Restaurant Barton G

This weekend, I had the opportunity to dine at one of Miami's best restaurants,  Barton G in Miami Beach. It is definitely a unique place. Presentation, Presentation, Presentation. That is what will remain on your mind after you leave this place.

 When you arrived, you probably have to do valet parking as this restaurant is located in West Avenue and there are no many parking garages around it. The valet is $14. When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by the host and immediately taken to your table if you have reservations. The place inside felt a little cramp as they are remodeling. Your menu is given to you on an Ipad. Its very unique, but for a small table for two takes quite a little bit of space. Even if you have never being expose to this technology is easy to operate. The menu is very simple. First , you will find a list of drinks. This is where the majority of your money is going to go to. I had a margarita for $32.00. It was very good. Later we went to the appetizers menu. There were about 6 different selections. I went with the potato one. They gave me about five different cones full of different types of potatoes , sweet potato fries, tator tods, chips, and regular fries. Then, the main course. I had the chicken. The taste was very normal. I believe, they could do a little more on the taste to go more with the unique presentation. The chicken came on a big skillet very nicely set up. Then, dessert time. I ordered the apple cobbler. I was delicious and the presentation simple magnificent.

The average for one person to spend is about $90.00. The service was fantastic.

Things to remember
1- The plate presentation.
2- The service.
3- The delicious dessert.

Things to forget
1- How expensive the drinks were.
2- How cramp the place was.

Obamacare

Well, lets talk today about the Obamacare. A lot has being said this past week about it. We know its controversial. We know the supreme courts said it was constitutional. We know the majority of the Republicans dont like it. Let me give you my five cents on it. 

I had the opportunity to read it and I can tell you its complicated. Maybe, that its the first problem about with this law. Why couldnt they make something simpler. I'm sure because its long and complicated, people dont take the time to read it and the goverment officials have done such a terrible job explaining it, it not popular and people are just afraid of it. After all is something new and unknown.

For decades, everybody has being talking about the need for healthcare reform. Well, now we got it. Almost 60% of americans are insure through work. Now, if you get fired or change jobs, the biggest concern is lapse on coverage and premiums. With the new law, that will not be a concern anymore. Cobra used to be so expensive that honestly, I dont know why it was offered. This new law will give the opportinuty to have some type of healthcare coverage to nearly 32 million americans Now, we need to find out how economical these policies are going to be. Will it be based on how much the individual makes? I know as a fact that your age, if you are a smokers are among some of the factors, it will detairman how much you will pay. Young people will have higher premiums. Be carefull Mr. President, the young people voted for you in big numbers. People with health problems will not be deny any more health insurance. Insurance companies will not be able to inquire about pre existing conditions. Children will now be able to stay on their parents policies until age 26.

Companies with more than 50 employees will have to be able to provide all their employees with health insurance or they will be fine. The fine will be $2000 per employee that will have to be subsidized through an exchange. So, I have a question? If I find myself being able to purchase insurance through the exchange and its more economicall than the one my employer is offerning me, can I refused the one at work? If that happenes my employer will be fined $2000 because of my decision. Interesting...Be careful here. Companies might not want to hire people from low income households. Small companies with less than 25 workers, will get a tax credit of up to 35% to offset the cost of the insurance. If you are a small company, a self employed person or a unemployed person, you will be able to buy insurance in your own state through what is call a health insurance exchange. This will be a virtual marketplace where people or businesses can compare benefits, prices and can purchase it. If you dont have the means to afford a policy, you could apply for medicaid. The problem is that depending on the state you live, thats how your benefits will be. A few states are not willing to expand the medicaid. I'm sure medicaid claims will increase and the majority of the people that are uninsure, will file for it. If you dont qualify for medicaid, you will receive a tax credit

The problem I see with this new law are the mandates and penalties. Government will basically be forcing you to get medical insurance. Why should people be force? Just put the options out there and let people decide, if they want it or not. People that dont get the insurance, will be penalized when they do their income taxes for not doing so.  I'm sure that, you will find some people not doing their taxes to avoid the penalty. Believe it or not, there is a lot of people out there that does not file their taxes. So, those people will get out of it. There should not be a mandate. Dont regulate this so much and the law will be more popular.

  

The other problem is, how we are going to pay for it. There is a lot of back and forth on this. The reality is, we are still not sure. Its being statimated that the Obamacare will add trillions to the deficit. Can we afford that? Part of the money will come from people that make more than $250000 a year. As long as we dont get broke or increase taxes, I dont see a problem with it.

Something I really dont like, is that doctors will be compensated for trying to control the expending. They are looking at doctors as gate keepers. So, doctors that dont send people  for a lot of extra medical investigations such as scans, tests, specialists, etc will be conpensated. That reminds me of the HMO plans. I'm sure a lot of doctors out there that are not that honest, will try to make some additional money by not giving their patients a referal.

I dont think Obamacare should be repeal. It should be modify. This is big progress and finally someone has the corage to do something about it. Lets dont take a step back. Lets take a step forward. The law is not perfect but at least is something. Republicans will get more support, if instead of trying to repeal the law, will come out with a plan to improve it and make more financial sound.

Thing to remember:

1- More people will be able to have insurance.

2- No more pre-existing conditions

3- Children can be in their parents plans up to age 26.

Things to forget:

1- Its a mandate

2- There are penalties for not doing so.

3- Will cost too much money.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to attend " Taste of the Caribbean". A culinary competition held at the Hyatt Miami. The participants, were a few Islands of the Caribbean. It was my first time attending this event. I was honored to be among the guests from the St. Lucia Tourism and Hospitality Board. Some of the islands participating in this event were, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas.

The food and the presentation, as you can imagine was delicious. We were not able to exchange plates among all the participants, therefore I couldn't try the food from the other countries participating. We had a 3 course meal. The cold plantain chicken salad as an appetizer was delicious. The entree was a pan fried Grouper with red pepper coulis, basil tarragon oil, smoked papaya chili Caviar, Peperoncino ground provision croquette and ginger infused pumpkin puree. The grouper was not all that. It was lacking taste. The dessert was a fantastic Crispy Coconut Biscuit with coconut Jelly. I'm not a fan of coconut but this was simply delicious. A pineapple Upside Down Cake with Honey roasted Pineapple and Vanilla Passion Fruit sauce.

By looking at the other tables, I was very impress with the presentation of the island of Puerto Rico. Rumor among the participants was that Haiti was the big surprise of the competition.

I'm looking forward to attend next year show and why not, be one of the judges.

Animal Abuse

My dear readers. Next week is Animal Abuse Awareness week. Not that many times, we hear about this in the news. The truth is that, on a daily basis thousands and thousands of animals get abuse by another animal, us the humans. This is sad but true.

Would you leave your child without food and water for days? Would you hit your child until he or she dies? Would you burn or hang a child? If the answer is not, why do we allow things like this to happen to our small, loving friends. Sounds horrible right? Why is it, that we look the other way and ignore the situation when it comes to animals? Lets take a stand. Lets be vigilant to signs of animal abuse. Lets report it to the authorities. Also, lets call our politicians so they can pass stronger laws against it. If you don't think you are suitable to care of an animal, don't get one. If you have one and can not take care of it, give it to some one that will. If you have one and your are abusing it, you should get the same treatment. Animals have feelings. They understand. Show a little love. 

Recently the members of Opec (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) put out a memorandum saying, they "believe the price of the oil barrel is too low". Also, they think that people can afford to pay more for gas. Really???? Where do these people live? In a cave? Don't they know the World economy is struggling?

So, which ones are these contries? Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Lybia, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. These are the people that are controling the gas prices and are playing with our natural resources. Who are they to say, how much we should pay for it. How can it be that 12 countries have the entire World by the balls?

I guess some of these countries, haven't learn the most recent lesson of our current times. The leasson that Greed is a bad thing and at the end we all pay for it. What is funny, is that in these countries companies are using something that was given to us  by Mother Earth. Maybe, we should pay for the process but not for something it does not belong to a country, goverment or company. Earth owns these resources and us, as sons of Mother Earth, we own it too.

At some point someone realized, they can build a machine that would work by using gas. Did we run out of ideas? Why dont invent a machine that would work with something else. Well, Im sure if we invent something that will run with air, they will figure out a way to charge us for it.

We are in the middle of a political campaing here in the United States. Around the world, there are hundreds of political campaings. So, far I haven't heard a single candidate saying that they stand against these countries and company's bulling the entire World.

We all should put preasure on these countries and companies, so they can be a little more understanding. Let at least do our part, lets try to use less fuel.

Things to remember: 

1_ The oil belongs to all of us.
2_ Twelve countries are controling the oil prices
3_ Lets get creative, so we dont depend so much on petroleum.

Things to forget:

1.  Lets dont forget at election times. 

The Island of St. Lucia

Last week, I visited the Island of St. Lucia. This was not my first trip to this Island. St. Lucia is located in the eastern Caribbean.

The official language is English. They got their independence from the United Kingdom just in 1979. The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. They give you about $2.6 EC per $1.00 US dollars. It's a beautiful island. There is a lot of greenery everywhere you look.

There are mountains, amazing beaches, great weather (some times a little too hot for my taste), fantastic waterfalls, a dormant volcano, and the most amazing views you can imagine. Every year, they celebrate with a lot of  passion their carnival and become the center of the music world during the month of May with the already well known Jazz Festival.

I got to stay at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort. It's a comfortable hotel right next to the water. Its located at Romney Bay, just outside Castries, the capital city. This resort have a great pool and two restaurants. One is more of a casual dinning (food not that great) and the other one is a more elegant place with great service and a fantastic fusion of tastes on their menu. Hotels and food is on the expensive side. They have a lot of nice restaurants with great food. in this Island. The off season for the hotel industry is during the months of May thru September. During those months is when you can find some good deals. Even though people are friendly, they are not service oriented at all. Sometimes that, combine with a laid back attitude can become a little upsetting and frustrating.

Things to remember:
1_ Great weather.
2_ Amazing views and beaches.
3_ Nature at its best
4_ Save some money by going during the tourists off season

Things to Forget
1_ Its kind of expensive
2_ They are not very service oriented people.

I will give this hotel ****

My Spris Experience

Yesterday, I was down in Lincoln Road looking for a place to eat. After doing some walking and getting bombarded by a few restaurants hosts with menus and specials; we finally decided on Spris. An Italian restaurant, right in the middle of the action of Lincoln Road. Instead of going with a pizza, which seems to be what they are know for, I ordered kind of like a chicken panini. It was simply bad!!!!!. What happened to all delicious Italian spices? Service was good and fast. We were seating inside. They have an amazing wood oven. The only problem is that you seem to be inside the kitchen all the time. Would I go back? Maybe. But no more Panini for me. BTW, there is nothing romantic about this place. So, take your date somewhere else.

Things to remember:
1_ Fast  and friendly service.

Things to forget:
1_ The panini

Immigration policies changes

There are changes coming to the immigration laws. Its about time. I think four years ago, I hear a candidate for the presidency promising this. Its about time Mr. President. This new law will benefit almost 800,000 people. At least, we will have these new many tax payers. Now, I have question. Why this will only benefit people between the ages of 16 thru 30?. Is it because these are young voters that have a tendency to be liberals and democrats? What about if you came with your parents illegally 30 years ago when you were only 2 years old? Really Mr. President? Come on!!!!!! If you are going to make things right, extended it to everybody that came in as a child regardless of their age.. Also, if you are one of those lucky ones, what will happened to your illegal parents? Deported? This is a way of breaking apart families. I do admire you Mr. president for finally having some b...., but Why now? Do you have an ulterior motive?

Things to remember.
1_ Its a good idea. Not enough!
2_ 800,000 new tax payers

Things to forget
1_ Done on an election year.

MADAGASCAR 3

What a great and funny movie. I saw it 3D. I forgot about all my problems while watching this movie. I found myself laughing with the kids seating next to me. The colors were fantastic and the 3D effects were awesome. In a couple of occasions, I had to move my head because I saw stuff coming at me. LOL. The story is not all that, but catches your attention and keeps you entertain.

Things to remember:

1- The Russian Tiger saying Bolshevik instead of bullshit. All the adults were laughing. The kids were laughing to imitate us

2- When they talked about Cirque Du Soleil and the amount of shows they have in Vegas

3- The colors and the 3D effects towards the end of the movie when they are performing in New York.

4- The evil police officer. She was funny.

5- After trying so hard to go back to the New York Zoo, they realized things were different from the way they remember them. Does that sounds familiar? I'm sure that happened to all of us at some point in our lives.

Things to forget:

1-I forgot them already..... LOL

I'm giving this one. ****