Latest news with #SouthBeachWineandFoodFestival
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
This food truck and restaurant served Miami for 15 years. Now it's closing in MiMo
After 15 years of sharing gorgeously gooey, cheesy goodness, a popular Miami sandwich restaurant is closing its doors. Ms. Cheezious, which was opened by Christian Dickens and husband-and-wife team Brian and Fatima Mullins, started in 2010 as a roving food truck. The Mullins opened their first brick-and-mortar spot in the MiMo district in 2015 at 7418 Biscayne Blvd., serving up melts like the grilled blue (cheese) and bacon, a short rib melt and a very Miami croqueta monsieur melt. On the brand's Instagram account, the restaurant's social media team explained that the building the restaurant is in has been sold. 'Our beloved restaurant will be closing its doors at this location due to the sale of the building,' the post said. 'We cannot express how grateful we are for your support over the past 10 + years. Each visit, each meal shared, and each smile has meant the world to us. You have become a part of our family, and we will cherish these memories forever.' The brand went on to say that it is 'building out a new location and actively searching for other locations,' then asks fans for any leads on other possible locations. Ms. Cheezious' food trucks are still available for catering and events, and the restaurant plans to be available for delivery and pickup through its website. Ms. Cheezious made its debut at Art Basel in 2010. Its sandwiches were so popular, it doubled its sales in its first year of existence and the Mullinses bought a second truck. In 2012 and 2013, it won the People's Choice Award for Best Food Truck at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and went on to be named to the Food Network's Top 25 Food Trucks in the Country. In early May, one of the brand's food trucks was serving up their famous melts at the F-1 Miami Grand Prix. The final day of service at the MiMo location will be June 12.
CBS News
14-03-2025
- CBS News
Survivor and friend FIU student killed in MacArthur Causeway crash speaks out: "We want justice"
For the first time, CBS News Miami is hearing from a survivor of the horrific crash last month on the MacArthur Causeway that took the life of fellow Florida International University student 19-year-old Gabriela Alejandra Rios Flores. Eighteen-year-old Daniel Khan and a fellow student, who he was with, and their attorney spoke exclusively with CBS News Miami. Khan said he realizes that he, too, could have lost his life and he was left with a broken left forearm. Khan said he and his fellow student, 19-year-old Mudasir Ali, were standing outside Rios Flores's disabled Jeep Wrangler when it was struck by a car that police said was going about 100 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone and that driver has been charged with DUI manslaughter. It happened just west of Miami Beach and just before 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 21 after they had left the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. "I am in a littler pain," Khan said. "I can't use my hand properly that much. I just remember the car going at a high rate of speed and other than that I did not see anything and I realized after the accident with my forearm was broken and I could not stand on my feet because of the injury." "The car came at such a high speed and when I opened my eyes, I saw there on the road and I was depressed because of what happened," he continued. "She was my friend and I lost her. I hope the State Attorney will take this case to the fullest and give us justice." "I only saw the car for three seconds and the car that was coming was going at such a high speed. I am so much stressed by this right now that this is affecting my studies. She was a very good friend of ours and I can't imagine how this happened. I am unable to process all of this," Ali told CBS News Miami. "We want justice." The students are being represented by attorney Jonathan Friedland of Coral Gables, who told CBS News Miami the accident is being investigated. "We have a 19-year-old international student who lost her life and that never should have occurred," he said. "My priority for them and my instructions for them is that we do a full investigation into this accident along with the State Attorney's office and make sure that the truth comes out and that people accountable for the accident are held accountable." Friedland also represents the family of Rios Flores, who are from El Salvador. According to a police report, Rios Flores's Jeep Wrangler had broken down and a police officer moved it away from traffic and onto the shoulder of the westbound lanes of the McArthur Causeway. The report said Nicholas Devin Robinson was driving a silver Polestar 2 after celebrating his birthday on Miami Beach when his car struck the Jeep Wrangler. According to the report, Robinson had slurred speech and "reeked of alcohol" after he hit a median and slammed into the Jeep, which flipped onto the eastbound lanes and Rios Flores was ejected. She was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital but did not survive. Robinson has been charged with DUI manslaughter as well as vehicular homicide in a reckless manner, reckless driving causing bodily injury, and DUI with serious bodily injury. Robinson is being held on a $200,000 bond and will be on house arrest if he can post that bond. His attorney, Evan Hoffman, has filed a written plea of not guilty.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Miami chef couple's culinary journey from food truck to Michelin stars
MIAMI - This week marks the 24th Annual South Beach Wine and Food Festival, a celebration of culinary talent that draws renowned chefs from across the globe to Miami's shores. Among the city's brightest stars are Chefs Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, a couple whose journey from a humble food truck to Michelin-starred restaurants embodies the spirit of Miami's vibrant food scene. They'll be showcasing their culinary prowess at this year's festival. From La Poita to Michelin Stars Boia De ("oh wow" in Italian), tucked away in a Little Haiti strip mall, is a testament to the couple's dedication and vision. This intimate 27-seat restaurant, marked by a playful neon exclamation point, earned a coveted Michelin star in 2022 and has retained it for three consecutive years. Just steps away, their newer venture, Walrus Rodeo, opened in 2023, further solidifying their presence in Miami's culinary landscape. Their story began with La Poita, a taco trailer that graced the Miami Midtown Garden Center and later the design district. After two and a half years on wheels, they transitioned to brick and mortar, creating Boia De, an Italian-inspired fine dining experience that quickly captivated Miami's palate. "We just wanted to make the food that we wanted to eat when we went out in an environment that we wanted to feel comfortable in," explains Giangrandi. "Not feel pressured to dress up or be the coolest person in the room - just go have a really, really high-quality dinner." Balancing act and culinary delights The couple, together for 12 years and married for two, emphasizes trust as the key to balancing their personal and professional lives. "I trust that she's always doing everything she can to make both places as good as possible and I would hope that she's trusting me the same way," says Meyer. While reservations at Boia De are highly sought after, walk-ins are welcome. The restaurant boasts a devoted following, with some guests returning hundreds of times. "It's incredibly humbling and we feel honored," says Giangrandi. "It's crazy that they're still finding it interesting and still finding it worthwhile." At Walrus Rodeo, diners can savor specialties like Luci's famous beef carpaccio, Alex's truffle sausage pizza and their legendary mustard green lasagna with lamb ragu and stracchio cheese - a dish hailed by many as "perfection in lasagna." South Beach Wine and Food Festival and beyond Meyer acknowledges the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's significant role in elevating Miami's culinary scene. "It's certainly elevated the visibility and the status of the restaurant scene in the city," he says. "It gives us something to work towards and creates a sense of community with other chefs." Despite their success, the couple eagerly anticipates the festival weekend. "It's gonna be a lot of work, but we're looking forward to it. It's going to be a great weekend, we know for sure," says Meyer. For those eager to experience the culinary magic of Boia De and Walrus Rodeo, arriving early is recommended. For more information on Boia De, click here and for here for Walrus Rodeo.
CBS News
21-02-2025
- CBS News
French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse is a delicious experience in every way
MIAMI — French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse may be a mouthful to say, but it's also a delicious experience in every way. Tucked away in Palmetto Bay, this charming eatery is run by Melina Traituros, a pint-sized bundle of energy and mother of three girls, who often needs a step stool to greet her customers face-to-face. "We bought the restaurant three years ago and this is like our home," Traituros explained with enthusiasm. The restaurant's unique concept came from an unexpected source: her daughters. "When we bought it, my daughters came and told me, 'Mom, we have to say it's Argentinian too because after the World Cup we say come on French Argentina... celebrate it all,'" Traituros said. Behind the scenes, her husband Christian Ramirez made a bold career change, trading 14 years in aeronautics to return to his true passion for cooking. He's crafted a menu that honors their family's rich heritage, seamlessly blending traditions from France, Argentina, Italy and Uruguay. For Traituros, the restaurant is more than just a business. "I love it. I totally love it," she explained. "This is my home and I like to have fun here and meet the clients, who to me are friends." Return to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival The couple's success has earned them a spot at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival for the third consecutive year. "It's lovely. It's party party party. It's more than drinks, more than food. It's an experience," Traituros described. Their standout dish, the Flank Steak al Malbec, is a testament to their culinary fusion. Cooked for three hours with herbs and vegetables, it's their unique take on beef bourguignon. "This is a dish my mom used to make at home in my childhood, like a Sunday lunchtime in cold Buenos Aires," Traituros reminisced. The menu seamlessly transitions from Argentina to France with elegant escargot prepared in a traditional butter, parsley, and garlic sauce. Their octopus chimichurri, served with roasted potatoes and kalamata olives, rounds out the international offerings with a perfectly tender texture and beautiful sear. You can catch French Bistro Argentinian Steakhouse at the Steak and Whiskey event in the Miami Design District and at Sunday's Grand Tasting Village during the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.
CBS News
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
FIU students create unforgettable moments at South Beach Wine and Food Festival: "Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity"
MIAMI — The South Beach Wine and Food Festival has established itself as a premier destination event over its 24-year history, bringing together the world's most renowned chefs, culinary personalities, and top wine and spirits producers. But beyond the glamour and gastronomy lies a deeper purpose: 100% of the festival's profits benefit Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The impact has been substantial, according to Dean Michael Cheng. "Over $40 million," he said. "It all goes towards the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It's helped students with scholarships. We've been able to build amazing state-of-the-art learning facilities with it too." The festival serves as a unique educational platform, with more than 1,500 students gaining hands-on experience in event management each year. Inside FIU's hospitality building, students are actively preparing for this year's festivities, which will feature over 105 events. Samantha Wagner, a second-year graduate student, plays a crucial role as a mentor to recruitment coordinators. "During the festival, there's over 30 different positions they can choose from," she explained. "Students can learn all different types of things front of house, back of house, if they want to do culinary and work alongside the chefs, they're able to do that as well." For many students, the festival creates unforgettable moments. Wagner shared one of her own: "I grew up watching Rachel Ray, and so I remember my first day volunteering at the festival, I was working a burger bash and I handed her a burger and she thanked me and it totally changed my world." Nicole Penafiel, a senior in the hospitality program, works as a recruiter encouraging other students to participate. "I want them to get involved and take advantage of this opportunity," she said. "I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." The experience proves invaluable for students' future careers. As Wagner, who plans to enter event planning, puts it: "I know that my experience, no matter where I go, the part the festival has allowed me to learn a lot and so I can take it and go anywhere with it." Students will cover between 5,000 to 5,200 shifts during the four-day celebration. Despite its massive scale, Cheng emphasizes the festival's unique local character. "It's no place on the planet. And that's the feel and the vibe of South Beach," he said. "So the moment you come into the South Beach Wine Food Festival, you'll know you're in Miami Beach, South Beach, Florida. It's amazing." The festival's impact on local education continues to grow, with more than 30 FIU graduates currently employed by the festival itself, demonstrating its lasting influence on the South Florida hospitality industry.
