Florida Food Bucket List

A while back someone linked a Florida bucket list from a website called onlyinyourstate.com . I started checking out the site and as the name might point out, it has a lot of articles of cool things for every state! I saw a couple of food based articles and decided to combine the lists to one that includes places that I would be most likely to go (basically ones in Central Florida from Tampa to Port Canaveral). 

I've already tried two of these!
-4 Rivers-basically amazing!!! The one I go to is in Winter Garden and has my mouth watering as I type. Definitely recommend!

-Pub Sub at Publix- Only actually tried this this week. I tried a chicken fingers sub (I was told this is what I should get) and I wasn't overly impressed by all of the hype. I mean, it is a decent sub for a decent price so I am not opposed to getting one again, but I am not rushing back either.

nom nom nom. 4 Rivers!!!

Two more were on a list from some friends.
-Keke's Breakfast Cafe- My roommates swear by this place. We were going to go once together but the wait was long and Sam had to work that day so we passed. I will get there one day...

-Old Spanish Sugar Mill De Leon Springs- This one's been on an imaginary list since my first PI. If you weren't already aware, Manatees come and winter in the wonderful springs of Florida. Some friends told us about how they went at saw the manatees and got to make delicious pancakes from their table! My roommate and I tried to find our way here, but ended up at a different springs. We may not have gotten to have pancakes, but we did get to see a lot of manatees! Next winter for sure.

A couple more I recognized the name of.

-Yellow Dog Eats in Gotha- Some people at work have mentioned this place before. I can't remember any specifics, but when I came across the name I made a mental note
-Frenchy's in Clearwater-When I saw this name I remembered passing it when I went to Clearwater with Nick 2 years ago. We almost went here but went for a delicious pizza place instead. Supposedly the Group Sandwich is the thing to get here!

-Columbia Restaurant (Ybor, Clearwater, Orlando)- This one I recognize from my trip with my family to St. Augustine 2 weeks ago. We almost went to a Columbia Restaurant there (and we actually parked at it!) but went for a more local, hole-in-the-wall, authentic Cuban (and also cheaper) restaurant down the street. I'm glad we tried that one there since Columbia has a few in my neck of the woods

And then there were some that I hadn't ever heard of (which really means nothing since there is still so much in Florida I have yet to explore). Maybe I'll try and visit a handful of these in the future!
-The Beach Shanty Cafe in Clearwater
-Three Coins Diner in Tampa
-Aguila Sandwich shop in Tampa
-Wright's Gourment House in Tampa
-Brocato's in Tampa
-Pinky's Tampa
-Mediterranean Deli in Orlando
-Teak Neighborhood Grill in Orlando

Hopefully I can make it to a some of these places in the future, but I bet I'll come across a ton of other places to eat as well

2015 Eat to the Beat Concerts

One of the cool things about Food and Wine are the free concerts apart of the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. The following is the list of this year's acts and I have underlined/italicized the ones that I am interested in potentially going to.

• David Cook – September 25-27, 2015
• Wilson Phillips – September 28-29, 2015
• Christopher Cross – September 30-October 1, 2015
• Starship – October 2-4, 2015
• Smash Mouth – October 5-7, 2015
• The Pointer Sisters – October 8-9, 2015
• 38 Special – October 10-11, 2015
• Rick Springfield – October 12-13, 2015
• Sugar Ray – October 14-16, 2015
• The S.O.S. Band – October 17-18, 2015
• Air Supply – October 19-21, 2015
• Fuel – October 22-23, 2015
• Tiffany (NEW!) – October 24-25, 2015
• Dennis DeYoung – October 26-28, 2015
• Jo Dee Messina – October 29-30, 2015
• Everclear (NEW!) – October 31-November 1, 2015
• Boyz II Men – November 2-4, 2015
• Sister Hazel – November 5-6, 2015
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 7-9, 2015
• Hanson – November 10-12, 2015
• Maxi Priest (NEW!) – November 13-14, 2015
• Chaka Khan (NEW!) – November 15-16, 2015

Kefta Pocket Recipe

The Kefta Pocket from Morroco was one of the last things I tried last year at EPCOT's Food and Wine Festival, but was without a doubt one of my top 2 (tied with the corn cheesecake from Mexico). As I was looking at the menu's for this year's festival (see 2015 Food and Wine Preview Post) I found a recipe for the Kefta Pockets. They were AH-MAZING. So I will have to try this recipe sometime. Honestly, I will probably just buy hummus because I am a little lazy, but the rest is probably worth the try!

If you want to try it to, here is a link: Kefta Pocket Recipe

Food and Wine 2015

So I was thinking about my return to Disney and realized shortly after my return the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival would be starting up again. It was a ton of fun eating and drinking around the world and I can't wait to do it again in just over a month!

Disney has already published what is going to be served at each kiosk, so I decided to take a sneak peak at what some of my paychecks would be going towards.

Africa

• Buttered Chicken with Micro Cilantro and Naan Bread
  • This is new this year, but I've had the buttered chicken at Sanaa and it is delicious, so I figure this has to be good, too!

Belgium

• Belgium waffle with warm chocolate ganache and whipped cream
• Belgium waffle with berry compote and whipped cream
  • Let's be real. Waffles are delicious. Add some yummy toppings and you've got me sold! I had the waffle with berry last year, so maybe I'll do the chocolate one this year

Brazil

• –Escondidinho de carne, “Little Hidden One”: layered meat pie with mashed yucca
  • Not 100% I'll get this, but the reviews are good and the pictures look promising!
• –Pão de queijo: Brazilian cheese bread
  • Tried some of my friend's last year. It is cheese and bread. Enough said.

Canada

• Canadian cheddar cheese soup
  • Had it last year, and it is SOOOO good.
• Note: will not be getting the “Le Cellier” wild mushroom beef filet mignon with truffle butter sauce this year. Wasn't impressed and felt obliged to eat it since it was one the more expensive things I bought.

Cheese Studio

• Cheese fondue with sourdough bread
  • This is a new booth this year that is in Future World. The other cheese pairings don't look like they'll be my cup of tea so I'll pass on those

Chew Lab

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel
  • This is the other new booth in Future World. We made liquid nitrogen ice cream in high school and it was DELICIOUS. So this is a must!

China

• Happy Peach with peach liqueur and dark rum
  • Not a big Asian food person. Maybe will get the chicken potstickers or Gaoli Beef Slide in China if they get really good reviews, but this drink looks pretty good

Craft Beers

• Flight #1: Florida Harvest
  • Brew Hub Keybilly Island Ale, Lakeland, FL
  • Two Henrys Blueberry Vanilla American Wheat Ale, Plant City, FL
  • Orlando Brewing Grateful Pumpkin, Orlando, FL
  • Swamp Head Wild Night® Honey Cream Ale, Gainsville, FL
    • Not a big alcohol person so I would rather spend the money on food in general, but this flight looks like it could be worth a try!

Desserts and Champagne

• Frozen S’mores featuring Monin® Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
  • Who doesn't love S'mores?!?!

Farm Fresh

• Loaded mac n’ cheese with Nueske’s® pepper bacon, cheddar cheese, peppers and green onions
• Hard cider flight:
  • Woodchuck Raspberry Hard Cider
  • Wyder’s® Dry Pear Hard Cider
  • Two Henrys Elderberry Hard Cider
  • ACE Hard Pumpkin Cider
  • I LOVE cider, so this is one drink option I will get! I am super sad about the Pepper Bacon Hash not being on the menu this year, but I guess Mac and Cheese will have to do :)

France

• Ice Pop Pomme: Apple juice, vodka, and St. Germain liqueur
  • This is basically what we all called an "adult push pop" at food and wine this year
  • Also, the crème brûlée was GROSS last year. My friend and I both throught it was disgusting. I finished mine, but she just threw hers out.

Germany

• Schinkennudeln: Pasta gratin with ham and cheese*
• Roast bratwurst in a pretzel roll
• Apple strudel with vanilla sauce
  • I don't HAVE to have anything from this booth, but it all looks good, too. I had the bratwurst last year and it was pretty good.

Hawai'i

• Kālua Pork Slider with sweet and sour Pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise
  • This was one of my favorites last year. I even got it 2 or 3 times.

Hops and Barley

• Florida grass fed beef slider with pimento cheese
• Fresh baked carrot cake with Craisins® and cream cheese icing
  • I got both of these last year. The Carrot cake was one of my favorite desserts for sure! (but I'm also a sucker for cream cheese frosting!)

Intermissions Cafe

• Caposaldo Peach Moscato Sweet Sparkling Wine
  • I like Peach flavored things and make it sparkling will be even better
  • maybe will get the Southwest Chicken Wrap

Ireland

• Warm Chocolate Pudding with Kerrygold irish Cream Liquor Custard
  • I never ended up getting this last year, so I'll have to try it this year

Italy

• Cannoli al cioccolato: Chocolate-covered cannoli filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate and candied fruit
  • Not even sure I'll end up getting it. It was good last year, but might not be good enough to justify the money again

Mexico

• Chilaquiles de pollo: Corn chips layered with seasoned chicken, queso fresco, sour cream and cilantro
  • This is new this year and sounds promising, so I will have to see what it will look like when I get there
• Pastel de elote con queso: sweet corn cheesecake
  • This was perhaps my absolute FAVORITE thing last year. I WILL get this and WILL get it multiple times too

Morocco

• Kefta pocket: Ground seasoned beef in a pita pocket
  • The Mexico cheesecake and this were my top 2 items BY FAR. I was seriously crossing my fingers that they would bring it back this year
• Mimosa Royale
  • I've never had a mimosa and this might be the time to try one!

Scottland

• The Tipsy Laird: Whiskey-soaked cake with lemon cream and toasted oats

You might note that there are some booths missing. Nothing at these booths look good enough for me to spend the money on since Food and Wine adds up quickly. Notes on the locations that I am passing on.

• Australia, Dominican Republic, Fife and Drum, France, Greece, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Sustainable Chew, Wine Studio
  • not a big seafood, lamb, asian food, etc. fan so passing on these booths
• China (see notes above under China)
• Patagonia 
  • Beef empanada last year was alright, but not sure I'll get it again
• Poland 
  • pierogi's are good and all, but the portions are small and if I remember right, they were expensive so I would rather buy some more of my favorites
• Joeffry's locations
  •  these are specialty alcoholic drinks. some look good, but are expensive so will probably pass
• Refreshment Port
  • has an "enhanced" menu, but the only thing that looks good is the Croissant Doughnut which is served all the time so will just get it another time of year
• Refreshment Cool Post
  • food option doesn't look great, and not sure if I will spend the money on the drinks

I am super excited to get my passport book and start my journey to eat and drink around the world!

Last Days Living in Livonia

Friday 6th
So on Friday I woke up a lot later than I planned and chilled for a chunk of the day. I had to finish a few things up for my work for the Hope College Chemistry department, so I worked a few hours on that. I also got my information for housing check-in on Wednesday. Instead of checking in at The Commons, where Spring 2014 people did, we will be checking in at Vista Way. It will be an interesting, long day, since I will have to head right to Casting, then hopefully have a bit of time before the Animal Programs meeting, and then finally move into housing. Friday evening, my family went to a graduation party for one of my sister's friends. It was fun. They had pretty good food catered and even had a bartender. I ended up getting a margarita and tried a sip of my mom's Long Island Ice Tea (wasn't a big fan...) 

Then my best friends Mary and Ashley joined me at this restaurant at a local golf course called the Tin Cup for a last goodbye. My mom had been there a week or two ago and recommended it to us. Since I had just eaten at the grad party and Mary was coming from a dinner with her aunt who was in town, Ashley got a burger (which looked pretty good) and I ordered a side of sweet potato fries, which were good and had honey on them, which I never thought to try. The big highlight of the evening was out drink order. We split an 100oz Power Tower. Only Ashley and I were there when we ordered it and got some funny looks from the other people in the restaurant. 

The Power Tower

We had a great time hanging out, and they even bought me some Michigan themed gifts! We even tentatively planned them coming down the week after Ashley graduates in December! After finishing, we decided to call my parents to pick us up so they came and got us and drove my car home. Mary and Ashley left theirs overnight since we asked and they said they lock a gate. They decided to sleep over, so we played our favorite game, 1313 Deadend Drive, and slept on the couches in the basement (well Mary decided to sleep on a bunch of body pillows instead...)

1313 Deadend Drive...Our favorite game!

Saturday 7th
We woke up really early (6:30!) and talked for a few hours before I drove Mary and Ashley back to the golf course to pick up their cars. We hugged goodbye and drove separate ways. It was hard, but we are used to not seeing each other for months at a time, so I know that we will keep in touch and see each other sooner than we know!

I then spent part of the day doing errands with my mom. At night my family hopped to 3 different parties. The first one had the best food. It was catered and probably the best grad party food I have ever had. The second party we didn't spend a ton of time at and didn't eat much. The third we spent a ton of time at. They had catered greek food and stuff. It was pretty good. The best part was the deserts. I joked with the mom that she needs to send me care packages of her deserts (they are soooo good!). I only half jokingly said I wanted to come pick up some extras the next day (I really wanted those deserts!) Megan stayed longer, but my parents and I were tired and getting attacked by mosquitos, so we decided to head home.  I went through my clothes with my mom making sure I didn't forget anything important and then crashed since I was exhausted.

Sunday 8th
My dad rotated my tires and made sure I knew how to change a flat. My mom and sister had to do a bunch of errands for her grad party next week. We went to yet another grad party (I am seriously going to miss getting all this free delicious food in Florida!) and finished going through my stuff. My dad and I even stopped by the storage unit and found my Tigger! I will be taking pictures of Tigger on my drive down. I went by my Grandma's house and picked up some cookies she made for me and said goodbye. It was really hard. I tried to hold back tears and put on my sunglasses before she could see. I just am worried that something will happen to her and it could be the last time that I see her. I didn't have time to stop by my other Grandma's assisted living. I feel bad, but she barely knows who I am anymore and wouldn't understand what was going on. I said goodbye to her on Thursday at my sister's birthday dinner, but I hope that nothing happens to her either since it will be probably harder to talk to her on the phone and everything. She has Alzheimer, but is otherwise really healthy, so I hope that I won't have to have more regrets about not being able to say a final goodbye to her. Lastly, I ended the night watching the Tigers game and making a no-sew blanket. My mom and sister gave me some material, but I ended up being the one to spend my last few hours making it! lol.

Well the car is all packed up and ready to go, so I should get a few hours of shut eye until I leave bright and early tomorrow morning!

Tigger has been rescued from the storage unit

The pictures weren't uploading right, so I put reminders in to put them up when I get a chance. I promise to finish my PI application posts soon! I had written a bunch up in advance since I knew how crazy these last few days would be, but I got to one that I needed to type up and haven't gotten a chance to. Well, almost set to begin my exciting journey to Florida bright and early tomorrow!