Bill Wisser

Tonight, the Pubbelly clan will launch an unbeatable summer dinner and brunch menu at Pubbelly and its beef-centric sister restaurant, PB Steak, around the corner.

Designed to coincide with Miami Spice (even though Spice won't begin till August 1), the $35-per-person menu offers nine dishes to share. That's about seven more than you'd normally get if you're like us -- ballers on a budget.

Enticed yet? See what's included in the offerings.

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Morton's The Steakhouse

The City of Coral Gables may have to consider rebranding its food fest. Instead of one week, Coral Gables Restaurant Week actually spans three weeks, from June 10 - 30.

Either way, it all starts tomorrow with Taste of the Gables at the Westin Colonnade Hotel, where attendees can sample tasty tidbits from 20 restaurants as well as vote for their choice of best "Taste" dish. Advance general admission to the kick-off event cost $25 per person, but you can also attend VIP-style for $50 ($35 and $65 at the door).

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Image courtesy of Gary James

With summer quickly approaching, local foodies are practically foaming at mouth for discounted fare to finally arrive. No need to wait until Miami Spice, Quattro Gastronomia Italiana on South Beach has got you covered.

Each Monday for the next three months, you can nab a three-course meal for $39 (plus twenty precent off special bottles of wine). Mangia Monday's will celebrate a region of Italy each month through a prix-fixe menu. This month's region is Piedmont, where twin chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro hail from.

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Photo by billwisserphoto.com

Chef Angelo Masarin of Salumeria 104.

Authentically EATalian Restaurants Weekend takes place this weekend -- Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28 -- and features 12 popular Miami restaurants.

The Italy-America Chamber of Commerce wants to introduce Americans to the true Mediterranean diet, considered by experts to be one of the most heart-healthy, by teaching them about real Italian cuisine -- "real" as in the way food is prepared and eaten in Italy.

Participating restaurants include Quattro, Pelican, Salumeria 104, Toscana Divino, Pepe Nero, Tiramesu, Piccola Cucina, and Caffè Milano. Chefs will create a three-course $39 prix fixe menu featuring fresh and natural ingredients and recipes that focus on the true Mediterranean way of eating.

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Ralph Pagano via Twitter

This man wants to stuff you like a foie-gras goose.

Alba Seaside Italian's chef/partner Ralph Pagano has a way with words. Just ask the personable toque a question and you'll likely get a story in return.

So we shouldn't be surprised at what he's calling his two dinner specials -- both, by the way, being offered this Thursday, February 7.


The dinners are called WTF and You Will Eat What I Make and Like It Four-Course Killer Italian Dinner While I Pour Groth Super Wines Down Your Throat.

The names are insane and we instantly envisioned a chef taking out a funnel and pouring some Pinot Noir down our gullets, much the same way ducks and geese are fed in the foie gras-making process.

Not sure what to make of it, we contacted Pagano, who explained that though the names are a little nutty, the dinners are a great value -- and a good way to celebrate Valentine's Day a week early -- because while we wouldn't object to being force-fed wine, no one should force-feed us a canned day of romance.

See also:
-- Alba's Ralph Pagano and the Vinny D Split: Do You Feel Lucky?

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Marguerite Gil

A quiet dining place where grilled juicy 10-oz. burgers will cost you $15.

Open less than a year in a hidden neighborhood west of Biscayne Boulevard and south of 79th Street, Iron Side Cafe is a cool, hidden oasis that offers clients a healthy assortment of organic meal choices in an area where artists, architects, designers and a ton of creative people seek healthy sustenance.

Chef Nuno Grullon and co-owner Fernando Nascimento have come up with some pretty interesting concepts. Before they opened Iron Side, they ran Metro Organic Bistro.

After they opened this new place a few blocks west, many of their clients followed them.

"We've made our patio/courtyard very casual," says Nascimento. "Our fire lamps keep the mosquitoes away and the surrounding palm trees swaying in the breeze are reminiscent of hidden eateries in remote Caribbean islands. Thousands of people walk around during the art openings but otherwise it's pretty quiet around here, except when the trains rattle by. Several big comfy sofas are a strong draw for clients who just want to hang out and sip glasses of wine."

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Zachary Fagenson

Afternoon tea at The Biltmore.

More and more these days, we hear Miami touted as a "World-Class City." Putting marketing copy aside, it isn't really a town to which you'd attach adjectives like old world, el;egant, or classy.

So it's not the kind of place you'd expect daily afternoon tea accompanied by live classical music from an acoustic guitar. But head to the Biltmore. There, you'll find more than two dozens varieties of tea rolling around the lobby on a hardwood cart along with dainty, crust-less finger sandwiches and sweets.

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Heinz via Facebook

Heinz Jalapeño available through Facebook.

Ketchup is the great equalizer. No matter where we come from or what we do, the one thing we can all agree on is that a burger needs ketchup.

Heinz, the brand that basically monopolizes the industry, is spicing up the classic condiment by introducing a new jalapeño variety -- and it's available for presale through Facebook for 11 days.

For the limited-edition flavor, Heinz blends real jalapeños into its original recipe, which has been around since 1876. The jalapeño variety is part of the company's Christmas promotion, and every order is entered into a drawing for one of 350 Heinz Christmas ornaments.

Last year, Heinz came out with a well-received, limited-edition balsamic vinegar ketchup.

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Neospresso

Neospresso machines are a Black Friday deal.

It's Black Friday and the crazies have already made their trip to the mall -- at 3 a.m.! You're just awakening from your tryptophan-induced coma. Problem? You've still got to shop for presents.

Solution? Online is the way to go. With most stores offering additional online discounts and free shipping, you can shop in your Santa pajamas with a Bloody Mary in hand. We've found some of the best deals for foodies.

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Marguerite Gil

Aficionados will toast Wine On Harvest Moon at the Deering Estate on October 27.

The anticipated 11th annual Wine On Harvest Moon event will take place Saturday, October 27, at the historic Deering Estate at Cutler. It promises to be a spectacular evening in a sublime environment. This year, Harvest Moon will be the theme for the soiree, which invites enthusiasts to eat, drink, and be merry -- all by the waters of Biscayne Bay.

Top area chefs, restaurants, and caterers will host tasting stations around the estate, showcasing French wines and cuisine. Harry Radcliff of Vintage Liquor says, "I will be bringing various vintage bottles from Bordeaux, Côtes de Rhône, Burgundy, and the Languedoc region of France, for a night of sharing."

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