chewclue

Rok:Brgr burger bar + gastropub - Fort Lauderdale, FL

2013-05-18T11:22:00.000-04:00

Rok:Brgr is located in the popular area of downtown Fort Lauderdale where most of the clubs and other popular bars are located. Despite this fact, Rok:Brgr still manages to stand out and have a strong following, much so that they even opened a second location in Miami.

Rok:Brgr has a great selection of unique gourmet burgers. In their words, this is where you will find a ultimate burger experience with over 17 signature burgers and a “create your own” burger section. On my visit, I went with the Bacon Jam Burger which consisted of all types of goodness including a 10oz. certified angus beef “PRIME” patty, creamy brie cheese and maple bourbon bacon jam on a brioche bun. It was a juicy and huge burger! The burger was pretty pricey, but was worth it.

I had my burger with the Truffle Fries. It really isn't anything special, more like Fries with a load of parmesan-reggiano on top, but it was okay.

My boyfriend, who was dining with me, kept it simple and ordered the Classic Burger with Handcut Fries. Although the standard burger, the quality of the ingredients shined through and you tasted the gourmet deliciousness of the burger.

Burgers may be the main focus, but this is still a gastropub, so they do have a nice selection of craft beers and offer a few homemade cocktails.

There are a few other popular gourmet burger places that compete with Rok:Brgr but in Fort Lauderdale, no one can touch Rok:Brgr. Mouthwatering burgers, lushworthy drinks and noticeably good service make you want to come here.

Rok:Brgr
208 SW 2nd St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 525-7656
www.rokbrgr.com

Bru's Room Sports Grill - Pembroke Pines, FL

2013-05-17T10:35:00.000-04:00

If you're looking to watch sports, there are numerous sports bar and restaurants you could go to, but one that that I seem to see all over South Florida is Bru's Room Sports Grill. I decided to hit up the Pembroke Pines location to see what it was all about.

Beyond just being a bar, Bru's Room Sports Grill is a large space with plenty of seating outdoors, indoors, and by the bar. The sports grill also has a ridiculous number of televisions (over 65), so they are most likely playing whatever game you'd like to see.

The food is decent pub grub, nothing amazing but certainly not bad. I most recently had the Slider and Wing Combo with Buffalo Chips. The chips were awesome, the wings were pretty good, but the burger could have used a little moisture or anything period. The sliders were a definite hell no!

My friend ordered the Philly Cheese Steak. It was actually one of the better tasting Philly's I have ever had. The bread, steak, and cheese were on point. Soft, tender and delicious! The French Fries it came with were pretty standard.

Our server was friendly but inattentive. I felt like she and some of the other servers cared more for the regulars and the hot guys they wanted to hook up with.

Bru's Room Sports Grill
10060 Pines Blvd Pembroke Pines, FL 33024
(954) 239-4550
www.brusroom.com

Salú Restaurant - Small Plates & Wine Bar - New Orleans, LA

2013-05-16T11:07:00.000-04:00

If you are looking for a cool happy hour spot in a classy setting perfect for catching up with girlfriends or meeting a client and away from the traditional debauchery, then you have to check out Salu.

Their happy hour includes Classic Margaritas, Mojitos, Sangrias and Caipirinhas at half price (currently $2.50). And for a dollar more you can add a seasonal flavor such as mango, blackberry or orange, but if that is not your thing, they also have deals on specialty drinks and beer.

Classic Mojito

Classic Caipirinhas

If you happen to get the munchies, they also offer a special discount on all Mussels and Flatbreads. They have more than enough options to choose from, but I decided on the Chorizo Mussels (housemade Chorizo, Beer, Garlic and Roasted Tomatoes). It was good but I wish it were a lot spicier; the broth needed to infuse the flavors a little more.

My friend decided to get the Steak and Cheese Flatbread (slow cooked Onions and White Cheddar). I liked the crispiness of the bread and the quality of the steak and cheese. It was really good and not greasy.

Oh, and the service is amazing too. Salu has some great, funny and friendly wait staff. Salu's happy hour happens every Monday thru Friday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

Salu Restaurant
3226 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA, US, 70115
(504) 371-5809
www.salurestaurant.com

Parran's Po-Boys & Restaurant - Metairie, LA

2013-05-13T12:35:00.002-04:00

Sometimes a girl just wants a sandwich! I have driven past Parran's Po-Boys so many times before but today I was going to go inside. The restaurant is located in a small shopping center with a small storefront, so I was surprised by how nice and inviting the restaurant was. It was cute and colorful, much different than the plain sign you see on the outside!

On my first visit, I ordered the Seafood Muffuletta. They claim to be the home of the original Seafood Muffuletta so you know I had to try it. The wait to get the food was a little ridiculous, but the restaurant was packed and it was shortly after opening and lunchtime. I waited in anticipation for my food and once I finally got to sit down and eat it, I was a little disappointed. The sandwich was huge, which I guess is a plus but I found the bread to be a little dry (like it was yesterdays bread). The sandwich was packed with fried Shrimp, Catfish and Oysters (more like one oyster). Their homemade Cajun Mayo redeemed it a little bit but a sandwich with fried ingredients, lettuce and tomato can only impress you so much when the bread isn't on point. My boyfriend had the Blackened Chicken Breast Po-Boy (not pictured) and loved it so we ended up going back a second time.

On my second occasion, I switched it up and ordered the Beer Battered Crawfish Tail Po-Boy combo with Red Beans & Rice. The sandwich was a little bit better than the last time since the bread was fresher. The Red Beans & Rice was good. It was a little too soupy for me but the flavor was good.

I am a little unsure how much I like this place, but my boyfriend loved it and the amount of people there on my first visit indicates that other people love it too. All I can say is check it out and you decide for yourself.

Parran's Po-Boys & Restaurant

3939 Veterans Blvd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 885-3416
parranspoboys.com

Churros Cafe Cuban Restaurant - Metairie, LA

2013-05-01T12:03:00.002-04:00

Since I am from South Florida, Cuban cuisine is just a part of my culture. Being in Metairie I was starting to feel a little deprived and so I sought out a place to fill that void in my life. With a little searching, I discovered Churros Cafe and headed to the small restaurant to get some food.

Located in a strip mall, visually it left much to be desired so I found it best to just grab my food and go, although next time I will probably dine in. It seems that they specialize in Cuban sandwiches but offer Empanadas and simply things like soups and salads. In addition to that, they also have daily lunch specials. I happened to go when the special for the day was Cuban Steak with Red Beans and Rice. I was surprised that they did not have black beans and instead red beans but since red beans are such a staple in New Orleans, I wasn't too surprised. The food was good and met my expectations. The steak was tender and the flavor of the food overall was on point.

I also ordered a side of plantains. They were tasty and sweet, I just don't like when they are cut so thick.

I finished off my meal with Churros. These were some really amazing Churros! They claim to make them from scratch and my mouth agreed. They were great and would have been even greater had I had some chocolate to go with it.

Although the food isn't what I would call "authentic" Cuban food, with the Southern twist, it created a nice take on Cuban Cuisine that I enjoyed. I cannot wait to go back.

UPDATE - 5/13/13

I went back to Churros Cafe and tried another one of their lunch specials, the Roast Pork, Congri & Yuca. Overall it was another good meal. The rice was amazing and the yuca had great flavor (although a little overcooked). The pork was delish!

Churros Cafe
3100 Kingman St Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 885-6516

Randazzo’s Family Restaurant - Metairie, LA

2013-04-26T11:06:00.000-04:00

Randazzo’s Family Restaurant is a restaurant that serves reasonable-priced food (American, Italian and Seafood) in a casual atmosphere. They have TVs, games and seating for any size group to help you feel at home in this family restaurant.

I ordered the Combination Platter with Fried Shrimp and Oysters. The seafood tasted fresh, wasn’t salty and was not heavy in batter so it was satisfying.

For my sides, I had a Green Salad and Potato Salad. The Green Salad is pretty self explanatory, but the Potato Salad was not to my liking. It was too mushy (I like large potato chunks) and had too much tart.

My boyfriend ordered the Fried Chicken Plate. It was good fried chicken but was nothing spectacular. It was right out of the fryer, which will almost ensure it tastes good. He ordered it with French Fries and Cole Slaw. The Cole Slaw was different than most that I have seen. It wasn’t overly sauced so it wasn’t bad but again was just pretty standard.

The food wasn’t amazing but good for what you would expect from a restaurant of this kind. The problem of the restaurant didn’t lie with the food though but the service. At the time we were dining, there were 2 other tables, one large group and two people working the table. The person I assume to be the owner was taking care of us and another table but once the large group came in, he completely forgot about both us. The other girl was taking care of the one table next to us and kept walking past without ever offering assistance and clearly seeing we were done and waiting. It’s one thing to not see us like how the other table was completely ignored because they were on the other side of the restaurant but you walked right next to our table several times and tried not to look at us instead of helping.

Poor service killed this place. There is no reason you have a virtually empty restaurant and not want to assist the few customers you do have, they will not want to come back.

Randazzo’s Family Restaurant
4462 Wabash St Metairie, LA 70001
(504)456-9069
eatatrandazzos.com

Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill - French Quarter New Orleans, LA

2013-04-10T12:15:00.003-04:00

Although only a short distance from the French Quarter, Frenchman Street is like stepping into a different realm. It's only two-blocks long but full of life and non-stop entertainment and on any given day of the week, you can hear the live sounds of reggae to Latin to blues.

Frenchman Street Art Market

To kick off a night on Frenchman Street, it's best to do so on a full stomach so stopped into Mojitos Rum Bar and Grill on the edge of Frenchman Street for dinner and a warm up to a night out on the town.

Just like a lot of the other places in the area, Mojitos has their own live entertainment and if u stay late enough on Saturdays a Latin music party. All of this takes place on their beautiful patio but you also do have the option of indoor dining but I highly recommend that you do not do that. Even consider sitting at their large outdoor bar before doing that.

Going to a place called Mojitos means you have to get a Mojito. Due to their namesake, they have plenty of options from specialty drinks to the typical fruit flavor kind. I started off with The Frenchman which was amazing and thank fully strong.

Later on, I decided to get another drink and selected the Ultimate Mojito. I know it said mint syrup and I don't know what I was thinking but it was the ultimate fail. It tasted just like syrup, medicine syrup. If you 'bout that sizzrup, this may be the drink for you.

We order the Jerk Chicken Skewer as a starter and it was so unbelievable delicious! Do you know how hard it is to go to a place that doesn't specialize in Jamaican food and for them to actually get it right? The flavors were on point and the spice level was beyond expectations. To offset the spicy factor, the blackberry brandy sauce added just the right touch.

There are only four choices for main dishes, but they all sounded so good, I still had a hard time deciding. I ended up ordering the Aruba Scallop. It came with grits and I am actually NOT a fan of grits but these were well flavored and a great compliment to the delicate and well cooked and prepared scallops. A dish like this has potential to lack flavor, but it was really good and had a nice kick to it.

My boyfriend ordered the Lechon Asado or as the menu states, citrus marinated roasted Kurobota pork belly. The meal was served with rice and beans. He thought it was really good taste wise, but was disappointed in the portion size which I guess was a little small but I was full after eating my meal.

I was very satisfied with the food, service, atmosphere and entertainment. It is a great place to hang out, to drink or eat food. It's a great place period. I will be back.

Mojitos Rum Bar & Grill
437 Esplanade Ave New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 252-4800
www.mojitosnola.com

Don Fortunato's Pizzeria - Metairie, LA

2013-04-05T18:38:00.000-04:00

Lately I am always on the go so almost everything I have eaten recently has been out of a box or bag. Despite this, I hadn't had pizza in a while and a quick search led me to Don Fortunato's Pizzeria.

When I arrived at the restaurant it was raining hard, so I ended up calling to place the order over the phone in the parking lot. The man on the phone was very nice and told me about the specials they were having. I ended up getting two large pies for a great price and they were ready quite quickly I might add.

When I went inside to pick up my order, I was greet by the owner (he was also the one who took the order over the phone). He was so nice and welcoming! He generosity was really what made me want to come back regardless of how the food even tasted (sort of). Luckily though, the pizza was delicioso!

Despite the time it took to drive home, the pies were still super hot when I got home! The pizza was so good and the crispiness of the crust killed it. I am so glad I found this place!

Don Fortunato's Pizzeria
3517 20th St Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 302-2674
www.donfortunatospizzeria.com

China Rose - Metairie, LA

2013-04-04T10:01:00.002-04:00

What do you do when it is one of those lazy days, the weather sucks, it is raining hard and you are hungry? I don't know what you do, but I order Chinese takeout for delivery. I did a little searching and came up with China Rose.

I couldn't seem to find a menu, so I called to see if they had one online. The person on the phone kindly gave me their website address which for some odd reason didn't pop up in the search. In any case, I scanned the menu and saw that the first three pages of the menu were pretty typical but the fourth page was listed as the Authentic Chinese Menu. I figured it would probably be best to order off this menu, so I ended up choosing and selecting the China Rose Special Duck. The duck was really good; the meat was tender and the flavor was nice (although I would have liked a little more spice). The only thing I didn't like was that the skin was still attached and I am not a fan of the fatty thick skin of duck (especially when it's not crispy and fried).

The American in me wanted to try something off of their regular menu, so I ordered the Combination Fried Rice to go with my meal. It was pretty good for takeout standards and I would have no problem ordering it again.

I was not only satisfied with the food but also satisfied with service. Ordering on the phone was easy, the food came pretty fast and the gentleman that brought the food was a surprisingly cherry fellow. China Rose was a saving grace on an otherwise lackluster day.

China Rose
3501 N Arnoult Rd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 887-3295
www.chinaroseno.com

Shogun Japanese Restaurant and Steak House - Metairie, LA

2013-04-01T10:51:00.001-04:00

Shogun is a big restaurant separated by two dining area: Hibachi and Sushi. I was in a sushi kind of mood so with their direction, we seated ourselves near the sushi bar.

The inside of the restaurant matched the outside of the building. It was a bit dated and a little run down. It was clean but dark with poor lighting and visually not the nicest of places.

The staff was very attentive which is normally nice but it became annoying when several different people constantly stopped by the table and when they were not at the table they were stationed nearby staring at you waiting for you to need something. Bad service is one thing but being stared at while eating isn't a good feeling either.

We ordered three Maki rolls: Crawfish, Crunchy and Spicy rolls. The roll were fairly small and taste wise were just average. Nothing stood out so there is not much to say, but I did enjoyed the Crunchy Roll the most.

We also ordered the Rainbow Roll. Despite the larger price tag, it too was nothing special. However, I will say that the fish tasted fresh.

Although the sushi wasn't spectacular, it was good. It was good enough that I would be willing to come back and try the Hibachi. My only complaint would be that they just need to work on the presentation of the restaurant.

Shogun Japanese Restaurant and Steak House
2325 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 833-7477
www.shogunneworleans.com

Willie Mae's Scotch House - Seventh Ward New Orleans, LA

2013-03-29T09:25:00.000-04:00

It comes down to this, people flock to Willie Mae's Scotch House for what they call "America's Best Fried Chicken" and I wanted to try some.

The line here are crazy and at any given time during open hours, you will see a line stretched out the door. I wasn't in the mood to be waiting like
that, so I squeezed my way inside to place my order to go. Inside the small space of the restaurant it was packed to the brim with dining patrons.

Once I finally got home and popped open my box of chicken, I was glad to see the pieces of beautifully fried, crispy and juicy chicken. The seasoning was amazing, the only problem was, like much of the food in New Orleans, it was overly salty making it hard to enjoy. The same went for the French Fries.

I ordered Corn Bread Muffins on the side and those too failed to pizazz. They were too dry for me.

In the end, I was so disappointed in what I had hoped would be the best chicken ever. I am not sure where people find this to be the best (I have had better), but to each it's own. Take away all the salt and you might have a point.

Willie Mae's Scotch House
2401 St Ann St New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 822-9503

Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro - Metairie, LA

2013-03-28T09:58:00.002-04:00

Apparently Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro is like the Cheesecake Factory of Louisiana. I am a fan of the Cheesecake Factory, which is probably one of the best chain restaurants that exist so I was very intrigued to try Copeland's.

Driving into the driveway of the restaurant, you get the impression that this is a fancy restaurant with valet being the only parking option and the somewhat fancy design of the dining room.

However, we were unlucky and had a trainee as a server, who although nice, wasn't too sure about what she was doing and kept referencing our real server who she was shadowing, but besides a quick stop at the table, we had no interaction with.

The food was lackluster also. We ordered off the lunch menu which resulted in an extremely small portion and subpar food that lacked the kind of flavor I am used to. I would say it was okay but when you make much better food than that at home, its just not worth it.

Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Chicken, Shrimp & Sausage Penne

The cheesecake however was worth it. It was extremely sweet and hard to finish, but ordering a less sweet option would do the trick on that. It was a good, and decadent dessert. However, I have to say that Cheesecake Factory's is still better.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake (Made with Real Reeces)

Ultimate Snickers Cheesecake

Whenever I am craving cheesecake I might stop in for a slice, but as far as food goes, I will pass!

Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro
4517 Veterans Blvd Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 454-7620
www.copelandscheesecakebistro.com

FoodFest: America's Hometown Eats - Celebrate and Savor the Delicious Diversity of Our Country's Foods

2013-03-25T11:30:00.001-04:00

Date/Time:

Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 11 AM to 6 PM

Location:

French Market - New Orleans, LA

Steak Sandwich

LDR Char Pit - Rochester, NY

Fried Chicken Wing & Thigh

Gus's Fried Chicken - Memphis, TN

Ribs

Central BBQ - Memphis, TN

Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya

Peck's Seafood - Slidell, LA

Louisiana Lemonade & Long Island Iced Tea

Gazebo Cafe - New Orleans, LA

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Cafe Reconcile - New Orleans, LA

Cheen Huaye Southern Mexican Restaurant - North Miami / Aventura, FL

2013-03-21T11:51:00.000-04:00

Many people might believe that Taco Bell is an authentic Mexican dinner. While it may be cheap and quick, it is definitely not the place to go for authentic Mexican food. The place to go is Cheen Huaye in Aventura.

I visited Cheen Huaye one afternoon with a friend. The restaurant is located on the corner of a strip mall. Upon entering the restaurant, you know that this is going to be an authentic meal and not some cheesy Tex-Mex style experience. The restaurant was very clean with a casual but nice atmosphere.

We were immediately greeted by a waitress who told us we could sit anywhere we would like. There were many tables to choose from, indoor and outdoor but we choose to sit inside.

Upon picking our table, our waitress introduced herself and asked what we would like to drink. We ordered waters and began scanning the menu. The menu has a nice selection, but is not too big. It is helpful to know a small amount of basic Spanish in order to completely understand some of the dishes, but there are also explanations listed in English.

Our waitress brought out the standard free chips and salsa along with our drinks. The salsa was among the best I have ever had. It was extremely fresh, full of flavor and spicy like I like it! Definitely not your typical tomato from a can.

For my meal, I ordered the Tacos de Pescado. It was made with fresh grilled Mahi-Mahi. The fish was perfectly cooked, seasoned and flaky. The meal was served with Mexican rice, Red Picked Onions, pico de gallo, and guacamole on the side. Everything was delicious and again very fresh.

My friend ordered a Steak Burrito, which was not on the menu but that they special made per request. It was very good! Not one bite was left on the plate!

All in all, the food was amazing. Everything tasted like it had just been prepared. Nothing tasted over-processed or bland. The service was exceptional too. The waitress was very professional! The restaurant was not packed at the time we dined, but still we waited no more than 15 minutes and our dishes arrived at the same time, piping hot.

Cheen Huaye is the perfect place to grab some authentic Mexican on a casual date, lunch or dinner with friends.

Cheen Huaye Southern Mexican Restaurant
15400 Biscayne Blvd Aventura, FL 33160
(305) 956-2808
www.cheenhuaye.com

Boswell's Jamaican Food Store & Grill - Mid-City New Orleans, LA

2013-03-18T11:29:00.003-04:00

I am Jamaican so it is mandatory that I have access to a Jamaican restaurant when necessary. I did a search for a local restaurant and only 3 options popped up. The only one that seemed to be authentic was Boswell's Jamaican Grill.

I headed over there to get my fix. The restaurant itself was very plain and underwhelming. It looked like a cafeteria and under normal circumstances probably wouldn't be the sort of place I would decide to stop into and eat. The inside was a little better, decorated with various hints of Caribbean culture, but still not fancy.

Anyways, I didn't come for the decor but for the food. I played it safe and order the Jerk Chicken plate. It came with two sides and plantains. I choose Rice and Peas and Mac and Cheese as my two sides. The Mac and Cheese was really good but the rest was just slightly above average. The Jerk Sauce was not cooked into the chicken but given on the side in a cold refrigerated bottle, which I didn't like. Although the sauce had great flavor, how it was presented made it not so good. The chicken itself was a little dry.

The Oxtail fared much better. It had nice flavor and was falling off the bone tender. I have had so much Jamaican food in my life that in comparison, the food here was nothing special, but if you are looking for a good cooked plate of food, it is definitely a good option to consider.

The place is owned and operated by a Jamaican, so it is "authentic", but if you are not "authentic", then you will probably enjoy it a lot more than I did. Either way, they sell a few West Indian grocery items that you can't find in a regular grocery store so it is a good place to stop into for that reason alone.

Boswell's Jamaican Food Store & Grill

3521 Tulane Ave New Orleans, LA 70119

(504) 482-6600

Pho Orchid Vietnamese Restaurant - Metairie, LA

2013-03-13T11:33:00.000-04:00

Having been in New Orleans for a few weeks now, I have come to realized that there is a huge Vietnamese population. This means that there are a ridiculous amount of Vietmanese restaurants and easy access for me to eat some good Pho.

Apparently the best Pho is located on the West Bank, but that is just simply too far from me so I was very happy to discover Pho Orchid in my hood.

It's a pretty fancy spot (big and open) with friendly staff so it was a real treat to dine in and have a nice hot bowl of Pho.

I obviously came her for the Pho and it delivered. I had the Pho Tai Nam Bo Viem (noodle soup with Eye Round Steak, Briskets and Meatballs). The flavor was good, the ingredients were fresh and the meat and noodles were cooked just right.

I enjoyed my meal and left feeling satisfied and I didn't even have to go deep into my pockets.

Pho Orchid
3117 Houma Blvd Metairie, LA 70006
(504) 457-4188
www.phoorchid.com

Buddha Sushi Bar - Upper East Side Miami, FL

2013-03-08T18:35:00.003-05:00

I had heard a little buzz about a new sushi spot called Buddha Sushi Bar so I was really excited to be going to check them out. Although the location was a little hard to find and a little out of the way, after such an extraordinary experience here, I can tell you that it was a gem of a find.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owner who was also responsible for making this such a fantastic meal. He was really nice and very enthusiastic about his business. He was very thoughtful in recommending dishes and checking in on us throughout the meal.

The restaurant is known for offering the floating boat concept. This just means that boats of sushi are placed on a floating river of water that winds through the restaurant and you have the option of letting what you don't want float by or grabbing the fresh sushi you do want. It is a very cool concept, but my boyfriend and I decided to just order off of the menu.

The owner recommended we start with their Crispy Brussel Sprouts, but my boyfriend being picky and not liking anything, we decided to be safe and order the Shrimp Avocado Salad instead. Honestly, it wasn't special and I could have done with out the dish but the ingredients were fresh and the sauce/dressing was good so I am not really complaining. It just didn't stand out because of the delicious dishes that followed.

The other dish he recommended was the Salmon Bola (Avocado, Crab, BBQ Cream, Salmon, Torch, Bonito Flake). It was fricken yummy! I highly recommend you try this!

In addition to the two appetizers, we also ordered two rolls. The first one was the Big Mac (Spicy Tuna, Crab, Avocado, Cruchies, Eel sauce). It was exceptional!

The Cleopatra Maki (Crispy Shrimp, Snow Crab, Masago and Soy Paper) topped the Big Mac and was out of this world! It was so deliciously good that I cannot even put into words!

The flavor and combinations of ingredient they have come up with for their rolls is just so crazy good. The prices may be considered a little high, but these roll are ginormous and well exceed the price.

You can't go sushi with sake so enjoy a bottle of Tyku Sake with your meal too.

In addition to the unbelievable food you will find here, you will also find a fantastic dining environment. The dim, green lighting sets the mood. You can sit by the boats, in the dining room or outside. Either way, know that the food here will make you not notice where you are sitting anyways. I recently moved from South Florida but whenever I am I town, I will definitely be back.

Buddha Sushi Bar

1071 NE 79th St #101 Miami, FL 33138

(305) 677-3633

ezweborders.com/buddhasushibar

Bobo Chinese Take Out - Sunrise, FL

2013-02-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

My go to Chinese food spot is Bobo Chinese Take Out. I have been enjoyed their food for many years. What sets them apart from the rest is that they have really amazing rice which is hard to find. The other items are pretty standard although I still find it to be better than most.

They remind me more of the New York style of Chinese food which I do not see a lot of in South Florida. Which means, they have the fried Crab Stick that a lot of the restaurants down here don't offer.

My only concern is that lately, the food hasn't been as consistent, but when it's on, it is really good!

Bobo Chinese Take Out
6839 Sunset Strip Sunrise, FL 33313
(954) 741-3690
www.bobochinesetakeout.com

Lucky Jean Seafood - New Orleans East, LA

2013-02-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

Lucky Jean Seafood is ran by a group of happy, energetic, fun and friendly people. Their energy lights up the place, but the restaurant itself lacks any charm. There are tables to dine in the restaurant, but the walls are barren and the colors are drab; I would just recommend getting your food to go.

I was lured to the place by the sign outside stating that they sold seafood by the pound and the constant flow of traffic didn't hurt either. Well, when I entered and saw the large container of Crawfish on the counter, I was super excited. Once I got that first crawfish in my mouth, it further increased my excitement. It was really good. Great flavor and spicy!

I ordered a plate of their General T'So Shrimp with Shrimp Fried Rice. The Shrimp was over breaded (like most Chinese places) and very saucy. The flavoring wasn't bad on the shrimp. What killed it for me was the rice. It wasn't that great and although it was edible, I wasn't in love with it.

I really wanted some Chicken Wings, so I ordered them on the side. I really enjoyed them. The were tender, crunchy but not over battered and beautifully flavored.

I notice a few people were picking up these cakes on the counter. I grab one for myself and saw that it was called Gooey Cake. I had never heard of it before, but it was soooo good. I went back to Lucky Jean's a few times after this and every time, I had to pick one up.

The food here was fresh and on the most part tasted good. I think that there main focus is the seafood and what I have tasted was good, but the Chinese food they serve leaves something to be desired.

Lucky Jean Seafood
6721 Chef Menteur Hwy New Orleans, LA 70126
(504) 245-7842
facebook.com/pages/Lucky-Jean-Seafood

China One Chinese Restaurant - Baton Rouge, LA

2013-02-26T09:14:00.000-05:00

China One is a small restaurant and more suited for take-out versus dining in. The staff was really nice and although they were close to closing, went ahead and made fresh food which still came out fast.

I do not know if it was luck, but the day I went into China One, I found that their food was fresh, hot and delicious. I ordered the Shrimp Lo Mein with Shrimp Fried Rice Combination Plate and I was very satisfied with my meal. I liked that they used real sized shrimp! The noodles were perfect (not soggy or overcooked) and the rice was exquisite.

The best part of all, this big plate of food was at a really great price.

China One Chinese Restaurant
8673 Siegen Ln Baton Rouge, LA 70810
(225) 819 - 2283

Wings Plus - Weston / Sunrise, FL (5 South Florida Locations)

2013-02-25T09:56:00.002-05:00

If you are in South Florida and are looking for some good wings, look no further than Wings Plus. The wings are crazy good, they offer a wide selection of flavors and did I mention, the wings are crazy good? Try one, try them all, just try it and you will end up hooked like me.

Hot

Cajun

Honey Mustard

Don't forget to add French Fries to you order, their Fresh Cut Curly Fries are really good too. And add the Cheese; they give it to you on the side.

Wings Plus

1354 SW 160th Ave Sunrise, FL 33326
(954) 389-1933

www.wingsplusweston.com

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar - Metairie / New Orleans, LA (Locations Nationwide)

2013-02-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

If there was anything I could love more than sushi it would be Chicken Wings! So, being in a new city, it was imperative that I find a good place to get wings. I have seen Buffalo Wild Wings locations in a few different place but for whatever reason, I have never tried them out. I figured what better time than now to give them a try.

This Buffalo Wild Wings location is huge. It has a sports bar setup with tables inside and outside with a upper level deck outdoors. There were TVs everywhere but most interestingly there was a small screen at every table showing some kind of sporting event. I thought that was a really cool idea! What took away from the place was that they had games upstairs like basketball. With people playing upstairs, down below where we were eating, it just sounded like a lot of chaos and was distracting if not annoying.

I came here for the wings, so I intended to try them. They list the wings on the menu based on their hotness level which is great for those worried about spiciness. I however found the scale to be inaccurate and those said to be hot weren't and vice versa.

We ordered the Jammin' Jalapeno. It was in the mid range of spiciness despite the Jalapeno in the title. It wasn't really spicy at all. It was fact was sweet with a thick jelly sauce. I didn't like it, it was way too sweet for me.

Going up in spiciness, we also got the Hot BBQ. Again I didn't find it to be hot, and the BBQ sauce wasn't very good.

You cannot go to Buffalo Wild without trying their signature Wild sauce. On the scale it was second to the top of the spiciest, and to any normal person it probably would be. It was fine, I just enjoy regular hot sauce a little more.

The final flavor we tried was the Mango Habanero. It wasn't as high on the spicy scale but I found it to be hotter than the Wild. I actually enjoyed this flavor and it was my favorite of the night.

For our side, we had French Fries. They are said to be dusted with Salt & Vinegar, but my taste buds didn't get much of that flavor, they tasted plain to me.

My conclusion is, it is a great place to hang out and watch a game, however, I wouldn't recommend it as a great place to eat wings. The wings aren't horrible and if you are craving and don't have any other options, you will be satisfied, but if you can find a local joint, not apart of a chain, you will most likely enjoy it it a lot better.

Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
3434 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 252-4606
www.buffalowildwings.com

Sushi Sake - Doral, FL (multiple locations in South Florida)

2013-02-24T09:28:00.000-05:00

I love sushi, so I have been to many Japanese/Sushi restaurants all over South Florida. During my quest to find really great sushi, there has been some places I hated and a few I actually liked. Of those, some were reasonable priced and some were downright expensive. What I found was, Sushi Sake is my favorite spot, finding a good balance of good food and a good price. The ambiance they say produces an enriched and memorable dinning experience and I agree. That is also one of the reasons I really enjoy dining there, the modern decor and mood setting lighting always gets me.

One of their appetizers I would recommend is the So Firecracker. It is crab atop a fried cracker and has what I would describe as a sweet taste to it.

Although they offer Hibachi and the usual Asian specialties, you cannot go without trying the sushi rolls. My ultimate favorite is the Miami Heat Roll. It is made with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, crab salad, topped with salmon, spicy mayo and topped with crunch. It is so delicious and so amazing!

If you were looking for something a bit more simple, I would recommend the Dragon Roll. It is similar to the Miami Heat, and made with tempura shrimp, crabmeat, masago, asparagus, spicy mayo topped with avocado.

I love it and you too should check it out!

Sushi Sake

2600 NW 87th Ave #17 Doral, FL 33172
(305) 592-6166

www.sushisakemiami.com

Good Time Sushi - Gentilly / New Orleans, LA

2013-02-24T09:17:00.001-05:00

I recently moved to New Orleans and I am sushi obsessed so you could imagine my uber excitement when I discovered Good Time Sushi! It a little hole in the wall establishment that you could easily drive by and not notice or not think to go inside of, so I am so glad I did and found what is probably going to be my new sushi spot.

My sushi tester is the Spicy Tuna Roll. Although it wasn't a great Spicy Tuna (it just was not spicy), it was still a good roll. Besides, I enjoyed the Rock N Roll a lot and from that alone, I could tell they make quality rolls.

In addition to those two rolls, I also ordered the Good Time Roll. This one was by far my favorite. You could taste the freshness of the fish and the craftsmanship as each piece went into your mouth.

Although their name suggests that they are all about the sushi, they also offer Japanese Hibachi food. I didn't try any this time so I cannot comment on its taste, but if their sushi is any indication, it should be good.

Good Time Sushi
5315 Elysian Fields Ave New Orleans, LA 70122
(504) 265-0721
www.facebook.com/pages/Good-Times-Sushi

Acme Oyster House - Metairie, LA (5 locations)

2013-02-21T10:49:00.002-05:00

I know that Drago's Seafood Restaurant is the home of the original chargrilled oysters, but I had also heard about Acme Oyster House and wanted to do a little comparison. My taste test determined that they were both really good, cheesy and scrumptious, but I found that the Acme oysters were a little bigger, and relied less on the cheesiness and focused instead on overall flavor.

In addition to the oysters they are famous for, Acme Oyster House has a good selection of New Orleans treats. My boyfriend went for the Fried Fish Po-Boy which he thought was pretty good and said he would come back for.

On the side, he ordered some French Fries. They were blah and he said he would order a different side next time.

I ended up eating Red Beans & Rice. I thought it was delicious. It reminded me of something we eat in Jamaica called Stewed Peas.

The food was exceptional, as was the service. Our waitress was very friendly, engaging in conversation and making sure we were comfortable. Not sure if it was her doing or the chef's but the half dozen chargrilled oysters came with seven instead of the six, but it was awesome.

Acme Oyster House seemed to have edged out Drago's in more ways than one, so if I ever have the craving, I am heading to Acme.

Acme Oyster House
3000 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 309-4056
www.acmeoyster.com