There is a new little Cheesesteak joint called MLT

I ate a bunch before remembering to snap a shot

A lot of times you can judge a restaurant by it's french fries - and the fries at MLT are delicious. Both the truffle fries and sweet potato versions were completely addictive and gone a few seconds after my friend Adina and I got going on them (the boys were counting their carbs, shame on them!)

Everyone at the table wanted to order a Philly Cheesesteak, which is supposed to be their specialty, so we didn't get to try the sliders and fried chicken and waffles that friends and Yelpers says are the best things on the menu. We did sample all the desserts though. The fried Oreos were just  a little too much for our health-conscious crew (they come in regular and vanilla wafer) but the Krispy Kreme bread pudding was a hit. It probably would be even more so if they could figure out a way to serve it warm. Needless to say we'll be back to Washington Avenue to try the rest soon.

That is one clean kitchen

Where the Stone Crabs are.. on Fridays

There are only about 3 1/2 months left in stone crab season and I really haven't quite had my fill yet this year. So when I heard that Kitchen 305 at the Newport Beachside Hotel had a $55 all-you-can-eat stone crab dealy-o on Fridays, I was game to go try it. After all you'll pay at least twice that at Joe's and odds are it won't be so much the crab as the sides that you fill up on. So Yan and I headed up there and ate our fill of the delicious (and renewable) crustacean. They were really big and really tasty, albeit a bit more work than the one's from Joe's.  One plate was enough, but they'll keep them coming until you say "Uncle!" The other menu options are decent, and the rolls are warm and tempting, but it's really the crabs that are worth the trek.

Viva Miami!

I love the Deco Bike bike sharing program as much (or more) than the next gal, but if you really want to feel like a local, get a Vespa.... in flamingo pink. ¡Viva Miami!

Shop Vespa - Click Here!

Pulse at New World Symphony

Hipster xylophonist

I had so much fun at the New World Symphony's Pulse last night! Last year I didn't get to catch the whole event so I got there early this year and stayed front and center. It's my favorite show of the year - and probably everyone else's too - it was sold out way in advance and everyone was there for this very grown-up kind of rave.  DJ's mixing dance and ambient music with symphonic instruments, a light show to rival any laser job. Check it out!

Inside Frank Gehry's new New World Symphony

It's Called "American Apparel" for a reason

 Lately I've been feeling a little patriotic, or maybe it's just the state of the economy that is making me wish just about anything was still made in the USA. Well, there is one brand that still makes their stuff here, albeit it's often in the form of lamé hotpants: American Apparel. I've always loved their marketing and 80's ethos but I didn't realize they are also the biggest clothing manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere and a pretty cool company to work for. I recently went to their site and took their virtual factory tour and fell in love with the company all over again.. and it's pervy owner, Dov Charney. Click here to see it!

PS. Even if "Legalize Gay" tee-shirts and see-through mesh bodysuits aren't for you, they have a lot of great, well-cut basics like turtle necks, v-necks and sweats.

One Dolla!

Montadito

Midtowners already know the magic of the Montadito, but I just had the chance to finally eat one last week. They're little sandwiches which come with anything and everything on them, and on Wednesdays, at 100 Montaditos, they're all a dollar. And the beer, well that deal is supposed to be on Friday, but they gave us a little one for free! The sandwiches are about  $2.50, so you can go any day of the week and not the bank. Try the choriso, or Serreno ham with olive oil or the Pulled BBQ Pork. They're all pretty yummy, but I might suggest steering clear of the fish ones - they're the only ones that are not so great. That should be easy considering there are 100 different varieties. Beachers will have their own outpost of the Spanish chain any minute on 15th and Washington! Yipee!

My Georgia Oatmeal Recipe

Brrr. It's cold again. And that means you need a hot breakfast. But not the animal and lard-laden sausage and biscuit kind, that's for Sunday. Saturday requires it's own type of warm, cozy breakfast that will enable you to do all those fun Saturday things that need to get done (read: chores). So get out regular (not instant) oatmeal and follow my recipe for Georgia Oatmeal below:

Oatmeal for 1

take a small saucepan and add:

1/2 cup oats

1 cup filtered water

1 pinch of salt (1/8 tsp or less)

frozen or fresh peaches
sprinkle of cinnamon

bring to a boil then lower to low heat for 4 minutes

add a splash of almond milk, pecans and raw, Grade B maple syrup to taste

RED's Red Wine

Every time someone asks me where to go for steak in Miami, I always tell them hands down, without a doubt they should go to RED the Steakhouse. It is by far and away the best steakhouse (and the owners are from Cleveland, which might be why the service is so good). They are the only ones serving real prime beef, warm Alaskan King Crab and their sides are amazing, not heavy triple cream junk that makes you want to hurl afterwards (Prime 112, I'm talking to you), but really beautiful, well-seasoned vegetables and starches. So I jumped at any excuse to go there and in this case it was to try their new house red, Constant's Diamond Mountain Vineyard. The special blend of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon runs $199 a bottle and isn't found anywhere else. And I can speak from experience, it's full of bite, yet super smooth. It won full approval from my French palate (aka the better half.) What has the steakhouse really excited is that they are one of few restaurants around the world to offer such a fine house wine, bottled and labeled just for them. They still offer their $72 house wine from Gerard, which is great (smooth and peppery), but we're kind of stuck on the Diamond Mountain.  An amazing bottle to order if you're in that league... or just blowing all your money on a big celebration.

The big cheese

a taste of filet mignon and creamed corn

A little Bulgari water never hurt