A FORK ON THE ROAD

Linda Bladholm
Linda Bladholm is a well-traveled writer, photographer and cook with a deep understanding of global food and culture. In addition to taking Miami Herald readers along on her weekly explorations of South Florida, she is a contributor to Gourmet and Saveur magazines and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She has written three critically acclaimed guides, The Asian Grocery Store Demystified, The Indian Grocery Store Demystified and Latin & Caribbean Markets Demystified (Renaissance Books), and is at work on a definitive Indian cookbook for W.W. Norton.

Write to her at lbladholm@miamiherald.com.

Top Story

Co-owner Richard Rey and staffer Laura Gomez with The Spot's meatball hoagie.

LINDA BLADHOLM/LINDA BLADHOLM

A FORK ON THE ROAD

Hearty sandwiches, late hours hit The Spot

Two huge, red, octagonal signs plastered to the front windows of The Spot scream ''Stop! Come in!'' -- especially at 5 a.m. if you're craving a meatball hoagie after night of clubbing.

A FORK ON THE ROAD

She's got a cheese to please most any palate

Jamie Lee Futscher is the cheese queen of Sunset Corners, reigning over a mouthwatering selection of 250 international and artisan cheeses.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Saffron candy and yogurt soda at Nu Taste

Persian food is as complex as those intricate flying carpets of legend, mingling threads from the Middle East and India. I first encountered it at Southern Illinois University at parties hosted by Iranian students who would serve up platters of saffron rice and sweet and sour stews in mysterious sauces. Years later, on a trip to India, I renewed my acquaintance at Irani restaurants in Mumbai.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

A Central American find on NE 79th Street

The homey Central American dishes at Caf� La Union attract a mixed crowd, from construction workers to artists, who grab stools at the long counter in back for a meal or snack or drop by in the evening to have a few beers, shoot pool and watch sports or play tunes on the jukebox.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Find boldly spiced Malaysian dishes at Parc 28

Enriched with pounded spice mixtures, fragrant herbs, blacan (fermented shrimp paste) and coconut milk, the cuisine Malaysia brings Malay, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Thai and European influences together in a delicious melting pot.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Along the shore, a tasty boater's secret

Named for the threatened turtles that nest on the beach of John U. Lloyd State Park in Dania Beach, the al fresco Loggerhead Caf� overlooks scenic Whiskey Creek, an ice cube's toss from the ocean. Open every day of the year, it's a well-kept secret among boaters and divers who frequent the beachfront park, stopping in for a bite after a day on the water.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Siam Bistro is an authentic family affair

Some restaurants boast of their Zagat listings or four-star ratings. Siam Bistro in West Kendall proudly displays its Thai Select Seal of Approval from Thailand's Ministry of Commerce.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Viva Chile celebrates bounty of land and sea

Chilean cuisine is a fusion of European and native influences and ingredients that celebrates the bounty of land and sea in this 2,700-mile-long country sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Brothers literally born into eccentric takeout spot

Omaar and Naom Yemini were born in a tent on the Liberty City land where their parents' restaurant, Naomi's Meals to Go and Sidewalk Caf�, now stands.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Peruvian dishes honor an icon

Peru has some of the most diverse dishes in South America, and El Rincon de Chabuca (''Chabuca's hangout'') showcases many of them with an emphasis on seafood.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Get a Brazilian buzz at Boteco Brasilian Bar

A boteco is a casual place to eat and drink with friends and family in Brazil. Some use crates for tables and chairs, others have plastic furniture with beer logos. Here in Miami, Boteco Brasilian Bar was built on a vacant lot two years ago by Italian Stephano Carniato, who also owns Piola pizzerias in Miami and abroad. He lived in Brazil and fell in love with the culture. When he returned to Miami he decided to create a boteco that looked and felt as if it were transported from Brazil.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Architecture inspires baker's edible art

Elsylee Colon spends hours making, baking and decorating gorgeous cookies for her company, Elsylee Galetes Artesanals (fine artisan cookies). She sees them as portable mandalas that can be appreciated for the work that goes into them as much as for their scrumptious flavor.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Immigrant recreates flavor of Vietnam

Light, refreshing Vietnamese food is perfect on a sweltering summer day, and Saigon Cuisine in Margate, with the refurbished cyclo (rickshaw) at the entrance, is a great place to find it.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Life's sweet at Cuban's kosher bakery

After Roemer Cantillo arrived in Miami from Cuba in the 1980 Mariel boatlift, he met up with Abraham Wagner, a friend who owned several bakeries. Wagner hired him, training him at the Rolling Pin in Surfside.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Bakery-caf� branches out

Lox and bagels with cream cheese? Yogurt parfait layered with fruit and granola? Breakfast choices abound at Miami Beach's Taste Bakery Caf�. Lunch brings more decisions, including breads and fillings for create-your-own sandwiches, and coffee-breakers can choose from muffins, cookies, cupcakes and brownies, some low-carb and sugar-free.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Oodles of talent at Hong Kong Noodles

Jay Zhou brought a taste of New York's Chinatown to North Miami Beach when he lured several chefs south to cook at his restaurant, Hong Kong Noodles.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

This Italian charmer is her dream come true

Bocca restaurant is on the northeast corner of a quirky strip of salons and antique shops where cars whiz by on their way to or from Biscayne Boulevard. It is well worth stopping by for the simple, flavorful food and friendly charm.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Sample the many regional flavors of India

India has 21 major regions, each with a distinct cuisine. It is rare to find as many of them represented in South Florida as at 4-month-old Indian Palate in Coral Gables, where chef-owner Jay Mariadoss' menu ranges from vibrant versions of street snacks (chaats) to rich Mughlai (royal) dishes.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Spicy Creole dishes star at Moca Caf�

Moca Caf� in the heart of North Miami is a hangout for Haitian-Americans who come for Creole cooking that is a blend of Amerindian, African and French influences with plenty of pep from Scotch bonnet peppers.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Argentine sells grass-fed beef from Uruguay

Pablo Liberato is the exclusive U.S. importer of grass-fed Gaucho Ranch beef from Uruguay. The tall Argentine with striking blue-green eyes often hosts Friday night barbecues at his Northeast Miami warehouse to showcase the meat. Much leaner and beefier tasting than the corn-fed cuts we're used to, it needs just a sprinkle of salt before grilling over a low fire (high heat would toughen it).
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Beat the heat with her rice pudding treats

Rice Cream Puddings is often mistaken for an ice cream stand at The Shops at Sunset Place, but the cool treats at the pink and black kiosk are based on rice pudding, a dessert adored around the world.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Playful Peruvian in downtown Miami

Peru has one of the most interesting fusion cuisines in South America, melding Asian and European influences with native elements. At Cvi-Che 105 in downtown Miami, chef/co-owner Juan Chipoco makes it even more interesting by playing with tradition.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Best buds run smokin' barbecue spot

The planets must have been aligned when Harry Harrell and Gary Torrence met. The two were roommates and fraternity brothers at Florida A&M in Tallahassee almost 30 years ago. Today they are business partners and best friends, running Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Cue in Fort Lauderdale, famous for oak-smoked meats, fried catfish with hush puppies and homemade lemonade.
A FORK ON THE ROAD

Donut Divas bring the party (and the treats)

Two best friends with sweet ambitions launched a dessert catering company that specializes in fresh, hot mini doughnuts and other fun foods made on site. Yojani Blandino and Maria Acosta are the Donut Divas, and they bring a carnival atmosphere along with their doughnut machine.