Whole Foods Market West Palm Beach!

Raise your hand if you get a little too excited about grocery shopping! ::: arm flails about over head :::

I'm not gonna lie, I am a bit of a shallow shopper. I am far more likely to make purchases when things are aesthetically pleasing and organized. Since a trip to the grocery store alone is like a mini-vacation these days, I appreciate a well-appointed store that also carries everything I need {and more!}.

So, you can imagine how thrilled I was when I was invited to take sneak peek at the brand new Whole Foods that is opening TODAY in West Palm Beach. As it is, I can easily get lost in any Whole Foods wandering the aisles and discovering new products. But this store has really gone above and beyond with its fun features and offerings!

First of all, let's start with the obvious: The store is gorgeous. Inspired by Palm Beach's chic style, the store has pops of bright color {hello, pink espresso machine!} and modern patterns throughout its 42,000 square foot facility. Little hints of Lilly-esque motifs and clever designs, and cool, contemporary signage can be found around every corner.

 

But it's not just the look that impresses. Whole Foods West Palm Beach has its very own special touches to draw in crowds seeking everything from premium charcuterie to local brews.

Here are a few of my favorite unique features that make this store worth visiting:

1. The Coffee & Juice Bar. Whether you get your morning jolt from hot coffee, fresh squeezed juice or a vitamin-filled smoothie, the coffee and juice bar at this new location is well-stocked in whatever you sip. Buy a reusable coffee cup {or bring your own from home} and get coffee refills for just $1. Good deals for good deeds!

2. Palm Rotisserie. Need a tender, roasted chicken for an easy dinner? Want to impress company with a fancy board of sliced-to-order charcuterie? Looking for a quick bite to eat for lunch... like Moroccan lamb sausage with French fries? They've got you covered at Palm Rotisserie. Not sure what you want? No problem. The knowledgeable staff will lead you in the right direction whether that means recommending the Rotisserie Porchetta Sandwich or letting you sample the salami cotto.

3. La Creperie. Cue the concertina; we've got a little taste of France right here in Florida. Made-to-order crepes hot off the griddle will have you channeling your inner Parisian. Both sweet and savory crepes will be served up daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And, for Pierre's sake, try the chocolate hazelnut crepe. Mmm.....

4.  The Bakery. I mean, it's pretty clear that no one has to twist my arm to step foot in any bakery... but this one has some stand out features like scratch made desserts, bread baked fresh daily in their ceramic tile ovens and oodles of gluten-free & vegan options for special diets. My favorite feature? The bakery imports authentic Cuban desserts from Versailles Restaurant in Miami. Get yourself some Tres Leches, stat.

5. The Bulk Bins. Ok, so every store has one of these sections. But in this store, you can also stock up on grind-your-own nut butters and local honey. So worth the buzz. {Ha, see what I did there?}

6. Palm Beach Brews. If there was one feature that made my heart go pitter-pat, this would have to be it: The beer and grilled cheese bar. YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, FOLKS. Local brews on tap. Ooey, gooey gourmet sandwiches. It's a match made in heaven.

You guys, there is just so much good stuff at this new location that you have to go check it out yourself to fully appreciate it all. You won't want to miss out on all the grand opening deals and special events including a gift card giveaway for the first 500 customers in line {win anywhere from $5 to $50 or a grand prize of $500 for one lucky shopper!}.

I love Whole Foods' mission to promote eco-friendly, sustainable, healthy and philanthropic living. Getting to fill my fridge at this stunning location? It's the cherry on top! Welcome to the neighborhood, Whole Foods West Palm Beach!

Cooking with Ming Tsai | Macy's Culinary Council

I get to do some pretty fun things thanks to the blog. Remember a while back when I attended a Macy's Culinary Council cooking demo with Chef Marcus Samuelsson? Well, guess what? I get to do it again, this time with celebrity chef Ming Tsai!

I have even better news: You're invited, too! 

Next Friday, December 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Ming Tsai will be serving up his favorite holiday dishes and teaching us how to whip them up for family and friends! This will all take place in the culinary kitchen of Macy's Dadeland. 

I had heard of Ming Tsai before being invite to this event, but I discovered even more about him when I read his bio. The guy graduated from Yale with a degree in Mechanical Engineering... AND attended Le Cordon Bleu during the summers of his schooling. Did I also mention that little Master's degree in Hotel Administration and Hospitality Marketing he picked up at Cornell University?! No big deal...

It's obvious he wasn't just smart, but also motivated and talented enough to open not one but TWO award winning restaurants -- Blue Ginger in Wellesley, MA and Blue Dragon in Boston. 

If that's not enough to make you want to learn from this fella, he's also the host of several TV cooking shows like East Meets West with Ming Tsai, Ming's Quest and Simply Ming. He's also the author of five cookbooks! 

I'm looking forward to learning some pro tips from Chef Ming Tsai! If you'd like to join me, head over to the Eventbrite page to RSVP for a seat... spots are limited! 

If you can't make it but want to check out the event, make sure to follow me on Instagram where I'll be posting pics live from the demo! 

Hope to see you there! xo

Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Eau Spa | Manalapan, Florida + Turkey Meatball Flatbread Sandwich

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen some pics of a few spa days I've given myself as a reward for making it this far in my pregnancy without having a complete meltdown. {I kid. Honestly, it really hasn't been that bad.}

My obsession with luxury spas started a while back when I treated myself to a spa day at The Breakers around the time of my 29th birthday. What can I say -- go big or go home. My birthday spa day became a tradition and for the past few years I've continued to visit The Spa at the Breakers for a pedicure and a day of relaxation. It's lovely.

This year I switched things up and decided to check out another spot - Eau Spa - with a group of my girlfriends to help me celebrate the last birthday I'll have without a little one running around.

Eau Spa is located at Eau Palm Beach in Manalapan {south Palm Beach}, a beautiful property that was given a multi-million dollar makeover in the past few years. Though they manage to maintain the hallmark luxurious vibe of other Palm Beach hotels and spas, Eau Hotel does so with a cheeky, modern twist that sets them apart.

Upon arriving at Eau Spa, we were checked in and brought back to a stunning rotunda with high, domed ceiling and a "wishing well" marking the center of the space. We were offered drinks {champagne for the girls and spa water for me, of course. Rats.} and each given a small votive candle to release into the wishing well and set our hopes adrift. How charming.

Our appointments started early to accommodate our large group {6 gals}, so no time was wasted. We were whisked back to the salon where we each had our nail services done while chatting, sipping {and nibbling on some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins I happened to bring with me... early morning pregnancy insomnia has its perks}. Once we were scrubbed, polished and moisturized, we were lead to the best part of Eau Spa -- a spa wonderland, of sorts.

After slipping into cozy robes and comfy flip flops, we each found a spot to soak in some of the serenity offered within the 42,000 square foot sanctuary.

My zen was found in the "Self-Centered Garden", where whimsy and tranquility unite in the lavish outdoor space. Soft, plush loungers punctuate the beautifully landscaped oasis; water walls create soothing background noise that could easily put you in your happy place. Hanging chairs suspended over a shallow pool of water are pure perfection for toe-dipping reflection time.  A Wonderland-esque chessboard not only makes a pretty visual element, but also serves as yet another distraction for an indulgent playtime.

Inside, the options for relaxation are endless as well. Tons of places to perch speckle the cool, airy surroundings filled with gauzy drapes and deluxe décor. Their "Scrub & Polish Bar" features an array of aromatic ingredients where you can create a custom blend of exfoliating body scrub. Get steamy in the sauna or luxuriate in the stunning whirlpool, complete with rain shower and oversized rubber duckies to accompany you as you "Pause, Play & Perfect" {the spa's mantra}. I loved their warm tiled loungers and could have napped there for hours, but food beckoned from another part of the spa.

Because what's a day of ultimate spoiling without cupcakes?? I mean, these people really know how to make a girl happy. Every single inch of Eau Spa seems to be utilized for maximum pampering. Even the lighting -- a custom chandelier made of crystal wine glasses -- is all about opulence and extravagance.

Though it was difficult to pull ourselves away from the enchanting environment, we gathered our things and headed over to Temple Orange, their onsite restaurant, for lunch. I'd had the privilege of sampling some Temple Orange fare a while back when I was a judge for the Flavor Palm Beach kickoff event, so I knew I was in for a treat.

We were all so relaxed that we opted for a casual, laid back lunch on the patio {which was great until it started to pour!}. Several of us ordered what the restaurant calls a "Baco", which is basically a flatbread that you can order with turkey meatballs or pulled pork. I can't tell you where they came up with "Baco", but I decided that it must mean "Bread Taco" because that's sort of what it made think of!

I can't even put into words what an amazing time I had at Eau Spa... it was the perfect place for a post-birthday, pre-baby shower day of pampering and I hope to visit again {and again, and again...}. If you ever find yourself in the area, do yourself the favor of stopping in and treat yourself to a day of sheer bliss!

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Ok, so maybe I can't head down to Eau Spa every day {though I SO wish I could!}, but there's no reason not to recreate Temple Orange's tasty lunch whenever the mood strikes.

I "copycatted" their dish right down to the flatbread, which only took TWO ingredients and a hot griddle. Totally worth making.

The rest of the dish is simple enough -- turkey meatballs, a little cumin-scented yogurt sauce, some veggies and voila! You've got yourself a spa lunch right in the comfort of your own home. 

Turkey Meatball Flatbread Sandwich

For meatballs:

1 lb. ground turkey meat

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon dried mint

1. Preaheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare a baking pan by lining with foil and spraying or drizzling with a bit of olive oil.

2. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to distribute spices. Using an ice cream scoop, create even-sized meatballs and place on oiled baking pan.

3. Bake for about 16-18 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in the middle and cooked the way through.

Keep warm until ready to serve.

For flatbread:
Adapted from The Little Things

2/3 cup self-rising flour

2.5 ounces Greek yogurt

Pinch of salt

1. Heat a heavy skillet or a grill pan to medium-high heat. In a medium bowl {or in the bowl of a food processor while pulsing} combine all ingredients with a silicone spatula.

2. When the dough looks shaggy, knead it together until a ball forms. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces.

3. On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into a circular flatbread. Spray heated pan or skillet with a bit of olive oil or non-stick cooking spray and cook flatbreads until slightly puffed and starting to char in places, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Keep warm until ready to serve.

For yogurt sauce:

2 ounces Greek yogurt

2 teaspoons mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Pinch of salt

In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Set aside until ready to use.

To assemble: 

1 piece of flatbread

1 tablespoon yogurt sauce 

Spinach

Tomato, diced

Cucumber {or zucchini}, grated

Spread about a tablespoon of yogurt sauce on each flatbread. Sprinkle with spinach, tomato, and grated cucumber or zucchini. Place 2 meatballs on top of each flatbread and fold over into a "baco". You may need a toothpick to secure unless you plan on diving right in!

Barolo Ristorante | North Palm Beach, Florida

I've become pretty picky when it comes to Italian food. Between being schooled by my in-laws and eating my father-in-law's amazing home-cooked versions of all the classics, it's safe to say that my standards have been raised by leaps and bounds.

So, when I received an invite from Barolo Ristorante in North Palm Beach to come dine at their restaurant, I was cautiously optimistic. It looked nice. Sounded good. Seemed worth a try. But I wasn't going in with lofty expectations, just in case.

Barolo has been around for about 6 months, and in that time, they've found great success in doing what they do best -- pouring perfectionism into their dishes and providing a wonderful dining experience for patrons.

I chatted with Barolo's General Manager, Anthony Cammarano, who told us a bit about the labor of love that goes into creating the ideal restaurant, menu, and service. For him, it all starts with seeing the experience through the eyes of a customer, starting right at the front door. He asks himself, "What am I seeing, hearing, and smelling from the moment I walk in?" He knows that, as is the case in meeting individuals, the first impressions often sets the tone.

From our first few minutes at Barolo, I knew we'd "hit it off" just fine. The dining room was low lit and attractive {even romantic, one might say}, with a modern feel and clean lines -- no rustic barrels draped with fake grapes at this Italian restaurant. A view of  their climate-controlled wine room subtly nudges diners to peruse the extensive wine collection and indulge in a glass or two. {Though sadly, I had to stick with water this time. Is it November yet?!}

Where the impression of the surroundings leave off, the service picks up with their friendly staff. We immediately loved our server, who not only was sweet and bubbly, but also knew the menu and was able to quickly get the answer to anything she didn't know offhand. {Like, "Is there raw egg in the Caesar dressing?" Gah, I hate being that pregnant person.} She promptly offered suggestions and her opinion on anything we couldn't decide on right away -- very accommodating and patient... we got carried away with the chatting a took a while to order.

Steve and I both decided to go with the Prix-Fixe that Barolo is promoting for the summer. Four courses plus wine sounded like a good deal. But first, we started off with an appetizer: a classic Italian antipasto, which my dear husband cannot pass up if it is offered. I obliged to his suggestion, but soon remembered that technically I shouldn't eat half the stuff on the platter! Oops. You could tell that the items were high quality; the cheeses, cured meats and veggies made a beautiful presentation.

Next course was salad and soup; I had the Minestrone and Steve the Caesar salad. The soup reminded me of "grandma soup". That's a good thing as far as I'm concerned.

The entrees came and I was actually surprised at the portion sizes, especially for a fine dining spot. I had the Sole Francese, which was served over sauteed spinach and fingerling potatoes, and Steve had the Veal Pizzaiola. Both looked beautiful, and I though the fish was delicious, though I had a little remorse over not going rogue and getting one of their homemade pasta dishes. The entree did come with pasta -- spaghetti with marinara -- which was good, but I felt like it probably didn't speak for their other, more exciting options.

Though everything was delightful, I must confess there was one downfall to the meal: Dessert. The Prix Fixe menu comes with a standard scoop of gelato with a drizzle of chocolate sauce, which is sort of boring, but never underappreciated in my world. But :::gasp::: I actually wasn't a fan of the gelato! You know how sometimes ice cream that's left in the freezer too long gets a sort of chewy edge around the top? I kept finding those in my scoop, which made for a very sad pregnant girl. The gelato itself wasn't smooth and silky, but sort of icy. Did it stop me from eating the whole thing? Nope. But after such a great experience, I wished it had ended on a better note! Next time, we spring for a dessert OFF the Prix Fixe!

My final conclusion: Barolo is going to do just fine. From the happy chatter around us from other folks enjoying their meals to the rave reviews they've already managed to acquire on Yelp and Facebook, it seems the community has spoken.

When we visit again {I think this place would be Mama & Papa Muscari approved, which says a lot}, I'm going to choose more creatively, because I really think they have something special to offer.

Thanks so much for the great visit!

Taste History Culinary Tours | Boynton Beach & Delray Beach, Florida

I'm a proud Florida girl, born and raised. But the last time I really knew my Florida history was back in 4th grade when it was a mandatory class {and then again when I had to teach it during my elementary school teacher years}.

As embarrassing as that is, I'm sure I'm not alone. I mean, how much do you really know about the area where you live? And when would you really take the time to research the facts surrounding your city's history?

I was pleased to find that there is actually an exciting way to do this around here: Taste History Culinary Tours, sponsored by Macy's & an official partner for the State of Florida's "Viva Florida" campaign. When I received an email from Lori, Taste History's Executive Tour Director, asking if I wanted to come check it out, I thought it might be a good way to brush up on my Florida history. Did I mention that this lesson is centered around food? I was in.

Taste History currently offers two different tasting tours: One that covers the Boyton Beach/Delray Beach area, and one around Lake Worth/Lantana. For $40, visitors can experience a taste of the area complete with an air conditioned bus ride to each location, ample tour narration including historical facts and tidbits, and -- most importantly -- generous tastings at a handful of the area's best locally owned spots.

I wasn't sure what to expect exactly, but I was game for a day of nibbling and learning with Steve as my assistant and official camera holder. ;) We boarded the bus and headed down to Delray where we stopped in an area that was first established by black business owners looking to lay a foundation for life and commerce.

After driving through and seeing some of the original homes and businesses, we pulled in for our first food stop: Dee Dee's Conch, Rib & Crab Shack.



A tiny spot with big success, Dee Dee's has become a well-loved place for locals and visitors alike. We got to sample some of Dee Dee's flavorful conch fritters and ribs -- original recipes that have been perfected over time -- as we listened to her incredibly inspiring story of perseverance in transitioning from simple food tent to well-respected local business owner. She said she feels like a celebrity in her own town, and I can certainly see how her food has her propelled her to such fame! I'm not sure what I loved more: The tasty zing of the spicy sauce or her spunk.

The kick of Dee Dee's offerings was only the beginning of the spice yet to come. Our next stop was Sweet's Sensational Jamaican Cuisine & Catering.

Visiting Sweet's proved to me something that I've already known for a long time having grown up in a Cuban family: Island folks not only love food, but love to feed a crowd! While they had some traditional Jamaican Beef Patties ready for us to sample when our group arrived, their enthusiasm for feeding us seemed to grow with each second. Soon, the counter was filled with Jamaican specialties such as Rice & Peas, Curried Goat, Jerk Chicken and Sweet Potato Pudding. All homemade, all delicious! I really loved the welcoming vibe and their passion for sharing their nation's cuisine.

Though we could have stayed and chatted for spell, we soon boarded the bus again and headed to the next location: Shaffer's Tea Room.

I was immediately smitten with the renovated rectory-turned-tea haven. From the vibrant colors to the peaceful {yet energizing} vibe as you walk in the door, entering Shaffer's is like discovering a special secret. Offering more than 75 different tea selections, the staff at Shaffer's can direct you to whatever flavor, experience or healing blend you seek. They also have delightful little bites to eat that are all locally sourced from the best of the best surrounding purveyors -- we got to try some cheesy turnovers, spinach puff pastries and blueberry pound cake. As I sipped on "Heaven" and smelled "Nirvana", I realized it would take some real prompting for me to leave this space!

When I was finally pried away from the tea counter, I was hoping that the next place on the tour would keep spirits high. Cabana el Rey didn't disappoint.

What they provided for us was far beyond just a sample of their Latin American cuisine. It was more like a smorgasbord of color, flavor and style served in chic surroundings with a creative and festive flair. I had heard of Cabana before, having strolled by their location on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, but had never stopped in as I'm pretty picky when it comes to Latin cuisine -- no one can outcook my Abuelita as far as I'm concerned. Learning about the restaurant's success both in New York and South Florida opened my eyes to what I've been missing, especially once I tried their innovative takes on Ropa Vieja in a Tostone cup, Cuban Sandwich Empanadas and Coconut Shrimp over Plantain Mash. They were even kind enough to muddle me up an alcohol-free version of their famous Mojito, which was refreshing and enjoyable even without the booze! Sold!

A stroll down the way led us to our next stop: Scuola Vecchia Pizza e Vino. 

The folks here know the real deal when it comes to authentic Neapolitan pizza -- the freshest ingredients, traditional techniques and an old-school {which is actually what "Scuola Vecchia" means!} wood-burning oven directly from Italy. House-made cheese and a seasoned chef only add to the experience of biting into a slice of one of their mouthwatering pies made in just 90 seconds in their blazing volcanic stone oven. We tried two different versions of the Margherita, both delightful.

Starting to get pretty stuffed at this point, we were glad when the next location we visited was not only a stone's throw away, but also a place to get a dainty morsels of dessert: Le Macaron French Pastries.

Oddly enough, I had actually stumbled into this cute little shop the night before not knowing it would be part of the tasting tour, so I had a little sneak preview of the Gianduja and Madagascar Black Vanilla macarons. Boasting over 18 flavors of sweet, gorgeous macarons, Le Macaron has a little something for everyone {including gelato and fine chocolates which they also sell}. Everyone "oohed" and "aahhed" over the pretty bites all lined up in the cases; they're certainly hard to resist.

Believe it or not, there was MORE! Stopping at DIG {Doing it Green} was a nice respite for the sizzling temps.

The restaurant specializes in dishes made with fresh, seasonal organic fruits and veggies as well as locally sourced and ethically produced products. Their tagline, "Big flavor, small footprint." communicates their desire to serve up delicious dishes with as little negative impact to the planet as possible. They gave us their hummus trio to sample, which is one of the most attractive hummus platters I've ever seen! Sadly, I was way too full to have more than just a tiny taste, but I'd love to return and see what else they have to offer.

Most of us were ready to tap out and wave the white napkin flag, but I'm so glad that the next stop was included. We departed from Delray and headed back down to Boynton. The Little House was definitely one of my favorite stops on the tour!

A charming cottage built in 1934 was renovated and relocated to its current location in Boynton Beach, where Chef Chrissy Benoit brings all kinds of dining delights to locals. The place is dripping with adorableness -- from the rustic elements to the vintage decor, to the fact that the house's original owner still frequents the place... I nearly had a tearful moment hearing her story. Speaking of tears, I was sad I didn't get to try the Mango Strawberry Cilantro Sangria, but the sampling of the Parmesan-crusted Fried Green Tomatillos with house made Buttermilk Ranch Dressing made up for it! Very tasty. I'm totally going back for their Pajama Brunch {held on Saturdays and Sundays} to give some more menu items a try.

We needed a short respite from chewing, so stopping at the Boynton Beach City Library was actually quite welcome, though unexpected! What exactly was a food tour doing at the library, you might ask? Stopping in for some culture, of course. This month the library is showcasing pieces from stained glass artist Conrad Pickel, which we were happy to browse in the cool air conditioning. But before we could get too drowsy from the quiet surroundings & full bellies, we were off for our final food stop of the tour.

And what a way to wrap things up! Palermo's Italian Bakery in Boynton was just the sugar rush we needed to liven up.

Wanna see a bunch of grown ups light up like kids in a candy shop? Give them free run of a bakery like Palermo's. Not only does the family-owned bakery serve classic Italian pastries, cookies, cakes and breads, but they also have entertainment weekly on their outdoor patio as well as special monthly dinners. They were so incredibly generous at this spot, loading us up with all kinds of goodies. I was happy to hear that they're planning on opening up a new location up by me in Jupiter!

We simply couldn't eat another crumb, so we headed back to our starting point to end the incredible day of delicacies and dishes. I couldn't believe how much we had covered {and eaten!} in the 4 hours we were gone.

This tour is definitely worth taking whether you are a tourist or a native who wants to brush up on your Florida history and take in some great local fare! A big thank you to my friends at Taste History Culinary Tours for the invitation to participate in this fun food adventure!

Disclosure: I provided with 2 complimentary passes to experience the Taste History Culinary Tour. As always, all the opinions here are my own!

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Inspired by our stop at Cabana del Rey, I recreated their tasty little Cuban Sandwich Empanadas at home! The recipe is so simple and the outcome a perfect appetizer.

What a fun way to get the flavors of a classic Cubano in a handy dandy portable bite.

Mini "Cubano" Empanadas

6 empanada discs {I use these but if you can't find them you can use pie crust}, cut into 12 small rounds
Yellow Mustard
Mayonnaise
2 slices of your favorite ham, chopped
2 slices of deli pork {roast pork is best, if you have it, but deli pork will do in a pinch}, chopped
2 slices Swiss cheese, cut into very small dice
10 dill pickle chips, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil and spray lightly with olive oil. Set aside.

2. Place empanada rounds onto pan and spread a tiny bit of mustard and a tiny bit of mayo on each circle. You may want to dab a little bit around the edges of the circle with your finger to use as "glue".

3. In a medium bowl mix together ham, pork, Swiss and pickles. Take about a tablespoon of mixture and place in the center of each empanada round.

4. Carefully fold over one half of the empanada to the other to form a half circle, pressing lightly around the edges. Using the tines of a fork, press down on edges to crimp closed.

5. Spray or brush tops with olive oil and bake for about 12-15 minutes until they start to get golden and the dough is puffed up and cooked.

Serve while hot & melty, but be careful not to burn your tongue. :)