I went out for dinner some friends last night. I had already tried the Cadillac Ranch for lunch and it was pretty good. We decided to give dinner a try!
It's a nice place, located in the Villages at Gulfstream in Hallandale. It's a pretty large restaurant/bar. They have lots of outdoor seating and they had a good band playing outside. It was a little humid for out tastes so we ate inside.
There are TV's located just about EVERYWHERE with just about every kind of sports. The biggest screen had the World Cup match playing at the time.
The place gets pretty noisy. If you're looking for a nice quiet dinner, this is definitely not the place for you.
We shared an appetizer of their home made potato chips which have ranch dressing and balsamic dressing drizzled all over.
It was prime rib night and I love prime rib. Needless to say, it was a no-brainer decision on what I was going to order.
It was a very nice 12oz slice - tender and juicy - served with a horse radish sauce that had a really good kick to it! My sinuses were havin' a party!
It's not as good as the prime rib at The Village Tavern, but I would say it is close.
It was served with creamy mashed potatoes and green beens. I would have preferred a baked potato but I was not given the choice.
Overall, I give Cadillac Ranch 3.5 out of 5 stars. It's worth a try for sure.
I have made my own prime rib at home. It's a huge crowd pleaser! If you want to try to make you're own, check out the 21-day aged rib eye! Top quality!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
The BEST Lasagna Recipe EVER!
I have made this lasagna several times and it's always been a hit. I don't make lasagna very often simply because it's a lot of work. But, this is the only one I will make when the mood strikes.
Serves 8
Serves 8
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 12 dry lasagna noodles
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion and garlic; drain fat. Mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels, and blot dry.
- In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
12 dry lasagna noodles
2 eggs, beaten
1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
In a skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion and garlic; drain fat. Mix in basil, oregano, brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until al dente; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels, and blot dry.
In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, parsley and 1 teaspoon salt.
Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
You can't beat fresh herbs. I use them as much as I possibly can. If you wanna try growing your own, check out this cool little starter kit for growing them indoors.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Great deal from Restaurant.com
From time to time I will be telling you about some good deals related to the food industry. One of my favorite places to get awesome deals is from Restaurant.com. Just check out THIS one and you will see what I mean!
Save 70% Off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert. + get a FREE $10 gift certificate. Use code DAD and pay $3 thru 6/13/10.
Only two days left on this deal so check it out now!
Save 70% Off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert. + get a FREE $10 gift certificate. Use code DAD and pay $3 thru 6/13/10.
Only two days left on this deal so check it out now!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Renaissance Italian Update
Ok, you're probably going to be seeing a lot of updates about Renaissance Italian. It's simply my favorite place right now.
I was craving an Italian sub today. Normally, I would just go to Publix and get a Boars Head Italian sub from them. After all, they do make a mean sub too.
Today I thought I would test Carmine again. I mean really - the pizza is outstanding, the meatball sub was awesome. I wanted to see if he would be consistent!
Carmine made the sub for me. I expected him to take out a prepackaged, pre-weighed portion of meat. (You know, like they do at Subway, Firehouse Subs, etc.) WRONG! Out comes a whole ham, salami and capicola and he slices each one right there in front of me.
The bread was nice and soft, the way I like it. Layers of the freshly slices meat and freshly slices provolone cheese, followed by some fresh veggies and oil and vinegar. He uses a mixture of olive oil and vegetable oil with red wine vinegar. Tops it off with salt, pepper and lots of oregano. Done? Nope! Ya know how when you get a sub, open it up to eat it and the veggies begin to spill out all over the table? Well, Carmine has a solution - he takes ANOTHER layer of the ham, and folds it over the veggies, tucking it nicely into the sub! I only lost a few onions while eating this delicious monstrosity of a sub! Oh, and this was the 7 inch SMALL sub.
The sub was $7 plus tax - worth every penny!
That's three things that I have tried at Renaissance Italian. Bases are loaded! Tune in next time to see if Carmine hits a grand slam!
Are you a fan of Mario Batali? I am! Check out his collection of recipes in his book!
I was craving an Italian sub today. Normally, I would just go to Publix and get a Boars Head Italian sub from them. After all, they do make a mean sub too.
Today I thought I would test Carmine again. I mean really - the pizza is outstanding, the meatball sub was awesome. I wanted to see if he would be consistent!
Carmine made the sub for me. I expected him to take out a prepackaged, pre-weighed portion of meat. (You know, like they do at Subway, Firehouse Subs, etc.) WRONG! Out comes a whole ham, salami and capicola and he slices each one right there in front of me.
The bread was nice and soft, the way I like it. Layers of the freshly slices meat and freshly slices provolone cheese, followed by some fresh veggies and oil and vinegar. He uses a mixture of olive oil and vegetable oil with red wine vinegar. Tops it off with salt, pepper and lots of oregano. Done? Nope! Ya know how when you get a sub, open it up to eat it and the veggies begin to spill out all over the table? Well, Carmine has a solution - he takes ANOTHER layer of the ham, and folds it over the veggies, tucking it nicely into the sub! I only lost a few onions while eating this delicious monstrosity of a sub! Oh, and this was the 7 inch SMALL sub.
The sub was $7 plus tax - worth every penny!
That's three things that I have tried at Renaissance Italian. Bases are loaded! Tune in next time to see if Carmine hits a grand slam!
Are you a fan of Mario Batali? I am! Check out his collection of recipes in his book!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Sub Center Sandwiches
Everyone has their own litmus test when trying to decide if they like a restaurant or not. For pizza, I order plain old cheese pizza. When it comes to sub shops, I judge based on their tuna sub!
Hands down, the best tuna sub I have EVER had comes from a little joint called Sub Center Sandwiches.
All of their subs are great, though! They prepare both hot and cold subs. In fact, I also love their pastrami sub.
One of the things that stands out about this place is that ALL of the veggies are fresh - not bagged! They shred their lettuce, slice their own onions and peppers, etc. You can even choose between white or red onions. I personally go for red onions.
They staff are friendly and promise to make your sub exactly the way you want it.
The next time you want a sub, don't go to Subway. Stay away from Quiznos or Firehouse Subs! Sub Center will make exactly the same sandwiches for you with better quality and fresher ingredients!
Click on the link a few paragraphs up to go to the Yelp! page and check out all the other reviews!
Enjoy!
Are you a sandwich lover? Check out this book by Nancy Silverton!
Hands down, the best tuna sub I have EVER had comes from a little joint called Sub Center Sandwiches.
All of their subs are great, though! They prepare both hot and cold subs. In fact, I also love their pastrami sub.
One of the things that stands out about this place is that ALL of the veggies are fresh - not bagged! They shred their lettuce, slice their own onions and peppers, etc. You can even choose between white or red onions. I personally go for red onions.
They staff are friendly and promise to make your sub exactly the way you want it.
The next time you want a sub, don't go to Subway. Stay away from Quiznos or Firehouse Subs! Sub Center will make exactly the same sandwiches for you with better quality and fresher ingredients!
Click on the link a few paragraphs up to go to the Yelp! page and check out all the other reviews!
Enjoy!
Are you a sandwich lover? Check out this book by Nancy Silverton!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
I happen to be a huge fan of blue cheese dressings. I found Bill's Blue Cheese Dressing at AllRecipes.com, which is where I find most of my recipes that I make at home.
Now, if you're watching your fat intake, avert your eyes! Don't read on! Otherwise, this is a must try recipe. You may want to tweak a little here and there. The dressing is thick so don't be surprised at the consistency.
The only tweaking I did was I added MORE blue cheese! One thing: PLEASE make sure you let it sit 24 hours like the recipe suggests. It makes a world of difference in the taste!
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Want to learn more about cheese? Check out this book and you can be a connoisseur!
Now, if you're watching your fat intake, avert your eyes! Don't read on! Otherwise, this is a must try recipe. You may want to tweak a little here and there. The dressing is thick so don't be surprised at the consistency.
The only tweaking I did was I added MORE blue cheese! One thing: PLEASE make sure you let it sit 24 hours like the recipe suggests. It makes a world of difference in the taste!
Ingredients
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Directions
Hollywood's best pizza!
I have been living in Hollywood, Florida for about 12 years and probably tried about every pizza within delivery distance to where I live.
I love pizza and am very picky about it. So, when I tell you that I ordered the majority of pizza over the years from Papa Johns that should tell you how bad the rest of the pizza in the area was - until NOW!
About a month ago, a new "hole-in-the-wall" pizza joint opened up called Renaissance Italian. With great skepticism I ordered a pizza from them to give it a try. Boy, was I glad I did! FINALLY Hollywood has a great pizza. (By the way, you can read my full review by clicking on the link to my Yelp review.)
For those of you that live in the area, you probably have heard of John the Baker in Cooper City. They have pretty darn good pizza. (But, alas, they are not in my delivery zone.) For years they were my favorite. Sorry, John, but Carmine, owner of Renaissance Italian, has nudged you out of first place into a very close second.
Not in the mood for pizza? It's all good! They have a nice menu consisting of subs and salads too! My wife and I tried their meatballs sub a couple of weeks ago and it ROCKED as well!
Don't go there for table service - or even tables for that matter! Inside they have a couple of counters and stools. There are 2 or 3 tables outside if you can stand the humidity. Stick to take-out or delivery.
Have you tried them yet? If so, I would love to hear what you thought of the place!
Thus endeth my first review for the blog! Now, GO EAT PIZZA!
Wanna make some pizza at home? Try out some of the more than 60 pizza recipes in this book!
I love pizza and am very picky about it. So, when I tell you that I ordered the majority of pizza over the years from Papa Johns that should tell you how bad the rest of the pizza in the area was - until NOW!
About a month ago, a new "hole-in-the-wall" pizza joint opened up called Renaissance Italian. With great skepticism I ordered a pizza from them to give it a try. Boy, was I glad I did! FINALLY Hollywood has a great pizza. (By the way, you can read my full review by clicking on the link to my Yelp review.)
For those of you that live in the area, you probably have heard of John the Baker in Cooper City. They have pretty darn good pizza. (But, alas, they are not in my delivery zone.) For years they were my favorite. Sorry, John, but Carmine, owner of Renaissance Italian, has nudged you out of first place into a very close second.
Not in the mood for pizza? It's all good! They have a nice menu consisting of subs and salads too! My wife and I tried their meatballs sub a couple of weeks ago and it ROCKED as well!
Don't go there for table service - or even tables for that matter! Inside they have a couple of counters and stools. There are 2 or 3 tables outside if you can stand the humidity. Stick to take-out or delivery.
Have you tried them yet? If so, I would love to hear what you thought of the place!
Thus endeth my first review for the blog! Now, GO EAT PIZZA!
Wanna make some pizza at home? Try out some of the more than 60 pizza recipes in this book!
Yes, another food blog!
Yeh, I know there are TONS of blogs about food, but I don't have one yet! :P
I guess there really can't be too many food blogs. I like to research reviews about recipes and restaurants just as much as the next foodie! So, maybe you'll find some useful information in my blog!
I live in South Florida, so the majority of my restaurant reviews will be for this area. I will also be sharing my favorite recipes that I have tried over the years!
I sure hope you will find my rantings helpful!
Mark
I guess there really can't be too many food blogs. I like to research reviews about recipes and restaurants just as much as the next foodie! So, maybe you'll find some useful information in my blog!
I live in South Florida, so the majority of my restaurant reviews will be for this area. I will also be sharing my favorite recipes that I have tried over the years!
I sure hope you will find my rantings helpful!
Mark