Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

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Wok Star Supper Club

Chinese New Year Wok Star Supper Club at Gaijin Izakaya (Updated)

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Extracted from Gaijin’s Eventbrite page written by food journalist & Gaijin staffer, Korakot “gabby” suriya-arporn. I added my two cents…
My Wok Star Supper Club will be celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Dog at Chef Cake’s newish Japanese gastropub, Gaijin Izakaya in midtown, Sunday, February 25, 5:30pm. A $50 per person scrumptious 5 course menu starts with a welcome cocktail and passed hors d’oeuvre that’ll get the New Year off with a bang. My main goal in these gatherings is to support and showcase mostly chef owned restaurants and introduce you to good Asian inspired food. All ticket sales go to Gaijin Izakaya. My Wok Star Supper Club, an event held periodically throughout the year, is about celebrating Asian culture and cuisine in South Florida.
Please don’t leave till last minute and be disappointed you can’t get in!
Please view MENU below PRIOR to reservations.  NO exceptions, substitutions or deviations, we want to make it easy for Chef Cake and staff.  Please understand, it’s difficult to deal with 70 people already so if you have any food allergies or diet restrictions, please visit on another occasion and order what you want.

photo: Gabby Korakot

Some fun rules you should know…
1) Get cozy – EVERYONE will mix and mingle at the bar as they enter and meet new friends. 

2) Get even more cozy – seats and dish portions will be arranged in 2 and 4, so guests will be sitting with new friends and sharing dishes family style.

The lucky folks who’ll get first dibs into this popular event are subscribers to my newsletter. You can subscribe in the right sidebar of my site to gain priority access to this and future events plus get the latest food ideas, resources and beyond.

Yes, they are real washing machines where you can put your bag and personal belongings, how cute is that!
Bar area as you enter where we’ll meet and mingle over a special surprise welcome cocktail with passed hors d’oeuvre of tuna rice rolls which have a little kick to them, yummy!
Chef Cake will be bringing you the ultimate tasting experience with his unique Japanese-Chinese hybrid to celebrate Year of the Dog. The multi-course meal of prosperity and good wishes is a showcase of Cake’s culinary prowess as well as his imaginative flair.  I love the ‘artsy’ and eclectic mix of furniture and furnishings from the previous owner who was an artist.  Chef Cake has added hand picked Japanese posters and blends in well with the existing decor.
About Chef Cake, Phuket Thongsodchareondee:
Cake grew up in a resort island in Thailand, acquainting himself to cooking since early age at a family hotel business. After he moved to Miami, he soon found direction under Makoto Okuwa and trained under him at his namesake restaurant for four years. Cake then decided to venture out on his own, opening a little Thai haunt in MiMo neighborhood called Cake Thai Kitchen, which has gathered him many accolades, including Best Thai Restaurant  2015 from Miami New Times, One of Eater 38 (best restaurants in Miami), and StarChefs’ South Florida Rising Star. With lingering passion for Japanese cuisine, he finally opens Gaijin Izakaya in July 2017, fulfilling his dreams to own a fun, rigidity-free izakaya with high quality food and great selections of beverages.
About Eleanor Hoh, aka Wok Star:
Eleanor is a cooking teacher, entrepreneur, blogger and presenter. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of wok cooking she learned from her mom. After 17 years in the computer industry in London, she embarked on an entrepreneurial journey starting in Key West, FL, where her passion for teaching has evolved into a roadmap technique, eliminating recipes and encourages creativity and intuition.  Currently, she teaches monthly cooking classes and produces corporate team building and wellness programs in upscale design showrooms in south Florida and also offers online classes on Udemy to reach a worldwide audience.
Passed hors d’oeuvre: tuna rice rolls has a good kick, very yummy.
Yusheng – a New Year dish with sashimi fish and shredded vegetables to toss and bring in the New Year! Light and refreshing.
1st course: Fried short ribs, very tasty. Eggy fried rice and Stir Fried Bok Choy with mushrooms (not shown.)
2nd Course: Amazing smoked duck with noodles and bok choy.
For this shot, we had Cake’s mom hold 2 of my hubby’s iphone lights, it was quite funny.
 
Join us for this memorable gathering, plus a chance to meet and mingle with Chef Cake, myself and fellow food lovers who enjoy Asian culture and cuisine.

2018 Chinese New Year Wok Star Supper Club Menu*

Welcome cocktail
Passed hors d’oeuvre:
Tuna crispy rice
szechuan peppercorn, yuzu butter, capelin roe
Appetizer:
Yusheng “Prosperity Toss”
local raw fish, cucumber, sesame seeds, salmon roe, umeboshi dressing
Mains:
Salt & pepper beef short ribs
Also garlic eggy fried rice, wok-fried bok choy and oyster mushroom
Applewood smoked duck breast
egg noodles, duck fat, bok choy
Dessert:
Jelly orange

*SUBJECT TO CHANGE UPON SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
*NO MODIFICATION OR ALTERATION

Here are the details, you know the drill…you’ll be paying directly to Gaijin Izakaya…
When: Sunday, February 25, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: Gaijin Izakaya, 3500 N. Miami Ave., Midtown Miami. 
What: Eleanor Hoh and Cake Thai, Chinese New Year Wok Star Supper Club
Cost: $50 includes Welcome Cocktail, tips and tax and EXCLUDES other beverages.
Drinks:  Special beverage and sake pairings is $25 and not part of dinner price.
Max: 70 seats
Parking: across at midtown shops parking or street parking
Reservations & payment:  through Eventbrite from Gaijin or myself through newsletter.
Call Gaijin directly  if you have any problems:  305-456-3207
We look forward to seeing you there!

 
 

Wok Star Supper Club, huge success at Drunken Dragon

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Thank you everyone who came out to celebrate my Wok Star Supper Club at Drunken Dragon this past Sunday. Everyone raved about the exotic flavors of each dish, what a successful dinner gathering to conquer the summer blues and celebrate what would have been my mom’s birthday, my mom would have approved!

Crack Ribs was my fav dish, made with sambal, tender, fall off the bone!
Crack Ribs was my fav dish, made with sambal, tender, fall off the bone!
Chef Xavier Torres had a few surprises for us, see menu below. This is the part I love most about organizing these events, I work with the chefs and staff to make it the best experience for you and your taste buds!
We had other surprises, the General Manager, Ryan Hamilton arranged for their art gallery two doors down to be open so we could view some pretty amazing art before going through a back alley to visit Foxhole Bar. It was a lovely evening with 3 activities rolled into one. Thanks also to Alex Tanaka the manager and Alexia Tapanes who was so patient with my wish list. And of course, Voss who hydrated us all evening.
I hope you’ll return and try other dishes and don’t forget their Korean BBQ, and say that’s what you want to do when you make your reservations, not all tables have the BBQ grill.  Visit Drunken Dragon for more details.
Missed my Wok Star Supper Club? You can drool over the photos below. I’ll be organizing more this fall, so stay tuned.
Sign up for my free newsletter in right sidebar so you’ll get first dibs into my Wok Star Supper Club—->>
To find out more about my Wok Star Supper Club (previously called Hoh Wok Club.)
Note: I don’t get paid to organize these events. I do it because I love introducing people to good Asian cuisine in Miami!  I do get 2 complimentary dinners.
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Yours truly with talented Chef Xavier Torres, thanks for making it so much fun and so successful!
DrunkenDragon-Tunatacos
Tuna Poke Taco was so light and refreshing, a perfect starter and set the tone for what’s to come!
DrunkenDragon-Edamame
Appetizer: Edamame with black pepper, sea salt, radishes
 
DrunkenDragon-SaltRoastedBeets
Appetizer: Salt Roasted Gold and Red Beets with blackberry, pea shoots, miso yogurt, dry miso and red quinoa.
DrunkenDragon-Voss-Hamachi
Appetizer: Hamachi with kalamansi ponzu, cashews, orange and grapefruit segments, red onion and mint. Thanks VOSS for hydrating us.
DrunkenDragon-lobsterroll
Appetizer: Lobster Roll, crispy brioche, sriracha aioli, cavier, Bottarga, tarragon.
 
DrunkenDragon-CrackRibs
Entree: Crack Spare Ribs with serondeng sambal, scallion, coriander, red chili.
 
DrunkenDragon-TwiceFriedChicken
Entree: Twice Fried Chicken with Asian slaw, Miso Ranch, Red Dragon Sauce.
 
Taro Truffle Hash with 63 egg, Chinese sausage, corn, snow peas, taro chips.
Sides: Taro Truffle Hash with 63 egg, Chinese sausage, corn, snow peas, taro chips.  Not shown: Drunken Dragon fries with curry salt and truffle aioli.
 
Stir fry vegetables with sweet soy-ginger sauce and garlic salt.
Stir fry vegetables with sweet soy-ginger sauce and garlic salt.
MarketGallery
Visit to Market Gallery after dinner and Foxhole Bar through an alley wrapped up this 3 event evening!
 

Wok Star Supper Club at Drunken Dragon

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Conquer the Summer Blues in Miami and join my first summer Wok Star Supper Club gathering. I’m very excited to introduce you to Drunken Dragon, it’s tucked away in a nondescript strip mall that still retains a red neon sign, MARKET, except there’s nothing plain about this place. Don’t be fooled by the exterior, on entering, you’re greeted by steamy photography of Japanese bondage on one side and on the other, a 300-pound table made out of reclaimed Douglas fir suspended by chains.
You’re probably wondering if I’ve gone off the deep end choosing this restaurant for our Supper Club but I like to shake things up and take you places you wouldn’t dream of going.  Trust me, you’re in for a delightful culinary experience and get into the groove. It’s a cross between an Asian gastropub, Japanese Izakaya and Korean BBQ. We’ll start with a social meet and mingle, cocktails with water throughout the evening sponsored by VOSS and snackies before sitting down to the 3 course dinner, so don’t be shy, introduce yourselves!

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Drunken Dragon main dining area. Interior photos courtesy Drunken Dragon.
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Very cool bar area to hang for our cocktails and tasty bites.
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Lounge area
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300 pound Douglas fir table suspended by chains next to bar area.
Korean BBQ grills in the main dining area are the highlights for most but for me, it’s Chef Xavier Torres’ modern Asian inspired plates from Vietnam, Thailand and Japan that we’ll focus on for this Supper Club. His previous stints at Nobu, The Dutch, Zuma and Sushi Samba culiminated into his current exotic cooking style at Drunken Dragon.  It’s fantastic that Chef Xavier and I both learned to cook from our moms.  He grew up in Puerto Rico and was encouraged to explore his natural culinary talents by his mom!  You’ll get a chance to hear his philosophy about his style of cooking at the end of our gathering. Chef Xavier and I came up with a menu so you can enjoy a taste of all his signature dishes.
Owners, Conrad Gomez, Angel Febres and Navin Chatani, all with nightclub, bar experience decided to open Drunken Dragon after successfully opening Foxhole Bar.  I’ve arranged for us to go there after our gathering where you’ll get your first drink FREE!  It’s literally behind the restaurant but you wouldn’t know it cause it’s unmarked and in an alleyway. Yes, taking you deeper into a shroud of mystery.
I set the gathering for August 14 to coincide with my mom’s birthday if she were still alive!  I think she would appreciate us celebrating with her, enjoying each other’s company and of course the food.  My mom was a fantastic cook and entertainer, she would organize lavish dinner parties and I truly think I inherited my love of doing the same thing from her!
Can’t wait to see you all at Drunken Dragon, gather all your friends, family, colleagues and celebrate summer with us with some good food and a few laughs!
Menu and Details below…
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Lobster Roll: crispy brioche, sriracha aioli, caviar, roe, tarragon, melts in your mouth! photo credit: Gary James
 
Crack Spare Ribs: serondeng sambal, scallion, coriander, chili
Crack Spare Ribs: serondeng sambal, scallion, coriander, chili. And as its name implies, you’ll want more! photo credit: Gary James
Here are the details, you know the drill…you’ll be paying directly to Drunken Dragon…
What: Eleanor Hoh’s Wok Star Supper Club, Conquer the Summer Blues!
Cost: $45 including tips and tax, excluding beverages.
Drinks: Happy Hour Cocktails are half off usual price, complimentary VOSS water throughout evening, beverages NOT included in $45.
When: Sunday, August 14: 5-7pm
Where: Drunken Dragon, 1424 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Max: 79 seats without the bar and 92 with the bar seats.
Parking: Valet – $10 (usually $15) OR street parking ($4 an hour, so you’ll end up hot and bothered, go with valet, so worth it!)
Reservations: Plse specify WOK STAR SUPPER CLUB on Drunken Dragon Open Table. My event will be mentioned somewhere in your reservations.
It should take you to Aug.14 page, choose time slot 5pm.  Call DD directly 305-397-8556 if you have any problems.
Please don’t leave till last minute and be disappointed you can’t get in! I’ve had loads of publicity in the media, thanks to everyone who helped promote my Wok Star Supper Club!
Eater Miami’s Tastiest Summer Food Events
Hedonist Shedonist News Wire
MiaBites
Mitch and Mel’s Foodie Friday
New Times Miami’s Events Calendar
Soul of Miami’s featured event
South Florida Food and Wine
South Florida Gourmet
Thank You Miami’s August Food News
Voss Water’s Events
 
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MENU FOR WOK STAR SUPPER CLUB AT DRUNKEN DRAGON
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14: 5-7PM
5-5:30pm Meet and Mingle at the Bar with Cocktails & munchies on arrival
Drunken Dragon Fries – curry salt, truffle aioli.
Edamame – black pepper, sea salt, sugar snap peas.
5:30pm sit down…Cold Appetizers:
Hamachi – kalamansi ponzu, cashews, orange and grapefruit segments, red onion, mint.
Salt roasted beets – blackberry, pea shoots, miso yogurt, dry miso, red quinoa.
Next- Mains family style:
Lobster roll – crispy brioche, sriracha aioli, caviar roe, tarragon.
Crack Spare Ribs – serondeng sambal, scallion, coriander, chili
Twice Fried chicken from Happy Hour menu – Asian slaw, miso ranch, red dragon
Sides family style to come with Mains:
Taro Truffle Hash – 63 egg (soft egg), chinese sausage, corn, snow peas, taro chips.
Stir fry veggies – cauliflower, baby carrots, shitakes with sweet soy-ginger, garlic salt.
Dessert
Japanese mochi – scoop of mango and green tea.
FOXHOLE BAR
First drink FREE!  Whoa, you heard right!  Any beer, wine, liquor of your choice excluding top shelf hard liquor.

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To find out more about my Wok Star Supper Club (previously called Hoh Wok Club), click here.
Sign up for my free newsletter in right sidebar so you’ll get first dibs into my Wok Star Supper Club—->>
Visit Drunken Dragon for more details.