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My Parents Went To France…

By FL Keys Girl, on May 11th, 2012%

The old, but fabulous spatula.

My parents recently returned from a French river cruise. They spent a couple of nights in Paris and then headed to Lyon for the cruise. (Yes, I did book the trip for them). Before leaving, my mom graciously asked if there was anything I wanted them to bring back. In fact, there was. Continue reading My Parents Went To France…

Eating Chicago, Part II

By FL Keys Girl, on September 12th, 2011%

The post-party breakfast.

You didn’t think the Chicago restaurant reviews would stop at one, did you? I had to eat the next day, too. We met friends that live in Chicago for a very early post-party brunch at Meli Cafe. I was overwhelmed by the sheer size of the menu. Crepes? Sure. Pancakes? Of course. Homemade empanadas? Yes. Juice bar the size of a small country? That, too. How we ever managed to make a choice on breakfast is a mystery to me. Continue reading Eating Chicago, Part II

Wine, Food and a Marriage Proposal

By FL Keys Girl, on February 16th, 2011%

I don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, so when I heard that Paul and Stefania Romero, the folks behind Stefania winery in Santa Cruz, were coming to town that was about all the reasoning I needed. The wine geeks came in droves – 21 people in all at my house on a Thursday night. They brought good cheer, loads of wine and even a marriage proposal. Yep, our friend Steve proposed to his girlfriend of nine years in front of a crowd. Note: If your girlfriend asks if you are breaking up with her when, in fact, you are proposing marriage, you need to be a little clearer with your message. Continue reading Wine, Food and a Marriage Proposal

Whoopie

By FL Keys Girl, on January 21st, 2011%

My yummy mint and chocolate ganache whoopie pies

I watch Top Chef all the time. Every season. Every incarnation – All Stars, Just Desserts, Masters. I also watch the Food Network and Travel Channel for cooking and eating shows. One thing I have noticed of late is everyone’s obsession with the whoopie pie. I can’t even tell you how many times someone made a version of a whoopie pie on Top Chef Just Desserts. It was all a little annoying, especially since I have never had a whoopie pie.

Continue reading Whoopie

New Years Eve

By FL Keys Girl, on January 3rd, 2011%

Long considered amateur night, I can’t remember the last time I went out on New Years Eve. The thought of being on the street with thousands of people to watch a drag queen lowered in a shoe (although I am a bit jealous of her abs), a pirate wench lowered at the harbor or a big conch shell drop is enough to push me over the edge. I don’t like being that close to people, especially thousands of drunk people. Which is not to say that my New Years Eve is not over the top, because it always is. Continue reading New Years Eve

Restaurant Review: Cracked Conch Cafe

By FL Keys Girl, on December 13th, 2010%

Stepping into the Cracked Conch Cafe in Marathon (MM 49.5) is like taking one giant leap backwards to 1975, complete with vinyl tablecloths, diner-style menu and dudes at the outside bar smoking. I suppose if it actually were 1975, they would have been smoking inside.

The menu is large and covers everything from breakfast to their namesake dish: conch. Conch Francaise, conch chowder, conch marinara, fried conch, and the list goes on (I am feeling a bit like Forrest Gump, here). Continue reading Restaurant Review: Cracked Conch Cafe

Thanksgiving: The Big Bird

By FL Keys Girl, on November 26th, 2010%

Last night my family gathered at my house, sixteen people total, for the big meal. Two days in the kitchen plus endless grocery runs produced this, and more:

The perfect appetizer: Truffled deviled eggs

The Big Bird: This one weighed in at over 20 pounds

Seared tuna with chili-soy sauce: It can't ALL be traditional

Best. . . . → Read More: Thanksgiving: The Big Bird

I Love Thanksgiving

By FL Keys Girl, on November 24th, 2010%

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

It is my favorite holiday. Why? Really great food with no religious stuff to get in the way of eating (like fasting, for example, that clearly gets in the way of eating.) There is also the Macy’s parade, which although I always say I want to watch, generally turns into me seeing two floats and finding something else to do. The best part about the whole holiday is that I have turned it into a three-day-prep-event, so Thursday I am not exhausted and bitter. Continue reading I Love Thanksgiving

Holding a Grudge

By FL Keys Girl, on November 19th, 2010%

: Image via Wikipedia

I hold grudges. It is a character flaw, for sure, but there are certain things I just can’t let go. Often times, these are relatively minor issues, but usually there has been some egregious (in my mind) injustice (to me, or someone I know). Like my Sarabeth’s grudge. What started off as mere outrage has turned into a full-on boycott. Continue reading Holding a Grudge

Aftermath

By FL Keys Girl, on June 10th, 2010%

You read about the fishing adventures last week. Well, after catching an abundance of little yellowtail snapper, we had a couple of really good dinners.

Here is a photo of the little guys after they have been stuffed with fresh oregano, thyme, sage, garlic and lemon and roasted at 425° for about 35 minutes. They were tender, . . . → Read More: Aftermath

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