Safe at Home

Easter Bouquet

The social-distancing effort to flatten-the-curve seems to be effective. Slowly but surely, the cases of Covid19 are decreasing across the country. Luckily, the Marco cases have remained low throughout the month of April. We currently have 12 reported cases of coronavirus and zero deaths in Marco.

Pool Zoom

Despite the tedium of isolation, time has been flying by. We enjoyed a sleepover with young Will for Easter. The bunny was good to all of us. My Easter bouquet stayed fresh for nearly two weeks. Will continues to work on the frontlines at UPS with loads heavier than usual for this time of year. We're all so happy to be in the warm climes of SWFL. It is still pretty cold up north, making for a tough quarantine indoors all the time.

Bill has been doing weekly Zoom calls with his partners. They really get a kick out of their poolside gatherings.

Lobster& fennel salad with Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc

We have been enjoying an array of meals, treats and sweets coming out of our kitchen. Bill has a sour dough bread starter cooking on the counter. We experiment with new cuisines and so look forward to weekend cocktail concoctions. Our bike rides continue to offer escape and exercise. The golf course is still packed with snow birds delaying their trips up north.

Lipstick and jewelry for wine dinner

We've been supporters of ICCs wine dinners throughout the year. This month, due to circumstances, was a carryout with virtual discussions of the wine and food pairings. It was super fun. We picked up a big box with a three course meal served on china, along with three wines. Our hosts online provided commentary as we enjoyed the pairings. Bill and I dressed up for the occasion and I wore my diamond penguin from Antarctica in honor of National Penguin Day Saturday. And could this be the last lockdown Sunday? May 1st seems to be the date for starting up the economy. Let's hope!

Traceability Certified Genuine Wagyu Beef

So here's an idea for your next dinner party:

During accolades after an exquisite and intimate dining experience Friday at the Island Country Club, the talented Chef Loren presented the birth, lineage and death certificate of Bonta. Bonta was of the Japanese Black breed of cattle, which produces the incredible Wagyu beef we enjoyed during two of the eight courses.

As much as I would like to share every course description with my foodie readers, I'll stick with the Wagyu. For the first beef course, each diner was equipped with a sizzling cast iron pan set upon a hot Himalayan salt block. Guests seared their own Sukiyaki. The dish was complimented with baby onions, a quail egg and Sukiyaki sauce. We all flash-cooked our tiny egg, too. The second beef course was a Wagyu strip loin seared medium rare and served with braised daikon and garlic soy jus. OMG! Amazing and right here in my little town.

Chef Loren was just as impressed as his 14 diners with the top grade bestowed on Bonta's beef: A5, BMS 12, meeting the highest standards for Wagyu beef, as documented on the Certificate of Authenticity.

And in case you were wondering, that is Bonta's rib eye and nose print pictured. I learn something everyday!

Table-to-Pier Dining

We’ve all heard of farm-to-table dining, but my gaggle of girls visiting Stock Island enjoyed a table-to-farm err...table-to-pier experience Wednesday evening. A quick trolley ride to the pier and we were immersed in the main attraction of our reunion: a celebration of local food and chefs organized by a group called Outstanding in the Field (OITH). Ninety plates were set at the table, presenting a dramatic scene on the historic Bama Shrimp Dock. It was an incredibly delicious day, filled with interesting presentations, conversations and nature...the origin of our food.

Pre-Dinner Reception

The Perry Hotel has a great restaurant. We enjoyed our second breakfast on the patio before heading out for a power walk around the neighborhood. After showers, we departed for Stock Island Lobster Company at 1pm where we listened to presentations about sea life, fishing and locally grown produce. Delicious hor d'oeuvres and fine wine were passed among the crowd while everyone enjoyed the boatyard scenery. The sponsors, OITH, provided a brief orientation of their work in gathering people around the dinner table and introduced all the folks and chefs that participated in the dinner:

Host Fisherman: Peter Bacle, Stock Island Lobster Company, Stock Island 

Guest Chefs: Martin Liz & Layla Barr, Lost Kitchen Supper Club, Stock Island 

Jose Izquierdo, Hogfish Bar & Grill, Stock Island 

Jose 'Angel' Castro, Roostica, Key West 

Ryan Shapiro, Thirsty Mermaid, Key West

Latitudes

After the spectacular sunset Tuesday, we boarded a 6:45pm boat from Mallory Square to the small private island of Sunset Key for dinner at Latitudes. It was a special treat with the freshest seafood and sweetest romantic setting. We serenaded Tara for her 2/2 birthday.

Birthday Date Night

We got all dolled up for our celebration dinner at Zuma Japanese Restaurant. A couple of selfies were on order. The restaurant was every bit as good as our first meal at Zuma in NYC.

Upon our return to our room, we were greeted with more birthday wishes: champagne and cake compliments of the JW Marriott on Biscayne Blvd. A good 1/11/19.

The Greatest City on Earth

This city never gets old! Familiar haunts and new faves made for a fabulous day in Manhattan. We hopped the #4 subway for breakfast at Danny Meyer's Daily Provisions in Union Square. We walked in the cold rain until we had enough. A perfect opportunity to see a matinee. "A Star is Born" worked out with the timing. Great movie. As the city dried out, we walked around the Christmas Market at Bryant Park. A fun annual tradition. Back downtown to Moxy to rest our feet and get ready for Zuma. With no reservations, we were determined to be the first at the 5:30pm opening. As our good luck prevailed, we were treated to a seat at the Chefs table. What an unbelievable two hour dining experience! Blown away with our omakase!

Veterans Day 2018

We dropped the kids at Hillside school Monday despite the Veteran's Day holiday for some. Ally slept in a bit; still trying to recover from jet lag. Bill treated the three of us to our fave breakfast at La Vie En Rose Bakery Cafe in Waldwick NJ. Afterwards, Ally dropped us at the train for our NYC escape.

The Moxy on Ann St. in FiDi is only two weeks old and super cute. We love staying at tiny NYC hotels! We hung out in the lobby talking to several professionals planning the Bumble event. The first event where Bumble app users get together in person for cocktails and hook ups will be held at Moxy Tuesday night. 😅

Per Ally's recommendation, we taxied to Don Angie Restaurant on Greenwich in the Village. We were able to snatch seats at the bar because we didn't get reservations six months ago. Yes, they book six month out. The famous rolled lasagna was delicious.

It was a good Veterans Day celebration as we reminisced about our five year anniversary of rolling over the Marco Bridge this Monday in 2013.

A Taste of Winter

We were home long enough to bake a cake for a neighbor and attend opening golf events at the Island Club before heading out to our old stomping grounds up north.

It was a typical cold and rainy November day when we landed at Newark Airport. An Uber dropped us at Rumson and I vowed never to use that car service again. Cheap but super ridiculous mode of travel at our age. I had more room in my United seat than in my Uber car. Haha.

Trama Restaurant in Long Branch NJ was a real treat for dinner. It was great to catch up with Son the Eldest, Chris, and his sweet Devin. Devin shared his most amazing tiramisu, as pictured.

Southern Charm

With just enough time to unpack, catch up on housekeeping and commitments, we hit the road again Monday morning before 6am. The drive to Charleston SC was tedious.

The Herman's met us at the 45 day old Bella Grace Hotel on Calhoun. It was a lovely evening stroll to the awesome Stella's Restaurant.

Tuesday, we explored Charleston on foot starting at Hominy for breakfast, the Market and Sumter National Monument. We just made our 6:45pm dinner reservation at Husk. Gotta love Uber!