* * * Photo by David Siqueira (stock.xchang)* * * Here are some deals going on at local restaurants this week: Name Your Own Price at Pardo’s Chicken Pardo’s Chicken is letting customers name their own price for Tuesday’s lunch–a Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken meal. When: Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm Where: Pardo’s Chicken, 2312 Ponce de [...] » Read more..

* * * Photos by David Samayoa * * * Here are some photos from the chocolate buffet at Cantina Beach (Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne).  French pastry chef Patrick Lassaque and assistant pastry chef Bethany Haltibeitel took three days to prepare the spread. It was $22 per person for the dessert buffet.  I skipped the fancy meal for [...] » Read more..

* * *Sushi rolls in a row/ Rob Owen-Wahl (stock.xchang) Photo of uramaki roll on home page by Erik Araujo/stock.xchng* * * My picks for some intriguing food events coming up.  Note that these events require advance reservation. WEDNESDAY 2/24 Potato Pandemonium at Possum Trot Farm Yes, potatoes are actually locally grown.  Chef Robert Barnum will prepare a unique [...] » Read more..

My picks for the most interesting food events this week…. WEDNESDAY 2/10 Sushi and Sake Tasting at Sushi Ko Varieties of sake will be paired with sushi and Japanese snacks at this event hosted by blogger Sushi Pro (@sushi_pro).  This event if open to hardcore sake fans, as well as those who are intrigued and want [...] » Read more..

* * *photo by Stefan Glase (stock.xchang)* * * Later this month, Slow Food Miami hosts a bike tour of Redland farms.  I’ll spare you the cliches about guiltless eating and broken resolutions.    I just think it sounds like a lot of fun! You can rent bikes or bring your own.  The ride starts with a stretch [...] » Read more..

Slow Food Miami hosts a sustainable fish dinner at The River Oyster Bar on Sunday. For this Sourced column, I got in touch with Slow Food Miami and the restaurant to find out more about the menu for the event. Slow Fish Dinner Amuse-bouche: Queen Conch “Pinchon” (with scotch bonnet jam) Chef David Bracha sourced the queen conch from [...] » Read more..

* * *Chef Kris Wessel, last summer at the Slow Food “Palo! and Pie” Picnic./ David Samayoa * * * Chef Kris Wessel will donate 25% of sales from special “Help Haiti” dishes on his menu Saturday and Sunday.  Five of his employees were directly affected by the earthquake, according to his Facebook page.  [...] » Read more..

* * * Radishes and herbs from Redland Organics. * * * Sunday was the first day of the new farmers market at Pinecrest Gardens. The market will be held each Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm until April. This market is a larger version of the South Florida Farmers Market formerly held at Gardner’s [...] » Read more..

* * * Ruth Reichl, food writer and former editor of Gourmet magazine. * * * The annual Miami Book Fair International started yesterday.  This year the Book Fair is lean, but still strong.  For example, the International Pavilions, which showcase the literature, arts and food of different countries are on hiatus, as well as the [...] » Read more..

/ David Samayoa Getting me to go to a lecture about wine is pretty tough, unless you tell me that I’m going to be sitting next to Chuck Ferrin and he’ll be explaining everything in his usual knowledgeable, but irreverant way.  I may be the only one, but there’s the truth.  Once I start drinking the [...] » Read more..