Aubrey Up Close

I loved this place so much, I just had to blog about it! My friend introduced me to this “tapas” type restaurant (he had already been there several times) that was really good and very inexpensive, so I was with it – those 2 things generally make me happy! Well, I had no idea what a treat it would be to eat at 100 Montaditos! **SOOOOOO impressed, I just had to blog about it!

First off, it’s located at Midtown Miami, a place I frequent often to go to Target..but I had yet to notice this new spot. Second, beyond the idea of tapas…they are the cutest (and tastiest) “Montaditos” or tiny sandwiches. The restaurant itself is very appealing, cute modern style, with festive decor…that new but authentic look and feel. Last, it’s simple, the people are nice and it’s clean. P.S. They stay open late too!

Apparently the Miami location is the first in America, but there are some 200 locations worldwide – in France, Mexico, Portugal, and, mostly, in its hometown Spain. I think it’s an excellent concept…not sure why it’s just hit the States now, but I’m confident it’ll be coming to a neighborhood near you very soon! Actually, I should buy a franchise!!! Seriously, it doesn’t get much better than this…they have $1 Wednesdays when all the Montaditos are $1 and they have beer bucket deals on Friday…buy one get one. Even if it’s not a “deal” day, it’s super low cost. They’ve got screens in there too, so you can hang out and watch games.

Okay, so other than its smart (affordable) concept…it really is GOOD. I mean, usually we’ll compromise taste & quality when it’s “cheap” …but you can go in there and get 3 of these baby sandwiches for a buck each and be full AND feel like you truly got your money’s worth…you’d probably have even been willing to pay more for these tasty treats! Another reason I like it is because I can order varied flavors of montaditos, each for just one dollar!! You know when you look at a menu and you want multiple things but you can’t decide?? Now you can order to your heart’s content… and pick more than one thing and not waste the food or money! Gosh, I don’t know, you just have to experience it. There was seriously a “party in my mouth”…yum, yum, YUM!

So, in the platter pictures above (about $12)…I had #1 -Serrano Ham and Olive Oil, #2- Chorizo, #9 -Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam (gotta satisfy the sweet tooth), #69 – Pulled BBQ Pork with Iberic Cheese and Brava Sauce, #70 – Pulled BBQ Pork with Bacon, Guacamole and Green Pepper and #77 – Shrimp with Ali Oli! I know it’s A LOT..but I had to sample everything!! Each item was unique and very tasty…I felt like a happy “montadito” when I walked out! Apparently they have really good ice cream too…I’ll have to dig into that item next visit. http://www.100montaditos.com/miami/

I just returned to Florida after spending the past week in the Bay Area. It’s a rainy time of year to visit, but a nice refresher of the difference in temperature and seasons…can’t be open-toes and sun dresses all the time!! As always, the main objective is to see family..namely my sisters Adrienne and Alison, and it also happened to be Alison’s birthday week-end so that made it extra special to help her celebrate another year!



Rose aka Mom jumped in for this iphone4 photo…

You know, I didn’t get around to eating any of Alison’s official birthday cake, but I did consume 6 too many of these Red Velvet BDay cookies I ordered for her from Chef Court…

Nowadays, it seems like every trip home I’m meeting at least one new baby!! This time around it was baby Miles, my good friend Reina’s new son, who’s just 3 months old..such a cutie!! He’s already bff with his Auntie Aubrey.

I also visited with baby Naomi…who turned 7 months..time is flying!!

And, Naomi’s (busy) Mom Arlyn, played such the hostess cooking me BBQ, lumpia and more for dinner while I visited with her and the girls…but she certainly impressed me with the Monkey Bread!! I felt SO special…

I even got to visit with one of my oldest friend’s from elementary school, Kim, and her 2 boys, Matteo…

….and baby Jake!

Another highlight of my visit was attending the bridal shower for the one and only Anjelah Johnson! I couldn’t be happier for her and her fiance…and it all became so real when I saw her glowing with excitement of her upcoming wedding!! <3

(P.S. If you haven’t seen her live show, please do yourself a favor and go – She’s uber funny and on tour!! She’s in San Jose later this month and in South Florida in April!) http://anjelah.com

I almost forgot to mention the “Ramen Girls Dinner” in Japantown with my Sister Ade, Godsis Kim….

and (Santa Clara) friend Norma…. It was ‘One Kine Day” *inside joke!

Finally, on the morning of the baby sis’ actual birthday we went to breakfast in SF and I discovered Alison is in love with the same Chai Tea as me (Oregon Chai). She’s so sweet, the moment I got home and text that I made it back safe, she already said, “Come Back Soon!”

Here we all are…Daddy’s little girls!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (again) to my bologna aka “Mac Mami!!”

I started the New Year 2011 by hosting a potluck dinner at my place…had the “neighbors” over, you know we’re real clique-ish on my block! lol But seriously, nothing beats good company and good food!! Now, I would love to post a photo of the food except I think we were so hungry we ate before any pics were taken! ha We did however, turn the gathering into a photo opp… Peep the festivities below!

I stepped out for NYE 2010 in South Beach…nothing super special..but creating more memories with good friends! Cat made the trip down from Jacksonville again and Dana decided to hang out too!

First stop was Club Play where we did the countdown and rang in 2011.

Then we made the rounds in Sobe, stopping through Prime 112.

But our first meal of the year belonged to FIVE GUYS….

HAPPY 2011!!

The holidays are always fun time of year, but for me there is no annual tradition or special way I spend them… I don’t always travel home to the Bay Area to see my family and often times they aren’t even there! It’s tough though because it is inevitable every year that people ask what I am doing for the holidays and then I have to explain why I’m not going home, etc…

First off, I HATE traveling (airports) when everyone else (novice travelers) are jamming up the lines..I just can’t deal! Second, it’s just the nature of the career/life I have chosen…I know all my TV and fellow news friends can relate…just because it’s a holiday and most people have the day off, we don’t! I’ve just become accustom to working on holidays and I don’t expect to be able to go home for them. Last, living across the country, I have learned to celebrate my family everyday, especially when I am face to face with them, so I don’t need one day to dictate “Christmas.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas and the holiday season, but that’s not the only time to celebrate, be thankful and enjoy being together… It should be an everyday thing!!

Anyway, this year we were scattered….around the corners of the globe!

My Dad (above, jamming on his guitar) was in Manila, Philippines with my baby brother who fell ill with some food poisoning…that happens when you go to a foreign country and get a little too excited eating everything in sight!

This year, I stayed in Miami, and cooked up a lil Christmas somethin’ somethin’ for Jae Millz and the fam visiting from Harlem…

I baked a Chicken and Spinach Alfredo Lasagna and Green Bean Casserole, along with a not pictured Banana Pudding dessert.

Then, through the magic of techonology, my sisters and I got on a group chat with Alison in Southern California, Adrienne (and Mom) in the Bay and me in MIA.

It initially started with me and Adrienne chatting on G-Chat, then Alison wanted in, but you can’t 3-way on there and we weren’t sure we could on Skype, so we were going for the iChat, but Adrienne’s MacBook was acting up so we all downloaded “oovoo”..and finally when we were all up and running it was a party!! Actually very fun to have them all together at once!! We took Christmas photos and even had a toast to the holidays via internet!!

It’s only every great once in a while that I make my Mom’s Leche Flan…and since it’s the Holidays and a few of my “Miami news friends” were doing a potluck, I decided to put on my baking apron!! Leche Flan is one of my all-time favorite desserts…growing up it was staple for every get together and family party!!

So, first you have to caramelize the sugar…

This step requires patience and low heat…

Next is the careful task of separating the yolk from the egg whites….must have SKILLS!! And I took this picture on timer >>> SKILLS!

The recipe calls for all yolk, so it’s egg white omelets for me this week…

Add some condensed milk and then some vanilla…

Mix well and pop it in the oven to bake…

…VOILA!! It’s ready…
*sidenote – I was watching Julie & Julia as I baked..since it’s a movie about cooking! ha

And…here it is!! These are some of the BEST calories you will ever consume!!

BONUS: Here are a couple pix from the party….

Yet another wedding…LOL I spent the past weekend back in the Bay Area for my good friend Carol’s wedding! I’ve known Carol since college and she even traveled with me to Australia years ago to visit my sister when she was studying abroad. Anyhow, she married her longtime boyfriend Ken in Gilroy and we went to a fabulous resort called Cordevalle for the reception…great setting and good food!

You may recall a few posts back when I detailed our Vegas adventure for her bachelorette party…well the fun continued at the wedding!

From the church to the reception…

I LUV these ladies…

…always posing for the camera…

BTW…this is my favorite photo from the wedding…taken by yours truly…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSELLE!!! xoxo

For my 2010 Thanksgiving Holiday I stayed in Miami and my friend Cat made the trek down from Jacksonville to spend it with me…and I whipped up a little somethin’ somethin’…nothing too fancy!

Then, I took Cat to the American Airlines Arena…

…where we watched the Miami HEAT take on the 76ers.

Then we had a Saturday “food adventure!” It started off with a ladies brunch for Dara’s (early) birthday at Balans in Brickell!!

We of course had to bring the bday girl cupcakes for the special occassion!

Now, I have to bust Cat out because she wanted to order TWO DOZEN for the 5 of us…I know Mischa’s cupcakes are YUMMY, but please, practice restraint!! lol

After brunch we gathered around the Christmas tree for a photo… notice we all have open-toed shoes to get in the “holiday” spirit! ONLY IN MIAMI!
(l-r) that’s Kimi, Rene, Dara, me and Cat

And somehow Me, Kimi and Cat kept the “eating party going because we met up with our friend Phil and stuffed ourselves a little more!

We headed back to Brickell and Sushi Siam, where it started with some Sake…

SUSHI…

and this deep-fried banana dessert with a “chocolate fence” …

Moral of the weekend..I am ever SO THANKFUL for great friends and good food!!

P.S. Cat and I ended the weekend with a Sunday brunch too before she drove back north..but we did not document that food!