Admission is $10, and GreenerMiami.com has several free passes available. For more details on this event, check out their website at http://greenermiami.com/2009/08/miami-living-green-expo-more-details/comment-page-1

So Alas… here is Food of Miami’s Top 5 Brunch Picks! And as always, if you have chart toppers, keep the coming!!

# 5 Gourmet Diner
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, sometimes nothing is better than a half serving of eggs benedict, a few mimosas and perfectly seasoned and crispy potatoes on the side. The Gourmet Diner is a just what the name claims it is… a classic 1950’s dining car, serving up gourmet food that every foodie and restaurant critic can appreciate and enjoy… it’s not every day that you come across a 1950s diner with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers on the dining counter!

# 4 News Cafe
If your in the mood to people watch on Ocean Drive, and nosh on a tasty renditions of classic brunch specialties, News Cafe on Ocean Drive is your best bet… The cute french style tables overlooking the beach walk on ocean and tasty breakfast spreads will certainly keep you occupied until past noon. When I say breakfast rendition, I mean that the eggs florentine and benedict are not served with the classic hollendaise sauce, but a cream cheese version that sounds odd, but actually works and is rather delish. It is light and creamy, and gives a new twist to the brunch classic.

# 3 Olivers
Olivers, located on West Avenue in South Beach, a serves clean, pristine, and gourmet brunch in a chic, cozy, refreshing atmosphere. The food is cooked and presented beautifully, and the decor and vibe is sophisticated but not stuffy. With outside and inside seating, Olivers is located away from the hustle and bustle of touristy south beach, like an oasis in the midst neon energy.

# 2 Raphael Restaurant
I stumbled upon Raphaels brunch while walking my dog on a Sunday morning. I would have never guessed to go to Lincoln Road for breakfast (other than Starbucks) but to my surprise, Raphaels was fantastic! The food was delicious, seasoned well with an almost french touch. Each dish is seasoned with fresh herbs, and presented beautifully. The people watching is also local South Beacher’s, so it is interesting to sit and see people rollerblading on their Sunday morning, watching the market vendors set up their stands, people attending Church at the lovely Miami Beach Community Church directly next to the restaurant. Intricately spiced food charmingly presented and a spectrum of Sunday passer-bys makes Raphaels a fantastic place to brunch on the weekends.

# 1 Rusty Pellican
The Number 1 Brunch Spot in Miami is HANDS DOWN the Rusty Pelican…. imagine a wedding reception minus the place cards and hideous brides maids dresses. Rusty Pelican serves a brunch buffet that leaves nothing to be desired…. eggs, waffles, bacon, pastas, salads, carving stations, pasta stations, seafood raw bars piled high with raw oysters, shrimp and crab legs, fresh fruit, pasta salads, and a desert station that is so beautiful and extensive, that there is no way to try every cake, tartlet and mousse! Not only are the options limitless, but the food is so well prepared that you wonder how many hands it takes to put the entire spread together! Rusty Pelican did a wonderful job making Sunday Brunches special, overlooking the gorgeous views of the Miami skyline… you feel like a king, but the atmosphere is not stuffy. This would also be great for children, as they can try a little of everything. There was no question in my mind that Rusty Pelican made it to #1 Brunch Spot in Miami (and my number 1 of all time!).

Rusty Pelican Brunch - Breakfast

Rusty Pelican Brunch - Seafood

Grillfish - Grouper with Sweet Onions

I had the grilled and blackened Mahi Mahi, and my date had the grilled and blackened grouper. Both of us ordered the side of onions, which is an onion, seasoning oil, light enough for dipping the fish. Both dishes were cooked absolutely perfectly, seasoned just right, not too light and not to pungent. It was also great to taste the fish side by side. The Grouper was more of a meaty fish, yet still light and not very oily, and did not have a strong, seafood fish flavor. The consistency was almost a light poultry texture. The Mahi Mahi, on the other hand, was much lighter, also not fishy or oily, and more flakey. Both dishes were prepared impeccably.

I decided to write about the main course first in this review, since after all, the credibility of a seafood restaurant lies heavily on the seafood, no?

For an appetizer we ordered the grillfish fish cakes. The large portion comes with 2 fish cakes, ideal for sharing. The flavor was great, much like a well seasoned crab cake (except with fish, obviously). The dipping sauce was a garlic and herb aioli, complementing the spicy, heavy flavor quite well with a creamy, tart kick.

Grillfish - Fishcakes

The side dishes were simply afterthoughts, steamed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, garic) and pasta with clam sauce… which you could have fooled me, because the pasta seemed to have 2 chopped clams and no sauce… I am not exaggerating when I say this could have been straight out of the boiling water, no sauce added, it was that dry. But we did not go to the restaurant for the side of pasta, so I was not disappointed.

As far as ambiance, I recommend going at night because we arrived at 7:00 PM, and the air conditioning seemed to not be on, the restaurant was relatively dark, and the vibe just was not there. At 8:00 PM the place came alive, with lights on, music, and a comforting aroma therapy scent circulating throughout the vents.

FOOD OF MIAMI RATING: 4 of 5 Stars

Grillfish
1444 Collins Ave
South Beach, FL 33139
305-538-9908

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Eggplant with Beef in Garlic Sauce

Several reviews that I have read claimed the staff to be rude, but I believe this may have been simply a culture barrier. We had ordered pan friend dumplings (which were tasty) but the dipping sauce was rather mild, so I asked the waitress for another dipping sauce… she looked down at my half finished dipping sauce and 3 remaining dumplings and said “you first finish those dumplings, if there is no sauce left, I bring you more…. thats enough sauce for 3 dumplings”… which was her way of saying stop being a glutton and NO. However, I have experience with Chinese people, being from New York, and that is just how some of them can be… nothing for you to get mad at, they are just blunt with their beliefs sometimes. So I said “OK” almost as if I was agreeing with my mother to not eat cookies before dinner, and continued eating my meal.

Pok War Seafood Dish

My friend had ordered a seafood dish, Pok War, a seafood stirfry of Crab Meat, Shrimp, Scallops, green vegetables and Chinese mushrooms, served to the table sizzling over a flat skillet. He was satisfied.

Overall, the Dishes were prepared well, the food was tasty, and the restaurant and experience definitely authentic. It wasn’t the best Chinese food that I have ever eaten, but it was good takeout Chinese food.

FOOD OF MIAMI RATING: 3 of 5 Stars

Sang’s
(305) 947-7076
1925 Ne 163rd St,
North Miami Beach, FL 33162

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So, I decided to research several of the organic markets and food stores in Miami. Below are my findings.

Publix
Publix carries their own organic brand, called Greenwise, that contains no preservatives or insecticides. I have always bought these products and am extremely happy with them. Locations are all over Florida My favorite Publix is the one in South Beach on Dade Blvd… the spaceship design on the outside and people mover make grocery shopping fun!

Publix South Beach

Glaser Organic Farms
Glaser Organic Farms specializes in Raw, Vegan foods, and concentrate to find the best quality ingredients for their products. They specialize in growing tropical fruits, but also offer refrigerated raw foods as well as cooking classes and online ordering.
Glaser Organic Farms
19100 SW 137th Ave
Miami, Fl 33177
Phone: 305 238-7747

Apple A Day
Apple A Day is a natural food market that also carries supplements, Herbs and various treatment options. Located on Alton Road in South Beach, this market has come personally recommended.
Apple A Day
1534 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-538-4569
Fax: 305-538-2949

Whole Foods
I love Whole Foods. This is one company that I respect, for they have core values that they stick to: selling high quality, natural products. I can spend hours browsing the isles of these stores, reading labels, examining produce and skimming the supplements offered in this health food mega store.
Check their website for multiple locations in South Florida.

Aventura Whole Foods

Smoothie King
Smoothie King is another company that I respect and admire. If you are in the mood for a Starbucks Frap, or a Dunkin Donuts Coolata, skip it and head to Smoothie King for an energy booster… your pep will last longer, you will feel cleaner and healthier, and the health benefits will pick up your step and your spirits. Smoothie King offers nutritional smoothies and foods, as well as health products… like mix between a GNC and Jamba Juice. Again, check their website for numerous locations.

Oak Feed Natural Food Market
Written up in the Travel Channel Destinations Guide, this market is known for carrying products from A to Z… if they are good for you, they Oak Feed will carry them.
Oak Feed Natural Food Market
2911 Grand Avenue
Streets of Mayfair
Miami, FL 33133
Phone: +1 305 448 7595
Fax: +1 305 448 4370

If you know any more notable health food stores or sources in South Florida, please let me a comment! And I will include your recommendation, as well as stop in and check it out myself!

Have a happy and healthy day South Florida!!

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