Organic Eco-Friendly Pizza

"Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a time"

Wow, I just came across this. It's an Organic Eco-Friendly Pizzaria in Ft. Lauderdale & Deerfield Beach. Plus they have a bunch more locations coming soon, one is Aventura, YES! Another in South Beach!!! Oh how awesome!

They have 2 vegan pizzas on the menu! & deliver via hybrid. Hey Shawn, coming over this weekend :)

http://www.pizzafusion.com/

Here is some info from the website: (they have lots more info on the website)

Our Sauce:

Our delicious pizza sauce is made fresh every morning using only 100% Certified Organic Ingredients: the tomatoes, the sugar, all of our “Secret” herbs & spices as well as our olive oil! We are proud to use Christina’s Organic Tomatoes, Florida Crystal’s Organic Sugar(milled from the ONLY Organic Sugar Farmin the U.S.) and Spectrum Organic Olive Oil to make our sauce for you, your children and your loved ones.

Our Dough

Our pizza dough is made from the finest “00” all-natural flour, imported from Naples Italy. And we take pride in only combining with 100% Organic Ingredients. Our Whole Grain Multi-Grain “Healthy Crust” is made with Certified Organic flour and ingredients. Dough is allowed ample time to proof, giving it true flavor.

Our Vegetables

All of the vegetables we use for our Pizzas & Sandwiches are 100% CERTIFIED organic*. However, there are times when certain organic items become available due to weather problems which can affect farming. In the event that we replace an item with conventional produce, we will CLEARLY note these items on our “Specials board”. Our mission is to uphold the highest level of integrity in your food. Your health is our #1 priority.

Our Salads

We are proud to use both Newman’s Own Organics and Earthbound Farms Spring Mix and Baby Spinach in all of our salads. These two companies are THEE leading farms for organic salads and haved paved the way for organic eating. All of our dressings come from our friends at Annie’s Naturals.

Our Meats & Poultry

We are proud to use only all-natural meats from Applegate Farms. All of our select cuts of deli meats are free of any nitrates, antibiotics or chemical preservatives. Our NY Strip and Ground Beef from Grateful Harvest is 100% CERTIFIED ORGANIC and is free of any hormones, pesticides, antibiotics and insecticides. It is fed a diet of 100% Organic feed and roam freely in their natural environment. We use all-natural, free-range chicken for our pizzas and salads.

Broward's Answer to Miami Spice

Broward County is taking part in their own version of Miami Spice. They call it "Dine Out Lauderdale".

It goes from October 1 to November 15 and is only available on Sunday through Thursday. It is suspended during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Oct. 25-29, 2007.

They are doing three course menus at a $35 fixed price.

Birthday Dinner at The Forge

The official birthday dinner night was reserved for Elad. As part of my birthday wish, I asked him to pick out a place for us to eat. He picked out 5 and made reservations at all of them. After a few weeks of indecisiveness, we picked The Forge.

The Forge is known for its steak, wine and romantic dark lighting. There are multiple rooms you can choose from when you make a reservation. Honestly I don't think there is any restaurant like The Forge anywhere else in Miami. I felt like I was transported back to NY to some amazing unique restaurant that I couldn't afford there either. There is the main room, the wine dining room, the dome room, the library and I am sure a few others. Elad chose the library because it is known to be cozy. The room literally looks like a library in a person's home. Floor to ceiling bookshelves with glass doors. I peaked inside one and found law books (Southern Reporter). Also, there are large stained glass windows that make you feel like you are in a church or temple. Not that it is religious. There is nothing religious about it. It is just dark and heavy and gives that feel of importance.

We were seated at a table which had a couch as well as two chairs across from it. We chose to sit next to each other on the couch. First the wine menu is presented to you. We picked a savignon blanc by the bottle. The wine comes out along with a cone full of bread. The bread was hot and really good and came with a butter mixed with herbs. There was sweet, salty, cheesy and seasoned bread. Beware of over consuming the bread - there is a lot more ahead of you!

Next the HUGE menus come out. Literally the menus were as big as the table. There was a large variety of fish and meat. Meat is their thing. They have all cuts of steaks and they are known for their aged-super steak. (Although I was advised it ain't all that "super" and you can do just as well with getting the filet.) Elad and I have this little thing that goes way back that I was supposed to get lobster at some dinner out. So if its gonna happen - why not at the Forge? So Lobster for me and filet mignon for Elad. We also ordered a tuna tartar appetizer and a side of creamed corn and sweet potato mash.

As we perused the menu, a little taster came out. A small plate with a shrimp with a cold creamy sauce. If this was a taste for what was coming, we were headed in the right direction.

The tuna tartar came out fast. It had a mango salsa decorating the plate, as well as kimchi and eel sauce. Elad is kinda obsessed with sushi right now so he was loving the raw tuna. I agree - it was really well done.

Let me just break from the food to tell you about the service. We must have had 5 different people waiting on our table. They were constantly refilling the water, pouring the wine, cleaning up after us, checking to see if everything was OK. There is no lack of attention to detail at this place.

The main course came out and I was surprised because it was actually fast. I thought I would wait awhile but before I knew it there was food in front of me again. The meals come out on large plates covered in a metal dome to keep it hot. After the meal is put down and all the side dishes are present, they lift the dome and WHALA there is your lovely meal.

The lobster I got was on special that night. It was a lobster tail from South Africa. This thing was HUGE. Literally the biggest lobster tail I have ever seen in my life. Can easily feed two people. It was cooked on a tuscan grill and served with macadamia nuts and a few pieces of veggie tempura. It has been a very long time since I have had lobster and with a payoff like this it was worth the wait. It was tender and meaty and so filling. The only problem is that I could have used some buttery sauce, but this lobster was not going for the traditional butter thing so I didn't ask. I fully enjoyed it nonetheless!

Elad had the filet and it was perfect. Great consistency, size and flavor. It came with a small kabob of grilled veggies.

As for sides, I think you can skip on it. The creamed corn was good but nothing to rave about it. The sweet potato mash was too sweet. They must have added something to sweeten it up but it just went a little too far for my taste.

So at this point I couldn't breath. I was so full I could barely sit straight on my seat. But it is my birthday and what is a birthday without dessert? We ordered this chocolate pie (The Forge Blacksmith Pie). It had multiple layers of cream and chocolate and a cookie crust. Very tasty but I could only get two bites down and decided it would be best to take it home and eat the rest later.

This dinner was really amazing. And don't think the check didn't reflect that. All I could do was laugh hysterical at how expensive the meal was. I think Elad shed a tear as he handed over his credit card. But we can't deny that the meal was worth it. We didn't cheap out in any respect and really took full advantage of what the Forge has to offer. It might not be often that we can eat like we just won the lottery and I am extremely lucky to be treated so well on my special day! Thank you, Elad! I love you!!!!

Review: Miami Spice Month at Wish

My wonderful friend Pinc took me out to dinner the night before my birthday to Wish. It was the official kick-off to the birthday celebrations!

Wish is located at The Hotel, 801 Collins Ave. in South Beach. The cuisine is mostly an American style with the decor styled by Todd Oldham. Bright tropical colors and dim lighting make it a lovely and comfortable place to dine.

On their regular menu there were some interesting offerings but the spice menu has plenty that I wanted to try. We actually picked Wish because of the rocky road cake dessert. Rocky Road is my favorite ice cream so I had to see what the cake variety would be like.

We did try out a savignon blanc by the glass. I believe it was from Richard Hall. Very good wine and the price was not bad.

Their spice menu:

APPETIZER (choice of one)
-Crispy Chick Pea Ravioli
With Greens and Sweet Ginger Dressing
-Golden Beet Salad
With Curried Goat Cheese, Raisins, and Radicchio

ENTRÉE (choice of one)
-Seared Organic Chicken
Lemon-Basil Spaetzle and Vietnamese Black Bean Sauce
-Australian Sea Bass
Japanese Eggplant Griddle Cakes with Bell Pepper Nage and Marjoram
-Roasted Pork Chop
Chorizo-Clam Hash, Sweet Potatoes, Corn, and Thyme

DESSERT (choice of one)
-Crème Caramel
Florentine Cookies and Basil Anglaise
-Molten Rocky Road Cake
With Vanilla Milkshake

Pinc and I both had the chick pea Ravioli salad. There was a hot fried ravioli filled with creamy chick peas (a la hummus) on top of a simple green salad with tomatoes and a light creamy dressing. A good start to the meal. The ravioli was the best part (can't beat anything fried) and the salad was simple and good.

For the main meal, Pinc had the Sea Bass which looked really yummy. She says she enjoyed it and by the looks of her empty plate at the end, I don't doubt it. The fish was on top of an eggplant cake which I tasted and was very good.

I had the pork chop. I must admit, I have never actually had a full fledged pork chop before. (Blame it on the jewishness) But over the past few years, with thanks to Pinc, I have opened my eyes to many varieties of pork. Oh, how did I live so long without all those yummy baby back ribs? Anyway, we were talking about pork chops. And specifically this one, albeit my first ever, was so yummy! It was tender and roasted simply with salt and pepper and maybe some other simple spices. The chop had a lot of flavor and was a huge cut. Very filling and satisfying.

On to the much anticipated dessert. We both went for the rocky road cake. And of course Danya thought ahead and when she made the reservation with Open Table* she noted it was a birthday dinner. So out came the cake with a candle and in chocolate it said "Happy Birthday" on the plate. So cute! The dessert came with a little vanilla milkshake served in a shotglass. Nothing fancy, but still it was good. And the cake. THE CAKE! It was rocky road in the hot version. There was chocolate. There were nuts. There were even marshmallows! And it was all in a round shaped cake with a gooey chocolate center. Kinda like a molten cake except it had the rocky road flavors added in.

Overall, my experience at Wish was excellent. The food was great, the portions were perfect, the atmosphere was lovely and of course the presence of Pinc and celebrating my birthday made it all that much better!

*By the way, Open Table has a special page just for Miami Spice. You can just type in the time and date you want to eat and they will tell you what Miami Spice restaurants have openings. Just remember that not all restaurants participate in Spice every night of the week, so make sure to confirm what nights there are spice menus at the Miami Spice website.

Review: Miami Spice Month at Grass

Grass Restaurant and Lounge is a hidden spot tucked in the Design District on 40th Street right off of Miami Avenue. It is hard to spot from the street but once you get inside it is an open air (no roof) dining hotspot. If you are going on Friday night make sure to make a reservation because they were packed.

Luckily, we thought ahead. We were seated within a few minutes of arriving. They were just ending their Friday BBQ Buffet. Looked good, but we were too late and we were really there for the Spice Menu.

We did look over their regular menu. All looked great but very expensive.

Options on the Spice Menu:

APPETIZER (choice of one)
Savory Goat Cheese Crumbles
With Hydroponic Arugula and Soy-Balsamic Drizzle

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho
With Chunky Crab Salad Garnish

Miso Marinated Asian Chicken Salad
Napa Cabbage, Radicchio, Endive, Pickled Mango and European Cucumber

ENTRÉE (choice of one)
Homemade “Herbs Du Provence” Roasted
Breast of Free Range Chicken Parmesan and Truffle Tossed Shoestring Fries

Toasted Brown Miso-Sweet Soy Glazed Florida Yellow Jack
Julienne of Vegetables and Grilled Scallion Beurre Blanc

Marsala-Tamari Marinated Skirt Steak
Seasoned Sweet Potato Chips

DESSERT (choice of one)
Cashew-Crusted Pineapple Cheesecake
Pistachio Ice Cream

Chocolate-Hazelnut Beignets
With Chocolate-Ginger Sauce

Tasting of Sorbets and Gelatos
Amaretto

Elad and I are big on sharing. We had:
Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho and Miso Marinated Asian Chicken Salad
Homemade “Herbs Du Provence” Roasted and Marsala-Tamari Marinated Skirt Steak
Cashew-Crusted Pineapple Cheesecake and Chocolate-Hazelnut Beignets

Elad wasn't a huge fan of the Gazpacho, I think because there was fish in it. But I actually REALLY enjoyed it. Very light and refreshing. The Asian salad was really yummy, especially the fresh mango and citrus fruits incorporated into the dish.

The roasted chicken was perfect. They put slices of lemon under the skin of the chicken while it roasts. I think that makes it more flavorful and tender. Very yummy. Elad was a big fan of the steak, which had a good marinade but wasn't the tenderness that I usually go for. But still, it was very tasty. And it came with a chimichurri that was tasty.

And finally...the dessert. AMAZING! I don't know which one I enjoyed more. Seriously the cheesecake had an explosion of flavor that was matched perfectly with the nutty crust and ice cream. It was a great smooth consistency and the portion side was good. The beignets were warm and gooey. They had a fudgy chocolate center that oozed out when you bit into them. You got 4 small beignets which doesn't seem like a lot, but after a big meal it was perfect.

I totally recommend people trying out Grass. Just take into account that there is no A/C shield from the heat and that your service might not be as prompt as you like. (I don't think the servers are used to this many people). They do have large fans set up around the dining area and occasionally they shower the restaurant in mist. The food is totally worth it and the music is great too! There was a live DJ that night playing hip hop mostly from the 90's. If you go on a Friday night try to show up a little early and let me know how the BBQ buffet is.

Review: Michael's Genuine Food & Drink

New to Miami's Design District is Michael Schwartz's newest creation - Michael's Genuine Food & Drink. (130 N.E. 40th Street, Miami, FL 33137, (305) 573-5550)

Michael has a past connection to the famous restaurants in South Beach including Nemos (former partner and chef) and AfterGlo (chef).

This time Michael has gone "local" by focusing his dishes on locally grown and raised ingredients for his dishes. Think Organic, Regional, Seasonal and Sustainable.

And instead of a classic menu with appetizers, salads and main dishes - he mixes it up by categorizing the food by the size of the dish - Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, Snack, Side.

Overall the decor and food were "almost perfect." Why almost? According to Elad, because nobody would believe the review if it was called perfect.

Due to the variety in types of dishes, the prices range from less than $10 to more than $30. It all depends on what you are looking for. Elad and I tried to pick one from each category (except extra large) and shared everything - and we walked away very full and with a bill of about $63 - not including drinks or tip. The prices are affordable to encourage frequent dining.

We picked a "snack" to start. Deviled Eggs. An odd choice indeed, but hey it was on the menu! Tasty, but not the best of the evening. Elad may beg to differ because he has an affinity for those creamy filled eggs.

We had a panzanella salad (small) next. They mix a variety of rustic tomatoes with hard croutons and balsamic dressing for a sweet yet tart salad. Simple but a lot of flavor shines through.

Next up, mussels in a tomato and garlic broth (medium). The mussels were cooked and flavored perfectly. And the dish was quite large.

For the main event, skirt steak over a vegetable mix (large) and the roasted vegetable of the day - asparagus (side dish). Cooked perfectly and had a drizzle of a mustard-y sauce on top. Oh, and I forgot to mention, they have a thing for beets. They like to sneak them in whenever possible. We found some cooked beets (which were very yummy) beneath the steak.

Dessert? Of course! S'mores chocolate cake. Not a traditional s'mores over the campfire. This neat dessert stacked a graham type-cookie beneath a chocolate cake, beneath a layer of peanut butter and topped off with marshmallows that are put under a flame and roasted. The flavors mixed well - but really, how can you go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter?

And all the while the ambiance is simple, with large bright red cubes hanging from an industrial looking ceiling. A large painting of what may be John Lennon (still not sure about that) hung on the wall. There is an open kitchen were you can see a wood burning oven and chefs run around. In the background, modern jazz. Compliments the decor and food perfectly.

There is also an outdoor section of tables which seemed very quiet and comfortable. Right now in the Design District there is very little night life, and Michael's and Sheba are cornering the market (and the traffic) for dinner in the neighborhood.

They also have a large wine menu, signature drinks and a variety of beers. If you have to wait for your table then take a seat at the bar and enjoy.

I would totally recommend that you check out Michael's and try out as many dishes as possible. If you are on a budget and there are two people eating, stick to 3 small or medium dishes and skip dessert and you should find yourself not spending more than $20 per person. You may even be able to sneak in some snacks (which are only $4 each) or side dishes and still not break the bank.

But if you want to go all out - drinks, multiple courses, and dessert - expect to spend around $80-$90 for the evening. And expect to walk away very full and satisfied.