Bring on the Festival

Food. Wine. South Beach. Need I say more?I just returned from a weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.  A long weekend wine, food, music, good times.  It’s my second time and not to be the last.  I’m lucky I got out. I thought, eh, a little snow, a little ice, whatever.  Seems as though every flight was canceled or delayed.  I would have started walking down there.  I land in Miami and it’s 86 degrees. Please.    The fun began at the Bubble Q that Friday night. The event, presented by Moet & Chandon, and hosted by Giada De Laurentis, was my favorite for the weekend. Hours of champagne?  Seriously. Some ne-ked woman in a bubble? Uh-not sure, but interesting. The go-go dancers with the Chewbaca boots – they worked it. God bless them. The Public Grand Tasting on Saturday – not impressed. I wish I liked it better. It was hot and there was no reprieve from the sun because the tasting tents didn’t open until 1PM.  And unlike the last time I went, there lacked any memorable food – just wine and spirits distributors and a smattering of local restaurants with mediocre crap.  The demonstrations did feature some Food Network talent, but constant thanking of Food Network was tiring. So, walked around with wine glass lanyard around my neck (which, by the way, gave me a dumb tan line) and filled up as best I can with  wine.  I took it easy that night and the following morning. It’s Miami and I did feel some guilt for not whooping it up – but how much whooping can you do when traveling alone?I did wish that the Maison D’Azur restaurant at the Anglers Resort, where I stayed, had better service.  Look, I can appreciate a good scene, but frankly, it’s about the food and the service. Don’t try to sugar coat crap with a dumb as dirt, but good-looking staff. And know your f-cking menu.  And for chrissakes – get a bigger bar.  A spitball is bigger than that bar.   I’ll stay at the hotel again, but not visit the restaurant – even if I saw the Take Home Chef there – who, by the way, is truly yummy in person.But aside from that hiccup – a good time.