DDD Tour tastic...episode one

I watch a variety of shows on The Food Network, but one of the ones I Tivo consistently is Diners, Drive-ins and Dives with Guy Fieri. It is always fun, fresh and real, good food. I personally think you should always check to see where Guy's been when going to visit a new city! He always picks joints that you may NEVER pull into without a reccomendation from someone. Well, I certainly trust Guy's reccomendation, so Amanda and I have been visiting the DDD locales here in South Florida. Here is a peak into where we have been so far:

First off, Grampa's Bakery in Dania. Good 'ol fashioned diner food, with a to-die-for bakery attached. Yes, the Rueben Sandwich was good, and the free basket of danishes a nice touch, but the bakery! It is really hard to decide when looking at two huge cases of desserts which sweet treat to get, but I ultimately decided on a Black n White Cookie. I mean, a huge, cake like cookie with chocolate and vanilla frosting on top? perfect!

Next, we tried Havana Hideout. Lively little Cuban  place with a outside patio perfect for sipping sangria on a Sunday afternoon. Of course, everyplace on DDD has a twist, and this one is, the "dining area" is outside on sand, and the kitchen is a trailer. Add live music, and great food, and I will definitely be going back! What was fun was, on the menu, you can "Get what Guy got." A sampler of all the things he tried while there. Of course that's what I got, and it was all tasty! Located in Lake Worth, this place is a must see!

Next, we ventured into Hollywood to try Sonny's Famous Steak Hoagies. Small little dive in a strip mall, you could drive by it a million times and never think about stopping...well, I'm glad Guy told us all about it! It is very inexpensive, good food, great portion size and friendly staff. I got a Steak Sandwich with onions, provolone and sauce on the side. They put a whole bowl of hot peppers on your table to garnish your sandwich, which is a great touch.  I really enjoyed the sandwich and could eat them often! What I can't figure out is, even though I have washed my hands a few dozen times, why do my hands still smell like steak deliciousness??? Makes me wonder what it is doing to my insides right now......

Ok, I still have a few more spots to try, as I follow in Guy's footsteps. Do you have a gem of a place you think should check out? Tell him here, or just tell me! I'd love to know where you eat that is off the norm.

Killer Craving

So I was driving to meet a friend for lunch on Friday, a very dark and stormy day, and I knew the question coming at me was "Where do you want to eat?" Well, I had to think long and hard about what I was craving, and then it became perfectly clear: Killer Shrimp! For those who don't know about the now closed (RIP) LA establishment, it is the most simple concept ever. The only thing on the menu: Shrimp. You can get it three ways...with bread, with pasta or with rice. period. That's the menu! My favorite is with bread. It is basically a bowl of broth with shrimp and a basket of bread to soak up all the broth. I always forget how spicy it is until I am halfway through it, but it would've been the perfect dish on that dreary day. Sadly, there are no more Killer Shrimp's, and sadly I am on the opposite coast now. I did find the recipe. I'll make it on the next rainy day and let you know how it goes!

This craving did get me thinking about all of the other places I miss on LA. Like my other romp to get the same dish, Bourbon Street Shrimp. Or my favorite Sushi places Crazy Fish or Sushi Mac.

Or the best Japenese noodles in town, the #17 at Ramenya.

Or the best Italian food at C&O...oh those garlic knots, how I miss you!

 Then there are the Hollywood legends, like Roscoes, Pinks, and Bay Cities. 

When I need a sweet treat, I definitely miss Pinkberry and Sprinkles.

 I made some new favorites my last year in LA, like Rubios and Daphnes.

 Then when I crave meat I want Korean BBQ, Mongolian BBQ, or Brazilian BBQ. Or maybe some  Gaucho Grill or Lawry's ....

And on just about any given day, I think at least once about In-n-Out. Please someone send me a Double Double!

*Sigh*  Sadly I can have none of these places, so I just sit here and drool on my keyboard....
I am finding some new favorites here in FL though. One day I'll tell you all about those too!
Until then, any suggestions you Floridians? I am HUNGRY now! ;)

Covets (Gadget edition)

Like probably any lady I know, I always have a folder somewhere of pages I rip out of magazines with items I covet. As a foodie lady, I not only tear out pages for shoes and lipsticks, but also cooking tools, appliances and most of all, recipes. Well, here is a look into the list of gadgets I am currently coveting. No, this is not a hint! ;)

Asian Dumpling press

Herb Keeper

Garlic Zoom

Rachel Ray Spoonulas

I could go on and on.......but I'd love to hear from you...What are you currently coveting for your kitchen?

SoBe it....the best birthday ever!

You know how they say that the happiest people spend thier money on experiences instead of things? Well, they are right! I had the Best.Birthday.Ever. this past weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. I went alone, yes, but I was surrounded by my peeps! Foodies just like me who watch the Food Network, read the magazine, cook the recipes, follow the stars. I made a lot of new friends and had a TON of fun! Take a look at the the highlights from my trip...and keep reading, cause I save the best for last!

Day one:
I showed up an hour early for the first event, Paula Deen, but was too late. The show was already full! So I cut my losses and decided to go get in line for her book signing, before that was filled up too. So I went around and got to be the FIRST in line! Of course by the time she came by, the South FL weather was rearing it's ugly head and threatening rain, so they cancelled the photos and she just signed books. She was very sweet and still looked me in the eye and HIII to me. This is her just after signing my book, and that's her husband Michael, who is totally adorable. :

Next up, the Daisy Martinez cooking demo:

She was very sweet, but all I could think of was what was up next, or should I say who:

Rachel Ray! Her show was packed, but I snagged a great seat...worth waiting an hour and a half in line for! She is just as bright and bubbly in person as on TV.

That was enough excitement for one day for me, so I headed to my hotel and experienced all that South Beach has to offer, the food! the people! the drinks! the dancing! (Notice I did not mention the sleeping?!)

Nonetheless I was up bright and early the next morning for Day 2 of my mini-vaca.

I made sure to get there super early again, snagging my first place spot in line for Rocco Dispirito Book Signing:

He is so fun and lively, and don't we look so cute together! ;)

I then turned right around and got my first place spot in line for Guy Fieri:

He is just as cool in person, and I was surprised at how tall he was...or is it his hair??

Then I took a break from standing in lines and went and saw Rocco's Show.

He truly had the best show and was so interactive with the audience. I heart Rocco!

Then, as if that wasn't enough, I went back to the beach to grab a bite and catch up with my new BFF, SUNNY ANDERSON!

She took time out of her packed schedule to meet me in her hotel lobby to say hello. Isn't she the greatest? She even snapped this photo of us. (check us out on her blog too!)

As if this wasn't a dream come true, she remebered it was my birthday, and brought me a gift!!!

 

It's a bag full of foodie treats and a signed card from Sunny. At this point, I really did not think that life could get any better, so I decided to call it a weekend and head back up north.

Even though I only went to the kids events, I had SOOO much fun, and will definitely make this trip an annual event. Taking donations now for next year's adult events! ;)

Thank You all for reading, and make sure you become a follower! As Sunny always says, your support is what keeps us bloggers going, so just click follow!

By for now!

Dolphinfanhg

PS I credit Sunny Anderson for the title of this blog, I stole the idea from hers.