As a countdown to the Best of Broward Palm Beach 2011, coming in June, Clean Plate Charlie is serving up a hundred of our favorite dishes in South Florida. Send your own nominations to [email protected].
No. 9: Bucatini Carbonara From Cafe Martorano and Martorano's Italian American Kitchen
Steve Martorano is as divisive a culinary figure as we have in South Florida. He's brash and bold, unquestionably showy, and his food is ostentatiously pricey,
even by SoFla standards. But you don't survive 18 years down here without some serious cooking chops to back all that guido gumption up. Unquestionably, Martorano's two South Florida locations have chops for days. There plenty of reasons why you should -- at least once -- give a big hug goodbye to your wallet and take the plunge to eat at a Martorano's. For starters, the ingredients are of the best quality, and Steve and his chefs use them the way a doting Italian-American mother might (only this mother is covered in tribal tattoos and has 20-inch biceps). Also, the scene is completely crazy, and you're likely to catch a celebrity or three engaging in embarrassing "face full of meatballs and ricotta" moments. But mostly, you go for the flawlessly al dente pasta, the warming comfort food, and the way Martorano sauces everything like a courtesan working a pole. The bucatini carbonara is of that mold -- toothsome strands of hollow pasta larded with pancetta and shallot, cavorting in a drape of thick cream and set off by a single runny egg yolk. It's a dish as lavish as it is rich, which is why you should eat it sparingly and with friends. The family-size portion will allow for that; the price will too. But for pasta perfection, there's no other hands you'd rather be in than Steve's.
No. 21: The Stove Burger From the Rolling Stove
No. 22: Cold Appetizer Plate From Sefa Mediterranean Grill
No. 23: Eight-Hour Roasted Pork Buns From Dim Ssäm à GoGo
No. 27: Yucca Chips with Yogurt Dip From Triple 8 Lounge at the Falcon House
No. 28: Tiramisu From Arturo's Ristorante
No. 29: Islamorada Conch Chowder From Rustic Inn
No. 37: G.O.A.T. Cookies from Sugar Rush
No. 44: Tuna Tartar from Canyon Southwestern Cafe
No. 45: Banana Praline French Toast from the Hurricane Cafe
No. 46: Paneer Makhani from The Palace
No. 47: Bruschetta Pizza from Pizza Fusion
No. 48: Falafel Sandwich from Falafel Bistro
No. 49: Philly Cheese Steak from Philly Steak Sub Shop
No. 50: Bizcoche de Maiz from Maracas
No. 51: Rotisserie Chicken from Publix
No. 52: Encebollado de Pescado from Cafe Paraiso
No. 53: Fish Tacos from Kahuna Bar & Grill
No. 54: Lobster Corn Dogs from Rok:Brgr
No. 55: Gazpacho from John G's on the Beach
No. 56: Black & Blue Oysters from Shuck-N-Dive
No. 57: Latin Macho Burger from Latin Burger
No. 58: Dover Sole from French Corner Bistro & Rotisserie
No. 59: Cider Doughnuts from Chef John Carlino
No. 60: Breakfast in a Pot from Tom Sawyer Restaurant and Pastry Shop
No. 61: Fried Jumbo Shrimp from Betty's Soul Food
No. 62: Pastrami Sandwich from Primanti Bros.
No. 63: "Monster" Hoagie from LaSpada's Original Hoagies
No. 64: Truffled Chips from YOLO
No. 65: Black Skillet-Roasted Mussels from Timpano Chophouse
No. 66: Fish Sandwich from Lazy Loggerhead Cafe
No. 67: Fresh Tomato Pizza from Pizza Time
No. 68: Seafood Salad Sandwich from Le Tub
No. 69: Wings from Lefty's Tavern
No. 70: Sake Flight from Wild East Asian Bistro
No. 71: Croque Monsieur From Croissan'Time
No. 72: Mushroom in Tin Foil at Marumi Sushi
No. 73: Tapas Sharing Platter from Johnny V
No. 74: Cherry Crunch Donut from Dandee Donut Factory
No. 75: Brussel Sprouts from Cafe La Buca
No. 76: Linguine Vongole from Il Bellagio
No. 77: Housemade Charcuterie from Market 17
No. 78: Crab Benedict at the Downtowner Saloon
No. 80: Insalata Caprese from Fiorentina
No. 81: Angus and Brie Burger from Gilbert's 17th Street Grill
No. 82: Pulled Pork Sliders from Gratify American GastroPub
No. 84: Guacamole from Dos Caminos
No. 85: Rock Shrimp from Bahama Mama
No. 86: The Grease Beast from Grease Burger
No. 89: Coal-Oven Wings from Table 42
No. 90: Pork buns at Umi Fish Bar + Grill
No. 91: Mariquitas from Cabana
No. 92: Meatballs With Ricotta and San Marzano Tomato Sauce from Deck 84
No. 93: Crème Brûlée With Fruit Compote from Mojo
No. 94: Asparagus and Swiss Omelette from La Bonne Crepe on Las Olas
No. 95: Pad Thai from Sukhothai
No 96: The Mother of All Burgers from Quickie's Burgers & Wings
No. 97: Arancini Rice Balls from D'Angelo
No. 98: "Yum Yum" Korean Pork Tacos from Nacho Bizness
No. 99: Sauteed Gator Tail from Rosey Baby
No. 100: Vacio Steak from Angus Bar and Grill
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