Exquisito Chocolates is Moving to a New Plush Home and Carl's Jr. Opens Today
Plus Blue Collar is hiring, the Lucky fundraiser is tonight, and LaLa will make you sing with joy
Living La Vida Cocoa
Exquisito Chocolates is one of the few craft chocolatiers in Miami. The shop and factory opened in a small space in Little Havana in 2017 after owner Carolina Quijano decided that gourmet chocolate making was a lot more fun than working in the world of finance.
Well, that gamble paid off, because Exquisito Chocolate has become one of Miami’s most loved confectioners. The chocolates, made with ethically sourced cacao from seven different farms in South America and the Caribbean, are available at Whole Foods Markets, Panther Coffee, and the Little Havana shop.
Now, Exquisito Chocolates is expanding to a new location. This May, the chocolatier will move its factory and shop to 1900 SW Eighth Street — right across from Sanguich de Miami.
The new, much larger space will double Exqusito’s footprint from 1,250 sq. ft. to more than 3,300 sq. ft. The new Exquisito Chocolates will also offer an expanded cafe menu with fresh pastries, ice cream, drinking chocolates, and beer and wine pairings (because nothing is better than good chocolate and a glass of wine).
If you’re wonky about how things are made (like me), you’ll love the glass walls that allow you to see how the chocolate is made from cacao roasting to truffle making. Sweet!
The new spot will open sometime in May — stay tuned for more details. For now, visit Exquisito at its original location at 2606 SW Eighth St., Miami; exquisitochocolates.com.
Carl’s Jr. Opens in Doral
Carl’s Jr., the fast food burger chain that offers burgers with a side of Paris Hilton, opens its first Florida location today in Doral. The grand opening ceremony is today, March 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. The chain has been serving burgers, chicken tenders, shakes, and breakfast for more than 80 years and currently operates more than 1,000 restaurants across the United States. Juicy!
Party on at Carl’s Jr. at 5755 NW 87th Ave., Doral; carlsjr.com.
Blue Collar is Hiring
A few weeks ago, Miami Checklist shared the news that Blue Collar would be moving across the street to a new, larger space complete with full bar and additional offerings.
In anticipation for the move, the beloved restaurant is hiring for all FOH and BOH positions. The restaurant is hosting a job fair this Friday, March 15 from noon to 2 p.m. - just show up with a printed resume and you can be interviewed on the spot. Now Hiring!
Bring a resume and your skills to Blue Collar, 6789 Biscayne Blvd., Miami on Friday, March 15 from noon to 2 p.m.
Lucky Fundraiser at Batch Gastropub to Benefit Help Miami Dogs is Tonight
Do you love dogs? Do you love inexpensive drinks? Do you love winning stuff? Well, then get thee to Batch Miami TONIGHT Tuesday, March 12 to celebrate the Life of Lucky — the Brickell doggo that stole everyone’s heart. The happy hour starts at 5:30 on the patio with happy hour specials and raffles for prizes. Then, stay on for trivia night, which starts at 7:30! Plus — 100 percent of proceeds benefit Help Miami Dogs — a local organization dedicated to helping low-income dog owners in Little Haiti, Miami, and surrounding areas with spay, neuter, food, and other pet health care that they otherwise may not be able to afford! Get Lucky!
Celebrate doggos on Tuesday, March 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Batch Gastropub, 30 SW 12th St., Miami; batchgastropub.com.
La La La La La — I Can’t Hear You (Because the Doggo is So Cute it’s Distracting)
Is the world just getting infinitely louder with less meaning? Want a little joy in your life? Then come home to LaLa, a gorgeous, silly girl that actually looks a lot like my Luna (and if you know me, you know how Luna is an absolute magica creature who saved my life). LaLa is a spayed, 1-year, 9-month-old female terrier with the cutest grin. I would say she’s likely Frenchie mixed with something else and she’s just perfect. Her kennel lumber is A2480540 and she’s located at the PAWVENTURE kennel. I cannot believe that this girl has been at MDAS since June, but someone really should step up and take this cutie home immediately!
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), Batch 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.
Lala 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. La La La!
Sing with Lala at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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