Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants in Doral
July 24, 2018
Cheesemaking in the Heart of North Miami
February 7, 2019
Nestled on the corner of NW 62nd street and 2nd Avenue in Little Haiti, sits an obscure building.
Most times I have driven by, the venue looks closed or perhaps like it’s only for private events. The building is brightly painted in geometric shapes- similar to a style found in Wynwood. A black door is always locked, even at the establishment’s opening time of 6PM.
If you were to research House of Food Porn, attempting to take a gander at the menu, you’ll be surprised to discover that there isn’t one. Despite all of the mystery, TripAdvisor shows five-star reviews with words like “fantabulous” and “gem” attached to them. My advice to interested patrons is to do what I did – book a reservation, show up, and find out.
When I arrived at House of Food Porn, I was greeted by an enthusiastic hostess named Nikki who addressed me by name and was glad to see me. I felt like I just arrived for dinner at my friend’s home. The lights are dim, the music is energetic and just from the appearance, I can tell that Chef Franco and Nikki’s goal is to ensure a good time is had by all.
House of Food Porn opened two years ago by Chef Franco Antonio Blanco. He is self-taught, learning to roll sushi at the age of 17. It was not until he strived to create rolls that his Cuban mother, his culinary inspiration, would eat - and “ShuShi” was born. His approach since then was to incorporate the “world in a roll.” Chef Franco pulls inspiration from regional delicacies and incorporates it in his ShuShi. It’s no wonder that Telemundo booked House of Food Porn to cater for their FIFA World Cup events. Chef Franco is the perfect person to exhibit each country’s eats allowing you feel like you’re in France while watching the team take it all the way.
As we all know, the Globe has a diverse array of flavors and cuisine. With all of the fare he wants to utilize, Chef Franco doesn’t believe in limitation. That is why no menu can be found for House of Food Porn, because there isn’t one. That keeps the possibilities of what to expect limitless. Each small, group culinary experience offers a unique visit for each patron; and every time you visit, you won’t try something twice. Within your hour tasting, you’ll get a chance to taste courses of “ShuShi” created specifically for you. The exclusivity of House of Food Porn makes it easy to unwind. All while interacting with Chef Franco and Nikki – talking, laughing and sometimes even dancing. They are a dynamic team.
While at the tasting, the small group I joined (Chef Franco only books up to 10 people per session) tried ahi tuna marinated in sesame oil and baked chayote; ShuShi rolls with Caribbean flair filled with Haitian black mushroom rice (also called “Djon Djon” rice) and slow roasted pork; filet mignon flame broiled with rich, deep flavors of truffle oil, and a decadent chocolate dessert to end the night. Nikki kept the atmosphere relaxed and encouraged us to try their house red wine blend - a perfect balance of sweet and dry. It was an explosion of cherries and chocolate which paired beautifully with every roll Chef Franco served.
In each dish, you can taste Chef Franco’s love and ingenuity. What began as a cryptic little space quickly turned into a spot that will definitely be on the rise for years to come. The mystery of the menu builds anticipation, and the food in addition to the dedication of Chef Franco and Nikki make you want to return again and again.
If you would like to try the Culinary Tasting Experience at House of Food Porn, go to their website and reserve a date. They offer tastings from Wednesday to Sunday at 6PM or 8PM. This summer, the 3 course tasting is $50 per person and 4 course tasting is $75 per person (includes wine and dessert). House of Food Porn is located at 197 NW 62nd St, Miami, FL 33150
