Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant

Authentic Mexican fare on 125th St. in North Miami including offal like lengua (tongue), buche (stomach) and cabeza (head).


What we had:







Overstuffed Carne Asada (pictured) & Carnitas tacos with melting cheese, fresh pinto beans, crema, light guacamole & pico de gallo on fresh corn tortillas. Very tasty. Clean, simple flavors done right.







My DH had the chicken flautas (two out of three pictured) with pinto beans and rice, which he said was good but a little greasy and that I made out better in the deal. I was so busy stuffing my face with taco, I forgot to try his.


Décor:

Tiny inside with an exposed grill and fryer so clean they look new. Mainly an eat at the bar space with outdoor seating available.


Service:

Friendly order at the counter service.


Overall impressions:

Pretty great. The flavors are well-balanced and clean and the menu is decently varied.


Rating:

3.75 out of 5 salamanders






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Tijuana Taxi Company

Rattlesnake Tacos


Bright and busy Hooters-meets-beachy taco & beers joint.


What we had:

Oaxaca Tacos
Three soft corn tortillas filled with carne asada, pico de gallo, avocado salsa verde, radish, cilantro, queso fresco and lime.

Rattlesnake Tacos
Three soft flour tortillas with strips of blackened chicken, queso fresco, radish, roasted corn, pico de gallo and southwest sauce

Both tacos were good. Tijuana Taxi was aiming for gringo food with an authentic Mexican spin, and hit the nail on the head. Both tacos were flavorful and delicious, and the refried beans were either cleverly-disguised canned or fresh, we couldn't tell which. The rice wasn't great, but it tasted like it had at least seen tomato, so that's a plus.

Nice and fresh table salsa.


Décor:

Overloaded bright and festive kitch, with riotous colors and a half beetle taxi on the wall. Kind of an ex-pat party bar in Mexico feel.

The waitresses are also in Hooters-style booty shorts.


Service:

Attentive.


Overall impressions:

A great place to grab a drink and watch the game, hit the patio for some late-night fun or stop in for lunch.


Rating:

3.75 out of 5 salamanders





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Sakaya Kitchen

Fast-ish casual gourmet Asian bistro with Korean flair in the Design District's mega Target complex.

On the go: Dim Ssam A Gogo food truck. Review: http://foodieinmiami.blogspot.com/2010/10/miami-food-truck-roundup.html


What we had:

"Dae Ji" spicy pork tenderloin with buttered organic cauliflower and coconut rice -- I absolutely loved the rice; sticky, hearty and mildly sweet, it was exactly what I was craving and a dish need to perfect at home. The pork was beyond fork tender, but a little too sweet and heavily spiced for my taste; and the cauliflower was buttery and clean. The components of this dish worked well together and apart. Eaten together, the rice tempered the pork nicely.




Pork bao (bun) with 8-hour pork and sweet chili-- nice buns. They needed a hit of vinegar or heat to give some depth and put them over the top (better than Gigi's), but a solid, soft and pillowy bun nonetheless.




Spicy tater tots -- so-so. These were much better from the food truck covered in cheese and short rib bits.




Décor:

Kitschy and visually crowded; small dining space, chalkboard walls.


Service:

Order at the front with table delivery.


Overall impressions:

Not bad. For modern Asian-inspired joints in the 'hood, I think Gigi is a bit better--the tastes are cleaner, more refined, and feel a bit lighter on the palate--but so does other Asian cuisines vs. Korean.


Rating:

3.75 out of 5 salamanders





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Red Light, Little River

Elevated down home American comfort food nestled in the Motel Blu, smack dab in the 'wilds' of the little river section of Biscayne (right over the north edge of MiMo). Chef Kris Wessel got a 2009 James Beard nod for what he's doing here and it was well deserved.


What we had:

Half rack of sticky ribs with apple slaw--the ribs were sticky, sweet, tender and generous with caramelized smoky undertones; the apple slaw paid a bright, crisp complement to cut the fat.

Mac & cheese--the Mac & cheese was great. Not too greasy, not too heavy. A grown up and just right version. I think I detected a hint of bacon intermixed with the light cheesiness.

Mahi Mahi with sour orange butter sauce, Calabaza hash and spinach--this fish was something special. Tender, woodsmoky with just the right hits of sour and fat from the sauce. Chef Kris is a man after my own heart, as he serves potato hash with quite a few dishes. This potato and (light on the) Calabaza hash was just the right side. You also can't go wrong with fresh baby spinach.


Décor:

Cute, cozy & somewhat haphazardly eclectic decor in reds & tans.

The music is always eclectic and always wonderful. The bartender plays iPod DJ and takes care to select great dining music. Tonight, we were treated to a truly great acoustic rendition of 'Light My Fire,' among other songs.


Service:

Good. It can't really help but be good inside, though. The dining room is tiny.


Overall impressions:

This is the first time we managed to make the long! Arduous! Walk! (note the sarcasm; we can almost see our domicile from Red Light) out here for dinner. Previously we have been for lunch (which was good if on the greasy side) and drinks (which were by far the best we've had in town. The bartender is fabulous).


Rating:

4 out of 5 salamanders

Meat Market

Modern steakhouse with an International flare on Lincoln Road.


What we had:

I had the ancho and coffee rubbed buffalo filet with chipotle mole butter. I liked mine--the buffalo was butter knife tender, if on the tasteless side with no accompanying fat, but was rich and velvety with the added butter.

My DH had the ancho and coffee rubbed bone-in filet mignon with chipotle mole butter. The coffee taste was a bit aggressive for my Dearest Husband's taste, but the steak was nice and buttery. The bone was a bit cumbersome, but too intriguing of a menu choice to pass up.

We did have a gripe with the steaks--they tasted a bit flat. Needed some salt or acid or something. At this price point ($50), one expects absolute perfection, and that's not what we got. Don't get me wrong; the steaks were good, but were missing that little something to make them truly great.

We split the truffled mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and sauteed Brussels sprouts with onions and bacon, topped with almonds. The truffle mashed was silky, rich and delicious, but the real star of the meal was the sprouts. These sprouts were sauteed to nutty golden perfection, which was bolstered with sweetness from the onions and rich smokiness from the bacon, with the almonds lending just the right amount of crunch.

We also had a trio of chocolate dessert--chocolate lava cake, ice cream and a wafer and mousse sandwich. Although chocolate is neither of our favorite, this was a nice dessert and not too sweet.

The table snacks- wasabi peas, spiced hominy and fresh corn nuts- were a nice addition, and the bread was fresh and plentiful.

We also had sommolier-recommended wines from Argentina, which were both nice. Can't remember the names, but they were great.


Décor:

Rich blacks and ivories with gorgeous warm lighting reflected off of multiple smoked glass and lighted acrylic surfaces.


Service:

Great; from the hostess to the sommolier and bussers. We had reservations for my birthday and everyone was very friendly, attentive and gracious.


Overall impressions:

Not bad. Not our favorite steak in town--that honor still goes to Bourbon Steak--but not a bad alternative on this side of town. This would make a great date or hang out after work for an expensive drink place.


Rating:

3.5 out of 5 salamanders





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Brio Tuscan Grille

I'm pretty sure this is a large chain--we went to the Gulfstream Village location--but it was nice to visit an Italian restaurant to spark our own imaginations for new & different pasta variations.


What we had:

I had the Pasta Brio- rigatoni with grilled chicken and seared mushrooms in a roasted red pepper sauce. This was a nice dish, with moist chicken and a great sauce.

My DH had the Pasta Alla Vodka- delicate handmade pasta filled with ricotta with crispy pancetta, garlic and basil in a tomato Parmesan cream sauce. This was a great dish, with soft pillowy cheesy purses, nice bacon smoke and a great light sauce. The only gripe was that there wasn't more.

The table bread is nice and fresh.

We also had some sort of chocolate cake with caramel dessert shot, which was pretty great.

Apple cider martini- cinnamon spiced apple cider with spiced captain Morgans rum and brandy. It wasn't horrible...at first. Then, the drink warmed up and all I tasted was alcohol. My DH assured me I was crazy, and the drink was just fine.

Trivento Reserve pinot noir from Argentina. My DH really enjoyed his glass of wine; I thought it smelled like nasty vinegar.


Décor:

Obnoxiously Tuscan.


Service:

Great. Our waiter was very personable and gracious.


Overall impressions:

Not bad for an Italian chain & the price was great ($50).


Rating:

3.75 out of 5 salamanders





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Moshi Moshi

Sushi joint on Biscayne Blvd. in Upper East Side/MiMo.


What we had:

Volcano roll
Jumbo BBQ eel roll
California roll with snow crab
Edamame

The rolls were good. Not the best I've ever eaten, but good quality with nice tight wrapping. My sushi-hating DH even enjoyed his Cali roll (which had fresh crab meat).


Décor:

Warm and small with anime movies or Asian TV projected on the walls.


Service:

Prompt.


Overall impressions:

Not a bad little place, and sine it's in walking distance, we should go more often.


Rating:

3.75 out of 5 salamanders


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