Miami

My (now) wife and I take vacations around food. The destination isn’t worthy unless the food matches the hype. In our case it must far exceed the hype.

After our wedding we took a “pre” honeymoon to Miami and Key West. Trust me when I say the food was planned out prior to the room reservation. If you’ve ever seen the movie Chef you’ll know where I’m going with this.

The one, the only, Versailles. Cuban food perfection. Croquets, empanadas, pastels, Cubans and most importantly, espresso. Cuban Espresso is nothing to mess with (unless you’re crazy. Crazy like a fox). I happen to fall in the later category and managed to chug four espressos in one sitting. I later was found jogging along side the rental because my heart rate went through the roof. Totally worth it.

The food was unreal. So good in fact that we went back two separate times. Gluttonous I know. I found myself knee deep in the best Cuban sandwich of my life, waist high in the crispiest croquets and nipple level in empanadas filed with cheese and ham. I can’t say enough good things about this place; I can only thank Jon Favreau for pointing its greatness out to us all.

The next greatest thing you ask? Stone Crab. Heaps of stone crab. My wife left for the cold bar and took 15-20 minutes before I stared to wonder where she was. I later found out she had bought almost $200 worth of stone crab that needed a lot of cracking. Needless to say it did not take more than 15 minute for us to dispose the delicious and sweet meat evidence.

Finally, Key West had us at Lobster Roll. The world famous Conch Shack. Another restaurant where we made several visits in our short short say. To say it was a hole in the wall would be an understatement but to me, those are often the best places to look. Katie and I have an affinity for the Lobster Roll and this place does it as well as anyone could ask. Lobster pilled high a top of a buttered New England style bun. No mayo, no celery, just Lobster claw meat, butter and chive. I could feel my cholesterol levels shooting through the roof and I could hear y mind not given a single fuck. The ultimate compliment to a savory luxury.

Enough said, now drool betches.