Dolphins player Ricky Williams dined at Michael’s Kitchen in the Newport Beachside Hotel on Thursday night with his girlfriend.  The pair ordered the Movie Theatre Popcorn Rock Shrimp, the Very Veggie Penne, Pear Salad and Three Cheese Smoked Black Truffle Mac.  They also ordered two bottles of sparkling water.

Before leaving, Williams told Chef Michael Blum he was happy that both he and the chef were off to a “fresh start,” and that he’d be bringing his teammates to the restaurant soon.

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Chef Michael Blum reopens Michael’s Kitchen in Sunny Isles

Executive Chef and owner Michael Blum has closed Michael’s Kitchen in Hollywood where it’s been operating for three years and has reopened the new Michael’s Kitchen at the Newport Beachside Resort in Sunny Isles. The eclectic American bistro with a contemporary feel and a friendly atmosphere features Chef Blum’s signature dishes such as Movie Theatre Popcorn Rock Shrimp ($14), fried and tossed with lemon infused sea salt over a movie real; Corned Beef Reuben Spring Rolls ($11) a crispy spring roll wrap filled with the traditional makings of a Reuben; juicy corned beef, creamy thousand island dressing, sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese, and the NYC Curbside Sabrett Hotdog served on pretzel bread with homemade sauerkraut, a side of chips and a can of Dr. Brown’s soda ($12).  For entrees there’s Southern Fried Boneless Half Chicken with buttermilk-scallion biscuits ($23); “Chimichurri” Skirt Steak ($24) wrapped around grilled corn on the cob and served with Yucca fries or Black Truffle Oil Lobster Mac & Cheese with mascarpone, smoked gouda and parmesan penne ($28).  Among meat and poultry dishes on the list: Slow Roasted Short Rib Tacos with roasted corn, peppers, fresh tomatoes, nacho cheese and sour cream-cilantro slaw ($28); and Painted Peking Crispy Half Duck with chilled sticky sake rice and vegetable salad ($29).  Vegetarian options include Wild Forest Mushroom and Brie Flatbread ($13) and The Very Veggie Penne served with tofu skewers and seasonal vegetables. The dessert menu includes a selection of boasting six mini selections ($5), of Down-Home Key Lime Pie, Nawlin’s Bananas Foster, Lady Finger Tiramisu, Over-the-Top Baked Alaska and the Milky Way Chocolate Malt.

Michael’s Kitchen at the Newport Beachside Resort 16701 Collins Avenue in Sunny Isles Beach, 305.749.2110. www.michaels-kitchen.com

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A historic wooden pier will get new life thanks to a partnership between the city and a local hotel owner.

The decaying Newport Fishing Pier, an attraction for tourists and anglers in Sunny Isles Beach since 1936, will be completely rebuilt with help from the owners of an adjacent hotel. 

About $4 to $5 million will go into repairing the wooden pier, damaged during Hurricane Wilma.  The Newport Operating Group, which owns the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort at 16701 Collins Avenue., will continue $2 million.  The city will take care of the rest.

“It’s really quite unusual to see people come up and put their cash where their mouth is on these deals,” said Mayor Norman Edelcup.  If not for the offer, “we would be sitting here for years trying to file grants and requests,” he said.

The pier stretches 928 feet into the Atlantic Ocean and has been mostly shut down - a portion remained open for a few months - since the 2005 hurricane.  It was designated a historic site by the county in 1982.  A recent structural analysis by Marlin Engineering, a Doral-based firm, found damaged planks and heavy corrosion in the hardware holding the pier together.

The pier “could collapse at any moment due to the extensive damage,” the firm’s president, Ramon Soria, wrote in his report.  “It is our opinion that the structure should be removed in its entirety.”  A solution had to be found as soon as possible, said City Manager John Szerlag. “We thought that the next major storm surge could bring the pier down,” he said. 

Early this year, Robert Cornfeld, president of the Newport Operating Group, volunteered to help with the restoration.  Cornfeld said the pier held value, both for his business and for the city.  “It was extremely popular when it was open,” said Cornfeld , who has lived in South Florida for the past 50 years.  “We’d have, on some days, hundreds of visitors.”

The city will control and operate the pier but has agreed to split revenues evenly with the Newport.  Use of the pier will be free for city residents and Newport Hotel guests.  The city will decide who gets to occupy a coveted restaurant spot on the pier and also who will be liable for any future repairs and insurance costs.

The repairs will mean the return of the activity for which the pier was named.  “The fishing was excellent from the end of the pier,” Cornfeld said.

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Miami’s dining scene is so hot, Chef Michael Blum migrated his Michael’s Kitchen south from Hollywood to his new digs at the Newport Beachside Resort.  Head to the beachside ‘hood for eclectic American fare like corned beef Reuben spring rolls and Blum’s signature popcorn rock shrimp tossed with lemon and infused sea salt.  16701 Collins Avenue., Sunny Isles Beach; 305.749.2110.

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Say goodbye to 2007 with a bang!  Known for its fun-filled approach to presenting good food, Chef Michael Blum of Michael’s Kitchen Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort is bringing in the New Year with the culinary works. For dinners priced at $90 or more, guests receive a complimentary glass of champagne and a delectable choice of appetizers and entrees ranging from the Margarita Cured Salmon Gravlox, Chilled Asian Fillet Butter Wraps and Pan Crusted Chilean Sea Bass to the Grilled Australian Lamb Rack, Bouillabaisse and 20 oz. Chili-Rubbed Bone in Rib Eye.  Topping off the dinner celebration is a sweet Chocolate Menage a Trois - a white chocolate cup and milk chocolate mousse finished with a dark chocolate dipped spoon and berries.  For more information call 305.749.2110.  Michael’s Kitchen is located in the Newport Beachside Resort at 16701 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160.

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