Great groceries close to Coral Gables!

I know, crazy concept. But I spend the extra time and sometimes money, to go to Fresh Market in Coconut Grove. So nice.

I swear the lettuce, spinach and arugula last a week, and seem like you just picked them. Okay, here's a tip to help them along. When you get home, remove the twist tie around the lettuce and place a paper towel or two in the plastic bag you have them in and keep them in the produce bin. If you don't eat them first, they will last longer than you're used to having fresh greens on hand.

Then there's the rotis chicken. Garlic butter is our fav. We have a ritual of eating the wings the second we get home. Even if we're eating something else or running out. So good. And they're 7.99 and a nice size! We make lots of meals out of one chicken and eat every bit of it.

Ah, the bakery and cheese dept and meat department. Bacon you can buy by the slice. Another tip. Microwave your bacon between paper towels. It will be crispy and not make a mess. Great breads, different cheeses, and the freshest eggs you've ever seen. I had a dozen eggs for a few weeks and I had picked up a new container from a bigger grocery store. I tell you that the "old" ones from FM were so much fresher than the "fresh ones" from the other store.

And prices. People thing that Fresh Market is way more expensive than the big grocery store. I'm here to tell you that a lot of the prices are the same or better, and when your produce and other items are fresher and last longer, so you're not tossing them in the garbage, that adds up.

Getting hungry. gotta go!

Oh yeah, the sushi, is unbelievably good. and the ginger is spicy and the deli meats are better than any you've tried! Worth the drive!

Cafe Con Leche and Tostada just outside of Coral Gables

Quintessential Miami treat. Coffee with milk and a big ol' piece of Cuban bread with butter "smushed" in the flip side of a waffle maker, add a side of croquetas, a combo of potato and ham and spices breaded and fried up and you have a delicious breakfast in Miami. Eggs? You probably get the eggs included for the same price, but I make pretty great eggs thanks to the Food network and Martha Stewart's tips, so for me personally, the eggs are not the superstar of breakfast in  a Cuban restaurant.

Which Cuban restaurant you ask? We live close enough to visit the classics, Versailles (which all of the guidebooks would tell you to visit, but it's a bit large, loud, but they make great Arroz Con Pollo-Chicken and Yellow Rice), and La Carreta (which is a bit large, but they make a great five dollar mojito! and great Lechon Asado-traditional roasted pork), but for us, La Palma feels like home. We are always treated like family and have never had anything less than perfect food. It's smaller and more intimate than the other two famous restaurants, and I believe the three share the same owners now as well. They are located at 6091 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL.

For lunch and dinner meals, they make great chicken, meats, sandwiches and side dishes. They're famous for really good Croquetas. They've recently started making ceviche. Where else can you get really good ceviche for $5? They serve it with Boniato chips on the side.

In the rare cold nights in Miami they are also famous for Hot Chocolate and Churros. Don't be at all surprised to find a line wrapping around the building on the coldest nights of the year. Churros are crunchy sticks of fried dough swimming in a ton of white granulated sugar (in other words, they are delicious!) The hot chocolate is different from any you've ever had. It is crazy thick and you're going to love it or be done after a few filling sips. It's a bit like warm pudding in a cup. I like a sip of it, and that's enough, so I'm happy to share a cup. If you don't count calories, I could eat the whole order of Churros. So good. Crunchy, sugary, fantastic. Go, have a new experience in Miami and enjoy!

Where Should We Eat in Coral Gables?

 That's how the phone call or email goes. Friends know that we like good food and always call or write for themselves or friends. 


My go-to answer? If they've got the budget, Ortanique has the food! Been there so many times and have yet to be disappointed. In my book, that's the best compliment ever for a restaurant. The service is always friendly and knowledgeable, the food is unique and delicious, and they really do have the best Mojitos in Miami, and I love a perfect mojito! 


If I were you, I'd start with a happy hour drink at the cozy bar, then move on to a romantic table for two. If you have a larger party, that's fine too! The people watching at the tables out front is probably great, but being a native Miamian, there's no way I'd sit out front if a cold front hadn't just passed by! Besides, it's dark-ish and romantic inside. 


The menu is updated according to what's in season and has a Miami-Caribbean flair and even the bread they bring to your table is perfect, just try not to get filled up before the big event! Definitely have the ceviche and save room for an excellent dessert. Enjoy!