christopher's kitchen

Immediately before the pandemic hit, I got to travel to Jupiter, Florida for my best friend’s wedding. The weekend was truly memorable for so many reasons- from the beautiful venue to the delicious food to the gorgeous bride- and I’m happy to say the trip ended on a tasty note as well! On our way back to the airport, a group of us stopped by Christopher’s Kitchen in Palm Beach for a healthy, vegan meal. After a night of drinking (and perhaps more than one piece of cake), it felt good to flood my body with so many healthy ingredients. The pad thai and thai wrap were fresh and flavorful- I really loved the almond sauce for a unique take on the more typical peanut. But the sushi really stole the show- avocado, kale, almond ginger paté, cucumber, mango, red pepper, collard green, sprouts, all topped with almond crunchies!? Yum!

Of course we couldn’t pass on dessert, so we got a little sampling of their homemade chocolates and cookies to finish the meal on a sweet note. I love all the vibrant colors in these photos- such a great depiction of all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients you get from eating fresh, plant-based food. Christopher’s Kitchen was the last restaurant I dined at before the pandemic caused us all to stay home. I feel lucky that it was such a tasty, yet healthy experience, and I look forward to returning, hopefully sooner than later!

juniper & ivy

 
 

I haven't spent a ton of time in San Diego (to my dismay), but on a recent trip to the west coast, I got the opportunity to dine with good friends at Juniper & Ivy. Chef Richard Blais, best known for winning Top Chef All-Stars, whips up "refined American food with left coast edge", bringing his super fresh and creative approach to the kitchen. Just reading over the menu, you'll notice inspiration from several different global cuisines, including Asian, Italian, and Moroccan, to name a few. The four of us shared everything, and we were continually impressed with the balance and depth of flavors, dish after dish. The BBQ carrots were cooked perfectly, and I loved the jalapeño chimichurri underneath! While I'm typically not one to order pasta, this corn carbonara (with housemade coriander bucatini pasta!) was one of the best I've ever had. The runny duck egg was such a nice accompaniment. The Moroccan flavor profile of the lamb shank, with its harissa eggplant, black garlic hummus, and date jus, was totally up my alley. Dessert is always a highlight for me, and the two we ordered were so unique and tasty. I loved their take on an "almond joy" candy bar, with a light pavlova shell surrounding coconut sorbet, soft chocolate, and marcona almonds. The blueberry sorbet, served with corn semifreddo, semolina cake, and crunchy lovage meringue, was the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Scroll through the slideshow to see more details about our delicious and satisfying meal. I'm dying to return the next time I'm in San Diego, as there were several other enticing menu items as well! 

qui

 

Ausin, Texas has become quite the foodie paradise. There is a ton of absolutely amazing food to enjoy, and Qui is at the top of many lists. Last time I was in town, my mom and I managed to get a last minute reservation at Top Chef winner Paul Qui's acclaimed restaurant. She ordered the tasting menu and I ordered the vegetarian tasting menu, so that we could taste everything. I loved the influence of various Asian flavors in all the dishes. Everything was impressive, and I cannot wait to return with my husband!