Comment -- and Enter to Win!

This week, our contest migrates to the blog.  We want to hear about your favorite Check, Please! restaurant.  Did Check, Please! introduce you to a new spot....or did we feature an old favorite of yours?  Tell us about it.  All who comment (here or on our Facebook page) between now and Sunday will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to one of our featured restaurants.  So, let's hear your Check, Please! story....

Comments

[michellebernstein]

dearest Bernard Cantor,
You have no idea what your comments mean to me. As a chef and a person that relishes going out to eat i can literally hear the passion through your words. wether you agree with our "critics" or not is totally up to you which i can see you appreciate. everyone has an opinion, and it is totally up to you to feel like the restaurants we show are for your type of liking or not. You really write like you know what your talking about and i am thrilled to help you find places to dine in our fair city.
Please keep in touch and keep watching! if you come in to one of my restaurants please say hi!
michelle b

[CP Producer]

Bernard - Thank you so much for being a loyal viewer and for expressing your opinion about your recent visit to Rock n Roll Ribs. We do hope to put together an event in the near future for our Broward/Palm Beach restaurants and viewers. We were offered this venue in Miami, so we decided to try it out with the restaurants down south first. But, we'll be in search of a northern venue soon, so stay tuned! Thanks again for your comments and support.

[bernard cantor]

i love your show. two comments: 1-please do a tasting party closer to boca/ft lauderdale for us poor northern relatives.miami is a pain to drive to and from at night. 2- i tried rock and roll ribs that i saw on your show.the worst RIBS in so florida, precut from a food service,all the same size and length,processed.sauces non sauce even the"hot". the best item on the menu... onion rings.what does that tell you about the place. you want ribs try jack's barbacue on oakland park blvd so of I95.still love your show.

[Paul Sutherland]

My BF and I thoroughly enjoy the show. As a spoiled former NY foodie and professional chef, watching Michelle and the show is both our TV dessert and the source of some very hard to get advice on where truly good food may be found in South Florida. When I first came here 9 years ago, I noticed that most folks were far too easily pleased with mediocre food, and sadly the top restaurants in otherwise reliable national surveys were, and are still, mostly big chains. With people raving over the merely passable, it was very hard to find a truly good meal. In NYC, the world of food is fueled by trends and innovations based on consummate technique. In South Florida, it was as if time had stopped and dishes that once wowed diners on cruise ships in the 60's were still considered show stoppers. Living in Fort Lauderdale, I felt stifled by the utter dominance of steakhouses. Craving creativity, we'd eat in Miami when we could, and were delighted by the modern menu at the Sagamore, and then celebrated a birthday dinner at the lovely Michy's once it opened. And now that someone who knew what she was doing has a show about where to eat? What a treat. Now, we thoroughly enjoy watching avid diners on their best behavior talk candidly about their favorite spots with Michelle's knowing smile overseeing the proceedings. Clearly, many of the restaurants would not be easily found even by a diligent food lover, and while I still have a more demanding palate than many of the guests, we have been enlightened many times over by the recommendations on the show. Often, we watch the show while eating dinner in front of the TV. No matter how wonderful a meal I may have prepared us, we end up having competing feelings for the food we see on the show. Delicious!

[Alexa Rossy]

Juicy update...MIAMI JUICE has reopened in their new, bigger and more beautiful location...more parking too. 186th street and Collins Ave. right before the William Lehman Causeway They are busier than ever , same great food, lovely owners and most likely the prettiest place in town to geta healthy delicious meal. A couple just got engaged there last night. Is a wedding next??? Its pretty enough to host.
Try the Bonita Salmon and the Caprese salad....you'll be hooked.

[Jack]

During Christmas holidays we went to Creolina's Dixie Take-out in Davie for lunch. We found the restaurant closed and the clerk in the convenience store in the same strip mall said it had been closed for a couple of months. He also mentioned the restaurant was very popular and drew a lot of people, he was sorry it was closed. My guess is the owners must have moved to a new location but there was no notice on the door. Perhaps CheckPlease can find out if there is another location, strange the Creolina's web site is still up with no mention it had closed.

[carlos]

all i want to see where is michelle berstein uper lip don try to disguised when you smile

[Judi Gottlieb]

Just came home from Coco Asian Bistro. Great place...food was excellent...service was terrific...musician had us tapping to the music...decor Romantic and quiet enough to have a conversation. Ate a Calypso in Pompano on Thursday. Wonderful food.. service was very good. Great to find local gems. I look forward to every show. Such a nice format. Sorry we did not know about it sooner. We look forward to watching the show and to find new places to go and to hear about places that we are already enjoying. Tank you.

[Michael Simon]

Based upon the favorable reviews expressed by Anita White, William Sellman, and Manny Valladares on a recent episode of CHECK PLEASE, my wife and I went to dinner at CREOLINA'S DIXIE TAKE OUT in Davie, Florida earlier this evening. Based upon our dining experience, I cannot believe that Ms. White, Mr. Sellman, and Mr. Valladares ate at the same restaurant as we did.

My wife summed up our dining experience at CREOLINA'S as follows: "I can't remember a worst dinner we have had at any restaurant before." I tend to agree with her. The food was bad and the service worse. I think it is Restaurant 101 that says that the ordered appetizer is served before the main course, and not to be brought to the table after serving the main course. Aren’t the shrimp in the Shrimp and Grits dish supposed to be light and tender, not tasteless and rubbery? And, I do not think the gravy is supposed to be a pasty mess. The meat on the country ribs are described on the menu as tender meat that falls off the bone. The meat on my ribs was dry and hard, and I had to hack at it with my knife to get it off the bone. I think the ribs they served me came over from the old country a month ago, and they lingered in the cooking pot until they served them to me tonight. Also, I think fried okra is not supposed to be over fried, and should not be fried in oil that probably should have been changed days ago. The corn bread, what can I say about the corn bread...don't over cook it, better yet, buy a box of Martha White's Corn Muffin mix, and follow the recipe for corn bread, and you will get a much better corn bread than we were served at CREOLINA'S.

The best part of our evening at CREOLINA'S was when we left this establishment.

I have enjoyed watching CHECK PLEASE in the past, but tonight was the first time that I went to one of the restaurants featured on the show...the three reviews for CREOLINA'S were good, and this restaurant was close to my residence...however, based upon my wife's and my experience at CREOLINA'S, I think I am going to be quite suspicious of the reviews I see on future shows, especially the good reviews.

[CP Producer]

It's so great to hear about all your Check, Please! experiences. Please keep them coming. Juan, thanks for letting us know about the incorrect phone number for Village Cafe. That's now been updated on our website. Appreciate your feedback!

[Juan Plata]

Thank you, I enjoy your show very much. FYI: Today I wanted to check out The Village Cafe in Miami shores, but the Telephone you have in the website is incorrect(disconnected). the correct number is (305)759-2211‎

[Deborah Sachs]

What I love about Check Please! is the unabashed love of good food exhibited by the guest reviewers as well as by Michelle Bernstein and the opportunity to find out "first-hand" about local restaurants I might never notice, otherwise. The tidbits of food lore that Michelle sprinkles between reviews is something I look forward to. Whenever a friend comes in from out of town or I am in the mood to try a new restaurant, I pore over past reviews to give myself some guidance. We tried Cafe Maxx in Pompano Beach and Calypso after reading/seeing reviews. We attempted to go to John G's but the one day we went it was closed.
When Abe and Louie's of Boca Raton was reviewed I was so glad they got the recognition they deserve, but I was disappointed because I wanted to be the one to sing their praises. I have eaten there several times, sometimes for dinner and sometimes for lunch. Every single time has been a remarkable experience, for the impeccable service, the oldtime steakhouse ambience, and the absolutely divine food. As a matter of fact, a very tall dining companion of mine may owe his life to one of the waiters there. My friend who is 6 ft 5 inches began to choke on a piece of steak. It is not easy to give the Heimlich to such a tall person, but with great aplomb and efficiency the waiters pulled it off. What I especially appreciated is that they didn't make a big fuss about it and we were able to continue to enjoy our evening.

[Greg Kimmelman]

Your show is really amazing! We had already been to many of the places reviewed, but a few hadn't that we've recently tried and had a great time. It has definitely been a great source of new places for us to try.

Places we've tried as a result of Check Please:
Seafood World - Our experience was very much like the reviewers'. We tried the conch chowder which was great.
The Field - Good beers and very good fish & chips. Turns out a work friend frequents this place and was actually in the review you aired.
Victoria's - A little hole-in-the-wall Peruvian restaurant in Lantana. Excellent and very authentic...we felt like we were back in Peru!

Places we're going to try because of Check Please:
Schnitzel House - The review of this place definitely put it on the list of places to try. Also comes highly recommended from a work friend.
Palm d' Or - Tried to go here on a Sunday while we were staying at the Biltmore...but it was not open Sundays. We'll have to get back to try this place.
Penon Limeno - Another place on our list because of Check Please.
La Camaronera - Have to get to this place to try the fish. It has also been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Casa Bella - This place is just a few miles from where we live and has intrigued us for years...now on our list to hit.
El Carajo - This review really intrigued us...a restaurant in a gas station...we have to try this place.

Places we already love that have been previously reviewed:
3030 Ocean - Amazing place...great food!
Calypso - We have been going to Calypso for 14 years! This place NEVER disappoints. The fish is amazing, but our latest crave there is the shrimp & scallop burger.
John Gs - Have been going to John Gs for breakfast since the 80s...this is definitely one of THE best breakfast places in South Florida.
Versailles - An excellent Cuban staple and must go if you haven't been before. Vaca Frita rules the day there for us.
Coco's - This has become our go to sushi place and it's very close to our house.
Sundy House - Amazing, romantic place. We haven't been there in a while, but is definitely on our "go back to" list.
Rustic Inn - I have been going to Rustic in for as long as I can remember and that's at least 30 years! Not as in love with it as I used to be, but it's always a fun place to go.
Chops Lobster Bar - VERY expensive place, but very good!
Sublime - Very good vegan restaurant, very unique dishes. A must even if you're not a vegan.
Canyon - Used to be a regular place for us, but the menu hasn't changed much in many years. The prickly pear margaritas are awesome there!
Eduardo de San Angel - Great place...haven't been to in a few years but hear it's still excellent.
Calvary Chapel - Great lunch place...very close to our office so it's an easy place for us to go to frequently. Good value for the $$.
Sheba - This Ethiopian restaurant was really great. It's a shame it's not there anymore and we haven't seen or heard anything about its re-opening in Hollywood.

Thanks for the show Michelle! We're devoted watchers.

[CP Producer]

Geoff S., you are the winner of our drawing. You'll receive a $75 gift certificate to Maroosh Mediterranean Restaurant in Coral Gables. Please e-mail us at info@checkpleasefl.com with your contact information and address. Thanks for all the comments!

[Kathleen]

Saigan Cuisine ...

I was looking for a Vietnamese restaurant since I moved here.

After seeing the review on Check, Please - I had to go!
Everything is great and priced right for my budget!!

If you go try out the fresh coconut water, one of the many soups and don't forget to leave room for the homeade coconut ice-cream. (YUM!)

[geoff s]

Calypso Restaurant in Pompano is the best hidden gem in South Florida. It was great to see it featured as one of your restaurants. If anyone hasn't tried it you need to go. Order from the blackboard and you can't go wrong with the fresh fish, grilled or fried conch and for lunch try the shrimp and scallop burger. The best!!!

[Linnzi H.]

I love Gabose. I tried it once before I saw it on Check, Please!, but I went back to try some of the recommended dishes after I saw the episode. Everything there is great!

[Eric S.]

We enjoyed Creolina's Dixie Take-Out in Davie.

[Nicole R.]

I checked out Les Halles in Coral Gables after watching it on CPSF and loved it!