2010 Miami Marathon

It was a little over a year ago today when I took my time-honored weekend stroll around the Brickell neighborhood and decided to launch Brickell Life. It was Miami Marathon Sunday, just like it was yesterday, and it’s still one of the most inspiring events you can go out and see. I have an unbelievable amount of respect for those people who run. I know I certainly couldn’t accomplish it, or even a quarter of it, in the shape I’m in.

What I find most striking about the event is the camaraderie between runners and the kind of overwhelming encouragement that bystanders shower on to the participants. There is an incredible energy surrounding the course and you can feel it all around you as complete strangers yell, cheer and offer words of encouragement. There is this palpable desire behind everyone lining the race course to push each and every runner just a few more miles to the finish line.

It’s an awesome example of the humanity that I know is each and every one of us.

Brickell Life’s One Year Anniversary

Well, Brickell Life’s one year anniversary came and went without much fanfare on Tuesday. But despite the lack of balloons, confetti, street naming, key to the city and all the other associated hoopla that comes with momentous occasions such as this – I have to say I’m pretty proud of what I’ve done over the last year.

I’m far from the best blogger out there. I don’t post often enough. I certainly don’t cover the Brickell scene sufficiently like the name of my blog dictates. My grammar and general command of the language sometimes leaves much to be desired despite a major in English literature. I’ve proven that I have extremely limited skills when it comes to multimedia. But in spite of all these shortcomings and plenty of others, I’m generally pleased with what I’ve been able to accomplish.

It’s been absolutely cathartic to write this blog. It provides me with an escape and a place to channel my random thoughts and musings. Brickell Life has opened up a completely new online world to me that I never knew existed in South Florida. Check out my blog roll and you’ll see just what I’m talking about. There are some extremely creative, intelligent, funny and incredibly talented writers, citizen journalists and purveyors of South Florida knowledge out there. All of you are amazing in your own right and an inspiration for me to continue writing. The best part is that my blog roll only touches the surface of who is out there writing and capturing the moment across our market. There are so many other blogs that I continue to discover in South Florida, across the country and around the world that I’m amazed each time I stumble across something new. Regardless of all the amazing bloggers out there, I must throw down a special shout out to Rick from the South Florida Daily Blog for encouraging me to even begin blogging over a year ago. Had I never submitted the photo of the misspelled 2008 America’s Mayors Conference billboards to his site, I might still only be reading the Miami Herald for my local news.

Do I wish I had time to post more often? Absolutely. But a full time career, family and the responsibilities of life sometimes dictate otherwise. However, what started out as an experiment just over a year ago has now become an integral part of who I am. Brickell life is me and will continue to be my thoughts on the neighborhood, the world and the people and places around me. I hope you’re enjoying the ride as much as I am.

Colombia Series - Part 7 - Campesino Life in the Mountains of Colombia

I must preface this post by saying that I have no real idea what life is like for the campesinos of rural Colombia. I only had the privilege of catching a glimpse of this life from the comforts of Jeep Cherokee while driving some mountain roads outside of the town of Apulo. It’s hard for me to imagine working the land and surviving on what you can produce. It’s the way a good percentage of the world’s population still lives, but for one reason or another, I was brought into this world in an upper-middle class neighborhood in South Miami. It is what it is – you can’t fight that.

The dirt mountain roads surrounding Apulo were a fantastic peek into the backbone of Colombia. Here, life moves by what the land gives you. Poverty is common and it’s hard for me to imagine anyone born into this life actually receiving the education necessary to escape it. While I’m sure there are hundreds of examples of the opposite that was at least my first impression. Also surprising was the fact that many campesino mountain homes we saw had television antennas, which I guess is a byproduct of the state trying to bring electricity and other modern conveniences to this portion of its population.

The mountains surrounding Apulo are sub-tropical. We’re nowhere near the denseness of the Amazonian rainforests of Southern Colombia, but the slopes of these mountains are covered in a thick jungle of hardwoods, fruit trees and even some cactus. Birds, snakes, tarantulas, scorpions and insects of all shapes and sizes inhabit the surrounding hills and are a constant reminder that we’re just visiting here.

Despite its sub-tropical nature, you still can’t see into the canopy here and it’s no wonder the FARC have been able to hide and survive so long in mountains like these. They recruit many of these same poor campesinos we saw into their life of narco-trafficking and terrorism with a promise of a better life, but that has not proven to be the case.

Despite their remoteness and rugged nature, these mountains hold an intrinsic beauty. I was amazed at the steepness of some of them and the campesinos ability to farm the land despite what seemed like a 30-40 degree pitch. Corn, mangos, guanabanas, oranges, cattle and chickens were just some of what we saw roaming the dirt roads and wood and brick shacks that dotted the landscape.

I must admit, I felt a bit invasive snapping pictures from the comfort of the passenger seat of the 2008 Cherokee I was in. I wanted to document my experience as much as possible, but at the same time trying to be as respectful. In any case, this was my glimpse into campesino life in rural Colombia and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity.

If you want to better understanding of campesino life in the mountains of Colombia, take a look at my friend Philippe Houdard's Developing Minds Foundation. He is working directly with those severely affected by Colombia’s civil conflict and towards the reeducation of former child soldiers in the country. Philippe is the real deal and deserves your support. Thank you Philippe - keep it up.

Colombia Series - Part 6 - Road Trip

For many of the Bogotános who can afford it, escape from the city’s congestion, pollution, cold weather and urban stress is a must. About 2.5 hours outside the city and nearly 2,600 meters below the Andean plateau where Bogotá resides is the small town of Apulo. While still mountainous, Apulo is tropical in nature and high temperatures exceeded 90 degrees during the day. Nights are cool and vacation homes, or fincas as they’re called here, all have pools to escape the heat.

While sitting around a pool all day long sipping rum and chomping down on grilled steaks, chorizo, stuffed calamari, morcilla, chorizo and pork ribs is definitely easy living (special thanks to the wife’s family); the drive to Apulo is half of the adventure. Twisting roads and a steep descent through the cloud thick mountains down the Carretera Mesa – Girardot makes you wish you were behind the wheel of Corvette and not in the backseat of a Jeep Cherokee.

It’s an impressive change in climate as you make your way down from the thin air of Bogotá into Apulo. And while the topography may change before your eyes, the desire for good food in this part of Colombia is never lost.

Half way in between Apulo and Bogotá and hanging to a steep cliff face is the restaurant Donde Otauio. If there was a Colombian version of Food Network’s “Diners Drive-In’s and Dives” this place would be at the top of the list. What an awesome joint. Owner Don Otauio was in the house when we dropped in and gave us a wave from his chair where he was watching English Premier League futbol. The place specializes in comida antioqueña, or traditional dishes of Colombia.

Up first were some chicharrones with arepas and ají, a Colombian hot sauce. Honestly, some of the best ever. It may have been the location, the climate or a mix of both – but I could have sat there eating those chicharrones until my arteries clogged up and I passed out fat and satiated. Following the suit of those around me, I threw a little salt on top the arepa, loaded it up with a nice chicharron and topped it off with a nice dose of ají. About 6 or 7 later I settled into a Coke from the bottle (yes it still tastes different) and waited patiently for our main courses to arrive.

If there was a national dish in Colombia, it would be Bandeja Paisa, which is practically everything you could ever want thrown on to one plate. It’s a mix of white rice, ground beef or steak, red beans, chicharron, plantains, chorizo, morcilla, arepa, avacado and all topped by a fried egg. It’s simply awesome. The juicy egg yolk seeps into everything and makes it into an insanely delicious gooey mess. There are many Colombian restaurants in Miami who make a fine Bandeja Paisa, but there was something authentically true about Donde Otauio’s. I guess if you want the best, it’s always smart to go to the source.

So if you ever find yourself half way between Bogota and Apulo on the road known as Carretera Mesa – Girardot and run across the sign for Donde Otauio, stop, stop, stop and go in for a bite. You won’t be disappointed by the hospitality, food or the view. It really is simply good eats.

The video below is quick look at this part of Colombia and the winding road between Apulo and Bogota.

Colombia Series - Part 5 - El Portico

Just outside of northern Bogotá off the main Carrera Septima lies the El Portico restaurant. We visited on Christmas Day, December 25th, which is basically a day when the entire city shuts down to rest from the Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) festivities. Pretty much everything is closed except for some restaurants and other hardy entrepreneurs.

To reach El Portico, you need to cross the northern section of Bogotá on the Septima, where a considerable portion of the middle to upper class live. Malls, shops, restaurants, gyms and grocery stores dot the landscape but on the outskirts of the city is one of Bogotá’s most infamous slums, El Codito. It’s an interesting dichotomy, because just 20 minutes away Bogotános go about their daily lives of work and family without notice. The parallels to my life were more than apparent. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about life in Liberty City or Overtown, which is just 20 minutes from the high rises and financial district of Brickell. Sad social commentary on class and race relations, but it’s the way the world turns.

Nonetheless, I was excited to escape the congestion of urban Bogotá for the fresh mountain air outside the city. A breakfast of fresh mango and arepas had run their course and I was hungry for some serious sustenance.

Backed up against the Eastern Cordillera. El Portico is restaurant that specializes in typical regional cuisine and features a huge open pit wood fired grill. While the restaurant is a main feature of El Portico, the place is a destination itself. Built like a small traditional village, El Portico features small houses, a town square, a church and various buildings spread out across a couple acres. Weddings, parties and private events are not uncommon and it’s also been the backdrop for many commercials and television novelas.

The restaurant was fantastic. We sat outside under the sun and enjoyed many a cold Club Colombia beer while we snacked on morcilla, empanadas and patacons with a spicy guacamole. Main dishes were varied and our group took down everything from paella to grilled pork chops and steaks accompanied by mashed papas criollas and papas con hogao. For those who don’t know, hogao is this insanely good tomato-based onion cheese sauce which is traditionally put on top of potatoes. I’ve been known to put it on everything from my eggs to a piece of bread. A man could live off this stuff.

El Portico also features some pretty expansive grass areas where kids can stretch their legs and run around along with a small store full of trinkets, toys and some cool artisanal items as well. If you’re ever in Bogotá and have the chance to get outside the city for an afternoon, El Portico is definitely a solid choice.

Colombia Series - Part 4 - La Biferia Restaurant

Grilled meats can dominate the culinary landscape here in Bogotá. It’s a big meat and potatoes town. And I am more than happy to oblige. On a recent afternoon down near the Zona T, a chic neighborhood full of bars, restaurants, residential and commercial buildings we checked out La Biferia for lunch. This Argentinean-styled steakhouse delivers on all cylinders and is definitely good eats.

The two story restaurant is all about prime beef and steaks cooked over hardwood, which lends to the steak’s distinctive flavors. There is chicken, salmon, pork and fresh trout available, but come on – you’re in a joint called La Biferia. On the wall as you enter is a chalkboard diagram of a cow and where all the cuts of beef come from. The menu appropriately describes the steaks, their level of fat, marbling, texture and best serving temperature. I went with a Bife Ancho, which is our equivalent of a rib eye.

But before the steaks were served, out came some delicious French bread, chimichurri and a fresh tomato salsa. We also ordered some morcilla and a provoleta. Morcilla was right on the money and served with some fresh cheese filled arepas. While blood sausage may turn some off, I tend to order it whenever it is on the menu. The provoleta was good, but not great. I mean, how bad can melted grilled cheese really be, but it lacked the fresh cut tomato and oregano that I typically associate with the dish.

The steaks were a different story. Grilled perfectly medium rare, they were served with a nice salt crust and accompanied by our side dishes of house Caesar salads, fries and a whole peeled tomatoes with basil and olive oil. I couldn’t dig into it fast enough. Service was stellar, as it typically is throughout Bogotá. Service here is considered a job to be taken seriously and not just for college beer money.

While we didn’t have wine with lunch, I did however manage to sneak in a couple local craft beers from the Bogotá Beer Company. The Monserrate Reds I drank were nice pale ales and a surprising find. Definitely want to check out Bogotá Beer Company next time around to sample a few more brews.

All in all, La Biferia is a great choice if you’re in the mood for wood grilled meats in more of an Argentinean style. It’s definitely on the list of places I’ll be going back to.

The Colombia Series - Part 3 - Golf Around Bogota

Golf in and around Bogotá is taken very seriously. All the stereotypes ring true – it’s elitist, typically for the upper class, predominately only white and play is by the book. Long pants, shirts tucked in and caddies are the standard. You walk courses here. There are no carts to be found. Bogotá’s climate with average daytime temperatures around the mid 60s and an altitude of 8,661 feet lend themselves to walking and playing the game as it was intended to be played.

As a golfer I must admit I enjoy the tradition and manner of play in Colombia. There is a certain appreciation for the game somehow lost in the “get a round in less than 4 hours” mentality of the U.S. However, its exclusive nature is not lost on me. The caddies are poor kids who compete for the chance to carry your bag. Dozens upon dozens of maintenance crews keep the courses and exorbitant clubs in tip-top shape for very little money. But that is the culture here as it is through a considerable portion of Latin America. As a golfer, I love playing here but the exploitative nature of the game here on those less fortunate is clearly visible. It’s a battle of conscience and golf wins for me. It is what it is.

There is nothing better than walking a course and playing the game. You feel the crunch of grass under your feet, understand the elevation changes more and really get a true sense of what the course demands of you. Caddies are an incredible help with yardage and reads on the greens. The grass here is so different than the Bermuda we’re used to in South Florida. It’s kind of like playing northern courses but the ground here does not absorb water as well. And what a difference the altitude makes. Tiger Woods ripping drives of 300 yards are not uncommon and you have to go up one club on every shot to compensate.

The best part of playing golf Colombia is not the caddies, altitude crushing drives, walking or long pants – it’s the turn. While gulping down a hot dog, bag of chips and a Coke in your cart may be the norm between 9 and 10 in South Florida; in Bogotá it’s a far different story. Here, the turn is elevated into something much bigger and better. An hour rest is not unusual and you’re expected to eat and drink until you’re good, full and ready to walk it off for another couple hours. I took down a nice plate of calentado with a fried egg on top, fresh squeezed orange juice and then a couple cold beers to wash it all down. Calentado, if you’re wondering, is like the Colombian version of fried rice. Literally it’s supposed to be all the leftover meats and veggies from the night before thrown together and fried up. Typically it’s eaten for breakfast and let me tell you, it’s the ultimate hangover food. So good.

So that’s it. Golf has its place in Bogotá as it does it most parts of the world. It’s really no different here than anywhere else. Say what you will about the U.S., but go to any course on any given day and you’ll find the same white, rich guys playing as you would here in Colombia. Is it unfortunate and unfair? Yes. But do I still play – yes. Irony at its best.

Colombia Series – Delay in Posting & Happy New Year

Not that I’m complaining. Check out where I was - beautiful finca, or vacation home, about 2 hours out of Bogota in a small town called Apulo. But given the location and lack of an internet connection, I was unable to post anything during that time.

In fact, I couldn’t even tell you what day it is as I write this. That’s the beauty of a 2-week vacation. I know it’s New Year’s Eve because I’ve been asked to cook some sort of appetizer for tonight’s celebration. Not sure what to throw together, but I did find a giant tin of duck confit from a Christmas basket. Based on what we have available, I’m thinking mini arepas topped with duck confit, caramelized onions, some goat cheese crumbles and cilantro. We’ll see how it goes. I’ll attach a picture of what comes to life with this post once I get back to an internet connection.

But for now, I’ll keep typing posts and saving them to the computer as my vacation to Colombia slowly comes to a close. Life is both easy and hard down here. And I know that once I’m back in the U.S., I’m going to miss it very much.

FYI – Back in Bogota now and have access to internet. I had one too many rum and cokes and forgot to take a picture of the duck confit arepas. They were awesome. Fusion cuisine at its best. Brickell Life's "Colombia Series" will resume shortly.

The Colombia Series - Part 2 – Usaquén’s Mercado de las Pulgas (Flea Market)

Every Sunday in the parking lot above the square in Usaquén, Bogotános from across the city converge on this tiny spot for one of the better flea markets around. Usaquén is a residential and commercial neighborhood in the northern part of the Bogotá that features some amazing colonial architecture. Originally an area where Bogotá’s elite maintained country homes, Usaquén was eventually integrated into the city as it continued to grow. Today it resembles a small village centered around a town square amid the commotion of urban Bogotá around it. The best Miami equivalent would be Coconut Grove; that is if Coconut Grove had been founded in the 1500’s.

The Mercado de las Pulgas, more like an artisanal market compared to the Swap Shop or Flagler Dog Track flea markets we’re accustomed to, is filled with everything from handmade table cloths to jewelry, homemade food, children’s toys and art. Vendors are proud to show you their crafts and haggling is considered a must to get the best price. Backed up against the mountains of the Eastern Cordillera, it’s a fantastic way to spend a Sunday morning in Bogotá before heading out to lunch.

However, it’s hard to get through this Mercado de las Pulgas without stopping and eating. Most of the food stalls are concentrated in the back and there’s even a shaded patch of grass with some tables and chairs set up to munch at. There is a little bit of everything to eat here – morcilla, mazorca (grilled corn), paella, sautéed mushrooms, chorizos, grilled meats, fresh fruit, ice cream, homemade desserts, churros, salted green mango, fresh squeezed juices and so much more. These are the kind of food stalls that make you want to stop at each one, sample a bite and move on.

Beyond the Mercado de las Pulgas is the main square of Usaquén and the surrounding restaurants, galleries and boutique shops. All of these are worthy of exploring by foot along with the colonial architecture that this part of Bogotá is renowned for. One spot in particular I frequent often while here is a restaurant called Tienda de Café. Grab a seat on the patio overlooking Usaquén’s main plaza and help yourself to some arepas, a tinto (how Bogotános call a cup of coffee) and just sit back and relax. It’s what I do and it helps to melt away all my problems of the day.

The Colombia Series - Part 1 - Welcome to Bogota

Colombia. To most it’s a country often associated with narco-guerillas and one of the world’s most infamous villains, Pablo Escobar. Many years ago I held the same opinion – partly because of ignorance and also because of television and grossly exaggerated Hollywood movies. But after decades of civil conflict and a murder rate lower than most U.S. cities, Colombia is slowly emerging from its slumber and I’m proud to be here right now and visit often.

Colombia has taken on new meaning for me as I continue to explore the country with my wife and her extended family. Bogota, her home, is an incredibly thriving global metropolis of more than 7 million people that has quickly surfaced as one of Latin America’s urban treasures thanks to a concentrated effort to improve infrastructure, security and beautify the city. Colonial architecture, modern skyscrapers, rich and poor are all intertwined in a complex web of a city backed up against the mountains of the Eastern Cordillera.

Situated at over 2,600 meters on a high Andean plateau, Bogota is considered one of the highest major-cities in this part of the world after La Paz and Quito. Imagine a city as dense as NYC, but spread out over much greater distances. Often I'm asked by friends what is Bogota like? Is it dangerous? Why do you go there? My answer is typically pretty simple and to the point – do you like visiting NYC? It’s the closest comparison I can make. Terrible traffic, incredible gourmet dining, theater, art, culture, parks and everything in between – good and bad – make up Colombia’s capital.

I’m not ignorant. I understand Colombia’s past. It’s twisted, complex, sometimes violent and has taken a terrible toll on a population who never wished it upon themselves. The leftist FARC rebels and right wing paramilitary groups do not represent how the majority of Colombians feel. And it’s that majority’s indelible spirit and their passion for Colombia, which I find absolutely endearing.

I hope the following posts from Brickell Life shed light on what a beautiful country Colombia really is.

Nothing Finer than Eating in a Diner

There is an inherent beauty in a diner. It’s old school in a new school world. It’s the complete opposite of fast-food and a place where conversation is propagated and actually cherished. A diner is where bouffant hair on a 72 year old woman is expected and admired. Waitresses are the norm and a bottomless cup of coffee is quickly refilled.

There is something comforting about eating in a diner. Maybe it’s the smell, the simplicity of the food, the people inside, the vinyl booths – I don’t know, but it eases my soul. It’s the innocence of grandma’s house rekindled inside me. Diners are banana cream pie with vanilla wafers, pot roast, burgers on a flat top and club sandwiches on white bread. It’s good food that is delivered with a smile by somebody who seems to know my name even though they’ve never met me before.

Foams, Scandinavian-Thai fusion and deconstructed pork belly all have their places in this world, but sometimes you just need a healthy dose of stick to your ribs comfort food. In this age of social, economic and political uncertainty, the diner serves as the community sounding board and a gathering place where all the bullshit is pushed aside. It’s American, un-fabricated and it comes from the heart.

That’s why I couldn’t have been happier to find myself eating at Grampa’s again this afternoon up in Dania Beach. BBQ pork sandwich with coleslaw and fries. Was the food outstanding? It's not Sra. Martinez. Was the service exemplary? No, not really. In fact our waitress was a bit gruff, but in an amusing sort of way. Do people slam the place because it was on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives? Absolutely. But none of that mattered to me. The waitress called me honey, reminded me of my grandmother and the food was homemade by hard working people. Maybe that’s all I really want in life. It’s not fancy nor has it been for the five decades it’s been serving three squares. And you know what - I never want it to be.

My First Trip to Prison

Working in the field of marketing and public relations for nearly a decade, I’ve been fortunate to experience some incredibly cool events over that time. I’ve been on the field for Florida Marlins home games during the 2003 World Series run; I’ve walked with the elephants from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus; I sat on the couch and was interviewed by Katie Couric on the Today Show for a local book club; I’ve zip-lined through the jungle canopy of the Costa Rican rainforest; and I’ve even played golf at Torrey Pines one week after the PGA’s Buick Invitational. While all absolutely rewarding, fascinating and completely interesting in their own right; yesterday’s trip to the Sago Palm Work Camp up in Pahokee was one of the most unique experiences of my life.

Sago Palm is a satellite work camp of the nearby Glades Correctional Institution state prison. It may not be Leavenworth’s maximum security penitentiary, but there is no denying that this is prison - double barbed wire fences, security outposts, guards, patrols, heavy locked doors, one-way-in and one-way-out, cell blocks, and the yard. It’s intimidating, nerve-racking and overwhelming all at once.

I was there in support of a client who is raising funds on behalf of the first Prison Pup program in the state. Each puppy (6 Golden Retrievers and 2 Labradors) are assigned to a pair of prisoners who teach them how to become certified service dogs for the disabled, ideally veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. The dogs live with the prisoners 24-7 and after about 18 months, they will be placed with their new disabled owners.

The thing that struck me the most about entering a prison for the first time in my life were the sounds. The thundering clash and heavy clunk of the locking steel doors behind you has to be one of the most sobering noises in all of humanity. Once you hear that sound for real, there is no turning back.

I expected that we would be quickly ushered into a room near the entrance of the prison to meet the dogs, their trainers and watch a quick presentation. To my surprise, we were escorted by a guard down a long, sterile hallway to another set of double security doors around which I could see the prison’s yard and cell complex through the security control office windows. And there I was, 40 seconds later after another series doors, standing outside in the yard of the Sago Palm Work Camp.

Flashes of television shows, movies and documentaries ran immediately through my mind. I thought instantaneously of where I would run to, how I would defend myself and what I would ultimately be willing to do to escape any situation that might arise. Thirty steps later and my over-active imagination running full throttle; I kind of stopped, took a deep breath and really looked around. Eerily, it was somewhat calm. All eyes from the maybe 20 inmates in the yard were decidedly upon us, but a nice breeze was blowing in from the east and off in the distance you could see the sugar cane fields and their plants rattling together in the wind. The irony of where we were and the relative tranquil nature of what was on the outside was not lost on me. In fact, it was decidedly overwhelming at the moment.

Across the yard, we were greeted by another set of double security doors at the entrance to one of the cell blocks. Once we were through and standing in front of another security control office window, we were shuttled into an adjoining classroom where the prisoners and their dogs were waiting. The thing that struck me was the long line of prisoners waiting to enter the area we were in, which I noticed out of the corner of my eye. They were obviously held there until we had cleared the space. Security was and is never taken lightly.

So there I am, sitting in a room with nearly a couple dozen prisoners and their dogs. I’ve read their bios. These guys are in prison for a reason – manslaughter, dealing, using, grand theft, breaking and entering and certainly many things in between. But there was something about these dogs that was making a difference. You could see it in their eyes and hear it in their proud voices as they led their puppies through a variety of training exercises. There was love, compassion, emotion and heart evident in all of them once you looked past their prison blue uniforms.

It remains unclear whether these types of programs ultimately help rehabilitate prisoners and assist them in becoming better citizens upon release, but it was evident from talking to the prisoners and the guards that there is sense of optimism in the prison, which wasn’t there before. Humanity was palpable and that was not something I ever expected to find on my first trip into a prison.

 

While I had hoped to shoot some photographs and record audio; absolutely no cell phones, cameras or recording devices of any nature were permitted inside. However this video clip from a recent Sun-Sentinel story about the Prison Pup program at Sago Palm helps add some perspective to this post.

Why I Love South Florida

Want to know why? It’s because on Halloween morning you can go to South Pointe Park at 10:30 a.m. and see a guy fully dressed up like Michael Jackson moonwalking on a park bench.

Monday Night Football Tailgating Brickell Life Style

In the tradition that was established just a few short weeks ago, Monday Night Football tailgating was back at Brickell Life and in full effect this week as the Fins took on the Jets at Landshark Stadium. It was a sweet victory and one of the best games ever in this longstanding rivalry. While the game itself was amazing, so was the food flying off the grill beforehand.

Argentinean parillada anyone?

Chorizos, mollejas, tira de asado, entrana, lamb chops, provoleta, homemade chimichurri, and more was on hand. Cold beers were plentiful and unbelievably great food and good times were had by all.


(Hot coals ready for action. Hardwood charcoal of course)


(Provoleta with thick sliced beefsteak tomato and homemade chimi)


(Parillada - short ribs, chorizo, lamb chops, provoleta)


(Parillada closeup of yummy goodness)
(Parillada - pork fat flare ups!)


(Touchdown!)

Burger Heaven in South Florida?

So there I am, sitting across from none other than the Burger Beast at recent #Beerup I co-hosted last week for local Tweeters and social media influencers when inevitably the topic of burgers comes up. I mean, come one, I’m sitting across from the burger legend himself and what else are we going to talk about - chicken curry?

As you might expect we ramble back and forth about burgers, fries and the legitimacy of Coke over Pepsi until the topic of Charm City Burger Company in Deerfield Beach comes up. Immediately the Beast stops dead in his tracks, looks me square in the eyes and utters just one word – go.

So Charm City Burger it was for an extended Friday lunch. Sure it’s up in Deerfield Beach, but I drive for food.

And oh man, it is so totally worth the drive. I’m going venture out there and say that Charm City Burger is cranking out some of the best burgers in South Florida. They are elbows out, double fisted, toppings dripping down your chin, awesome. The beauty is that each individual ingredient is strong enough to stand on its own. They fresh grind their burgers daily, use artisanal breads from a local bakery, chop fresh veggies all day long, hand cut fries and pride themselves on only using the best between their buns.

I ended up taking down a daily special known as the Cowboy Burger, which featured peppered bacon, coleslaw, aged cheddar, lettuce, tomato and a BBQ sauce that was down home goodness. If you combo deal any burger for an additional $2.50, you end up getting a mountain of those hand cut fries and a fountain drink. All in, you are out of there for under $10 for seriously one of, if not the best burger in South Florida. But don’t stop at the burgers. Garlic herb marinated, slow roasted and then char grilled wings are off the hook. That's where I had to draw the line during this visit, but as others can attest like the Burger Beast and John Linn who recently reviewed the spot for the Broward/Palm Beach New Times, there is plenty more action available. Kobe beef, turkey, Italian sausage and veggie burgers are offered for the so inclined as well as kobe beef hot dogs, various po-boys, salads, hand scooped Blue Bell milkshakes and something called “The Carnie,” which is a Twinkie fritter with chocolate drizzle. Oh my god I need to eat that.

Seriously, Charm City Burger Company is the real deal. They are great at what they do and treat you like family as soon as you walk in the door. Go visit them. Tell them the Burger Beast sent you, tell them the New Times sent you, heck tell them Brickell Life sent you, but go eat here because this is what South Florida good eats is all about.

Charm City Burger Company
1136 E. Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
954-531-0300
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Liguori's Fired Up! - It's Good Pizza

If you're a fan of coal fired pizza, then Liguori's Fired Up! is sure to satisfy. Located in a central Broward Super Target shopping plaza on the corner of University and Sterling, it's kind of a hidden local joint. The place takes its queues from the coal fired pizza playbook and adds its own twist with additional Italian specialties such as eggplant carvelli, arinchini, meatballs, chicken parm, Philly cheesesteaks and stuffed peppers, among others.

Personally I've never strayed away from the pizza, wings and salad so I'm going to stick to what I know. Salad is hearty and enough to feed 3-4 people. It includes romaine, tomatoes, black olives, garbanzos, red onion, celery, eggs and a homemade vinaigrette. Gorgonzola is a bit extra but worth the additional $1 to round it out. Wings are awesome here. Like other coal fired joints, they bake them in those insanely hot ovens which produces a crazy crisp, but juice wing minus the deep frying. They come with caramelized onions and focaccia. I could eat them all day. Pizzas are great and have that burnt edge signature mark from the hot coal fired ovens. Toppings are standard, but specialty pies like a broccoli rabe & sausage, meatballs & ricotta and a frittata pizza stand out as well.

It's a great spot, TVs surround the dining room, sports are typically on and they also have a bar with beer and wine.

Liguori's is also not shy about giving back to the community it calls home and has even recently partnered with the Jason Taylor Foundation to donate a percentage of the proceeds on certain menu items to support JT's foundation and the South Florida children he helps. Good stuff.

And just to clarify once again - yes the blog is called Brickell Life and I love living on Brickell, but I work in Hollywood and a man has to eat lunch.

Liguori's Fired Up!
5810 S. University Drive
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328
954-434-2378

Tailgating Brickell Life Style

A rushing performance that accounted for 239 yards, the return of an effective Wildcat package, 45 minutes of possession, only 1 punt all game and the Dolphins lost their Monday Night home opener. Huh? That’s not how it’s supposed to work.

While the outcome was certainly not what Dolphin fans envisioned, we made the most of the first Monday Night football game in Miami in years. No, we didn’t arrive on the Orange Carpet alongside Gloria and Emilio and I certainly didn’t pop out of a hearse like T-Pain amid flashing cameras and autograph seekers, but we did kick up tailgating to another level.

Sure brats and beers have their place in any traditional tailgate, but we were not interested in paying homage to history last night. This was Monday Night football and it was time to pull out the big guns.

With that said, we rolled into the stadium parking lot around 5:00 p.m. and got to work. A charcoal grill was fired up, tables unfolded, chairs propped upright and cold beers were cracked open in anticipation of some good eats to come.

First up on my menu were roasted mussels with chorizo, shallots, garlic, red pepper, white wine, cream and parsley. I took one of those disposable aluminum turkey pans and sautéed shallots, red pepper flakes and garlic in some olive oil until softened. Then I added sliced chorizo and about half a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to reduce for a couple minutes. Next up was about 5 pounds of mussels that went for a swim and steamed with the grill cover on. Once their shells opened, we finished the dish off with a dash of heavy cream and healthy dose of chopped parsley. Crusty French bread was available for dipping and those tasty suckers didn’t last very long. This was tailgating with some style.

A couple more beers later and it was second course time – grilled corn with a chili/lime compound butter, crumbled cotija cheese and sea salt. I roasted the corn in their husks the night before at 350 for about 20 minutes. Peeled them back and tied the husks to use as a handle. The compound butter was as simple as zesting a few limes into a stick of softened butter and adding some chili powder. At the tailgate, I just grilled the corn to impart some smoke flavor while basting with chili/lime butter. I finished them off with sea salt and crumbled cotija cheese. They were pure street fair corn magic.

Following the corn were choripan sliders with caramelized onions and a chipotle cream sauce. The onions were caramelized the night before along with the construction of the sauce, which was a combination of chipotle, sour cream and a little mayo thinned out with water to the right consistency. We smoked the mini Nicaraguan chorizos over hickory chips and indirect heat for about 20 minutes and assembled the little sandwich bombs on halved potato rolls. Hot dogs will never be the same.

And if those opening salvos were not enough, we finished off the tailgate with some garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil rubbed flanken short ribs, flat iron steaks, entrana and vacio. All these meats were simply grilled to medium rare over charcoal and topped with a little extra sea salt before serving.

After copious amounts of beer and food, we struggled to remain upright, but eventually cleaned up the mess and headed into the game. Despite a great tailgate, an inspired walk through the tailgating parking lot, a fired up intro of the players, a fighter jet flyover and a couple of great touchdowns; it was just not enough to put the Fins over the top. Sure it was bittersweet to walk out of there with a loss and I did my fair share of screaming at Ted Ginn, the inside linebackers, a lousy deep secondary and ridiculous clock management at the end; but my belly was full and I ate mussels at tailgate. That’s awesome.

A Big Tuchdown Run by Ronnie Brown

Where were you when the Death Star blew up?

Being a huge Stars Wars dork and realizing the impact those movies had on my childhood, I couldn't resist posting this video. Thanks to the folks over at the Sun-Sentinel's Watch This Now blog for the link. Sure the comparisons to 9/11 are up front, but it's still brilliant comedy from the people over at College Humor. Good stuff.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

The Florida Turnpike Service Plaza

Traveling the central artery of Southern Florida was quite different just over 50 years ago. Well, first of all there was no mouse to visit in Orlando and second, life just moved at a slower pace. Half a century ago, your options north were limited by a narrow and somewhat hairy U.S. 27, U.S. 441 or the slower U.S. 1 and Dixie Highway near the coast. Back then, I-95 existing in just bits and pieces and well, it still does in many respects. And just like today, wealthy landowners intent on squeezing as many dollars out of their holdings as possible, helped forged the Turnpike’s location and eventual layout.

More than 330,000 vehicles drove the turnpike in its first month, ringing up $381,000 in revenues. Annual toll revenues have grown from $3.6 million in 1957 on the original 110-mile stretch to nearly $650 million last year on the turnpike's expanded network of 460 miles of roads.

While the history of the Florida Turnpike is interesting and the story of Walt Disney himself flying over the big X at the intersection of the road and I-4 are the stuff of legend, what I’m always drawn to while driving the road is the Service Plaza experience.

Located approximately every 45 miles on the Turnpike’s mainline, the Service Plazas rise up from surrounding cattle ranches and orange groves north of Port St. Lucie like an oasis in the Saharan desert. Like a Star Trek tractor beam, the glow of the fast-food logos, gas pumps, ATMs, orange juice stands and a wall of tourist brochures suck you in despite the urge to push on.

However once you’re inside – well that’s where the magic happens. Seriously, have they cleaned the bathrooms in those places since 1983?

For me, the Service Plaza represents the true cross section of Americana. Fat people, old people, bikers, teenagers, families, truckers and everyone in between are well represented. Heck even the guy who thinks it’s cool to wear Miami Dolphins socks to match his jersey rolled in on me recently while we grabbed a bite to eat during our first family foray to the land of Mickey Mouse. There are 17 different languages being spoken at any given moment and everything in the place costs $7 more than it would anywhere else across the entire state. Discount park tickets abound and does anyone honestly eat the free cut up orange section samples from the glass bubble?

Deep down I have a love for the Turnpike Service Plaza and perhaps it’s an attempt to reconnect with some great childhood family vacation memories or maybe it’s just because they give me an excuse to eat a double cheeseburger on the road. In any case, the Service Plaza is a rite of passage for all South Floridians and I’m sure we all have a unique story to tell.

Can Newt Gingrich do This?

Michy's - Michelle Berstein Continues to Just Do It Right

So I finally decide to take the plunge and give Michy's a try. I must admit up front that I'm a big Michelle Bernstein fan since the Azul days so there might be some biased in me. And quite frankly, Sra. Martinez is one of my favorite places going on in Miami right now.

So with that said, I went into Michy's over the weekend with high expectations and thankfully the food did not disappoint. Despite a growing restaurant empire, Bernstein makes sure the staff at Michy's still cranks it out at the flagship property.

There was one hiccup in the whole experience however. Despite a reservation made almost a month in advance, we waited about an hour for our table in the small dining room. Apparently there was an anniversary celebration along with a wedding proposal in the same night and guests were lingering longer than expected and enjoying the moment. It’s hard to argue against that, but we were hungry and our faces were running a bit long with impatience. To Michy’s credit, the front of the house was on top of it and extremely apologetic about the situation. Our bar tab was covered and a complimentary order of croquetas stuffed with blue cheese and crispy jamon serrano and fig marmalade were sent our way.

I’ll be honest; I don’t like waiting as much as the next guy, but we gave the restaurant the benefit of the doubt. Heck, giant I wear a tank top on a plane guy will wait 45 minutes to eat ten times the daily recommended sodium levels in one oversized meal at Cracker Barrel or Cheesecake Factory – so we decided we could certainly justify waiting to eat in one of the region’s most lauded restaurants.

I’m glad we waited. As soon as we were seated and began digging into the menu, our server promptly came by to let us know that he heard about our extended wait, apologized on the restaurant’s behalf again and let us know that three appetizers were on their way. Just minutes later, the Peruvian ceviche of the Day with ginger, lime, chilies, corn, and sweet potatoes appeared on the table along dith some more croquetas and a duck confit with a shaved brussel sprout salad, kumquat marmalade, and mustard vinaigrette. Mind you, we’re four people – me and the wife and my boss and his wife. It’s a solid eating crew and we dug into those plates with gusto. Granted we were hungry, but it was really good. Ceviche was perfectly balanced and not swimming in acidity. The croquetas are literally some of the best ever and the confit was solid and duck fatty good.

Since Miami Spice was going on, some of us took full advantage while others ordered a couple things to taste off the menu. We ended up sharing everything in between all of us and a few of the highlights included truffled polenta with poached eggs and bacon bits; a watermelon Greek salad with tomatoes, olives, French feta cheese, cucumbers, tinto vinaigrette and zahtar spice; fettuccine carbonara with smoked bacon, crispy jamon serrano, prosciutto and melting St. Andre; and crispy fennel dusted sweetbreads with fava bean pesto, fresh favas, oranges and caraway veal jus. We also ate some yellowtail snapper, roasted cod and seared salmon plus some crazy tender short ribs. It was a little overboard and quite foodgasmic.

We also drank Rose Muga Rioja and some killer French sparkling Cabernet Franc from Chateau Tour Grise throughout the meal. By this point, I could barely reach the table and was sliding in and out of consciousness while dreaming about taking off my shoes and curling up on the couch under the warm glow of SportsCenter when all of a sudden dessert showed up. It included warm bread pudding with raisins, cognac, chocolate chunks and vanilla ice cream, and some tropical fruit upside down cake. If those desserts from Miami Spice weren’t enough to put us over the edge, Michy’s also brought out a crazy good Baked Alaska (aka Sarah Palin) which featured cake, dulce de leche ice cream, Italian meringue and passion fruit salsa as an additional thank you for waiting so long token. I quietly slipped into a food coma.

So in the end, was I swayed by Michy’s generosity following a crazy long wait? Of course I was – I’m human. But after thinking back on it, it wasn’t the free dishes that made the impact; it was the execution and depth of flavor in the food. The food was simply great and right on the money. We got to try a large portion of the menu that night and there was not one dish that I had which I would have been disappointed ordering on its own. Some in past reviews about Michy’s have complained about the portion sizes, but I would argue that while small on a TGI Friday’s scale - they are rightly sized. It’s also nice to have full or half sized options, which encourages sharing. It’s certainly not cheap, but neither are the ingredients on the menu or where they’re sourced from. At the same time it’s not overly priced. I thought it was perfectly balanced for an uptown bistro which is what I envisioned that Michelle Bernstein and her husband were originally going for when opening Michy’s back in 2005.

The place has a cool vibe to it and I’m certainly glad I gave it a shot. Michy’s, along with Sra Martinez, are about amazing ingredients, layered flavors and simplicity. Michelle Bernstein’s dishes don’t need heavy handed techniques and deconstructed foam to make them work. They’re good because it’s the food she loves to eat. There is a reason why she is a James Beard Award winner and I am definitely a fan. Plus she is a local chick and that’s just awesome. Rock on Michelle and keep making it happen.

Canadian Healthcare for Grizzly Bear Hunters?

While Americans still have to pay for healthcare in Canada, this is juvenile, stupid, hilarious and absolutely perfect. Hoser....

Gus Porter, American Legend with Thomas Haden Church from Thomas Haden Church

The Future of Newspapers Online?

As of midnight last night, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette launched PG+, a members-only Web site with interactive features and exclusive content by Post-Gazette staffers. The site is designed to feature content above and beyond what the paper already provides in its daily print and online versions.

While post-gazette.com will continue to provide the same breaking news and multimedia content as it always has, PG+ will allow subscribers to access a new stream of exclusive blogs, videos, live chats and behind-the-scenes insight into the news of the day.

The big question is who will read it? I can't imagine myself paying a subscription fee to learn more about what a Miami Herald reporter thinks. Granted, the PG+ annual fee is only $36, but I'm not sure why as a consumer I would be interested in this beyond what is already provided by my local newspaper.

In any case, it's an interesting attempt at building an additional revenue stream and we should keep an eye on it to see how it plays out. If done right, it certainly might be something newspapers around the country could replicate.

Back to Vegas

Brickell Life is back to Vegas once again this year for some more client meetings. Plan to post as much as time will allow me and will certainly try to document some more of my culinary adventures in Sin City. I know for sure that I am heading over to Bradley Ogden for another burger. As I noted in an earlier post from this year - it quite possibly could have been the best burger I ever had. Since I took down Mesa Grill and Stripsteak the last time I was in town, I'm looking for any additional suggestions. Doesn't necessarily have to be high-end. Just looking for good eats. Drop an email if you have anything in mind. Will be back in the MIA shortly. Waiting for my flight right now. Oh, and what's up with shorts, flip flops, straw hat and t-shirt guy again in the airport? So you went to Cancun for vacation - it's over. Stop dressing like a tool.

Is Miami’s Best Bathroom on Brickell?

When you think of bathrooms in Miami a couple iconic things come to mind – the greasy dude in the club with the mints who makes you feel awkward just because you want to wash your hands for free after peeing, or a line five hammered guys deep at the Orange Bowl troughs and the nonconformist who decided to just go right in the sink to avoid the whole mess. Umm, holy crap things have seriously changed.

Talk about a room with a view. If you haven’t been over to the Viceroy hotel on Brickell Avenue lately, I would suggest you check it out. Yes, it’s that building with the weird Easter Island styled columns that Sex and the Beach appropriately called giant Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poos. Goofy columns aside, the hotel has a pretty kicking bar and lounge on the 50th floor appropriately named Club 50. Now plenty has been written so far about the property’s restaurant Eos and a little about the bar itself. I personally can’t wait to try the restaurant but let’s focus on Club 50 for the moment and in particular, the can.

Ever wondered what it’s like to pee from 500 feet up and see what’s going on down, across and all around you. I hadn’t either until a couple drinks into happy hour over at Club 50 in the Viceroy. Step into the bathroom and you’re afforded a pretty stunning view. I felt strangely exposed, but in an odd and sort of enlightening way. The images speak for themselves, but what was really weird about the whole experience is that you could see right into the condo units in the Icon building directly across from where I was standing. You could honestly make out the color of the comforter on the bed. Not sure if that was Jorge Perez’s intention or not, but for $800K, there better not be any guy at a bathroom urinal able to see into my home as clear as day. Note to Related Group – don’t mention that when trying to sell condo units.

Voyeurism aside, a trip to the Club 50 restroom is definitely in order if you find yourself on top of the Viceroy for drinks. It’s a kicking view that reminds you how cool Miami really is – even if it is from the ‘john.”

Miami Circle Park Groundbreaking

The 2,000 year old Native American site on the banks of the Miami River might finally be getting its due after taxpayers shelled out $27 million 10 years ago to preserve it. It certainly has been a long time coming, but I just got word that this Friday, August 14th at 5pm, there will be a special groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on the Miami Circle Park project. As reported in the Miami Herald back in May, the $750,000 frugal state plan that would create a low-key park around the ancient landmark calls for a paved promenade around the 2.2-acre site at the mouth of the river, a drop-off circle for school buses and cars, modest landscaping and lighting and a few interpretive signs.

Still no definitive answer on what will happen to the circle itself, but speculation is that it will remain invisible for now until funding can be sourced to permanently display one of our city’s most significant historical structures. Stones will probably be placed over the circle’s protective fill to mark its exact location.

The Miami Circle at Brickell Point was discovered in 1998 during archaeological excavations ahead of some planned commercial/residential development. The site contains early and late components of the primary village of the Tequesta people, who were one of the first Native North American groups encountered by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513. The circle itself is comprised of holes and basins carved into the shallow Miami Oolite limestone that lies underneath the topsoil. Artifacts found during excavations were typical of the early Everglades inhabitant and included sand-tempered ceramics and shards, as well as bone and shell tools. Exotic items, like basaltic stone, galena, pumice, and chipped stone artifacts, were also recovered. Research also suggests that the site supports the footprint of some larger pre-historic structure, but further investigation is needed.

The site certainly has seen its fair share of development over the years – everything from the early frontier home of Mary and William Brickell to a 1950’s apartment complex. However, in January 2008, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida was awarded a 44-year sublease on the property by Florida’s Department of State for management of the Miami Circle. By January of 2009, the Miami Circle was designated Florida’s 41st National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Fast forward to today and while the current park plan is not perfect and there are a lot of questions still to be answered - it’s certainly a step in the right direction towards fulfilling the Miami Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) vision of building a vibrant, pedestrian friendly waterfront. The way the land sits today as a fenced off vacant lot does not serve anyone’s best interests, let alone share the historical significance of this piece of land. The money may not be there for a Smithsonian-style exhibition, but if we can open the space to public while preserving the integrity of the site for Native Americans and visitors alike all while increasing green space in Brickell – then I’m all for it.

A sample Phase I rendering of what the park will look like is below.