The Eat Is On!

T HE 4 11

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is back to one savory bite-and sip-at a shatterMiami's2012 diet resolutions time. Here,some tasty tidbits of what'sto come. I By Ribi Altman I

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PattyPartyGotyourBurger lookfor Thisyear, Bash tickets? Ray Rachael to debuther We're sureit's patty. namesake Tickets ! yum-o Feb.24, 7:30pu, South $225-$325, TheRitz-Carlton MiamiBeach RoaC, Beach,1 Lincoln

Wh e n t h i n k i n g M e xi ca n : C a su a l bubbly, such as American sparkling wine,, cavafrom Spain and especiallyproseccofrom Italy go well with Mexican food. Those bubbles keep your palate refreshed and clean, not unlike a cold glass of beer. You also can't go wrong with a dry white that is tangy with no oak and a hint of tropical fruit like a dry riesling, Torrontes from Argentina, Albaririo from Spain or a gentle sauvignon blanc from California. All thosewill rock your sombrero. For spicy sabor: Go either with a light-bodied, low-tannin red, like pinot noir, Beaujolaisor a light-style Rioja. Richer reds like zinfandel, malbec from Argentina and shiraz from Australia can provide the ripe, plummy weight you seekwithout allowing those chiles to turn your palate into a four-alarm fire. Wi t h M a m m a 's me a tb a l l s: taditional meatballs cry out for a ripe, spicy red that has plenty of uplifting acidity. Parting words: My personal motto is "Drink Bravely" and that's exactly what we plan to do. takeplace at the Both sewtinars Miarni Beach Conuention Center, 1901 Conuention CenterDriue, Miarni Beach. Tickets$55.

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Ho w does it fee l to be th is year ' s Tr ibut e Dinner honor ee? I 'm delighted. Last year I was there to cook for Alain Ducasse.The previous was honored. I've cooked for both of those guys.This yearEmeril Lagasse yearI'll be in a better position. So, who's cooking for you? Chef Emeril, for one; and Norman Van Aken-he's the first chef I ever worked for; \Wylie Dufresne; Patrick O'Connell from the Inn at Little tWashington;and Nathan Myhrvold, the guy who came out with Modernist Cuisine.lhere's also Michelle Gayer, who was my pastry chef for nearly 12 yearsin Chicago.Anthony Bourdain is hosting that night. Aren't you concerned? I invited him to be the emce.I thought, "Let's ger someone who could add chutzpah to this thing." Feb. 25. 7ptt. Tichets $SOO.LoetasMianti Beach Hotel, 1501 Collins Aue., Miarni Beach

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