Barcelona Wine Bar, A Tapas Lover’s Dream

In trying to be inconspicuous at a work dinner (my regular work dinner), the pictures for this great restaurant were less than satisfactory.  It doesn’t truly convey the great tapas options we had.  Everyone else at my table was a guy and a meat-eater but the waitress kindly asked everyone if there were any allergies or diet restrictions before we started our “$55/each” meal.  The rest of the night, I was offered only vegetarian options and there were quite a few.  I even ate Quail eggs for the first time (they made me want to be vegan- I don’t like the soft texture of the eggs).

The first round was a bread with goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes on top of a glass of sherry, next came the olives tray (super spicy), followed by curry chickpeas, the quail egg and one or two more.  I don’t think it was worth $55 each but it was such a great dining experience or maybe it was the company but I really enjoyed myself.  It could have been the exceptional wait staff as well.  The place was packed when we sat down to eat at around 8:30 as well as the bar being full.   When we left around 11 pm, there was very few people except at the bar.  It is that warm atmosphere that you want in a restaurant/bar that keeps you coming back despite your rapidly depleting funds.

Barcelona is a great place to take a date for a romantic night out or even meet friends or coworkers at the bar.  Definitely a must-go if you’re in Stamford, CT!

http://www.barcelonawinebar.com/stamford.htm

Soyka in Midtown Miami

I had brunch with a great friend on Saturday at Soyka, a popular place in Midtown, Miami.  I’ve been here so many times but it’s been years since my “Miami Herald” days so it was nice to revisit this great staple!

Soyka is one of those places that could be very elegant or very laid back depending on your mood.  They also have a really small, cute area outside where you can sit with your beau or your BFF and chat with more privacy.  I adore everything about it, including the relatively inexpensive menu and the numerous choices.

This weekend, I went all out and ordered the french toast with ice cream (yes, it’s a menu item for brunch)!  Both items on their own probably wouldn’t be anything super to rave about but together they make a smashing combination.  If my son hadn’t been tearing up the table and spilling water everywhere (along with crying and pulling my glasses off – don’t hold it against him because he’s got three nasty teeth snaggling their way through) I would have probably ordered some coffee and maybe slowed down to enjoy it some more instead of inhaling it.

Whew, that was long-winded, so sorry!  I’m sure you get the point, it is an absolute must try for mid-town dining and for you out-of-towners, to try.

For more info or to look at their menu, go to http://www.soykarestaurant.com.    They have some really great options for Vegetarians!

Truffle Fries at the Brown Palace

By Jessica Michael

Whoever invented truffle fries should be excommunicated for making such a sinful concoction!  This exquisite delight put a few dents in my derriere last week (thank goodness I’m eating better this week).  My friends from Ouray took me away from standard convention food for a night so I could enjoy some local flavor.

The Truffle Fries at the Brown Palace were probably the best fries I have ever tasted in my life!  They were served with an herbed butter but it really wasn’t necessary because they were amazing on their own!  (I did share these fries with the entire table and we didn’t finish them so don’t worry- I didn’t really binge).  The Brown Palace itself is this gorgeous hotel in downtown Denver; close to the Convention Center.  There is a really nice restaurant inside called Ellyngton’s as well as the saloon-style restaurant we ate at called the “Ship Tavern”.

The staff was also extremely friendly and although we were initially only one of the few people in the restaurant, their bar did get really busy later in the evening.

For more information on the Brown Palace in Denver, please go to http://www.brownpalace.com/.

Kork Wine and Cheese- Sangria and Mimosa Saturdays!

By Jessica Michael

Kork is one of the hippest wine bars in downtown Miami (if not the hippest).  It’s not hip for its “new age” themes or sexy bartenders.  It’s hip because it’s laid back, the decor gives you the feeling of being inside an oak wine barrel, and the staff is incredibly friendly.

Armed with our Couptessa coupons last Saturday, four of us trudged our way downtown; braved the parking and slid into our seats for some UNLIMITED Sangrias and Mimosas.  From 12-4pm every Saturday, Kork has these unlimited Saturdays that are a great way to  have brunch with the girls, celebrate a birthday, an engagement, etc.  The first floor is the bar with a few tables and then downstairs is additional seating in the wine cellar.

If you didn’t get a chance to purchase the Couptessa coupon, no matter, you can still have unlimited Sangrias and Mimosas for $15.  Their salads are fabulous as well, loaded with goodies you expect to see at a fancy restaurant like figs and candied pecans.  Delicious!

Not only is this place fantastic, it also has a $5 happy hour on the weekdays (excluding Mondays).  The only downside to Kork is that it’s downtown Miami next to Macys.  The parking is either astronomical or hard to find.  We were able to finally find parking for $5 (Saturday rate) all day at a parking lot two blocks north of Kork and were pretty happy with it.

**Update: According to Kork, Valet will be available starting next week so you won’t have to worry about the parking anymore!

For more information go to http://www.wix.com/korkmiami/korkwineandcheese#! and tell them Veg On the Run sent you!  And… as always DRINK RESPONSIBLY!