Up, Up, and Away

Last minute notice, this past Sunday through Wednesday, I went to Miami, FL for the first time for training at my new job. They provided me with a free car, round trip flight and hotel room. When all this was offered to me, I couldn't help but think, "Mama! We've ARRIVED!"

So what was my main objective in Miami? To find some good ceviché. Lol. 

My hotel was the Courtyard Marriot in Miami Lakes. I loved the area. The hotel was ok too.

Since I arrived at about 5pm to my hotel, I had food on my mind. The quest for ceviché began. I attempted to find a restaurant I had read good reviews about on Yelp, but I couldn't find it. So ended up back by my hotel at Cancun Grill. Their ceviche was terrible and served with crackers which I'm not accustom to. The shrimp quesadillas were a little bland yet my peach margarita was bomb. It's always the alcohol which never ceases to amaze me. 

My whip for my stay. This little Prius was great on gas but deathly slow. Lol. 

Everyone know I'm a foodie. My second night in Miami I decided to have dinner at the Aventura Mall at Grand Lux. I've been here only once previously in Chicago. On this night the ambiance was great. The bar area was relatively empty. I had a white sangria, shrimp ceviché that was mediocre and a chicken salad. The chicken salad was blah. Great night with lots of leftovers. 

What's Miami without shopping? I wouldn't know because I definitely got some shopping in. I went to Aventura Mall which reminds me of a mini Galleria mall. I also went to Sawgrass Mills. This place was heaven! It's an outlet mall that includes everything from Versace, Gucci, Burberry, Prada and Saks Fifth Avenue to Burlington, Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I fell in love. I didn't get to walk the full mall but is say I covered about 80%. I definitely bought some things that made me happy that I went. Although I treat myself in small ways sometimes it's nice to treat myself in a bigger way. I'll be back just for this place...

It rained literally every day just about all day while I was in Miami. It would have been nice to have had a beautiful day of sunshine. Maybe next time. 

The best ceviché I had was at the airport at the Bacardi Mojito Bar. This Peach red mojito and shrimp ceviché were bomb. I also had a shrimp Caesar wrap. The meal was light and healthy. I wish I could have took this place back to New Orleans with me.

There was one other place that I had dinner with a friend at called Perricone's Marketplace and Café. It was this quaint Italian restaurant located downtown. The food was amazing. We started with bruschetta and mozzarella caprese Napoleon. I had a lychée martini, fettuccine with sliced filet mignon and homemade apple cobbler ala mode. I fell in love with this restaurant. Everything was excellent. My only quarrel is that I wish that the apple cobbler would have been a little more flavorful. 

My final thoughts of Miami...well, I only got to explore the north and near Ft Lauderdale. I'd like to go back strictly for pleasure so that I can explore more. I will definitely be back soon if The Lord says the same.