy, nothing artisanal, nothing fru-fru about it. Just good pizza to eat while drinking and listening to quit the interesting playlists.
Fun fact: btwn the hours of 12-4p, you get 2 slices and a pizza for $6! If the head right, Nessa there e’ernight!
Yeah I know. You’ve heard it all before. Buy hey guys! I’m back again.
This is probably you right now:
What happened this time, Nessa. Well I took a break. A lot was going on:
I was being overworked at my job. (doing three jobs for no extra pay)
I started to HATE my job like never before.
I was finishing up grad school. And dealing with the what’s next? anxiety
I graduated with my MBA with a 3.66 GPA!
I was applying to jobs at a rapid pace.
I was going through a breakup with my person (Quasi) AND it seemed permanent.
I was turning 29.
And to top it all off, I was the most depressed since the passing of my Grama in 2013.
Basically my life was a mesh of Molly and Issa’s (yall watch Insecure, right?)
So... the last thing I wanted to do was update here and my IG page. Does It Come With Bacon is my baby. If I couldn’t put my all into it, I didn’t want to touch it at all.
BUT Living better now, Coogi sweaters now ... drop top BM’s!!!!
I’m done with school
I found a new job!
I’m back with Quasi
I’m okay with being 29
I’m out of my depression
I started using Tyler, The Creator’s album “Flower Boy” as my therapy. Tyler gets it!
So when the life is right, I go back to my baby. So ... let’s get back to it. I have been going to events here and there. Going to a spot here and there. I just haven’t been fully in the space to do the job that is being a Food Influencer.
I have made some changes. I removed myself from all engagement pods. I stopped worrying about numbers (followers, likes, comments). I am now focused on producing better content. I want to learn and improve my shooting and editing skills. I just want to be the best food influencer I can be!
I have a lot of ideas for Does It Come With Bacon.
SOOOO that’s about it :)
Now to end this ... I’ll post the song that resonated the most with me from “Flower Boy” - Boredom
I know what you’re thinking... I did abandon the website portion once again. But I am pulling a Lawrence on everyone. (Do you watch Insecure? You should). I promise to up my game on all fronts. And what better time? It’s my 29th birthday! So time for new beginnings and what not. BUT I know you wanna get to the food. So let’s do that.
Green Living Animals Matter aka GLAM Vegan is a new restaurant in the Midtown area. Now, I don’t do vegan. Why? I did it once (at another restaurant) and my damn large intestine exploded. It was all types of bad. Needless to say, I was hesitant to try it again. GLAM Vegan allowed me to enjoy great food without breaking the bank and kept my guts intact! TRIFECTA! My favorite was the Miso Avo Toast. Hey I’m a food influencer, we all love Avo Toast. I will go back and try the other items. Pictured below are the jack fruit el pastor tacos, avo toast, gazpacho, and “cheese” platter.
Before I begin, I should tell you I’m a hip hop head. So ... lets listen to the classic “The Choice Is Yours” by The Black Sheep.
Now ... on to the post. Imagine my delight when I heard there was a new spot opening called Black Sheep. But Nessa maybe they meant black sheep as someone who isn’t accepted? SHADDAP! HIP HOP IS LIFE!
But seriously, I’d like to say I love tacos. I’m always down for any spin and/or variation I can find. This time I got my hands on short rib tacos from Black Sheep. Three heaty and well sized tacos filled with the tender short rib, pickeled onions, cilantro and a creamy jalapeno sauce. Needless to say, I hummed ‘engine engine numba 9...” with each bite.
One of my favorite spots is R House. I’m proud to say I’m one of the first patrons when it opened its doors in Jan 2014. Since then, I have shared incredible nights at the beautiful restaurant -- including my 25th birthday. My go to dish is the one pictured above: grilled sweet chili skirt steak. The grilled steak acts like a meet cage for wasabi mashed potatoes. It is then topped with leaks and broccolini. Maybe one day I will try other dishes, but until that day, I’ll order my medium well grilled skirt steak.
R House Wynwood
2727 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
www.rhousewynwood.com
“Jimmy’z Kitchen? You mean that place with the fire ass mofongo?” - DJ F.M.O.
DJ FMO is many things. Along with a dear and instrumental part of my life, he is a wise and insightful man. Jimmy’z Kitchen, hands down, has the best mofongo in Miami. What is this mofongo? To be straight to the point, it’s mashed green plantains. It’s a Puerto Rican dish/staple. I usually pair mine with churrasco (as pictured above) or with pork (because I LOVE pork).
I don’t think I can find better in the city of Miami. And with multiple locations around my little city, I’m never too far from it. I might have to venture to the land of the Boriquas to see if I could find better … and that’s not a bad idea.
Fun fact: I hate breakfast food. I hate breakfast time. I don’t even like telling people “Good morning”. Idk maybe years of waking up at the butt crack of dawn for school (and now work) made me resent the hours btwn 7a - 12p.
BUT One Friday I was HUN-GRAY! I decided to get some breakfast at a spot that wasn’t Starbucks. ... I settled upon Roasting Buddies. A cheeky cafe (Roll Safe voice) located in West Pembroke Pines.
I decided to get a ham and cheese brio and a latte. What’s a brio? A cute rose petal like pastry STUFFED with whatever you want (As long as it’s on the menu)
I loved it and it was a good little spot to chill and relax before a grueling day.
On a nice Friday, I was hyped off the new Kendrick album and wanted to satiate my taste buds with the same intensity of HUMBLE. The solution? A pulled pork sandwich from Proper Sausages!
I can’t really say anything but great things. The menu’s description is: Dry rubbed and slow roasted Berkshire pork shoulder with iceberg slaw. I loved the fact this sandwich wasn’t smothered with bbq sauce. I was able to taste the meat … (that’s what she said). Pork is supposed to be salty. I like to taste that instead of just sauce. Despite what Future Hendrix tells you, there he such thing as too much sauce. The homemade slaw wasn’t artificial tasting… y’all know what I mean… You can tell it was made with the intention of making the eater, in this case me, enjoy the blends of muffin, pork and slaw the way they should be!
Proper Sausages
9722 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33138
http://www.propersausages.com/
Yes that is sandwich. A sandwich with hearty chunks of perfectly seasoned and prepared cube of steak. It is a sandwich bookended with two thick slices of Zak The Baker sourdough bread. It is a sandwich that is accented with large, sliced, caramelized red onions and beautiful arugula. All of these things blended with each bite but each were highlighted with each chomp. Oh, can’t forget the unsung hero: the truffle pepperchini sauce...
It’s a sandwich--wait no-- it’s an institution to the Miami culinary scene that everyone needs to have -- ASAP!
The British Garden
359 NW 28th St, Miami, FL 33127
IG: The British Garden
I found the best empanadas right in Little Haiti at Fufi Empanadas!
The place is small, as with many spots in Little Haiti. The small and cozy spot is with industrial accents and plant walls. I found a small table next to the window -- perfect lighting and also used to people watch.
Fufi serves great handheld foods such as pizza, tacos, salads and most importantly: EMPANADAS! ... A note: everything is made from scratch -- daily. No frozen food over here, bub! I chose the steak, beef, and chicken empanadas as well as a cool, cool mason jar full of La Rubia beer from Wynwood Brewing Company.
There are 3 components I look for whilst eating an empanada: flaky crust, flavorful meat, balance of yearning and satiation. My favorite was the steak--hands down one of he best if not THE best empanada I’ve ever had. Now, all three were great but ... the steak stood out the most to me. I pretty much inhaled them in record time. After the first bite, I kinda didn’t stop until my cute wooden seving place was littered with bits and pieces of the flaky crusts.
Here’s a fun fact about me: I LOVE BEER! I am an aspiring-self taught beer connoisseur. I’m an avid lover of IPAs. I usually spend my times at breweries across South Florida--however I always return to my good ol’ Box Elder. Located in Wynwood ... Yes I know .. i need to get out of Wywnood.... but located in Wynwood, Box Elder is quite the gem. It’s not a brewery. However, it’s a beer market, taproom, and bottleshop. Think World of Beer but for for craft brews--but you can buy the beers to take back home! I often go on Friday or Saturday. There’s usually a food truck parked in the back patio, or you can bring your own food. There’s a tv that plays local games or even CNN. The vibe is to chill with your friends and have a good time. The menu of 20+ beers rotates frequently. Now the menu can get overwhelming. HOW-EVER, the staff is friendly and knowledgable. My homie Vern plays THE best music that ranges from all types Solange to Daft Punk to OJ Da Juiceman! If you want a chill spot to de-stress, then go to Box Elder. You more than likely will see me -- the cute girl with the curly hair and the Nikon.
Nessa Dant
+ Sebastian The Nikon @doesitcomewith-bacon - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
