Meet Ryan Roman, securities lawyer by day, food blogger by night.
Roman, a 31-year-old associate with Akerman Senterfitt in Miami, is the author of one of Miami's most popular food blogs, Miami's Restaurant Power Rankings, or MRPR. And while the blog is done anonymously, Roman says his Akerman bosses have no problem with the blog.
Roman launched MRPR in 2009, after being inundated with requests for restaurant recommendations from friends.
"I figured, rather than make recommendations every time out, it seemed like a good idea to do a blog," he said.
His blog highlights the top dish of the year (in 2011, pan roasted chicken from Michael's Genuine Food & Drink). It tracks restaurant power rankings month to month and features his witty musings on various culinary adventures.
Reads one posting from 2010 entitled MRPR Presents … A Very Momofuku Weekend, Part I: "I've never climbed Mount Everest … barefoot. I've never circumnavigated the globe … counterclockwise. I've never even taken a trip to outer space … for recreation. Instead, I skipped right to the ultimate challenge: eating at each of David Chang's restaurants in the course of a single weekend. And now that I've returned and processed a minute portion of the sodium intake, I'd like to walk you through that magical weekend filled with pork, pig, swine, and oink."
MRPR has developed a following, with 460 facebook "likes" and 100 hits a day, some from local chefs.
A native of Kendall, known more for its chain restaurants than for fine dining, Roman says he became a foodie in 2006, after returning to Miami after finishing law school at the University of Michigan.
But you won't see Roman lunching at any of the power lunch spots in downtown Miami. His fave spots are hole-in-the-wall eateries like Sparky's Roadside Barbecue, Cafe Bastille and Bali Cafe.
Roman doesn't expect the blog to ever become a full-time gig. He deliberately eschews advertising.
"I see it strictly as a hobby," he said. "I like the fact that there are no ads. It keeps it honest."
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