Emeril Profiles Oldest Bar in Miami for Upcoming Show

While most Miami foodies were recovering from the four-day binge at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, one of the most renowned celebrity chefs was hanging out in Miami’s oldest bar.

Emeril Lagasse was at Tobacco Road Monday filming an episode for an upcoming show called The Originals, which will air in May on the Cooking Channel.

The Originals will profile restaurants around the country that have been in business for several decades.

“Basically what we’re doing is traveling around the country, finding those places that have been doing it for 50, 75, 100 years and are doing it right,” he said. “And obviously here a lot of people know that the music here at Tobacco Road is right, but there is always the food and there’s always the drinks.”

Tobacco Road, established in 1912, is a no-brainer for the show. Today, Emeril is filming at Joe’s Stone Crabs, which was established in 1913.

On Wednesday, Emeril said they will seek out another Miami restaurant to feature, but have not decided which one.

Above: Tobacco Road bartender Jack Pakonis shares his famous mojito recipe with Emeril

Blues, ribs and mojitos
Tobacco Road, known for its blues acts, also features an all-you-can eat rib special on Monday. In the above video, you can see a Tobacco Road chef share the restaurant’s rib recipe with Emeril.

Emeril, who owns Emeril’s restaurant in the Loews Hotel on South Beach, said he comes down here all the time, especially at this time of year.

“What’s not there to love down here,” he said. “It’s a pretty amazing place.”

Emeril comes across just as he does on television. Very down-to-earth and jovial. He is the same on camera and he is off camera, which is not always the case with celebrities.

After spending the afternoon interviewing chefs and bartenders, he then walked around the bar talking to customers, asking them about their experience in Tobacco Road.

Blues local legend Big Poppa E played his harmonica and Emeril is said to have joined him on the drums later in the evening. I had left already, so I was unable to capture that on video.

But you can see Big Poppa E in the above video as well as a personal interview Emeril gave to Miami Beach 411.

Below are photos from Monday’s set as well as photos from the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, which just completed its 10th anniversary.

South Beach Wine and Food Festival

Above: Celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito signing autographs

Above: Celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis

Related Categories: Miami: Food & Restaurant News, Miami: Things to Do, Carlos Miller is a featured writer at Miami Beach 411. He also operates Photography is Not a Crime, a blog about photographer rights, New Media and First Amendment issues. See more articles by Carlos Miller. See more articles by Carlos Miller Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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