Foodgasms

I listen to a lot of podcasts and recently was turned on to one from foodnetworkhumor.com.  This is a great website with matching podcasts produced by sisters Jillian and Michelle Madison who love to poke fun at the lovable/hatable stars of the Food Network.  I too, have rolled my eyes when Rachel Ray says "EVOO" instead of Olive Oil and her exclamation "Yum-o!" makes me a little batty.  Giada's cleavage is a hot topic among some of my male foodie friends, and I swear The Barefoot Contessa's background music comes from some soft porn soundtrack.  Sandra Lee, token FN lush, puts vodka in everything and Paula Deen is likely an underground member of the Taliban sent to give us all high cholesterol and slow fattening deaths.

Anyway.... on one particular podcast, Jillian and Michelle were discussing the "foodgasm" faces that each FN Star is required to make when tasting their yummy creation on camera.  This "foodgasm" face is of course designed to get you hot and bothered for the recipe, the show, the host...whatever.   You find yourself mesmerized on the couch with your mouth watering, your heart racing, your Giada "claw" working it and a burning desire to eat Rachel's "Stoup" or grill some buttered corn a la Bobby Flay.

So I got to thinking that this "foodgasm" idea will come in handy when I talk about my life as a wine/sake importer.  I get to eat truly amazing meals and drink some of the best wine/sake in some of the hottest places.  And yes, I am bragging.

So at the risk of the titillating (or slightly creepy) "overshare," I'm going to share some of my recent foodgasms with you......

Schioppetto E Sandrone Wine Dinner at the Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne

(Left) Scampi Stuffed Zucchini Blossom, with Melon and Buffalo Mozzarella Napoleon

(Right) Roasted Lamb Loin Medallion, Grilled Polenta, Apricot/Rosemary Jam

Ooooh La La!

Mercadito

Shrimp Tacos and a Total Cock(tail)gasm! 

This place has some of the best creative "meals in a glass" - seriously. 

Pepino el Pyu, Big Nose Goes to Mexico, Little Market

(my fave is on the left loaded with muddled cucumber and the one in the middle is lit on fire)
Hot! Hot! Hot!

This is my absolutely favorite dish from new-restaurant-in-town Zuma.
Disclaimer: the pic is a little out of focus because they don't let you take pics.  I was being stealth!
 Miso Marinated Black Cod in a Hoba leaf with yellow miso dipping sauce.

I have dreams about this dish - and a shameless public foodgasm when the dish is served.
Ohhhh yeahhhhhh.....

So a rockin' chef friend of mine and I tried to duplicate it........we marinated this piece of Chilean Sea Bass for 3 days in a mixture of yellow miso, Junmai grade sake and a tablespoon of sugar.  We baked for 14 minutes in a convection oven at 400, then broiled on high for another 3-4 minutes.....  While this one wasn't garnished as provocatively as Zuma's version, the fish was sublime!  And multiple foodgasms ensued.....

Ok, insert shameless Happy Birthday to Me with Tres Leches cake here.... OBVIOUS gasm

Cakegasm?  Holidaygasm?  Birthdaygasm? (Maybe what I wished for ended in "gasm" too)

So I blew out the candle and ate cake.

And finally the drinkgasms....

So now I have to write about a few recent beveages.  The first is easy (and on the left) - the squid ink mojito at Jaguar.  Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE squid ink.  I would bathe in it.  I never thought to make a drink with it!  And don't worry that the drink looks black.  It is filled with ink from a cuttle fish.  And rum.  And lime.  The ink is salty and rich, the lime is perfect acidic balance and the alcohol is well, alcohol.  And I sucked every wonderful drop of it down through that straw.  DELISH!  By the way, Jaguar in the Grove only does this cocktail every once in a while... keep your eyes peeled and I will too.  www.jaguarspot.com

On the right?  A venture to Schnebly Winery in the Redlands.  Let me tell you one thing my friends:  This winery makes some very interesting wines using estate grown fruit.  The wines are pretty solid and a nice surprise; and me with my 10 yr + wine experience, and my sister with her 5 yr+ experience both called a spade a spade and a star fruit a star fruit (carambola) on this one.  The wines from Schnebly are pretty damn good.  People of Florida should be proud or a winery that seeks to showcase what grows locally, on top of what ferments into decent wine with a little chemistry influence.  Dare I repeat myself, these wines are good.  Don't expect Meursault or Ch. Margeaux, but expect tasty wines made with fruits like Avacado, Passion Fruit, Guava and Carambola.  $17 for a full tasting, open everyday, and you get a glass to take home.  If you bring that very glass on your next visit, tastings will free.  So friends and lushes and those who just 'slightly like to drink', I have two wine glasses and two champagne glasses.... your next "gasm" might be with me!!  www.schneblywinery.ning.com



The right?  Wine and sake consumed at a recent experience at Two Chefs in South Miami (www.twochefsrestaurant.com). Too bad we ate the food before the photo opp, but let me tell you, we drank well.  My fave?  Tony Sotor's Pinot Noir (second from right).  I can never drink enough of his wine and I loved this particular one from a single vineyard!  If I recall, it went well with an Artichoke and Lobster soup...........
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Stay tuned for more "gasms" - I'm kind of liking the concept!  Thanks for the new term,  Jillian and Michelle!