Florida Girl

 

This past January my nephew turned 3 and aunt Neely and Uncle Geoffrey went to Florida to see him. I had the flu - absolute horrible timing - but still, while we were there I was able to go out to a few favorites and this new favorite: The Floridian! 

It's a very cool vibe in downtown St. Augustine, a perfect spot for a date, you can walk to many places for dessert, drinks, or some after dinner dancing. I can't say a whole lot about the food, as everything looked amazing since I was living off of broth and bananas that week but when I did eat, felt bad all over again!

We had the fried green tomato bruchetta which was so-so. Sadly, very over salted and difficult to eat.

My entree was:

'N Grits: Choice of Shrimp, Local Fish or Tofu over grilled stone ground polenta cakes and sauteed veggies, topped with a zesty Citrus Sweet Potato Salsa and Sweet Grass Dairy Goat's cheese

(I chose fish of the day which was flounder) 

Geoffrey had:

Chops: Two all-natural CartWheel Ranch Pork Chops, pan-seared and served over Indian spiced seasonal vegetable mash with a Citrus-beet puree,Cabbage Slaw and veggies du jour

The bar is almost speakeasy style in the back. You must order all of your drinks there, as the front of the building, the restaurant part was too close to several historic churches downtown. It's quirky, it's Fresh and Floridian, and it fits me. I shall see you again, Flo-ri-da!

Rialto Cafe - In my opinion

Working downtown makes it easy to get to any restaurant, bar, or street food cart by walking or jumping on the free mall ride. Rialto Cafe is on of my lunch time favorites for several reasons: Sitting outside and people watching on warmer days or inside at a pub table when its chilly out, is a really relaxing experience. I often take a book or notepad and sit by myself for lunch or an after work drink. The food is always cooked perfectly, and I have tried many things and never been let down!

For happy hour, a $5 glass of wine or the french martini are my picks. A half of a grilled artichoke with garlic aioli does me nicely and the ahi wonton was delish. Geoffrey likes the house cut kettle chips with red-n-hot-blue cheese sauce.


The day Geof was in the Denver Urban Assault race, I went to watch he and Stuart start and finish and in between enjoyed brunch at Rialto Cafe. The Crab Benedict was so damn good, highly recommend it. They have bottomless mimosas but they are mostly OJ - I asked the server for a little less juice ;)

Seared crab cake, fresh sliced avocado and poached eggs (I order mine poached hard) over toasted English muffins, with hollandaise sauce and breakfast potatoes.

My lunch time favorites are:

AHI TUNA fresh sashimi grade tuna seared rare, with diced avocado,
asian jicama slaw, spicy wasabi and soy glaze 13.99

BAKED FRENCH ONION SOUP laced with sherry, au gratin style 5.99

CLASSIC CAESAR chopped romaine hearts, basil, house baked garlic
croutons and shaved romano 5.25 half. Add grilled shrimp or salmon $3+

TUNA SALAD MELT premium tuna salad with shredded lettuce, sliced
tomato, avocado and cheddar cheese on toasted sourdough bread 9.49

Also, they have a salad special sometimes with baby spinach, goat cheese, and sliced beets.

Geoffrey really loves the ROAST CHICKEN tender herb roasted chicken breast quarter with truffle laced mascarpone macaroni and cheese, with roast garlic jus 9.49.

I highly recommend going to Rialto Cafe and after looking at this... I think I'm due for a girls lunch there asap!

Junk! - Aspen, Colorado

For my 28th Birthday we went to Aspen for a nice long weekend at a condo on a golf course in Snowmass. The weekend was spent exploring, playing tennis, and celebrating the flavors of Aspen. We drove Independence Pass in the late of September and it was just so gorgeous! It was so fall and so amazing and SO ME, I had the very best time. The hubby really pulled out all the stops and made sure I had a fabulous weekend in Aspen. It also happened to my FIRST time going! Quite a trip. We took the gondola from Ajax and really, it took us to what felt like the top of the world! The city just kept shrinking and shrinking as we took the blustery ride up into the sky...

We dined at Pacifica Restaurant and Raw Bar for my birthday dinner, cooked a few meals at the condo, and found this sweet funky little joint seen below called JUNK for lunch on our way out of town!

Geoffrey had some kind of slow cooked pork with beans, peppers, and onions on top.

I had a lobter taco and a chicken taco. Oh. Yeah.

This place is SO neat! Totes not the typical fancy pants place in downtown Aspen, you will still drop a good $60+ at lunch for food and a drink. You can order tall boys in a brown bag, table side keg service, street tacos served up on newspaper, and several other eclectic treats. The decor is... well... junk! The outside seating is adorned with cushions made from plastic bags stuffed with recycled jeans - the base of the bar is filled with box cars & silly straws & army men & dime store candy- the columns wrapped with deflated ballons - hallways lit with blacklights - it really is a DIFFERENT Aspen experience not to be missed! Wine comes in mini jars and in the evening, you can cozy around a large outdoor gas fireplace with Aspen locals and visitors.

Check it!

The perfect baked potato

This simple recipe is for the perfect baked potato (in my opinion, at least). Most people take a potato and wrap it in foil and put it in the oven. Some people microwave their potatoes. This one is done in the oven but the secret is to NOT seal it all up in foil! For a potato that is soft and piping hot inside but slightly crispy and golden brown on the outside...

You Will Need:
1) A few of you favorite potatoes, cleaned - I know, I know you're supposed to use a certain kind of potato for baking, and I agree; although: I personally prefer a Yukon Gold over a Russet any day. Just steer clear from the small boiling potatoes

2) Oil -I use grapeseed oil because it has a high burn point and a more subtle flavor than olive oil, use what you have

3) Coarse salt and fresh cracked pepper

4) Your favorite toppings: Fresh Chives, Sour Cream, Butter, Pancetta, Sharp Cheddar, and of course my favorite, Spike! 

5) Squares of tin foil

Get cooking:
Preheat the oven to 400º F. Take newly cleaned and dried potatoes and poke with a fork every few inches, at least a 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, depending on the size of the potato.

Set out squares of tinfoil for the potatoes to be cooked on. Make a fold on each side as to make a lip, so the oil will not run out. Put potatoes on foil and drizzle with oil. Get your hands dirty and rub the oil on the potatoes evenly. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.

Cook in a 400º oven for 45+ minutes until soft inside. Flip over half way, at about 22 minutes. Let cool slightly before handling. Cut open and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy the experience of a slightly crispy potato skin and soft hot goodness inside!

Florida Keys May 2010

The sister and I plus little Rylan (he had just turned two) took a road trip from my hometown of St. Augustine, Florida down to the Florida Keys. We stayed in Key Largo and Key West. This was brunch at a cute little French restaurant called the Banana Cafe, next to our hotel. Traveling and anything French reminds me of my grandmother, Nancy who passed away from cancer December, 2005. I get nostalgic and miss her very much, and I like to think I enjoy these things for HER! ♡

 

I had the quiche du jour with side salad and the sister and Rylan had scrambled eggs with cheese, a croissant, and bacon. Perrier, cappuccino, and a mimosa completed the experience!

Side note: The color of the table in these photos is the color of one of my kitchen walls - so crisp against tan and white and so Key West! Love.

Taco night at home

Twas fish taco night at the Zuni house! Well, maybe more like burrito night! Geof has the burritos and I like to pile mine into a big salad! I made a big bed of shredded green and purple cabbage, red onion, black olives, black beans, chopped jalapeno, cilantro, and a chipotle sour cream sauce with some lightly blackened tilapia (mine had a little white vinegar on it as well). Margaritas indicate it must have been this summer - if only it were post beach!!! I miss the Atlantic.

Gallop Cafe at Christmas time

This was taken around Christmas. We had a light dinner at Gallop - the room is always full and buzzing and so festive this particular time of year. They have beautiful ornaments hanging above, dancing elf looking friends, and all things whimsical. Geoffrey and I had been discussing eggnog and whether we liked it or not. He likes the stuff from the jug and I wouldn't go near that stuff, thick and yellowish. But this... this my friends was REAL eggnog! Hot, spiced, rummy goodness with fresh whip - oh and a "side" of a killer bread pudding. Cheery, yes?

Today - breakfast in bed!

Our good friend Greg is in town so we've been hanging out late'ish for the past few days. Today, we stayed in bed and Geof grabbed us a yummy breakfast from Gallop Cafe just down the street. We LOVE going there for brunch, lunch, dinner, take out... great food and good people - as seen by Geof's plate!

Playin Ketchup?

The next few postings will be to get caught up with all the food photos I've been taking at home and out and about over the past year and a half. NOTE: these were taken over the last year and a half (but we do eat out often and we do love cocktails, don't get me wrong!)

I will be using this blog quite often now, so I'm searching for what "voice" I want it to have. Lets see what unfolds, shall we?