Category Archives: Florida

My food journey through South Beach and Palm Beach Hotels

I recently returned from a quick trip to Miami South Beach and Palm Beach. I was on business and did not have much time to venture out from the hotels. That does not mean I did not have some fabulous food INSIDE the hotels. Here is a picture diary of my yummy meals.

First stop was The Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key for lunch at Azul.

Crunchy Cashew Chicken Salad - Asian greens, napa cabbage, grilled satay chicken, strawberries, glazed cashews, topped off with a citrus ginger & soy vinegarette

Crunchy Cashew Chicken Salad – Asian greens, napa cabbage, grilled satay chicken, strawberries, glazed cashews, topped off with a citrus ginger & soy vinaigrette

Next stop was Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne. We had frozen mojitos with the famous bartender Geno at Dune. Followed by shrimp nachos and the most fabulous guacamole made table side at La Cantina.

Geno the Mojito man

Geno the Mojito man

Holy Guacamole!

Holy Guacamole!

We retired for the night at Turnberry Isle in Aventura and treated ourselves to a late night snack in The Lobby Lounge.

Warm Beignets with Vanilla Creme Brulee

Warm Beignets with Vanilla Creme Brulee

The next morning we met at The Setai for the  breakfast buffet at The Restaurant. The food was wonderful but my favorite part was sitting in the outside courtyard to eat it all.

Courtyard Seating for Breakfast at The Setai

Courtyard Seating for Breakfast at The Setai

Later in the day we toured the Ritz-Carlton South Beach and had lunch at Bistro One LR. Probably some of the best shrimp or fish tacos I have ever had!

Shrimp Tempura Soft Tacos

Shrimp Tempura Soft Tacos

A very artful Key Lime Pie for dessert

A very artful Key Lime Pie for dessert

Next stop was The Breakers in Palm Beach. We had drinks and tapas at HMF. Did not get a picture of the fabulous fennel sausage and wild mushroom pizzette since we were starving and it looked too good to resist.

Patron Margarita, Channel number 6, and the complimentary sweet/salty cashews

Patron Margarita, Channel number 6, and the complimentary sweet/salty cashews

We spent the night and I have to mention the amazing chocolate creation we found waiting in our room!

Chocolate rendition of  The Breakers

Chocolate rendition of The Breakers

Our buffet breakfast the next day was at The Circle in The Breakers. My favorite were the muffin tops.

A typical buffet offering

A typical buffet offering

Our last meal in the area before boarding the plane was at Four Seasons Palm Beach sitting right along the beach at Atlantic Bar and Grill.

Chorizo Quesadillas for an appetizer

Chorizo Quesadillas for an appetizer

Pescado Tacos- Mahi Mahi, Pickled Onions, & Salsa with a side of beans

Pescado Tacos- Mahi Mahi, Pickled Onions, & Salsa with a side of beans

Shark Bite Smoothie- Strawberry and Pina Colado

Shark Bite Smoothie- Strawberry and Pina Colado

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Filed under Beaches, Florida, Ritz-Carlton

Mandarin Oriental Miami: Girls’ Getaway Special

I recently returned form the Mandarin Oriental Miami on Brickell Key.  I was greeted with floor to ceiling windows and a great view of the bay. They are currently adding a bar in this lobby which should be completed by the end of the month.

Mandarin Oriental Miami Lobby

Pictured here is a lovely Deluxe Room with a four piece bath and pass through window above the soaker tub.

Mandarin Oriental Deluxe Room

Pictured now is a view of a junior suite with over 500 sq. feet of space.

Mandarin Oriental Junior Suite

Below is one of their beautiful Brickell Suites with a gorgeous freestanding tub.  These are all located in the middle of the building so they have amazing views.

Brickell Suite Brickell Suite Tub

My gorgeous view from the Mandarin Oriental Miami.

Mandarin Miami View

Mandarin Oriental Miami offers rooms that are beautiful and have amazing views of the bay or city. They offer 2 restaurants and a bar. They have a fabulous spa. They also have an expanded pool deck and a beach area with cabanas. The location is perfect for taking the water trolley around the area to shops and restaurants too.  The hotel is only about ten minutes away from the Miami cruise terminal. It is an ideal location for pre or post cruise vacations.

Miami is also an ideal warm weather getaway for a girls’ trip. Right now they are offering a day of pampering that can be booked with or without a stay at the hotel.  The package is for 4-5 girls and includes access to Oasis Beach Club,  one 50-minute Hot Stone Massage each, one Mandarin Oriental Manicure each, half day in a luxurious Beach Cabana and lychee martinis for the group. Price is $250 per person.

If you would like to book a stay , my company is a preferred partner with Mandarin Oriental Miami and has access to extra amenities that include breakfast for two, upgrade at check-in if available, and $100 credit for spa of food.

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Filed under Florida

Roaring Twenties New Year’s Eve Gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island is offering a chance to celebrate the Gatsby era of the Roaring Twenties with their New Year’s Eve Black and White Gala. From 9pm- 2am you will experience fabulous food buffets, live music and dancing, an open bar, and fireworks. They strongly encourage black and white attire for the event. It is $195 per adult.

Packages for the event are valid December 29, 2013 to January 1, 2014

You will receive a coastal view or ocean view room, champagne and chocolate strawberries on arrival, admission for two to the New Year’s Eve Gala, buffet breakfast for two each morning in Café 4750, and daily valet service.

And they are offering special parties for the kids too. “Glow in the New Year” is an evening of glowing adventures with dinner buffet, disco dance floor, photo booths and neon bubbles. Party is 8pm to 1 am.  Supervised children 5-12 are $90 each. Teens 13-17 are $45 each.

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Filed under Florida, Ritz-Carlton