Friday, November 16, 2018

experiment #75 - Cobaya Le Zoo Makoto


Another experiment successfully concluded! This one was a combined effort of two neighbors: chef Julian Baker of Le Zoo, and Anthony Micari of Makoto, both of which you can find in the Bal Harbour Shops. Both chefs are also Cobaya alumni of a sort: Baker hosted Cobaya Experiment #40 while at Toscana Divino, and Makoto Okuwa cooked for us at Makoto for Experiment #32.

Cobaya #75 was a true collaborative effort, with each dish reflecting contributions and components from the French side at Le Zoo and the Japanese side at Makoto. And in order to bridge the gap between the two kitchens, they set up one long table for us in the middle of the breezeway at Bal Harbor Shops, right over a glassed in koi pond. You can see pictures in this Cobaya Le Zoo Makoto flickr set, and stay tuned for a more fulsome recap at Food For Thought. Here is the menu they put together:

Toro Niçoise
toro zuke, pickled haricots verts, szechuan egg yolk, kabocha tempura, niçoise olive
armagnac, yuzu, champagne, absinthe spray

Japanese Bouillabaisse
aka miso, fumet, tsukiji market fish, saffron aioli, rice puff
Chardonnay, Louis Latour, "Grand Ardeche," Ardeche, FR 2015

Cervena Red Venison Loin
cauliflower purée and roasted, lardo, belgian endive, juniper jus
Hitachino Nest White Ale

Duck Confit Kabayaki
robata royal trumpets, grilled garlic, beurre noisette
Pinot Noir, Domaine Danjean-Berthoux, "La Plante," Givry 1er cru, Burgundy FR 2015

Dark Chocolate Cremeux
yuzu, banana, sesame
mezcal and champagne

A big thank you to chefs Julian Baker and Anthony Micari, to their entire crews at Le Zoo and Makoto, to the folks at Bal Harbour Shops for giving us such a unique venue, and as always most of all, to the guinea pigs whose interest and support make these events possible.


Wednesday, October 31, 2018

experiment #75 - 11.13.18

BOO! It's time for another experiment, Guinea Pigs!

Quick Details:
Date: 11.13.18 (Tuesday)
Price: $93 (inclusive of tax and tip)
Start time: 7:00pm

We will be doing a drawing for seats from all requests received over the first 48 hours. Please get your requests in quickly, and if you get a spot, please book it quickly.

To request spots, please send an email to reserve@cobaya.miami and let us know how many you're requesting.

You will be advised by Monday 11/5 if your request has been confirmed. You'll then need to book your seats by noon on Thursday 11/8, or we will need to release the seats to the wait list to ensure all spots are filled. Note the tight schedule: please make your request quickly, and if you get a spot, please book quickly.

We have limited seating available, and while we try to accommodate everyone who is interested, that is usually not possible - most events fill up fast. Due to space limitations, we will limit people to 2 spots per request, though if you're interested in more let us know and your request will be added to the waitlist.

When your seat request has been confirmed, please book it using the PayPal link which will be set up on this page. Please do not book unless and until you've received a confirmation. When you do receive the confirmation, please book your seats through PayPal promptly. There will be a short window of time to book before seats need to be released back to the waitlist to make sure they're filled.

There will be an optional $41.50 beverage pairing; a la carte beverages will also be available. We're still checking on BYOB (please confirm in advance).

Confirmed and paid-up attendees will receive an e-mail the day before the event, confirming the location and other details.

A brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu". There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.

FOR CONFIRMED SEAT REQUESTS ONLY:


experiment #75 - choose # and pairing





Monday, September 17, 2018

cobaya SOBE 2019 - 2.21.19

Greetings Guinea Pigs! We know it's a long way away, but we've got a pre-sale opportunity for you for our upcoming dinner in collaboration with the South Beach Wine and Food Festival.

This will be our fourth collaboration with SOBEWFF, and we are very excited about the lineup - but in Cobaya tradition, we're going to be doing this pre-sale blind. (If you're interested, email us and we'll give some very oblique hints and see if anyone can guess the chefs).

The dinner is going to be Thursday February 21, 2019 with a 7pm start time. Tickets do not officially go on sale until October 8, 2018 but we're able to offer Cobaya members the chance to buy seats early. Even better, we're able to offer you a discount! Regular pricing for the $250 per seat tickets, inclusive of sales tax and processing fees, would be a total of $278.50. But if you purchase now through this pre-sale, Cobaya members will pay only $249.00. Plus, you'll assure yourself of a spot.

There will be no lottery for these seats - it's first come, first served. Note that unlike our usual events, the SOBEWFF dinner is inclusive of wine pairing. This pre-sale opportunity expires Monday September 24. The chefs will be revealed September 25, and if seats remain you'll have a chance to buy at the regular pricing on October 8.

[sorry, pre-sale is now closed; but you can get tickets at the regular pcie on the SOBEWFF website: Cobaya Dinner hosted by Michelle Bernstein, Angie Mar, Hedy Goldsmith & David Plonowski]

In order to match up the seats, we do ask that when you purchase, please send us an email to reserve@cobaya.miami confirming your purchase, and giving us your full name and the email address for us to send you tickets when they are issued.

For tradition's sake, a brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu." There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.


experiment #74 - Cobaya Three with Chef Norman Van Aken


We've let a little time slip without reporting back on Experiment #74. It was a great one, with one of South Florida's true culinary legends, Norman Van Aken, at his new restaurant, Three, in Wynwood.

You can see all the pictures in this Cobaya Three with Norman Van Aken flickr set, and read a recap at Food For Thought.

Here's the full rundown on what we had:

(and stay tuned for an announcement later today about pre-sale, discounted tickets for our fourth collaborative Cobaya dinner with the South Beach Wine and Food Festival coming up in February).

Chilled Lobster "Vuelve a la Vida", mezcal, avocado, jicama salad
Segura Viudas, Brut Rosé Cava, Spain

Barbeque'd Green Asparagus, smoked benne seed, summer lettuces, preserved citrus
Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko, Santorini, Greece

Wood-Grilled Foie Gras Shawarma, pineapple al pastor, shishito kosho yogurt
Seresin Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Yellowedge Grouper Cooked in Seaweed, miso baked turnips, meyer lemon bonito butter
Granbazan Rias Baixas Albariño, Spain

Slow-Roasted Heritage Chicken: Hainanese Chicken Rice
Super Chicken Arepa, grilled corn butter, guasacaca
Brooks Willamette Winery Pinot Noir, Oregon

Tree of Life, baobab mousse, hibiscus curd, yogurt cake, honey-lavender cream
La Spinetta Moscato, Italy
The Guanaja, devil's food cake, guanaja cremeux, milk espuma, roasted white chocolate ice cream
Morellino di Scansano, Sangiovese, Italy

A huge and heartfelt thank you to Chef Van Aken, to his long-time right-hand man Jeffrey Brana, to Three chef de cuisine Juan Garrido and pastry chef Mame Sow, Three GM Brian Diaz, and the entire crew at Three who made our dinner a memorable experience; and as always most of all, thanks to the guinea pigs whose interest and support make these events possible.


Wednesday, July 11, 2018

experiment #74 - 7.25.18

Greetings Guinea Pigs – it's time for another experiment!

Quick Details:
Date: 7.25.18 (Wednesday)
Price: $95 (inclusive of tax and tip)
Start time: 7pm

We will be doing a drawing for seats from all requests received over the first 48 hours. Please get your requests in quickly, and if you get a spot, please book it quickly.

To request spots, please send an email to reserve@cobaya.miami and let us know how many you're requesting.

You will be advised by Tuesday 7/17 if your request has been confirmed. You'll then need to book your seats by noon on Friday 7/20, or we will need to release the seats to the wait list to ensure all spots are filled. Note the tight schedule: please make your request quickly, and if you get a spot, please book quickly.

We have limited seating available, and while we try to accommodate everyone who is interested, that is usually not possible - most events fill up fast. Due to space limitations, we will limit people to 2 spots per request, though if you're interested in more let us know and your request will be added to the waitlist.

When your seat request has been confirmed, please book it using the PayPal link which will be set up on the Cobaya website. Please do not book unless and until you've received a confirmation. When you do receive the confirmation, please book your seats through PayPal promptly. There will be a short window of time to book before seats need to be released back to the waitlist to make sure they're filled.

There will be an optional $45 beverage pairing; a la carte beverages will also be available. We're still checking on BYOB (please confirm in advance).

Confirmed and paid-up attendees will receive an e-mail the day before the event, confirming the location and other details.

A brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu". There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.

FOR CONFIRMED SEAT REQUESTS ONLY:


experiment #74 - choose # and pairing




Thursday, March 22, 2018

experiment #73 - Cobaya Upland with Chef Justin Smillie


We've been working for quite a while to line up a Cobaya dinner with Justin Smillie, the New York based chef of Upland, who opened a second location in Miami Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood a little more than a year ago. So when things finally came together, we launched it, even if it was less than a week since our last event. His dinner was entirely off-menu but entirely in keeping with the "California cuisine" spirit of the place.

You can see all the pictures in this Cobaya Upland flickr set. Here's what we had:

ONE
spinach, asparagus, fava, artichoke, crispy mushroom, cotija
Lanson Brut Rosé NV

TWO
crispy coconut soft shell crab, hemp + soft herbs
Adams & Haart, Goldtropfchen, Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 2016

THREE
hot smoked tuna cheek, spicy mango
Chateau d'Epiré, Savennieres, Loire Valley, France 2014

FOUR
salt marsh lamb BBQ, sweet potatoes, sprouted lentils + green sauce
K Vintners Guido Sangiovese, Walla Walla Valley, Washington 2013

FIVE
strawberries, vanilla ice cream, granola
La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes, France 2012

A big thank you to Chef Smillie, to his CDC Francis Derby, to the wonderful crew at Upland for keeping everything running so smoothly, and as always most of all to the guinea pigs whose interest and support make these events possible.





Sunday, March 18, 2018

experiment #72 - Cobaya Time Machine with Chef William Crandall and Bar Director Seth Weinberg


For Cobaya Experiment #72, chef William Crandall and bar director Seth Weinberg of Stripsteak in the Fontainebleau took us into a time machine to 1954, the year the resort was opened. Pictures, postcards and paraphernalia from the hotel's archives were on display, old menus inspired the night's dishes, and vintage spirits from the 1950's through the 1970's were sourced for all the cocktails. It was a pretty fully realized theme dinner and a truly unique experience.

You can see pictures from the evening in this Cobaya Fontainebleau 1954 flickr set; here's the lineup of what we had:

Hemingway Daiquiri
Ron Bacardi Superior, Cherry Heering, Grapefruit, Lime

Torchon de Foie Gras
Peppered Port Wine, Leek Quenelle, Pumpernickel

Strangers In the Night
Barros Porto Colheita, Stravecchio Branca, Chateau Thierry Orange Bitters

Sole Bonne Femme
Mousseline of Wild Mushrooms, Caviar Hollandaise, Shallot Confit

Luck Be a Lady
Southern Comfort, Dubac Orange Brandy, Jorghe Amaro

Intermezzo
Blood Orange, Mango, Yuzu, Champenoise

"A Chilling Temptation"
Pernod Intermezzo Mist

Steak Diane
Brandy-Dijon Jus, Pommes Salardaise

It's Up to You New York
Jim Beam Bicentennial Bourcon, Noilly Prat Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters

Salade de Caesar
Black Pepper, Parmesan Sabayon, Bioche Panade

Les Pre-Desserts
Elderflower Gelee, Huckleberry Gelato

Oscar Cordial
Liquore di Prugne

Desserts La Fin
Ambrosia Mille Feuille, Pineapple, Coconut, Passion Fruit

Bananas Foster
Saint James Rhum, Tekel Muz Banana, Cinnamon Brown Sugar

A huge thank you to Chef Crandall for bringing style and finesse to a classical menu, to Seth Weinberg for a truly remarkable sample of spirits and cocktails from another era, to Breanna Tepper for her great work on the desserts, to GM David Borowick for keeping things running smoothly all evening, to the whole crew at Stripsteak and the Fontainbleau for a very special evening, and as always most of all, to the guinea pigs whose interest and support make these events possible.



Tuesday, March 13, 2018

experiment #73 - 3.21.18

Greetings Guinea Pigs – it's time for another experiment! We know there's already one coming up on 3/15, but sometimes you have to jump when the opportunity presents itself. Fast turnaround on this one, please respond quickly.

Quick Details:
Date: 3.21.18
Price: $124 (inclusive of tax and tip)
Start time: 7pm-ish

We will be doing a drawing for seats from all requests received over the first 48 hours. Please get your requests in quickly, and if you get a spot, please book it quickly.

To request spots, please send an email to reserve@cobaya.miami and let us know how many you're requesting.

You will be advised by Friday 3/16 if your request has been confirmed. You'll then need to book your seats by 5pm on Sunday 3/18, or we will need to release the seats to the wait list to ensure all spots are filled. Note the tight schedule: please make your request quickly, and if you get a spot, please book quickly.

We have limited seating available, and while we try to accommodate everyone who is interested, that is usually not possible - most events fill up fast. Due to space limitations, we will limit people to 2 spots per request, though if you're interested in more let us know and your request will be added to the waitlist.

When your seat request has been confirmed, please book it using the PayPal link which will be set up on the Cobaya website. Please do not book unless and until you've received a confirmation. When you do receive the confirmation, please book your seats through PayPal promptly. There will be a short window of time to book before seats need to be released back to the waitlist to make sure they're filled.

There will be an optional beverage pairing (price to be determined); a la carte beverages will also be available. We're still checking on BYOB (please confirm in advance).

Confirmed and paid-up attendees will receive an e-mail the day before the event, confirming the location and other details.

A brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu". There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.

FOR CONFIRMED SEAT REQUESTS ONLY:


experiment #73 - choose # and pairing



Friday, March 2, 2018

experiment #72 - 03.15.18

Greetings Guinea Pigs – it's time for another experiment!

Quick Details:
Date: 03.15.18 (Thursday)
Price: $125 (inclusive of tax and tip)
Start time: 7pm

We will be doing a drawing for seats from all requests received over the first 48 hours. Please get your requests in quickly, and if you get a spot, please book it quickly.

To request spots, please send an email to reserve@cobaya.miami and let us know how many you're requesting.

You will be advised by Tuesday 3/6 if your request has been confirmed. You'll then need to book your seats by 5pm on Thursday 3/8, or we will need to release the seats to the wait list to ensure all spots are filled. Note the tight schedule: please make your request quickly, and if you get a spot, please book quickly.

We have limited seating available, and while we try to accommodate everyone who is interested, that is usually not possible - most events fill up fast. Due to space limitations, we will limit people to 2 spots per request, though if you're interested in more let us know and your request will be added to the waitlist.

When your seat request has been confirmed, please book it using the PayPal link which will be set up on this page on the Cobaya website. Please do not book unless and until you've received a confirmation. When you do receive the confirmation, please book your seats through PayPal promptly. There will be a short window of time to book before seats need to be released back to the waitlist to make sure they're filled.

There will be an optional beverage pairing (price to be determined); a la carte beverages will also be available. We're still checking on BYOB (please confirm in advance).

Confirmed and paid-up attendees will receive an e-mail the day before the event, confirming the location and other details.

A brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu". There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.

FOR CONFIRMED SEAT REQUESTS ONLY:


experiment #72 - choose # and pairing



Thursday, January 25, 2018

Friends of Cobaya SOBEWFF Dinner Discount

Greetings, Guinea Pigs! We didn't do a dinner together with the South Beach Wine and Food Festival like we've done the past few years, but we still have something good to pass along to you: a discount! On Saturday February 24, Cobaya alumni Aaron Brooks (Experiment #25, Experiment #55) is bringing in some of Houston's top chefs – Chris Shepherd of Underbelly and the ever-changing One Fifth, Hugo Ortega of Hugo's, Backstreet Cafe and Caracol, and Ryan Pera of Coltivare, Revival Market and Eight Row Flint – to cook with him at Edge Steak + Bar in the Four Seasons Miami. By many accounts, Houston has become one of the most dynamic and diverse food cities in the U.S., and here's a chance to taste it without leaving Miami. Oh, plus whiskeys from Texas' Balcones Distilling.

Seats are normally $200, but through us, you can get them for $145. Go to the Houston Dinner page or click on the picture below, and use the code "COBAYA18" to get the discount. (Note: the link works better on a desktop; on a mobile device, to get to the screen where you can enter the discount code, after you click "buy now," click on the menu bar - three horizontal lines - in the upper right, click "promotions," and you'll get a box to enter the code). Enjoy!