Wikimedia Commons

In the more than 2,000-year history of Catholicism, the religion has stretched its tentacles all over the world. Today there are about as many Catholics in Central and South America as in the rest of the world combined. With the installation of Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the first pope from the Americas, there's a focus on all things argentino.

"We've actually had longtime costumers call to congratulate us [on the Argentine pope's election]," says Graziano manager Armando Mon, a native Mexican who has adopted the Argentine culture in 14 years of working at the family-owned original location in Coral Gables. "It's really something to be proud of."

"It was time for a big change," adds Las Vacas Gordas owner Luis Gajer.

You too can be a proud Argentine for a day, or at least eat like one, at one of these five best Argentine restaurants in Miami.

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blog.zagat.com

The debate over whether the best meal of the day is lunch or breakfast has been going on for millennia. Intense battles have broken out over the issue. But one day, a peaceful being came up with a compromise for the rivaling sides. The settlement was "brunch," a perfect middleman between the morning pleasures of bacon and waffles, and the afternoon delights of a steak sandwich au jus.

Brunch is for the man who cannot decide whether he prefers pancakes or a porterhouse on his plate.

Basically, it's the best solution ever, and Miami has some fabulous options.

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via Flickr kyz

Valentine's Day is just three days away and while some of us may be concerned with making dinner reservations, having flowers delivered, and finding the perfect gift, others just want to get their 305 freak on.

Why blame them? Valentine's Day is nothing but a deceptive, albeit clever, marketing ploy created to increase consumerism. Of course, you're way too clever to fall for that, so you mask your true agenda as you outwardly go through the motions. You've got a date, you made dinner reservations, you even bought a new outfit - because you want to get laid - #realtalk.

We're here to help. Below is a list of ten foods designed to really get that blood pumping and ensure that your Valentine's Day date culminates in a happy ending.

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Gio Alma

Michelle Bernstein's Sra. Martinez shuttered its doors this year

In 2012, many notable eateries closed up shop. In some cases, we shed a tear as we watched them go. In others, well, our bets had been placed for quite a while. (Sustain Restaurant & Bar was just a few sad, happy hours away from my late-April wager.)

This past year, most losses were felt in the Design District/Midtown area. But, just as quickly as those joints were gone, new projects came along and took their place.

So, here is our list of the top five restaurants that bit the dust in 2012. These are the eateries that will be missed the most. As a bonus, we also included updates, like what's up ahead for the toques that once led the show.

See also:
- Seven Best New Restaurants of 2012 in Miami

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billwisserphoto.com

Agnolotti del plin at Macchialina Taverna Rustica

If you were to look back at the restaurants openings of 2012 in Miami, you might notice a bit of a trend. Our epicurean vista has evolved and diversified.

We are now home to more mid-priced, chef-driven eateries: Surfside gained a deli; South Beach has a ceviche joint run by a James Beard nominee; and the Upper Eastside debuted an eatery serving pig wings and duck in a jar. Design District and Midtown continued on the culinary ascent, with recent additions like Oak Tavern and MC Kitchen, and Wynwood's nightlife scene exploded with late-2011 newbies like Wood Tavern.

Yet not every eatery was a charmer. Miami still has an unrelenting obsession with the small-plate concept. (Which by now just means forking over $15 for Brussels sprouts with bacon and "fusion" raw plates with pretty things doused in ponzu or soy sauce.)

But that just makes me appreciate the good eateries even more. So, here's the list of the 7 best new restaurant of 2012 in Miami. These are the places that I love for their character, good pricing-to-quality ratio, and just simple, delicious eats.

See also:
- 12 Uppers and Downers in the Miami food scene in 2012

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bacon.wikia

This little piggy went to market.

If you're like any sane person in this universe, bacon is one of your favorite foods.

In fact, society has become so fixated on the bacon craze that we fret over a "baconpocalypse" and other general bacon shortages. We put bacon on everything. We fashion costumes out of it. We put our dogs in costumes made of it. We make bouquets and centerpieces out of it. We charge extra for it. Um, it's just bacon, right?

Exactly.

It's just bacon. Its deliciousness garners every bit of attention from the world, and a world without it -- well, we shudder at the thought.

Miami knows its fair share of bacon dishes, and though the decision was painstakingly tough (for there are so many noteworthy options), we've narrowed the list to the top five.

Cue the baconpalooza.

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​Want access to our Best Of picks from your smartphone? Download our free Best Of app for the iPhone or Android phone from the App Store or Google Play. Don't forget to check out the full Best of Miami® 2012 online at bestof.voiceplaces.com.

billwisserphoto.com

Fried green tomato salad at Whisk Gourmet Food & Catering

There are three kinds of salad-eaters: those constant devotees who will eat any type of greenery, as long it includes some sort of refreshing vegetation; those who will force down salads quickly and out of obligation; and those who nudge lettuce to the extremity of their plates, never to be poked, touched or ingested.

But then there are salads that are so good, so fulfilling that they capture the interest of even the shyest of eaters. Think creamy, salty cheese -- like thin shavings of pecorino Toscano -- paired with ripe slices of juicy local fruit and a pile of fresh, organic crunchy greens. These salads pair freshness with vibrant flavors and textures.

What follows is a round-up of our five favorite salads in Miami. These were selected because they are fairly priced, interesting and delicious. And, of course, because they would certainly please non-salad-eaters and eaters alike.

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Tony Inacio

Billy is really tired. After a full day of work and the gym, he just wants to go home, eat and lay down. But Marcia called earlier and asked him to stop and grab some diapers and milk? 

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Because there are as many traditional Italian desserts as there are towns in Italy, Miami New Times has begrudgingly taken it upon itself to round up the top ten Italian desserts in Miami (yes, that's sarcasm, folks), because sometimes the best (and most affordable) way to get an authentic taste of a country's cuisine is to skip the traditional entrée and go straight for the dessert.

So ditch the diet and grab an authentic bite of Italy. Mangia!

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Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

An Albino Ball Python. Ivory Ball Pythons are all white.

The winner of a cockroach- and worm-eating contest at the Ben Siegal Reptile Store in Deerfield Beach collapsed and died shortly after winning a $700 ivory ball python Friday. Authorities say 32-year-old Edward Archbold began feeling sick and vomited after eating dozens of cockroaches and worms. Later he was DOA. "We feel terribly awful," store owner Ben Siegel told the Miami Herald. "He looked like he just wanted to show off and was very nice."

The incident made worldwide news, capturing headlines as far away as London and Australia. In honor of the unfortunate Archbold, and the rest of the world seeing America as face-eaters and cockroach-croakers, Short Order presents five foods that could come with a funeral.

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