Michelle Bernstein's demolished fresh stone crab tiradito
As a Miami native who hasn't lived in the city for years, I feel slightly cheated. I grew up in a world of ropa vieja and tostada, conch fritters and pollo tropical. There was plenty of good food, but a sad lack of exciting restaurants. That all changed when chef Michelle Bernstein came along. Sadly, I left just as Bernstein was beginning to make waves at Azul, in the Mandarin Oriental. In the years that followed, she spurred Miami’s food renaissance with Michy’s, a smart and stylish small plates spot, and Sra. Martinez, her year-old tapas restaurant. I watched proudly as my hometown transitioned from poorly conceived tropical fusion to fresh modern cuisine. And still, I had yet to try Bernstein’s food.
Until last week. Team Moveable Feast was in Florida to shoot videos for CNTraveler.com and we kicked things off by hanging out with Bernstein in Miami. She cleared her schedule to take us on a field trip to her favorite fish market, Garcia's, and then gave us a quick cooking demo in the Sra. Martinez kitchen. Our entire film crew fell in love with Bernstein, who is hugely talented, wickedly funny, and genuinely nice. And, in the space of three hours, I learned many things, including the proper way to crack open a stone crab and Miami’s best hole-in-the-wall dining spots. For the former, you’ll have to wait for the video; the latter is after the jump.
La Camaronera: No chairs, stand up only, best fried shrimp in town.
Cote Gourmet: A little French restaurant in Miami Shores, very hidden. The owner brought her parents from Aix En Provence to cook and the breakfasts are incredible, especially the "Crepe Complete," with fresh crepes, eggs, melting cheese and ham.
Khoury's: Amazing, simple place that serves some of the best Lebanese food. Everything is delicious, but I love the ground lamb Kibbe with freshly made yogurt Labneh.
Tutto's Pizza: The owner, Juca, makes crazy good paninis filled with melting cheese and salami with tomato sauce for dipping. His pizza dough is insanely good, all the salads are awesome, and the tiramisu is the best.
Hy Vong: This tiny Vietnamese place on 8th street makes the best pork "rolling cakes," fresh noodles with beef, and spring rolls ever.
Sushi Deli: In a Japanese Market, this is the best-kept sushi secret. The owner makes sushi all day with the freshest ingredients. He is very classic about his technique and has a cult following. There are only about 10 chairs, and he doesn’t allow cell phones.
For more on Michelle Bernstein and Florida, check out the info-packed 24-page insert in our February 2010 issue.
Sra. Martinez in 2009 Hot Tables
Cote Gourmet: A little French restaurant in Miami Shores, very hidden. The owner brought her parents from Aix En Provence to cook and the breakfasts are incredible, especially the "Crepe Complete," with fresh crepes, eggs, melting cheese and ham.
Khoury's: Amazing, simple place that serves some of the best Lebanese food. Everything is delicious, but I love the ground lamb Kibbe with freshly made yogurt Labneh.
Tutto's Pizza: The owner, Juca, makes crazy good paninis filled with melting cheese and salami with tomato sauce for dipping. His pizza dough is insanely good, all the salads are awesome, and the tiramisu is the best.
Hy Vong: This tiny Vietnamese place on 8th street makes the best pork "rolling cakes," fresh noodles with beef, and spring rolls ever.
Sushi Deli: In a Japanese Market, this is the best-kept sushi secret. The owner makes sushi all day with the freshest ingredients. He is very classic about his technique and has a cult following. There are only about 10 chairs, and he doesn’t allow cell phones.
For more on Michelle Bernstein and Florida, check out the info-packed 24-page insert in our February 2010 issue.
Sra. Martinez in 2009 Hot Tables
They all sound great. Never enough time.