A Cozy Pho and a Tiki Showdown
Plus, a shoutout to Shaina and a Dorito for the Super Bowl
A Week’s Worth of Powdered Soup
Being a full-time food writer is a wonderful profession, but sometimes it gets in the way of being healthy. So, this week I decided to go on the ProLon Fast. You might have seen it — it’s a five-day diet where you get a box of soup, tea, crackers, and (strangely) tiny packets of green olives to eat for five days. According to its site, you’re throwing your body into all kinds of fun things like ketosis and autophagy. Do I believe any of this? Nah, not really if I have to be honest. But it is good to reset for a week. This fast is built for dummies like me: Just open the box labeled “Day One”, etc. and go ham on all the tiny bars and soups and packs of olives. Currently, I’m on day two and, while I never get hungry on these fasts, I do remember why I don’t do them more often — the soups are pasty, and they all taste the same (there’s split pea with aftertaste and lentil curry with aftertaste and tomato with aftertaste). Next time we chat I’ll be on the last day (Friday) so if you don’t hear from me, it’s because I’m in jail for robbing someone of their cheeseburger. Hoping this week goes by FAST!
Let’s talk about real food, though……….
Get Cozy at Tran An
For Miami, the weather has been blustery. Currently, as I write this, it’s 64 degrees and windy — enough to give many Miamians the chance to break out the Uggs and the down jacket. If you have the thin blood of someone born in the 305, then you’re likely looking for something soothing. Jon Nguyen's Tran An does the trick without breaking the bank. It’s a tiny Vietnamese eatery in the Little River/Little Haiti neighborhood that’s fast becoming a breakout for good food on the cheap — and I am a fan of good food on the cheap.
Nguyen and his team offer a menu of bánh mìs, phos, and bowls that are all best bets when it’s a windy winter’s day in Miami (or….a balmy freak hot spell anywhere else in the country this time of year). Better yet, while many phos are made with a pork broth base, Tran An has beef and vegan broths, which makes for more options for people with different dietary preferences. I love the vegan pho, made with a rich mushroom and cabbage broth. Honestly, the bowl is so filled with mushrooms, radishes, bean sprouts, and other vegetables I defy anyone to miss any meat. At $15, it’s the best meal under $20 you might find in Miami. There’s also a chicken version, filled with tasty white meat. And, the supreme beef is filled with Wagyu beef, brisket, and meatballs in a rich beef bone broth. Tran An also offers pints of homemade bone broth, which is infinitely more desirable than the kind you’re scarfing down from Publix thinking it’s great for you.
Whatever you do, you must order a bag of the shrimp chips — these delightful puffs come in cheerful colors and are the best snacking in Miami since I had Richard Hales’ little fried vegan crisps at Blackbrick.
Everything at Tran An is delicious and here’s why, in my opinion: The food is reminiscent of the old-school Chinese we loved as kids — shrimp toast, spring rolls, soups filled with noodles, fried rice, and even chicken tenders. But Nguyen infuses these oftentimes tired old chestnuts with new life — a hint of fish sauce, a touch of pickled vegetables, a pop of spice or lemongrass.
If you become addicted to to Tran An, you’re in luck — the little eatery now has a loyalty program where you get a point for every buck spent. 100 points equals $10 off your order. Photastic!
Get cozy at 215 NE 82nd St., Miami; trananmiami.com.
Art of Tiki at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival returns in a few short weeks with the usual roster of dozens of dinners, brunches, parties, classes, and tastings. Until then, I’ll spotlight a chef or event that I recommend.
This week, let’s talk about the Art of Tiki. This cocktail extravaganza, held poolside at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel on Friday, February 23 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. is, to me, the best event at SOBEWFF. Here’s why:
The Art of Tiki is a walkaround cocktail party where tiki bars from around the country compete for annual bragging rights for the best cocktail. The bartenders take this event seriously — concocting potent potables along with stories and costumes. At Art of Tiki, I’ve seen cocktails garnished with real scorpions, have been served by witch doctors and pirates, and enjoyed the overall verve these bar professionals have for their vocation. It’s one of the most creative evenings during the festival. Plus, at $125, it’s a pretty good deal if you’re a tiki aficionado like me. Bonus: the Mai-Kai is scheduled to appear, so if you’re a fan you might get some updates on when the iconic Fort Lauderdale restaurant will reopen. Tikiriffic!
Buy tickets at sobewff.org.
I’d Like my Pizza With a Side of Hospitality
I don’t know what it is about pizza and great hospitality, but I’m here for it.
A few weeks ago, I shared the story of how Kyla, a bartender at Harry’s Pizzeria in South Beach, provided me with a magical evening thanks to her hospitality. I am happy to report that Michael Schwartz, Harry’s owner, agreed with me and posted his own “attaboy” to Kyla on social media this past week.
Last week, I went to Emmy Squared in Fort Lauderdale with a friend to catch up. He had dined at the original Emmy Squared in New York City and wanted to see how the newish Fort Lauderdale location fared.
Emmy Squared is known for two things — its Detroit-style pizza and its dinosaurs. There are dinosaurs on the walls, dinosaur figurines, and a dinosaur doggie treat jar at the entrance.
I love dinosaurs and told our server Shaina (rhymes with China). When the pizza arrived, it arrived with a buddy — a little brontosaurus figurine to keep me company. When I joked that I was going to put the little “Veggiesaurus” into my bag, Shaina came back with a tiny, glittery green T-Rex for me to keep. Little acts of kindness like Shaina’s are what makes a restaurant as much as the food.
So, next time you’re hankering for a pizza with a side of dino, go to Emmy Squared. Rawr!
Get a pizza with a smile at 468 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale; emmysquaredpizza.com.
You Can’t Watch the Super Bowl Without Dorito
The Super Bowl is this Sunday and, while I know little about football, I do know what goes with football: Dorito! As in this three-year-old sidekick that’s waiting for you to take him home. Dorito (Number A2458122, kennel number H05) likes long walks in the park, watching the big game, and sharing snacks. So, whether you’re rooting for the Chiefs or the 49ers, you can’t lose when Dorito is by your side!
Dorito is one of hundreds of dogs available at Miami-Dade Animal Services. If you’re looking to bring a new best friend into the family, this is the place to start your search. Adoptions are only done in person, and you should bring a current picture ID and proof of current address. Dogs older than four months carry a $65 adoption fee and puppies are $85 — all dogs come home fully vaccinated, are dewormed, and have been spayed/neutered. In other words, adopting a dog is the best deal in Miami. Grab a snack of a pup!
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), he will supply you with a gift card for the amount of the adoption from MDAS. So get a dog, get a burger…or something like that. Contact me for details.
Grab a Dorito at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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