#Raleigh Summer Staycation Ideas | Where to STAY,EAT,PLAY #NorthHills @achotelsraleigh @level7roofbar

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Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary stay at the AC Hotels Marriott Raleigh and hosted by Level 7 to provide my perspective and share my thoughts. All opinions expressed in my review are honest and my own.

A recent study came out from wallet.hub that listed 2017’s Best & Worst Cities for Staycation and I was surprised that Raleigh did not make the Top 10 list! I’d like to change that by providing a Where to stay -eat-play Staycation guide for some of my fave areas in the Triangle. First area I’d like to share is Raleigh’s Midtown area-North Hills and it’s newest hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott.

STAY 

We checked into the brand new AC Hotel by Marriott, located in the trendy North Hills area of Raleigh. This select brand of hotel
in the Marriott family is unlike any of their others. Stylish and functional is how I would describe this place. The design is open showcasing simplicity at its best. Their website describes it as ” It’s an experience that has been designed to give you the essentials”.

Some hotel highlights:

  • Nice minimalist rooms with a sofa bed (suitable for our 5yr old) and great rain showerheads. We requested an accessible room as those have a bathtub. 
  • Beautifully functional gym area with an actual professional grade spinning/cycling bike
  • Artsy public spaces. European sleek feel abounds everywhere.

Great place for business travelers and couples alike. Although we were there with our little one, this brand is not specifically marketed to families like some of their other properties. However, our daughter and her cabbage patch kid enjoyed their stay! 

AC Hotels Raleigh North Hills 

101 Park at North Hills St             Raleigh, NC 27609

EAT….and Drink!


Inside the AC Hotels Raleigh North Hills, lies Level7, the new hotspot rooftop bar accessible to hotel guests, visitors and locals. Guests take an elevator ride to the 7th Floor which leads to both an indoor space (AC Lounge) and outdoor rooftop bar (Level 7).  

The beautiful AC Lounge indoor space resembles a gorgeous living room/bar , while Level 7 allows you to step out onto the open air patio, with oversized bone white lamps, comfy loungers and sofas.  

We got to sample the Level 7 experience
at dusk this past Saturday and despite the rains earlier that day, there was quite the scene. Some guests were sitting at the inside bar or enjoying the game on the big flat screen tvs outside. We decided to sit outside on the high top stools overlooking views of North Hills. 

They also have some community tables if you decide to come with a small group of friends to enjoy inventive craft cocktails and tapas. The outside also has their own exclusive bar so guests never need to go back inside to keep “hydrated”.

Their carefully curated cocktail menu caught our attention as it has so many interesting choices. Choosing one was a challenge so we decided to have a pair a piece. The management gave us a sneak peek at their brand new updated cocktail list. If you love margaritas, be sure to order the following:Midtown Margarita – Casaamigos Anejo, St Germain, Lemon juice and Blood Orange. It was an amazing twist on a all time classic!

I also tried the Raspberry Lemonade– Vodka, LemonJuice, Fresh raspberries and Peychaud’s and my husband enjoyed his cocktail called…

Lassiter– Basil Hayden, Black Walnut Bitters, Simple Syrup and Lemon Peel
All drinks were awesome and went even better with some of their tapas plates. We had a variety of samples from their eclectic choices. Here are some you must try:

  • Charcuterie platter

  • Roasted wings made with their in house made spice rub
  • Pork belly served with yellow rice                                                                 We took advantage of having a few hours to ourselves while our little one was at a Parent’s Night Out event. This is a perfect date night spot to enjoy cocktails and conversation while relaxing and enjoying small bites with a view.

Level 7 Roof Bar/AC Lounge

102 Park at North Hills St 

Raleigh,NC 27609

More Dining Options Nearby

Zoe’s Kitchen : Casual, Family-Friendly Mediteranean Fare. Open for lunch and dinner. Serves Beer and Wine. Has outside seating. (We dined here for an early dinner with our daughter after check-in. Because of their healthy kid’s menu options, this place is a family favorite. Read my review here)

Bonefish Grill : This restaurant is known for its amazing seafood lunch and dinner  options but do you know they serve Sunday Brunch? That’s where we dined after checking out of the hotel at noon. (See here for past review of Sunday Brunch) Reservations are recommended.

PLAY


If you have ever been to North Hills , then you know there are plenty of spaces to play, shopping….

…restaurants, movies and more! Right next to the hotel is Kings Bowl America, which has bowling, billiards, shuffleboard, darts and more. Food and drinks are available too at this entertainment complex.  Its fun for the whole family! 

One of our fave places to let our little one run around while we sit on a bench nearby is a little grassy area right near Ben and Jerry’s and Starbucks. It’s a popular play spot for families.

This Summer or anytime you need a Staycation, and prefer a place with one stop shopping, dining, lodging and play options, consider planning a stay in North Hills, Raleigh’s Midtown and leave with memories and a smile!

Thank you to the management and staff at AC Hotel Raleigh and Level 7 for your wonderful service. Until next time…

WHERE DO YOU PLAN TO VACATION/STAYCATION THIS SUMMER? Share below and Safe Travels!

SobeSavvy.com celebrates #NationalRoséDay with @chateaudesclans @WhisperingAngel #Rosé #wine 

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For those of us who like to drink pink, today is the day we celebrate Rosé All Day! Every Second Saturday in June, National Rosé Day is observed and I decided to open up a bottle to enjoy a glass or two on our newly revamped small patio. 

 
But not just any bottle of Rosé. Thanks to our friends at Chateau d’Esclans, SobeSavvy.com received a bottle of their Whispering Angel 2016 to enjoy and give our honest review to share with our readers.

WHO is the winemaker? 

  • Chateau d’Esclans is a prestigious estate and winery who’s portfolio includes four premium rosés with an array of depth and flavor. Under the leadership of Sacha Lichine, these wines are respected and enjoyed as the producer of some of the world’s leading rosé wines.

WHERE does the wine come from?

  • Whispering Angel 2016 comes from Cotes de Provence, Provence, France . Named and inspired by an icon of two cherubs who adorn the walls of a 19th century chapel.

WHEN is it best enjoyed? 

  • Anytime! Often as an aperitif. Perfect for the spring,summer. Pairs well with seafood, sushi and cheese. 

WHAT did I enjoy most about this wine?

  • This delicious rosé wine is incredibly refreshing and easy to drink–perfect with all kinds of foods, especially as the weather warms up and you start dining outside more often. Per the tasting notes, “The wine has fresh red berry characteristics with a floral nose and a smooth, round finish”. It’s not too dry like some rosés and is so smooth which makes it the perfect party starter because it can be enjoyed by all! 

HOW much does it retail?

  • The suggested retail price for Whispering Angel, the #1 French Wine Brand in America, is $22

    Now that you know about this particular Rosé wine, I hope that you go out and buy a bottle or 2 to enjoy with friends to celebrate

National Rosé Day.

For more information, please visit www.esclans.com 

Facebook/Twitter/Instagram @thewhisperingangel

Cheers!

Hey #Baltimore ~Enter to Win 2 VIP tix Chesapeake Crab & Beer Festival 6/24 #SobeSavvygiveaway @drinkeatrelax

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Maryland Crab lovers ..are you ready for Baltimore’s Largest Crab Feast?!?  CHESAPEAKE Crab & Beer Festival  Saturday June 24, 2017                          Rash Field-Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
This is the 4TH ANNUAL Maryland Tradition! The Festival is an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE extravaganza complete with over 30,000 crabs, lots of beer, arts & crafts, live music, family fun and so much more! 

SobeSavvy.com is hosting a giveaway for one lucky winner to win (2) VIP tickets to Session Two: 5pm-9pm *Enter Here* Winner will be chosen at random on June 14 at 10 am est.
Here are the details:

LOTS OF SUMMERTIME FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE Over 50 beers and wines and a few spirits. All of your favorite craft beers and some great wines will be served to highlight the summer afternoon on-hand. ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE CRABS. Enjoy all the crabs you can handle during the four hours of the show. Our crabs vary in size from medium to large and will be offered at 6 crabs at a time, per person. BEER MUGS. Beers are served in our mug so you can sit and enjoy the day. OTHER GREAT FOOD. There are Crabs and MORE CRABS and MORE CRABS and even MORE CRABS – but there will be other great food options as well available for purchase. There are no vegetarian options available. Unless outlined – all food is sold ala carte.ALA CARTE CRABS OPTION WILL BE SOLD 6 CRABS (1/2 dozen) AT A TIME PER PERSON FOR $35 (WHILE SUPPLIES LASTS)LIVE MUSIC.  Enjoy fun summer sounds from area bands.THOUSANDS OF TABLES AND CHAIRS AND HUGE TENTS for crackin’ to your heart’s. We’ve even ordered enough crab paper to stretch all the way across the Harbor and back.

ALL SHOW FEATURES are undercover – so Rain or Shine – you should be fine.

ALL CRABS ARE SEASONED

VIP CRAB & BEER TICKET:  This option offers guests an ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE experience. Guests will enjoy a souvenir mug and mallet, unlimited tastes of the beer and wine on-site. This includes ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE Crabs, Corn on the Cob, Cole Slaw and Potato Chips.*  Ticket purchasers are GUARANTEED communal seating under a tent.

KIDS 3 AND UNDER ARE FREE!

*Crabs are offered 6 at a time, per person. Other food items will be served one portion at a time.

See here for photo recap from last year! If you’d like to find out what over 22,000 people have come to enjoy, don’t miss your chance to attend this year. Advance ticket sales close the 6/21/17 Wednesday before the event date at 5pm or when tickets are sold out.

For tickets and more information, go to http://www.mdcrabfest.com

Hope to see you there and Good Luck!

SobeSavvy Tip: If you plan to travel to the event or are local and want to make a staycation out of it, book your stay today at the Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor!

Are you looking for a ride to the event? if you or someone in your crew are new to Lyft, download the APP and unlock your free ride credits by using the referral code: BESAVVY1

Want a Taste of NOLA? Try @BoneFishGrill ‘s New Seasonal Menu now thru June 16 #creolecuisine 

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This past Sunday, I took a trip to NOLA by way of my tastebuds, thanks to Bonefish Grill and their new seasonal specials, available through June 16. I am a seafood lover and I enjoy creole cuisine, so when I heard that the fresh fish experts at Bonefish Grill are spicing up things in the kitchen with their new Creole-Style Redfish, I knew I had to make reservations to dine there!

Redfish itself is a new type of fish on the polished casual favorite’s menu. The mild sweet fish with a medium firm texture was introduced in the 1980s in the New Orleans kitchen of famed chef Paul Prudhomme.

Bonefish Grill’s Creole-Style Redfish is topped with crawfish — a fresh water crustacean similar in taste to lobster and very popular in the South — then accented with a creole-style sauce and served with sweet corn spoonbread.{While I am usually suspicious of any large commercial restaurants claim
that a dish is “Creole/Louisiana style” Bonefish grill hit this one out of the
park! The right blend of hot and spicy made the Creole spirit of this dish
authentic.}

Bonefish Grill is spanning the globe of culinary inspiration for other items on its new seasonal menu, including:

·         Crab Cake Topped Wood-Grilled Atlantic Cobia – for a new twist, Bonefish Grill creates a delicious combination of flavors, pairing a popular starter with an interesting fish offering a rich, sweet flavor that is slightly firm, with a light flake. Served with a jalapeño bacon cream sauce it is finished with jalapeño slices and served with jasmine rice and French green beans. { Being from Baltimore, any fish that is topped by crab meat has to
meet  a high standard in my books. This met that standard. I have had their
crab cakes on prior visits so I know how good they are. The Cobia
underneath complimented the crab meat. I know, I know it should be the other way
around but again being from Baltimore things compliment crab meat and that is
just how it is !! The cream sauce is SO GOOD.}

 

·         Fresh Maryland Soft Shell Crabs –a delicacy only available a few weeks of the year, the Soft Shell Crab is sautéed crispy, stuffed with a Maryland-style crab cake and served with choice of two fresh sides.{This dish is so popular and rare that the Bonefish Grill we visited had ran out of it. The manager was kind enough to call other nearby locations to see if they had more. Now that’s customer service! If this is the dish you want to try, you may want to call ahead to see availability}

·         Cedar Plank Norwegian Salmon –Sourced fresh from Norway, thisAtlantic Salmon family is higher in fat content, Omega 3 fatty acid and has a velvety texture. Roasted on a western red cedar plank from the Pacific Northwest it is topped with a fresh, light citrus, honey-based glaze and served with a vegetable medley of asparagus, spring peas, pearl onions and button mushrooms.

·         Kate’s Wild North Atlantic Haddock – This nostalgic favorite of loyal Bonefish Grill guests features thismildly sweet, wild white fish — cut in-house — garlic crumb dusted, wood-grilled, topped with feta and a lemon basil butter sauce.

SobeSavvy Tip: Make your dinner reservations between 4pm-6pm and enjoy daily Happy Hour specials. I recommend any of their happy hour priced $5 hand-crafted cocktails and especially the “Tropical Tiki Martini”. It’s like a drinkable vacation!

Be sure to go to www.bonefishgrill.com for more information on specials and sign up to become a BFG insider to get updates sent right to your email inbox!

Bonefish Grill

4421 Six Forks Rd ~ Raleigh, NC

*also locations in Cary and Durham*

#FoodieFriday Spotlight on @TijuanaFlats New #FlatOutrageous Menu #TexMex #Yum 

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Last night, SobeSavvy.com, along with other Food Bloggers in the Triangle, was invited to Tijuana Flats’ New ‘Flat Outrageous‘ Menu Tasting Event .
During the exclusive tasting event, guests had the opportunity to try dishes from the new ‘Flat Outrageous‘ menu section, which became available in all Tijuana Flats locations on Monday, May 22. 

Just in time for summer, you can now order any of the following five flavor-packed dishes from the new ‘Flat Outrageous‘ menu:

Street Tacos …for just $7.79

Crispy Baja Fish (crispy fish, chipotle crema, shaved cilantro cabbage & pineapple salsa)

Lime Steak (grilled garlic-lime steak, avocado crema, shaved cilantro cabbage, pico de gallo & cotija cheese)


Jerk Chicken (crispy jerk chicken, MoreFire! hot sauce, shaved cilantro cabbage, pineapple salsa & cotija cheese)

Philly Cheesesteak Flautas (shaved sirloin steak, mozzarella cheese, grilled onions & peppers, served with queso) YES, Dipping them in the queso was my favorite pastime activity last night:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BU0PDPlhS0b/

Bangin’ Chicken® Tostadas (crispy corn tortillas with Smack My Ass Bangin’ Chicken®, refried beans, cheddar-jack cheese, grilled onions & peppers, tomatoes & ranch dressing)

SobeSavvy Tip: Be sure to make a trip to the hot bar. 

There are a variety of choices and amazing flavors! I had to try them all. Georgia Peach was my fave!

…and don’t forget to end your meal on a sweet note and order the cookie dough flautas for dessert! They are soooo good!

With a total of 120 locations nationwide, make sure to try the new menu at a Tijuana Flats near you! For more info go to Tijuanaflats.com 
Facebook/Instagram/Twitter @TijuanaFlats  #FlatOutrageous

TIJUANA FLATS

                                                                 12102 Bradford Green Square

 Cary, NC 27513

#HomeDecor|Tips on How to Give Your Small Patio a Big Makeover on a Budget

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Hello June! Now that Memorial Day has passed, the official start of summer is upon us. Time to get your home ready for entertaining, visiting family members, and hosting cookouts/backyard barbeques. This year, instead of traveling for Memorial Day, we used the long weekend to revamp, refresh our small patio just in time for the summer. This is what we were working with “Before”

Now this is what we did to give ourselves a little outdoor oasis. “After”

Here are some tips on giving your small patio a makeover on a budget! 

  • Shop at your local thrift store       

These outdoor throw pillows were a thrift store find. I  love thrifting and really enjoy the hunt for treasure. I got two of the green tiger stripe and the neutral one which fit perfect on my patio set for $3! 

  • Check out the Dollar Tree for accessories

Because I plan to sit on my patio both day and night, candles and lighting will help with ambience. I got little citronella candles to help keep those pesky bugs away, drinkware for those summer cocktails I plan to enjoy, some artificial plants and these mini LED lanterns are Dollar Tree finds that reminded me of something you might see in stores like Pier One or World Market. 

  • Sign up for deals at World Market, save 15 percent off your purchase

Affordable outdoor and patio furniture is just one of the things I shop for at World Market . If you saw my last post about tips for hosting a wine tasting at home, then you know I also go there for food, drink and entertaining items. I had watched their Belize 4 piece Outdoor Occasional Furniture set go on sale and combined it with a coupon to get a great deal! My husband and I enjoyed lighting up some tiki torches and relaxing on our new ,comfortable patio set. It’s made out of acacia wood with a gray oil finish and includes 2 chairs, a bench, antique white cushions and a coffee table.

I now have a place to sit outside during the day while working from home! You may have caught me on IG @SobeSavvy instastories sippin like…

  • Remix and Reuse some things you already have. Remember, it’s all in the details!

Mixing old with new items is always a great way to save. I took an old 3 tier adjustable wire shelving-turquoise- from Target’s Room Essentials line and turned it into my outdoor beverage cart. I bought new pillowcases (from dollar store) to cover old pillows. Our new plant from BJ’s  was placed in an old wicker basket picked up from the thrift store. Another bargain store to check out for small accessories and details is 5 below. I got some side tables to place my faux plants from the dollar tree on…

..and these faux succulants from 5 below!

The one last thing I add is LOVE. As with any home project, it’s very important to love it because you have to live in the space.  From a shoppers perspective, I also love that here in Raleigh, NC I have access to great bargain shopping , thrift and discount stores.

We are super excited to have our small patio ready for bbqs, inflatable kiddie pool party fun with my little one and backyard entertaining. Our outdoor oasis was spruced up with an outdoor rug, outdoor funiture, pillows, plants, candles and love. We are now ready to live the patio life this summer! 

 

Do you plan to update your home decor for the summer season? Which home spaces do you plan to redesign..share below! 

 

Wine Tasting |Tips for Hosting & Celebrating #NationalWineDay w/ @MercerEstates @Orrmanscheese

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This past Sunday, May 21, we celebrated National Chardonnay Day with friends. And since tomorrow is National Wine Day, I am dedicating today’s #WineWednesday post to sharing with you tips on How to Host a Wine Tasting at Home.

There was 5 of us ladies, with my husband serving as our private Sommelier. We had an amazing experience and learned so much about Mercer Estates Winery, who were kind to send four of their wines for editorial sampling.  I am happy to share some tips for hosting your own wine tasting at home along with my review of Mercer Estates wines. CHEERS! 🍷

https://www.instagram.com/p/BUVa7mUBS6R/
How to Host a Wine Tasting

  • Keep Guest List small <6 people 

      For me, keeping the guest list small allows for a more intimate gathering where we could all have fun sharing each others wine notes. Plus, there was more wine to go around. Each guests got a pen/notepad for tasting notes, a goodie bag with a Chardonnay scented candle (both from Dollar Tree!) and a Guide to Wine which is available for free at our local Total Wine.

      • Decorations 

        I kept it simple and used wine corks (that we collect for fun) as a centerpiece, along with fun finds from the Dollar Tree and Ross. Everyone loved the chalkboard table runner I used which I purchased from World Market. It allowed me to easily label the wine /cheese.

        • Food ..well cheese mostly!

        We recently picked some strawberries at a local farm (check out this video I made of that family fun day), so I had those available along with other berries and grapes. I picked up an assortment of jams from Ross, crackers from World Market, and kept the menu light with hummus, bread, assorted nuts, and shrimp cocktail. 

        Because this was a wine and cheese party, I did not have to do much food prep. I opted to look to Orrman’s Cheese Shop, located in Lafayette Village here in Raleigh,NC and also in Charlotte,NC, where Rachel assisted in selecting some great cheeses to pair with the wines. I picked it up the day before the party and offered the following to guests:

        “Tome Chebris” ~It’s a firm cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk. It has a grassy, tangy, nutty flavor with a sweet finish and hints of olive, hazelnut and fig. This one was everyone’s fave!

        “Sofia”~This goat cheese won 1st Place, American Cheese Society 2014. I enjoyed it with the berries and crackers with preserves.

        “Florys Truckle”~ it’s a hard cheddar cheese with a dry texture and these flavor notes: buttery, caramel, fruity, grassy, nutty
        I loved the rich aroma.

        “Roquefort Gabriel Coulet”~This Roquefort is a creamy, delicious blue cheese made from raw sheep’s milk and aged in special caves in the Roquefort region of France. We put this on some bread and it was great!

        • Wine

        Mercer Estates Winery from the Horse Heaven Hills of Washington state provided SobeSavvy.com with an assortment of wines for tasting. This family owned and operated winery are eco friendly and operate sustainable farming for their vineyards.

        The four types of wine being featured at our tasting were Mercer Estates white wines: Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc and Mercer Canyons red wines: Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon. We pointed out that the red wines are in newly designed bottles and have new, expressive labels but same great wine inside! We also shared that the 2 whites we were sampling are the first white wines to hail from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation and are great spring/summer wines.  

        We had our guests take their own tasting notes after sampling each wine so they could actually take home a sort of scorecard of their own for them to use when they buy their own Mercer Wine for their homes. Eager participants always make a wine tasting even more fun. Before long folks were yelling out their notes as if we were on a game show!

        After tasting each wine, my husband read them the official tasting notes of each to see how close they were with the REAL notes. We served from white to red in the following order:

        Mercer Estates Sauvignon Blanc 2015 – Horse Heaven Hills, $12.99 SRP, 12.5% alcohol, 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is bursting with aromas of grapefruit, lychee, passion fruit and boxwood.  The voluminous aromatics carry through in the mouth with flavors of gooseberry and citrus.  Capturing the fruit at its peak ripeness has resulted in a wine with both bold fruit and racy, mouth-watering acidity.  Clean, crisp, light-bodied and refreshing.   

        Mercer Estates Chardonnay 2015 – Horse Heaven Hills, $12.99 SRP, 13.9% alcohol, 100% Chardonnay.  This elegant Chardonnay opens with notes of fresh pineapples and lemon meringue pie with hints of lemon-lime zest.  Ripe orchard fruits surrounded by notes of sweet vanilla and honey flavors create a lush, juicy mouth feel.  The restrained ML fermentation has produced a wine that has bright acidity with clean fruit on the finish.  

        Mercer Canyons Red Blend 2014 – Horse Heaven Hills, $13.99 SRP, 13.9% alcohol.  Blend:  59% Merlot, 16% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 7% Sangiovese, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Viognier. Individual vineyard lots of Merlot and Syrah were fermented separately and barrel aged in a combination of French and American oak.  The resulting wine is bursting with ripe black cherry and plum with notes of caramel, coffee and smoke.  A balance of plush fruit and powdery tannins in the mid-palate lead into a long lingering finish with notes of bing cherry and spice.
        Mercer Canyons Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 – Horse Heaven Hills, $13.99 SRP, 13.9% alcohol.  Blend:  77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot, 2% Viognier.   This warm vintage gave us ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of ripe black fruit with a hint of cassis.  The voluminous fruit carries through in the mouth.  Barrel aging the wine brings hints of warm baking spices and adds depth and complexity.  Powdery tannins give structure to the wine while maintaining an elegant, balanced mouth feel.  This wine shows great expression of the Horse Heaven Hills terroir.

        We all agreed that Mercer Wines were delightful and delicious as a cocktail and quite enjoyable with food. It is no wonder that Mercer Wines was awarded 2026 Washington Winery of the Year! 

        SobeSavvy Tip: Sign up for their “Carma Club” member program >> They offer case discounts and special access to twice a year releases!
        All 4 wines are available nationwide and if you would like more information, check out their website: http://www.MercerWine.com

        I hope you found some helpful hosting tips for your next wine tasting party at home as well as some new wines and cheeses to try!

        Until next time,  🍷Cheers🍷

        SobeSavvy.com presents ~A Parent’s Survival Guide to #SouthBeach, #Miami #FL|#FamilyTravel

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        Disclaimer: This is a Non-Sponsored post. We moved from South Beach in 2015 after living there for 18 years and thought we’d create this fun guide as ex-locals for families who may be considering travelling to South Beach, Fl but not sure if it is kid-friendly. 

        It’s always fun to get away, especially for Mother’s Day weekend where I can relax , relate and release with my loves. Last year, we hit LA, where we did alot of site-seeing, dining at The Grove and I even attended a Blogger Babes Event for Brit Week. This year, I wanted a slower vacay, someplace where I didn’t have to plan anything and we could just play in the sand. We decided the perfect place to go was our daughter’s birthplace! So we packed our bags and the #HeighPartyof3 were off on another adventure. This time it was RDU ➡MIA!✈

        Miami, particularly South Beach is well known for it’s party scene and that is well warranted. My husband and I called it home for almost 18 years so we know the quiet side fo South Beach also {Yes, there is an actual quiet residential side but only tell your best friends} There is much more to South Beach than bottle service. Families are plentiful and so are family friendly hotels, restaurants and more!

        STAY

        Hubby planned a long Mothers day weekend getaway for us and chose to stay at the Loews Hotel Miami Beach. This large upscale hotel has been newly renovated. The grounds, pool area and guest rooms have undergone a major makeover. We had a great view from our partial ocean view double room.

        An already good hotel/resort is even better. They cater to kids like no other. Check out  this dedicated kids area on the beach!

        The new expanded pool area is very attractive and I even made a new friend as she was floating by !

        My daughter was offered the use of a “house” IPAD during breakfast. Every restaurant including pool or beachside has a kids menu. They even have a kids club where youngsters can day camp with all sorts of organized activities! We spent the days in the pool or beach. Both were stellar. Loews is a excellent choice for families.

        Also at the Loews is the renowned Exhale Spa. Hubby surprised me with an hour long “Fusion Massage”. Peaceful and zen, the spa was a great refuge for me/mommy time on Mother’s Day weekend.

        EAT

        *Breakfast:

        Whether a guest of the hotel or not, The breakfast buffet inside Preston’s at the Loews is an amazing way to start your day.

        You get a myriad of fresh farm to table choices for one price. They also have great kids and a la carte menu choices to be enjoyed indoors or out on their beautiful terrace overlooking the lush pool area. In case you missed it, check out my review of Preston’s >>>here. 🍴

        South Beach also has a Starbucks on every corner {almost} so you will never be far from their standard breakfast choices. For a real authentic Cuban Coffee breakfast experience check out David’s Cafe on Alton and 10th street. Cafe Con Leche and a pastelito is a great way to start the day the Miami way !

        *Lunch:

         Lolo’s Surf Cantina


        After sand, sun and fun on Saturday afternoon we went to Lolo’s Surf Cantina for lunch. REAL Authentic Mexican food {No cans of Velveeta here!}.Tacos and Sangria ruled the day. Located just steps from the sand on Ocean and 1st street it’s is the perfect spot for lunch on a beach day. Check out my full review >>here🍴

        Being a recent former resident of the “residential area” of South beach has it’s advantages. To avoid alot of tourist traps, we revisited a few other of our local favorites which are overlooked {thankfully} by the throngs of visitors.

        Lincoln Road is one of those rare areas where the local and tourist mix is about 50/50. It operates as a sort of main street.Restaurants, art galleries, movie and performing arts theatres are all present on this beautiful almost mile long pedestrian thoroughfare. My daughter has always been head over heels about frolicking on Lincoln Road.

        Stopping by “The Frieze” ice cream shop was one of our favorites {and still is !}

        Epicure Market Hot Bar
        This is an iconic gourmet market on Alton and Lincoln Road that specializes in upscale quality choices. It’s full of local snowbirds and a few tourists in the know. They have an awesome hot bar and a cute little cafe where you can sit and enjoy your lunch. For more info, check out Epicure>>here.

        * Happy Hour

        Semilla


        This unassuming yet stylish bistro has an awesome happy hour Mon thru Sat 5-8pm. Oysters on the Half Shell, Kobe beef sliders and Shrimp Tempura just to name a few. Prosecco and specialty craft cocktail at discount prices. You can sit inside or out on the sidewalk. Low key and local. We love Semilla..and so does #outandaboutAva, who knows how to eat Florida Stone Crabs like a pro. 


        Doraku         (everyday)

        With outposts in Hawaii and Atlanta, Doraku has been in South Beach for 10 yrs now. They offer a superb sushi happy hour every day. Located on the Western end of Lincoln Road by the movies, Doraku has been a mainstay in a fickle town where restaurants come and go pretty quickly. Solid choice for sushi and cocktails while shopping on Lincoln Road. Their Lychee Martini is awesome. Order one.Or two.

        Monty’s 
        One of my favorites after work spots used to Monty’s. Kinda hard to describe this place. It is a very casual {think shorts, tank tops and flip flops}Key West-ish kinda vibe. They are mainly a seafood/raw bar spot but they also have a more structured menu that you can order from a menu with one of the waitstaff. There is usually a carribbean type band performing and there is also a small pool for those who want to cool off. Located on the Miami Beach Marina ,you can pull up in your boat and just walk up the steps to some fun.

        *Dinner

        Grillfish

        One of the oldest restaurants in South Beach has to be Grillfish. My husband/boyfriend at the time and I used to go here almost weekly since we moved to Miami in 1996. It is the rare place that caters to tourist and locals alike with competent service and an inviting atmosphere of no pretense. At it’s core it is a fish house. The way that they grill fish is simple. They let fish, be fish. Open flame, a few oils and spices and serve. Some whole fish, some fillets. All incredibly fresh and presented the way fish should. Great cocktails and great mgmt {shout out to our fav manager Darcy}make the perfect reason why this place has stood the test of time. You can sit at the bar to eat or a table. Just go here.
        Bar Collins at Loews

        Another great choice to stop in whether a guest or not. Huge wall screen showing sports and comfy sofas where you can order elevated bar food like their amazing soft shell crab in Korean Soft Buns. Excellent choice. So late night or early evening this is a good place to “pre game” an evening on the town.

        *Sunday Brunch

        Terazza at Shore Club


        Mothers day in Miami. That means every place with electricity and a stove is advertising for a “Mothers Day Brunch”. Thankfully hubby already knew one of my fav brunch spots (that SobeSavvy.com had a chance to review before..ICYMI see here) and made a reservation at Terraza. Located at The Shore Club Hotel, Terraza offers a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a gourmet all inclusive brunch. For roughly 2 hours, guest enjoy unlimited mimosas, sangria and flutes of prosecco and one incredible brunch food choices. Oysters, shrimp and Crab cakes in a beautiful setting on their expansive terrace.

        Great place to spend the afternoon with my family and some great friends.

        Tip: If you fly into MIA and you plan to stay on South Beach, no car or parking woes necessary. Taxis are flat rate and you also can opt for Uber or Lyft your way to the beach. Once there you can use Swoop or our fave Freebee,

        ..as well as the South Beach Local bus or Trolley your way around. But if you do opt for a car, all the major car rental companies have a outpost in Miami Beach.

        Only rent a car if you plan on traveling to other parts of Miami, otherwise save yourself alot of parking meter grief. South Beach is truly for walking, biking or running!

        Our weekend back “home” came to an end much too quick. My daughter was born here and resided for almost the first 4 yrs of her life. Miami is a special place. We’ll always be back. Until next time..kisses or as we used to say in Miami..Besitos!

        #FoodieFriday Spotlight on @LolosMiami ~’Where to Eat’ Mexican Food in #MiamiBeach #LolosMiami

        1 Comment

        Ever wanted to go to the beach and wander over to an authentic Mexican
        Cantina afterwards ? In Miami ?
        Well guess what ? You never have to just want to again, you can.

        Thanks to Lolo’s Surf Cantina, you can have beach and authentic Mexican cuisine within a few feet from each other. Located on the north side of the Marriott Stanton South Beach in the south of Fifth area, Lola’s Surf Cantina is a welcoming warm spot to have a meal or drink.

        Walking into their doors reminded me so much of my favorite border cantina in Matamoros,Mexico across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Tx. The manager here advised me that their tortillas are made daily and  hand delivered every single morning in a big brown bag by their “tortilla guy”. How is that for freshness..a tortilla guy !!

        We could have chosen to sit on their patio or inside. We took a booth inside. Artwork adorns the walls and compliments the indoor space.

         EATS

        We started with Tostados De Atun {citrus marinated tuna} from the Raw Bar portion of the menu . Sorta like ceviche but with a twist ! Fresh and good. Unlike other proteins, seafood is either fresh or it ain’t and this was fresh. We also were encouraged to try the guacomole, uniquely made with pumpkin seeds with the option to add on protein such as rock shrimp or grasshoppers! 

        I can’t say I was a fan but I did try them and it wasn’t bad. Crunchy, crispy, well seasoned and definitely for the adventurous. 

        Tacos Pescado were up next. The fish tacos were excellent. Light batter and moist. If you are like me and always in search of the perfect fish taco than this is your spot. We were lucky enough to have our South Florida SobeSavvy marketing rep Erika with us. She frequents Mexican spots in Southern California and gave us the taco thumbs up ! 

        They also have shared platters for the
        table called Platos Fuertes.Diners can choose either the snapper, organic chicken or the Carne Asada. We went with the steak. Prime NY Strip with salsas , Avocado and tortillas. It was melt in the mouth good. We ordered medium and it came medium. It disappeared promptly !

        DRINKS

        We had a pitcher of Mango Margaritas to wash it all down, …

        …..along with Sangria. 

        Two good beverage choices that complimented the cuisine. They have dozens of known and not so well known tequillas at the bar. Pull up a stool and let the bartender make you something special!

        Along with the great food and excellent service, I loved their retro authentic Mexican decor. The place literally transforms you back to a Mexico from yesteryear !

        With no room for dessert, we had to bid our new favorite family friendly Cantina Adios. We will be back.

        Want to see more delicious pics? Check out my facebook album here >> https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=710851805754042&id=550186598487231

        Lolo’s Surf Cantina

        161 Ocean Drive

        Miami Beach, Fl 33139

        Rum News|Hemingway Rum Company Distillery & Experience Center Opens 5/20/17 |#PapasKeyWest #PapasPilar

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        Hey Rum Lovers! Now there is another reason to head south to Key West,FL. The Hemingway Rum Company Distillery & Experience Center is opening to the public, beginning at 9:00am on Saturday, May 20, 2017. 

        Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s Spirit of Adventure, the Makers of  Papa’s Pilar® premium sipping rums, offer Rum Enthusiasts a New Adventure Destination. Yesterday invited media got a sneak peek of this new facility and here’s a link to some photos:

        https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vz4o1muw2qxsn3v/AACEJ_ToytoKH-eMcbMSrQ9sa?dl=0 

        Nestled in the heart of Key West at 201 Simonton St. (the corner of Greene St. & Simonton St.), the new Rum Distillery & Experience Center pays homage to the legendary adventurer who once proudly called Key West home. The building once served as an all brick tobacco warehouse built in 1878 by Irish bricklayers. Having completed a three-year renovation, the over 8,000 sq. ft. facility will support Papa’s Pilar rum production, an Experience Center, a Tasting Room, Trading Post, and eventually a rentable event center. Visitors can view a 350-gallon Hamilton Pot Still, with a custom-made reflux column, that can produce up to 80 gallons of rum per day. Guests will also be treated to an interactive “scent display,” which allows them to smell the active ingredients in each expression. Unique attractions throughout the tour pay tribute to “Papa” as Hemingway was known, including a swivel picture wall and replica of his Pilar boat affixed in the ceiling’s center rafters. Following the tour, patrons will be provided a sampling experience of Papa’s Pilar dark and blonde rums in the facility’s Tasting Room, which includes a Hemingway inspired bar top, filled with newspaper clippings, photographs and other memorabilia.

        Carlton “Carl” Grooms, Key West Director of Operations, will manage the production of the award-winning rums, with the help of four full-time managers and 40 part-time employees, whom are all local Key West residents. An adventure-seeker and rum enthusiast himself, Grooms co-founded the International Rum Council and served as co-author of the book, “Rum & Contemporary Cuisine.” Carl serves on the Board of the Navy League, Key West Council, and the Key West Art and Historical Society.

        “We’re excited to have created both a destination that will serve as the physical heart and soul of our brand, as well as an asset for the city of Key West,” said Grooms. “Our guests will be truly engaged and amazed with this unique experience. A trip to Key West will no longer be complete without a visit.”   

        • Tours are available daily from 9am-6pm. 
        • Tours are self-guided and do not require reservations as guests are encouraged to explore like Hemingway himself.

         In addition to the tour attractions, guests can visit the Trading Post to purchase adventure gear, bar accessories and one-of-a-kind Hemingway Rum Company apparel only available in Key West. A designated “locals corner” will allow various Key West merchants to showcase and sell their work.

        “Of all his worldly travels, Ernest Hemingway chose Key West to call home,” said Lindsey Kops Mundy, Papa’s Pilar National Brand Director. “And it’s here that we chose to celebrate him and Papa’s Pilar, the rum inspired by his spirit of adventure.”

        Papa’s Pilar Dark & Blonde rum varieties are hand-selected from ports-of-call in the Caribbean, Central America and Florida for their age, character and maturity, and then blended and solera aged in our proprietary process which includes Bourbon barrels and Spanish Sherry casks for the Blonde expression, and Bourbon, Port Wine and Spanish Sherry casks for the Dark Rum.

        In addition to the new Rum Distillery & Experience Center, Papa’s Pilar rums are available in 750ml bottles in both on- and off-premise establishments in: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Washington, DC. The brand is also registered in Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah and Virginia. The suggested retail price of the Dark and Blonde are $39.99 and $29.99, respectively. Prices may vary by market.

        For more information:

        About Hemingway Rum Company, LLC

        Hemingway Rum Company, LLC is a distilled spirits company based in Florida that’s dedicated to producing super-premium multi-sourced solera blended Caribbean, Central American and Floridian rums. The Company’s inaugural offerings are Papa’s Pilar® Dark and Blonde Rum, incepted and crafted by a seasoned team of best-in-class partners. The Company encourages consumers of legal drinking age to “Live Courageously and Drink Responsibly” and proudly supports local organizations that serve Ernest Hemingway’s adventurous, literary and conservational legacy.

        Papa’s Pilar® is a proud member of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).  

        Hopefully I can get down there sometime soon, but until then I will enjoy a Papa’s Pilar® Rum + Coke cocktail at home and toast to the successful Grand Opening of the New Hemingway Rum Company Distillery & Experience Center!

        Cheers!