I find it interesting that ever since moving to New York at the beginning of the month, I have seen more Miami chefs in town than I did when I was still working back home. It’s no surprise, considering our talents are making big strides internationally, showcasing the skills that have finally put us in the culinary map of the country, along the more seasoned metropoli that usually lead on the matter.

However, if there is one thing where New York supersedes Miami, it is with the now multi-city Food Network sponsored Wine and Food Fest, which has been Miami’s gastronomical staple destination event for the past decade. It’s "younger" sister, the NYCWFF, has taken roots in the big city, and, very much like our own, showcases a week filled with celebrity-chef star studded events, including grand tastings, seminars and private dinners with top chefs.

Events, TravelBites, What I ATEMIAbites TeamOctober 26, 2016Miami Beach, MiamiComment

TravelBites: In Search of Ethiopian at Queen of Sheeba

TravelBitesEllen BowenJanuary 26, 2016MiamiComment

TravelBites: Saratoga Arms Chocolate Chip Cookies

Summer is vacation time...and our MIAbites contributors have been all over the globe; Vancouver, Singapore, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Bangkok, NYC, with the top TravelBites award easily going to The Foodie Teacher and Bowtie Barrister who are still on their " 10 countries in 3 months " adventure through Europe and Asia ( you can follow their travels on TravelEatDrinkRepeat on Twitter or Instagram ).

I personally made a quick weekend trip to Saratoga Springs, NY, ( and not to be confused with Sarasota, FL) famous for it's therapeutic mineral springs and home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the famous Saratoga Racetrack, where Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah is scheduled to race this Saturday 8/29. A quaint, yet vibrant town about half hour north of Albany, Saratoga Springs is a peaceful upstate NY summer getaway.

A weekend at the historic 1870's Saratoga Arms boutique hotel included a late afternoon treat of their famous homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies...made with Saratoga Potato Chips.

TravelBites, RecipesEllen BowenAugust 27, 2015MiamiComment

One More Reason to Love New Orleans: Coffee

It doesn't take much to get me excited about a trip to New Orleans. As a Tulane alum, I spent four wonderful years in the Crescent City and - as anyone who has lived there can tell you - that place gets under your skin for life. Add the famously high expectations for food to the mix and a must-attend business conference becomes anything but a burden.

As if that weren't enough, a recent article in New Orleans' local magazine Gambit highlighted their "thirdwave" coffee scene. Link to article by @scbaird here.

Wait, Coffee?

Like, single-source, expertly-roasted, the stuff I'm a fiend for?

You mean I don't have to pack my aeropress, my Clever, my scale?

Lawd, this is going to be a wonderful trip!

TravelBitesMIAbites TeamJanuary 30, 2015Comment

ErGagit heads West…to Austin and Franklin BBQ!

For his first MIAbites contribution, local food blogger, ErGagit, chose to feature a place NOT in Miami but on every foodies bucket list! Enjoy his mouthwatering and humorous account of his "Trip to Bountiful...BBQ".

Austin, Texas....is the capital of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas it is the 11th-largest city in the USA and the fourth-largest city in the state of Texas. It is also home to The University of Texas, South by Southwest Interactive, Film and Music Festival, and Franklin BBQ!

So, The Gagit’s headed on a Foodie trip to Austin, Texas. This trip had been in the plans before but, something had always come up…BUT not this time.

Joining us on this trip to BBQ Mecca was our special Foodie friends, @foodcave, Harold, Lady Laura and her brother Texas Dennis. Although the trip included other restaurants, the main event was the Temple of BBQ...Franklins!

Franklin BBQ debuted in late 2009 as a trailer in an East Austin parking lot staffed by husband and wife, Aaron and Stacy Franklin. As the lines grew…snaking around the block, so did the press. The Washington Post, Texas Monthly and The Cooking Channel offered glowing reports. Bon Appetit magazine named Franklin BBQ as Best BBQ in America 2010. By March of 2011, Franklin had moved from the trailer to a storefront at 900 E 11th St.

And, the lines continued to grow!

Franklins BBQ is Black Friday every day. No door busters here, just get in line early or be sold out. They run out of BBQ every day, sometimes within an hour of opening.

TravelBitesMIAbites TeamApril 17, 2014Comment