Ron Duprat’s Top Chef Recap Episode Two

OK, after our encore Ron Duprat recap of Top Chef Las Vegas episode one, it’s time to move on to episode two. Maybe we’ll see some more of Ron’s jolly ways this time around? I’ll settle for some more of him cooking. Now on with the show…

Ron Duprat’s Top Chef Recap Episode One

Episode two of the new Top Chef Las Vegas premiered last night, which means we’ve seen Hollywood Beach Marriott Executive Chef Ron Duprat twice now on the program. Each week, we’re going to recap what happened to the Haitian native Duprat on the show — and maybe point out some…

I’m Eating What?! Rajgira Ladoo

This week, it looks like I’ll be eating balls of birdseed. A clear package sits on my desk. The label says Best Quality Bansi manufactured these Rajgira Ladoo. So far, exactly two words on the package make sense to me. The next five words, Les Balles de Rajgira Douces, don’t…

Pho Real: Basilic Vietnamese Grill in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

I took a trip to the beach last night and sank into some Pho at Basilic, a Vietnamese restaurant that took over Tedesco’s old spot on Commercial Blvd. The tiny bistro serves a mean bowl of the stuff, fragrant with anise and ginger and loaded with strips of thinly sliced…

Stealing From the Restaurant: Tuna Burger with Teriyaki Aioli

When John Montagu, First Lord of the Admiralty and avowed Satanist (!), asked his valet to slap a hunk of meat between two slices of bread in 1762, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich could hardly have known that almost 250 years later a restaurant in Boca Raton would nestle a…

Flavor Palm Beach Debuts Next Week

Flavor Palm Beach, the county’s month-long answer to Dine Out Fort Lauderdale and Miami Spice, will begin next Tuesday and run through the end of September. The premise is the same as its contemporaries: dine out at participating locations throughout the month and receive a three-course meal for $30. Three-course…

Dish Deconstructed: Roasted Jalapeno and Cheddar Burger

Pictured: Cheddar and roasted jalapeno burger with rosemary garlic home fries. Burger: Fresh ground round. Salt and pepper crusted. Grilled medium rare. Melted aged Vermont white cheddar.Bun: Whole wheat kaiser, grill toasted on the cut side.Toppings: Whole jalapenos, grilled, skinned, and seeded. Chopped fine. Campari tomatoes, sliced. Mayonnaise.Fries: Red potatoes,…

The Dutch Pot Overfloweth

I’ve been really digging me some Jamaican food lately, so it’s a good thing that South Florida houses so many islander restaurants. Two weeks ago, I mentioned Kelsie’s Place on Sunrise as a great place to get fast, cheap Jamaican classics. But I recently visited the Dutch Pot on 441…

Cheap Wine That Doesn’t Suck: South America’s Mighty Malbec

Every wine-producing region has its iconic wine. The Napa Valley has Cabernet Sauvignon; France, Bordeaux; Italy, Chianti; Spain, Rioja; Australia, Shiraz; Chile, Carménère. And Argentina has malbec.   Like its South American cousin, malbec is one of the “noble grapes” of Bordeaux (along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit…

Doggie Bag: This Week in Charlie

Another interesting week on the blog. Up for a second helping? Here’s the highlights you might have missed.Don’t let those veggies rot away in your fridge – turn them into quiche. If a gun is fired at a Coral Springs bar, and only a blog commenter hears it, does it…

Slow Food USA’s Time For Lunch Campaign Holds Labor Day Eat Ins

Back in July, School Food Policy published an article on its blog about the dire condition of school lunches in America thanks to the School Nutrition Association and it’s annual dog and pony extravaganza, the Las Vegas Food Show. Writer Deborah Lehmanns slogged through the show, where school lunch organizers…

Weekend Blog Watch

Although Clean Plate Charlie is the only food blog you really need to read daily, some people just can’t get enough. Here are some highlights of other food blogs.It’s hard to call The Amateur Gastronomer anything but a professional. Well, maybe she’s not getting paid for the blog, but with…

Le Petit Pain Imports Cardamom Into Its Coffee Cake

The only thing painful about Le Petit Pain is deciding which of its luscious breads, pastries, cookies, tarts, and other confections to take home with you.  But one pain that’s pure pleasure is a breakfast bread that, if you’re not of Scandinavian descent, you’ve probably never seen before. “Scandinavian coffee…

The Meatist: How To Do Steak the Right Way

“What the hell are you doing?” he asks me. “Getting ready to cook these steaks,” I tell him. “Dude – there’s a grill right outside the door, and you’re heating up a pan? Are you on crack?” Men are supposed to intuitively know how to cook steaks. It’s in our…

This Week in Boozing/Dining Events

Summer is here, and apparently that means its time to get loaded on wine, scotch, and beer pairings. Check out these events taking place over the next week, and bring an extra liver, if you can.• Himmarshee Bar & Grille is teaming up with B.R. Cohn Winery for a four course…

Beer of the Week: Red Seal Ale

Unrepentant beer drinkers, rejoice! Each week, Clean Plate Charlie will select one craft or import beer and give you the lowdown on it: How does it taste? What should you drink it with? Where can you find it? But mostly, it’s all about the love of the brew. If you…

East Coast Burrito Factory Still Serves One Great Burro

Long before Chipotle and Moes began hawking burritos in South Florida, hometown favorite East Coast Burrito Factory was constructing gargantuan, one-pound burritos and unleashing them like mini Godzillas on the public. The burritos say East Coast, but the style is distinctly San Franciscan with a Florida twist — Frisco burros…

Schakolad Chocolate Factory Melts Prices This Month

Chocolate is a lot like sandpaper. It smoothes the rough edges off just about everything. Of course, good handmade chocolate can flatten your budget too, one reason why the deal at Schakolad Chocolate Factory is a treat for your sweet teeth.  Through the end of August, the Davie Factory is…