Naples, Florida: Sea Salt

Sea Salt

We rented a car for the day to drive to Naples. Although we usu
ally like to eat at Nemos, we decided to stay in Old Naples for lunch since we were already having such a wonderful time walking around in the sun. We spotted Sea Salt and decided to try it. The inside had a lot of seating (very open and airy), but we decided to sit outside because the patio looked like a lovely place to enjoy the nice weather (especially under the toasty heat lamps).

They brought us some warm bread with three different salts to try with olive oil. One was very sulfuric (tasted like eggs) that Jess and Nan liked but the men didn't care for. Olive oil+warm bread+sea salt=very interesting concept that most restaurants don't serve.

For lunch, Nan, Jess, and Mike ordered delicious Grouper sandwiches that were served with sweet potato fries. I would say the best sweet potato fries you can get anywhere! Bob ordered Swordfish soft tacos which he said were also very tasty. The food was very fresh and plentiful.

We would definitely return to this spot. Eating outside for lunch was perfect way to kill a few hours in Naples.

Key West, FL: Azur

Azur

Azur is a hidden gem located many in a residential neighborhood many blocks away from the touristy areas (Duval St.) in Key West. We found this place by luck (we peaked into a quaint B&B and took a brochure on our way out which mentioned Azur)!

The restaurant is small and only has about 15 tables. There were no open tables when we first arrived so we waited outside on their front patio sipping Rose wine.

Once we were seated outside, we knew immediately what we were going to order since we had a sneak peak of the menu while waiting. The entire menu looked fabulous! Nan and Jess decided to get a BTL Crab Cake (lump sauteed crab cake on ciabatta roll with applewood smoked bacon, beefsteak tomatoes, and salsa verde mayo $14.95). It came with a side of orzo salad and the meal was truly one of the best sandwiches we've ever had. Bob had the "Pigs of Bay" sandwich (fennel roasted pork with shaved red onion, Fontina cheese, and salsa verde $11.50) which came with chips. He said it was outstanding.

Everything on the menu looked superb and we would recommend it to anyone visiting Key West who doesn't like TTs (tourist traps).

(We even loved the natural bath salts they had for us in the bathroom in lieu of hand soap!)

(Dad's pork above)



Nan eating the crab cake BLT

NYC: Bar Stuzzichini

One of NY’s best sandwiches

Our family loves New York and goes there every year. Our favorite things to do are walk around the city, eat, and hang out in the Village.

This year we arrived around noon, dropped off our luggage at the hotel, and decided we just had to try Bar Stuzzichini, which, according to New York magazine, has the second best sandwich (called pane e panelle) in the city. Sure enough, we walked down to 21^st and Broadway (near the Village) and found the restaurant easily. Nan and I ordered the famous sandwich (which consists of bread, lightly fried chickpeas and two cheeses) while Jess and Mike took advantage of the lunch special (two courses plus an aperol spritz, an amazing cocktail). The restaurant was almost empty but the service and food were top notch. And yes, the sandwich is worth all the publicity.