Speak up!
Stomachs, let's get ready to rumble!
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Did I mention the $4 glass of Borsao? There is absolutely nothing wrong with a $4 glass of wine. Kind of reminds me of the ol' Stop Miami that used to be around the corner [sniff]. For photos of the croquetas at Sra. Martinez (and the duck and foie gras sausage with white beans in a port reduction) please go to http://dailycocaine.blogspot.com/2008/12/michelle-bernstein-threatens-michael.html
At this point, to answer a poster's question, I would try Sra. Martinez first, as it is a little more casual. Also, the booze-the bartender, Matthew Goldberg, is a genius behind the stick. As far as the food, just order what you like-that's the only way to see if you like MB's (or anyone's) cooking style. And she is often around to brighten up the room (even though sometimes she can look pretty stressed! Can you blame her?). If you see her, ask her what she'd recommend.... Read more
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Everytime I try to go taste some of Michelle's well known cuisine, something happens and I cannot make it. So, the closest connection I have with her so far is watching her on "Check Please" on Channel 2. Her show makes me hungry all the time, and although I tried many restaurants featured on the program, I never got a chance to try hers. Do you have any recomendations as far as dish to absolutely try once I finally get there? Also which of the two restaurants is the ONE to try? Just her personality on the show made me go to the "Tribute to the Chefs" during the food convention on South beach and she was so down to earth. She talked about the difficulties of being a restaurant owner in this present economy. For such a persona, she is humble and so funny. It is a pleasure to watch her on Tv and hopefully to meet her one day in her own restaurant!... Read more
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The service is very good, the waiters are friendly and very attentive! The Pinchos de Cordero and patatas bravas were also very good!!
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You are so right! She IS adorable! And you should also try duck and foie gras sausage with white beans in a port reduction. Yummy!
Culinary cage match: croquetas
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When the adorable Michelle Bernstein opened Michy's on Biscayne Boulevard, there were some doubters. What was this neighborhood called the Upper Eastside? What were "small plates?" All of these questions and more were swiftly answered by the cherubic Chef Bernstein with a success that has kept Michy's packed from day one. And the other question that has also been answered many times over, is, will people pay $9 for croquetas -- the Cuban staple that's usually sold for a dollar or less each? Of course, Michy's croquetas are not your typical greasy, leaden stomach-bombs, heavy on the starch and cheap ham. They're stuffed with the classic Spanish ham known as Jamón Serrano, as well as blue cheese, and are so light and delicate that sometimes they seem to be stuffed with nothing at all. Almost like an essence of ham and cheese. Crispy and fresh, they elevate the Cuban-dive staple to haute cuisine, a feat that makes it hard to compare to another croqueta dish in Miami.
In fact, to get the Culinary Cage Match going, to really bring out the rumble, the only croquetas I could find to compare to Chef Bernstein's, are.... Chef Bernstein's, here in the guise of her other persona, Señora Martinez. She and husband David Martinez have taken over the Design District space formerly occupied by the short-lived Domo Japones and converted it into a homey Spanish tapas place called Sra. Martinez. They've eliminated the South Beach accoutrements (over-priced menu/wine list, spotty service, bored model wannabes) and added some nice mainland touches (reasonable prices, friendly and efficient service, ladies from Aventura). But on to the croquetas. At three for $9, they're served, similarly to Michy's, with a sweet marmalade -- but you're wasting your time if you don't eat these fantastic little nubs all by themselves. At Sra. Martinez, they're stuffed with wild mushrooms and melting manchego cheese. Each bite carries some earthy mushroom flavor, and they're remarkably light, ungreasy and almost delicate. But they're definitely more substantial than the ones served at Michy's and seem maybe a little closer to the haute version of this dish that the chef has been trying for. In these new surroundings, perhaps the chef, along with her front-of-the-house-guru hubby, have found new inspiration, where classic Spanish tapas (Tortilla Española, Boquerones) mix with some modern touches (Roasted Bone Marrow, Sea Urchin "Sandwich").
And who cooks the better of the two croquetas?
Well, the winner is, as you may have already guessed, Michelle Bernstein.
Published: 12/08
Who's got the best croquetas? Leave a review!
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Valerie Nahmad, restaurants Blogger
