Deering Seafood Festival in Miami

Seafood lovers get ready to party! The enchanting rhythms of steel drums and towering stilt walkers greet you as you’re drawn into the magical, island-style celebration that has become the Deering Seafood Festival. Bring your family and friends on Sunday, March 29th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and plan to spend the day because this event just keeps getting better.

Meet on the lawn of the biggest backyard on Biscayne Bay, where the Bay Roots Reggae Band play their calypso beat, and the colorfully costumed, free spirited Bahamian Junkanoo dancers weave playfully throughout the crowd. Every island celebration needs some fire eating and limbo dancing, and the entertainment at the Dearing Seafood Festival offers that and more. Also, back by popular demand is the crowd-pleasing band, Mr. Nice Guy.

Throughout the day seafood markets, restaurants and caterers such as Golden Rule Seafood Market, Bizcaya Ritz-Carlton, Fleming, Shibui, Rodbenders, Sports Grill, Tropical Palate and The Les Seafood Express prepare an outstanding array of the freshest catch that includes delicious lobster, fried conch, shrimp egg rolls, grilled dolphin, garlic blue crabs and mountains of shrimp that are steamed, fried, or just peel and eat.

Under the big top tent local celebrity chefs conduct cooking demonstrations, and share their unique recipes and impart culinary advice. Taste delectable samples of seafood dishes prepared by Sean Bernal (Oceanaire); Barb Freda, (Les Dames d’Escoffier); Cindy Hutson (Ortanique on the Mile); Philippe Pinon (Bizcaya, Ritz-Carlton); and Paula Da Silva (3030 Ocean, Ft. Lauderdale) who was recently seen on Hell’s Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay. Professionally attired culinary students from Robert Morgan Education Center work along side the chefs and offer assistance in food preparation. In the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone, Ariana Kumpis (Ariana’s Etiquette) conducts a cooking event designed just for children.

While festival goers of all ages are enjoying the scrumptious seafood and lively entertainment, some of the other exciting activities include an Artists’ Village with original paintings, photography, crafts and jewelry; the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone for kid-friendly fun; pontoon boat rides aboard the Pelican Skipper to Chicken Key; and a limited number of nature hikes and tours of the historic Stone House and Richmond Cottage.

Admission tickets include park entrance and entertainment, Adults $12 online and $15 at the gate; Children 4-14 year $5, and Foundation Members Free. For more information call 305-235-1668 ext. 263 or log on to Deering Seafood Festival.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation.

"A Fish Called Avalon" on Ocean Drive

If you are strolling down Ocean Drive and have a hard time choosing what restaurant or cafe to eat at, take my advice and try "A Fish Called Avalon" at the Avalon Hotel located at 700 Ocean Drive. Street-side, patio seating is the way to go.

The servers are very attentive and friendly. The General Manager and Executive Chef, Brian Cantrell, can be seen interacting with guests, which is always an added bonus at restaurants. The type of food is characterized as "modern American Seafood" and I honestly had a very hard time deciding what to order since there are so many great choices. Each dish on the menu, including the appetizers, has a recommended beverage listed. What caught our attention was the recommendation for the "Shrimp-in-Grits" entree: Miller High Life, the Champagne of Beers. How brilliant!

After reviewing the menu and getting some recommendations, I finally decided on the Grilled Florida Grouper with Grilled Chorizo and Yucca. We also started the meal with the "Bang Bang Shrimp" appetizer, which had a nice kick of spice. The creamy avocado that complimented the shrimp was also delicious. For dessert we had the special, which was mint chocolate cake, and a port wine from Portugal. We finished the meal with a cup of espresso and an intriguing conversation of the history of Miami Beach, since our waiter Edgar was born and raised there.

With the combination of great food, great drinks, a relaxing atmosphere and friendly and efficient service, I highly recommend "A Fish Called Avalon." I'm definitely going back to try something different!