A short culinary tour of South Florida

My family is the kind that talks about what we are going to have for dinner while eating lunch. So every trip home, every family vacation, every visit is centered on food. My trip home to South Florida for Thanksgiving was no exception.

Thanksgiving, of course was the first order of business. Because of complicated family traditions we have: fried turkey, roast turkey, and baked ham and at least 5 sides (baked mashed potatoes, string bean casserole, tater tots, stuffing, spoonbread pudding). No matter how many people are coming to visit. My dad is in charge of the fried turkey:

I was in charge of getting to know the newest member of our family, Molly:

The next day my sister and I went south, to Miami Beach. For one glorious year I lived at 8th and Euclid in Miami Beach, in the loveliest apartment ever. Miami is one of my favorite cities. 

Jane and I went to Lincoln Road and lunched at Doraku- amazing sushi and $3 happy hour beers!

Saturday we did some more exploring- Delray Beach, which feels like Kennebunkport in South Florida- complete with a J. McLaughlin shop. We lunched outdoors at Linda Bean's Maine Lobster, which is owned by a member of the L.L. Bean family. Further completing the Maine-in-Florida feeling, there's a Colony Hotel in Delray Beach- sister to the Colony in Kennebunkport, Maine. We loved Delray Beach. 

Lobster Roll + lemonade

Downtown Delray

On the way home, we visited ABC Carpet & Home to get inspired for both our ongoing house decorating projects. Since it was the end of the day, a very nice design consultant taught us all about very, very expensive rugs- I'm now coveting a Madeline Weinrib  chenille metallic.  

My sisters birthday was the day before Thanksgiving , and the jewel in the crown of the weekend was a trip to Southport Raw Bar for a slightly belated celebration with friends. Along with several pitchers of cheap beer we ordered:  clam chowder, onion rings, crab legs, oysters, buffalo chicken wings, and fish dip. And key lime pie for dessert. We are big eaters. 

Isn't it the truth

For Sunday dinner, like all good Jews, we had Chinese food. It was a wonderful weekend.