Seeing Red

So after a long day in the booth, I was looking forward to some "me" time on our last night in Miami. That didn't happen.

About two or three hours before the end of the day, I was told to find a nice restaurant that would accommodate the 12 people from our company, including three CEOs. Of course I scrambled trying to find a place, and as a last resort, I asked the Concierges for some ideas.

We tried a few places, but none could take the group of our size at short notice. The last place we checked was Red the Steakhouse.

If you've ever been to Ruth Chris Steakhouse, it's similar, but a little more laid back. Well, our corporate CEO ordered a magnum of wine, and then more wine, and a seafood appetizer. You get the idea.

I had a lovely rack of lamb, thinking it was about middle of the road as far as the bill was concerned. Some of the sales people think this is their one chance to live it up. One of the sales people (not in my division) didn't see the phrase "market price" near the lobster he ordered.

When the bill came, and usually the CEO doesn't really care, scanned the bill and let the group know that the lobster was four times as much as the rest of our individual orders. With the tip coming in at over $400, we knew his meal had to be around $125!

The link to Red is below, so be sure to check out the menu. The tater tots, yes you read that correctly, were awesome, and not at all what you think of when you hear tater tots.

http://www.redthesteakhouse.com/southbeach.html


Oh, they gave us cookies, and guess what I found on the cookie plate???

Shake Your Body Baby, Do the Conga

It was my lucky trip!

Most of my friends know I love Gloria Estefan. And my Disney friends know that I love eating at Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney in Orlando.

So when I found out that our hotel was close to the Bongos Cuban Cafe in Miami as well as Larios On The Beach, another one of Gloria's restaurants (yes, we're on a first-name basis), I was thrilled and pretty much told the Management team that we would be eating at one of the restaurants.

Since we've been putting in some long days, I opted for going to Larios On The Beach, since it was less than a mile from the Loews. Thinking we should walk instead of taking a cab, I schlepped the group down Ocean Drive past many an outdoor dining establishment. We even walked pasted a rather well-endowed mannequin. Since kids may be stopping by this site, you'll have to email me to request seeing those pictures!

Like having a bunch of kids saying, "Are we there yet?", we finally made it to our destination, with me arriving in one piece. I told the group that they were in for a treat, and they sure were pleasantly surprised.

The best part of the meal, besides everything from the Mojitos to the dessert, was when Dalyce ordered Cuban bread with Chimichurri sauces. Our waiter gave us the recipe, which I found online and have below, if you want to try it at home.

And the super nice lady at the counter gave me a magnet, along with the three glasses we were able to take home as part of our Mojito purchase, to help me commemorate this trip.

Oh, the picture of menu was a memento, too! (Even though our CEO said it looked like a toilet seat!)

Check out the South Beach location and menu!

http://www.bongoscubancafe.com/www/

Chimichurri Recipe

Ingredients
1 cup firmly packed fresh flat-leaf parsley, trimmed of thick stems
3-4 garlic cloves
2 Tbsps fresh oregano leaves (can sub 2 teaspoons dried oregano)
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp red or white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp sugar

1 Finely chop the parsley, fresh oregano, and garlic (or process in a food processor several pulses). Place in a small bowl.

2 Stir in the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Adjust seasonings.

Serve immediately or refrigerate. If chilled, return to room temperature before serving. Can keep for a day or two.

Serves 4.

Is That a Leprechaun?

Well, we made it to Miami!

The booth set up went well, with no major dramas or challenges to the super egos. Long hours at this show, so recaps probably won't happen until after the show.

But here's an image to help you visual what the Marketing Dude had in mind as some fun giveaways for St. Pat's. (Don't laugh. People did want the necklace...and they didn't have to do any "New Orleans" type of deal to get them!)

PS: My friend, Paul, says I look like I belong in the Haunted Mansion. I can't argue with that!

Ah-Choo!

Getting a cold never comes at an opportune time. I got one a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn't too bad. Then on Wednesday night, it came back with a vengeance. All before I leave for a business trip to Miami tomorrow.

So I'm taking all kinds of drugs to try and shake this thing before I head out tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed all the OTC medicine works!