Miami Danny

Mitch-remember-YOU were pretty scary in the 70's, son! Also, in the 70's, there were great and cheap joints all over Times Square for a good quick working-person's meal. Cheap cocktails? Abundant. Cheap prostitutes, moreso. I won't set foot in Ruby Tuesdays not because I despise the place-that would be silly. I'd just rather go hungry then have to sit in what is essentially a fast food place dolled up like a cheap prostitute. Ironic?

FYI-Kosher salt is NOT Kosher, but is used in the koshering of meats, i.e., to draw out blood. No Rabbis are involved in the making of Kosher salt

You dip your fries in vodka

vodka

Three Words-Pu Pu Platter

Sorry, but I think you jumped the gun a little. According to federal law (each state is different, some better, some worse), owners are not required to pay tipped employees more than 1/2 the minimum wage, and if employees' tips make up the other half, that's all they may be entitled to. I'm not saying that's right, that's just how it is. My employees make a LOT of money on some nights, and not as much on others. That's the life of a tipped employee. Also, as the owner, if my wife is waiting tables and I'm behind the bar, should we refuse tips? Are you insane? Tipping is part of the process, regardless of who gets it, although I agree that owners should not take tips intended for others. Although you may not be aware, but, ordinarily, waiters tip out busboys, barbacks, cleaning people, etc. In addition, when Maitre D's "find" a table (for a fee), or "wiave" a corkage fee, or bartenders give away drinks in order to pump up the tip, they're basically transfering the wealth from the owner to themselves. I'm not saying that's right or wrong, but think about it from an owner's point of view. An $80 tab with a $20 tip just became a $50 tab with a $30 tip. Or people may not come back because they've been made to feel they need to 'buy' a table on their next visit. The idea that all it's all the noble servers working for greedy owners is simplistic. But I also agree that the best way to avoid this is to tip cash (especially when you're tipping $20 on an $8.49 tab, because the bartender bought you three drinks. It's less suspicious!)

Renaisa, Indian food on the 'waterfront' of NE 78th St! It's so charming, and the food is teriffic. The view used to include hookers fishing off the bridge, but now it's just some bobbing boats being patrolled by big, silent dogs. Times have changed. When I was there last week, the service and staff were top-notch, very welcoming and friendly. The place has undergone a facelift and the owner is now managing as well. It's a funky place, and pretty inexpensive. It's also BYOB, so that saves you some serious coin. I went around the corner to the gas station (gotta love FLA)and bought a six of Prestige. Two of us had an assortment of breads, all very flaky, and some crunchy chapatis w/raita and some chutney. We especially liked the naan topped with everything. The vegetable fritters were light and tasty, nice and aromatic and spicy, followed by a goat dish, vindaloo, I think, which was served with fluffy basmati rice. Traditionally spiced, very warm and satifying. The spiciness of the dish can be adjusted by the kitchen, so make sure you ask for your desired hotness. Two of us split it all, and we were stuffed. They also do a 'traditional oven' thing, tandoori, but I've forgotten what they call it. Extensive vegetarian selections, of course, and halal meat. Very nice 'find' (although it's been here for years), and plenty of parking, too, although we walked the few blocks from our home (just like in a REAL city!). It's half a block east of Biscayne on the south (waterfront) side. Check for 2 B4 tax and tip about $49.

Aren't we? Hell, I'll take the rap. I'm with ya

I'm not really sure who he's laughing at, or maybe it's just that dry British humor; but it seems as though he's saying we're (foodies, Americans) all pretentious a-holes. Almost everything in this article is hyper-inflated for comedic purposes, which I don't have a problem with, except it's all been said before and it's not really funny anymore. He's set up a straw man and knocked it down. And we poor colonists must accept his better judgement.

I'm pretty sure the Times is on the 'net', whatever that is.

Sticking to food/dining writing, I think the NYT is head-and-shoulders above anyone else I've read-in the past coupla months, the Wash Post(see above), Miami Herald, Chicago Trib. Addressing the food section by saying newspapers in general, and the NYT in particular, are dinosaurs, or slipping, doesn't really address the issue. Perhaps the problem is not the writers, but the subject. There are natural limitations to any genre writing that only a very talented few can surmount over a period of time. Remember when articles about farmer's markets were new and exciting? When anyone gave a shit about Le Cirque? When knowing where to buy a freakin Jamaican Patty in Flushing started you drooling? Me neither. But I'm pretty sure it was before every nitwit in every hamlet decided to go on the road to find the best barbecue in the land! (see next week's Times). Face it, even Bourdain, whose writing is among the best, has been repeating himself ad nauseum to the point of shtick. I hate to sound a positive note, but objectively, the NYT Dining Section is damned good.

Think the Times sucks? Try the Washington Post, with articles today about bottled salad dressings, spatulas, a completely uninformative blurb on the Fancy Food Show, some recipe for grilled chicken breasts, a recommendation to ask restaurants for some of their herbs when you run out, and a feature called, 'Is there Anything left we can Eat'. Makes the Times writers look like Tolstoy. I also agree that the Times readers would be better served if the whole thing was only one-inch wide.

That's 'celebrity' runner, please

Wolfgang Puck must be a tired old whore

Is Gael Greene getting chemo? I mean, why else the hat?

Thought of Casa Toscana so I stopped there the other night for a chat with the owner, Sandra Stefani. She is in the kitchen three nights a week, cooking her own recipes-always worth the trip. Michele Bernstein has opened Michy's next door (well, on the other side of the motel), and this part of Biscayne is looking better every day. I happened to catch Michele's performance on Iron Chef vs Bobby Flay-I thought he basically mailed it in while she came up with some really well-thought-out stuff. Anyone else see it? Really stupid show, but she added some warmth to it.

Agreed. Cuban food in Miami is great-but so is Venezuelan, Argentinian, Brazilian, Colombian, Peruvian, etc., and I think you'll find it more exciting as well. I mean I love Ropa Vieja (shredded pork stew) and Picadillo (Sloppy Joe?), but I also love arepas, moquecas, ajaii, cau-caus, etc. The Cuban scene at Versailles is great if you happen to know who all the local politicos, etc are, but if not, it won't mean much to you. Try El Pub on Calle Ocho-blikers, cops, real mamacita waitresses. Everything's translated, great daily specials. A little Spanish (por favor, gracias) goes a long way here. By the way, you can get a good Cuban Coffee at any gas station in Miami-it's that common. I get mine at the takeout window of my local supermarket, (80 cents) where they also make a terrific homemade curried goat stew. Try the North Beach area for more downhome fare, although I DO love Puerto Sagua, as it seems as though the countermen have been serving the same customers and smoking the same cigarettes for fifty years. Perfectly acceptable Cubans-2 blocks from the beach. Also David's 7 seat counter never disappoints. All I'm saying is don't expect to be knocked on your ass.

Yes-they are open-a friend of mine just started working there last week.

I highly recommend Talulah off Collins on 23rd St. The couple who own it serve straight-ahead food, not a wrong note, and a pretty decent wine list, too. I would try to stay away from hotel restaurants which are pretty much all flash-you will be disappointed, and you will drop a LOT of cash. Recs-Madiba for So African food, Sheba in the Design District for Ethiopian, and Casa Toscana on Biscayne Boulevard and 70th St for homemade and reasonable Italian. Also, Le Bon, on Lincoln Rd for great moules frites and incredible Belgian beers. Great spot to 'people-watch'. As for hotels, try the Albion off Lincoln Rd-nothing fancy, but you may find a deal. You will be here during the season, so deals are a little hard to come by.

Isn't she from a little town between Florence and Lucca? ← Not really a town-it's more like a women's prison for young and hopeless girls whose only recourse to escape the patriarchical wrath was thru marionette twining, and syphillis. Nothing sadder than a syphylitic puppet. But as one who had mastered the art of the puttanesca, even she must suffer.

So what are your recs?

Casa Toscana-Great, inexpensive Italian food in a nice atmo, in Miami, without the attitude. Chef Sandra Stefani is a veteran of DC and Miami kitchens, having cooked alongside the best. Her pasta Bolognese may be the best I've ever had. Specials every night include:Osso Bucco over Parmesan polenta-outstanding-tender yet meaty in a long, slow-cooked way, and the gnocchi are simple yet every mouthful feels new. Desserts are homemade in-house, and she has some great dessert wines and Amarones to accompany them, or just as a digestif. The wines are reasonable-but there are some more expensive bottles as well. No wine list-ask and she will hook you up! 7001 Biscayne Blvd www.casatoscanmiami.com Street traffic on Biscayne can be very interesting OR disturbing, depending on your tastes-the inside dining room is cozy, and there is a pleasant garden out back. Decent amount of parking helps. For after dinner, have a glass of wine in the garden, or there is Jamboree next door-an old line gay bar that's been there for about a hundred years-so if you see a coupla muscle guys in tight leather T's that's probably where they're going. Although in Miami, you never know!

I agree on Sushi Siam-but Hiro's is now open-food is fresh and inexpensive and they deliver-very nice people, also.

If you take the back way-NE 6th Av bear right on W.dixie, it's much faster. And you get to see some real nabes!