What's For Dinner?

What's For Dinner? I'm Making Reservations... I like to cook, I just don't have time. So, I eat out. A lot. My friends think I'm a restaurant whore, but hey, I don't have to make excuses, I'm supporting the world economy. Every night. And I recycle. What do you do?

[immakingreservations]

Love working here...you would too.

[immakingreservations]

Hideway Cafe, in the Florida Keys

The Hideaway Café is appropriately named. If you didn’t know it was there, you definitely wouldn’t spot it from the road, and you certainly wouldn’t see their sign. But let me tell you, it’s worth finding.

Tucked away on the second floor of the Rainbow Bend Resort on Grassy Key (mile marker 58 oceanside in the Florida Keys), Hideaway Café serves breakfast and dinner to lucky hotel guests and to those-in-the-know. I discovered it by asking some locals where to eat while I was staying at Hawk’s Cay Resort.

As you park, you’ll be wondering, “Is this right?” Rest assured, if you’re in the parking of Rainbow Bend, you’ve arrived. Then, as you trek up the concrete steps, you will surely think this is a dive, but you’ll be wrong. Small, yes. Unassuming, yes. Fab food and oceanfront views? Oh, yes. And the staff greets you like you’re a long, lost relative; they’re very happy to see you. Upon being seated inside (in air-conditioned comfort), or on the jalousie-window enclosed patio with faint sea breezes, you’ll be given a basket of warm, French bread.

Settle in. Have a look around. You’ll see Keys-casually dressed couples sitting comfortably at white linen clothed tables, sipping wine by candlelight. It’s a welcoming sight. Now, peruse the menu and you’ll find a good variety of fresh seafood dishes, pasta, chicken and beef. You’ll also find some unexpected choices (for a little place in the Keys), like delightful French Onion Soup ($8). My favorite appetizer is the escargot, but think way outside the familiar flat dish with little individual butter pools for each snail. I’m talking Escargot á la Edison ($9). These tender delights are cognac-flamed then arranged beautifully on a plate with creamy cognac, garlic, and pepper cream sauce - and perfectly julienned vegetables. So tasty and full of flavor, you’ll be tempted to order a second plate.

Main courses include a plethora of local seafood from lobster to hogfish. You’ll also find standout dishes, like Roasted Whole Duck á la Hideaway ($29), Full Rack of Lamb with herb coating ($32), and amazingly tender and flavorful aged steaks. As a Libra, I find it extremely difficult to decide. Ever time. Luckily, the waiters are always eager to offer their expert recommendations.

One of my favs is the Hideaway Seafood Special ($28). It’s their catch of the day (hogfish many times), sautéed francaise style and topped with large shrimp and sea scallops. Divine. Seafood Puttanesca is another winner ($26).

Now, about those steaks…they age their own, and the chef’s special is the nearly two-pound Rib Steak. You’ll also find Chateaubriand, NY Strip, and you will love the Filet Medallions á la Beurre Noir. Filet slices flambéed with cognac and garlic ($28). You just can’t go wrong. And forget everything being a la carte! Entrees include choice of house or Cesar salad, potato, and vegetable of the day (think broccoli with hollandaise or green beans with tomatoes).

If you saved room for dessert, treat yourself to either the Bananas Foster or their homemade cheesecake. Sigh.

Hideaway Café does offer a kids menu, although I’d rather NOT have my kids in tow at this romantic of a place, but it’s nice to know that they do, in case you absolutely have to ($9-$10). That reminds me, they have beer and wine!

So, next time you’re looking for a romantic spot to dine that’s off the beaten path, FIND the Hideaway Café. Reservations are highly recommended. Call 305-289-1554.

Atlantic views from the enclosed patio of Hideaway Cafe

Stone Crab Claws at the Hideaway Cafe

Is that pretty or what? Steaks cooked to order at the Hideaway Cafe

One of my favorites, the Hideaway Seafood Special (hogfish on this night)!

[immakingreservations]

[immakingreservations]

Cantina Beach Mexican, Ritz -Carlton Key Biscayne

Cantina Beach is Miami's only oceanfront Mexican restaurant. And if the seaside location isn't impressive enough, just wait till you sink your teeth into any of Chef Andres Parlange's authentic creations.

First you should know that Chef Andres is a native of Chiapas, Mexico. You'll probably see him greeting guests beneath the enormous thatched-roof palapa, passionately explaining the history of each dish and which fresh ingredients he incorporated. Delightful, indeed. (It's no wonder that Catherine Zeta Jones scooped him up to be her personal chef for three months while making  a movie. Smart girl.)

Guacamole Made Tableside

If you're a fan of freshly made guacamole, layered with flavors, and just the right amount of chunkiness, run to Cantina Beach and have a seat. Skilled hands use knives and forks to create bowls of heavenly goodness right before your eyes. Choose traditional Guacamole made with avocados, lime, tomato, red onion, cilantro and jalapeno. Or, treat your taste buds to Guacamole Con Mango or their Guacamole Con Chicharron. with pineapple and crispy bits of pork skin. Delish.

Appetizers (una maravilla!)

Three words: Flight of Ceviches. Shrimp, Snapper and Octopus are presented on a rectangular plate, perfect for sharing, or keeping all for yourself ($18). Simple yet exploding with freshness. The octopus is remarkable.

Tostadas De Cochinita Pibil (love the name!) are crispy morsels stuffed with Yucatan-style, pit bar-be-qued pork laced with pickled red onions ($14). And their Mini Crab Crispy Tacos topped with avocado salsa are a seafood lover's dream $18).  

Main Events

One of Chef Andres' signature dishes is Cazuela De Mariscos ($34). Fresh Florida seafood (like grouper, shrimp and calamari) braised ever-so-gently with chipotle, onions and garlic. You will lick your fingers and the bowl.  

And as much my lips loved all of the above-mentioned dishes, what really knocked my socks off were the Carnitas De Cerdo ($18). Imagine, slowly braised pork ribs that fall off the bone, so juicy, so tender...now, take a fresh, warm corn tortilla, wrap it around your pork rib, and gently pull. In one hand will be the pork bone, and in the other, a corn tortilla loaded with braised pork, ready to top with salsa verde. Oh my.

Cantina Beach offers a well-rounded menu that includes daily specialty items native to regions throughout Mexico, so even if you have friends who swear they don't like Mexican food, I bet Cantina Beach will convert them to our equipo. 

The Country's First Tequilier

Tequila fans. listen up, rather, listen to Heriberto Ovideo. He's the master Tequilier. Just as a wine sommelier knows about grapes, Heriberto knows about Agave, from white to golden and everything in between. So forget what you know about salt and lime, let Heriberto enlighten you about the 85+ premium Agave tequilas offered at Cantina Beach. "Tequila is actually a very sophisticated spirit and I enjoy...providing recommendations on how to best enjoy it." Um, I thoroughly enjoyed being enlightened by Heriberto - and the tequila was good, too...

Oceanfront and Oh-So-Fabulous

Cantina Beach is one of those quintessential South Florida locations. It has wonderful sea breezes, sun, sand, surf and oh yeah, IT'S ON THE OCEAN. You will love sitting around the firepit, soaking in the views, before or after your meal.

If you're looking for the perfect place to impress out-of-town guests or clients, think Cantina Beach at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. For more info, call 305-365-4286.

Cantina Beach, Miami's only oceanfront Mexican restaurant, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne.

Chef Andres Parlange, Chef de Cuisine at Cantina Beach, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

Pork Carnitas at Cantina Beach, Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

Heriberto Oviedo, the authoritative voice on all things Tequila.

[immakingreservations]

Shiver's BBQ

I love BBQ. All kinds. Dry rub from Memphis, wet in Kansas City, smoked in Austin, tangy in the Carolinas...I'm an enthusiastic connoisseur. BBQ gets me excited. I love when the distinctive scent of hickory blasts my olfactoy as I  enter an establishment. My mouth begins to water, my tummy rumbles, and my willpower fades into thin air like the thick smoke from the roof vents.

This Is Shiver's

I always get that excited feeling when I pull into the parking lot of Shiver's BBQ in Homestead, Florida. Shiver's is an institution, and can boast that they've been serving customers for over 50 years. Best of all, it's consistently good. Their baby back ribs always fall off the bone. Their brisket is always fall-apart tender. And the collard greens are the best. Period.  

A Diverse Menu

Chicken, ribs, pork, catfish, brisket, prime rib, burgers...all cooked over a hickory fire - and served up with your choice of two sides. And there are lots of sides to choose from. Those famous collards, sweet potato fries, black eyed peas, mashed potatoes, hush puppies (the really cripsy old fashioned kind), garlic toast, green beans, corn or sweet potato souffle. What more could a girl ask for?

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

It will be hard to save room after all that succulence, but try, because the desserts are actually worth the calories. My boys (6 & 12) love the fried cheesecake. I'm partial to peach cobbler, pumpkin cobbler (in season), and the strawberry shortcake.

Next time you're traveling through South Florida, perhaps on your way to the beautiful Florida Keys, stop in to Shiver's on US1 and SW 280th Street. You can't miss it, it looks like an old cabin home with a little neon in the window. Owners Perry and Martha will probably be there to say hello.

[immakingreservations]

Fresh catch at Pike Place Market, Seattle

[immakingreservations]

If you like food like I do, check out this website of food photography by Michael Ray.

[immakingreservations]

Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.

Faith Whittlesey

[immakingreservations]

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?

I love my wooden, wine bottle-shaped pepper grinder.

[immakingreservations]

JJs Big Chill, Key Largo

I have a new favorite restaurant in Key Largo, JJ's Big Chill. Owned by former NFL coach, Jimmy Johnson, this place is worth the visit. On one end is a sports bar with numerous flat screen TVs and small area with video games. Then there's an inside bar area, an inside dining area, an outside dining area (on the deck), a huge tiki bar, and on the far end is a swimming pool. Purchase $10 in food and you're welcome to swim. There are also several cabanas that you can rent for $150 for the entire day. And did I mention, it's waterfront? Yes, you can sit inside or out, right on the shimmering Florida Bay, and endlessly gaze at sailboats, soaring birds, and parasailing bravehearts.

Appetizers

The first item we had to try was Tuna Nachos. At $13, I hoped they'd be spectacular. They were! Mounds of crispy wonton chips, heaped into an over-sized bowl, topped with freshly chopped, sushi-grade, barely seared tuna, noodle-y strips of seaweed (wakame) salad, and drizzled with a not-too-spicy wasabi sauce. Wow. A heavenly explosion of textures and flavors, indeed. You will crave these in your sleep.

They have a brick oven on premises for pizza and calzones but it also happens to aid in their delightful offering of brick-oven roasted chicken wings. Forget blue cheese and wing sauce, these crispy morsels are smothered in sauteed onions, garlic and rosemary. And they'll make you give back things you never stole. Mmm. Mmm.

We also tried the fried shrimp, parmesan crusted snapper, slider burgers and several side dishes like Asian fried green beans and mashed sweet potatoes - all were generous portions and quite good.

Just Desserts

I'd like to be best friends with their pasty chef. The Ultimate Crusted Key Lime Pie and the Macadamia White Chocolate Cheesecake were so good, I'd drive to Key Largo just to get a slice, or two. And don't get me started on the Apple Cobbler.

Yes, you will find me at JJ's Big Chill often. I'm addicted. And the man himself was there. I happily ogled from a distance, as I enjoyed every last crumb of my key lime pie.