Key Largo and The Bazaar

Sunday was one of my favorite days of our Miami trip. We rented a zipcar and headed to the Keys!! My family and I have spent quite a bit of time scuba diving in Key Largo so it was great to share it with my best friend. One of our favorite post-dive dinner spots was Senor Frijoles, right on the water.

We ordered up some fish tacos and enjoyed the view.

Next up, we went to John Pennekamp State Park. The beach was more like a rocky mess. You should have seen us two fools trying to walk barefoot into the water. We looked crazy.

Next, we headed out on a glass bottom boat for a few hours to see the sea life on Molasses Reef.

After an eventful drive back to Miami (I swear we heard a snake hissing in the car), we enjoyed my favorite meal of the trip at Jose Andres' The Bazaar in the SLS Hotel. The food was mind blowingly good and the decor was like a whimsical library. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Please just go there.

This was a burrata with sweet Japanese peaches. Burrata was definitely a theme for the weekend.

Oh man, the Black Rossejat was my favorite dish of the night. If you ever see this on the menu anywhere, try it.

Brussel sprouts with foam? A little crazy, but crazy good.

The next morning I headed home to Chicago and then on another mini vacation to Phoenix and San Diego! Stay tuned.

Miami day 3

Saturday morning was another stunner. Sunny and 80 degrees never gets old. We enjoyed brunch at this adorable restaurant by the beach, Maxine's. First up mimosas. 

We couldn't decide between waffles or eggs. So we ordered both and split them. Nutella and fruit Belgian waffles and a Greek omelet. We were in heaven.

After another afternoon on the beach we treated ourselves to blow outs at BDry Bar. Have you every been to a blow dry bar? It's quite fun. Free champagne, a fresh shampoo and a beautiful blow out for a special evening. We just forgot how windy it can get on the beach!

One the walk back we saw a neon green stretch Lamborghini. Only in South Beach!

Our last Food and Wine event was a "Red Hot Night" hosted by Target on the beach.

It was beautiful inside the tent with rows of chefs serving their Latin inspired dishes.

The Cuban sandwhich was OK, but to be honest, I was hoping for better.

The desserts, those were good.

The best dessert was this little guy. A strawberry cheesecake bite served in a shell!

A great close to the festival. One more day left in Miami, I'm posting that one tomorrow!

Miami day 2

After our night out with Curtis, we woke up to a gorgeous 80 degree beach day.  Life is good.

We enjoyed the beach then headed to the spa for massages. In all honesty, they weren't quite relaxing. Those ladies were there to work out our kinks! After 90 minutes of prodding elbows and knot releasing, Anj and I needed a cocktail! So we headed over to the the Mondrian Hotel for drinks and a sunset. This place is magical.

We zipped back to our hotel to get ready for our next event, a Ceviche and Cocktail party at the Botanical Gardens hosted by Emerill. The ambiance was breathtaking. It felt like a whimsical party in the forest.

They served hand crafted cocktails at every turn. We only needed more food!

Ceviche arrived! But you had to be quick to grab it. Everyone was starving.

My favorite was the octopus ceviche. So much flavor, kudos to the chef!

Another successfull night. I love South Beach.