So I thought I remembered meeting a mom and starbucks (my favorite one of course) that had her son with her. He had just had his hair slightly died blonder with a pretty hip cut. As the boys, one with his music app up on his iphone and my son with his music app up on his ipad were playing a one up game of who had which song already downloaded. In the background I’m hearing Dynomite, Usher, Rhianna and all the songs that are played in this day and age. Anyway as the boys were having there fun I asked the woman where she had taken her son (because I think I’m kind of over the sitting in a little car or airplane to get a haircut) and she said the Chop Shop.
Now this is a couple months later and my sons school sends a note home saying he needs it cut above the ears which is so not what I want as right now its chin length and so surfer blondie cute. But as I want him to be able to attend school we head to the chop shop. Well, it’s definitely not a cutesy get in this airplane and I'll pop in Barney for you to watch. Instead it’s pretty tough but in a good way. Black leather chairs, pretty big dudes working the chairs and what I found out and had never seen before something called hair design it’s like graffiti on the head or a tattoo that grows and of course I'm mesmerized. The woman lying next to my son has "Money Mike" working on her. And it’s a straight up sweet design he’s working on between her blond mohawk and then her son starts showing me some of her modeling photos on his iphone. Seriously smokin. Then I look at my son who usually hates getting his haircut and he is all vibed up, asking a million questions and completely sitting still. This place was different and new and Ray did a superb Job. So we will see you again in a couple months Ray.
On a side note I mentioned to my sons teacher that we had gone to the Chop Shop and she said that that’s were the Jersey Shore boys went when they filmed here. Interesting. http://www.chopshopmiami.com/
Veil
There will be a wedding just not sure of the date yet
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Review Rosa Mexicana
So here I was so excited to go see a movie with the kids and walk directly across the theatre in South Beach to eat some good Mexican food. Dreaming of the days living in Los Angeles and frequenting my favorite Mexican jaunts like El Pavo in San Bernadino with poblanos stuffed with garlicky chicken in the most amazing sauce, fresh Burritos, fish and shrimp tacos and tortas.
The 50 cent tacos outside Rosarita.
First off let me tell you about the cheeses of Mexico before I start writing about my review of Rosa Mexicana.
1. The Mexican cheese that has a crumbly texture when it’s heated, not really melting, but becoming soft and creamy without losing its shape like
Queso Blanco- very similar to Monterrey Jack or Mozzarella in flavor
Queso Fresco- crumbles easily
Panela- crumbles very easily and has a slightly salty flavor
Requesón- a very soft texture similar to Italian ricotta cheese
2. And then the molten melting cheeses like
Queso Quesadilla- mild in flavor
Asadero- stronger flavor
Manchego- yellow color and tangy flavor
Oaxaca- similar texture to string cheese
Chihuahua- similar flavor to a mild cheddar
So I was excited to see some of these cheeses on the menu and I was really enthusiastic when I ordered Alambre de Camerones/Shrimp Brochette which is skewers of grilled shrimp with tomatoes, onions and Serrano peppers served with a roasted tomato-jalapeno caper sauce, salty ordered Suiza Enchilidas with pulled roasted chicken, creamy tomatillo sauce and melted Chihuahua cheese. Our boys ordered the chicken tacos and the quesadilla.
Not one dish was good.
How is it that the pulled chicken in the taco was not only dry but flavorless that the side of peas, carrots and corn was not even cooked. My sauce for my desiccated tasteless shrimp was dreadful with and odd almost bitter undertone to it. Saltys sauce had a strange lime flavor to it making it eerily pungent and that the only one good part of all of our dished was the saltiness of the cheese in the quesadilla.
We were all miffed by the end of the meal and really ready to head home as the
Service was also extremely slow.
In my opinion if you’re headed “south of the border” to Rosa Mexicana for dinner… plan on ordering a LOT of drinks and enjoying only the Guacamole and chips as stated by our server “its really what this restaurant is known for” and I’d agree.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Stone Crab Saturday
For the past two or three weekends we have been driving to the Gables for their Saturday farmers market. Fresh produce, folk music and Steve's Stone Crabs.... that are so sweet and delicious and his mustard sauce is the perfect balance with a little kick to it. They sell by the pound for $8.00 which is an unbelievable deal and they dive for them the days before.
It has been so much fun to drive there, pick up the stone crabs, and crack them open as soon as we get home. Put them on a huge white platter and indulge in the succulent meat as we laze around the pool. Last weekend was the last of the Gables farmers market so this weekend we will head to South Miami to pick them up. http://www.stevesstonecrabclaws.com/
It has been so much fun to drive there, pick up the stone crabs, and crack them open as soon as we get home. Put them on a huge white platter and indulge in the succulent meat as we laze around the pool. Last weekend was the last of the Gables farmers market so this weekend we will head to South Miami to pick them up. http://www.stevesstonecrabclaws.com/
The Magical restaurant called Mandolin
This is our go to place. When we really dont feel like cooking, have visitors in town or just need a great night out this is where we go. Its setting is a 1940's house, white and blue and you enter on the side through the wooden gate. It is all outside seating with wooden tables , blue and white chairs, trees with white lights, greek oil canisters turned into flower pots and foliage all around you. It makes me feel that I am very far away from Miami.
The staff are the most pleasuable people I have come across in all my eating days. Each unique with a bit of hippiness, dressed in casual chic but hippy clothes. The aura of these girls that wait on you is so soft, gentle and peaceful. I would love to become best friends with each of them because its rare to see bohemian/hippy type girls here in Miami. I love this 1. Because I went to college in the upper peninsula in Michigan where drum circles, playing harmonica, eating homegrown and organic food was a no brainer and that we all listened to jerry and sometimes made our own corderoy patchwork pants and 2. Because 5 years ago I was living in Asheville opening up a wine shop called http://www.flatrockwineshoppe.com/ and the atmosphere there is pretty laid back as well. So I miss that..... but being a chameleonn I also like this life. Anyway back to Mandolin. The home-y vibe feels good with greek sea salt at your table, warm bread in a brown paper bag and a glass rioja and I'm really in for the night. Some of the standouts when it comes to the food are the mussels, the saginaki, the arugala, beat and walnut salad. For main dishes I love the perfectly grilled lamb chops drizzled with greek olive oil and the seafood stew. My honey literally has dreams about the shrimp with feta and ouzo. I also like to just enjoy being outdoors, watching the girls in their homemade aprons move about .....and linger with the smells coming from the kitchen.
Mandolin thank you for being here in Miami!
The staff are the most pleasuable people I have come across in all my eating days. Each unique with a bit of hippiness, dressed in casual chic but hippy clothes. The aura of these girls that wait on you is so soft, gentle and peaceful. I would love to become best friends with each of them because its rare to see bohemian/hippy type girls here in Miami. I love this 1. Because I went to college in the upper peninsula in Michigan where drum circles, playing harmonica, eating homegrown and organic food was a no brainer and that we all listened to jerry and sometimes made our own corderoy patchwork pants and 2. Because 5 years ago I was living in Asheville opening up a wine shop called http://www.flatrockwineshoppe.com/ and the atmosphere there is pretty laid back as well. So I miss that..... but being a chameleonn I also like this life. Anyway back to Mandolin. The home-y vibe feels good with greek sea salt at your table, warm bread in a brown paper bag and a glass rioja and I'm really in for the night. Some of the standouts when it comes to the food are the mussels, the saginaki, the arugala, beat and walnut salad. For main dishes I love the perfectly grilled lamb chops drizzled with greek olive oil and the seafood stew. My honey literally has dreams about the shrimp with feta and ouzo. I also like to just enjoy being outdoors, watching the girls in their homemade aprons move about .....and linger with the smells coming from the kitchen.
Mandolin thank you for being here in Miami!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My Search for the Perfect Starbucks.
So YES I am that person who goes everyday usually once but sometimes twice to Starbucks. Case in Point: When we were planning our summer getaway to Emerald Island NC, Saltys dad called to tell me he had done a search and that there is a Starbucks two towns over. So I take my routine trips everyday quite seriously.
I also have been known to choose certain Starbucks that are not the closest to me but the one that 1. Doesn't burn the espresso 2. I like to get to know the Baristas (as I'll be seeing them everyday..kind of like a second family 3. Some choose only to put out half and half, and 2 percent and not the low fat milk and also some choose not to have sweet and low. I thought all the Starbucks had to be the same but I am apparently very very wrong about this.
I live in Miami Beach so I started at the one in Mary Brickell village: Parking impossible, lines all the time, although their staff moves quickly in taking orders, no real face time with said barista no real feeling of family. They do make a good doppio though (and by the way that is a double espresso) and I always order a side of grande ice. Why do I order this way? I like to get the hot doppio, then pour in myself two sweet and lows and let them dissolve before pouring over the ice. This brings out the full flavor of the sweet and low. I then like to pour it over the ice and add half and half and a splash of low fat. I then stir and it’s delicious. Back to this certain Starbucks. I like that you can have your dog there (my dog is a King Charles named cider) and sit outside next to a fountain.
Then there is the Starbucks on Coral Way in the Gables: Parking good, horribly burnt espresso, no lines and you have to ask every time for the low fat milk, which they then give you a cup full and I use a splash so big waste of milk in my mind. That also means big waste of money so someone needs to write a letter to the manager. It's so bad I often give a loud sound of dismay when I drive by this one.
Target in Midtown: Parking a bit of a problem because you have to park on 3rd level and take elevator down, baristas little to no smiles ever, and then this happens. Every time I ask for the grande cup of ice on the side they say no and show me a cup the size of a tall that they only give ice away in. So then I have to buy a grande cup of coffee ask them then to spill it out before giving it to me and fill it with ice. They don’t like this but they do it unhappily for me. Also, rarely do they have the low fat milk out.
Starbucks in the Eden Rock Hotel: This one is closest to my house and the valet people know me so I pull in throw my keys at one of them "wink" run up the stairs, door is opened for me and then my heart sinks because there are 25 tourists staying at the hotel in line. I finally though began eye contact with certain employees that would give me a wave (meaning were making yours) just run up to the front and drop off the money. But then new people hired and although I really like their espresso it’s just too much a chance to take for me.
AND THEN HEAVEN!!!!!!
Biscayne I think either 61st of 59th street: Parking beautiful, Baristas all awesome, each one uniquely different, each one has a gleaming smile. We interact, they know my kids name, they know Saltys name and they know mine AND have even given me the nickname of "doppio" to cute. They literally are my ray of sunshine. They make the perfect doppio, perfect cup of ice and are always fully stocked with the low fat and sweet and low. So to all in Miami this Starbucks is by far the reigning Queen in the city. And a big hello to Jose, Elizabeth, Alex and Victoria I will see you tomorrow morning.
I also have been known to choose certain Starbucks that are not the closest to me but the one that 1. Doesn't burn the espresso 2. I like to get to know the Baristas (as I'll be seeing them everyday..kind of like a second family 3. Some choose only to put out half and half, and 2 percent and not the low fat milk and also some choose not to have sweet and low. I thought all the Starbucks had to be the same but I am apparently very very wrong about this.
I live in Miami Beach so I started at the one in Mary Brickell village: Parking impossible, lines all the time, although their staff moves quickly in taking orders, no real face time with said barista no real feeling of family. They do make a good doppio though (and by the way that is a double espresso) and I always order a side of grande ice. Why do I order this way? I like to get the hot doppio, then pour in myself two sweet and lows and let them dissolve before pouring over the ice. This brings out the full flavor of the sweet and low. I then like to pour it over the ice and add half and half and a splash of low fat. I then stir and it’s delicious. Back to this certain Starbucks. I like that you can have your dog there (my dog is a King Charles named cider) and sit outside next to a fountain.
Then there is the Starbucks on Coral Way in the Gables: Parking good, horribly burnt espresso, no lines and you have to ask every time for the low fat milk, which they then give you a cup full and I use a splash so big waste of milk in my mind. That also means big waste of money so someone needs to write a letter to the manager. It's so bad I often give a loud sound of dismay when I drive by this one.
Target in Midtown: Parking a bit of a problem because you have to park on 3rd level and take elevator down, baristas little to no smiles ever, and then this happens. Every time I ask for the grande cup of ice on the side they say no and show me a cup the size of a tall that they only give ice away in. So then I have to buy a grande cup of coffee ask them then to spill it out before giving it to me and fill it with ice. They don’t like this but they do it unhappily for me. Also, rarely do they have the low fat milk out.
Starbucks in the Eden Rock Hotel: This one is closest to my house and the valet people know me so I pull in throw my keys at one of them "wink" run up the stairs, door is opened for me and then my heart sinks because there are 25 tourists staying at the hotel in line. I finally though began eye contact with certain employees that would give me a wave (meaning were making yours) just run up to the front and drop off the money. But then new people hired and although I really like their espresso it’s just too much a chance to take for me.
AND THEN HEAVEN!!!!!!
Biscayne I think either 61st of 59th street: Parking beautiful, Baristas all awesome, each one uniquely different, each one has a gleaming smile. We interact, they know my kids name, they know Saltys name and they know mine AND have even given me the nickname of "doppio" to cute. They literally are my ray of sunshine. They make the perfect doppio, perfect cup of ice and are always fully stocked with the low fat and sweet and low. So to all in Miami this Starbucks is by far the reigning Queen in the city. And a big hello to Jose, Elizabeth, Alex and Victoria I will see you tomorrow morning.
Monday, March 21, 2011
CVS or secret uber Fashion Photoshoot Spot
I go to CVS quite a bit…. Sunscreen, prescriptions, fun swim toys doesn't everyone? This CVS is located at Collins and 76th it is really not that nice of an area and has no fancy appeal to it. So it was to my surprise that on this first occasion after putting a quarter in the car timing thing that I see the lights, cameras, artsy folk lingering looking as utterly bored as possible but glamorous all the same. Two models, a back screen and a man with ponytail taking dramatic photos. Excuse me folks I said as I walked though...thinking you know I am in kind of a rush.
That night I told salty about it and we kind of just came to the reasoning that "well they had to pick a spot somewhere didn't they?".
But lo and behold about three weeks later I pull up again and at the exact same spot completely different crowd of men with tight jeans and funky t-shirts doing lighting and smoking cigs, really tall woman modeling in various heroin chic funky arm poses and again a couple of backdrops, lots of lights. So I walk straight through (what am I supposed to run into traffic on Collins to get to my CVS? so they have so stop for one moment geez o petes) And then I get the couple glances from the way to thin rocker dressed dudes yuck I think to myself.
That night now my mind is reeling. To Salty I say: Do you think there is a big agency around the corner and it just happens they are picking a place close by? Is the light in front of this dingy CVS some incredible force of nature? What was his take I asked? He likes to laugh at me because this is how my mind works. I form a scenario and then my imagination starts creating all these different assumptions. So finally a couple weeks later salty and I pull up to the CVS and NO WAY it's going on again. This time with male and female models exact same corner.
So, it’s time for my investigative work. I take my son, perch him on the corner and take various photos from every angle and you know what? No different from any other corner. So this is a mystery unsolved.....I'll keep you posted.
That night I told salty about it and we kind of just came to the reasoning that "well they had to pick a spot somewhere didn't they?".
But lo and behold about three weeks later I pull up again and at the exact same spot completely different crowd of men with tight jeans and funky t-shirts doing lighting and smoking cigs, really tall woman modeling in various heroin chic funky arm poses and again a couple of backdrops, lots of lights. So I walk straight through (what am I supposed to run into traffic on Collins to get to my CVS? so they have so stop for one moment geez o petes) And then I get the couple glances from the way to thin rocker dressed dudes yuck I think to myself.
That night now my mind is reeling. To Salty I say: Do you think there is a big agency around the corner and it just happens they are picking a place close by? Is the light in front of this dingy CVS some incredible force of nature? What was his take I asked? He likes to laugh at me because this is how my mind works. I form a scenario and then my imagination starts creating all these different assumptions. So finally a couple weeks later salty and I pull up to the CVS and NO WAY it's going on again. This time with male and female models exact same corner.
So, it’s time for my investigative work. I take my son, perch him on the corner and take various photos from every angle and you know what? No different from any other corner. So this is a mystery unsolved.....I'll keep you posted.
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