Dessert | Florida Keys Girl

Pepe’s, Key West

By FL Keys Girl, on January 16th, 2012%

Pepe’s is the oldest restaurant in Key West, and from the outside, it looks like it. Opened in 1909, Pepe’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the year. Seven days a week, 365 days a year. That is a lot of eggs, Bloody Mary’s and fish sandwiches. The inside is definitely old school, but as Babka was joining us for lunch, we sat outside in the lovely garden. We arrived to a relatively short (for a Sunday) twenty minute wait, giving me plenty of time to eavesdrop on the already drunk people ambling up to the bar. Continue reading Pepe’s, Key West

Little Palm Island

By FL Keys Girl, on December 30th, 2011%

Little Palm Island is the place people dream of when they picture the idyllic Florida Keys. Secluded and three miles off the coast, Little Palm Island is only accessible by boat. We arrived at the ferry parking lot and were greeted warmly by the attendant. After about three minutes we were escorted to the boat with four other people, all of whom appeared to be spending one or more nights (the suitcases gave them away.)

Continue reading Little Palm Island

Eating Key West

By FL Keys Girl, on November 30th, 2011%

Normally, I review one restaurant or meal at a time. This past weekend, however, deserves a recap of its own. Since my cousin was coming to town and we have many of the same interests, mainly revolving around eating, drinking and a love-hate relationship with running, I planned the eating and drinking (and a little running) tour of Key West. Continue reading Eating Key West

Palme d’Or at The Biltmore Hotel, Miami

By FL Keys Girl, on August 15th, 2011%

That is a lot of stemware.

Friends of ours who live in Coral Gables are always trying to get us to go to their neighborhood for dinner. Usually, I weasel out of it and make them come someplace near us. But, last week after tennis (for FKGuy) and relaxing in The Biltmore pool (for me), we all had dinner at Palme d’Or, the signature restaurant at The Biltmore hotel. Continue reading Palme d’Or at The Biltmore Hotel, Miami

Fin, Key West: Take Two

By FL Keys Girl, on June 27th, 2011%

Peach palm fritters... yum!

We decided to give Fin another try over the weekend as (a) it was my mother’s birthday and nothing says birthday better than fancy food and (b) most recently the owners have told me that the portions have been increased and we should really try it again. So we did, and once again I have a somewhat mixed review. First the good: Continue reading Fin, Key West: Take Two

Miscommunication

By FL Keys Girl, on June 13th, 2011%

When we communicate with others, either in person or electronically, there are numerous opportunities for miscommunication. Sometimes it is simply a matter of a person not knowing what they want. I often have clients tell me they want to go on a fancy vacation. When I quote them a price, I am met with “WHAT???” and I am forced to explain that the Ritz-Carlton, much to their chagrin, costs more than a Holiday Inn Express. Other times miscommunication takes more humorous forms. Continue reading Miscommunication

Birthday Meals

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

Today is Florida Keys Guy’s birthday. I got him a shirt from Lululemon, which he loves, and I will be making dinner for just a few people in honor of the occasion. Birthday boy has requested one of his favorite pasta dishes, so that is what we will have. Cacio e pepe is about the simplest thing to make: pici pasta (or, since it is impossibly hard to find in Florida, bucatini or some other type of thick spaghetti) with pecorino cheese and loads of grated black pepper. Easy, yet so delicious. Continue reading Birthday Meals

Closing Time

By FL Keys Girl, on May 6th, 2011%

I almost always miss subtlety. I often even miss hints that are not too subtle. For the second time in two weeks I found myself leaving a restaurant a little too late. Last time, it was at Il Mercato and they were cleaning the floors around us. This time it was Himmarshee Bar and Grill in Fort Lauderdale and I tried – but failed – to usher out the last of my friends when the restaurant staff started turning off the lights. It was another night of wine geeks, the impetus for the meal being a friend – and fellow wine geek – in from Texas, and it was a blast. Continue reading Closing Time

Ski In, Ski Out… to Lunch

By FL Keys Girl, on March 7th, 2011%

For me the skiing is all about one thing. Powder? Nope. Lovely groomed trails? Well, sometimes. Lunch? All the time. I have now worked into each Deer Valley trip a lunch at the new-last-year JG Grill. As is Jean Georges. Yes, that Jean Georges. I ski there from the Deer Hollow run – a lovely, easy green – and while I technically can ski back down to the bottom of the mountain, this time opted for the funicular. I am looking forward to getting the knee fixed and making the skiing all about skiing next year (and maybe still a little about the lunch). Continue reading Ski In, Ski Out… to Lunch

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

Archives