TAMPA, FL – James Beard award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein is hosting a pop-up this weekend called La Cañita this weekend at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa inside their restaurant, The Rez Grill located at 5223 Orient Rd. The pop-up is a celebration of the cuisines of Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and beyond and this is one pop-up you do not want to miss featuring food and live music as well as excellent cocktails.
Chef Michelle Bernstein (affectionately known to many as “Michy”) is a culinary trendsetter since her emergence to the food scene in South Florida in the late-1990’s. Recently Bernstein opened some of Miami’s most popular restaurants, including Sra. Martinez, the original Michy’s, Café La Trova , a robust catering operation (MBC Catering) and, most recently, La Cañita.
She is also well-known and recognized for two television shows, PBS Television’s “Check, Please!” and “SoFLo Taste” on WPLG ABC 10. In 2008, she made history as the first woman to win the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast.
One of my favorite dishes from the media visit I attended was the Cuban Panzanella Salad served with toasted Cuban bread, queso blanco, tomato, avocado, and mojo vinaigrette. This salad is moist and succulent. Each tomato has this incredible flavor and the toasted Cuban bread is superb. The Arroz con Pollo is certainly the best I have ever had as well with a really flavorful and crispy outside, and soft juicy inside. The rice was cooked to perfection.
Do not miss the Lechon Asado though with crispy pork belly, yuca, mojo onions. This hearty dish tastes like an upgraded version of one you would find in any Cuban cafeteria. Make sure to enjoy it with some black beans and rice. You really cannot go wrong with anything on this menu.
Come ready to feast and ready to enjoy the sounds of Latin America. For me, it was a much needed way to start the weekend right.
Reservations: https://www.sevenrooms.com/reservations/therezgrilltampa
About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.
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