Writes of Passage

211 N Tampa St,
Tampa, FL 33602

… more pix on Google, Yelp, TA, OT, Insta

Will return.

Big windows, open; indoor and outdoor sections.

We’ve
– Arancini – light and fluffy
– Rigatoni e Salsi
– Diavola pizza
– Octopus
– Nero D’Avola $15
– Birra Moretti
– Maggiolo Lamole

They’re all delicious, although the pizza and octopus are a bit salty. The pasta is al dente, and I swiped clean the sauce with the pizza bread – can’t take me anywhere.

They use Chef Sommerlier stem, and Maham Studio stoneware plates.

Our server looks like the boyfriend Scotty Landry played by Rudt Pankow in the Minders of Him (2026).

A kid comes in, goes from table to table, selling Boy Scout koozies  (?). They’re a gang of three: are they staying in the hotel with their parents, or are they local? How did they get there if they’re local?

2064 N University Dr,
Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA, FB, Insta

Will return.

Pretty surprised and very glad to find a dumpling spot in this neck of the woods -:).

We’ve
– juicy bums XLB
– pork dumpling
– spicy wonton: really spicy

All are delicious; XLB’s juice is clear.

This is one of the chain shops scattered across Florida, offering both take-out and dine-in. You order from the machine on the left side of the counter.

The restaurant is bright and clean. The service is good: the young man asked us if we’d like some black vinegar and hot water (he said yes to me, bringing in my tea, when the restaurant had only one other couple): Thanks.

I’m wondering if the creator(s) are from northeast China: the fillings, especially the dumplings, are very solid, and the wontons are chubby.

An Asian woman is making the dumplings behind the glass window.

201 W Marion Ave
Punta Gorda, FL 33950

… more pix on Yelp, google maps, TA, Insta

Will return.

Passing by this cute little town of nearly 20,000 residents, on our way to the opera.

We stopped by for a drink or two. It’s at the intersection: patrons get to watch the comings and goings of the town, ha ha.

Maybe my taste buds are still lingering from the dark vinegar at the Dumpling King earlier: is there a sour aftertaste in my Irish coffee?

1413 Main St,
Sarasota, FL 34236

… more pix n videos on Google Maps, Yelp, TA, Insta

Will try again: good wine and food.

We’ve

– salmon gravlax
– tacos
– two kinds of house red

The salmon is good, the taco has the braised tenderloin which are tender and delicious.  The Wente Cab is excellent: even the fly likes it too. Chef & Sommelier stems.

• a fly in my wine glass
• Smoke old fashion

They’ve Chopin vodka, from Poland. Maybe it’s worth a try? How about the Belvedere, which is also Polish. … Sarasota has a sizeable Polish population, who invited William Yang to perform here.

We pass by this restaurant all the time: it’s the first one on the Main St from the Opera house.

The restaurant, to the right, which is elegant, has a bar too: will try next time.

Coming up from Miami Open (which had rained out for us yesterday…) There is a lone customer. I went in and asked the bar tender to put on little Miami Open action but he said, “he just asked for March madness.”

Reportedly, they just put in the tv a month ago.

It seems, this year, the MO is just not happening for me. Oh well, little missy, better luck next time.

And the insult is just piling on.

A fly (fruitfly?) got a good taste of my wine – Wente, which is delicious, full-bodied…
Then my spouse got his glass of wine, that has a logo on it, although all are Chef & Sommelier.
What, do, I, have, to, do, to be special?! Ha ha ha. Little woman, go have a life. My goodness, in the end, the lonesome gent left and I got my Miami Open action: stay the course -:)

The last insult was, watching Dimitrov lost hia match in three, after leading 5-3 in the third. -:(

600 Brickell Ave,
Miami, FL 33131

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA,  FB, Insta

Hutong is, hands down, a five-star experience—from the food to the décor to the service.

The brand began in Hong Kong over two decades ago, in a high-rise on Peking Road in TST. Beijing duck was wonderful. Here in Miami, it feels more grounded—literally and atmospherically.

“Hutong,” meaning the narrow, winding alleys formed by traditional siheyuan courtyards, is synonymous with old Beijing. I grew up in one, less than a mile west of Zhongnanhai—the political heart of China—and remarkably, it still exists. That personal association makes the name choice feel both evocative and slightly ironic, given the restaurant’s polished, global aesthetic.

The Food
We ordered all nine dim sum offerings—every single one was excellent.
Fresh ingredients, delicate execution, and real finesse. Nothing heavy-handed; everything precise and balanced.

We ended up ordering in two rounds—unintentionally—but it worked in our favor. Each round arrived together, fresh and properly hot.
They also offer takeout, which is good to know.

Context
We came here after being rained out at the Miami Open. Hutong turned into a kind of refuge—drying us out and restoring both mood and appetite.
Details That Stand Out

• The twin sauces: the spicy one is excellent—layered and satisfying. The soy sauce is intensely salty, almost too much so.
• Table setting: Spiegelau stemware, earthy-toned plates, and striking chopsticks—thoughtful and cohesive.
• The bartender didn’t change the beer glass between pours—something I didn’t mind, though others might.

Service & Atmosphere
The chef is a small, understated Cantonese gentleman, with only the faintest trace of an accent—quietly confident.
The front-of-house staff is mostly non-Asian, with several women speaking in noticeable Hispanic accents. Service is smooth overall, though the cultural contrast is interesting in a restaurant so rooted in a specific regional identity.

A few practical notes:
The bar counter has no hooks (a small but inconvenient omission).
The new-age music runs a bit loud, though they do lower it if asked.
Both restroom toilet tanks were leaking, and the faucets were slow—unexpected at this level.

Logistics
Street parking available
Valet: $15 (cash only)

Bottom Line
A refined, globally polished interpretation of a very local cultural idea. Excellent dim sum, thoughtful design, and strong execution—paired with a few operational inconsistencies.

… and the young woman who’s tending the bar, is from Venezuela, is super happy for the WBC win, defeating USA 3-2 to claim its first title, all the players are on NBL teams (we went in 2023).

@ Biltmore

… more pix on Google, Yelp, Insta

A small, standing-only cafe, serving coffee, sandwiches, and sweets – all look fresh and delicious, on the ground level of the hotel. I didn’t get to try any, except for a cup of tea.

1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

… more pix on Google Maps

At the legendary pool @ Biltmore, nothing can go wrong 🙂 The service is excellent, and so are the drinks.

This cafe is my favorite workplace at the hotel.

1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, Insta,

Definitely will return: pleasant, bright, and great food @ The Biltmore.

We’ve
~ Smoked salmon
~ Fruit cup
~ Biltmore breakfast
~ Cappuccino

Large portion! However, this time it’s right – I just completed a mile in the pool – the legendary and one of the largest in the nation.

My smoked salmon – bagel & lax – is wonderful, although the bagel is soft (I’m measuring every bagel against the New York standard, which isn’t fair). The fruits are very fresh, berries are firm.

The little bear in the coffee is cute, thanks.

Love their 100% cotton Garnier Thiebaut napkin.
Rarhy Fortessa vitralux – Garnier Thiebaut is a prestigious French company specializing in high-end household linens, founded in 1833 in Gérardmer, located in the Vosges mountains of France.

333 Biscayne Blvd Way
Miami, FL 33131

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA, Insta

With all the hot temper and F-bombs attached to the brand of Gordon Ramsay, this Miami outpost feels surprisingly flat. Not terrible—but not impressive.

In contrast, the nearby production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical completely made my day.

What We Ordered
~ Seared scallops
~ Short ribs
~ Salmon
~ Two house reds

The best part of the table? The thin-stem Rona glassware, and the Anfora earthy plates. Wine-wise, the DAOU Vineyards Cabernet clearly outperformed the Terrazas de los Andes Malbec.

Food
~ Scallops: Fine—competent, but forgettable.
~ Salmon: Good, though I still think Trump International Beach Resort restaurant does it slightly better.
~ Short rib: Tender, but oddly lifeless—almost cardboard-dry (柴).
Sides: The green vegetable was overly salty; the potato cake completely flat.
This is the core issue: everything is technically “there,” but nothing has energy.

Space & Service

The entrance on Biscayne Blvd Way draws in first-timers, but if it’s not in use, it should be clearly marked—right now, it just confuses people.

The reception area felt understaffed: one person juggling guests and phone calls. By 6:15 pm, the dining room wasn’t even half full, which adds to the slightly underwhelming atmosphere.

Valet parking is available.

Context & Contrast

That global, high-energy image makes this Miami location feel even more subdued—almost like a brand extension rather than a destination.

Name & Expectation
“Hells Kitchen” inevitably brings to mind Hell’s Kitchen—a dense, vibrant stretch of Manhattan from 34th to 59th Street, west of 8th Avenue. Gritty, energetic, alive.
It’s interesting that Ramsay uses that name here, because the spirit doesn’t quite carry over.

Final Thought
I couldn’t help but think of Anthony Bourdain—someone who cared deeply about soul in food, not just performance.
This feels like performance without quite enough soul.

Bottom Line
A polished brand name with flashes of competence—but lacking the intensity, personality, and edge you expect.
Not bad. Just not worth the hype.

His staff mentioned, almost casually, that he drops in from time to time—but is currently in Shanghai, cooking during the Formula 1 weekend. As it happens, a friend of mine is there for the race. He ran into Ramsay’s team, who, in a small-world flourish, invited him to this Miami outpost. I’m curious what he’ll make of it: stay tuned.

1200 Anastasia Avenue
Coral Gables, Florida 33134

… more pix Google Maps, TA, Yelp, Insta

This Italian restaurant is on the lower or ground level of the Biltmore Hotel.

Calm ambience, indoor and out seating. The courtyard is enchanting, an oasis; but was closed when we got there due to rain. It opened by the time we left.

We’ve
– Polpo octopus
– Lamb chop
– Angolotti
– Two house reds

I like Chianti more than Biltmore red.

Skinny Zwiesel wine glasses, the hotel uses Chef & Sommelier in our room.

They put the Barbera extra virgin olive oil and Modena balsamic first, but also asked if we’d like butter. The assorted breads are good.

Octopus is excellent: tender, yummy and I love the potato foam.

Hot lamb cooked medium, also tender and yummy.

The ravioli is delicious too, on the salty side.