The Broke Baker

Category: Latin

  • Lario’s on the Beach (A Review)

    Lario’s on the Beach (A Review)

    Have you ever let a friend talk you into giving an ex a second chance?  No?  Good then.  I have a similar perspective on restaurants.  If you burned me once, I’m not likely to pay you a second visit.  Unfortunately, exceptions must sometimes be made.  Like, when a close friend that you have known since childhood is visiting from out of town and REALLY wants to go to that one, specific place.

    This is how I wound up at Lario’s on the Beach.  This, after vowing 6 years ago to never eat at an Estefan-run Cuban restaurant after my meal at Bongo’s Cuban Cafe (same as Lario’s, but downtown) was an overpriced and depressingly mediocre experience.  But, in the wake of the recent renovations, I took a chance.  I didn’t really have much of a choice.
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  • MPP Brickell (A Review)

    MPP Brickell (A Review)

    The quest for awesome Peruvian food in Miami continues.  This time, I ventured out to MPP Brickell.  Their parent restaurant, Mi Propiedad Privada, has been in business in Lima, Peru for 12 years.  They have a pretty solid reputation, so we’ll see how they  measure up. (more…)

  • El Malecon (A Review)

    El Malecon (A Review)

    Usually, I subscribe to the doctrine that, if you have nothing nice to say, you say nothing at all.  As such, I rarely review a restaurant if my experience was not particularly good.  And, when dealing with hole-in-the-wall Mom and Pop places, you should never set your expectations very high.  That being said, I still feel like I should write this review, if only to prepare anyone else that may want to try this place out. (more…)

  • Dr. Limon (A Review)

    Dr. Limon (A Review)

    Ah, Labor Day!  While the rest of Miami was grilling or fighting for parking spots on the beach, I decided that it was a great day for Peruvian food.  More specifically, it was a great opportunity to try out Dr. Limon, which opened recently in Kendall.  Word on the street is that the owner used to work at Cvi.che 105 in Downtown Miami, which is another popular spot for higher end Peruvian food in the area.  With sparse decor in the dining area and quirky names like “Remedio Casero” (Home Remedy) and Psiquiatra (Psychiatrist) for their signature ceviches, Dr. Limon has recently made a name for itself in the Kendall area. (more…)

  • Toro Toro’s Bottomless Brunch Tapas (A Review)

    Toro Toro’s Bottomless Brunch Tapas (A Review)

    Toro Toro, located in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel in Downtown Miami, refers to itself as a Pan Latin Steakhouse.  On Saturdays and Sundays, however, they offer a tapas brunch.  For $35, you get all of the tapas you can handle in the space of 2 hours, plus brunch cocktails (mimosa and Bloody Mary).  Tapas, for those that don’t know, are a variety of appetizers and snacks in Spanish cuisine.  Tapas are typically small and meant to be ordered in quantities to share, rather than being an actual entree.  So, you get a couple of small plates brought to your table to share among everyone. (more…)

  • Benny’s Seafood (A Review)

    Benny’s Seafood (A Review)

    It has probably been at least 2 years since I saw the episode of Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” in which Guy Fieri gushes about the mofongo at Benny’s Seafood in Miami, FL and decided that I MUST try it out.  Yes, it took me a while.  If it wasn’t because I was broke (refer to blog name, HA!), it was because I didn’t have the time.  If I had the time, I had no one to come with me.  Because, who wants to venture into the unknown alone!?  This would be my first time having Puerto Rican food, and I wanted some moral support! (more…)

  • Latin House Grill (A review)

    Latin House Grill (A review)

    For several months, I have been urged by several coworkers to try out Latin House Grill, which is located in South Miami.  A restaurant that specializes in burgers and tacos didn’t really catch my attention.  After all, they are 2 very different styles of cuisine, so how can you master both?  To me, it conjured up thoughts of the many Chinese restaurants in the area that sell fried plantains.  Yet, despite my apprehension, I took the plunge, and dragged a friend with me. (more…)

  • Pollos y Jarras (A Review)

    Pollos y Jarras (A Review)

    If you’ve never had Peruvian food, then you are missing out.

    I had heard of Ceviche 105 from when they participated in Miami Spice last year, but never got around to making it over there.  A recent glance at their web site showed that the owner had opened a Peruvian roast chicken restaurant next door called Pollos y Jarras.  And, since I was going to be Downtown anyway, then why not? (more…)