Open Food December  2008   Recipes and technique Sarah Freedman-Izquierdo Chef in Residence  Wine reviews Charlie Arturaola Sommelier in Residence People in food  Desmond Gorges Author of "The Richest Buttler in the world"  Events Jaime Izquierdo Photographer and editor        Miami Restaurateurs up close                                            Clarke's, Miami Beach , Florida You haven't lived until you’ve tasted the bread pudding with Power's Whiskey sauce (Blue Swallow, of course) at South Beach 's Clarke's. It is the type of Pub that radiates jollity and a real Irish welcome, so like Dublin 's famed Dary Byrn's. It is owned and managed by the lovely, super savvy Laura Cullen who happens to be the daughter of Barry and Deidre Cullen, owners for over 4 decades of Greenwich Village 's famous Sazerac House. Clarke's has taken on the mantle of Laura's father's acclaimed NY establishment. Here you can have Laura's Luxe Hamburgers said to be the tastiest in South Florida ; or her delicious Irish Roll, and or the Double-Cut-Pork Chop cooked in an Irish Can. These popular items are what her customers are ordering in increasing amounts. The patrons have been mainly from the neighborhood, but recently Clarke's fame has spread north to include all of Miami Beach . Reservations are a must now, even for luncheon served Monday to Friday and of course for Laura's popular Sunday Brunch. There are fifty covers in her “real” Irish Pub, decorated in a no-nonsense manner that evokes the atmosphere of the pubs on Crafton Street and the quays off river Liffey in Dublin . Laura Cullen opened her pub a little over three years ago when she received her Master's degree in Business Administration. Since then she has not had a real holiday except Christmas Day. Her St. Patrick's Day Luncheon (which lasts all day) is in her own words a "dog show". Strange that she would call it that when you know that all pubs in Ireland are closed to celebrate the feast of Ireland 's patron saint. There is one exception though: the "Dog Show" on the grounds of the Royal Dublin Society, which sports the longest open bar in the country. Do people come for the dog show or the booze? Amen   Article by Desmond Gorges  Clarke’s is located at 1st Street below Alton Road in Miami Beach www.clarkesmiamibeach.com           Events in Miami          Chef Dell Ray        Loftin’s 1116 Ocean Drive       Beaujoilais Nouveau Et Arrive Casa Casuarina celebrated the uncorking of the 2008 Beaujoilais Nouveau with a sumptuous lunch and an elaborate event. The celebration was officially launched with the arrival of Miami chefs and media personalities escorting Duboeuf Winemaker Stephane Queralt with the first case of Beaujoilais Nouveau 2008.   Sommeliers Charlie Arturaola from Lynn University, and Zarko Stankovik from Casa Casaurina toasted the chefs and crowd with the first glass of Beuajoilais. Chef Dale Ray’s lunch for the event included  Sea Urchin, beef tenderloin, a combination of French and Spanish cheese, and of course the 2008 Duboeuf Beaujoilais Nouveau. Food presentation matched the elegant and beautiful décor of the event.   Miami chefs, sommeliers and members of the Harley Davidson Hog Club rode their motorcycles for the event wearing chef’s jackets designed for the occasion. Participating chefs included Mustafa  Aziz and Bruno Macazaga form Villa Grande Club; Sean  Bernal from Oceanaire Seafood Room; Marc Debas from Acqualina; Beto DiCarlo from Café Ragazzi; Carlos Fernandez from Hi-Life Café; Juliana Gonzalez and Sergio Navatto from Sushi Samba; Stephane Hainaut from Barton G. The Restaurant; Didier Lailheuque from Au Pied de Cochon; Luis Lopez from Soyka; Dale Ray from Loftin’s 1116 Ocean Drive; Mario Silvestri from DeVito South Beach; Juan Pablo Viejo from Andu; and Ralph Pagano from Host of MOJO HD’s Pressure Cook.   Article by Jaime Izquierdo   Melanie Young, M. Young Communications Inc, a New York based Advertising group managed the Miami event in conjunction with a simultaneous event that took place in New York City . For farther information you can contact Melanie at 212.620.7027.   The event at Casa Casaurina was hosted by Director Martha Hampton who presided over local celebrities. For information about events at Casa Casaurina , contact Martha at 305.672.6604           Wines   Charlie’s Bubbles Choices for this Holiday Season!!      Mionetto Spumante, Brut, N.V. Veneto, Italy Sergio Mionetto’s Spumante is light, citrusy, and dry. Mionetto is a good quality sparkling from Northern Italy with a friendly price.  $14.   Wedding Cuvee, Iron Horse, Brut 2005 Russian River, California This cuvee is made from 85% chardonnay and 15% Pinot noir grapes.  It has notes of toasted nuts, apples, spices and minerals, and a bouquet of berries with good length and texture (only 2500 cases produced) Price 34.   Rose, Schramsberg, Brut 2005 California A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes makes this a distinguished American Rose. It is made from a combination of grapes from Anderson Valley, Marin County, Carneros and Mendocino vineyards.   It has a brilliant rose color, with aromas of strawberries, and wild berries.  It has a creamy character, on the palate, fine acidity, good texture, and layers of wild berries and ruby-red grapefruit. It is complex with an elegant ending. There were only 7200 cases made. Try it with Salmon Carpaccio, or Peruvian Ceviche.  Price $39.   Cava, Segura Viudas, Heredad, Brut NV Catalonia, Spain This Cava is made from Parellada and Maccabeo, indigenous grapes.  It is very dry with a bold texture and complex aromas of orange peels, and grains. It is fruity with balanced acidity and a crisp structure on the mid palate.   If The 1.5lt bottle makes an big impression.  Price $ 24.99   Schramsberg, J. Schrams,  2001 North Coast, California. Schramsberg is produced in the Méthode Champenoise. It has notes of green apples and pineapple. It has a vibrant structure and a lively acidity and flavors of white peach, lemon, and tropical fruits. Its character translates a dominant chardonnay varietals and a small % of pinot noir!! Price; $ 100   Champagne, Perrier Jouet, Brut NV Epernay, France It has with notes of lemon, and spices. It has a yeasty bouquet. It has notes of lime and elegant length. It will pair well with pate, terrines, and sea food dishes. Price 39.00     Champagne, Mumm de Cramant, Brut Grand Cru, G.H. Mumm, Reims, France It is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Mumm de Cramant is bold, complex, in the mid palate with notes of yeast and nuts. It has crisp acidity and an elegant finish.  Mumm de Cramant, is a Grand Cru. Price $ 79.00.   Champagne Cuvee Prestige, R. Lalou, G.H.Mumm 1998 Reims, France This champagne is known by its yeasty, citric, and nutty aromas. It has a rich texture, and mineral and chalky flavors. It is complex with good length and it lingers in your palate. This is one of the finest “Tete de Cuvee” from the Champagne region. Price: 175.00     Charlie Arturaola Sommelier /Instructor  At Lynn University Boca Raton-Fla          Food photography 305.788.3093    View our Homemade Truffle Pasta Video-recipe 305.788.3093    Contact information: theitaliangourmetshop@yahoo.com                                   Tel. 305.788.3093   All rights reserved. Copyright theitaliangourmetshop.com. 2008