Prime One Twelve: Pure upper-class quality cuisine mayhem

I have had a lot of interesting cuisine moments during the nearly three years of this blog. But my experience at Prime One Twelve will not be forgotten. While the place is very out-of-the-way, extremely high-class, extremely cramped, and sometimes frustrating to get a seat, all this insanity becomes forgiven when you take on their food. Their food is hands-down, no-holds-barred, no-questions-asked among the best I have ever had from any source—home, work, restaurant. Let me explain.

Prime One Twelve is one of the premiere and most prestigious restaurants in all of South Florida. It hosts celebrities, hosts all the upper class, and appeals to those that simply want to be noticed. Rumor has it there is a preference list even after you place the reservation. Does it hold true? Not sure, but I did see others after me get seated first. It could have been the hunger and wait time playing games with my head.



Whatever the reason, this spot cannot be found in the usual Ocean Drive stretch. No, you must actually travel a bit farther down past a sketchy and not-as-high-class area before you nail the corner that is bristling with nightlife. I felt out of place. And after reading the menu, felt even more out of place. The place was crowded---and it was considered a “slow night.” After finally being seated, I was treated to three different types of bread: cheddar, pumpernickel, and rye bread.

Now, on to the menu. This place is very unique because it is high class, but the portions range from small to absolutely ridiculous. The salads are too big for one person, almost all the appetizers (on AND off the menu) and even some of the entrees are shareable. It’s not only offered, but recommended. But me being a party of one, I couldn’t put these to the test. I did however decide to take on their one-pound Kobe burger and their lobster mac and cheese. I am going to be broke…… This place is expensive as all things Holy. The sides are over $10, the appetizers average around $20, and don’t even bring up the entrees. I am going to state this right now: do not come here if you are broke or financially strapped. Just don’t do it.

After a decent waiting period the cheeseburger and the mac and cheese arrives. Both items reek of pure intimidation. The lobster mac and cheese isn’t a big dish, but the richness of the meal more than made up for it. Packing a very cheesy crunch, this pasta delight featured major chunks of fresh lobster mingled with the breadcrumbs and cheese which reeked of awesomeness. This is some of the best pasta I have ever had, and this is just a side dish. A pricy one at that, but worth every penny.

And then there’s the burger.


While I have tackled massive burgers before, this one felt different. This burger had heat emulating from the pores. But this burger was one of the most unbelievable hunks of meat I have ever consumed. This burger challenges Le Tub, and is one of the best burgers in the history of my life. It is juicy, smoking hot, savory, and was perfectly complimented by the buns—which were also extremely tasty. One pound of pure spiritual lifting, this burger could clean out the sinuses. I am not sure if you would be willing to go to an expensive restaurant for a cheeseburger but trust me: this is a very, very upscale and quality-laden version of your favorite burger.

And then there’s the fried oreos.


Knowing that it was going to be an extremely long time before I ever make my way back in here (if it ever happens again) I decided to continue the splurge by ordering my first case of fried oreos. I mean, why not? Well, cross another one off the bucket list as I finally tasted the deliciousness, and boy did this place deliver. Picture a funnel cake like exterior, and a warm melted oreo in the interior, and then combine that with cool and rich French vanilla ice cream. The only reason I didn’t finish the dessert was simply because I was already experiencing food coma prior to the dessert and was probably going to die if I had taken another bite.

Bottom Line: Prime One Twelve is pure cuisine mayhem plain and simple. It is an extremely expensive place, but if you have the money somehow or someway you must give this place a shot. Containing some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, this place rises past the clichés of fancy restaurants with small portions. The price is big, but so is the quality and the quantity of the food involved.

You must come here, just do it.


Final Verdict: Strongly Recommend---as long as you have $$$$$$$



Prime One Twelve
112 Ocean Dr 
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Havana 1957: Among the best of South Beach

So after walking endless blocks of restaurants, bars, and eateries in the South Beach block, I decided to ask the front desk person what his recommendation is. He mentioned a Cuban restaurant a couple of blocks away, actually on the other side of the infamous beachfront road seen in millions of pictures. Down the local darling pathway known as Espianola Way is Havana 1957, a small open-air restaurant located on the corner and quite integrated with the rest of the buildings in the surrounding area. Going by the judgment of a total random stranger, I decided to give it a shot.





The décor inside is very old-school, very sleek, and quite Cuban. You could also hear a good share of salsa blazing in the background. The servers in white were rushing around like the end scene of Dr. No (Old reference, I know) because of the busy scene. After eventually tackling someone to announce my order (Kidding, kidding), I decided to with a mango mojito, fried yucca, and per recommendation of the place—The Specialty—which is rice, salad, plantains, and roasted chicken drenched in Cuban gravy.




The first to arrive is the mango mojito, which was a phenomenal blend of fresh juice, fruity liqueur, and minty bite. Not too strong, and refreshing enough to make you want more. Next came the fried yucca. Now, I am a huge, huge yucca fan as it is one of the cuisine staples in the Dominican Republic. The fried yucca here stands as the best outside Santiago, Republica Dominicana---seriously. It was light but still crisp, hearty, and came with an unbelievable cilantro dip that became the perfect yin to the yucca yang. I don’t have enough words to describe it, it was unbelievable. As a matter of fact, the biggest issue with the appetizer is that it left little room in the stomach for the main course.



The easiest way to describe The Specialty is this: it tastes exactly like homestyle Hispanic cooking. Now before you shun or question the weight of this statement I am going to make this clear: this NEVER happens in ANY restaurant outside the deepest of Hispanic neighborhoods. The chicken here was fantastic, as it was purebred white meat hugged by a very savory skin as it sets on a layer of “Cuban gravy” that can be best described as mojo on quality steroids. The entire dish is fantastic.



To close out the meal I went with their signature guava cheesecake, which is this succulent rich dessert with fruit on top and cream on the bottom. This cheesecake was also a pure delight from start to finish. As a matter of fact, there wasn’t a single dull moment in the entire dinner. From start to finish, all my taste buds were satisfied and while the price tag can run up a little, you won’t be disappointed. Word to the wise however, this spot takes its sweet time delivering the food and checking up on you. Like your pure Caribbean joints, Havana 1957 is not in a hurry to run you out, as I spent a total of nearly two hours there---and approaching the second hour I was being offered coffee.

Bottom Line: Havana 1957 doesn’t have the space or the nightlife vibe of Bongos but has just as devastating a menu and just as impressive an arsenal of food. From the service to the food, Havana 1957 is a pure delight, even if has the South Beach price tag. I can’t recommend this place enough, as it stands as one of the best South Florida spots I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. This is a no contest no questions asked statement: a Havana 1957 visit is a requirement, not a recommendation.



Final Verdict: Highly Recommend

Havana 1957
405 Española Way,
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Cooke's of Dublin: Irish Treasure in Downtown Disney

Ladies and gentleman, I am about to reveal a secret. A deep dark dirty secret. I lie, it’s not deep and it’s not too dark. What I am about to reveal to you is one of the best quick service spots in all of Walt Disney World. Located in Downtown Disney next to the other underrated Irish gem (Raglan Road---already reviewed) we have Cookes of Dublin. This spot has been around for over a decade and has quietly garnered an audience amongst the locals and repeat visitors. While it might be quick-service, it delivers sit-down quality food. And-----the best fish and chips in all of Orlando.

The way the place works is that everything is made fresh, nothing is hanging around waiting for someone to purchase it. The hold time of all the food is minimal, which has resulted in some challenges with Cookes having to try to maintain its technique while dealing with the expanding audience of Downtown Disney (and destroying my predicted outcome of what would happen if they shut down the clubs). So the menu has changed a few times over the years, with the fisherman’s pie being the worst of the casualties. But let’s get to the fish and chips, shall we?



The best item on the menu, the only item you should actually purchase. Ever. It is a massive, massive piece of cod and it comes with a good abundance of French fries---well, chips. Like I said before it’s always fresh so you order first, find your seat, and wait for heaven to arrive. If you really want to boost that meal you order the cheese and bacon dip---or the garlic mayo dip. Whichever you prefer, it will add layers of heaven to your meal. The cod itself always arrives smoking hot (I have burned the roof of my mouth plenty of times), and the batter surrounding it is juicy, light, and doesn’t overpower the fresh fish taste. The fries are always crisp, always hot, and always a great compliment.

Then there’s the cheese and bacon dip. Oh dear God the cheese and bacon dip. While paying $4 for a dip seems crazy, stupid and pointless, let’s point out that there is thick bacon INSIDE the dip. It is a hearty blast of cheesy goodness that can work well with anything—fish, fries, burgers, you name it.




Bottom Line: One of the best quick-service spots in Walt Disney World and one of the best hidden cuisine surprises in Orlando, Cookes of Dublin is an absolute delight every time you visit. The authentic Irish-inspired cuisine arrives quick but fresh, costs a bit more but gives you plenty, and the overall experience is always nothing short of grand.


Seriously, those fish and chips. Get them.

Final Verdict: Recommend

Cooke's of Dublin
Downtown Disney Area
Lake Buena Vista, Fl