The Broke Baker

Category: Reviews

Restaurant Reviews

  • Prime 112 (A Review)

    Prime 112 (A Review)

    In case you don’t already know, I hate the beach.  And, not just the beach, but Miami Beach as a whole is just a cesspool of pretense and superficiality.  I hate the traffic.  I hate the parking.  I hate the parade of Botox and silicone.  Plus, I look terrible in a swimsuit.

    That aside, every now and then, a restaurant garners enough buzz to get me off my lazy butt and off to a Miami Beach adventure.  Prime 112 was one such instance.  When I asked people what kind of food they serve, I was told “a little bit of everything.”  That worried me, because most restaurants that try to dabble in different types of cuisine usually don’t excel at any of them.  Still, with an open mind (and someone else’s wallet), I made my way over there. (more…)

  • Yardbird Southern Table and Bar (A Review)

    Yardbird Southern Table and Bar (A Review)

    During my search for spots in South Florida that are serious about fried chicken, I came across Yardbird.  Then, I almost completely forgot about them, until I went to Swine and had a great experience there.  Since both are owned and operated by 50 Eggs, Inc., it was a no-brainer that I needed to try them out.  Their biggest claim to fame, of course, has been their fried chicken.  Did they deliver?  H’mm, let’s see… (more…)

  • Momi Ramen (A Review)

    Momi Ramen (A Review)

    Momi Ramen in Brickell is very easy to miss.  In fact, if I had not heard about it from word of mouth, then I would have never even known of its existence.  It’s tucked away in one of the little side streets in Brickell.  However, once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll know it when you see it.  Just don’t come expecting the salty water with cheap noodles from your college dorm days.  They serve the real deal here. (more…)

  • Brunch at La Gloutonnerie

    Brunch at La Gloutonnerie

    French food has always been a little bit scary for me.  I mean, when you think of classy cuisine, French is usually one of the first things that comes to mind.  So, when you’re a “broke baker”, such things can be somewhat intimidating.  I mean, who isn’t afraid of ordering something that they can’t pronounce, and being presented with something that is a little too “exotic” for their tastes?  Well, I can think of a few people, but that’s a moot point.

    With that in mind, when La Gloutonnerie was first brought to my attention by a stellar review in my quest for awesome brunch in Miami, I made a mental note to make my way to South Beach one weekend.  It took a few months, but I finally did!  And, it was worth the drive.

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  • Swine Southern Table and Bar (A Review)

    Swine Southern Table and Bar (A Review)

    Early last year, a coworker of mine mentioned a new BBQ restaurant that opened in Coral Gables that I just HAD to try.  I didn’t pay him a whole lot of mind, until said restaurant was present at Burgerliscious 2013 and wowed me with their burger.  Since then, it has been on my to-do list to pay a visit to Swine Southern Table and Bar.

    Swine is the latest addition to the 50 Eggs, Inc. family, which consists of Khong River House (which I have been to) and Yardbird Southern Table and Bar (which I have not).  With them 50 Eggs, Inc. has proven that lowbrow comfort food can be elevated to fine dining tastes.  And, since Swine was voted Best Restaurant in Coral Gables by the Miami New Times, it was time to go check it out. (more…)

  • Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink (A Review)

    Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink (A Review)

    Ever since this article came out a few years back citing the Black Angus Burger at Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink as one of the Top 25 Burgers in the country, I just HAD to check them out.  Unfortunately, such a venture is not particularly cheap, even during the more cost-effective lunch hours.  Michael’s Genuine has earned quite the reputation in South Florida since their debut in 2007.  Helmed by star chef Michael Schwartz, this restaurant is dedicated to producing quality food with local, seasonal ingredients.  As such, the menu changes daily.

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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…)

  • Focaccia Bistro (A Review)

    Focaccia Bistro (A Review)

    Focaccia Bistro is an Italian and French inspired restaurant, that appears to also occasionally dabble in Peruvian cuisine.  It is a tiny and unassuming little bistro-style restaurant located on one of the main streets in Coconut Grove.  It is difficult to spot on the busy street, unless you know what you are looking for.  Armed with an appetite, and my love for Italian and Latin foods, I dove right in. (more…)

  • Capital Grille (A Review)

    Capital Grille (A Review)

    With Miami Spice over, I thought my fine-dining days were numbered for the rest of the year.  Then, I found out about Dine Out Lauderdale, Broward’s version of Miami Spice.  About 2 dozen restaurants participated in this promotion, which featured a $35 fixed price menu, usually 3 or 4 courses.  Naturally, the thing to do is find some of the more expensive restaurants and take advantage.  So, a few of us found ourselves at Capital Grille, an upscale steakhouse which boasts a made-to-order menu. (more…)

  • Barley and Swine (A Review)

    Barley and Swine (A Review)

    Barley and Swine appeared on my radar when word came out that the owners of The Joint (which closed down sometime last year) were behind it.  And, also because of their very pork-centric menu.  Not many other places offer things like bone marrow, pig ears, and pig face vaca frita.  In fact, their Miami Spice menu featured an appetizer of crispy pig tails.  *GASP!*  Now, I am not a particularly adventurous eater, but I must admit that I was curious.  So, I made my way over to Downtown Dadeland on a weeknight to check them out. (more…)