What I ATE: MIAbites Contributors #BestBites

If you follow any of our MIAbites Contributors on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, you are constantly bombarded with some pretty amazing pictures of food and drink that has been consumed, it seems almost endlessly. 

How can anyone eat and drink ALL that food and go to ALL those places?  

Well Our Contributors do, from evenings out with friends, to lunches at favorite classic spots, to events hosted by restaurants, fellow bloggers and spirit purveyors. 

This past couple of weeks with a chill in the Miami air resulted in lots of comfort dishes like pizza, pasta and chili.  So here is our special MIAbites feature,

What I ATE…

Amber Love Bond-  Cakes by Amber Love

Finally our  "dessert for breakfast " prayers have been answered!  Miami’s first donut shop is here and it’s no disappointment!  Max Santiago and his partners are cranking out #SmallBatchesAndBigSmiles at their Wynwood pop up, The Salty Donut.  Flavors are rotating and the lines are long, but so worth the wait!  I recommend getting there early as they are known to sell out hours before close.  The Mimosa Donut is a must have and pairs perfectly with the Cereal Milk Iced Latte.  There’s always a gluten free option on the menu – I’ve tried both the pumpkin and the chocolate cake, YUM!  Bright fun ingredients mixed with classic flavors make this donut shop a winner.  Looking forward to their permanent location opening in the Spring, but in the meantime be sure to check them out Friday through Sunday from 11am until they sell out – and definitely add a half a dozen of their spiked donut holes to your order!  You won’t regret it!  The Salty Donut 29 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127

Everett Rashotsky- Er Gagit

I return to Las Vacas Gordas on Normandy Isle for the umpteenth time over the last fifteen years and are amazed how has it changed. It is now a full service restaurant offering the best steak choices and the best wine selection in any Argentinian Steak House in Miami. 
The best things have not changed:  It is a packed house, on a rainy night, the rolled steak as shown is still as big as it always was and the grilled peppers , onions, and fries are perfect sides for the steak cooked to perfection. 
The hosts and owners Luis and his wife Rosie still greet you as family although the restaurant has a sleek and upscale atmosphere . The highlight for Gagit of course is that after 15 years, the Gagit.net review still is on the back of the house wine bottle right below the ordinary Zagat review.
Gracias. Luis and Rosie, as things change they really do not change…they only get better.

Javier Ramirez- GourmandJ

Miami and the entire nation had the luck this week of enjoying the nationwide rollout of Shake Shack's Chicken Shack!! Juicy, delicious non GMO fried chicken breast with their staple potato bun, lettuce, tomato and buttermilk herb mayo / pickles. Worth the wait.

Allison Riley- Y’all Taste This

I couldn't resist some serious comfort food during this cool weather. I was craving Cincinnati chili, and I remembered that I had some homemade coloradito mole in the freezer. Same flavor profile, so I braised lamb shoulder in mole with sautéed onions, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and roasted poblano peppers. After a full afternoon in the oven at 275, I added diced butternut squash and a can of chickpeas. One more hour in the oven, and we had a delicious mole lamb stew for the NFL playoffs. 

Marian Bacol-Uba- MarianTheFoodie

I've finally found my favorite Thai place in Miami!! Lung Yai Thai Tapas. This hidden gem is in Little Havana and the Thai family that opened it is amazing. Authentic and so delicious. Pics are of the spicy thai chili chicken wings and pad Thai. Lung Yai Thai Tapas 1731 Sw 8th St Little Havana Miami, FL 33135

Melissa Ginsberg- The Foodie Teacher

When a late night pasta craving hits (which in our house is a common thing) and there's not much in the fridge, spaghetti cacio e pepe always hits the spot. Made with Pecorino Romano cheese and loads of fresh black pepper this simple Italian dish is one of the easiest things to make! When done correctly the cheese melts and forms a salty, pungent, creamy sauce that coats the pasta in just the right way! 

Maria Acevedo-  FoodLvr

The Shrimp and Lobster Fettuccini from Brio Tuscan Grille. Even though a chain, i find the perfectly cooked pasta and plenty of shrimp and lobster make this a favorite dish for me and my family.

Ellen Bowen- Managing Director MIAbites

I fell in love with the newly added Chicken Parm Pizza at Quality Meats Miami Beach. The chicken is chopped up and mixed with cheese, so the “crust” is made into a flat pancake and then the sauce and more cheese layered on top.  Made popular by New York City’s Quality Italian, it is reported that the kitchen is known to run out many a busy night. Priced at $32 per person and designed for 2, it seemed a bit pricey, but was so rich and filling that I estimated one pizza could realistically feed 3-4 as an appetizer or side. 

Watch for What I ATE as an ongoing feature only on MIAbites.  And make sure your follow Our Contributors and @MIAbites1 on Twitter and Instagram for even more mouthwatering pictures.