The Ravenous Pig

Over the weekend we joined some foodie friends known as the Mitsi at a buzz-worthy gastropub in Winter Park. When they told us about The Ravenous Pig, the name made us laugh out loud. But after finding nothing but impeccable reviews, we were excited to give this place a try. From the smores flavored caramel corn at the bar to the outstanding charcuterie platter with its bacon lard smothered sourdough toast, everything we tried was moan-inducingly good. I devoured the Pub Burger topped with blue cheese, carmelized onions and roasted peppers. The truffled shoestring fries served with it made me weep. My husband drooled over his Bay Scallops with Berkshire Pork Belly. Our next trip to Orlando will definitely require a return to The Ravenous Pig.

More Venice

I can't stop daydreaming about Venice, so here's another pic. This is a view from the Rialto Bridge. Maybe if I stare long enough I'll magically appear in one of those gondolas... Nope, I'm still here.

Gritti Palace

I'm totally smitten with the terrace at the Gritti Palace in Venice. Morning, noon or night it's the prettiest spot to sit and watch life float by on the bustling Grand Canal. There are two options: Club del Doge is an elegant restauant featuring seafood and Venetian specialties, and Bar Longhi serves cocktails and lighter fare. Cienti Anni!

Meersburg

Gutsschaenke in Meersburg, Germany, is a place I love to sit and enjoy a glass (or two) of White Burgundy. The wine from this region is crisp, fruity and quite sip-able! Meersburg is a medieval town built along a hillside in Southern Germany. Quaint shops and restaurants line the steep, cobble-stoned streets. You can shop and dine on traditional cuisine while enjoying a stunning view of the Swiss Alps.

Baja Shrimp Tacos

I love Baja-style shrimp tacos in the summer. They are light and easy, and you can come up with your own variations to change things up. First, season shrimp with sea salt and fresh black pepper and sear them in a tablespoon of olive oil with a smashed clove of garlic (alternatively, you could grill shrimp). Meanwhile, warm some corn tortillas in a small skillet sprinkled with sea salt to keep them from sticking. Stuff tortillas with the cooked shrimp, top with some home-made guacamole and serve with black beans and/or chips and fresh salsa. A pound of shrimp will make about 8 tacos.

Water Lilies at Jax Zoo

I'm always amazed by the beautiful flora at the Jacksonville Zoo. This sweet water lily pond is nestled between the giraffes and the monkeys, and makes the perfect backdrop for a pic of the little ones.

Guacamole Saturdays

It is too hot to do much of anything during summer in Florida. So it has become our family ritual to spend weekends vegging by the pool with some icy cold beer and a batch of home-made guacamole. Going to college in San Diego, I became good friends with a girl named Brenda from Mexico. She was an amazing cook, and her guacamole was SO good! This is the recipe that she gave me all those years ago.

2 ripe (but not too soft!) Haas Avocados
Juice of 1 lime
1 small jalapeño, finely diced
1 tbs finely chopped red onion
handful of fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
1 tsp course sea salt
fresh ground pepper to taste
1 roma tomato, seeded and diced

Roughly mash avocados into a bowl. Squeeze in lime juice. Add salt, pepper, jalapeño, and onion. Mix together. Add in cilantro and then tomato. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with tortilla chips. Buen provecho!

Orchid

Snapped this gorgeous orchid blossoming on the patio. I love how the fuchsia petals are translucent in the sunlight.

Filet and White Asparagus with Hollandaise

A classic way to enjoy delicious white asparagus.

Pasta with White Asparagus, Prosciutto and Peas

White asparagus enjoys its own culinary season in many parts of Europe. In Germany, it's usually served with ham and covered with Hollandaise sauce. The Italians add it to risotto. In Spain it's often served chilled with mayonnaise. It can be a bit elusive here in the States, but I came across some at Whole Foods and decided to try it with pasta. I started by peeling the bitter skin off of the asparagus. Then I chopped it and sauteed it in butter with onions. Once that started to soften, I added prosciutto, a splash of white wine, spring peas and a scoop of creme fraiche. When that was all combined, I tossed in whole wheat pasta and some fresh ground pepper. With a glass of Italian white wine (we had a crisp Orvieto) it was a tasty summer dinner.

S. Ponte Vedra Beach

We just returned from renting a house on the beach with close friends of ours. There's nothing like spending carefree days playing in the sand and sipping cocktails by the sea, and then drifting off  to sleep to the sound of crashing waves. Simply paradise.

Bistro Aix

Bistro Aix in San Marco is, in my humble opinion, one of the best restaurants in North Florida. Even Emeril Lagasse chose to dine there recently when he was in town. There's always a lively, well-heeled crowd sipping specialty martinis at the glowing bar. The Mediterranean menu features steak-frites, grilled Ahi, wood-fired pizzas and creative pastas. Last night I chose seared hake served over polenta with sugar snap peas and a red pepper coulis. It was deliciously fresh and light; perfect on a hot summer night. Hint: stop by the bakery on the way out for a fresh loaf of their yummy bread (and a macaroon or two!).

Kouzzina by Cat Cora at Disney's BoardWalk

Having annual Disney passes, we are in Orlando more than what is probably considered normal! When you're after something a little finer than Mickey Mouse waffles (which are excellent, don't get me wrong!), there are actually some really good dining options in the area. We recently tried Cat Cora's Kouzzina at the BoardWalk. While the atmosphere felt a bit Disney-themey to me, the Greek food was really good. My favorite was the sampler that we started with. We loved the creamy house-made hummus with grilled pitas, kabobs with garlicky tzatzkiki, and goat-cheese stuffed grape leaves. Of course we finished our meal off with some super-smooth Ouzo from their extensive list. Opa!

Peony Love

I love peonies. The scent alone brings me straight back to my childhood in New York. We had a large peony bush in the backyard. Each spring when the giant pink poofs blossomed, I would pick them and hold the soft petals to my nose and inhale the sweet scent. It was a fragrance that promised of days at the lake, backyard barbecues and playing tag until the sun went down.

Cannellini Bean Bruschetta

Made these savory-yet-healthy (vegan!) apps for a cocktail party I'm going to tonight. They are super easy and you can make the spread in advance and store in the fridge for a day or two.

1 can Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp course sea salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
2 TBSP Julienne cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil (do not drain oil)
2 springs fresh rosemary
1 clove garlic

Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until combined, keeping slightly chunky for a rustic texture. Spoon on top of toasted baguette rounds and garnish with a sliver of sun-dried tomato and a pinch of rosemary.

Mougins, France

The picturesque hilltop village of Mougins is a 15-minute drive from Cannes. Walking down the maze of pedestrian-only streets is a bit like a treasure hunt—you never know which quaint boutique or café you might stumble upon. Home to many artists' studios and galleries, Picasso actually spent the last decade of his life here. Mougins is also known for its cuisine, and plays host to the annual International Gastronomy Festival of Mougins. There are sidewalk bistros to linger at on warm days and cave-like underground restaurants that serve Provencal food. There are shops with wonderful lavender and lemon verbena soaps made nearby in Grasse, antique shops worth scouring and galleries selling signed prints to take home. I've been lucky enough to visit a few times, and it always feels like stepping into a story book.

Paradise Flower

Perhaps it's because of my love for Georgia O'Keeffe, but I am obsessed with photographing flowers. We planted these vining paradise flowers over the weekend. They are so strangely beautiful, my daughter and I had to have them in the yard somewhere! They are a butterfly host, so we hope to have many colorful guests fluttering by.

Cummer Museum & Gardens

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Riverside is one of my favorite places to spend a mommy & me day with Bella. There's a wonderful interactive wing for children called Art Connections. They can explore art and history in a kid-friendly environment. After playing inside, we like to wander out to the idyllic gardens that lie along the banks of the St. Johns River. There are Italian arches, ornate fountains, English roses, and giant swooping oak trees. Here I caught her taking a break at the reflecting pool. 

Details: Closed Mondays & major holidays. Open Tues: 10am-9pm (FREE from 4pm-9pm), Weds, Thurs, Fri: 10am-4pm, Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun: 12pm-5pm. Admission: Children 5 and under are free, adults $10.

Chicken-Avocado Quesadillas & Black Bean Salad

Preparing dinner on Thursday nights can be challenging. My husband coaches my 5-year old's soccer team, and they both need to be out the door by 5:30. I always want it to be something healthy and quick. Tonight I made these super-easy quesadillas and black bean salad that we all gobbled up.
 
Whole grain chicken & avocado quesadillas
-whole grain tortillas
-shredded colby jack
-boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size strips
-olive oil
-thinly sliced avocado
-chipotle salsa
-sea salt 
 
Black bean salad
-can of black beans, drained
-1 scallion, chopped
-1 roma tomato, diced
-sea salt

Sautee chicken strips in a TBSP olive oil, set aside. Heat a skillet at medium heat and sprinkle a little sea salt. Place one whole grain tortilla in pan. Layer with cheese, chicken, and sliced avocado, drizzle chipotle salsa evenly. Top with another tortilla, flipping once when cheese is melted. Cut into quarters and serve. (I served with a little sour cream). Meanwhile, in a small sauce pan on medium, heat beans until bubbly. Turn off heat and add a dash of sea salt, scallion and tomato. Stir to combine and serve.

Sunday Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island's Salt

A pretty fabulous local brunch spots is at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island. An area that is naturally stunning, Amelia Island is just an easy drive north of Jacksonville. Perched on an expansive 13-mile stretch of beach and featuring a world-class golf course and tranquil spa, the Ritz-Carlton is ideal for those seeking a luxurious escape. It attracts both locals looking for a weekend of pampering and international travelers accustomed to what the 5-star hotel chain offers.

A lovely way to spend a Sunday morning is to drive along the winding, oak tree-lined road that leads to the Ritz. From under a canopy of trees, you'll view glimpses of the Atlantic. Upon arrival at The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, valet the car and reward yourself with an exquisite brunch at Salt, one of the hotel's several dining options. Nibble on smoked salmon with capers, personalized omelets, airy waffles and a tempting dessert table. As you leisurely sip a Mimosa and stare at the deep blue sea, you'll find it hard to believe you have barely left Jacksonville.

Reservations for Salt are highly recommended: 904-277-1028

Bouchon at Home

The delight of lingering over a creamy café au lait and flakey pastries at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon has become a bit more attainable. Williams-Sonoma now has an exclusive line of mixes inspired by Keller’s Parisian-style boulangeries. The mixes are made with all-natural, premium ingredients and are simple to prepare. From the Cinnamon Pecan Waffles to the Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies, I'll be enjoying a little taste of Bouchon at home.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing moms out there!!

Comté Soufflé

Cheesy, light as air goodness at Le Cirque in Manhattan.

This soufflé made with Comté cheese was so exquisitely luscious,

I had to hunt down a recipe. I will be trying this one at home!

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, plus extra to coat soufflé dish

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1¾ cups 2% reduced-fat milk

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Comté cheese

4 eggs, separated

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly coat the bottom and sides of a 2-quart soufflé dish with butter.

2. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to blend. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until thickened. Add cheese; stir until melted. Remove from heat. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time. Cool.

3. Beat egg whites until stiff and smooth. Blend a dollop of whites into the cheese mixture to lighten it. With a rubber spatula, gently fold cheese mixture into remaining egg whites, using an up-and-down, circular motion, until only a few white streaks remain.

4. Spoon into soufflé dish and bake 35 to 40 minutes. Serve immediately Serves 4.

(Recipe from relishmag.com)

Cinderella's Royal Table

This past weekend my family, friends and I were lunching at a rather exclusive spot. Three months ago, I proceeded laboriously through an automated phone system for this table. I had a very finicky diner to impress. When I finally had the confirmation, I sighed in relief. (Actually I jumped and screamed as if I’d won the lottery). I had scored a reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table for my daughter’s fifth birthday.

Cinderella’s Royal Table is located inside the castle at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Anyone with daughters could tell you it’s like getting in at French Laundry or Rao’s; it’s the hottest table in the Kingdom. The Disney princesses are present for breakfast and lunch, making it insanely popular. Mobs of young girls decked out in princess gear swarm the restaurant. My daughter, Bella, chooses a powder blue Cinderella gown and crystal tiara for the occasion. Her BFF dons an aqua Arielle number.

Upon arrival, we’re escorted inside where Cinderella herself is waiting for us with a photographer. A photo package is included with the meal ($30 - $49/person). Post-paparazzi, we climb a winding, red-carpeted stairwell that leads into the dining room. It’s a large, circular room with gothic arches and tall windows with stained glass mosaics; very dramatic in a Disney kind of way.

After being seated, we’re presented with plates of antipasti. The bruschetta, roasted red peppers and salami are a welcome sight to fast-fading parents. A little wine would make us even happier, but the waiter informs, “Sorry m’lady, but there’s no alcohol in this kingdom.” While the adults graze, the princesses make their rounds. Kids squeal in delight as their autograph books are signed. “Mommy! It’s SNOW WHITE!”

Next is the main course. The pork tenderloin with couscous and Cabernet sauce was good. The pork was tender and the sauce’s sweetness contrasted the garlicky meat. There’s seared salmon with rice, Asian vegetables and garlic-ginger sauce. The salmon was crisp-skinned and flaky, perfectly fine. There’s also a savory meat-pie with a puff-pastry crust that seems right at home given the setting. For kids it’s standard fare: hot dogs and macaroni.

Dessert options include sorbet with fresh berries and a tasty pistachio rice pudding. We opted to pre-order a birthday cake ($21), which was ceremoniously presented to a beaming birthday girl.

Service was accommodating but rushed, like any Disney restaurant. The food, while satisfying, was nothing fantastic. But if you book Cinderella’s Royal Table for the cuisine, you’ve missed the point. You go for the look of wonderment in your child’s eyes and to see them brimming with laughter. You go to feel like a kid again yourself. That’s what makes it a meal worth remembering, long after you’ve forgotten the food.

Bittersweet

My daugther Bella's 5th birthday is coming up this week. I have been looking back at old

photos and came across this one that I took when she was 3 1/2. Motherhood is such a

bitterweet experience. You cherish each new stage, but also dearly miss past phases.

Springtime in NY

I've been taking a food writing class at a culinary school in New York for the past few weeks. While the class has been amazing, I have to confess that I am possibly getting just as much out of my weekly jaunts to Manhattan.

Springtime in New York is downright inspiring. Finding a sunny stretch of sidewalk as you turn around a corner, wildly colorful tulips in bloom, the fragrance of blossoming trees, the warmth in the air and the re-emerging sidewalk café tables...

I took this pic with my iphone while my hubby and I were walking down 5th after a charming lunch at Café Sabarsky. It was such a gorgeous Spring day that we ended up walking 35 blocks to our hotel (I was in heels!).