Miami Flavor

Ross and I recently returned from a trip to Miami - what a glorious city by the sea.  This town has flavor. And not the semi-boring fancy steak houses and scandalous night clubs kind of flavor - but the flavor you wish was sprinkled on your usual scrambled eggs each morning or margarita on the rocks at 5:00.

Every piece of food I ate in Miami was out of this world.  The seafood, produce and cocktails had so much flavor that I was giddy before, during and after every meal. The Mojitos - we averaged 3-5 per day, per person - were stout and packed with muddled mint, lime juice and just enough simple syrup to keep your lips from puckering. The seafood was fresh (SO FRESH), well seasoned, and rarely cooked to preserve it's perfection.  Oh sure, breakfast lacked both mojitos and seafood, but the impeccable fruit, strong coffee and crunchy bagels more than made up for the lack authentic Miami flare.

And now, a glimpse at our trip - mixed in with restaurant recommendations and tourist tips.

But fair warning, you will leave this blog post hungry.

BREAKFAST

No matter the menu selection, - a fresh fruit platter or an egg white frittata with a large side of avocado will suffice - breakfast on the patio beneath the warm morning sun is a daily requirement.

LUNCH

Whether by the pool feasting on Tuna Tartare Lettuce Wraps

or walking down Lincoln Road - passing fruit stands and nibbling on handmade empanadas - lunch in South Beach consists of snacking on light foods, washed down with mojitos, at your leisure.

MOJITOS

With a good twelve inches of sugar cane,

or flavored with earthy hibiscus, the mojito in your hand is only authentic if the mint has been properly muddled - any good Cuban will tell you.

DINNER

Spicy and sweet Calamari and Scallop Ceviche at Ceviche 105.

Corvina, Beef, Scallop and Ahi Tuna Tartare served with plantain chips at Edge.

DESSERT

Simply divine Chocolate Mousse Cake at The River Seafood and Oyster Bar.

These Cheesecake Pops and Meyer Lemon Chiboust from Edge made it all the way back to the hotel room before they were devoured.

Although Ross and I teetered on the line of obtaining Mercury poisoning by the time we hopped in the car back to the airport, it's safe to say we experienced some of the best food this country has to offer - or at least some of our favorite food in the country.