Welcome to the 21st Century, Morgan

Yes, I am joining the masses and creating a blog. The reason? This past year has just simply been too crazy and I think my stories need to be told. You might be born & bred here in Miami, or brand new to this lifestyle like me. Either way, I imagine I can share some stories that will delight, offend, entertain, and surprise you. The good news, however, is that I've survived a full year in Miami and I love it here.

Unfortunately, I wasn't loving much of anything today. I got my taste of a Saturday World Cup Extravaganza at Fritz & Franz in Coral Gables. The party started around 8am, and when Germany beat Argentina (damnit!) drunkenness was not only expected but a requirement for hanging with this crowd, considering this is an authentic German BierHaus. Yes, celebrating ensued. I arrived around 1pm, after a rather entertaining cab ride with a guy who insisted I was the Playboy Playmate Kendra (????). He finally just said that he would tell everyone I was Kendra, whether I liked it or not. To him that would be a highlight in his cab-driving experience. Oh, ok. I'll play along. :-)

The cool thing about Fritz & Franz is the outdoor garden, multiple televisions, great beer (Warsteiner dark or light), and I have to say, the pretzel with mustard is reliable and delicious.

I digress.... the "beer-ing" started around 1, and when Spain won, we decided it would be a good idea to celebrate down the road at Norman's 180 with a Priorat. Then a Cote du Rhone to toast our chiding of the French soccer team, who decided team loyalty (and being difficult) was more important than playing well at the International Sporting Expo that is the World Cup.

Oh, but I think there were two bottles of that.

And a most delicious caesar salad with boccerones and chick peas, the charcuterie plate, and some of the best brussel sprouts Miami has to offer. The hamburger is deliciously juicy and thick, the French Onion soup is topped not just with croutons and cheese, but a grilled cheese sandwich. Trust me, this isn't one of those "wait a few months to work out the kinks" experiences. I know, they just opened June 29, but let me tell you, the food is fine. Or dare I say "'ph'ine?" The service, well, that's where the kinks are, but be forgiving.

A devotee to simple "farm to chef to table" cooking, I found Norman to be joyful, welcoming, and his menu is creative, but joyful & welcoming as well. He has a great blog too by the way - worth checking out here: http://normanvanaken.blogspot.com/

Being still relatively new to Miami, I discovered Norman is one of those "personalities" that precedes him. Most people know him and have been to any of his previous restaurants.... and he is well-liked and well-respected.

And then.... well, a smart person would go home but I think there was more drinking, and maybe some shameless karaoke. That's all I'm going to say.