First Watch Daytime Cafe

When I dine out, my favorite time to go is in the late morning. I don't know what it is, but I just love going to brunch with my friends and family -- having that fresh cup of coffee and pancakes, or maybe a nice omelet and fruit parfait.

However, I also belong to three gyms, so a dilemma ensues. Most breakfast/lunch joints bog down their food with greasy greasiness... eww. So where can you get a delicious start to your day without increasing your waistline?

About a year ago I discovered FirstWatch Daytime Cafe... and now the employees greet me by name.

Be warned: their pancakes are HUGE.

First Watch is a place I can get that oh-so delicious chocolate pancake, or healthy alternatives. The turkey and avocado eggs benedict and the fruit and yogurt crepes are wonderful. Or, I can go for an early lunch and enjoy half a sandwich and soup, or a turkey burger. Mmm. :)

Plus, their specials are always different. Keep an eye out for things like pumpkin french toast and market hash.

 Prices? Breakfast for two with coffee will run about $20.  Not. Too. Shabby.

There are two locations in SoFla -- one in Sunrise, across from the Sawgrass mall, and the other by the Boca Town Center Mall. Locations, however, are nationwide. Check their website!

Go there. Even if you aren't a huge health nut, they have indulgences. Their pancakes are HUGE, and you will never have to ask for MORE chocolate chips... or granola... or pecans! I personally love the blueberry pancakes with mixed berry compote and the banana crunch pancakes. Plus, the Trifecta -- waffles, eggs and bacon -- you can never go wrong with.

Tasty food that helps you stay fit. You can't knock that.

Grub on,

-Chels

Andiamo's: Innovation Is Key

At first glance, you may drive down Biscayne in MiMo and ask yourself why people are eating in front of a tire showroom.

You wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza is a reformed, ‘50s style garaged-turned restaurant. It’s also one of the most cutting edge places in Miami to grab a pie. With pizzas like the Tuscan Tuna, Portobello, Genovese and the Godfather, you can enjoy authentic, Italian flavors with top of the line ingredients.

If goat cheese, truffle oil and pancetta are too fancy for your pallet, their crispy, thin crust and thick tomato sauce will win you over – as will their friendly waiting staff. Enjoy it all with breadsticks, a Panini, salad, or a glass of Andiamo’s house wine.  The picnic style view isn’t so bad either.

This joint is located in Miami’s 55^th street station, and here, there are no slices. Pizzas can only be ordered in 10, 13, and 16-inch pies. The wait is a tad long, but the food is fresh.

Order in, order out – or get your meal delivered. Either way, take a look at their menu. At least one item on their vast list of classic and innovative flavors is bound to strike your fancy. I wonder how far they’ll commute….

Regardless, I know how far I will. This place is 40 minutes from my abode -- and I still go... often. It really is that good.

Grub on,

-Chels

Food Network App

Isn't there an app for everything these days?

A co-worker was nice enough to tell me about the Food Network App -- of course I had to check it out.


For $1.99 you get "instant access to your favorite Food Network recipes and shows. In the Kitchen delivers all-star dishes and menus, plus thousands of kitchen-tested and fan-rated recipes for everyday dinners, in-season cooking, and holiday celebrations, as well as powerful shopping tools," right from your cell phone.


The recipes are broken down into categories, which you can then search through or further break down by Chef. Each recipe comes with the ingredients needed and step by step instructions, and a timer! You can even add your fave dishes to your recipe box.


I myself looked in the "pumpkin" category and found a cupcake recipe I would like to try for a Halloween party tomorrow night.


Of course, I am totally going to blog about it. Check it out: Sugar Inspired!

-Chels

Review: Grampa's Bakery & Restaurant

One thing you will quickly realize about me is that I am an avid viewer of the food network. Appropriate, right?

One of my favorite shows is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives -- I always trust Guy Fieri's judgment. There is nothing like delicious food at a low cost. I saw an episode about a diner, and according to Google Maps, it happened to be 24 minutes from my house; I went two days later.

Grampa's Bakery & Restaurant is located at 17 Southwest 1st Street, Dania Beach, FL 33004 -- and their food is AWESOME.

Let me just start off by saying that it's a total dive... but I love that.  The staff is so friendly it's ridiculous, and the food comes out quickly, fresh, and even better -- homemade. Everything is from scratch.

Their menu is vast. Choose an option from their breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert section.

Bring people with you and share multiple dishes. That's what I did! I enjoyed the lamb shank, spaghetti with sausage and peppers and a short stack. This was all ordered before we realized they gave you complementary kaiser rolls and strawberry cream cheese pastries... so good.

The lamb shank was so tender it was falling off the bone, the sauce on the spaghetti was well-spiced, and the fluffiness of the pancakes was highly enjoyable.

How much did all of this cost, you ask? Not too shabby.

Before you leave, take a look at their appetizing and large selection of baked goodies. They'll even make your wedding cake. Aww....

Some pastries are a bit over-priced, but others are relatively cheap. I tried a few of them and they were all yummy. You can buy them, before you pay up front. That's how they get you!
  

Give them a call at (954) 923-2163, if you want. I'd just show up, though. That's what most people do....

Would I go back? That's not even a question. The appropriate one is "When?"

Keep Grubbin',

-Chels

The First Post: Editor's Note

I'm in the media business. I work in media; I went to school for media. That's that.

My passion? Food.

To spark the minds of your readers, you have to write about what you know -- about what you love. Food is that for me.

Food is comforting. It can entice, spark romance, make a home feel homey... food is something that brings people together, a love that most have in common.


So, I decided to create two blogs: Sugar Inspired and Taste Inspired. Since the culinary world seems to be broken up into Chefs and Pastry Chefs, I figured... why not?


On these blogs you'll find my recipes, others I've tried and love, and restaurant reviews, particularly from south Florida.



I really hope you enjoy reading this blog -- and if you find at least one recipe or restaurant to try and fall in love with, my mission has been accomplished.


Grub on, my friends



-Chels