Miami Restaurants and Dining - Short Order

Free Hunter's Moon and Stargazer Party at Fruit & Spice Park

By Jacob Katel in Because It's Free, Cheap Eats, Tropicalia

Tuesday, Oct. 13 2009 @ 11:00AM

via makelessnoise flickr

The Hunter's Moon is a full moon. They call it that because the light it provides makes it easier to kill food. According to Wikipedia, as viewed from the northern hemisphere, the Hunter's Moon rises in such a way that there's no significant dark time between sunset and moonrise, thus stretching the light for activities like farming and hunting.

But if you'd rather relax than work, take the opportunity the Hunter's Moon provides for a free stargazing party at Fruit & Spice Park (24801 SW 187 Avenue, Homestead). Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and sodas will be available for purchase. Folks are encouraged to bring their own marshmallows to roast on the campfire.

The Southern Cross Astronomical Society will be on site with their computer aided telescopic equipment featuring free views of the Moon, Jupiter, Neptune, and Uranus.

There will be free moonlight tram tours of the park as well, and patrons are welcome to bring, blankets, chairs, drums, and guitars.

Redland Fruit & Spice Park
24801 SW 187 Ave.
Homestead FL, 33031
October 30, 2009
7 - 10 p.m.

Tags: burgers, hot dogs, marshmallows

South Dade's Own Robert "The Mango Man" Got That Rambutan

By Jacob Katel in Tropicalia

Tuesday, Jun. 30 2009 @ 11:05AM

Jacob Katel

Gee whiz, got damn! It's rambutan!

Robert The Mango Man is a carpenter turned tropical fruits dealer. He got the idea while plying his carpentry trade on the fruitful grounds of South Dade. "I was working and saw that these people got all these trees in their backyard that they weren't doin' nothin' with, so I said 'let's make a deal I take the fruit off your hands and whatever sells I'll pay you for and if they don't sell I don't pay.' Turns out it can be very lucrative."

Pictured above is a rambutan, which is native to southeast Asia, but grows just fine in Dade. It's described as lychee-like, but sweeter. Here are some more images of Robert The Mango Man's June bounty.

Jacob Katel

Half-eaten rambutan.

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Ceviche Parlor in Miami Serves Fresh Seafood, Salsas, and Mozzarella at Green Market

By Jacob Katel in Tropicalia

Monday, Jun. 29 2009 @ 1:03PM

Jacob Katel

Scallop Ceviche

Juan Carlos Lopategui is the private chef and caterer behind the Ceviche Parlor brand. He's also a sales rep for Mozzarita, the maker of New Times' Best Mozzarella 2008. "I do corporate events, and I specialize in hordeurves parties. I went to the Culinary Institute of America at 19 years old, then I moved to Spain and cooked at a Michelin 3 star rated restaurant, after that I moved to Napa Valley and studied oenology and lived there for a few years and worked for Sterling Vineyards, then I moved back to Miami worked at Nobu and then was a chef at Barton G for about 4 years. Three years ago I started my own company at the farmers markets, now I get a lot of catering business from them."

You can find Juan Carlos at the Upper Eastside Green Market (66 street and Biscayne @ Legion Park) on Saturdays as well as various other markets and functions around the county.
Here are some more images...

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Tags: ceviche

Fruit and Spice Park's Redland Summer Fruit Festival In Pictures

By Jacob Katel in Tropicalia

Monday, Jun. 22 2009 @ 10:39AM

Jacob Katel

Mango Time

The Redland Summer Fruit Festival evidenced momma nature's love for all us animals;sure she might throw us a Category 5 monster this year, but the mangos will be flying off the shelves regardless. Fresh and juicy, ripe and ready, hot and tempting, cool and refreshing, the harvest is on point, and fuckachainstore -- nothin' tastes better than fresh picked. South Dade is one of the greatest regions in the states for produce, at least until our historic agriculture zones get zoned out for ice tray mansions. Here are some more pictures...

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Tags: Fruit and Spice Park