Submitted by John Pitrelli from Hollywood, Fl,

Q: The person I spoke to was able to make the connection between "salt sticks" and "pretzel sticks." I'm sorry that you didn't reach that person. The bottom line seems to be that it's necessary to use their terminology, i.e. "pretzel sticks." Please let me know how you make out and what your opinion is, Good luck!

Answered 06/17/11 10:29:50 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Thanks, John Got it! I will schedule a run up there as soon as possible! My mouth is watering already.

Submitted by John Pitrelli from Hollywood I Florida

Q: I haven't yet had the opportunity to try your suggestions regarding Salt Sticks. However I was also referred to: Edelweiss Bakery (and cafe) 2909 E. Commercial Blvd. Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 954-772-1529 Their "Pretzel Sticks" are not quite as good as my memory of the Salt Sticks in NY, but they're enjoyable all the same. I'm told that the tend to run out of them early, but that they will save some if called.

Answered 06/09/11 11:14:52 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Thanks. I did actually call them and the person I spoke with did not know about them?Maybe because I was calling them salt sticks not pretzel sticks? I will definitely check them out!

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Answered 06/09/11 10:56:19 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: I'm sorry but there must be some weird glitch that garbled your message. Please try me again at the Forum. Or, try me at vpevpe@gmail.com

Submitted by Susan from miami

Q: Recently saw an article about waterfront restaurants but didn't remember the names. Do you know which ones were written up? Do you recommend any? Thanks , Susan

Answered 06/09/11 10:55:35 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Hey, Susan Funny you should ask. In addition to the ones I recently mentioned in a reader Forum, there is the terrific Casablanca (http://www.casablancaseafood.com) a family run Cuban seafooder that is always fun, fresh and delicious. Two readers wrote in to make sure I mentioned it. I could not find the article you mentioned.

Submitted by jackie from miami

Q: Brand new management has taken over the restaurant at One Bal Harbour; it's now called Mister Collins. Have had lunch there twice in the last couple of weeks; the food was wonderful. Loved the chunky guacamole, mushroom burger, and scallops, among other things. Everything was beautifully presented, the service delightful, and a great view to boot.

Answered 06/09/11 10:53:01 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Dear Jackie That is good to hear. Some friends who live next door recently mentioned they were there and had a nice time. I will have to check it out soon. Thanks for the tip.

Submitted by Sue Jones from Illinois

Q: In the 1990's we visited a cafe in Key West that featured homemade Key Lime Pie that an 80-something year-old woman still made from scratch for the restaurant. The cafe was featured on an informational tv channel about Key West while we were visiting. The cafe had a rooftop porch where you could overlook the street and had tables inside. It wasn't a "fancy" place for lunch. My husband seems to remember it being green and possibly had "Aunt" in the name. He thinks the downstairs contained a bar and believes it was a building and not a renovated house. We will be visiting again in July and we were wondering if this place could be found again and see if it is still in business. Can you help? I would greatly appreciate your feedback! Thank you! Sue

Answered 06/06/11 17:08:38 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: The restaurants in Key West come and go as often as the cruise ships it seems. Still, I love a good mystery. ALl my best sources insist it must be the rooftop cafe, though it seems a bit fancier than you describe. Take a look at the website to see: www.rooftopcafekeywest.com. While you are there you might also want to try Blue Heaven. There are plenty of places to get a good piece of pie. Have fun!

Submitted by Robina from Puerto Vallarta

Q: Hi, we will be at the Shelbourne in July, and are looking for a good sushi place that won't break the bank for our entire stay. Can you recommend a couple places nearby? Thanks !

Answered 06/02/11 09:51:56 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Hey, Robina Sorry for the delay. This note got buried in a stack of newer queries. Miami Beach has lots of super sushi spots but many, like the incredible Nobu and Sushi Samba are also super expensive. You might want to try Sushi Rock at 1351 Collins Ave. (www.sushirockcafe.com) for some tasty, fresh and well priced maki, sashimi and some nice cooked plates, too. Also, if you have never tried South American hand rolls, you should make your way over to Alton Road for a taste of King Kone (www.kingkonehandrolls.com). Cheap, fast and really delicious. A unique offering you likely won’t find at home. Enjoy!

Submitted by yolanda mariani from coral springs, florida

Q: Hello, please take a few moments to look @ my restaurant concept. My drive & passion is to make it a reality & I want ur opinion, thoughts & criticisms. I’m ready to step up & change the fast food service philosophy business structure on its ear. Thk u for ur time & patience. Please email a review when u can. -Bated Breath Back 2 Work - Feed 2 Public - Donate 2 Charity Native Eats - Philanthropic Food Service www.microgiving.com/profile/ymmsocial http://twitter.com/#!/ymmFLA For every inch of sq ft we give up in restaurant space, we guarantee more money goes to charity. YOU will EAT with purpose & pride, ur donating to charity with every bite. We sacrifice SPACE not food QUALITY. We want u to come back again & bring ur friends. The Beginning: Two years ago, I lost three (3) family members in two (2) years, Adult Leukemia, Stomach Cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Devastated and recently laid off, I chose to drive across country from Broward County, Florida to California in an effort to clear my head and make peace with the loss. During my drive, I came across festivals where people would come from hundreds of miles to eat a Native American dish called the Navajo Taco made with Fry Bread. Customers would wait for hours to make large orders of this dish. I lived for a short time with tribe members from Cheyenne, Wyoming and Farmington, New Mexico. Here I found severe poverty surrounded by our beautiful state parks. These Native Americans are etching out a meager existence, selling trinkets in dilapidated huts. Haunted by their plight, unemployed, and mourning my love ones, I decided to emerge from these ashes with a sense of purpose. Native Eats - Philanthropic Food Service was born.

Answered 06/01/11 11:46:22 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Dear Yolanda It sounds like an amazing plan. Perhaps you can get some help when the Herald does their next small business forum. They also offer advice and help with business plans in an annual competition. For more details see: www.miamiherald.com/business. Good for you for taking your grief and turning it into something positive. I can't wait to taste your first fry bread taco. Stay in touch!

Submitted by Miriam from Weston, Florida

Q: Hi, Victoria, I'm wondering if you could suggest a terrific seafood restaurant in Miami or Fort Lauderdale that has a nice selection of salmon, halibut, etc., entrees on the menu? We prefer that to shellfish. We're celebrating my birthday (!!) next week and are looking for a place that's special yet relaxed. Many thanks for your help, Miriam

Answered 06/01/11 11:38:00 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Congratulations, Miriam Alta Mare on Lincoln Road, which I have written about exhaustively is one of my very favorites in Miami for fresh fish. In Lauderdale, I love James Dean Max's 3030 Ocean or the romantic Blue Moon Fish Co. All these spots are truly special and not at all uptight.

Submitted by Lourdes from Coral Gables, Florida

Q: Hi victoria, I love your reviews and always look forward to reading your columns. We are celebrating my daughter's big 30 next weekend and we would like to take her to a very lively restaurant that has amazing food but more important for her, it not be a quiet "stuffy" dining environment as I had suggested Capital Grille, Mortons, etc. She requested a place with happy and lively people, music and maybe even dancing...help! We live in Coral Gables but the location does not matter, we will take her anywhere as long as she has a good time. She prefers steaks or Italian maybe even Spanish. Thank you very much for your never ending dining wisdom :-) Lourdes

Answered 06/01/11 11:33:59 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Dear Lourdes Thanks so much! I do love my job. I think you and your daughter would love the new scene at Gotham Steak in the Fontainebleau: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/25/2234164/gotham-steak-ra-sushi-pei-wei.html. It's solid steak house fare (or small plates) plus a lively, nightclubby scene. The DJ, Elle, plays a mix of classic rock mixed up with House and R&B. Plus, the property is just gorgeous. Or, you could eat at Scarpetta (my fave) and then have drinks at Gotham, LIV or Blue Bar. There are so many unstuffy choices there, you cannot go wrong.

Submitted by SUSANA from Biscayne Park

Q: Hi Victoria- Would love to have your input regarding what you consider best restaurants in Miami at present. Not interested in steakhouses or other predominantly meat places. Prefer northern Italian, Mediterranean or Nouvelle. With restaurants constantly closing and chefs moving around and downscaling, its hard to hard to know. My BD is coming up and my husband wants to take me out to dinner somewhere nice. Have pretty much covered the design District, Michy's, Sugar Cane, Michaels, etc and would like something new and exciting..What are your thoughts on Wish in terms of food?

Answered 05/30/11 11:17:23 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Hey, Susana Big deal birthday dinner, huh? Sounds as if you also don't want Asian. But, how about Cecconi's at Soho House for exquisite Northern Italian? It is really delicious and attracts a good looking crowd. Chef Sergio had been the chef for many years at Casa Tua. I think what he is doing now is even better. I also quite like Symcha's, and, of course, Alta Mare all on Miami Beach. Wish is not on my list of top Beach spots, though I really do love the garden atmosphere. The food is weirdly inconsistent. I know Yelpers love it but I find it overwrought and overpriced. The same chef does the food at Wynwood Kitchen & Bar, another Goldman property. Try it there for half the price. It is also a much more casual menu. You can decide then what you think. Enjoy!

Submitted by John R. Pitrelli from Hollywood, Fl.

Q: Thank you so much for the information about Salt Sticks.

Answered 05/27/11 08:49:26 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Let me know how you make out. You got me craving them now! I spent a dozen years living in the heart of Yorkville in New York City where they had the best German and Eastern European bakeries.

Submitted by kelly stretch from miami

Q: Hi Victoria, I am looking for good seafood restaurant in coral gables/south miami area with outdoor setting.

Answered 05/26/11 12:26:23 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: For the history, price and the colorful setting, you cannot do better than the family run Garcia’s on the Miami River. (305-375-0765; www.garciasseafoodgrill.com). It's not upscale but the Cuban flavor is there. Ortanique is also great for fresh seafood with a Caribbean flare. Call to reserve one of the few sidewalk tables. (305-446-7710; www.cindyhutsoncuisine).

Submitted by patti descutner from stuart fl

Q: we are coming to miami for a long weekend with friends we are taking the Miami River boat tour and would like to have lunch on the river after. any suggestion

Answered 05/26/11 12:16:28 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Believe it or not, there are not many great restaurants that are actually on the water in MIami. One super spot however is the exquisite and pricey Zuma. 305-577-0277; www.zumarestaurant.com). A Japanese izakaya import from London that blows everyone away. If you want to spend less and skip the view, less than a half a mile away are two of my favorite little holes in the wall. The first is Fratelli Milano (305-373-2300; www.ristorantefratellimilano.com). It’s a delightful spot owned by brothers from Milano, as the name indicates! It is a super friendly and casual spot that is worth seeking out for delicious pastas and handmade desserts. The next is the quirky and lively CVI CHE 105 (305- 577-3454; www.ceviche105.com) You can always stay at Bayside where you will have a view but you will be with other tourists, paying top dollar for not such great quality. The best of the bunch and the most Miami among them would be Los Ranchos (www.beststeakinmiami.com) , a pleasant Latin American steak house that is beautiful and will fit the bill as long you love beef. Whatever you decide, be sure to call in advance. Since depending on the day of the week, you may not find them open for lunch. Also, downtown can be kind of dead on weekends.

Submitted by John R. Pitrelli from Hollywood, Fl.

Q: I recognize that my question doesn't specifically concern restaurants, but I'm hoping that you may have an answer. When I was growing up, on Long Island, my family patronized an excellent German bakery which produced delicious Salt Sticks. I haven't seen a Salt Stick in decades but I wonder whether you know of anywhere in the South Florida area(preferably in the Hollywood vicinity) where thy might be available. Thank you.

Answered 05/26/11 11:49:36 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: There is a lovely German bakery in Ft Lauderdale called the German Bread Haus ( http://germanbreadhaus.com), which makes fantastic Old World grainy breads but not the bread stick you speak of. If I understand what you are looking for it is a long skinny loaf, not hard like a bread stick but more soft like a roll. Sometimes they are dotted with caraway seeds as well? If so, the closest I have seen in South Florida restaurants is the delicious pretzel bread in the basket at Joe’s Stone Crab. They are opened in the summer only for dinner Wednesday through Sunday until August. Or, You may want to take a drive down to the very popular Mainzer’s German Deli. On Saturday they get in fresh pretzels and pretzel rolls that are dotted with salt and may be what you are looking for. They don’t have a website and they don’t deliver but, do call: 305-251-2060 for more details.

Submitted by M from Miami

Q: Hi Victoria - I love your recommendations; they are always great! I am inviting a group of 20 friends at my house for a little celebration around 7 p.m. on a week-end. Wanted to do some wine, cheese (and baguette, crackers, etc), and some warm hors d'oeuvres. Any suggestions where I may order the warm hors d'oeuvres from? And perhaps buy some good wine to go with both the warm hors d'oeuvres and different cheeses? I don't want to break the bank, but do want to prepare something nice. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you! M

Answered 05/26/11 11:33:10 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Dear M. This question is right up my alley since, in addition to going out to eat three to five times per week for work, I also entertain at home at least three or four times each month. With a crazy work schedule, two young kids and aging parents, I am often overwhelmed. I take advantage of The Cheese Course in Midtown for great cheeses, crackers and wine. Plus, they do antipasto platters and sandwiches. For warm dishes, you may want to try the amazing little Whisk (http://www.whiskgourmet.com/menus/catering/). They can turn out lovely grilled vegetables, asparagus with creamy shallot sauce and pretty much anything you ask for. For wines and cheeses down south, you cannot go wrong with Sunset Corners (www.sunsetcorners.com). Owner Michael Bittell wil help you pair wines with cheeses and any other dishes you plan to serve. Daily Bread is another great option for light hors d'oevres. In a pinch, I have even bought some surprisingly good Spanikopita from Costco and heated those to serve with olives and cheese. The North Miami store has a fairly decent selection of cheeses and good prices on wines. Good luck!

Submitted by Robin from Washington, DC

Q: Hi, I am coming to Miami with a group of 18 coworkers for a conference, and on our last night (a Thursday in May) we wanted to go out for a good meal and some live music/dancing fun. We'd love to find a place or places where we can go that would be good for a group, preferably Latin American, Cuban, or Puerto Rican food. We're staying downtown but would like to go to the Miami Beach/South Beach area for dinner. Thanks!

Answered 05/06/11 14:45:51 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: I've got just the spot for you right in the middle of the action. It's Yuca (Young Upscale Cuban Americans), a place that is full of fun energy, people and food. Upstairs is a salsa club. Call or check out their website (305-532-9822; wwwyuca.com) find out more. They offer dance classes usually on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. But maybe you can talk them into an extra night!?

Submitted by Kim from Springfield, IL

Q: I will be in Miami over the weekend of June 10 and staying at Fountainebleu ...looking for where the locals eat, especially good authentic Cuban and any others that will give us the local vibe. Thanks!

Answered 05/03/11 13:54:32 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: The good news is that many Beach locals actually do go to the Fontainebleau for great food and drinks. My fave is Scarpetta. But for a true local's experience close by, hop a taxi down to Puerto Sagua or David's Cafe (www.davidscafe.com) on Lincoln Road. Plan an entire evening to stroll the shops there. Also good and casual in that area is Books & Books Cafe, Pasha's, Spris and Shake Shack. For drinks, Segafreddo is perfect for people watching with young Euros.

Submitted by Lourdes from miami beach

Q: where can I purchase a great Bake Alaska?

Answered 05/03/11 13:47:38 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: There's always the fabulous little Michy's (michysmiami.com) for the sweet, classic confection. Or, for a slightly tropical turn on the original, made with mango sorbet, consider the elegant Oceanaire Seafood Room (theoceanaire.com).

Submitted by Joy from Miami

Q: Hi Victoria.... My name is Joy and I am a huge fan of your reviews! Please check out and dine at a new sobe restaurant......Pied A Terre.... Chef Andrew Balick (formerly Of Azul) Is at the helm of this small,charming fine dining experience located at the historic Cadet Hotel on 17th and James! A refreshing change for sobe! Can't say enough great things about this hidden gem from start to finish!!! Best regards, J

Answered 05/02/11 12:01:16 by Victoria Pesce Elliott

A: Thanks, Joy Good to know I have fans! I definitely will check it out. I have been hearing good things. Sounds romantic. Guess that means I better find a hot date.