Weekend Getaway: South Florida

Last weekend, I jetted to Florida for a quick getaway to sunbathe and celebrate Justin’s bubbe’s 85th birthday. Justin and I were both overdue for some R&R (doesn’t Christmas feel like it was eons ago?), so the timing was impeccable. I was especially excited because I’d never visited Florida and love any vacation spot that allows me to log some beach time. Here’s a look at the sights and bites of our stay.

{Sunrise from our balcony at the Lago Mar Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale after our red-eye arrival}

{El Brazo Fuerte, a 35 year-old Cuban bakery in Miami that consistently tops “Best Of” lists}

{Guava, Guava and Cream Cheese, and Meat Pastelitos (turnover-like pastries) with an addictive Cafe con Leche. All of this was under $6.00!}

{A rainbow of macarons at the newly opened Laduree on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road}

{An art deco-inspired macaron box exclusive to the Miami location}

{Rose, “Marie Antoinette,” Lemon Verbena, Raspberry and Pistachio Macarons}

{Lunch at Florida Cookery at the James Royal Palm in Miami}

{Pomegranate Cucumber Mojito}

{Michelada Cubana: Tecate, Lime, Maggi, Clamato, Cholula, Salt}

{Surf and Turf Tostada: Guava Pulled Pork and Lime Jalapeno Shrimp with Papaya Slaw}

{Guava Smoked Pork Sandwich}

{Azucar Ice Cream Company, artisanal ice cream inspired by Cuban and tropical flavors}

{A scoop of tart, refreshing, creamy Guava Ice Cream}

{Mai Kai, a tiki-themed bar and restaurant plus “Polynesian Islander Revue!” It is the only restaurant or bar still serving the original recipes of Don the Beachcomber’s.}

{We had a little bit of trouble narrowing down the drink options from their epic menu}

{Tahitian Breeze: Rum, Passion Fruit, Juice}

{Does it get any more tiki than rum in a whole pineapple?}

{Mai Tai}

{Above: Justin’s bubbe, poised to blow out the candles on her cake after dinner at 3030 Ocean and before her husband yelled, “Give it a blowjob!” Below: After. }

{Sunbathing poolside on the last day of our trip}

{A walk on the beach}

El Brazo Fuerte
www.ebfbakery.com

1697 SW 32nd Ave
Miami, FL 33145
(305) 444-7720

Laduree
www.laduree.com
1118 Lincoln Rd
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Florida Cookery at the James Royal Palm

www.florida-cookery.com
1545 Collins Ave
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(786) 276-0333

Azucar Ice Cream Company

www.azucaricecream.com

1503 SW 8th St
Miami, FL 33135
(305) 381-0369

Mai Kai
www.maikai.com
3599 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 563-3272

3030 Ocean
www.3030ocean.com
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
3030 Holiday Dr
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 765-3030

Mid-Week InstaNom: Singapore Sling at POT Bar

Here’s your mid-week InstaNom to get you over the hump:

At the newly opened POT Bar at the Line Hotel in Koreatown, chef Roy Choi and mixologist Matt Biancaniello have collaborated to create one bad-ass watering hole. From the gold mylar balloons spelling out “POT BAR” on the ceiling to the uni-infused, nori-flecked tequila cocktail on the menu, everything about POT Bar is bold and playful. Biancaniello’s cocktail program both breathes new life into 80s drinks like the White Russian and Fuzzy Navel and presents patrons with brash flavors like kimchi- and natto-infused soju. During my visit, I wasn’t feeling quite that adventurous, but this fruity Singapore Sling with clove-infused grenadine and colorful flourishes of bitters was just my style.

POT Bar
www.eatatpot.com
The Line Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 368-3030

Mid-Week Insta-Nom: Golden Girl at Goldie’s

Here’s your mid-week Insta-Nom to help get you over the hump:

Goldie’s (from the team behind Eveleigh) is the newest restaurant to open on W. 3rd Street. At Goldie’s, diners can munch on small plates inspired by California on the restaurant’s stunning garden patio or in its airy, reclaimed wood-filled interior. Admittedly, however, what drew me to Goldie’s was not its architecture or even its menu but its cocktail program helmed by former ink mixologist Brittni Rae Peterson. My favorite drink was the Golden Girl, a combination of spiced tequila, passion fruit, agave and lime meringue ($14.00). The drink was spicier and smokier than I expected but balanced by the subtle sweet finish of the passion fruit and the tartness of the lime meringue– like a good girl with a naughty side!

Goldie’s
www.goldiesla.com
8422 W. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 677-2470

Recipe: Passion Fruit Sangria

When I consider the perfect summer evening, I imagine backyard dining with lights strung up, the grill smoking and a glass of sangria in my hand. This tropical Passion Fruit Sangria from “Home Cooking with Jean-Georges” puts a bright citrus spin on the drink and calls for a white Gewurtztraminer instead of red wine, which feels lighter and well-suited for the heat of summer (and doesn’t give you the same headache the next day!).

Ingredients:

*Makes 6 to 8 drinks

1 bottle (750 mL) dry Gewurztraminer
3/4 cup orange liqueur
6 tablespoons simple syrup
7 tablespoons passion fruit puree
1 cup fresh orange juice
1 orange, quartered and thinly sliced
1 lime, quartered and thinly sliced
1 cup of blackberries, halved
1/4 pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch-long, 1/4-inch thick pieces
15 thin slices peeled fresh ginger

To Make:

In a pitcher or bowl, combine the Gewurztraminer, orange liqueur, simple syrup, passion fruit puree, orange juice, orange, lime, blackberries, pineapple and ginger and stir well. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.

To serve, pour sangria into wine glasses filled with ice. Be sure to add some fruit to each glass!

With the scorcher forecast for this weekend, I may be making another pitcher of this. Salud!

Brunch Is Back at Sunny Spot

Simply stated, Sunny Spot makes me happy. With its open air atmosphere, brightly-colored decor and, of course, chef Roy Choi’s island-inspired food, the place just feels like home. While perched atop a floral-patterned stool, bobbing your head to Bob Marley, you feel as though you could easily be on the North Shore of Oahu rather than a busy stretch of Venice near a laundromat, and that, braddah, is choice.

On Saturday, with warm weather on the horizon and the cold on its way out, Sunny Spot re-launched its weekend brunch. As a super fan of both Sunny Spot and Chef Roy (seriously, the man can cook no wrong in my eyes), I was thrilled to be invited to a tasting of their brunch menu.

Muh-F’k’n Mofongo and Eggs: 2 fried eggs, ripe plantains, applewood bacon, fennel, garlic, fresh herbs and ginger oil ($11.00)

Hangover Plate: 2 fried eggs with rice, black beans, avocado mash plantain chips and diablo sauce ($15.00)

Egg Plate: 2 eggs any style, jerk potatoes served with hangar steak (or pork belly) ($15.00)

Roasted Veggie Omelette: Fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts, cipollini onions and goat cheese ($12.00)

Blueberry Pancakes: Homemade batter with sesame seeds and blueberries ($12.00)

Banana French Toast: Served with maple syrup and rum cream ($12.00)

Diablo Shrimp and Grits: Spicy rum sauce, garlic butter and herbs with 2 fried eggs over grits ($12.00)

Sunfire Chicken Salad: Jerk chicken, butter lettuce, radicchio, arugula, cauliflower, grapefruit, goat cheese and chili vinaigrette ($13.00)

Two-Fisted Cheeseburger: Brioche bun, tomato jam, red onion, arugula, cheddar and herb mayo. You can also add an egg for $1.00! ($13.00)

Cuban Torta: Pork terrine, prosciutto, provolone, pickled jalapeno and mustard ($13.00); Yucca Fries ($5.00)

Steak Sandwich: Grilled skirt steak, avocado mash, jalapeno vinaigrette, mayo and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta ($16.00); Yucca Fries ($5.00)

Home Skillet Bread Pudding: Ciabatta bread pudding with pears, raisins and coconut, topped with vanilla ice cream ($8.00)

Coconut Creme Brulee: With tarragon lime syrup ($8.00)

Hot Fudge Sundae: Vanilla ice cream, candied peanuts, whipped cream and a luxardo cherry ($6.00)

For brunch, Sunny Spot offers $10 bottomless cocktails. The best news: you can mix and match! Bloody Mary AND mimosa, anyone?

Bloody Mary

Rum Punch

While everything was delicious, the unique touches to the pancakes and French toast transformed them from standard brunch fare into standouts. Similarly elevated by its components was the Sunfire Chicken Salad, which my table mates and I piled onto our plates even with heavier options nearby. Also not to be missed are the Steak Sandwich with perfectly crusty ciabatta and the juicy Two-Fisted Cheeseburger. Oh, and all of the desserts. So, like I said, everything…

Thank you to Chef Roy and Natasha Phan for the fun afternoon and the ono-licious grinds!

*Food and drink were hosted.

Sunny Spot

www.sunnyspotvenice.com

822 W. Washington Blvd. 

Venice, CA 90292

(310) 448-8884

Weekend Eats: The Boyfriend Birthday Edition

This weekend marked my boyfriend’s birthday and we, naturally, celebrated in the most delicious of fashions. On Sunday morning, we headed down to Manhattan Beach to brunch at what’s quickly becoming our favorite restuarant, MB Post (previous full post on the scrumptious spot here). Even though Manhattan Beach is a mere 20-25 minutes from LA, something about its ocean views and crisp air make even a quick trip or meal feel like a mini-vacation.

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits with Maple Butter

Sticky Buns with Pecans and Brown Sugar



Eggs Benedict with Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits, Arugula, La Quercia Tamworth Prosciutto and Hollandaise

Corned Beef Cheek Hash, Fried Egg, Sherry Vinegar and Gremolata

Poached Egg with Tomato, White Bean Ragout, Creamy Polenta and Bianco Sardo



Pineapple Lemon Skillet Cake with Vanilla Maple Syrup 

A few hours after rolling ourselves out of MB Post, we continued the birthday festivities with friends at Beer Belly in Koreatown, a craft beer bar owed by our friends which was recently featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

My James Bond-themed table set-up



Garlic Truffle Fries with White Truffle Oil and Chicken Skin Aioli



The Beer Belly Grilled Cheese: Quad-Deck 4×4 with Cheddar, Asiago, Gruyere, Goat Cheese, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Maple Syrup

I’m hard-pressed to come up with a more indulgent weekend in recent memory, but it was worth it! Happy birthday, Justin!

MB Post

www.eatmbpost.com

1142 Manhattan Ave.

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(310) 545-5405

Beer Belly LA

www.beerbellyla.com

532 S. Western Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90020

(213) 387-2337