All photos by Laine Doss

Moloko: coffee and crepes in Midtown.

​Visiting the Shops at Midtown the other day, I felt sluggish. Suddenly, it hit me why: I hadn't had my caffeine fix yet.

Then I remembered that Moloko, a new coffee house, had opened up. Though its website touts crepe-making for children and a "coffee revolution" theme, the place is a small, narrow space with tall, wooden beamed ceilings. Dark red walls gave way to filled bookshelves. There was a chess board in the corner, along with some couches meant for lounging or chatting.

I sat down on one of the leather seats at the long coffee bar and ordered a nonfat latte ($2.65) with a shot of almond syrup (I needed a sugar fix, too). It was served in a tall blue mug, just strong enough, with a hint (not a douse) of almond flavoring. "Let me know if you want the coffee sweeter. I like to start with less and add more it someone wants it," the barista told me.
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All photos by Alex Rodriguez

During a preview last night of The Broken Shaker, Miami's first pop-up bar located at the Indian Creek Hotel, I became convinced of one thing: it's a shame this place will only be around for six months. You'll discover the same thing during the official grand opening on February 2.

There's a lush, cabana-tikki-esque exterior and an old-school antiqued interior. The owners, Gabriel Orta and Elad Zvi, didn't skip a beat when decorating the place "We couldn't afford wallpaper so we covered the walls with fabric," said Orta.

When you walk in, it's as if you've stepped into a time/space portal - I've never been to Cuba, but the interior of The Broken Shaker is how I picture an old, rustic bar on the beach with antique cooling fans, old radios, vintage games of cards, Scrabble and Dominos - it's retro to the max. Orta even built the cabinets.

The homey charm of the place is evident, even with an old black and white photo of Orta's grandmother sitting atop the the shelf.
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All photos by Laine Doss

Chef-owner Daniel Serfer works the grill at Blue Collar.

​Blue Collar on Biscayne Boulevard opens its doors tomorrow, and we dropped by for a visit to sample the food. The room's decor lives up to the blue collar name.

Old metal lunch pails (the kind that steel workers take their meals in, not the ones with pictures of Scooby Doo) are nailed to the light grey walls. The Beatles and Rolling Stones play in the background, as the waitresses, dressed in '50s-style diner shirts, take your drink order and point out their personal menu favorites.

We liked the casual vibe and the drink prices. Wines by the glass start at $5 for a French Sauvignon Blanc and PBR is three bucks a can. (Go for broke with a Cigar City IPA, Guinness, or Terrapin Rye for $5.)

There was more to like, frankly. The large assortment of noshes on the menu are great for sharing. With offerings ranging from Chanukah latkes ($5) to vaca frita topped tostones ($6), all bases are covered. "You've gotta try the pork and beans" ($7), chef-owner Daniel Serfer told us. "It's my favorite thing on the menu."
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The bali beds and lanterns by the pool make you feel like you're really on vacation.

​Forget about that restaurant known as Ago at the Shore Club on 19th and Collins. It's gone. Now you'll find Terrazza, another Italian eatery featuring the chophouse styles of executive chef Stefano Riccioletti.

Walking into the Shore Club, you're greeted with a pleasant smell of potpourri -- or something that leaves you smelling nice for the rest of the night, so skip the perfume.
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All photos by Laine Doss

Chef Ze Carlos Jimenez is behind the burner at The MexZican Gourmet

​Chef Ze Carlos Jimenez was behind the burner last evening as we walked into The MexZican Gourmet in South Miami last evening around 9 p.m.

Still too cold to sit at one of the outside tables, we walked inside. The small, candlelit space is painted in citrus color and decorated with Mexican folk art - tin geckos and mirrors, Frida Kahlo's portrait.The 80-seat restaurant was still lively, as we sat down to dinner.

You might recently know Ze Carlos Jimenez from his food truck, The MexZican Gourmet, but he's also consultant chef for Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita. Though he loves the food truck business, Jimenez wanted to break out of the taco box and spread some culinary wings.
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All photos by Laine Doss

There's booze in the blender....

​Growing up in New York City, Serendipity 3 was the place to go for lunch or ice cream as a teenage girl. Only problem was, I was never a fan. Maybe because I grew up going to Rumpelmeyer's, the other ice cream place for birthdays and special occasions.

A few years ago, I went to New York with a friend who had never been, acting as tour guide. The first place she wanted to go was Serendipity 3. "Ohhhh, I loved the movie. I have to have a frrrozen hot chocolate (their trademarked spelling, not a typo)", she shrieked.

Yes, that damned movie, Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckensale had revived interest in Serendipity 3 for young adult women who longed for romance and ice cream. We went and perused the menu, meant for monied pre-teens. Giant hot dogs, burgers, and that ubiquitous frrrozen hot chocolate (now in multiple flavors and sizes. Also available in a handy take-home kit). I never got the whole frrrozen hot chocolate thing -- is it hot chocolate or something frozen? It reminded me of the famous George Carlin musing on "jumbo shrimp".
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All photos by Laine Doss

Lokal's cork logo.

​Lokal, a new burger joint in Coconut Grove, opened Christmas Eve after much renovation to the space on Commodore Plaza.

When Short Order spoke with owner Matthew Kuscher in September, he spun a tale of a small neighborhood restaurant featuring locally sourced food and drink. Kuscher described a mural made of cork, tables made of recycled materials, a wall of graffiti art, and a small area devoted to selling locally made and environmentally sound products. It all sounded good as we sat in mismatched chairs and gazed at shopping bags full of old cassette tapes and corks filling the empty (and dusty) space.
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Fatgirl Hedonist

​We first told you about then month-old Oh! Sushi in early November -- and since then, we've been on the hunt for someone with a good eye (and a good palate) to check the place out (and to spice things up,) and dish their details to Short Order.

Enter Fatgirl Hedonist. Born and raised in Miami by way of Hialeah, this devoted food blogger and self-proclaimed "Fatgirl" stealthily scouts out new Miami joints and then rates and reviews them on her blog. Sometimes restaurants know she's coming, other times not - but none know her real name or what she looks like. Put simply, she's another face in the crowd (avidly taking mental notes and sneaking photos on her iPhone). The CBS 2011 Most Valuable Blogger recalled her experience with us and gave us the scoop on the Doral sushi joint.
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Photo by Alex Rodriguez

In the name of the cow, the sun and the holy anticucho skewers. Amen.

​Ah, isn't it refreshing when you dine at a restaurant and leave thinking, "that was worth every penny and pound and I'd do it again in a heartbeat"? Such was the case at Edge Steak & Bar. The amount of praise I have for this beacon of gastronomic hope in Miami is, really, quite nauseating. I'll try my best to seem un-obsessed. (Although you'd really be asking a lot of me.)

We went for lunch. Situated on the seventh floor of The Four Seasons Miami in Brickell, Edge has somewhat a pretentious, intimidating home -- nevertheless, we pranced in like we owned the place (even dawning fake British accents as we moseyed through the lobbies to make ourselves seem more Four Seasons-y).

Greeted with all smiles, the two of us were seated at a table booth right next to the kitchen - my favorite! Executive chef Aaron Brooks came out to say hello (more of an ellow... he's Australian...) and after a brief introduction he was off to work to send out pre-appetizers: anticucho (prime beef skewers a la plancha, gem potatoes, panca chili sauce, $10) and east coast oysters ($3 each).
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John Zur

Incredibly meaty king crab leg.

​Owner Keith Menin dumped $20 million into the Shelborne Hotel's comeback, which debuted for Art Basel. Among the new features of the boutique hotel is the swanky, James Bond-themed restaurant Vesper, which has references to Ian Fleming's 1953 novel Casino Royale.

Guests make a trek down a red carpet, through the lobby. Through a double set of doors you go, toward the pool, and voila! You're at the pool-side hostess podium. Though you can enjoy Vesper from the outside, it's so much cooler if you dine indoors. Granville, the doorman, whisks you toward a service door and discloses you'll be entering through the kitchen. Past the cooks you go while following the black mats.

You emerge into a classy space that is a converted pathway. It includes elegant wooden floors, crisp linen, leather banquettes, and dramatic lighting. You're transported to a secret basement, a yacht, or anywhere else you'd like to imagine you're eating.
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