Banh mi and Bubble Tea

Quite a play on words there huh…Banh Mi sandwiches at Banhmigos?! You know you think it’s clever, the combo of Banh Mi and ‘amigos’ – and these guys will be your friends, or at least you’ll want them to be your friends so you can have amazing Vietnamese sandwiches like – always!

I walked by this Park Slope location quite a few times and always said to myself, I have to come back here some time. I finally did, not only to try their yummy sandwiches but to try Bubble Tea for the first time ever! I know, how have I gone so long? I wondered about the texture, knew I’d like it for some reason…I have to say I don’t think I went in the right direction choosing my flavor.

The tapioca balls were the perfect consistency as they came up through that thick straw – something I’ve always wanted to try. But I chose ‘almond tea’ flavor – wouldn’t repeat. Next time I would go for something more classic, like a coffee or matcha. I have to admit the almond tasted a bit artificial.

The sandwich – amazing! I ordered the Grilled Chicken or ‘Da Mo’ Banh Mi. A perfectly toasted French baguette, spread with butter, a little mayo, filled with crispy pickled carrots and radish, fresh cucumber, cilantro and yummy sweet marinated grilled chicken – now that’s a mouthful! It’s fresh but filling at the same time. I could imagine eating this spread out on a blanket in the park taking the Spring sun in!

Yep, I’m coming again! And next time I’ll be ordering the classics for a change 😉

Hollywood Grill

A Russian / Armenian grill with an ocean view?! Sound kinda crazy to you?! Just another piece of evidence that you’ll find just about any type of cuisine in Miami’s melting pot! Stumble upon Hollywood Grill, this great oceanfront restaurant, while walking along the Hollywood boardwalk. You’ll be overwhelmed by the options on the menu – Russian, to Armenian, to Greek – all the staples are there.

I felt like keeping it light and fresh for a beachy day so I started the meal off with a Greek Salad…that could feed every fish in the sea! The tomatoes were deliciously red, cucumbers nice and crunchy, red onion gave it the zing, and the feta mmm…

Next came the Chicken Kebab with a side of potatoes. You have never eaten a kebab like this one…I’m finding it very difficult to even describe…unbelievably juicy on the inside, perfectly crisp on the outside. Did you see the color on it in the picture above?! That can’t be just grilled…there has to be a secret step there. The potatoes were also soft on the inside and had the perfect crunch as you bit into them – added little detail…they had a secret garlicky dill sauce sprinkled on them that made it very hard to stop picking at them!

Wish you were strolling on the beach enjoying the smell of an open grill in the air!? Yeah…me too…

Etzel Itzik

Go to Etzel Itzik if you want the best of the best Israeli food in Miami. This small yet comfortable restaurant will have you smiling in no time! The smiles could come thanks to the slew of small pickled platters that appear at your table the second you sit down, the amazing and friendly service, the hundreds of pictures of happy satisfied customers you’ll see hanging on the walls, or simply the delicious food.

Take a look at the picture above one more time…don’t tell me that’s not tempting. Little tidbits of yummy pickled veggies and salads to keep you going and open up your appetite while you wait for your order. From cabbage, to carrots, to beans…it’s all there, and it’s all so so good!

Yes, that crazy looking green drink is mint lemonade…or as they call it, the ‘lemonana’…lemon = lemon, nana = mint! It is probably about 50-25-25 mint to lemon to crushed ice…just a guess…But you could only imagine the amount of fresh mint they go through every day – NUTS – refreshing and so good for you! Next, a plate of babaganoush (eggplant spread), crazy creamy with the perfect amount of smokey flavor. Dip their fluffy pita bread in that…that’s all I’ll say about that…

Now, next is Pepan’s favorite (my dad…the man that taught me how to eat), chicken livers with deliciously caramelized onions. I don’t lean towards that dish, but hey…if HE says it’s good, I trust, and so should you!

For a simple great dish, go for the beef kebab! They put tooons of parsley in it, which makes it super fresh and tasty!

I’ll tell you the truth, I have never been able to get to dessert here…but for you, this one time, I did. Recommended to us by my cousin Gabriel – I call it the Israeli napoleon! Light, flaky dough filled with a cloudy sweet pastry cream. I can’t promise you’ll be wanting to wear a bathing suit after this meal…I certainly did NOT! I say you save this spot for a perfect rainy day, where all you want to do after a filling meal is slouch on the couch and fall asleep until dinner time! =)

 

 

All In All Perfect

Yeah, I said PERFECT – You will get nothing less at Houston’s. This succulent location is easily in my Top 5 ‘Must Eat Here’ restaurants when in Miami. Every one of my trips down in sunny paradise starts with Houston’s and ends with Houston’s. How boring you say? No, no…you don’t know…

You see, Houston’s is not just about the food (but, really it is). Your entire experience here is perfection. They have ‘a long standing interest in art and architecture that factor into the dining experience to enhance the senses’. So true…from the moment you walk in the door everything you see, smell, taste, touch, and hear (had to think about those), mish-mosh together and create ideal sensations.

At the Aventura location you can see chefs preparing every piece of your platter…from the grill to plating…they work like an orchestra.

Another little interesting piece of info you might not know…Houston’s is one of a whopping thirteen restaurants that make up Hillstone Restaurant Group. And I’ve only been to one?! Ugh…guess I’ll have to keep eating (shoulder shrug)…

So let’s get to the food huh?! I know the image above can be a bit overwhelming. I couldn’t help it, I just had to show it all! I’ll guide you through them, left to right – top to bottom.

You’ll start your meal off right with their famous Spinach Dip. A creamy, cheesy, comforting dip…I also think it’s healthy cuz ya know, the spinach! haha You’ll also find big bits of artichoke in there that will make you very happy!

Next is the Tuna Salad…my mom’s fav of course! You can see the pieces of fish perfectly rare bathed in a delicious dressing that I’ve never been able to decipher. On the side, a fresh salad with mango and avocado. Yum!

Double Cut Pork Chop, remember Armen the Superhero?! This is his favorite, very very very well done please – that’s how he likes it.

Their Veggie Burger is super hearty and filling. Brown rice, beans, and beets…yeah I really do think so…make this burger delicious! Pair it with some shoestring fries…you’ll forget meat ever existed!

Smoked Salmon, my daddy’s go-to!

And finally MY favorite, Grilled Chicken Salad uuufff. With extra dressing duh! Fresh crispy greens, thinly sliced grilled chicken, corn, and tortilla strips…all drenched in a peanut lime dressing. Seriously no words, just try it!

Good news, I just found out they have a NY location! Woot woot!