Greetings from FLA

Sorry it’s been a while, but had a crazy week and then headed down to Florida for vacation.

We haven’t been down to the land of rubber alligators, coconut patties, and Mickey and Minnie for several years, but the family wanted to do a beach vacation including both coasts of Florida. Last year we did an all inclusive Mexican beach vacation, and while there is something to be said for needing to do absolutely nothing, with a broad range of available activities, and eating and drinking on demand 7 by 24, two years in a row would be too much for me.

So, we’re currently lounging and relaxing on the silky smooth Sarasota sand, and also doing some fun Florida food. Of course, I’ve spent some pre-vacation time researching the possibilities, and we have regular family discussions to agree on what good eating we should pursue.

Last night, we ended up at the Blasé Café and Martini Bar, www.theblasecafe.com, after our first choice Peruvian restaurant was closed on Sunday. (Guess I should have called first to verify the restaurant would be open, as a “New Yorker” I’ve come to expect that restaurants are open on Sunday’s.) I had previously identified the café as a potential, despite the fact that their website needs a major overhaul and spell check on the word dining.

As we approached, the outdoor martini bar and live nuevo flamenco music playing drew us in. Despite the cool and funky décor indoors (including the excellent Vargas girls bathroom art), we decided to enjoy the outdoor heat (well tempered by some great fans), in order to listen to the band. The Key Lime and Ruby Red Martini’s were a terrific start, and we were brought fantastic hot foccaccia rosemary and garlic bread with a balsamic olive oil for dipping, which we quickly gobbled up and then asked for a second helping.

Appetizers included a “Tower” of crab cakes skewered by a long Rosemary twig, in a remoulade sauce. We agreed that these crab cakes were the best we have ever eaten. These were followed by some excellent main courses, the favorites were a delicious shrimp and tilapia served with a spicy chipotle sauce, and a Firecracker Shrimp served over linguine in a zingy red sauce.
Dessert was the topper with a real key lime pie over a graham cracker crust that rivaled my favorite at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami! And, we also bought the Montage cd of the excellent band, Los Rumberos that accompanied our dinner, as a fun reminder of our beach vacation in FLA.