Barley and Swine

So I found another little piece of pork heaven a little closer to home. Downtown Dadeland area is still very up and coming, and with this little southern style craft beer selling gastropub, it is about to get much more popular.

The night before Valentines Day we decided to do our dinner night with my parents instead of trying to find a table on the friday night anywhere decent. So we stumbled upon Barley and Swine. Now, I love anything involving swine hehe. So naturally I knew I would love this place. From when you walk in you can feel the coziness and family owned vibe. To the left there is a whole wall of Craft beers on tap (which seems to be the craze these days). We were pleasantly greeted, and got a table almost immediately. The restaurant is small so I would recommend reservations. The kitchen is almost arms reach from the tables which is quite exciting. I love the hustle and bustle of people cooking. Also there are "sushi bar" style seats running along the whole front of the kitchen for a quicker 'in and out' lunch time experience. All of the staff (men) have full on beards which comforts me. Bearded men just seem to know a lot more about cooking meat than anyone else. Hahaha.

A bit of a random fact, but I noticed the music they play is rather awesome. So take a listen when you are there!

Now to the food!!!

So for drinks, they have wine, beer and champagne...I love that they incorporate bubbly. 

We started off with Croquettes:

Serrano Ham, Manchego cheese, and a guava sauce $9

Good, but I think would be better if they maybe made four smaller balls then two big ones. The flavors were delicious, just the texture is too soft (since its so big) if you like the crunch of the outside of a croquette like I do.

Pork Cheek 'Vaca Frita':

Delicious!!! we could have devoured another one for sure. But one was a good amount for the four of us.

The boys got their beers and exchanged a few comments about them. The beers are served a few degrees warmer than usual because it changes the flavor. Ask your waiter about the science behind it, they are very good at explaining it.

They kindly sent us over their take on brussel sprouts. They were a hit. Topped with an egg and mixed with many other things I can't really tell you because I do not know! However the flavors were fabulous. I personally dislike the actual Brussel Sprout taste so I didnt really eat much but altogether it was great.

Sooooo, I am an American girl (for the most part) and Mac 'n Cheese is one of those staples that never gets old.....These people have a different mac special for every day of the week!!! Today is Wednesday and it happens to be Truffle Mac 'n Cheese, so naturally I will be headed there for lunch to indulge in some heavenly truffley cheesy awesomeness.

just.admire.that

I am still chasing an amazing Braised Short Rib like the one I had in Turks and Caicos. I found a pretty close one at Chef Adrienne's, but at $40 a pop thats not doable on the reg. So I think I found one that will do as the filler. It is one of B&S's small plates. At only $13.....worth every penny. It is small enough to satisfy ones hunger ::especially after stuffing your face with the previous food:: It rests on a bed of mashed potato and topped with gooey gravy. I am not very American when it comes to gravy....so next time I would ask for it without the gravy topping.

 It is soft and melty, like braised anything should be. Really great.

Devoured....

Doug got a man burger....called The Hangover Burger:

HANGOVER - FRIED EGG + PORK BELLY + CHEDDAR + CRAZY CHIP CRUNCH + PRETZEL ROLL $14 He very much enjoyed it.

My dad got a meat dish, that I can't really remember what it was...

I can't speak for this dish, my poor father had eaten two hotdogs prior to going to dinner so he was so stuffed by the time it came out that he can't genuinely make an opinion! Silly man.

My mother opted out of having a main, she just nibbled on our stuff. I would actually recommend sharing everything. There is too much to miss out on if not!

I had to hear what the desserts were. Even though I was beyond stuffed. We went with one serving of the mini churros for the table.

Yummy Yummy Yummy. However churros is not what i would call them. They can only be described as french toast bites? Topped with cinnamon and sugar with a delicious dipping sauce. Awesome sauce.

QUE RICO!

This was really cute because whenever we go out and Doug asks for the bill he says "what's the damage?"

Your bill is brought in a little envelope with the damage on it hehe.

I hope you enjoy this place!!!

As the folks at B&S say, Praise the Lard!

Thea Pizzeria

It seems that dining out has been a big trend for us Vineys lately. Friday night we went to a lovely little place in the health district of Miami...Doug has really made it a point to meet a lot of British people in Miami. I'd say he has succeeded. One of them being Thea. The owner of this lush, little pizzeria. However, Pizzeria it was not.

Thea Pizzeria and Cafe

As you arrive there is complimentary valet parking. This small restaurant has floor to ceiling windows lining the front, with dim romantic lighting. A long bar lines the back wall with a gigantic mosaic of flowers behind it. If you really stop to look at it you see just how incredible it is. Thousand and thousands of tiny tiles covering a  very large wall. On this evening they had a live band playing some sexy brazilian beats. I couldn't help but sway in my seat.

This particular night that we went was Supper Club. It is an invite only dinner experience. Thea assigns your tables with your name hand written on it. She greets you at the entrance and tells you to find your table. It is a very intimate setting. Only about 40 people can dine at a time so you can imagine. 

Once we sat, Thea brought us over some prosecco with strawberries, followed by the bread with some spreads. So far so good i'd say.

After having a look at the menu I instantly got my regular "too many options" panic. My brain cannot process a decision when I am being offered Mozzarella, Butternut Squash soup, Four Cheese Ravioli with truffle, Prosciutto etc!!! As Thea came to take our order, my indecisiveness was very clear. Let me tell you, this woman is what every restaurant owner should aspire to be. She said "Oh I will just bring you three choices!" instantly content with this my entree choice was mush simpler. 

The portions are small, I assume because we were going to be eating three courses, so the Mozzarella and ravioli didn't really deserve a picture (also we finished it so quickly I almost forgot hehe). It was real italian Mozzarella. If you have never had the real deal then I am truly sorry for you!

I had her bring me whatever wine she wanted, and I can truly say it was one of my most enjoyed glasses of wine to date! I am not much into wine but this one was extremely smooth and went down a treat. (Cantele, Primitivo Red, 2011)

Now, as I wrote once I love cheese pizza. Because if someone can make a good simple Pizza then i know they've got it going on. However this time I went with a twist.

Mozzarella, tomato, basil, with truffle oil drizzled over....stop and imagine that for a second.....yes

I wish I could capture the essence of this glorious dish and pass it on through my blog. I guess you will just have to go try it for yourselves. Nothing smells better to me than truffle in my food mmmmm.

Doug went for the lamb chops. Boring compared to my amazing cheesy heavenly truffled pizza.

To finish off our tastebuds we ordered some strawberries and cream, and the chocolate cake. The cake doesnt normally come accompanied by ice cream but I have a dessert rule that all cakes or pastries must be blessed with a side of ice cream. So salted caramel won. What a combo! They truly complimented each other beautifully.

We will certainly be returning to try out a regular evening. Or maybe even lunch! Please grace this lovely little place with your presence and try my pizza!!!

CHEERS!

Swine

This week has been CRAZY busy! Trying to find time to write has been hard. However, I got this. Last week Doug and I went to Coral Gables with my mother and we happened to stroll into a restaurant I have had my eye (and stomach) on for a long time....SWINE.

We wern't up for a full meal so we decided to just go with some starters. Everything was amazing. As I ooed and awed at the flavors in my mouth I saw that the following week (this Tuesday) there was a dinner special. Four courses with drink pairings for $75. Immediately I booked a spot for two.

Spring 44 was the company that was putting on the show. They are a distillery for all sorts of spirits. Let me tell you, the drinks were SO strong! They were all great and went strangely well with the different meals. But five drinks later, you stand up from the table and realise just how tipsy you are...TAXI!

As you open the door at Swine you are slapped in the face with a smokey aroma. It instantly gets your taste buds curious. Up to the bar we went. The bar tenders are great and attentive. Along with entertaining (atleast at the upstaires bar on a tuesday night! Thanks Alex) I ordered off the cocktail menu a Mexican State of Mind. Strong with a kick!

Just a few minutes later, our first drink was served to us as we were waiting to be sat.

Drink one: Cranberry bitters, Spring 44 gin, lemon juice aperol topped with cava

The tables were set up in fours, so you had to sit with strangers. Personally I love this. You can mingle with new faces and trade yummy restaurant recommendations. Lucky for us Jenny and Estephany sat next to us. They really made our night much more exciting. Dougie and I love each others company but we absolutely love sharing a dining experience with others.

 Estephany and Doug

Jenny and moi

Now to the food...

 First course: Ricotta Agnolotti and Wood Grilled Shrimp

This dish was de-lish! The yellowy foam was called "essence of bacon" YES you read that right! The bacon snuck up on you every few bites. The ricotta was rich and creamy and the shrimp had a bit of a kick to it. Overall a fab plate.

Paired with: Stone Cold Rocky

Spring 44 Gin, Apricot Liqueur, Bitter Lemon Soda

Second Course: Smoked Confit and Seared Margret Duck Breast

Paired with: The Honey Bee

Spring 44 Vodka, Honey-Thyme Syrup, Lemon Juice

This glorious little basket of bread. Zuchinni bread with gruyere

Third course: This next course I cant really give a great review on because it was a very interesting experience.....to say the least!

Whole Suckling Pig Porchetta

Exactly...a whole baby pig right on our table. Im no PETA girl but a baby pig makes me a little queezy off the bat! When I go to set menu dinners, I go in with a total open mind. Let me remind you that I am in no way an adventurous eater...However Doug opened my taste buds a lot in London. So I dug in. Well, we all dug in....a bit too much!

Paired with: April Negroni

Spring 44 Old Tom Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermoth

Two sides:

This one was beans and hash, it had such a nice rare flavor to it. You could really taste cinnamon. I love me some cinnamon.

The sides were great, and the pig tasted like a thick piece of ham, rather than the porky flavor I prefer. The flavors were good but it isn't a dish I would order by choice. After a few bites and being on our fourth drink by now we started getting silly with our food...

Drunk Pig

For some bizarre reason (blame it on Spring 44) Estephany and Doug decided to cut into the cheek...which led to much worse.

We had gotten into a lot of personal conversation so we felt quite close at this point....Doug was dared to eat the tongue, Esteph the eyeball, and Jenny the nose...I shared the nose with her because there wasnt much else left....well........

These girls were troopers. Next up, of course was us trying to get through the skull and into the brain. AH! 

Gladly the chefs sawed the pig in half for us...

**If you love pigs look away!**

The four of us ate the brain. WHY?! I am not entirely sure. Again I blame Spring 44...and Doug.

I do believe this brought us all closer haha.

To end the meal (and totally erase any tastes of brain) we got our dessert.

Fourth Course:

Butternut Squash S'mores Cheesecake

oh yea....So good. I have always been obsessed with any form of butternut squash.

Paired with: Simply Bourbon

Spring 44 Bourbon, Pumpkin Spice Syrup, a bit of Sherry, Cold press coffee, Cream and Grated Nutmeg

This evening was so much fun, I cant recommend Swine enough. Now remember this set menu isn't a normal thing. It was just an event put on by Spring 44. But the food there is some of the best I have had in a while. Service is spot on and if you go, try the burnt ends and cornbread! 

*Small Warning: your hair and clothes will smell like they have been in the smoker all day! Till you wash them!*