#MyHomeTownGuide: Top 5 Places to Eat & Drink in Jupiter, Florida

Partner Post - #myhometownguide by Fiji Water

I am guilty of a crime against food... snubbing local fare for the enticing siren song of the big city. I know. I'm embarrassed and ashamed.

It all began when I first started traveling to larger cities --  Atlanta, Chicago, New York... It's hard not to lust after the allure of the bustling food scene that is a part of city living. A new restaurant to try every day of the week. Neverending options of authentic ethnic cuisines in every neighborhood. Weekly foodie events and festivals.

But to be fair, I never looked at our precious little gem of a town through the eyes of a tourist.

As a part of Fiji Water's #myhometownguide campaign, whose focus is to prompt people nationwide to share tips about visiting their hometowns, I was asked to choose 5 of my favorite food spots where I live: Jupiter, Florida.

Terrible Instagram pic of the Jupiter Lighthouse before I got an iPhone. 

While we don't have as many famous chefs clammoring to open restaurants in our area as they are in the bustling metropolises around the U.S., our little city has plenty of fun dining experiences and even more seaside charm.

More Instagram goodness. 

{Do you have pride in your hometown? You can submit pictures via Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #myhometownguide to show of the best spots in your city! When you do, you'll be entered to win a getaway to any of the U.S. cities featured in Fiji Water's "Earth's Finest Guide." So get to snapping away!}

Whether your style is fine dining or you prefer to enjoy your meal while you're still in board shorts, Jupiter delivers... and even throws in a little quirkiness.

Breakfast Haven: Center Street Nook

Center Street Nook, lovingly known as "The Nook" to locals, is where you go to get feel-good, old fashioned love on a plate. From the moment you walk in, it's hard not to feel like you're visiting a neighbor or sitting down at your Nana's kitchen table. The warm smiles and genuine interaction from servers {I overheard lots of "How's so-and-so doing?" and "I can't believe the baby is so big already!"} goes beyond the common exchange.

With classic menu offerings like pancakes, French toast and omelets {I'm still kicking myself for not getting the Greek}, it's the perfect place to go if you're aiming to please all palates. But they also keep things interesting with playful items like Funky Monkey Panky-Doos {pancakes with chocolate & peanut butter chips and bananas}, The Billdozer {3 pancakes stacked & layered with sausage, cheddar, fried eggs & bacon} and "The Big Heap" {Home fries, cheddar, bacon, 2 fried eggs, more cheddar, topped with homemade sausage gravy}. While it's a popular spot for breakfast, they also have an extensive lunch menu featuring homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers and some fun hot dog options.

Tip: The wait gets LONG. Get there as early as possible for breakfast... otherwise, expect to hurry up and wait.

Down-to-Earth Seafood: Dune Dog Cafe

If you think of fine china and linen napkins {and prices to match} when you think of seafood in South Florida -- think again. Dune Dog is the polar opposite of that in the best possible way. Here, seafood is not about putting on airs... it's about dining open air, picnic-style with a beer in hand and a fresh catch on your plate.

Far left: A tree... growing in the restaurant. Top right: Blackened Mahi Sandwich. Bottom Left: Lobster Wrap. 

Touting the honor of being voted "Best Ribs" and "Best Hot Dog" in Palm Beach, Dune Dog does more than crab cakes & shrimp. Choose from 10 different styles of hot dogs from "The Dog House", or share a full slab of their "fall-off-the-bone tender" baby back ribs. My personal favorite is the Blackened Dolphin Sandwich with a side of waffle fries -- it's a craving that I just can't shake.

Get comfy at the bar.

It's good food and a great, family-friendly atmosphere done beach-bum style, just how we like it here in Jupiter.

Main "dining room."

Tip: Expect a line, especially during season. Grab a beer while you wait.

A Sip of Paradise: Guanabana's

Summer, year round.

We've all gone through it... playing host to out-of-towners & having to tote them around to lame tourist traps so they can get the true "feel" of the destination. Around here, we're lucky that we don't have to don mouse ears {just beachwear and sunscreen} if we're going to do a decent job of playing tour guide.

Is this paradise, or what?

Guanabana's is exactly what visitors to South Florida envision -- tropical drinks, waterfront views and a laid-back, casual style that screams "vacation." Their beautifully landscaped location gives the feel of a hidden island oasis, complete with water features and lush exotic greenery. Sit close to the dock to watch boats and kayakers disembark for lunch or drinks, or by the stage to watch live music several nights a week.

From wines to craft beers to signature cocktails like the "Cat 5" {an intoxicating blend of dark rum, passion fruit rum, 151 and tropical fruit juices}. Just be careful; your guests may decide they never want to leave!

Sensing a theme here with restaurants built around trees...

Tip: Guanabana's also has a full menu as well as bar bites. I rarely go for the food, but I applaud their passion for supporting Florida farms & fishermen!

Bonus: Looking to sip somewhere a little more rustic? Head just across the road and take a walk down Love Street where you'll find another spot to get your toes in the sand and a drink in your hand at The Square Grouper.

Don't Expect a Doggy Bag: Leftovers Cafe

Ask a local what restaurant they recommend for a delicious meal and expect to hear the name Leftovers over and over again. Though it may not sound like the epitome of delectable dining, I urge you not to be dissuaded to give it a try.

Offering a variety of innovate dishes, Leftovers has captured the heart of locals. From their Indoroni {Sriracha Mac & Cheese} to their creative fish dishes {choose from Sweet Potato Crusted, Yuca-Garlic Crusted, Red Beet & Almond Crusted or Butternut & Jack Cheese Crusted}, your head will be spinning with mouth-watering options.

Top Left: Bar area. Bottom Left: Avocado Crab Tostada. Right: Beet & Almond Crusted Fish.

The restaurant is one of a trio of well-known spots in the area {Food Shack & Maxi's Lineup make up the other two}, all featuring that signature Jupiter vibe -- relaxed, colorful and, most importantly, scrumptious. Leftovers is always a great choice... just don't expect to have actual leftovers to take home.

Tip: Leftovers is located in Abacoa, a subsection of Jupiter and the home of Roger Dean Stadium. Abacoa has monthly Food Truck Invasion in the Town Center every second Friday of the month, stop by if you're around at that time.

Buy Your Dinner AND Your Decor: Too Bizaare 

Yes, there is mannequin hanging from the ceiling.

The name says it all. Part bizarre {as in odd... in a good way} and part bazaare {as in marketplace}, this quirky and unique restaurant is exactly where you want to go if you're looking for something out of the ordinary.

Left: Portobello Napoleon. Top Right: Some of the wares for sale. Bottom Right: A cozy dining space.

Too Bizaare boasts an extensive menu {and wine bar} with options from sushi to steak in an eclectic atmosphere where your surroundings are all for sale! You'll find coffee tables and wing back chairs tucked into cozy little nooks and art as far as the eye can see. There's a surprise around every corner. {And sometimes hanging from the ceiling.}

The menu, which is composed of an elaborate list of tapas, specialties and a full sushi list, is just as curious. Though "Asian Fusion" is considered their main style, you'll find an interesting mix of delightful items like the Bizaare Burrito and the Portobello Napoleon, lending some flair from other cuisines to the mix.

Top lef: The Bizaare Burrito. Bottom Left: Complete with a fish tank. Right: Let's eat in the living room.

It's an experience you won't want to miss!

Tip: Want to look the part while visiting South Florida? Gretchen Scott Designs, located in the same plaza as Too Bizaare, has what you need like tunics, dresses and cover-ups to give you that signature Palm Beach style.

.................................................................

I feel confident that you're now well-equipped with a beginner's guide to eating & drinking in Jupiter, so now it's time to visit! It was hard to choose just 5 spots with so many great options. {See? I've changed my ways!} Enjoy our little slice of paradise!

Show us your favorite spots to eat, stay and play in your hometown and win a getaway to any of the US cities featured in Earth’s Finest City Guide! To participate, just upload an image of your favorite spot in your hometown to Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #myhometownguide and tell us where you live and what makes the image special and you will be entered to win automatically.

Disclosure: I was selected for Fiji Water's #MyHomeTownGuide campaign through Honest Cooking. I have been compensated to write this post, however, I made the selections shown here without guidance. I have not been compensated by these restaurants. As always, all the opinions here are my own.

Tasty Travels: NYC {Part 5} & Coconut Dream Bars

To get caught up on my travels {in order!}:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Remember when I first started my travel recap and I thought it would be a 5 part series? Yeah, well... I totally underestimated how much stuff I had eaten and seen and done on my visits to New York. It could be because every time I'm in the city I feel like the trip is over in the blink of an eye. Or maybe because NYC is so saturated with amazing foodie experiences.

 

Regardless, I have more to tell you about. And today we're getting really foodie!

 

Ok... food-loving friends. There is a wondrous place where all of your culinary daydreams can go run wild. And it's called Chelsea Market.

 

I LOVE Chelsea Market. I loved it so much that I almost had a mini-meltdown of happiness when I walked in. Steve was worried for a second that he might have to fan me to keep me from passing out into a little puddle of joy like the girls you see in those old clips of Beatles concerts. There's just SO much to see and taste!

 

Not only is CM filled with storefront after storefront of tasty delights, but it also has a really cool history that makes it all the more intriguing. {In short, it used to be an old factory.} The architectural details of the market make it engaging to walk around and browse, even if you're not hungry. {But seriously, how could you not be with all the yummy stuff going on in here??} Plus, Food Network's office is in here. Squeeeee!

Anyway, we got there around lunchtime and it was packed. We did a sweep of the place to check out our food options, then split up to grab a bite and were lucky enough to eventually snag a table right in front of Amy's Bread. So that's where I'll start the "tour".

Our spot was perfect for lunchtime entertainment -- Amy's Bread has a large glass windows that lets you see the behind the scenes action of the bakery, and it was mesmerizing. I sure hope this fellow didn't feel uncomfortable with me gawking at him while I ate my sandwich!

 

I had read all about Amy's Bread when I was researching spots to visit, and the reviews had been nothing but flattering for this well-known NYC bakery. We did buy some bread {it was a funky-looking baguette}, but I have to say, I don't think we got it at the peak of freshness. There is crusty bread, yes, but then there is also "nearly rip your teeth out of your head" bread, and sadly, I don't think the bread we tried was worth removing a layer of skin from the roof of my mouth. I took a Coconut Dream Bar to go & hoped that maybe that would give me a better impression of Amy. {It did.}

 

Next, we strolled along, making stops at Sarabeth's, Ruthy's, Eleni's, and Fat Witch, and I even convinced Steve to let me spend some time in the Bowery Kitchen Supply & Buon Italia, which are easy spots to get lost in for long periods of time if you have an affinity for the kitchen!

 

Like Central Park, Chelsea Market is another place that could take up hours of your day if you let it, but we had lots more to see so Steve pried me away we left to do some more site seeing.

 

 



Wheeeee... can I live here??

We had been invited to check out Steve's buddy's band, Le Mood, who was playing at Spike Hill in Williamsburg that night. {If you watch Two Broke Girls, you know all about Williamsburg and it's hipstery vibe}. Before the show, we made plans to meet up with my very good friend, Lourdes, who happens to live in NYC {I've known her since Kindergarten!} & her boyfriend for dinner at a place called Sweetwater.  Between catching up with my friend and diving fork-first into their amazing food, I can't remember what I ate, nor do I have pictures to show you... but I guarantee, it was good!


Far left: Lourdes & me!, Center: Le Mood, Far Right: Steve & Corinne from Le Mood.

After the show, a group of us headed over to a charismatic little bar/restaurant called Surf Bar, a spot I'd expect to find in South Florida, not in Brooklyn! {Those funny little hipsters, they do have a sense of humor.} This place had it's own striking personality... from its sandy "floor" to the surfboards hanging overhead, its checkered tablecloths & haphazardly decorated walls, Surf Bar is never a dull moment. {Heads up: I had a run-in with a cockroach the size of a matchbox racecar in the bathroom that was most definitely memorable!} 

Click over to Surf Bar for pics... I promise, it's a must-see. :)

 

At the end of the night, Lourdes mentioned that she wouldn't mind giving us a little tour of some food spots the following day. And since there are few people I know who love food more than Lourdes, I happily accepted her offer! Be prepared to tag along on our whirlwind food tour in my next post... and to be amazed by how much food my husband can put away!

So, maybe we didn't have the very best first impression of Amy's Bread's namesake... but it was hard to find fault with these "Gooey Coconut Dream Bars" that I brought home for later. Also known as "Magic Bars" or "Hello Dollys", these layered dessert bars combine sweetened condensed milk, coconut, and chocolate on a buttery graham cracker crust. They're rich and satisfying and do have a magical way of eliciting a dreamy, "Hello!". ;)

Amy's Bread Gooey Coconut Dream Bars
Adapted from Martha Stewart, courtesy of "The Sweeter Side of Amy's Bread"

 

3 cups graham cracker crumbs {20 crushed crackers or so}, melted
3/4 cup butter {1 1/2 sticks}, melted
Pinch of salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups sweetened, flaked coconut
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk {not evaporated!}

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan by spraying with non-stick cooking spray {or buttering it}, lining it with a sheet of parchment paper with flaps hanging over the edge so the bars will be easy to remove once they're baked.

2. In a bowl, mix together the melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and salt. Pour it into the bottom of your lined pan and press it to pack down the crust into an even layer.

3. In another bowl, mix together the chocolate chips and coconut, then sprinkle it over the crust evenly.

4. Pour the condensed milk over the top of the filling as evenly as possible. Bake it for 28-32 minutes. {Seriously, it's that easy.} Keep an eye on it to make sure it isn't browning too much or bubbling over. {Amy's recipe suggests turning it mid-way through the baking time to ensure an even browning.}

5. When it's done baking, remove from the oven and cool it completely. Then, using the nifty little overlapping flaps you created with the parchment paper, lift out the entire thing. {You may need to carefully go around the edges to loosen it from the pan.} Cut it into desired size bars.

Keep bars refrigerated if you're not serving right away, and bring to room temp to before eating.

 

Tasty Travels: NYC {Part 1} & Nutella Gelato

 

When I travel, I love to take note of the places to go and things to eat so I can come back and be a good recommendation resource for anyone who might be visiting the same place. I've done a few travel recaps for you guys from my trips to Key West {Parts 1 and 2}, and Chicago {Parts 1, 2, and Bakery Edition}, and while it certainly took me a while to put them together, I managed to get them posted in a reasonable amount of time.

And then I went to New York City. Like, 4 years ago {and then again twice at the end of last year}. And I was SO excited about it, and did SO much stuff, and was SO overwhelmed by the city {in a good way} that I never sat down to write about my experiences. {I did do a little photo essay type thing here, but that barely breaks the surface!}

Well, my friends, the time has come for me to finally tell you a bit about my adventures in NYC. We'll call this segment, Prep in the City. :)

But, before we go back to the end of last year {one of my best NYC trips yet}, we're going to rewind way, way back to 2009, when I took my very first foray into the Big Apple. Steve and I were visiting his family in Ossining, and planned to spend some time in the city during our stay. So, after a few days in Westchester, we ventured into The Bronx to check out a place that I could only describe as a mecca to his family: Arthur Avenue.

I had heard of this elusive food-lover's paradise for years from Steve's relatives {they lived in New York until the 70's when they moved down to South Florida}. Whenever they'd talk about it, they'd get this dreamy, distant look in their eyes... like they were being transported back to a time and place they were trying to recapture. Whenever they had the chance to visit, they would come back bearing plastic bags filled with gifts from this magical place: loaves of crusty artisan bread wrapped in butcher paper and tied with red and white striped bakers' twine, hunks of Parmgiano Reggiano the size of my head, and links of sweet and hot sausage with a smell so potent it could knock your socks off.

These gifts were highly treasured: They might as well have been blocks of gold excavated from King Tut's tomb.

Anyway, you can imagine how excited Steve and I both were to see this with our own eyes. What we found was definitely a site to behold.

Sausage drying overhead at the Calabria Pork Store

Very quickly, I formed an opinion about this incredible place. Arthur Avenue is a beautiful assault to the senses: smells, tastes, textures, sights that take you back to a place in history where food was a craft that took time and patience and know-how. They do things old school. They are legit. There's no showboating, glossy exteriors, or false facade -- what you see is what you get. And that's exactly what makes Arthur Avenue, Arthur Avenue. 

 

{Steve's little cousin wasn't as charmed as we were by all this... she held her nose pretty much the entire time we were there. I don't know how the kid didn't asphyxiate herself. I'm not gonna lie, though, that pork store was pretty stinky.}

 

This spot, Addeo's Bakery, was much more our speed!

 

So, armed with an understanding of why Arthur Avenue is referred to as "the REAL Little Italy" {and about $100 worth of bread, cheese, and cured meats}, we went along our merry way and continued our New York adventure. {But not before stuffing our faces, of course.}

 

 

Feasting.

The next day, we took a train into the city to meet up with some friends. The plan was to spend the day exploring while everyone was at work, then enjoy an evening out, and possibly gain a tour guide to help us see the sights the following day. Luckily, our friends were ready for us and took us to a great spot for a Korean barbecue lunch.

 

Now, this was pre-foodie/blogger days, so these are the only two pictures I have. And I don't know the name of the restaurant. I also have no idea what we ate. My, my... how times have changed! What I do know is that I was completely enamoured with the experience. The little dishes of sauces, the "barbecue pit" in the middle of the table, the way the food just kept on coming... and eventually covered then entire table. It was magical.

Granted, I had no clue what I was putting in my mouth at the time. Soon after I discovered that this was where I had my first taste of kimchi {which, since then, has become a wildly popular condiment} and my first experience with haemul pajeon. {"Is that a tentacle in my pancake??"} One thing was certain, if Arthur Avenue hadn't already done it, this sealed the deal: I was in love with New York City.

 

With full bellies and our curiosity piqued, we parted with our friends and decided to take on the city, tourist style. To say 'we walked' is a gross understatement. Steve and I, and our friend Ryan who was also visiting that weekend, covered an immense amount of ground in just a handful of hours. We saw Times Square. The Statue of Liberty {from Battery Park}. Wall Street. We payed our respects at Ground Zero. Saw the Empire State Building {though we didn't go up to the top}. An artsy little underground market heaven knows where. We navigated the subways {inefficiently, but still}. Walked Chinatown. And finally, made it to the "other" Little Italy.

 

 

This, dear friends, is where I had the absolute best gelato of my entire existence. I don't know if it was the exhaustion that made it taste so good. Or the fact that I was love-drunk with the city. Or the copious amounts of Nutella that swirled throughout the sweet, creamy treat. Right there, standing in the middle of Mulberry Street, I took a little bite of heaven. {And it came from Ferrara Bakery.} 

 

Steve literally asked me if I was ok because, for the duration of my gelato experience, I didn't speak one word. Which is rare for me, y'all.

 

I am still amazed when I think back to how many miles we must have trekked that day.

 

As spent as we were, there was no way were were going to get away with laying low for the night. Nope, not with our friends. They were raring to go and ready to show us a good time. And they definitely followed through with their plans.

We arrived at McSorley's Ale House, and I wondered what in the world they were thinking. When I pictured "going out" in NYC, I envisioned swanky lounges and sleek bars. McSorely's was the polar opposite. But, never being opposed to new experience and a good bar {which is more my style than a pulsing night club, anyway}, I willingly went along for the ride and, as a result, has one of the most entertaining evenings of my life.

 

McSorley's is the oldest continuously run bar in New York City. Within its walls is one big, drunken history lesson. When we visited, there was a layer of dust about 3 inches thick covering just about ever surface that was out of arms reach. Dust that had been accumulating since its opening in 1854. The walls were plastered with historic memorabilia, the floors sprinkled with sawdust, and the tables full of patrons sipping light or dark beer {that's all they serve, folks} out of miniature beer mugs. {Since then, McSorley's was bullied into "cleaning" up, which oddly made me very sad.} P.S. Please do yourself a favor and read their History Page & Timeline.

 

Anyway, I could go on about this place because there truly is so much to talk about, but I will suffice it to say that what transpired that night was something out of a movie: a drinking game that had each of us doubled over in side-splitting laughter various times throughout the night, "challenges" that consisted of cramming McSorley's famous saltine cracker appetizer into one's mouth in record time, and an impromptu performance of The Star Spangled Banner that roused the entire bar to its feet.

 

I can't tell you too much about the rest of the night... there were lots of laughs, a stop at a hipstery lounge {pre-hipster mania}, and some late night ramen. I can tell you that the next morning was rough. And that were were awakened bright and early and informed that we were heading to The Hamptons.

 

Wait... what???

 

TO BE CONTINUED...

Until we pick up where we left off, here's a recipe for Nutella Gelato, inspired by my delicious snack in Little Italy. I can't say it's as good as the one I had from Ferrara, but as far as I'm concerned, you just can't go wrong when the words "Nutella" and "Gelato" are uttered anywhere near each other. I think you'll agree.

Nutella Gelato
Adapted from Food Network

1 cup heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus 1/4 cup
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup Nutella
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Mix cream, milk, and 1/2 cup of sugar together in a saucepan and warm over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile,  add 1/4 cup of sugar to the egg yolks. Using a hand held mixer, beat the sugar & yolks until it's thick and pale yellow. It'll take about 5 minutes. You can do this in a medium bowl or whip it {whip it good! ha!} in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment if you're feeling lazy.

3. Stream about a half cup of the warm milk mixture into the eggs, whisking the whole time. Add the entire milk/egg mixture back into the saucepan. Continuing to whisk often, cook it on medium-low heat for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until it's thickened. {You should be able to coat the back of a wooden spoon, draw a line down the middle with your finger and have the line stay visible. Careful not to make scrambled egg custard!}

4. Combine the Nutella and vanilla extract in a medium bowl and pour the warm mixure into the bowl, whisking together until it's uniform and well-mixed.

5. Refrigerate the mixture for a few  hours to cool it down. If you're in a rush, you can speed up the process by placing the bowl with the custard over another bowl filled with ice and a little water {an ice bath}, and whisking it in there for a while, but honestly, it's kind of a pain.

6. When the mixture is cooled, pour it into the canister of an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Churn it until it's a soft serve consistency, then transfer it into a freezer safe container {if you haven't eaten it all at this point}, and freeze to achieve a scoopable consistency.

 

 

White Chocolate & Fresh Cherry Blondies

We had an interesting weekend. In fact, if it weren't for the picture proof, I would probably deny that the weekend existed because it went by so quickly. {Or it could be the brain cells that were killed by the second hand smoke of the hippies sitting around us at the Dave Matthews concert we attended on Saturday? Gave me a new perspective on the word potpourri.}

Despite the jam packed schedule, I still mananged to do some cooking on Saturday to bring along to the tailgate we were having before the concert. I brought Mustard Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Honey-Coriander Oven Baked Chicken Wings, and made a big Dutch oven full of Bourbon Baked Beans that never actually made it out the door with us because they weren't done cooking by the time we had to leave.

My brother-in-law, who bought us the Dave tickets as an anniversary gift and stayed with us for the weekend, shook his head at me when I decided to whip up a quick dessert to bring along to the tailgate. "Who brings dessert to a tailgate??!"

This girl, that's who.

Most boys don't have that nagging desire for a little something sweet at the end of a meal. But that sure doesn't stop them from digging in when it's put in front of them.

Being short on time, I needed a recipe that was quick, easy, and used ingredients I had on hand. I found all three of those requirements in these White Chocolate & Fresh Cherry Blondies.

What I loved most about them was the fact that they're basically a one pot wonder. {Which obviously seems to be the theme of today's post. Love when it all ties in unexpectedly. Haha!} No muss, no fuss. {Except for all the cherry-pitting. But if you have a kitchen helper or have pitted cherries around, they do come together pretty fast.} They make a pretty yummy finished product, if I do say so myself.

If I made these again, I would try them out with a little less flour to try and create chewy texture I like in blondies. These were on the cakey side, which was still delicious, but made them seem more like a breakfast cake than a blondie. {Hmm... brunch item?!}

Awful pics, I know. :/

Now, to attempt getting back into the swing of things for the week. Let's see what these left over brain cells can do. ;)

White Chocolate & Fresh Cherry Blondies
Adapted from Lotta Madness via Tasty Kitchen


1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup white chocolate chips
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
Approximately 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved


For drizzle:

1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon canola or vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 inch pan with foil {makes removal easier}. Spray lightly with non-stick spray. Set aside.

In a medium pot over medium-low heat, melt butter, sugar, and white chocolate chips stirring often until smooth. {Be careful not to scorch white chocolate.}

Once melted, remove from heat and stir in flour and salt. Mix to combine.

Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Incorporate well into batter.

Pour batter into lined pan and smooth out evenly. Top with cherries.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool slightly.

In a small bowl, microwave 1/3 cup white chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, stopping and stirring at 30 second intervals, until smooth. Drizzle over cooled blondies. {Allow chocolate to set before cutting.}

Tasty Travels: Chicago Edition

Hi! I'm back!

Is it weird that I missed you guys this weekend? Because I totally did. Even though I was having tons of fun gallivanting around Chicago and gorging myself with cupcakes taking in the sites.

But I am super excited to recount my {foodie} tales of the Windy City so you can feel like you were there, too, because if you haven't been before, you'll definitely want to add it to your list of places to see.

My first visit to Chicago was 7 years ago. My college roommate, Emily, moved there after graduation and had been living there for a whopping 4 months before my other roommate and I decided to bombard her for a weekend.

Except, we chose January {of all months} to take our little trip. Frigid, snowy January.

Roomies in Chicago, circa 2005.
I wasn't exaggerating, y'all. It was COLD.

Aside from the fact that I literally had to wear 6 layers of my Floridian clothing to equal 1 layer of Chicagoan clothing, we managed to have as much fun as a bunch of 23 year olds could in a city that they knew nearly nothing about.

Seven years later, and long overdue for a visit, I hopped a plane to see {a now well-versed in city living} Emily. Luckily, I thought it through and returned during the summer this time. I've got to tell you, Chicago weather is into extremes... it's hotter there than it is in Florida at the moment. But 'hot', my wardrobe can handle. Especially if there is the promise of sampling some of the city's best bites.

My first night in town, we headed out to Public House to grab pre-dinner drinks to celebrate Emily's friend's 30th birthday. The Friday evening happy hour crowd was still lingering making for a busy, crowded, and energetic atmosphere. With their extensive beer selection {over 103 types!}, taps built into the tables, and a slew of flat screens tuned in to the sports event du jour, Public House knows how to draw a fun crowd.

I took a clutch & didn't  have room for the gigantic honkin' camera,
so this is the only pic taken there, courtesy of Alli {left}. The beautiful girl on my right is my old roomie Emily.. :)

Next, we made our way to Sunda, a high end "new Asian" restaurant, for dinner. Sunda is what I expect for the city: Packed, trendy, loud. The menu featured some exotic sushi rolls {but not "I'm-not-so-sure-about-that" crazy} as well as some fancy entrees, cocktails, and dim sum. I went with Miso Soup and a Sweet Potato Caterpillar Roll. The presentation was beautiful, but I have to admit, I wasn't that impressed by the taste.

Sunda seems like the place to go to see and be seen {just check out their News page for a list of celebrity sightings}, and it definitely has atmosphere appeal. {I have to say, what really stuck out to me was the excellent service we received from our fabulous waitress. She handled the large crowd expertly and cheerfully, and made sure to highlight menu favorites, even though she had to literally yell above the background noise.}



Borrowed these pics from Alli once again... to the left, the interesting ceiling art. To the right, our fun birthday bunch.

We were up bright and early on Saturday to grab breakfast at a cute little diner called Stella's. The decor was retro-fun, and the patrons looked right at home, like it was second nature to start the weekend in Stella's cozy booths. The service was friendly, the food was standard - though generous - diner fare {I had hash browns & scrambled eggs even though I was dying to try the Challah French Toast with Strawberries and Creme} for great prices. Though my meal was nothing to write home about, there was something about Stella's that would make me want to visit again. {Sadly, no pics. You'll just have to use your imagination.}

With our tummies full, we were ready to take on the day. Emily decided a good way to see the city would be to take a Wendella Boat Architectural Tour, and I have to say it was a fantastic way to see the sights and learn the history behind many landmark buildings that make up the Chicago skyline. The tour starts on the Chicago River and makes it's way through the Chicago Lock to Lake Michigan and back, packing every second with tons of fun facts, city history, and picturesque views.

When our tour was over, we hit a few stores on Michigan Avenue to wait out the downpour that had started outside. {And here I thought I escaped Florida's afternoon showers.} Once it cleared up and we could shop no more, we headed home to get ready for another night out.

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a few more of our stops that evening, including a bar that young singles wouldn't want to miss and a "piggy" cocktail treat... and then a detailed post on hitting Chicago's cupcake motherlode.

Yes, I said cupcakes. And no, you won't want to miss it. ;)

Have you ever been to Chicago? What were some of your favorite sites and bites?

Tasty Travels: Key West Edition, Part 2

Guess what I did {or didn't do}? I wrote my Key West recap in one looooong post, then hit the "Cut" button to split the text into 2 separate posts {the first of which I shared yesterday}... and never "pasted" the second half onto anything. Nice job.

So, here I go again. Sigh.

I left off yesterday at the end of our first day of restaurant & bar hopping. We woke up bright and early the next morning hungry {how, I'll never know} for a tasty breakfast, and decided to rent some bicycles from the Bed & Breakfast we stayed at to get around since my feet took a beating the day before.

Not far from our B&B, we found just what we were looking for at Croissants de France, a little French cafe with a big selection of pastries. Steve and I split a Ham & Cheese Croissant {SO good}, and he also had a Guava Pastry. I kept my eye on a Nutella filled beignet that was taunting me through the glass counter, but alas, decided to save my calories for later. I'm still regretting it.

We did some more site seeing, biking, and browsing and before we knew it, we were hungry for lunch. {Are you really surprised?}

I had read some good reviews about a Cuban restaurant called El Siboney, so we biked our way there and each had a Cuban Sandwich for lunch {which was not 100% authentic, in my opinion, but was still very good!}. By the look of the lunchtime crowd, I'd say this spot is well loved by locals & tourists alike.

As the heat of the afternoon took it's toll, we decided to stop over at El Meson de Pepe, a charming vintage Cuba themed restaurant & bar, to continue with our Cuban lunch and cool down with some Mojitos... a must! They make them strong and delicious. {As is evident by our goofy behavior seen below. Sadly, I was too distracted by the fabulousness of the mojito to take a picture of it.}

Me: Standing out. Steve: Blending in.

I'll give you three guesses as to what we did next... That's right! More biking, more site seeing, more eating! You're so good.

Our next stop was obligatory, because you cannot come to Key West and not have a slice of Key Lime Pie. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's illegal. {Wouldn't that be funny considering all the other questionable behavior that is allowed in Key West?! Haha!}

So, we split a slice of KLP at Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe and did our civil duty. It was good... and gone too fast. :(

I was SO disgustingly sweaty here... bleh.

At this point, we had been biking the whole day. In the hot, humid Florida summer. And I didn't care where we went, but it needed to be indoors, air conditioned, and close by.

Sloppy Joe's Bar for a sweaty, sloppy couple, seemed very fitting.

Steve's "I'm sweaty & uncomfortable, please stop taking pictures" face.

Some live music, a snack, and a drink or two later...we hit the pavement again {not literally, the drinks weren't that strong}, and honestly, I can't remember what we did. {Ok, maybe they were.} But I know we wound up bar hopping and listening to a few live performances here and there...

At Willie T's {Tip: Try the Vanilla Mojito}...

Only in Key West does money grow on palm trees & line ceilings...

And finally, perched on the balcony of Whistle Bar with a birds eye view of Duval Street. {Fun fact: Whistle Bar is the 2nd floor of Bull Bar. Just above it is a clothing optional rooftop bar called Garden of Eden ... enter at your own risk.}

We got ice cream at Kilwin's {nothing like ice cream for dinner}, and headed back to the B&B for a good night's rest before the long drive home the next day.

The next morning, we {grudgingly} packed up our stuff, and considered our breakfast options before we hit the road. Steve was in the mood for diner food, and my only requirement was a cafe con leche. We found both at Harpoon Harry's, along with a really yummy egg & cheese breakfast sandwich served on Cuban bread. {Which I did not bother taking a picture of because I was in the mourning stages of dealing with our departure that day.} Another tip: Harpoon Harry's is cash only!

With only an hour or so left to spare, we biked off some breakfast calories around Mallory Square and made one final stop to pick up some souvenirs for the family. Even before we arrived in Key West, I knew what I as going to bring back for everyone... and no, it was not a trinket encrusted in seashells or a touristy t-shirt...

Because who would want one of those when you could have one of these:

These, my friends, are Mattheessen's half-pound cookies. These things are bigger than my head, no lie. I discovered them long ago and have been more enchanted by the thought of these magnificent creatures than I would have been if they sold unicorns and leprechauns.

Steve and I bought a big sugar cookie to share {I promise, one is enough} and nibbled on it all the way home... and still had some left over. If these don't say "I love you" as a souvenir, I just don't know what will.

Well, you can't say I didn't give you the lowdown on our trip. And that was just skimming the surface!

Sure, Key West is a great getaway if you're looking for sunsets and debauchery, but there's actually LOTS to do that doesn't involve eating and drinking, believe it or not. There's tons of shopping, museums {like the Ernest Hemingway House, which we didn't visit this time but did pass by and gawk at}, shows {if you are entertained by gentlmen who look better in a dress than most ladies}, water sports {if the weather cooperates}, and so much history.

If nothing else, you could spend hours just wandering up and down the streets looking at the beautiful cottages and eclectic inhabitants of this quirky island.

But until you can visit for yourself, make some Key Lime Pie and savor the flavor of Key West right from your kitchen. :)

Key Lime Pie

via Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe

9-inch graham cracker piecrust
2 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
6 egg yolks {The egg whites can be saved to make a meringue topping, if desired.}
1/2-cup Kermit’s Key Lime Juice

Blend milk and egg yolks at slow speed until smooth. Add Key Lime juice and finish blending.
Pour into piecrust.

Bake in preheated 300-degree oven for 15 minutes.

Cool pie 20 minutes before refrigerating.

Serve chilled Key Lime pie with whipped cream topping or meringue.


Meringue Topping

6 egg whites
6 Tablespoons sugar
Pinch Cream of Tartar
1-teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat egg whites, sugar, vanilla extract, and Cream of Tartar at high speed.

Continue beating mixture until egg whites are stiff.

Top baked pie with the meringue. Bake an additional 10 minutes.

Cool pie.