portofino

Try Hot Dogs Like You’ve Never Seen Before at Sweet Dogs

February 9, 2016 by portofino

Even if you consider yourself a bit of a hot dog connoisseur, you’ll find styles like you’ve never seen before at Miami’s Sweet Dogs. This creative eatery is tucked away in a nondescript strip mall setting, but it’s well worth the visit for its incredibly unique hot dogs and truly decadent desserts. The famous Dolphin dog is topped with grilled ham, bacon, melted mozzarella, pineapple and pepitas on top, while the FIU dog is made with Polish sausage and topped with a fried egg, sautéed onions, cream cheese, sauerkraut and jalapenos. If you can handle more food after ordering one of those jam-packed hot dogs, go for the homemade macaroni and cheese, which is always a favorite among the restaurant’s regulars. Top it off with an Oreo milkshake and decide for yourself whether or not Sweet Dogs has the best hot dogs in Miami.

Sweet Dogs
4749 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33134
(305) 448-4900
www.sweetdogs.net

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr pasa47

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Miami Dining, Restaurants in Miami, Sweet Dogs

Contemporary Art is Always on the Itinerary at Perez Art Museum Miami

February 2, 2016 by portofino

In a city teeming with people from all different cultures and backgrounds, it only makes sense that the Perez Art Museum Miami would reflect that diversity. The contemporary art museum pays homage to the people of the city by sourcing works from eclectic arts sprinkled all around the globe, just as it has since it opened back in 1984. The goal? To inculcate a love of fine art and a thirst for more in the city's residents and guests.

Local artists factor heavily into the permanent collection, which means most works flow from Caribbean, Latin American, and U.S. cultures. And every piece, whether a traditional painting or mixed media, was created during the 20th or 21st century. Then there are visiting exhibits, which also focus on modern art, but span a wide array of mediums and sources of inspiration. So if you're craving some culture, head to the Perez Art Museum Miami on Biscayne Boulevard.

Perez Art Museum Miami
1103 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33132
(305) 375-3000
www.pamm.org
www.yelp.com/biz/p%C3%A9rez-art-museum-miami-miami-7

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr pasa47

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Miami Attractions, Perez Art Museum Miami, Things to Do in Miami

Turn Your Kitchen at Portofino at Biscayne Into a Pizzeria With These Pizza Dough Recipes

January 26, 2016 by portofino

The next time you’re planning a pizza night at home, forget your usual delivery spot and make your own pie. With these easy and authentic recipes for homemade pizza dough, you can turn your apartment into your own miniature pizzeria!

Pizza Crust [King Arthur Flour]
If you have some free time early in the week, make this simple recipe that holds for up to two days. It bakes thin and crispy when rolled flat with a rolling pin, but if you prefer a chewy crust, it can also be made thicker.

Quick Basic Pizza Dough [Martha Stewart]
For hot, fresh pizza on the spot, this quick dough is very simple to make. Simply mix your flour with olive oil, salt and a sprinkle of sugar, and then give it a few kneads before using. If you have leftover dough, you can also wrap it in secure plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

My Favorite Pizza [The Pioneer Woman]
Whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover, this recipe for pizza crust can be topped with anything to make it your own. This recipe makes two separate pies, so it’s perfect for pizza parties, and it even stores in the refrigerator for up to three days.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr jeffreyw

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Baking, Dough, Pizza, Recipes

Pinch Kitchen: A Pinch of This, A Pinch of That

January 19, 2016 by portofino

Roasted beets with confit cherry tomato, pickle fresno chiles, toasted hazelnuts, and chocolate. Creamy, light mushroom risotto. Ceviche swimming with local fish and shrimp, red onion and white corn, aji limo and leche de tigre, and served with yucca chips. These are just a handful of the inventive, unexpected dishes on the menu at Pinch Kitchen, where the chef/co-owners' motto is "small bites, big impact."

Using high quality, fresh ingredients, they craft small plates that make "big impact" on your taste buds, including the aforementioned. But you can also try the roasted organic carrots with tzatziki and mint, the Rhode Island bay mussels with andouille sausage in shellfish broth, or the eight-ounce grass-fed flat iron steak with house-crafted smoky chimichurri. Just save some room for the orange-chocolate souffle or the house-made baba aux rum cake with thyme gelato.

Pinch Kitchen
8601 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33138
(305) 631-2018
www.pinchmiami.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pinch-kitchen-miami

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr imjustshan

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Miami Dining, Pinch Kitchen, Restaurants in Miami

Don’t Miss the Fresh Pita at Apeiro Kitchen and Bar

January 12, 2016 by portofino

Truffled scrambled eggs over a golden-brown toasted bagel, with a small salad on he side. Sweet potato hash mixed with chorizo, charred red pepper, and caramelized onion, an egg on the side. A "gazpacho Bloody Mary" with freshly squeezed lime juice, gorgonzola olives, a stuffed piquillo pepper, celery, and citrus-y salt. These are just a few of the brunch dishes and drinks that make Apeiro Kitchen and Bar such a popular spot on weekend mornings.

However, you can also come for dinner to indulge in the contemporary Greek fare. Start with a few small plates, like the "balloon"—a dish of house-crafted pita bread served simply with olive oil, balsamic, and some sea salt. Or dig into a smorgasbord of Apeiro spreads, including hummus, pistachio yogurt, and eggplant caponata with the fresh pita. Then move on to the main event: a kabob packed with lamb kefta or beef sirloin, seared wild salmon, roasted branzino, or a juicy steak.

Apeiro Kitchen and Bar
3252 NE 1st Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
(786) 800-5389
miami.apeirorestaurants.com
www.yelp.com/biz/apeiro-kitchen-and-bar-miami-2

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr avlxyz

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Apeiro Kitchen and Bar, Miami Dining, Restaurants in Miami

See the Masterpieces an Artistic Challenge Spawned at EVLworld Studio and Store

January 7, 2016 by portofino

EVLworld Studio and Store began with a lofty goal set by artist Erni Vales. He devoted himself to crafting 13 new paintings a month for 13 months, starting at the beginning of 2012. By January of the following year, his colorful paintings were all on display, an homage to the 3D style of graffiti on which Vales built his reputation as an artist. Now a few years later, EVLworld Studio and Store continues to attract attention.

Although Erni is no longer in the midst of his self-imposed artistic challenge, he continues to create, and the results are contemporary, edgy pieces. You can always stop in just to ogle the colorful works, which span a variety of subjects and artistic genres. However, Vales also sells prints of his masterpieces, so you can take one home and display it in your apartment, too.

EVLworld Studio and Store
2345 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
(646) 344-9599
evlworld.com
www.yelp.com/biz/evl-world-studio-and-store-miami

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr comedy_nose

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: EVLworld Studio and Store, Miami Attractions, Things to Do in Miami

Three Cool Ways to Display Houseplants

December 29, 2015 by portofino

Looking for a fun way to display your houseplants? Think outside the pot and check out some cool and creative ideas from your favorite home goods stores. From wall planters to test tube-style vases, these are just a few great new ways to show off your green thumb.

Glass Wall Vases [cb2.com]
Turn your plants into something inspired by a science laboratory with these modern glass wall vases. CB2 offers versions in test tube and teardrop shapes, and they all mount right on to your wall for easy hanging. Pop in a flower, a piece of bamboo or a leaf from outside to create a truly unique display.

Pyramid Wall Planter [westelm.com]
West Elm’s pyramid-shaped wall planters can be used alone or hung in a group to create a display in a completely custom size. Just place the plants of your choice inside the pocket and the galvanized frame will hold them all together.

Succulent Living Wall Planter [uncommongoods.com]
Turn your favorite succulents into living art with this photo frame-inspired planter. The exterior is lined with rustic wood in a square shape, while the interior contains water-preserving moss and light mesh that holds the plants inside, even when you hang it on the wall.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr ljguitar

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Apartment Decoration, DIY, Home Decor, Plants

Find Ravioli to Rave About at Osteria Vecchio Piemonte

December 29, 2015 by portofino

For fans of Italian fare in the Miami area, Osteria Vecchio Piemonte is a can’t-miss dinner locale. This well-known Italian eatery has a luxurious yet laid-back ambiance that will make you feel right at home, but it also creates a celebratory feeling that’s perfect for special occasions. There are no bad seats in the house, as all of the comfortable wooden dining tables are covered in white linen tablecloths and immediately topped with complementary plates of bruschetta made with fresh, crusty bread. Once you settle in to the cozy dining room, choose from the exceptional menu filled with dishes like seasonal ravioli, caprese salads and Italian sausage served atop homemade polenta. No Italian dinner would be complete without a glass of red wine, and the dessert menu includes favorites like tiramisu and affogatos, which are the perfect ending to any meal.

Osteria Vecchio Piemonte
10480 SW 72 Street
Miami, FL 33173
(786) 542-5178
www.yelp.com/biz/osteria-vecchio-piemonte-miami

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr russelljsmith

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Miami Dining, Osteria Vecchio Piemonte, Restaurants in Miami

How to Take Your Couch From Furniture to Focal Point

December 22, 2015 by portofino

Your couch is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. It provides a space to curl up and watch a movie, to catch up with a longtime friend, and even to share a meal during those weekend take-out nights. If you want to make your sofa more of a focal point, these smart tips will show you how.

Update your throw pillows. The easiest way to take your sofa from basic to stylish is by adding fun, vibrant throw pillows. Choose a few in complimentary colors, mix and match patterns or even go with a geometric, black and white scheme for a hip, retro, look.
Add a blanket. Take a tip from the pros and casually drape a throw across the ottoman or folded on the back of the sofa. Choose something that pairs well with the rest of the room’s color scheme, or go with a classic knit throw for a cozy feel.
Switch up your rug. Choose a vibrant area rug that extends a few inches wider than your sofa, and make sure that it’s large enough to tuck under the sofa’s front legs.
Add a gallery wall. Finally, create a designer-worthy gallery wall directly behind your sofa by framing your favorite family photos, wallpaper swatches, and art prints.

Before & After: How to Style Your Sofa [Elle Décor]
Style a Sofa 5 Different Ways [HGTV]
How To: Style A Sofa [Glitter Guide]