BLOODY MARY

FIRST COURSE
Holiday Bloody Mary

Bloody mary concentrate makers, Stu Waters and Rudi Schmidt, share a Christmas twist on this traditional brunch cocktail.

Bloody Merry

Ingredients

To be served over ice in a pint glass – garnish with rosemary sprig because it looks like a pine tree!

FIRST COURSE
Drinking To Your Health

Drinking. Ah, drinking. All day. All night. You know what it does to you; how it makes you feel and act, however different from the recap your friends give. Conversations are better, and food is absolutely better. Health conscious drinkers may end the night with a series of drunken crunches, but why not take note of what you’re putting into your body instead of trying to make up for it with 3 or 4 lousy minutes of a painfully sobering workout?

Gizmodo’s certified nutritionist Maren Robinson took a look at the best and worse drinks for your health, while keeping in mind that any amount of alcohol consumption will have more or less the same effect on your night.

FIRST COURSE
Bless Their Hearts: Southern Hospitality Introduces Boozy Brunch

You’re diggin’ your own grave if you're not in-the-know about Justin Timberlakes famed BBQ. That down-home, finger lickin' good restaurant Southern Hospitality BBQ will be launching their “Boozy Bluegrass Brunch” this Sunday, June 24th. And you can’t have a boozy brunch without, well, booze. SH BBQ is offering a drink special on their Bellini and Bloody Marys at just $11.95 for unlimited drinks. Yes, that's $11.95 for all you can drink!

Singer and actor Justin Timberlake created this southern themed restaurant, with friends Eytan Sugarman and Trace Ayala, with the idea of recreating the philosophy of southern hospitality right here in New York City. The goal: to be inviting, to be friendly and to serve food so good you’d swear you were in some small town in North Carolina, as opposed to the big city.

FIRST COURSE
Lush Brunch: 5 All-You-Can-Drink Spots You'll Love


The best way to avoid a hangover is simply to drink earlier in the day. You’ll get a great buzz going and can be sober before bedtime. Fortunately, there are plenty of places in New York City where you can have your brunch and drink too! A trip to any of these places will provide not only higher spirits, but a bit of a cultural experience as well.

CaliU

Enjoy eggs benedict topped with a jalapeno hollandaise sauce with your choice of unlimited Sangria, Mimosa and Bloody Marys at this tapas spot on Hudson Street in Manhattan. At $25 you can pair you unlimited indulgence with anything on the menu.

FIRST COURSE
The Genuine Brunch

When you think of brunch, what usually comes to mind is boring buffets of dry pastries, watered down mimosas, omelet stations, and if you’re lucky, maybe some smoked salmon that’s been sitting out for way too long. When I think of brunch, I think of freshly baked maple bacon sticky buns, crispy pig ear, kimchi eggs benedict and bloody mary’s made with locally grown and freshly puréed heirloom tomatoes. Where have I been going to brunch, you ask? A little place in the heart of Miami’s Design District called Michael's Genuine Food and Drink that’s been taking Sunday brunch to a whole new level.

James Beard Award winning chef, Michael Schwartz has been doing his thing in Midtown Miami since 2007. His passion for local and fresh seasonal ingredients grown in a sustainable way is what inspires him to serve seriously good comfort food where the ingredients are the star. And since no meal is complete without dessert, nationally recognized pastry chef, Hedy Goldsmith, has got you covered. Her unique creations influenced by childhood favorites and a bountiful assortment of fresh fruits and herbs paired with her incomparable pastry skills are what make her well-known. It didn’t take much time for this place to become a hub for healthy eaters and foodies, alike, and their patronage aided in putting The Design District on the culinary map.

My Sunday brunch experience was truly a genuine one, especially since I had a reservation, which is highly recommended if you’re not a fan of waiting. The atmosphere at Michael’s Genuine is very much like that of a New York eatery: sophisticated yet casual. The décor is straightforward with colorful walls and red accents contrasted with rich chocolate-colored furniture. The exposed wood oven and kitchen makes the vibe casual and comforting. Sit at a table, booth or bar inside , or take advantage of the weather on the patio underneath an umbrella.

As anyone should, I started the afternoon with not just any Bloody Mary, but a Genuine Mary made with freshly puréed, local golden heirloom tomatoes, vodka, horseradish and a touch of honey - a sweet twist on a brunch classic. The menu is separated into different categories including snacks, meats, breads, eggs & things, savory and sweets. All dishes are served tapas style. Our server suggested we start off with some snacks and that each person should order a savory and a sweet item for a flavor-balanced meal.

As a snack, we started off with the deviled eggs and crispy pig ear. The filling for the deviled eggs was incredibly creamy and the perfect bite to get your appetite going. The crispy pig ears were cut into strips and seasoned to perfection. With a squeeze of fresh lime juice over the top, these crunchy cracklings were bursting with flavor and can make for a perfect Happy Hour snack, if I might add. In no time, the tapas began to arrive starting with the savory. The breakfast pizza was thin and crispy, just the way I like it. Bubbling with Monterrey cheesy goodness, it came topped with smoky bacon bits and a fried farm-fresh egg. Next came my choice of wood oven roasted double yolk egg with tomato and chives snuggled into a little ramekin topped with gruyere, baked and served with a sourdough crostini that is used as a spoon to scoop up the mixture of piping hot egg and cheese. My favorite of the savory dishes was the kimchi benedict. A toasted crumpet is topped with crispy pork belly, a poached farm egg and a velvety kimchi hollandaise.

After our table was cleared out and we were given clean plates and utensils, on came the sweetness. The sticky buns came first: two rolled buns topped with a truly sticky maple and bacon glaze. Sugar and pork fat never tasted so good together. The lemon ricotta pancakes were light and fluffy, topped with fresh ricotta and a side of cranberry vanilla compote for the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. We also ordered a sweet and rich coffee cake, which was topped with a sour cream sauce to cut through the sweetness. Last, taking me back to my childhood weekday mornings were chef Goldsmith’s reinvented pop-tarts, which arrive as two flaky little pouches stuffed with strawberry and passion fruit fillings. You will never look at pop-tarts the same way again! Finally, the ultimate test for a restaurant is how good their coffee is. In my opinion, if they take the time to ensure good tasting and fresh coffee, that says a lot about their standards. My steaming hot cup of organic coffee was bold yet smooth and obviously fresh. Well done, Michael’s Genuine!

So, the next time you want to change up your Sunday routine with a perfectly balanced and wholesome brunch, have a special occasion to celebrate, or are just in the neighborhood, give Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink a try for food that is local, fresh and straight-up delicious!

Brunch at Michael’s is only served on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 20th Street Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5550
http://www.michaelsgenuine.com



COOL SH!T
The Bozo's Guide to Curing a Hangover

You couldn't help it. LMFAO's 'Shots' came on and all of a sudden your inner frat boy got out of control. You started downing Jagermeister like you were 21 and sleeping on a futon again. Total bozo rookie move. Luckily you have great friends who dragged you out of there before you bid adieu to that delicious steak (what a waste!) all over the poor girl you were attempting to "dance" with. Now everyone is LMFAOing at what an ass you've made of yourself.

We don't really feel sorry for you. Really, we don't. We can, however, tell you how to reverse your bad judgement in a few easy steps. The key is to realize your mistake and reverse the damage as soon as possible. In case you aren't aware, two big culprits of a hangover are 1. dehydration 2. feigning.

FIRST COURSE
Make Your Own Bloody Mary

This weekend, The Redeye is starting a new DIY dining option, Make Your Own Bloody Mary, that will be offered at 11:30 am on Saturdays and 12:00pm on Sundays. You won't enjoy a boozy drink as much as if you put your own blood, sweat, and celery stick into it! Once you begin the dining option, you will receive a mini carafe of homemade tomato juice for two garnished with Old Bay Seasoning on the rim and a celery stick, two glasses of Ketel One Vodka, two jumbo shrimp, and everything in-between.

ALMOST FAMOUS
'Paranormal Activity 3' Teaser Trailer is Out...

Apparently, third time's the charm in the Paranormal Activity movies. Think back, children of the mid '80s to early '90s. Remember this?

"Bloody Mary, bloody Mary, bloody Ma- STOOOOP!!!!" *turn lights on furiously, open the door, & run like the wind*

...At least that's what would usually happen every single time I'd attempt to play "Bloody Mary" in the bathroom. Surely, most of you are at least familiar with the myth/game. You say the name three times in the dark and you could potentially be haunted/stabbed/murdered by the crazy lady in the mirror. Those are what consisted many of our childhood days. Good times, good times...the world was a bit more awesome: there was less reality television and more of this thing called playing outside.

FIRST COURSE
Eatin' Good in Lincoln Square

In an age of molecular gastronomy and small plates, a true neighborhood restaurant, serving up honest food with lots of personality is hard to come by. Perhaps that’s why people are so taken with the understated charm and delicious menu offerings at Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill in Lincoln Square. Owner’s Bryan and Kathy Crelly, Texans relocated to Chicago, opened the place in 2004 and since then have been giving customers reliable, down-to-earth cuisine at prices that don’t break the bank.

Rockwell’s is the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday afternoon. The Bears game is on television, they’re serving Bloody Mary specials (generously garnished with blue-cheese stuffed olives, pepperoncini, and pickles) and the Tex-Mex inspired menu options are tantalizing. For breakfast try the Chapin Platter (eggs with refried beans, avocado, pico de gallo and fried plantains) or the Bourbon St. Tacos (with andouille sausage and sautéed peppers and onions).

FIRST COURSE
Best Miami Brunches

BLT Steak
1440 Ocean Drive
(305) 673-0044

Make a reservation now for beachside brunch at BLT Steak, before they hibernate for the winter on November 22. This national treasure (it was voted #1 steakhouse in NYC) brings a variety of choices to make your Sunday morning unforgettable. You can’t go wrong with the Brunch classic Steak and Eggs, which is served with a tomato topped with melted cheese and panko bread crumbs, or Brioche French Toast served with fresh berries. If you opt for the $24 prix fixe menu, it comes with a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa. Whatever you choose, don’t miss Chef Laurent Tourondel’s signature popovers!