NIU Kitchen: Inventive Tapas Loosely Based on Catalan Cuisine

Inspired by the Catalan cuisine of Spain, the chefs at NIU Kitchen create a type of tapas all their own. They pull from classic cuisine, but put a contemporary spin on everything that comes from the modern kitchen. So if you're craving something slightly unusual, and you've rounded up an entire group to chow down, head to NIU Kitchen for inventive tapas.

The Ous small plate comes highly recommended, piled with poached eggs, jamon Iberico, summer black truffles, and the ever-popular truffled potato foam. Locals also like the wahoo tartare with cucumber, lime zest, and scallions. Steak tartare with a fried egg, Maine lobster with avocado and trout roe, and Catalan-style rice with seafood are also on the list of small plates. If you prefer your own full-sized dish, order the grilled NY strip steak in a rosemary vinaigrette or the baby back ribs with romesco sauce. Wash down your meal with a glass of robust red wine.

NIU Kitchen
134 NE Second Ave.
Miami, FL 33132
(786) 542-5070
niukitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/niu-kitchen-miami

Coral Gables Museum: A Community Treasure

The Coral Gables Museum began as a dream in 1990, and opened to the public in 2011. In that time, the museum has become a haven to learning about the history of the Coral Gables area, as well as a great spot to see some great local art and history. The museum is housed in the former municipal building, so walk around, and you’ll see some pretty cool sculptures outside! Inside, take a visual tour Coral Gables from the vision to the present. Learn more about Coral Gables’ “sister cities” around the world, and check out the calendar, highlighting various lectures, tours and even a walking tour of the area! There are many educational programs for kids and families, and you can even rent space for your own event.

Coral Gables Museum
285 Aragon Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 910-3996
http://www.yelp.com/biz/coral-gables-museum-coral-gables

How to Add Organic Touch to Your Home’s Decor

Going organic doesn’t end at the grocery store. In fact, there are a number of different ways that you can incorporate organic elements throughout your entire home. Here are just a few great ways to add a natural touch to the decor in your living space.

  • Create a nature-inspired vignette. If you admire something beautiful on your morning walk, such as a unique branch or a particularly interesting stone, add it to a stack of books on a tabletop to create a flawless vignette.
  • Create stone hot pads. Glue smooth, flat stones to the surface of simple kitchen hot pads to keep your countertops protected from hot pots and pans.
  • Choose natural rugs. Soft, organic materials like jute and hemp look beautiful when woven into a rug, and they’re much friendlier on the environment than synthetic versions.
  • Create organic centerpieces. The next time you host a dinner party, fill a ceramic vase with foraged tree branches or add pine cones to a clear bowl for a unique centerpiece inspired by the outdoors.
  • Change up your drapes. One of the simplest ways to bring the outdoors in is by allowing as much natural light as possible into your home. Switch out heavy drapes with soft, sheer panels to maximize the light.

Decorating with Natural Elements [Better Homes & Gardens]
10 Simple Ways to Bring the Outdoors Inside [Freshome]
Decorating with Natural Elements from Natural Kitchen and Home [Pinterest]

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a happy Memorial Day as we remember the many heroes who have served our country.

Swine: Southern BBQ in Coral Gables

Pig isn’t just prepared at Swine restaurant, it’s respected. Located where Ponce de Leon Boulevard meets the Miracle Mile, Swine is not just a new spot for barbeque, it’s a place to relax and enjoy Southern cuisine and hospitality that takes it up another notch. The modern outdoor façade welcomes you to a comfortable dining room of rich woods and nice booth seating. Start off with a drink, but take your time choosing! The bar menu alone has a variety of classic whiskeys, scotch, rums and other potables, along with cool cocktails and wines to pair with pork. And barbeque lovers will all be happy with the menu — you can’t go wrong with the ribs or burnt ends!

Swine
2415 Ponce De Leon Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(786) 360-6433
http://www.yelp.com/biz/swine-southern-table-and-bar-coral-gables

Yard House: Beer, Food & Fun in Coral Gables

The Yard House is the perfect name for this bar and restaurant, because the selection of beer taps at the bar seem to go on for yards! Located a few blocks north of the University of Miami campus, the Yard House has a great ambiance, with local art on the walls and cool music always playing. Come on in and get to the bar but be ready because it gets pretty crowded, especially after work and on the weekends! Check the chalkboard for the limited draft and bottled specials of the month, or treat yourself to a beer sampler. There’s also wine by the glass and specialty cocktails. And the food pairs well with all of the beers, be it appetizers you can share, sandwiches, burgers, entrees or even vegetarian platters.

Yard House
Village Of Merrick Park
320 San Lorenzo Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 447-9273
http://www.yelp.com/biz/yard-house-coral-gables

POC American Fusion Buffet and Sushi: Taste & Variety

Bring your appetite to the POC American Fusion Buffet and Sushi, because you are going to see a lot that you like! Located where Ponce de Leon Boulevard meets Alcazar Avenue, POC American Fusion was founded by three restaurateurs with a wealth of knowledge in good food and pleasing customers. You’ll immediately be pleased by the ambiance and welcoming attitude when you walk in and go to the buffet. If you are a sushi lover, the variety of fresh hand-made maki rolls, nigiri and sashimi will make you swoon. The raw bar, loaded with fresh oysters, crab and other seafood delights will make you smile, too. The soups and entrees are also great, and so is the price.

POC American Fusion Buffet and Sushi
2121 Ponce De Leon Boulevard
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 529-0882
http://www.yelp.com/biz/poc-american-fusion-buffet-and-sushi-coral-gables-2

Happy Mother’s Day!

Happy Mother's Day! How are you planning to celebrate mom today?

Cibo Wine Bar: Vintages

Wine bars are a popular trend, and you’ve got a good one at the Cibo Wine Bar. Located on the Miracle Mile just off of Merrick Way, Cibo is a wine bar that also has terrific Italian food. The décor of the bar and dining room is very modern and cool, especially the wall of wine. There are so many different vintages from around the world, you might just need an angel to help you decide. Luckily, the “wine angels” at Cibo will be glad to help, even if they have to get lifted up by a hoist to get that perfect bottle. It’s quite a show! Happy hour is a great time to come to Cibo, when all drinks are half price. And the dinner menu features a variety of homemade pastas, pizzas and appetizers. What a nice spot to meet up with friends!

Cibo Wine Bar
45 Miracle Mile
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 442-4925
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cibo-wine-bar-coral-gables

Craving Adventure? Check Out These National Parks in South Florida

Southern Florida is home to some of the few tropical national parks in the country. Travel to one or both of these neighboring areas to enjoy all the beauty they have to offer.

Big Cypress National Preserve
Big Cypress National Preserve lies 45 miles west of Miami and neighbors the Florida Everglades. This tropical national preserve is home to the Big Cypress Swamp, a truly unique natural environment. Take an airboat tour through the trails of the swamp to spot unique vegetation and wildlife, or go off-roading on an airboat of your own. If you prefer something a bit more relaxing, the preserve also offers a wide variety of traditional park activities like camping, hiking, and canoeing.

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park accounts for 20% of the Florida Everglades. It was the first national park established to protect a complex ecosystem, and it's home to many endangered species like the manatee and the Florida panther. Visit the park year-round to enjoy activities like canoeing, fishing, and hiking, or spot an alligator along one of the airboat tours. The park, which is the third largest in the contiguous US, offers a wide array of activities that are suitable to nearly anyone.

Pin It on Pinterest