The Cheap Gourmet

Danny Veltri of Flip Flops Grill and Chill in New Smyrna Beach, Florida Wins Hell's Kitchen Competition!

We are so happy that Danny Veltri of Flip Flops Grill and Chill in New Smyrna Beach, Florida won the Hell's Kitchen competition. As Danny says, he is a culinary prodigy. The food at Flip Flops is amazing and we love his Mahi Gone Bananas recipe; regardless of what Chef Gordan Ramsay has to say!

Danny Veltri is a sweetheart and our community is celebrating his success. Currently, it is somewhat challenging to get a table at Flip Flops Grill and Chill. Two weeks ago, my husband and I attempted to attend the Grand Opening of Flip Flops. Unfortunately, there was a three-hour wait. Some of our friends joined us and they had children with them, so we opted to eat at another location. Sorry, Danny, but the kids had to get up early for school the next day.

We think Danny Veltri's accomplishments are astounding. This 23-year old man knows his destiny and is taking action to reach his goals. His enthusiasm for culinary arts is contagious and we wish him the best when he takes over the helm at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.

Fox Broadcasting and Hell's Kitchen are currently offering a contest. The Grand Prize includes:

• Round-trip airfare for two to Atlantic City, NJ
• Two nights accommodations at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
• Ground transportation between airport & the Borgata Hotel
• Dinner at one of the Borgata's fine dining restaurants
• Select spa treatments
• Admission to the Borgata's exclusive mur mur nightclub
• $500 American Express Gift Card

This contest ends May 18th, so go to www.BBCAmerica.com and submit your entry today. Contest rules state only one online entry per person. More than one entry disqualifies entrants.

In closing, we offer our CONGRATULATIONS to our hometown chef.

What Do Flip Flops and Chef Gordon Ramsay Have in Common?

Flip Flops Grill and Chill is a quaint beachside restaurant located at 103 S. Pine Street 725 East Third Avenue in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Their motto is "Fine Dining in Flip Flops and Tank Tops" and they live up to their aphorism. Although we didn't see any diners wearing tank tops, the food was sublime and the service exquisite.

We arrived at Flip Flops around 7:30pm on a Thursday night. The restaurant was packed and a line of hungry patrons stood outside enjoying the salty air and gentle breezes. While waiting for our table, we noticed a framed newspaper article with a photo of the infamous Danny Veltri; the self-proclaimed "redneck chef" currently competing in Hell's Kitchen.

Come to find out, Danny is the Executive Chef at Flip Flops and would be preparing our meal. I don't know about you, but I've never had a celebrity chef prepare a meal for me. I've watched Danny in action on Hell's Kitchen and expected an intoxicating meal. I was not disappointed; nor were the other members of my party.

Flip Flops menu consists of so many incredible gourmet selections it was hard to make a decision. We began our dining experience with the Bahamian Conch Fritters appetizer, which were fried to perfection and accompanied by a zesty key lime-Dijon dipping sauce.

My friend, Gail, and I ordered the Tiger Shrimp Satays with Watermelon Pico de Gallo. Entrees are served with your choice of soup or salad and a side dish. Gail chose the Cranberry Spring Salad and I enjoyed the Southwestern Chicken soup.

Flip Flop's Tiger Shrimp Satays

Our men indulged in Mahi Mahi Gone Bananas; a wicked combination of blackened mahi and grilled banana halves, and Chicken Bruschetta; a divine char-grilled chicken breast topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and garlic. Each of us chose the Peppercorn Bleu Cheese mashed potatoes for our side dish, except for Mike who went with the Pineapple and Walnut Rissoto.

Flip Flop's Mahi Mahi Gone Bananas

Flip Flop's Chicken Bruschetta

Not only was our food cooked to perfection, it was beautifully presented and accompanied by a gorgeous edible orchid. I'm certain Chef Ramsay would approve of Chef Veltri's creations.

As we were wrapping up our evening, Hell's Kitchen was being aired on the three wall mounted TVs. All eyes were watching as Danny appeared on the screen. We thanked our server for the excellent service and asked her to thank the chef. She stated he was sitting at the bar and pointed him out.

I approached Danny Veltri during the commercial break and asked if I could snap a photo with him for The Cheap Gourmet blog. He eagerly accepted my invitation and participated in a mini photo shoot.

 

From Left to Right - Gail, The Cheap Gourmet, Chef Veltri, Mike and Brad

Although I was a bit starry-eyed meeting a celebrity chef, what I found most impressive was the humble attitude of Chef Danny Veltri. Instead of taking credit for our amazing meals, he introduced us to Chef Erik Amalfitano; stating Erik is the mastermind behind the gastro-delights.

We enjoyed everything about Flip Flops Grill and Chill. From the warm reception provided by the staff upon arrival, the exquisite food and presentation, the down-home feel of the restaurant and the graciousness of the chefs, Flip Flops provided us with a meal experience unlike any other.

Next time you're in New Smyrna Beach you absolutely must pay a visit to Flip Flops. While you're there be certain to tell Chef Danny and Chef Erik that The Cheap Gourmet sent you!

Cafe San Diego: The Ultimate San Diego Dining Guide

Attention all San Diego residents and visitors! I just discovered Cafe San Diego, the ultimate San Diego Dining Guide. Ironically, a client hired me to write an article about San Diego restaurants. I explained to him that I had never been to San Diego and had no idea what restaurants were good or which to avoid. He said he had faith in my research abilities to figure it out.

I typed in San Diego Restaurants at Google and discovered Cafe San Diego. This website offered me everything I needed to write the article. It also made me want to hop on a plane and head out to California to indulge in some serious dining!

What's unique about the Cafe San Diego website is you can search by Cuisine, Neighborhood, Atmosphere and Special Features. Looking for a Bakery that offers breakfast specials? Need catering for a business luncheon? Ready for Happy Hour and Dancing? Just click on your criteria and Cafe San Diego will provide you with a list of restaurants offering everything you are looking for.

An added bonus is the San Diego Restaurant Coupons section. Packed with more than 60 money-saving coupons, you'll find everything from free appetizers and desserts to half-price entrees and discounted Sushi bars.

Once you locate a restaurant of interest, simply click on the "Full Listing" link and you'll be taken to a page which provides the address, phone number, directions and maps from Mapquest, hours of operations and methods of payments accepted.

I had no idea San Diego has such an abundance of restaurants. Nearly anything you could want is located in this beautiful city and Cafe San Diego makes it easy to locate whatever type of restaurant suits your fancy. Visiting the site reminded me of a friend who lives in San Diego whom I haven't seen for many years. I think I may have to take a business trip out West and pay a visit to several of the restaurants I discovered at Cafe San Diego.

In closing, my client was exceptionally pleased with his San Diego Restaurants article. But, he was even more pleased when I told him that all his restaurant needs are right at his fingertips ;-)

Friendly's Restaurant iScream Contest

Guess what?? Today is my birthday! I'm super excited because my family is taking me to get ice cream at Friendly's Restaurant. You see, thanks to The Cheap Gourmet blog, I met a woman named Jessica who works for Friendly's. She let me know about this really cool contest Friendly's Restaurant is hosting.

The iScream Give Us a Shout (expired) contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States who are at least thirteen (13) years old at the time of entry. It's super easy to participate in the iScream contest. Simply submit a video or photo at the Friendly's Restaurant website that shows how much you love Friendly's or life itself. I LOVE this concept - it's so upbeat and positive!

Two winners in each category (video and photo) are selected on a weekly basis and receive a bounty of prizes including digital cameras, camcorders, iPods^® and more.

The contest ends at 11:59 P.M. ET on August 12, 2007 so don't delay! Go to the website and read the details so you can get started right away.

I wish you the best of luck. If you submit a photo or video, be sure to come back here and post the URL for it. Then, we can all go and vote for it!

UPDATE: Here's a photo of why I LOVE life. I caught this handsome Bonnethead Shark on Saturday, July 28th. No worries though, I released him so he could return to hang out with his friends ;-)