Miami Danny

Yeah-We've tried to change that for a coupla years, and I think we're almost there-maybe this will be the year! My place is just a few blocks from here, and we have plenty of parking, but we do a LOT of PR to get people here.

That's very unfair. Bernstein is exactly what is best about Miami-a top chef paying her dues, and finally finding someone to back her in her ambitious endeavors, and succeeding beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Not everyone has $500K lying around to open a restaurant. Your prediction of Michy's demise is completely without foundation or merit. She did not 'disappear'. She found WORK-MB in Cancun, then consulting for Chodorow-the Social's in Miami and LA. Opening her namesake restaurant in an up-and-coming area of Miami took brains AND guts! (And to nearly universal acclaim, I might add!) If Bernstein is what's wrong with Miami, I don't want to be right. Also, to say of hole-in-the-wall joints that 'none' are worth the journey is mere hyperbole. Oh, and sarcasm.

I am about 99.9% sure that Michel would agree with you. Don't smokers spend more?As an occasional smoker (only when drinking, and only around certain people), I am of two minds about this. One the one hand, I feel comfortable bringing my family to more places. On the other, when I am out late at night without the kids it would be nice to have a damn cigarette with my drink. I am down to smoking once or twice a month, so it's probably for my own good. ← Funny-I was at Bistrot Du Coin last week and I really missed the smoke. And, actually, the bar seemed a little less crowded than usual. And although a source told me business hadn't gone down, that may just be propaganda.

...and of course, people who travel for food may also be looking for the kind of hole-in-the-wall experiences that Miami (and environs) provides in abundance. Including our new Banh Mi/Bubble Tea joint and a genuine Yucateca restaurant (go figure).

Don't be sorry! I thought of New York first, and California was down on my list. We've got DC beat, but only in my limited experience. Illinois never crossed my mind. I think we have a fair footing with Vegas. But fair warning, and I can pull my camera out and document, the New York, New Jersey, Canadian, Ohian, Maine, Pennsylvanian and there was one from North Dakota today - liscense plates are in full bloom. That's how we tell when the seasons change in South Florida. Somebody is coming here in search of something. ← There is no place in Florida that has food equal to what you'll find in Chicago or Las Vegas - much less California. Like I said - someone is confusing the hunt for warm weather with food tourism. FWIW - all those out of state license plates don't mean doodle. You'll find tons in Fort Myers - and it isn't exactly on anyone's food radar screen. Robyn ← "...no place..." is a bit of an exaggeration. Without a doubt, North One10, Talula, Michy's, and a coupla seafood places (River Oyster Bar comes to mind) are of the first magnitude. However, the problem is all the hype-that's what drives the tourist dollars-directed towards South Beach.

In the hit or miss Miami dining scene, I would have to say the misses outnumber the hits by about 10 to 1, especially if you eat out on the beach. (I've posted about some hidden gems.) I wish that the survey had done some follow-up as to whether these 'foodies' were happy with their choice of destination.

Not where I live. Not even in McDonald's or other fast food restaurants. When I first started traveling here to visit my spouse, I was shocked that everyone working in fast food places were white. ← White does not equal Legal. I live in Miami and there are plenty of illegal white people working in the hospitality industry (both FOH and BOH). It's the kind of industry that's very hospitable to illegals for many obvious reasons.

There's a new soul food restaurant called Mahogany owned by former Major Leaguer Andre Dawson in Miami Gardens that was just given a nice review in the Miami Herald (miami.com). It's about 20 minutes (all surface streets) from !75 and Pines.

Well, based on the complete lack of thought that went into the perfunctory 12 bottle wine list to begin with, I would say that this is really unlikely to happen. And of course, if they cared at all about the wines they offer, they wouldn't be having the wines they do in the first place. I'm positive that it's one distributor's rep who has made the list for her and supplied the wines; nobody could purposely assemble what's on that list. It's really a lot easier and more practical for me to open another bottle and have some with dessert, and pay the second corkage fee, which I do every time; I mean, I'm bringing wine anyway and paying. Of course, a restaurant experience is a blend of "food" and "vibe", culinary skill and hospitality, a mixture of the tangible and intangible, and what happened is that in the course of experimenting and trying some new restaurants in the mix while there on vacation, we found some that we enjoyed a lot more, and without consciously excluding this place, we realized that we had gone a whole ten day trip without returning there, and probably won't in the future. ← Why not ask the proprietor how they compiled their list? Your guess that some distributor's rep compiled it is speculation. And, not to slight wine reps, either-most of them are pretty knowledgeable. Obviously the restaurant's owners put a lot of effort into the food, maybe they put some effort into carrying wines that, although they may not be up to your standards, actually sell? People often ask me for wines I don't carry, and, if possible, I try to find them for their next visit. But that's not always possible. And I noticed you went from a 'regular' to a tourist there for ten days. Quelle difference! Could explain everything.

Three words-Amarone, Amarone, Amarone! THE best wine with chocolates.

The funny thing is, I am sure these exact places you mention are constantly being asked to do the exact thing that 'no one' would ever ask them to do. And much worse. Perhaps that explains the 'touchy' nature of this subject.

La Cofradia-A chef friend of mine highly rex this spot, but I haven't eaten there myself.

If one sees everything in a restaurant visit as simply a 'monetary transaction', then I can understand your interpretation. However, there are many wonderful things that happen in a restaurant visit that don't appear on your bill. I assure you, they are not imaginary.

I'm afraid you misunderstood. I was never trying to define the phrase 'corkage fee'. I was merely trying to explain why it exists. Thus, "A wine corkage fee exists", not "...is". Mine is a cultural interpretation, and thus perfectly stated; but certainly, it was never meant as a Webster's-like 'definition'. You have done some great research, though. Congratulations.

I'll say it again, "A wine corkage fee exists to allow a customer to bring a special wine, not to bring what they like, because they don't like what's on your list." That is why they exist, and any other 'use' of the corkage fee by the customer, is incorrect. If you are bringing a bottle of Yellow Tail, or something on the restaurant's list, and they let you pour it, they are being VERY accomodating. ('Excuse me, can I have a bottle of what they are drinking? What, you mean they don't like what I drink here every week? Hmmmmm.) A corkage fee is completely defined by the person/business owner who is charging it. Not the customer. History will show that that is the longstanding custom in this country. IAs for beer? That only works for Hollywood Celebs, babe.

A corkage fee is a courtesy. When a restaurant extends that courtesy to you, they are being gracious. And don't laugh, people DO bring their own beer, their own soft drinks, their own desserts, their own bottle of hot sauce. I could go on...(and I didn't even get to their dogs!) A wine corkage fee exists to allow a customer to bring a special wine, not to bring what THEY like, because they don't like what's on your list. This case is simpler than, say, sending a wine back because you don't like it, which many people think is the reason they're tasting it first! It's $15 a bottle. Period. And, as I said earlier, EVERYONE thinks they're a 'regular', and they're the ones keeping you in business. Not really true. The real regulars know who they are, and so do you.

I almost forgot Xixon, which is a cute little Spanish retail/wine store, where they have a great lunch-Spanish tortilla, octopus salad, etc., lotta tapas, and inexpensive wines. There are only about 12 seats scattered about, and it has a certain charm that comes from the owner and her staff, and the casual nature of her customers. Very Spanish.

Damn-I'm working all weekend! You people must be a hungry lot!

One person may think you are being gracious. Another may think you are a cheap tourist on a holiday. I'm just saying it's a very fine line.

(Actual conversation-feel free to use it.) Restauranteur: I see you're bringing your own wine. You don't like our wine list? Me: No, it's pretty bad. R: Yeah, we're a small place where mostly neighborhood people eat, and these are the wines they seem to enjoy-if anyone ever orders any! Also, we don't have any storage. That's why we grant our loyal (and otherwise!) customers the courtesy of a corkage fee. Otherwise, I'd have to spend money on wine inventory which I would probably never sell! Me: Thanks! Cause that stuff on your list blows!

Quick? There are two(?) Indian joints right around the corner on Connecticut Ave, that aren't bad. The Woodley Park Grill has cheap booze/beer, but I wouldn't rec for food (unless, having consumed said cheap booze...)-never eaten at Murphy's or Open City, but they are right there. If you want to cross the bridge (if it's not too cold), go to Mama Ayesha's on Calvert for Middle Eastern food. (I think they're open for lunch,but not 100% sure.) There's also a Chipotle on the corner of Calvert and Connecticut, if you like. There's also a sushi place in that strip. How long does Katsucon last? Also, if you are walking into Adams Morgan, try Amsterdam Falafel for a late night quick treat on 18th St.

'I'm pretty sure that if you read the original message, it's not at all about getting anything for free' No problem. That may not be your intention. But I read the original message. It was that message to which I was replying. Look, it's perfectly OK to want something for free. Even to ask for it. Really. But it is disingenuous to blame the restaurant when you don't get it.

"...chicken liver pate that tastes as if it came from the kitchen of a skilled Jewish mama. " 'Jewish mama?' This is highly offensive on so many levels. Not funny. Apology should be in order.

"Again, it's not that I want something for free." That IS the point. You DO want something for free. You want to be able to open YOUR $10 bottle of wine instead of THEIRS! And the fact that it gets so under your skin is not THEIR fault, but YOURS. If it bugs you so much, you should probably just eat elsewhere. And by the way, every 'regular' thinks they're the only ones keeping the place in business. Maybe because it's seasonal, there are lots of people there when you are not visitng for your three days.

I don't think it's fair to say that Norman's hasn't kept up when no one here has actually eaten there in years! Having said that, I haven't either. Hmmmmm. Actually, the reason I was posting, is to let you know that there is a LOT of construction on Biscayne Blvd from 195 to Michy's. Plus the usual Miami traffic (esp. if you are going any time after 3PM). Expect the drive to take more like 45 min. Bring a flask.