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.
Red Light Located in the MiMo District of Miami.
Kris is owner and chef. Known in the past as an exec on Wall Street, real estate mogul and yoga instructor. Kris now has opened Red Light and it was nominated as a semi-finalist for the James Beard Foundation Award. So that’s pretty big stuff.
The Location of the restaurant is at the far right corner of the Blu Motel, once called the Gold Dust and had its plenty share of the seedier elements of society. I will still bargain to say that rooms going for $59.95 a night still haven’t really brought it up to being a "Go to Spot" for Miami tourists. The restaurants sits perched on the bay straight across from the Boulevard Strip club.
When I pulled the menu up online it looked scrumptious and a bit different ahhh... hopefully the food will be bliss. Here were some of the highlights while looking at the menu: Golden crab and fennel soup with lemon toast cream, mussels citrus steamed with green tomatoes and crisp plantain chips and crispy skin snapper, lemon brown butter, coconut rice and green steamed veg. Yum.
So salty and I headed over there one night. We walked in and we said we didn’t have a reservation but did you have a table for two. Although the restaurant was completely empty the host took to looking at the computer for a bit, then told me Kris was not here tonight but said he did have a table for us. We walked downstairs which is open and perched on the bay. First off ,the smell is almost unbearable and if it was light out I would have been afraid to look in the water because I still am having nightmares of seeing a hand or a leg floating by. A waiter walked by us after we sat and took an order from two gentlemen to our left he then walked by us again. He went upstairs brought down their drinks, walked by us, came back down walked by us, took their order and walked by us. Excuse me I said are you our waiter he answered no and walked back upstairs. A few moments later a guy came to our table and said I guess I'm your waiter.yup I said. We had already had plenty of time to look at the menu which was half the size of what we saw on his website and none of the dishes that I had wanted were there. But I understand you need to change it up, keep it fresh. We decided on the large order of mussels that was explained to be with parsley and garlic, the large order of the Barbeque shrimp and the New York Strip. They offer 3 red wines and had maybe 6 different beers so I chose a rioja and salty had a beer. Our drinks came but so did the bad news that the kitchen was out of garlic so did we still want the mussels. I’m going to repeat this because 1. When I walked into the restaurant there were to people at the hostess stand, a woman behind the bar and another woman was sitting there probably a server not quite sure though 2. There is a supermarket one block away from this restaurant 3. Was he really telling me you have no garlic in house? So I said we would skip the mussels and parsley and just go with the shrimp and steak. The wine was good and it was chilled which was nice on this warm night. Then came in a homeless man and set up his steel drum right next to us and started to play a very melodic beat so that was a great surprise. When the shrimp came only six were in the bowl, a bit of surprise that this was the large order but they were incredibly delicious. The broth was a soupy dark brown bay broth but it tasted heavenly and as I nabbed the last shrimp our server brought us out another six saying it was the kitchens mistake of sending out the smaller portion. Yes I thought more shrimp. As the restaurant started to fill up, a party of 17, a couple deuces and a four top and now on my second glass of rioja. I was really prepared to enjoy our next dish until salty looked at his watch and it had been an hour and a half and we had to leave to go pick up our son. So without any idea were our server was we walked upstairs asked for it to go at whatever temp it was and flew out of there. Disappointed yes. No garlic for the garlic mussels unacceptable. Kris you should be there every night is my advice to you. We may try it again but we will call in advance next time.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Pinot Noir
Here is my list for the Best Pinot Noir found at Total Wines for under $25.
HK-1 Willamette 17.99
Adelsheim 17.97
Martin Ray 19.99
Benton Lane 22.99
Byron 14.99
Calera 21.99
Here are my picks of the Best to Buy Pinot Noir at Total Wines.
Calera Mills 2006 44.99
Chahalem 2007 28.99
Ken Wright Cellars McCroon Vineyard 52.99
Penner-Ash 2008 49.99
Hendry 2007 34.99
Hanzell 2006 59.99
Flowers Andreen-Gale 52.99
Littorai Thierot 69.99
Merry Edwards Meridith 2007 79.99
Soter 2008 53.99
HK-1 Willamette 17.99
Adelsheim 17.97
Martin Ray 19.99
Benton Lane 22.99
Byron 14.99
Calera 21.99
Here are my picks of the Best to Buy Pinot Noir at Total Wines.
Calera Mills 2006 44.99
Chahalem 2007 28.99
Ken Wright Cellars McCroon Vineyard 52.99
Penner-Ash 2008 49.99
Hendry 2007 34.99
Hanzell 2006 59.99
Flowers Andreen-Gale 52.99
Littorai Thierot 69.99
Merry Edwards Meridith 2007 79.99
Soter 2008 53.99
Eos at the Viceroy
I not only love the Viceroy Hotel in Los Angeles but I am as in love with the one in Miami. So, of course, we head over there to dine at their restaurant Eos. It’s decor is very funky yet bizarre at the same time. Although the restaurant was almost completely empty we were sat at a tiny two person booth and after I tried to figure out how Salty (that’s what I call my fiancé) my large bag and I could sit comfortably in this mess of a table my agitated grunts had us quickly moved over to a table of four with large upholstered chairs and a round table. Ok so maybe this started out bad but would inevitably get better. The menu looked good. I ordered white asparagus with Marconi almonds and salty ordered a special that was heirloom tomatoes and aged Balsamic. My salad although dusted with black pepper and drizzled with olive oil was somewhat bland and very underwhelming but saltys oozed with deliciousness and the tomatoes so sweet, tender and refreshing. The Main course for me was the special of Branzino side of mushrooms and thyme, salty ordered the rack of lamb medium rare with celery root puree. We had to send the lamb back twice which in my book is just not acceptable, I understand once (look I worked in many a kitchen and know how it is but there were three tables in the whole restaurant). I was finished with my fish (mediocre at best) when his lamb was finally up to medium rare. I tasted the lamb it was good but it’s always kind of a letdown especially for the high price you pay. Our wine though was a standout Clark and Telephone Pinot Noir so so so delicious. Put it on your list of wines to buy in bulk if you come across it.
So Eos didn’t turn out what we were hoping for but I did hear there is a new chef so we may return again.
So Eos didn’t turn out what we were hoping for but I did hear there is a new chef so we may return again.
Shoping on Biscayne from 79th to 51st
This is what you call eclectic shopping because all of the shops I am about to mention are all located next to seedy hotels and a strip club named Boulevard that is the size of a football field with a large King like chair in the entrance and an open sign on 24 hours a day,,,and I have yet to see any parked cars in the parking lot so it’s an anomaly to me. Anyhoo you have some outstanding clothing shops in this area. To begin with "The Consignment Bar", yes you have to ring a bell to get in but once in you are immersed into Handbag Heaven, 7 Hermes, 20 Louis, Gucci, Prada really any designer you might like and I love how its set up like a bar. You sit on a pink jewel studded stool at the bar as you gaze at all the handbags perched in front of you like liquor bottles would be. I’d like to look at....and the owner brings it down for you to see. Another thing I like is that it’s not really about clothes here mostly bags, shoes, belts and sunglasses. Another Benny is they have this enormous outside area in the back with a huge tree in the middle and big Buddha sculptures and benches dispersed randomly.
So I came up with the great idea to have our wedding reception there and I brought my parents to take a look. But on this particular Sunday they were closed and a man clearly on some sort of high came at me and dad was about to hit him until the man lost his balance and we got into our cars safely. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I was talking to my sister in law and she mentioned that my parents had come up with a very cute idea of sending little canisters of mace with our names on it to go out with our reception invitations. So I scrapped that idea.
Then you have Rebel a couple blocks down its designer new and consignment mixed. I really like to browse here but I find it a bit overwhelming because there is so much stuff. I can say that I found the greatest throwback sweatshirt that I tend to wear probably too much and red jeans that I probably shouldn’t have bought but seemed like a good idea at the time. You have two vintagy clothing stores that sometimes I have good luck and a wonderful India store that has beautiful linens and gorgeous long dresses. Its a good destination area for a change of pace.
So I came up with the great idea to have our wedding reception there and I brought my parents to take a look. But on this particular Sunday they were closed and a man clearly on some sort of high came at me and dad was about to hit him until the man lost his balance and we got into our cars safely. It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I was talking to my sister in law and she mentioned that my parents had come up with a very cute idea of sending little canisters of mace with our names on it to go out with our reception invitations. So I scrapped that idea.
Then you have Rebel a couple blocks down its designer new and consignment mixed. I really like to browse here but I find it a bit overwhelming because there is so much stuff. I can say that I found the greatest throwback sweatshirt that I tend to wear probably too much and red jeans that I probably shouldn’t have bought but seemed like a good idea at the time. You have two vintagy clothing stores that sometimes I have good luck and a wonderful India store that has beautiful linens and gorgeous long dresses. Its a good destination area for a change of pace.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Clothing
Hmm I'm 35 and today I have gone with a ballerina skirt, a old I love Maui T-shirt and camoflauge Toms shoes. Feels good!
Botox and Lip Injections
The day I scheduled my appt I really had no idea if it was going to happen that day or what the whole protocall was. Have to tell ya all the girls in this very modern and clean office were stunning perfect lips, not very many lines and now I have new fascination with hair extensions because each girl seemed to have longer hair than the next.
They had me fill out the forms, sign a bunch of stuff and then whisked into a room where I watched pictures of Jhonny Solomans trip to India. It was very calming. He walked in with another woman. He is quite striking with his gold framed glasses. He looked at me...I was dressed in black leather jeans, tory birch leapord flats and a light cashmere shawl with black tank top. I was entirely surprised when the first thing he said was nice tattoo.... that is on the side of my foot, the size of my index finfernail of an "HB" typically people think its dirt. I said Wow how did you see that, he winked and said that's his job. Oh Im liking this I thought. So he looked at my face and I mean really looked asked me to smile a few times and then asked me what I wanted. I said around the eyes and maybe some lip plumper. He thought those were good ideas but also forehead, crease top of my nose, lines around my mouth...ok I said. So she put a cream to hopefully numb my face he walked out. I sat there feeling my face become numb, excited and learning quite a bit about India. He walked back in with a tray of needles and ready here he goes. Its not really painful its just odd. The woman held my hand as I squeezed. You are bleeder he said. Great I thought. A couple please smile and again, maybe 35 pricks I felt and then he moved to the lips and bang ouch....that side really hurt do you seriously need to stick it in the otherside I said? and jab ouch. Were done he said and smiled...your beautiful and honey can you grab her some ice packs. And that was that. Pictues taken directly after if you scan down the blog.
They had me fill out the forms, sign a bunch of stuff and then whisked into a room where I watched pictures of Jhonny Solomans trip to India. It was very calming. He walked in with another woman. He is quite striking with his gold framed glasses. He looked at me...I was dressed in black leather jeans, tory birch leapord flats and a light cashmere shawl with black tank top. I was entirely surprised when the first thing he said was nice tattoo.... that is on the side of my foot, the size of my index finfernail of an "HB" typically people think its dirt. I said Wow how did you see that, he winked and said that's his job. Oh Im liking this I thought. So he looked at my face and I mean really looked asked me to smile a few times and then asked me what I wanted. I said around the eyes and maybe some lip plumper. He thought those were good ideas but also forehead, crease top of my nose, lines around my mouth...ok I said. So she put a cream to hopefully numb my face he walked out. I sat there feeling my face become numb, excited and learning quite a bit about India. He walked back in with a tray of needles and ready here he goes. Its not really painful its just odd. The woman held my hand as I squeezed. You are bleeder he said. Great I thought. A couple please smile and again, maybe 35 pricks I felt and then he moved to the lips and bang ouch....that side really hurt do you seriously need to stick it in the otherside I said? and jab ouch. Were done he said and smiled...your beautiful and honey can you grab her some ice packs. And that was that. Pictues taken directly after if you scan down the blog.
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!
Monday, March 14, 2011
BLT Steak
I wasn't crazy about hitting up a restaurant on Ocean drive ( I think thats what you call it here in Miami) in south beach to have dinner. But I had heard great things of this steakhouse. First off...I wore a pink vintage chanel shirt with black sequined tiny shorts and a tightly fitted velvet blazer. My hair was pin straight, and I had a wee bit of nars tarte (thats cheak stain to anyone who doesnt use it) Dior heavy black mascara and super high gloss clear lipgloss. I was very happy when we left our house. Which by the way is a four story townhouse (no elevator) and I put my heels on on the top floor so that when my fiance would see me come down that last step......he would come over to me gazing, kissing me and mentioning that my legs looked very long but now my high heals were killing me. Anyhoo...we valet, take a seat at a table outside which being on that strip you get many people walking by you. For some reason though it didn't bother me. That night had a bit of a chill in the air so we had a heat lamp at the table. The pate, bread and pickled vegetable tray came to the table which I thought was a nice touch. We brought our own wine that night.
Why you might ask? Well being as it is that I studied wine and have pretty much tried about 60% of all bottles. I know that a restaurant marks it up 3 times the normal price it makes no sense sometimes to buy a wine for $70 or $90 when I know its $30.00 at total wines. So we went with a Patricia Greene Pinot Noir. So silky, so earthy so delicious.
And listen up to any wine snob who thinks Cabernet goes best with steak. I'm a wine snob and I say a great Pinot can hold up just as well.
My fiance had the shrimp cocktail (something he rarely orders) because they had run out of the crab cake. I found that to be a crazy thing because as a chef that would never happen in my kitchen. But he thouroughly enjoyed how big the shrimp were and that the cocktail sauce had a nice citrus accent to it. I ordered a bib lettuce salad that I was absolutely loving when all of a sudden our two perfectly cooked medium rare tenderloins. Not the best service for timing but I really liked our server and actually we saw her out at the bar/eatery we went to later. Too funny. What is the biggest standout, blow your mind experience of this restaurant is their bernaice laced with tons of tarragon and a hint of champagne vinager. I asked for three refills and I could have gone for four. Each bite I took I douced it with this perfectly made sauce and breathed a sigh of sweet goodness. Another big surprise was how creamily delicious the creamed spinach was. They sent us out 3 desserts on the house which I thought was quite nice but I don't touch dessert so as my honey dug in I decided to have a glass of champagne.
Oh and by the way I'm watching my honey cook us dinner at the moment he is wearing a derby day t-shirt and my big beach floppy hat....too cute.
Why you might ask? Well being as it is that I studied wine and have pretty much tried about 60% of all bottles. I know that a restaurant marks it up 3 times the normal price it makes no sense sometimes to buy a wine for $70 or $90 when I know its $30.00 at total wines. So we went with a Patricia Greene Pinot Noir. So silky, so earthy so delicious.
And listen up to any wine snob who thinks Cabernet goes best with steak. I'm a wine snob and I say a great Pinot can hold up just as well.
My fiance had the shrimp cocktail (something he rarely orders) because they had run out of the crab cake. I found that to be a crazy thing because as a chef that would never happen in my kitchen. But he thouroughly enjoyed how big the shrimp were and that the cocktail sauce had a nice citrus accent to it. I ordered a bib lettuce salad that I was absolutely loving when all of a sudden our two perfectly cooked medium rare tenderloins. Not the best service for timing but I really liked our server and actually we saw her out at the bar/eatery we went to later. Too funny. What is the biggest standout, blow your mind experience of this restaurant is their bernaice laced with tons of tarragon and a hint of champagne vinager. I asked for three refills and I could have gone for four. Each bite I took I douced it with this perfectly made sauce and breathed a sigh of sweet goodness. Another big surprise was how creamily delicious the creamed spinach was. They sent us out 3 desserts on the house which I thought was quite nice but I don't touch dessert so as my honey dug in I decided to have a glass of champagne.
Oh and by the way I'm watching my honey cook us dinner at the moment he is wearing a derby day t-shirt and my big beach floppy hat....too cute.
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