Perfect for locals south of Fifth, Tongue & Cheek, the whimsical new restaurant owned and operated by Chef Jamie DeRosa and restaurateur Michael Reginbogin, will be offering a number of Memorial Day specials this coming weekend. Below is the breakdown for what foodies, imbibers, and those just looking to kick back can enjoy at the restaurant Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27, 2013:

Tongue & Cheek’s popular Happy Hour (which classically goes from 5-7 p.m. and then 10 p.m. to close), will begin at 3 p.m. daily. That means, along with the usual drink specials, guests will enjoy extended access to T&C’s killer bar menu. Must-try items range from beef cheek sliders and edamame bruschetta to chicharrones of chicken skin with Japanese mustard and cheddar-pimento cheese with country ham and house-made rye crackers.

A limited a la carte dinner menu will be available but during the Memorial Day weekend, DeRosa and Reginbogin will be previewing their upcoming Sunday Supper menu, a weekly Sunday night family style dinner officially launching later on in June. During the holiday weekend, Sunday Supper will be available nightly beginning at 6 p.m. Priced at $45 per couple (excluding tax, gratuity and beverages), Sunday Supper will change weekly but for Memorial Day weekend, the menu will stay the same all four days and is an unbeatable, all-American feast. Menu follows:

To Start

Shrimp n’ Grits with Whiskey Cheddar and Pickled Okra

Main (choice of)

Fried Fisherman’s “Pu Pu Platter,” Hush Puppies

or

Braised beef cheek “pot pie” with peas and carrots

To Finish

Deep Dish Almond Cherry Pie

Folks interested in staying on top of all T&C news should follow the restaurant:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TandCMiami

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TandCMiami

Instagram: instagram.com/TandCMiami

Tongue & Cheek is located at 431 Washington Avenue. Dinner is served nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and ‘til midnight on Friday & Saturday. The snack bar opens at 5 p.m., with Happy Hour specials on handcrafted cocktails, beer and wines by the glass nightly from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Telephone: (305) 704-2900; www.tandcmiami.com

Primed with over 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Argentine native Grace Della launched Miami Culinary Tours in 2010, a company that offers guided walking tours with stops at typical restaurants. The unique insider’s adventures provide food lovers an opportunity to sample a wide array of savory ethnic fare and explore South Florida’s culture in all of its forms. “Miami Culinary Tours is driven by passion and good taste and dedicated to introducing great food to foodies from all over,” states its founder, who calls Miami home since 2002. “We offer a holistic experience because food just isn’t about taste but context; so, we incorporate history and architecture on our guided tours,” underlines Della. With an itinerary of seven to eight stops stretching two and a half hours, the tour “incorporates as many different dishes as possible in order to really delve into the melting pot that we have in Miami,” she explains.

While brandishing a strong Latin American influence, Miami Culinary Tours’ stops showcase the full range of the local gastronomic landscape with such staples as Colombian empanadas, Peruvian tiraditos, Italian pasta, and Cuban coffee. Among the exotic dishes that guests will enjoy are the “patacon” served at Bolivar Restaurant and Lounge and which consists of shredded chicken perched upon a crispy fried and flattened plantain served with a spicy Colombian sauce that is prepared with jalapeño peppers. Another mouthwatering dish, points out Della, is award-winning restaurant 660 at The Angler’s “tiradito” or cured fish marinated in a variety of citrus juices, thus bestowing a tangy flavor on the dish. “Tiradito is different from ceviche because of the way it is cut. Ceviche is made with chunks of fish whereas tiradito is, like sashimi, made by thinly slicing the fish,” she explains. At Jerry’s Famous Deli, guests can sample the “raspberry rugalah”, which Della describes as a “Jewish pastry that is visually appealing because it is rolled up, thus giving it a swirl of golden dough and bright fruit filling.” Among the gourmet restaurants and hole-in-the-wall delights that the company showcases are David’s Café, which Della dubs “a beloved local spot for over 30 years”. “During the tour, we order from the ventania to sip on cortaditos in staple styrofoam cups they way everyone else does,” she explains. Barely seating 15 patrons and top-ranked by the Food Network for its empanadas, Charlotte Bakery is another attraction on the tour. Given advance notice, Miami Culinary Tours can accommodate most food restrictions. “However, those with dietary needs may have to miss out on a tasting or two. Gluten-free is the most difficult restriction to accommodate,” notes Della.

Citing her mother as an immense inspiration, Della points out that “her passion for cooking, love of people and skills as an educator gave me the idea to start a food tour that she could run in her own hometown.” “I remember as a little girl that the happiest times at home were when my mom would cook, the family would come around and everyone would share stories around the table,” she recalls. Surrounding herself with devotees, Della undertook to implement the idea which manifested itself as Miami Culinary Tour’s first excursion, ‘Cuban-Inspired Food Tour’, “back when nobody had ever heard of food tours in Miami.”

Accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, Miami Culinary Tours’ walking escapades are conducted in English. Della, who handpicks the restaurants and conducts the company’s daily operations, is assisted by four culinary guides who lead the tour by narrating Miami’s history and describing to guests the diverse cuisines to be sampled. “We have carefully chosen each stop to ensure the quality of the food and the experience; however, occasionally we add a stop or make a modification to keep guests’ palates intrigued and maintain our promise of great food that is representative of Miami’s culture,” she explains. “Our guides are responsible for checking in with the restaurants prior to the tour and keeping in contact with them as the tour progresses to make sure everything is ready and timely for guests,” points out Della. Boasting a variety of backgrounds covering all corners of the U.S. and experience in guiding tours, her equipe of gastronauts share a love of food and an expansive knowledge of South Florida. “Some of our tour guides come from a multicultural background, while others are homegrown. They are amicable, pleasant and street smart individuals with tact and a great sense of humor,” remarks Della.

The Food Network filmed a soon-to-be-broadcast segment on Miami Culinary Tours, which has also been featured on the Travel Channel, most of the local channels, and European TV. In March, Della prepared a five-day shooting of best street food in Miami for the Travel Channel by introducing a panoply of restaurants and cuisine to its audience. For a video of the production, please visit www.travelchannel.com/video/miamis-old-school-street-food. In addition to South Beach and Havana tours, the company offers private and group tours upon request. “Clients booking private tours for special occasions also benefit from perks,” notes Della. She and her team are planning another food tour, which will run through the Wynwood Design District.

The cost of embarking on one of Miami Culinary’s standard tours is $59; customized tours are priced in accordance with the customer’s needs and the number of guests in attendance. The company offers seasonal discounts as well as discounts to military veterans. “Taking one of our tours is akin to going on an epicurean exploration through Miami. You get to experience both the city’s glitz and glam as well as well as its humble side. You learn about art deco architecture and Miami’s acquisition of the status as one of the U.S’s major cities all while having a good time with people who share your interests and tasting amazing food!” observes Della.

For more information, please contact Della at info@miamiculinarytours.com or (786) 942-8856

 By: Yara Zakharia, Esq.

Leche de Tigre, milk of the tiger, sounds wild, ferocious and not something that us humans would eat but it’s actually really tasty and not at all from a tiger.

Leche de Tigre is the leftover juices of a ceviche that many peruvians eat after they are finished with their dish. Leche de Tigre is also served at some restaurants in a small glass along with ceviche, as a shot, mixed with beer or pisco. There are countless way that people consume the leche de tigre, men in peru even buy it on their way home. It is known as a great hangover cure (because we are still trying to find the perfect one) but also an aphrodisiac (that’s why men buy it on their way home, wink, wink). Leche del Tigre is known as the peruvian version of viagra and it’s aphrodisiac properties is why it is called milk of the tiger since it makes men a “tiger” in the bedroom. Be careful guys!

The lychee when it comes off of the tree is a pinkish red color with a really rough texture but when you peel the rind it is almost translucent with an incredible floral perfumed scent. The sweet fruit is in season (and ideal for martini’s) right now! Harvested between late May to the end of June and the ripe sweet fruit takes out the harsh kick of vodka.

The lychee is originally from China and can be seen in ancient chinese literature and art. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Li Longji has this tasty fruit delivered every day and every night to his favorite concubine, making sure she always had lychees to eat. But lychees have come along way, making their way to the United States after Reverend William Brewster went on a missionary trip to China. The Reverend brought them back on his ship to South Florida where you can still see his lychee grove in Davie Florida. Lychee fruit are incredibly rich with vitamin c, in fact they contain 40% more vitamin c than a glass of orange juice.

Sautto Launched New Menu Items for Summer 2013

MIAMI BEACH, FL- April 3, 2013- Recently named Chef de Cuisine at Bianca at Delano, Chef Luciano Sautto has launched new menu items in time for Summer 2013. Sautto, who studied culinary arts at Italy’s El Cavaltanti, graduated in 1991 and moved to America in 1994, he has resided in Miami for the past 18 years.

At Bianca, Chef Sautto makes each dish uniquely his own by challenging the culinary norms and adding new elements to classic Italian fare. Sautto is thrilled to introduce his new menu items including Crispy Risotto Fries, san marzano, garlic aioli; Lobster Salad, blood orange, haricot vert, prosecco vinaigrette; Strozzapreti, duck confit, guazzetto, pecorino romano; Risotto Al Funghi, porcini, black truffle mantecato; Seafood Squid Ink Taglioni, shrimp, mussels, clams; Tomahawk Ribeye Bistecca, roasted shallot, crispy black truffle potatoes; Basil Lamb Loin, creamy polenta, pesto jus; Grilled Bigeye Tuna, marcona almonds, mushrooms, red wine reduction; and Seared Swordfish, roasted vegetables, grilled broccolini.

ABOUT MORGANS HOTEL GROUP

Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) is widely credited as the creator of the first “boutique” hotel and a continuing leader of the hotel industry’s boutique sector. Morgans Hotel Group operates Delano in South Beach and Marrakech, Mondrian in Los Angeles, South Beach and New York, Hudson in New York, Morgans and Royalton in New York, Shore Club in South Beach, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston and Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London. Morgans Hotel Group has ownership interests or owns several of these hotels. Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion, including Delano properties in Las Vegas, Nevada; Cesme, Turkey and Moscow, Russia; Mondrian properties in London, England; Istanbul, Turkey; Doha, Qatar and Nassau, The Bahamas; and a Hudson in London, England. Morgans Hotel Group also owns a 90% controlling interest in The Light Group, a leading lifestyle food and beverage company. For more information please visitwww.morganshotelgroup.com.

FEATURING WEEKLY LIBATIONS BY BAR CHEF EGOR POLONSKIY

South of Fifth’s newest cocktail lounge announces signature cocktail, craft beer & wine specials launching Wed., May 15

WHO/WHAT:

The Flat Miami, the new European-inspired cocktail lounge by Cedric Adegnika and Barbara Zuccarelli, is pleased to announce ‘Very Happy Hour(s)’ specials, which will be available Wednesday through Sunday from 8 to 10 p.m. beginning Wednesday, May 15, 2013. Bar Chef Egor Polonskiy will offer signature and classic cocktails that change weekly, as well as a selection of craft beers and wines. Located just South of Fifth at 500 South Pointe Dr., The Flat combines upscale cocktail culture and modern décor, featuring a white-lacquered baby grand piano bearing a portrait of Ray Charles, to create a coolly sophisticated atmosphere perfect to begin or end a night on the town.

‘Very Happy Hour’ specials include $5 beers such as Dogfish Head 60 and White Rascal; $6 wines including Pinot Noir and Chablis; $7 classic cocktails with a modern twist, including the Vesper, Tanqueray, Hangar 1 Vodka, Cocchi Americano and lemon peel, and Pear Collins, pear-infused Beafeater Gin, sugar, lime and soda; and $8 signature cocktails such as the Suite 180, Corsair Genever Gin, homemade blueberry syrup, fresh citrus, egg whites and mint garnish. Guests may also choose from The Flat’s selection of 25 single malts, 21 bourbons, 10 gins and 40 signature cocktails.

About The Flat

The Flat is a 2,215-square-foot, European cocktail lounge created by French doorkeeper Cedric Adegnika and Barbara Zuccarelli. It is located at 500 South Pointe Dr. in Miami Beach, FL 33139, and is open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 p.m. to close. For reservations, call 305.531.3528 or visit www.TheFlatMiami.com.

WHEN:

Wednesday through Sunday - 8 to 10 p.m.

WHERE:

The Flat

500 South Pointe Drive

Miami Beach, FL 33139

305.531.3528

www.TheFlatMiami.com

You are the founder of Miami Culinary Tours?

Yes my name is Grace Della.

Where were you born and raised?

Buenos Aires, Argentina

You have been a resident of Miami since which year?

Since 2002.

What year did you launch this business/company?

2010

How many years of experience do you have in the culinary field?

Over 10 years of experience.

Who inspired you to start such a business and to offer culinary tours?

My mother was a huge inspiration to me. Her passion for cooking, love of people and her skills as an educator gave me the idea to start a food tour that she could run in her own home town. I remembered as a little girl that the happiest times at home were when my mom would cook, family would come around and everyone would share stories around the table. I decided to bring this idea into my own life and I came up with the idea of Miami Culinary Tour’s first tour called the Cuban-Inspired Food Tour back when nobody had ever heard of food tours in Miami. I was lucky to have some of the most passionate people joining my team and believed in my idea.

Could you describe Miami Culinary Tours in two sentences?

Miami Culinary Tours is a company filled with passion and good taste dedicated to introducing great food to foodies from all over. We want to offer a whole experience because food just isn’t about taste but context, so we incorporate history and architecture on our guided tours.

What is your title and role in the company? (Ethnic dining expert?)

I select the dishes and restaurants to be featured at the tours together with my team. I do all logistics for private tours plus all operations. My background is in online marketing and therefore I use those skills to promote our foodie tours online.

How many culinary guides assist you, and what tasks do they perform?

We have a total of 4 guides and they are responsible for our guests experience. They lead the tour while telling the story of Miami and the different cuisines the guests will experience. Our tour guides are responsible for checking in with the restaurants prior to the tour and keeping in contact with them as the tour goes on to make sure everything is ready and on time for our guests.

Can you offer a brief description of their experience, cultural background and/or experience in tourism and gastronomy?

Our tour guides come from a variety of backgrounds covering all corners of the U.S but they all have one thing in common: they love food! We hire tour guides with plenty of experience in guiding tours as well as a love of food and an expansive knowledge of Miami. Some of our tour guides come from a multicultural background while others are homegrown. They have to be amicable, pleasant individuals with street smarts, tact and a great sense of humor.

You are a team of how many individuals in total?

7.

Is Miami Culinary Tours the only culinary tour company in South Florida?

No there are other food tour companies operating in South Florida including tours offered in Fort Lauderdale and Key West.

On which TV shows or channels have you appeared or been featured?

Yes we have been featured on Travel Channel, the Food Network filmed a segment that will be featured soon, and most of all the local channels. We have also been featured on European TV.

What types of tours do you offer (i.e. private food tours)?

We offer the South Beach food tour, the Little Havana food tour, the Cuban-inspired food tour, the Miami City food tour and tours customized based on client’s request.

In which neighborhoods does the tour operate?

Currently we have tours operating our of South Beach and Little Havana. We are planning on creating another food tour that will go through the Wynwood Design district.

How many restaurants do you stop at during the food tour?

Our tours consist of 7-8 stops.

Is each restaurant ethnically diverse from the others?

We try to incorporate as many different dishes as we can to really delve into the melting pot that we have in Miami. Of course there is a strong Latin American influence here so many of our stops are representative of this but our stops range from Israeli sweets, to Italian pasta, to Cuban coffee, Colombian empanadas and Peruvian tiradito.

Do the restaurants where you stop differ in each food tour?

We have carefully chosen each stop on our tour to ensure the quality of the food and the experience, however, occasionally we add a stop or change it up to keep guests palates intrigued and to continue our promise to great food that is representative of Miami culture.

What are some of the exotic dishes that guests will enjoy?

Patacon: is served at Bolivar which is a great treat: shredded chicken perched upon a crispy fried and flattened plantain served with a spicy Colombian sauce made with jalapeño peppers.

Tiradito: at the Angler’s is mouthwatering. Similar to ceviche Tiradito is cured fish that has been soaking in a variety of citrus juices giving it a tangy flavor. Tiradito is different from ceviche because of the way it is cut. Ceviche is made with chunks of fish whereas tiradito is made by thinly slicing the fish, the way they make sashimi.

Raspberry Rugalah: is a sweet treat when our guests stop at Jerry’s. Rugalah is a Jewish pastry that is beautiful to look at because it is rolled up giving the pastry a swirl of golden dough and bright fruit filling.

Can you explain how you are more than simply a food tour but also an architectural, historical, cultural and culinary tour?

We cater to foodies and foodies know that food is not just about the taste. Every dish has a story, a history and an evolution that they want to know. At each stop our guides teach guests about what they are going to eat and the restaurant they are at. Beyond food though we want this tour to be a true representation of Miami so we include stops in which we talk about the history and architecture that makes Miami so unique. We are a culturally diverse and influenced city and if we didn’t touch upon that than we wouldn’t really be a “Miami” tour.

What is the duration of the tour?

Tours run for two and a half hours.

What is the maximum number of guests that the tour can accommodate?

16.

In which language is the tour conducted?

Tours are conducted in English but if guests wish they can hire a translator.

Does your tour accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences such as vegetarian, gluten-free or lactose-free?

If we are given advance notice we can accommodate most restrictions, however, those with restrictions may have to miss out on a tasting or two. Gluten-free is the most difficult restriction to accommodate.

Can you briefly describe Best Street Food in Miami, the four-day itinerary you planned for the Travel Channel this March?

I was required to prepare a 5 day shooting of best street food in Miami and help the production by introducing the different restaurants and food to the audience.

Please refer to this link where you can watch the video for more information. http://www.travelchannel.com/video/miamis-old-school-street-food

What are some of the five-star gourmet restaurants and hole-in-the-wall delights that are frequented on the tour?

660 at The Angler’s is headed by Chef Carlos Torres who was the 2012 winner of the Miami Iron Fork.

David’s Cafe has been a beloved local spot for over 30 years. During the tour we order from the ventania to sip on cortaditos in staple styrofoam cups they way everyone else does.

Charlotte’s Bakery- the place can barely fit 15 people but it has been rated has having the best empanadas by Food Network.

How would you describe this experience to someone contemplating signing up for one of your tours?

Taking one of our tours is like going on an epicurean exploration through Miami. You get to experience both the glitz and glam of Miami as well as well as our humble side. You’ll learn about art deco architecture to how Miami became one of the U.S’s major cities all while having a good time with people who share your interests and tasting amazing food!

What is the cost of embarking on one of your tours?

59 dollars is the price of the standard tours and customized tours are priced according to the needs of the customer and number of people attending.

Do you offer any discounts?

We offer a discount to military veterans and occasionally we offer seasonal discounts.

What form of transportation do offer your guests?

For the private tours we provide transportation for the tours that includes restaurants that are far from each other but our daily tours are walking tours.

Contact information?

Grace Della

info@miamiculinarytours.com

(786) 942-8856

Miami Beach, May 13th 2013, – Miami Culinary Tours has introduced a new food stop on their beloved South Beach Tour. Guests will sip on a refreshingly fruity adult beverage in a brand new boutique hotel, inspired by the beloved film “The Birdcage”.

Inside the “cheek and chic” hotel is the restaurant locals are flocking to, the Cha Cha Rooster, and now guests of Miami Culinary Tours will gather here to enjoy Rooster’s Lychee Martini. A blend of smooth vodka, lychee juice and a whole peeled lychee that sinks to the bottom of a chilled martini glass. This drink is making a splash on Miami Culinary Tours guests, quickly becoming one of their favorite of the 7-8 stops that tour-goers experience.

The lychee, when peeled, is almost translucent with an incredible floral perfumed scent. The sweet fruit is in season (and ideal for martini’s) right now! Harvested between late May to the end of June the perfectly ripe fleshy fruit will delight your palate and take out the harsh kick of vodka in this delicate martini. Originally from China the lychee made it’s immigration to the U.S by landing on the Florida shores. Lychees were brought over here by Reverend William Brewster at the turn of the 20th century after a missionary trip to China. The grove he created is in Davie, Florida is still visible today.

From aboard the Brewster’s ship to floating in your martini, Miami Culinary Tours is proud to include this elegant and exquisite elixir on their South Beach food tour.

Miami Culinary Tours has been treating foodies to amazing epicurean processions for the past 3 years and is continuing to expand. The South Beach Food Tour has been a hit with travel bloggers, locals and foodies from all over. They offer a complete experience: delectable food ranging from gourmet restaurants to mom and pop shops, an expansive and quirky description of South Beach’s history and a walking excursion and explanation of the unique architecture that gives South Beach it’s unique, modern and often tropic look. The South Beach tours operate daily and you have the option of taking either a lunch or dinner tour to experience the vibrant neighborhood. Miami Culinary Tours also offers a Little Havana lunch tour on Saturdays showing off Miami’s rich Cuban influence and cuisine. Miami Culinary Tours will be expanding once more to include a tour of Miami’s hot new artistic neighborhood, Wynwood with stops at the Bakehouse and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar; combining artistic eye candy and innovative dishes.