This week we introduce to you another adventurous Miami Food Blogger: Ed (better know as lax2mia)

You can read his blog, FourCourses.net here, or follow him on Twitter here.

How long have you been blogging about food?

I started a blog about 5 years ago then took a hiatus for a bit before beginning anew in 2012 with Four Courses. I always had ideas churning in my mind wanting to do something a bit different than what was out there. There’s tons of blogs covering “what, where and when I ate…” so I wanted to avoid that in Four Courses (or if I did cover a restaurant, I wanted to make the writeup short and to the point and cover the essence of the place versus just what was on my plate). Also I wanted to make sure there was a mix of content. Right now there’s content that’s focused on Miami locals and some that’s universal. Overall I just wanted it to be useful.

Where does your passion for food come from?

No idea. My mom was a not-so-great cook and my dad ate whatever was on his plate. Her opinion was if she fed us and kept us alive then she was doing alright. I have a feeling I have some long lost bon vivant uncle out there that I don’t know of because no one in my family shares my interest.

What is the best meal you’ve ever had?

Ouch. There have been many. My meal at Eleven Madison Park last year was outstanding. My fiancée and I binged last year for our 40th birthday and went to Paris and New York. There were many phenomenal meals in Paris, but something about Eleven Madison was magical. We went for lunch so didn’t mind that it took 2.5 hours. We hung out, talked to the sommelier and sous chef. The food was creative without going overboard. The service was casual but impeccable. We figured we’d go to a Michelin 3 star while in Paris (Guy Savoy) and in New York to see if there’s really a difference. I think the US can take on French fine dining no problem.

What is your favorite restaurant in the whole world?

After the experience at Eleven Madison I’d have to put that on the top of the list. The only other restaurant that I wouldn’t leave a city without visiting is Tito’s Tacos in L.A. I grew up there and if you didn’t you would think Tito’s was awful. The long lines however show they’ve got locals wrapped around their pinky.

If you could live in another food city which would it be

I’ve lived in LA, DC and Barcelona and all are different. What I like about Miami is that the scene is probably still in its infancy whereas LA, San Francisco, New York, etc. are all pretty developed. It’s been fun to see the food scene thrive. If anything I’d move to New Orleans just because it’s got more of a food history than any other city in the country and it’d be fun to explore that.

What can’t you go on a week without eating?

Some kind of cheese that would probably be offensive to a good chunk of the population.

Name one ingredient we will always find in your fridge

You will find cheese that’s ripening that will soon offend a good chunk of the population.

If you could add a restaurant to Miami which one would it be and why

If I were to say Tito’s I would be ostracized by everyone I know because, again, if you didn’t grow up with it you’d probably hate it. But if given free reign I’d like a good, authentic and casual taqueria. It’s what I miss most from LA. And a good cheese shop. And, though not a restaurant, a Trader Joe’s.

Which pop-up would you like to see come to town?

Pop-ups are like watching a tragic movie after you’ve read the book, you know how it’s going to end and it’s gonna be sad. While I like that it gives chefs freedom to change without being stuck in a menu or a theme, if you really really like a dish you’re screwed because you know in a few months you’ll never be able to get it again. So I won’t subject myself to that and say I don’t want to see a pop up here. But if Next were to open here I wouldn’t stay away.
Who’s your favorite local chef

That’s a tough one. I think my favorite is the guy or gal that’s trying to make a name for themselves and ready to get to the next level. Like Miami itself I like seeing all things, especially people, develop and take off.

Do you cook and if so where did you learn

I pretty much taught myself to cook in college. Again mom wasn’t stellar in the kitchen but I did pick up some things. I remember making tostones for my roommates who had never seen a plantain much less eaten one. Being Cuban in the mid-90’s in LA was kinda exotic. Now there’s Cuban restaurants in every neighborhood in LA.

What’s your favorite cookbook

I’ve destroyed Joy of Cooking and How to Cook Everything when I started. I go through phases. One was The New Spanish Table by Anya Bremzen which is a great mix of classic and neo-classic Spanish recipes. I don’t have time to cook during the week so I like easy prep books like Nancy Silverton’s A Twist of the Wrist. It’s the reason one night a week is “stuff on top of bread” night at my house.

What’s your favorite food related book

I’ve never been much for chef biographies and those types of food related books. One book that was more a historical documentation of a moment in time was Wine & War on how the French hid their wine stash from the Germans in WWII. That was a good read whether or not you care about food or wine.

One food trend you would like to see disappear

Luckily those trends I hated have pretty much died out and if it hasn’t I just avoid it.

Favorite drink Alcoholic and non alcoholic

Gin and gin