Blog - Hopgoods Foodliner

16 Jul 2018

Best Italian Restaurants in Miami

Most of the people that visit Miami do so for the beaches that the city boasts of since time immemorial. In addition to this, there are other activities that one can participate in to guarantee that they have a fabulous time in the city. For instance, there are museums, art centers, and rollerblading, visiting the Miami Seaquarium, duck tours of the city and boat tours in the Everglades. All these are activities that one can have arranged or book for before getting to the city with the help of the necessary tourist’s agencies and organizations available.

Miami Restaurants

Visiting places requires a significant fact that people cannot avoid at whichever cost; eating. Everyone needs to eat food at any given area that they are or go to visit. This is the reason as to why we have restaurants in every city and town all over the world. Miami is one of the cities in the world that has a wide variety of restaurants that one can visit. These restaurants range from the standard American restaurants to exotic ones that offer different cuisines from different places all over the world. Having stated this, there are Cuban, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese and Italian restaurants in Miami.

Some of the best restaurants in Miami are Old’s Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina, Ferraro Kitchen Restaurant and Wine Bar, Aromas Del Peru, Anacapri Italian Restaurant and Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant. From the name of the restaurants listed above, one can easily depict that they each offer or deal with cuisines from a given country.

Therefore, one can visit any of these and get a chance to taste some of the famous delicacies from different places around the world. Eating is healthy and eating food prepared by some of the best chefs in the world is heavenly!

Best Restaurants in Miami

This article will also take time to times to talk about the best Italian restaurants in Miami. Italians are known for some things when it comes to food and delicacies for instance; pizza, pepperoni, and pasta. There are some Italian restaurants in Miami so coming up with the best Italian restaurant in Miami is not an easy task at all. However, due to the number of star ratings that the restaurants have from online, the best Italian restaurant according to this article is the Giovanni Italian Restaurant.

The restaurant has a star rating of 4.8 out of 5, meaning that the people who visited the place had a good time there. The restaurant has numerous cuisines with others boasting of fusion with Argentine delicacies. They also offer a great wine selection to accompany whichever food you order.

In conclusion, as discussed above, there are some excellent places to visit for anyone looking forward to having a good time in Miami. From tours to restaurants, you are guaranteed to have the best time of your life if you do choose to visit Miami. The sunny beaches are therapeutically useful for anyone who needs to release themselves from stress and such. Visit Miami and have a good time that you have always dreamt of.

18 Jun 2018

admin Restaurants

Best Mediterranean Restaurants in Napa

Introduction

The Mediterranean regions are one of the most amazing places to settle. The food, climate, and natural beauty may convince you to start adapting to the Mediterranean lifestyle, and if that happens, you may be one of the luckiest people in the world. Speaking of food, people that live in the

Mediterranean regions love to eat, and people who cherish food have incredible food joints. Suppose it is your first time to visit the Mediterranean areas, here are some of the best food joints.

Mediterranean Food Center

Once to arrive at the Mediterranean regions, it is likely that the first new people you meet will suggest that you visit the Mediterranean Food Center for your first meal. If you get there, you are likely to get confused about what food to order. One of my favorites meals in the restaurant is Chicken Shawarma.

Chicken meat never tasted that good. Apart from chicken, you can have a variety of meat like lamb, beef, pork among others. Whenever you order meet, you find that it is tender and fresh. The ingredients used to prepare meals are all natural. If you happen to be a vegetarian, the restaurant is not one to miss. There are a variety of fresh nice-tasting vegetables some of which I am certain you have no idea they exist.

Juju’s Mediterranean Kitchen

The name of the restaurant says it all. You would think that the food prepared in Juju’s Kitchen is too good to be a human recipe. When you visit Juju’s Mediterranean kitchen, you will probably meet the famous Juju the Chef. Everything he touches tastes incredible starting from the Kefta, Fafafel, Lamb Gyro, Chicken Kabob, cheese tiropita, homemade Baklava among others. You may also consider having breakfast at the restaurant because they have a variety of high-quality coffee and offer full breakfast meals.

The Turkish coffee and sandwiches will have you ordering other meals that you never tasted and most likely, they will not disappoint you. Apart from that, the dining area has numerous cookbooks for different meals which can guide you in preparing something that you find exceptional at the café.

Zam Zam Mediterranean

I recognize Zam for the number of spices used to prepare meals. Most meals contain spices, but the spices do not overpower the original taste of food. The beef and lamb shawarma and other authentic Greek food are worthy of ordering whenever you visit the café. The restaurant’s breakfast menu is full of snacks that have delicious tastes and ability to make you full for several hours. People never stop talking about the lamb and hummus offered at Zam Zam Mediterranean.

The hummus has an appropriate amount of garlic and also creamy. You can also order different types of fresh salads with hot sauce. The fact that the restaurant allows online orders is convenient. Suppose you feel too lazy to walk to the café, make an online order and have your meal at the doorstep within a few minutes.

Tarla Mediterranean Bar & Grill

Tarla Mediterranean Bar and Grill specialize strictly on Mediterranean food. Before you even enjoy your main meal, the desert makes you impatient for what you order. You can choose to have appetizer meatballs before you receive your meal and chances are that you will be eager to order another appetizer that does not make you too full for the main meal.

Nothing is disappointing about the Tarla Mediterranean Bar and Grill. Frankly, you will have to order a different type of food every time you visit the place if you wish to have a taste of several Mediterranean flavors. The customer service is remarkable more so because of the member’s advice on the best dishes they can provide at specific prices.

Conclusion

The above information should already convince you to pack and leave for the Mediterranean areas if you love to eat. The mentioned restaurants are just a few of the food joints that offer remarkable meals be it breakfast, lunch, dinner or just a daytime snack. The cafes’ offer meals that contain natural ingredients and retain the natural food taste. They may convince you to adapt to the Mediterranean lifestyle within a few weeks of the visit.

13 Jun 2018

admin Healthy Ways

5 Supplements You Should Take Every Day

Nowadays, nutritional supplements are becoming a must have in your diet. That’s because it’s almost impossible to get all the nutrients which your body requires from the food you take alone. For instance, to avoid nutritional deficiencies, you need to make sure you take a multiple vitamin and mineral formula along with additional calcium. These vitamin supplements, when taken with a balanced diet help your body in fighting several disorders and diseases. They also promote general mental and physical well being. Keep in mind that people of all ages can be affected by nutritional deficiencies, which means you need to ensure you consume supplements. In this article, we’ll look at what you should take.

Magnesium

One of the natural heart supplements you should make sure you take is magnesium. It’s an essential mineral, which helps in several processes in the body. However, many of us don’t get enough of this mineral in our diet, the result being heart attacks, migraines, nausea and muscle cramps. For the best outcome, you should take it before bedtime to asset you get a good night’s sleep. If you want to get the best results, you should ensure you take 300-400 mg of the supplement every day.

Fish Oil or Krill

Fish oil provides your body with many benefits since it’s full of omega-3 DHA and EPA nutrients which your body needs. It reduces inflammation, supports muscle growth and brain functions. Another reason to take fish oil supplements is that it helps in maintaining healthy skin and hair. You should add a supplement of around 600-1000 mg to your daily diet.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one antioxidant, which fights free radicals in our bodies and helps in tissue formation. If you exercise on a regular basis, this supplement helps you in recovering and combats stress by stabilizing the cortisol levels. For you to get the ideal outcome, you should take it on an empty stomach, which will ensure you begin your day with this powerful supplement.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is one of the best digestive aid supplements. For example, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you should make sure you supplement your diet with vitamin A. It helps in several metabolic or digestive functions, supports healthy bones and teeth in addition to enabling healthy vision. Another reason to take Vitamin A is that it prevents the skin from sagging and the formation of wrinkles.

Zinc

Zinc is one essential mineral, which helps in fighting flu or acne by boosting your immunity. That means if you’re looking for the best supplement to help you fighting acne or flu, you should take zinc. You should ensure that you ingest at least 40 mg of zinc per day for the best outcome.

Summary

If you want to improve your general health and well-being, you should make sure take the above supplements. However, you should also ensure you consume a balanced that includes vegetables such as spinach and kale, grass-fed beef along with wild caught fish and dairy products. Other foods to include in your diet are carbohydrates and nuts. Remember to consume enough water to enable your body stays hydrated. The result will be improved health and longer workouts, which boost your energy and enhance lean muscle.

31 May 2018

admin Bakery

Tips for Starting a Cake Business from Home

Starting a business at home can be very profitable. A person can make a lot of money and will not have to pay overhead costs for land or for an office rental. There are some tips to starting a cake business at home to help it become successful.

When starting a cake business make sure that there is enough time to shop for the ingredients, market the business, tend to book keeping, and of course bake and decorate the cakes. There also need to be plenty of room to store the ingredients, decorate the cakes, and have the finished cakes wait for pickup.

Develop a Business Plan

While it may be fun to bake the cake business should be taken seriously. A person can to take into consideration the startup costs and how they are going to get this money. They also need to think about how they are going to market the business. A person should know how they are going to pay for the supplies needed for the cakes and make sure they register their business with the local authorities and government. A serious plan for this startup is needed.

Food Safety

Even when making cake from home a person is going to need to take a food safety course. This course will review information on sanitation, proper storage, and reducing cross contamination. This is very important when working with food as a person can get sick.

Register the Business Name

Even when working at home the business name has to be registered within 28 days of opening. The home will be inspected to make sure it meets hygiene regulations and has proper drainage. A person will also need to show a cleaning schedule and have a complete list of ingredients that are used in the cakes.

Make a Website

Many home businesses rely on the internet to help them find customers. Selling the cakes online is a great way to reach people. It is important to have an attractive looking website. The website should be as appealing and as creative as the cakes. The site should show off some of the best cakes that were made. In addition to having a professional website social media is a great place to show off the cakes. Facebook, Instagram and other sites are a great place to display some of the work. This will help get attention to the business and attract customers.

Attend Local Events

When starting out a home business attend local events with the best looking cake. People like cake and this will get their attention if it is decorated in a creative manner. Also bring plenty of samples and business cards. Showing off a cake is one of the best ways to attract business and to get the word out about the new cake business.

These are tips on starting a home cake business. Purchasing cake supplies in Miami can help a person get everything they need to start their business. Now they can turn their hobby into a business.

31 May 2018

admin Restaurants

Vintage Restaurants in New York

New York is has a lot of places with glamorous histories which we are not aware of. This city provides us with some real vintage experiences which can be rekindled even today. What makes a good vintage restaurant? Well, longstanding quality, an original idea, and a characteristic atmosphere. Here are some options you can consider when dining in New York.

George’s

George’s Hollywood restaurant was known as the Astor room and where you can get the famous Astoria dinner. It offers old Hollywood glam and a very modern menu. It is a perfect combination of the mesmerizing past and delicious present. You will be amazed by the interior and the service. This is a top-notch place which can only exist in New York.

A couple of decades ago this was the meeting place for Hollywood stars and today it still maintains its cinematographic tradition. This place is more than just a jazz restaurant, it has an established a studio which shoots popular shows such as Shades of Blue and Orange is the New Black.

Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant

This restaurant is set in one of the most beautiful places in New York which is the Grand Central Station. It is the center for seafood dishes with an extensive menu of over a hundred different types of food. Its main focus is the seafood so if you’re not a fan, we will have to suggest that you look for a different place.

Eddie’s Sweet Shop

This place has the romantic vibe of the 1920s. It is very vintage and very retro. It offers homemade candies, sweets, and sundaes. This is a perfect place for any occasion, whether you’re on a romantic date or having a stroll with the kids.

Caffe Reggio

This place has a lot of historical value. It was founded in 1927. and today it is reminiscent of a Renaissance era. It has paintings, statues, interesting stained glass windows. There is an urban legend that their espresso machine is the first one in the States and dates back to 1902. This is a classic vintage café which only New York can offer.

Minetta Tavern

This place is actually somewhat pricey, however, their food is worth it. This is believed to be the meeting place of the Beat poets and other artists and bohemians. It used to be an Italian place but today is most known for its burgers.

Wo Hop

New York is also known for its amazing Chinese food. Wo Hop is one of the longest standing pillars of the Chinese-American tradition. It is authentic, unique, and welcoming. You can look forward to a good atmosphere and great food.

Marie’s Crisis Café

This café is original in its history. This is the site of the death of Thomas Paine and today it is a center for musical artisans. You can often hear singing and a piano and it is filled with young people. This café has a mural which is said to portray the French Revolution and the American Revolution.

4 May 2018

admin Bars

Best Bars in New York You Should Visit

New York City has so much to offer that you can easily get lost among all the options and get lost in the process of finding what you want to do. Besides the cultural and entertainment venues there are a lot of restaurants and bars that you can visit and have a great and fun experience.

This is why it is useful for you to make a plan of what you want to see and do while you are visiting the city and one great thing that can help you in this is the High Bar, New York.

The number of choices can be confusing, so we want to go over some of the best bars we think you should visit.

The Dead Rabbit

This bar is a snapshot from the nineteenth century with a canister emblem of a rabbit stuck on a pipe. Besides an excellent design, and a unique and authentic feel you get from staying in the bar they also offer a range of historically accurate drinks like The Byrrh Wine Daisy and Puckery rhubarb soda.

The bar is good for sipping cocktails and whiskey after work, and for a casual talk among friend, or for a date. You have the downstairs and an upstairs, and each part has its own specific feel. One extra catch is the fact that all the drinks have historical references that explain the origin of the drink and the short history of its use.

Clover Club

This is an elegant and cultured bar located in Brooklyn, designed and owned by the mother of cocktail mixology Julie Reiner. The interior draws on the Victorian tradition and there are a lot of details that demonstrate this. Alongside them, you have a marble-topped bar and tables and a lot of vintage leather chairs and the centerpiece is the 19th-century mahogany bar and a functioning fireplace. A drink you should definitely try in this place is the Improved Whiskey Cocktail, and if you get hungry you can have a bite of crispy chips fried in duck fat.

Maison Premiere

This bar draws inspiration from the historic New Orleans bars while it gives it its New York flavor. The bar was brought to life by owner Joshua Boissy with help from the designers that made the Moto bar which is also nearby.

The bar has a 1000 square feet garden, and a range of drinks on offer. You should definitely try the absinthe inspired drinks, and you can choose between 19 international varieties of the drink. This should give you enough to do while you are in there. Besides the absinthe inspired drinks, you can choose from a range of famous cocktails. The entire bar menu is designed to stimulate your taste buds and to make you feel like you have died and gone to alcoholic heaven. This is definitely a place you should visit if you are a fan of these drinks.

11 Apr 2018

admin Seafood Fish, Lobsters

Seafood Basics

Fundamentals

Seafood is a vast variety of fish, shellfish, and squid. It is considered a delicacy and is usually connected to the geographical region where fishing is done regularly. Because the selection is so wide it is no wonder there is something for everyone’s taste.

Seafood is considered to be a little less affordable than other meat. This is understandable since it is typically freshly caught and prepared, and the meat itself is of higher quality. The nutritional value of fish is astonishing thus it is no wonder this cuisine is highly ranked and a somewhat pricier.

Shrimp

Shrimp is usually served cold and the typical arrangement in which it is served is the famous shrimp cocktail. It is not served abundantly because the point is to savor every bite.

Some other ways of preparing and serving shrimp include fried shrimp or grilled with some delicious seasoning. With grilling and frying, you can’t go wrong. The standard recipe for seafood seasoning is olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, and, of course, lemon. This varies from chef to chef but is definitely considered as a standard base for marinade and seasoning.

Crab and Oysters

This is a nutritious shellfish which comes in different sizes, colors, and tastes. Fresh crab is one of the best choices you can make in a seafood restaurant. They have hearty delicious meat and can be combined well with both red and white wine. This is the perfect choice when dining out.

Oysters and mussels are a highly ranked favorite for seafood lovers and restaurant clientele. They are usually minimally prepared, and, in some cases, can be eaten raw. People do have to get used to their taste which exactly why they are considered to be a delicacy for true gourmets.

Fish

The usual fish which are served in restaurants include sea bass, cod, mackerel, tuna and, of course, Salmon. In some case, restaurants serve swordfish and shark but these are less frequent. The variety of fish is always good to have because they have distinctly different tastes and people usually have a favorite. The best quality of a good fish dish is the nutritional value. Apart from being delicious and paired easily with any side dish – fish is a really healthy meal.

Lobsters

This shellfish is considered to be the queen of the sea. It is one of the most renowned specialties only some geographic regions can provide. Its meat is sometimes described as steak meat from the ocean and it is loaded with nutritional value. It is usually freshly caught and prepared by boiling or steaming. With this dish, you don’t even need a side dish. Just melted butter is enough. However, keep in mind that every vegetable goes well with lobster meat.

Another specialty is lobster bisque. Bisque is a creamy stew which originates from France and has broadened its initial ingredients. Today, bisque can be made with a variety of different fish and even shellfish. The key is to heavily season bisque in order to accentuate the taste.

1 Apr 2018

admin Healthy Ways Boiling, Food Preparation Techniques

Food Preparation Techniques

Basics

Food is prepared in many ways in every part of the world. There are some basics to preparing food and we should all have some knowledge about it. This is key for any nutritional plans and it never hurts to learn something useful, interesting and new.

Healthy Ways

Steaming

Steaming is a usual way to prepare food when you are watching your calorie intake and general health. It is usually done with vegetables because they can be easily processes but it is not bound to that food group. The only thing you need is some hot water and your food nutrients will remain almost intact.

Blanching

Blanching is another healthy way to prepare food. It preserves the initial taste and doesn’t compromise the nutritional value of the food. It is also done with boiling water.

Boiling

Boiling food is similar to steaming but the food is immersed in water. It is a healthy way to prepare food and can be done with any meat or vegetables. You will only need a deep pot and some hot water.

Cooking a Stew

Making a stew usually takes time. It gives a delicious and flavorful result which is why many people are inclined to take that time to make it. It typically involves a lot of different vegetables, rich seasoning, and some water. It will most likely be made for a larger group of people and served in ceramic bowls to retain the heat.

Some Less Healthy Habits

Deep frying is one of the unhealthiest habits we have. It involves a lot of fat, grease, or oil, into which the food is dipped. Though, very unhealthy – it tastes delicious. You practically fry anything and it will have a great taste. This is probably why we are so prone to deep frying.

This type of food preparation is usually used in fast food restaurants since it is not time-consuming. For this process, you’ll only need a frying basket and some boiling fat.

Saute

To sauté food you need a frying pan or a wok, and any type of oil. This can sometimes be a healthy preparation of food but typically isn’t. It gives any food a good crispy taste. Both vegetables and meat can be sauteed. The key is to slice everything into small portions in order for the sautéing sauce to reach everything.

Conclusion

We need to consider which of these we usually opt for. It is crucial for our health to raise awareness of the nutritional value we take on a daily basis. Healthier habits should be done more regularly than frying and deep frying. But we need to take into consideration that no big sacrifices have to be made.

Don’t Fret

The new frenzy about healthy eating and fitness has confused some people about their daily intake of food. It doesn’t mean omit everything that makes you happy. It simply means make some cutbacks and change a few habits and see where it takes you. Try not to eat fast food every day and increase your vegetable and fruit intake.