|Dining Out| Villa Azur

what a hidden treasure Villa Azur you are, it was such a pleasure to have such a lovely dinner there. If you haven't heard of it or have had it on your list to go I suggest you go now. I was invited to come and experience this enchanting establishment and I was so delighted with the experience that I look forward to my return. It's tucked away at the end of 23rd street, if you weren't looking intently for it you would miss it but once you find it you wonder how did I not hear of it before, it is the perfect place to take a first date, for a celebratory dinner, a proposal or even a rehearsal dinner. You can say I have my recent engagement on my mind, well yes yes I do, whenever I find a place that has that magical touch I wonder what else can I come here for. Villa Azur would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner or even a very intimate wedding reception.  We sat outside (which I highly recommend) and it was such a romantic and relaxing experience, my fiance enjoyed it as much as I did. 

What we ate:

Starters: Tapenade and Beef Tartar.

Drinks: two glasses of Malbec and one of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Dinner plates: Cote de boeuf (in the to share or not to share menu).

Sides: Potato Gratin Dauphinois and Sauteed Baby Spinach.

Desserts: Mint & Chocolate Profiteroles and Homemade Nutella Mousse.

Two must haves:

Cote de boeuf (which you can share with your date) and Homemade Nutella Mousse (it was divine).

Dining Out: Brother Jimmy's BBQ

my restaurant posts will be taking on a different approach from now on. I will no longer have the "lowdown" section at the bottom of my post and I have named my dining out adventures "Dining Out" so that you can distinguish it better. With that said here is today's restaurant feature the delicious Brother Jimmy's BBQ. If you haven't been to it yet, I say run and run fast because this place is just what we needed in Brickell. When I was invited for a complimentary dinner at Brother Jimmy's I was pretty excited because I had gone there once before and loved it, so when I had the opportunity to go again I couldn't pass it down. The place is very low key with very reasonable prices and very good BBQ food. My other half loves BBQ and he has now become a big fan of this place. Everything that we tried packed a punch. Brother Jimmy’s is not your typical Brickell restaurant it is very much suited for a gown-up college crowd (if that’s a thing) but I guess that is what I enjoy the must because it reminds me of those places you seek when you are in college. The restaurant actually comes all the way from New York, I know funny right but it’s a mini-chain that has spread around the country and now has landed in Miami to bring you cheap eats and a good time. I really hope that it becomes a permanent fixture and a local favorite because well we need variety.

What we ate:

Starter: Flaming Big Out – a plate filled with a bit of everything such as, wings, portabello mushrooms, hush puppies.

Drinks: The Charleston A.P. – it’s like lemonade spiked with vodka.

Dinner plates: Brisket and the Fried Chicken.

Sides: Macaroni & Cheese and Fried Brussel Sprouts.

One must have:

The Fried Brussel Sprouts – definitely a must try, they are much better than you think. I normally do not like to eat too much brussel sprouts but these are out of control.

I kissed the pig good-night.

Gigi Noodles

coconut curry chicken bun

as always I am one to be in a rush to try out a place that I hear about...this was no exception, except that I didn't go right away as I wanted. There are a million places I always want to go to and end up going to them months later either lack of time of fail to remember where it was I wanted to go. Gigi Noodles BBQ and Beer is a sweet little spot to grab a bite. See below for the lowdown.

mixed greens salad 

I am all about lighting and this one was pretty cool 

 short rib sandwich

steak chowfun 

fun art 

late night

the lowdown:

• Gigi Noodles BBQ and Beer is located across from the Midtown shops in the Wynwood/Midtown area.
• The restaurant is always jammed packed with locals and those taking the party to the streets.
• Open until late, no wonder people stroll in at all hours of the night.
• The restaurant is small and so there is a wait, but make no mistake it is worth the wait.
• The restaurant was created by the co-creator of the Townhouse Hotel, Bond Street Sushi Lounge, Bardot, Buck 15, Sra Martinez, and Miss Yip Chinese cafe.
• As you can tell by now the food is Asian-inspired and unpretentious.
• Everything looked phenomenal, I wanted to try just about everything on the menu.
• The buns are probably my favorite as they are the perfect meal after a long night of partying or shopping, because they are small and fun to eat.
• I had the coconut curry chicken bun, I can taste the curry and once I put one of their spicy sauces all the flavors came alive. I could have had about three of them but I am trying so so hard to lay off of carbs...it's not easy.
• The mixed green salad was fresh, light but with enough dressing to make it tasty.
• The short rib sandwich was another favorite it was so so so so good.With a kick of spice and that aged cheddar, who doesn't like cheese? it's a perfect combination of sweet and spicy.
• The steak chowfun is actually a good meal to have after you've had one to many drinks because it is comforting, steamy and packed with flavor. The meat was tender, the noodles marinated in Hoisin Sauce and veal marrow, which is what gives it such a savory flavor.
• Overall, a great spot to try out exciting new dishes and people watch.
• Yes do go, I recommend it...although for some of you it may be a far drive, it is a cool spot to dine out. Either go there before going out to any of the lounges around the area or go after, when you have danced, laughed, drank the night away.

On my mind

 my instagram photo gave you a preview - these adorable Limited Edition Cynthia Rowly Band-Aids were in that package - one a box of your own click here.

I know frivolous buy those Band-Aids but I couldn't resist, they were to cute to pass. That was just one small highlight of my week/end. As all of you probably know by now is that H&M opened up a pop-up shop in Miami Beach to anticipate the opening of the real store where once stood the Lincoln Theater. I heard through a friend that it was opening up Friday on Wednesday...How I didn't know ahead of time, baffles me but I am always in my own world anyway so go figures. I ended up going to the Press Preview the day before it opened to the public, I was giddy. Thursday comes around and I find myself in a blissful state of mind, I have been waiting for an H&M to come to Miami since the dinosaurs, kidding but close. I even emailed corporate long before I was a blogger to advice them that they needed to get their butts down here, Miami? come on we all know H&M would not fail here. They told me when they responded that they were scooping out "prime" location for the store and that they definitely had it in their future plans....years later and we are here one step closer to MADNESS. If you didn't know the line outside H&M Friday was two-hours long, bananas. The one downside of the Press Preview is that you couldn't buy anything, no one was happy that.

Ok enough about H&M, last night I went to the Priscilla Jade Lingerie's Birthday Suit Launch Party and it was fabulous, her Birthday Suit was a showstopper thats for sure. She had a Sweets station that was adorable and the location was stunning - in love with Baoli Miami. I would like to have some type of event there in the future, in their secret garden. So happy that Priscilla had a successful event, she knows how to make pretty sexy lingerie. Don't forget I am hosting a giveaway of the Birthday Suit here.

Stay tuned for more photos on my facebook page.

H&M magazine at the Press Preview

fruits fro brunch, always a good idea

brings smiles to my face

the Sweets station by Sugar Fancies at the Priscilla Jade Lingerie Birthday Suit Launch Party - I was obsessed with the Cherry cake

Whisk Gourmet...keep {whisking} away

 keep your eyes open, you may just miss it

this past Saturday we went for the beau's and his brother's birthday lunch at Whisk Gourmet (yes they share the same birthday). If you haven't heard of Whisk Gourmet, it is a cozy little restaurant that makes you feel as if you were else where. Has a southern warmth to it and the people and atmosphere is very welcoming, a South Miami gem. I had not heard of it until my sister-in-law mentioned it to me and I was in, I am a sucker for new restaurant adventures. It is hidden within the lush vegetation of South Miami, so keep your eyes open or you may just miss it. We had a wonderful time there and I can't wait to go back for more.

 I love details and this churn is just adorable

 I don't know why I love mason jars so much, but I do

 their soda brand of choice - Dr. Brown's

 by the bar and far end is the kitchen

 Fried Green Tomatoes

 House Organic Chickpea Hummus

Cumin Dusted Grilled Chicken Breast

Special of the day - Corn Meal Fried Snapper Po'Boy 

 Quack Quack - Moo Moo

Toffee Bread Pudding

the lowdown:

• Atmosphere is low-key, locals favorite.
• Homestyle cooking with fresh local ingredients that make the experience extra special.
• Makes you feel as if you were else where, far far away from Miami.
• The fried green tomatoes were crispy and savory, not too fancy just good ol'fashion.
• Hummus was just how I like it, fresh and with a homemade taste and the bread was so good.
• We ordered plain un-toasted bread for my niece and we took a piece of it, so soft it melted in your mouth.
• Cumin Chicken breast I heard was very good, not overcooked just right, full of flavor, plus it gave me the impression of an island plate.
• Now my Po'Boy was divine, you see ever since I went to New Orleans a couple years back with the honey and tried a Po'Boy I instantly was in love and I could have had 20 if my stomach could take it. So when ever I see a Po'Boy on a menu I gravitate to it. This was no let down, it was crispy just the right amount, it came with a side salad that had one of the best vinaigrette dressings I have had.
• But the best part of the lunch (but what is new with me, this is always the best part of any meal for me) was the dessert, we decided to go with the Toffee Bread Pudding and we are so happy we ordered two because it is small. The best bread budding I have had hands down, no questions asked. PLEASE do yourselves a favor if you go and you see the Toffee Bread Pudding on the menu you cannot leave without having it, order 4 or 5 if you want.
• Overall, with their fresh ingredients that are hard to miss and their home/cozy feel makes for the best place to unwind.

Been there already? share your experience with me. Plan to go? let me know how it goes.