Eleanor Hoh

BEST SO FAR: Phuc Yea x Wok Star Supper Club

November 20, 2024 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

My recent Wok Star Supper Club at Phuc Yea was hands-down the BEST so far! Held on Sunday, November 17, it SOLD OUT fast—and for good reason. The food? A knockout mix of Vietnamese and Latin flavors. The vibe? Warm and personal, from the eclectic decor to the beautiful murals. And let’s not forget, Phuc Yea is a 3-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner!

Event Highlights

Co-owner and Chef, Ani Meinhold shared the heartfelt story behind Phuc Yea, and I loved her shoutout for my role in curating and organizing the evening. Pietro Morelli of Dona Rosalba wines brought a bubbly touch, sharing stories about his rosé while guests sipped and mingled.

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The Vibe?

Guests couldn’t stop raving about the decor at Phuc Yea—every space felt unique, from personal mementos to bold artwork. It made for an intimate and inviting atmosphere.

The Food?

The curated menu Ani and chefs put together was a perfect symphony of Vietnamese and Latin Flavors. As Ani says, “Mixing temperature and acidity and crunch is very important to our dining experience.” I heard people were trying to squeeze the Oyster Mushroom Curry sauce from the Vegan Menu out of Ani, ha, ha.

Curry Cornish Hens, Smacked Cucumbers, Phuc Yea Noodles

The People

The crowd? A fantastic mix, from CEOs, a TV producer and attorneys to a Filipino judge and even a 12-year-old Supper Club alum! I paired a few singles together—instant connections! So many remarked how much they enjoyed the company at their table.

Final Thoughts

Phuc Yea nailed the flavors, and the energy in the room was electric. A huge thank you to Ani, Chef Cesar, and the entire Phuc Yea team—you all ROCK! If you’re thinking of holding a party or event there or visiting to try their food, don’t wait too long.

Want in on the next Wok Star Supper Club?

Send your email [here] to join the list

— spots fill up fast!

Check out more details and preview post [here] and lastly, here’s RECAP REELS on Instagram…

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A post shared by Eleanor Hoh, food personality (@wokstar)

Until next time, happy wokking! 🌟

Phuc Yea hosts Exclusive Dinner with Wok Star Supper Club

November 14, 2024 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Start getting excited cause my next Wok Star Supper Club is a collaboration with Phuc Yea, a three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner for an exclusive 4-course CURATED dining experience, Sunday, November 17 in Miami’s MIMO district. Guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of rosé bubbly sponsored by Dona Rosalba at 6 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM.

RESERVATIONS & PREPAY

Cutoff is Friday, November 15, 2024! If we hit the right number, we’ll have the whole restaurant to ourselves, woohoo!

DINING AREAS

Located in Miami’s MIMO district, Phuc Yea’s three distinct dining areas are centered around the bar. We’ll be surrounded with art by local pop artist, Miguel Paredes, he painted the majority of the intricate wall murals.

CURATED 4-COURSE MENU

You’re in for a treat, what an incredible menu. Chef Cesar Zapata and Ani Meinhold have curated a four-course dinner showcasing Phuc Yea’s blend of unique, bold Southeast Asian and Latin flavors, all designed to be enjoyed family-style. As Ani mentioned, “Mixing temperature and acidity and crunch is very important to our dining experience.” They’ve organized a Vegan menu as well.

GOOD FOOD & CAMARADERIE !

Best part about these gatherings? Since I know most guests from my wok cooking classes or through networking, I’ll organize the seating with like minded people. Guests have said how much they enjoyed meeting new friends and had a great time at my past events. So, if you’re single, you won’t feel lonely!

SPREAD THE WORD…

Share with work colleagues and friends you think would enjoy this one-of-a-kind dining experience which you wouldn’t get if you went on your own. It was specially created for this exclusive Wok Star Supper Club!

RESERVATIONS & PREPAY

About Phuc Yea:
Phuc Yea, owned by Chef Cesar Zapata and Ani Meinhold, is a culinary gem in Miami, known for its vibrant fusion of Vietnamese and Latin flavors. Since opening in 2016, Phuc Yea has consistently championed inclusivity and diversity, creating a space where Miami’s diverse community feels welcome. The restaurant’s inventive approach and dedication to quality have garnered prestigious accolades, including three consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards, further establishing it as a must-visit destination in Miami’s dining landscape.

Phuc Yea’s reputation is well-recognized in the media, with Miami New Times naming it among Miami’s Top 100 Restaurants and awarding it Best Restaurant in MiMo and Best Vietnamese Restaurant. Additionally, The Hungry Post has praised its brunch as one of the city’s finest, and Eater Miami includes Phuc Yea on its Essential 38 list, highlighting it as one of Miami’s top dining experiences. With its unique flavors, community-focused atmosphere, and creative energy, Phuc Yea continues to be a beloved staple in Miami’s evolving food scene.

About Eleanor Hoh & Wok Star Supper Club:
Wok Star Eleanor Hoh is a Miami food personality (@wokstar) who’s been in the Miami food scene as a wok cooking teacher, blogger, event curator/programmer, producer and influencer. Eleanor’s popular Wok Star Supper Club is a series of gatherings held throughout the year in South Florida. Started in 2006, these gatherings are centered around celebrating Asian culture and cuisine. Her goal is to create a tasting sampler at a great value, support chef-owned restaurants while creating an evening filled with camaraderie and good Asian food. These gatherings are an excellent way to be introduced to what the restaurant has to offer and gives the chef an opportunity to talk about their style of cooking. Her followers appreciate she’s done the research and curated a unique dining experience for them.

About Dona Rosalba
Introducing Dona Rosalba, a Rosé bubbly wine crafted in Mexico from Merlot grapes with hints of black cherry and pink pepper. Dona Rosalba will debut as a welcome drink for this exclusive dining experience. A perfect introduction to a robust fish centric menu for the evening.

Pietro Antonio Morelli, a wine consultant, sommelier and founder of his own creative agency spent over 20 years bringing the dream of Dona Rosalba to life after working with award winning Prosecco producers. His journey spans from consultancy to restaurant ownership, all while creating memorable wine experiences blending his Italian heritage with his passion for wine.

Grill & Fry: Easy Weeknight Dinner Idea #2

October 23, 2024 By Eleanor Hoh Leave a Comment

Grill & Fry is an Easy & Fast Weeknight Dinner solution if you’re tired and hungry! Imagine juicy racks of pork ribs and a quick stir-fried veggie dish that your family will love. You’ll get a delicious, home-cooked meal in just 30 minutes or less. This is what being a Wok Star is all about—cooking without recipes, using what you have, and still making it flavorful and fun. And with very little cleanup, see below.

We LOVE these wide shallow bowls and eat out of them nearly daily. So cheerful and displays my food perfectly!

Here’s the best part—no need to drag out the BBQ grill or deal with a messy cleanup afterward. Just use your air fryer or the broiler in your oven (that’s the grill at the top of the oven, in case you didn’t know!). It’s fast, efficient, and super easy.

Watch my Youtube video for more tips and tricks and you’ll see how easy it is…

This Russell Dexter knife is included in my **WOK STAR KIT** but you can also purchase it on its own. Everyone adores it.

Here’s the workflow of a Grill & Fry Easy & Fast Weeknight Dinner:

Prep is key, so get everything ready:

Pork Riblets: I like switching up my spice rubs for variety, and hey, grill extra while you’re at it. I get my pork riblets from Costco. They are St. Louis ribs but cut across so they are smaller to handle and easier to eat.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms and Tomatoes.
Stir Fry Vegetables: Minced garlic and shredded ginger give shimeiji mushrooms and Rapini so much flavor. Add cubed red bell pepper for a pop of color.
Cook Sweet Potato

I have two of these stainless steel baking trays which fit perfectly side by side under the grill. What you see is a smaller rack which I’ve placed on one baking tray so less cleanup. I do line with parchment paper, stopped using foil for health reasons. Also same reason I switched from aluminum wok lid to stainless.

I’m using this Nuwave bowl shaped induction stove that fits my 15″ cast iron wok perfectly.

Now, let’s break down the flow:

Preheat that broiler till it’s sizzling hot.
Coat those ribs with avocado oil, sprinkle on some salt and spice rubs, and grill them on the second rack so they don’t burn so quickly and cook through.
Coat portobello mushrooms and tomatoes with avocado oil and salt in separate grill tray.
While the meat and vegetables are grilling, start frying the veggies. Fry the rapini first in ghee with garlic and ginger, then add stock and wine, cover and plate.
Check the ribs and flip them over when they’re golden.
Next, toss in the red bell pepper and shimeiji mushrooms in. Add more stock if it’s evaporated.
Check the ribs one last time and plate everything.

These unique magnetized wok mitts are also great to grab hot pot handles or a dish from the microwave. Various designs and handcrafted by Haitian seamstresses.

We adore these Laguiole Red Steak Knives!

There you have it, a quick, flavorful meal that doesn’t require hours of work or a laundry list of ingredients. Enjoy being a Wok Star and impress your family with this easy, satisfying weeknight dinner!

Drop in comment how you like this Grill & Fry Dinner Idea?

Here are some Asian dinnerware/cookware/seasonings and helpful gadgets on Amazon I’ve personally researched & selected. There are affiliate links within the blog.

Asian Dinnerware: https://amzn.to/40hF0uz
Asian seasonings: https://amzn.to/3UljLnE
Cookware: https://amzn.to/3BUOCRR
My Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/wokstar