"LE MACARON MIAMI" OPENS!

It's official, Le Macaron, Miami, is opened! 

  I just made my way back to the east coast, this passed Tuesday, and little did I know their store had opened that very next day! I guess they knew I had caught that macaron fever and was ready to open! Thanks to my sister, Sylvia for the great news, I was able to make it out there today! 

   I figured I might as well share the great news sooner, rather than later! When I first heard about this place, I thought it was the brand from Le Boudoir, although the same name-- it's not! So forgive me if I confused you all from the previous post, I've already corrected it! 

Beautiful assortment of their macarons.

   Lets get right down to the nitty gritty!

   They have a great assortment of flavors! The moment I walked in I was intrigued by the, Basil White Chocolate Ganache! Amazing. I saw collaborations of flavors like this in New York. I mean Paris Laduree shops takes risk in their flavors, just like this place! 


   I  got talkin' with Agnes and Quentin Garrigou, a very sweet and personable married couple from France, and they told me how they don't use any extracts! They in corporate all their flavors from crushing and grinding! That is tedious, time consuming, but makes a world of difference in flavor! They even told me about their catering side, and brought a beautiful tier of macarons!

Sightsee next the the Eiffel Tower ;)

MMmm MMmm GOOD!

Gorgeous vibrant color!

    Not only do they have macarons, but delectable chocolates by "Norman Love" (12 flavors) and to top it off, you can get gelato (12 flavors)! I tried pistachio, creamy heavenly goodness! I'm curious to try their pink champagne flavor. 

   



   I'm pretty sure I'm going to be one of their regulars! Be sure to visit them in South Miami, 5811 Sunset Drive.

Congrats and Happy Opening, Le Macaron, Miami !

     -Caro

MACARONS AND A SPOT OF TEA. VOL.2

  "Party in the city where the heat is on. All night on the beach till the break of dawn. 

Welcome to Miami, Bienvendio a Miami", I can't help but listen to, Will Smiths, infamous 
"Welcome to Miami" song as the plane makes its way to, Miami International Airport. I 

promised you all a list of places, around miami, for the best way to satisfy your macaron 

cravings. 

LAND HO!

    Believe it or not, you can already start as soon as you arrive at the airport! I have been to many airports, and let me tell you, I haven't seen so much variety in one airport, like I have at M.I.A. (Miami International Airport). From big franchises, to limited goods from stores only located in Miami, it make's the "airport experience" much more enjoyable!

  If you find yourself near gate, D17, you will see Ocean Drive Market Place. Go there! So many random things, from truffle oil, to sushi, cupcakes, and more. I love a little hodgepodge of items. I was completely sold when I notice the selection of macarons, from Atelier Monnier. They had just about all their flavors! My favorite is their Pistachio, Passion Fruit, and Rose Petal.

JACKPOT!!!

 What a smart way to showcase their confections to newcomers! 

Salted Caramel, Cassis, Rose Petal, Passion Fruit, Pistachio

    Anyway, if you want the whole experience from them, visit their french bakery, Atelier Monnier, on 9563 South Dixie highway in the Dadeland Plaza. Not only will you find artisanal french pastries, but also select wines, gourmet sandwiches, and even ingredients if you want to attempt to make your own confections (more on that later!).

   
     My favorites, other than their macarons, is their chocolate almond croissant, their array of petit fours (they have over twelve kinds!) and their Profiterole's --HEAVEN! The wonderful thing about this company is you can always find a their goods being sold at local fresh markets across Miami, as well as seasonal events (be sure to check them out, along with other Miami venders, at the city's first "PUMPKIN PATCH" festival this weekend at Peacock Park Coconut Grove Sep 29th & 30th )

     On to the next, Le Boudoir, a restaurant/cafe in three areas of, Miami. We have Coral Gables, their first location, followed by Brickell, and recently this passed summer they opened in Downtown. Congrats to them on their success! Though, I'm not surprised! Everything I consume there, I'm never disappointed. I frequent their Coral Gables location, located on the upscale yet welcoming strip known as Miracle Mile (off of Ponce de Leon). 

I was in the area doing a shoot, I laughed so hard.

    
      If it's a very humid day in the city, I usually find myself on the pink leather seating and admiring the beautifully decorated dark wood bar, tables, and pink walls with french accents. It's an adorable place to get your second wind from that crazy day you had! Before I get my sweet tooth going, I like to start off with some savory favorites by them! 

Some of, Le Boudoir's, menu items (savory):

Escargot and cold plate shared with, Amanda.

- Escargot au Beurre d'Ail (Escargot with garlic butter)

- Quiche aux épinards et Brie ( spinach and brie quiche)

- La Moite Moite (half imported cheese/ half cold cuts plate, great to share!)

- Croque-Monsieur (ham and cheese, gruyere, grilled sandwich)

- and if your feeling creative, make your own sandwich (I go nuts with brie, prosciutto, pate,and greens, on a croissant) 

QUE RICO!

Now for sweet....

Their Macaron Display

  When I first had their macarons, I immediately fell in love! Then after having tried, Laduree's parisian cookies, I had something to compare top quality macarons too and realized of all the places in Miami, these were the closest to them! It was as if I was transported to, Laduree. Their consistency with each bite sized shell was perfect, and the flavored fillings perfumed the shells beautifully, making them my favorite macarons to purchase throughout, Miami.

Take a box home to your loved one.

       It gets better, Le Boudoir, has their macarons labeled as Le Macaron brand. This is their own brand, and not only is this brand carried in all three of their store locations, but they even are starting to branch out with just a, Le Macaron, store! There are limited food item's but the best thing to purchase are solely their macarons. 

  They currently have one in the quaint island of, Key Biscayne (Not to be confused with "Le Macaron Miami" a store with similar name and product soon to open this fall in South Miami, next to the Shops at Sunset Place( I can already see myself becoming obsessed with this location, being that I live only five minutes away.). Their salted caramel is AMAZING, their coconut taste like the beach-- in a good way, and their rose petal is revered by many-- or at least by me hahaha...

    ... and if you want to take it one step up,pair with drink of your choice!

   They have many drinks to choose from. I prefer a brut or rose, if you are going for the bar, but if you want coffee or tea, they have that too! Especially, drum role please-- Harney and Sons Tea! This tea is taking off (if you are not sure what I'm talking about, check out "Macarons and A Spot Of Tea VOL.1)! I just found out that in some, Barnes and Noble stores, mainly their cafe section, you can also purchase this brand of tea!!!

    So between, Atelier Monnier, and Le Boudoir/Le Macaron, You can frequent those places and maybe join me in my obsession of macarons! 

   There are many wonderful bakeries, that carry macarons throughout Miami. I just wanted to focus on a few, but if you are interested in more check out the following...

-Sweet Point Bakery and Cafe: 3252 NE 1st Ave,located in Midtown Shopping Center. 

On tuesday's the pastries are 50% off!

Giant buttercream and berry filled macaron!

-Buena Vista Deli: 4590,NE 2nd Ave, Design District 

(in Little Haiti). It's really a hidden gem.

If you blink, you might miss it!

-Le Royal French Bakery: 7370 57th Ave ( they a have a croissant filled with guava and cheese to satisfy the Miami

natives)

-La Provence: What started out on South Beach has turned out to be one of the biggest french bakery/cafe across the the greater part of Miami, pick the location closest to you, visit laprovencemiami.com

If you read french, or know someone that does (Thank you, Mother!) you can also check out the website called,

"The French District", http://frenchdistrict.com/floride (a great way to find the "in", on french anything in many cities!)

   Think I've talked enough about macarons? How about where to have "High Tea"? 

   If you remembered this beautiful picture (above) at the end of my post of, Vol. 1, then wonderful, because now is the time to let out the secret! Located in the heart of South Miami is "Veronica's Dollhouse", 7212 Red road. It really is all in the name! You open the doors and all of the sudden you have walked into a life-sized dollhouse! This gorgeous boutique has anything from dresses, housewares, to sweets for purchase. What set's this charming boutique apart from the rest, is it's tea parties. At last, a place where you can have your childhood memories come back to life! 

A DREAM!

     I was that little girl, who got her first tea set and put on parties for my parents, siblings, and of course my stuffed animals. Now children to ladies of any generation in the family can enjoy sweet and savory delights along with an endless pot of tea! You can theme your tea party with colors of your choosing or films and stories that you have grown to love over the years. No matter what your age, they have a theme for you!

   Veronica and Andy, sisters and owners of the dollhouse, dedicate their time in making sure every detail is pristine and beautifully presented for you. They will go over every detail with you and modify the tea party to fit to your liking, be it a small or large group. These tea parties are great for the little one's, but just as great for us ladies, be it a special occasion i.e.; bridal shower, baby shower, birthday, cooperate event, book club, or just because!

  

Great pricing and great quality for private tea parties! You will truly enjoy this experience!

Please visit their site for more details: 

                  www.veronicasdollhouseboutique.com 

    If you don't have time to plan a tea party and have a few guest to entertain on short nortice, then I recommend the "High Tea" at, The Biltmore Hotel, in Coral Gables. They only offer this event, Monday through Friday, at either 3:00P.M. or 4:30P.M., reservations are highly recommended! 

 You get a three tiered plating tray with sweet and savory treats (including macarons), along with a tea of your choice in your own pot. The best part is, it's inexpensive and you get to enjoy the romantic vintage setting of, The Biltmore Hotel.

       Now, if you have tried one, or all (or maybe none of the places mentioned, who knows?), and now feel inspired to try and bake these amazing confections, I'll recommend you some great books to help you along the way! Some purely for their flavoring ideas, others for their genius methods of making the shell, and a select few just cause-- But that's for next time!

       Until then, visit one of these places, and let me know what your favorite macaron flavor is (or recommend me a place)!

   Pinkies Up,

                -CARO

UNITED WE STAND.

    

   We will never forget where we were. The silence that swept the rooms. The tears that fell down our cheeks... My prayers, to those who lost their lives on that day,  those who lost their loved ones, and to everyone affected. 

      “And how stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure, and happier than it was 8 years ago. But more than that: After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.” — Ronald Reagan

God Bless America,

Caro

MACARONS AND A SPOT OF TEA VOL.1

 Laduree-- New York, New York

                       I figured we could start with this picture, I'm sure you noticed it as my background earlier. Here are macarons from the most magical place, 'Laduree'. This is actually the Manhattan, New York location on Madison between 70th and 71st (one day I'll go to the original Laduree, in Paris). These parisian cookies have been around for some time, and they have in the past year or so been titled as "The new cupcake".  Fine by me! I'm in love with these bite sized confections. Laduree, has got it right! The presentation is impeccable. The packaging is gorgeous; soft and subtle pastels from the boxes to the tissue paper, pure eye candy!

       There are so many flavors! Their traditional flavors are vanilla, chocolate, pistachio, rose, coffee, black current violet, caramel with salted butter, almond, lemon, and licorice. I have had them all except lemon and licorice and I highly recommend that you try as many as you can and pair it with tea! I was up in the city for a few weeks working on a project just after they had open, so I just had to take advantage! The best part is the flavors don't stop there! They have their seasonal flavors as well! With every seasonal flavor, they feature them in beautiful window displays! Here we have 'Cherry Blossom'. Again, amazing taste.

CHERRY BLOSSOM MACARONS, LADUREE

       I really was summoned to the city this past March. During those three weeks I was there "Macaron Day 2012" happened! The weather couldn't have been more perfect! It was a mid 70's with a nice breeze. Anything lower than that and I  would have turned into an ice cube! Cold weather is not my thing, I'm from Miami, and the moment the temperature drops lower than 70 degrees, I bust out with a scarf, sweater, leather jacket, pants, and boots! Cold weather should only exist during the holidays--thats it! My friends in other cities think I'm ridiculous. I don't know how you all do it with a "light jacket".
  
     Back to "Macaron Day 2012", although Laduree is probably my favorite carrier of macarons, I stumbled upon some amazing patisserie's and cafe's along the way!

This day is great for many reasons:

1. FREE SAMPLE'S OF MACARONS
2. DISCOVER NEW PLACES TO EAT
3. SIGHT SEEING

         My friend, Michelle, had a day off from the theatre and I had no rehearsal-- SCORE!
Here are some of our favorites, from the many places that participated in "Macaron Day 2012":

   BOSIE TEA PARLOR- 10 MORTON ST

  MILLE-FEUILLE BAKERY CAFE- 552 LAGUARDIA PL.

  FRANCOIS PAYARD BAKERY- 116 WEST HOUSTON ST.

  BISOUSCIAO. MACARONS- 101 STANTON ST

  MACARON CAFE-750 3RD AVE

  LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT- 30 ROCKEFELLER CENTER 49 ST 

* Visit www.macarondaynyc.com for a complete listing of all participants.

       You will really want to visit these locations, they make an endless variety of flavors i.e; lavender honey, green tea, earl grey, vanilla cheesecake,  bacon n' maple syrup, hibiscus rhubarb, ect. ect.

         You know what will give that macaron just a little something extra? Tea. So set your alarms for 4 o'clock and enjoy high tea or whatever hour of the day you wish!

The majority of the places listed above serve tea, some even have wine and champagne (BOSIE TEA PARLOR GREAT FOR TEA AND WINE). For me, there are two places I love:

ALICE'S TEA CUPS- 156 EAST 64TH AND LEX, UPPER EAST SIDE(they have 3 locations, but this one is my fav, ask to sit up stairs!)

MEET MICHELLE AND THE MAD HATTER

-SIT DOWN RESTAURANT/TO GO AVAILABLE

*RECOMMENDATIONS: 

    MAD HATTER( YOUR CHOICE OF TWO TYPES OF SANDWICHES, 2 SCONES (PUMPKIN SCONES ARE THE BEST!!!), A DESSERT, AND 2 POTS OF TEA!

AND

HARNEY AND SONS- 433 AND BROOME ST.,  SOHO 

IMAGINE A LIBRARY OF THESE TEA FILLED TIN CANS

-SIT DOWN CAFE / TO GO AVAILABLE

*RECOMMENDATIONS: 

       FLAVORED TEA'S: PARIS, FLORENCE, HOT CINNAMON SPICE, SOHO TEA, PEACHES 'N GINGER, MIDSUMMER'S PEACH.

       BE SURE THAT WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU GO TO THEIR TEA TASTING BAR. THEIR FLIGHT TEA'S OF THE MOMENT, ALONG WITH A TEA OF YOUR CHOICE. THAT'S TWO FREE CUPS OF HEAVEN!

      Macarons and tea are a wonderful treat. If you are ever in New York City, I highly recommend those places! Especially when you need a break from the constant hustle and bustle. 

FEATURED TEA'S: MIDSUMMER'S PEACH & PARIS

     

         Just finished steeping a pot of tea,"Paris", from Harney and Sons. So that leads me to my next post. I obviously cant keep flying up to NYC for only macarons and tea. I have to get my fix somehow and I've done enough exploring to tell you where to get them in "Sunny South Florida"! 'MACARONS AND A SPOT OF TEA VOL.2'  is coming! 

       Pinkies Up,

                     Caro

P.S.

ISN'T THIS GORGEOUS? THIS TEA HOUSE/ BOUTIQUE IS LOCATED IN MIAMI--DETAILS TO COME!

  

ALWAYS... AN INTRODUCTION.

              My birthday is right around the corner and I got this itch to do something different. It seems as if everyone is either blogging, Tweeting, or Facebooking. Now with the two latest programs, Instagram and Pinterest, I find myself inspired by the photo's of food I've taken and yummy treats I've pinned.  

      My blog is called "There's always time to eat... ( the in-between of a busy artist's life)", I'm an artist (focusing more on acting and singing) living in Miami, Fl who acts like a gypsy traveling from city to city,suburb to suburb. Even though sometimes work hours can be grueling, you bet I will treat myself to a good meal, snack, or drink! That's what this blog is going to thrive on! Nothing too in depth on the industry (my friends have blogs that I follow with all that info along with inspirational stories, if you are interested. Curious as to what projects I'm involved in or want a more personal bio please visit, www.CaroPozo.com).

   

      I love what I do and I love it even more when I get to travel for it. Even if traveling consist of going to the boondocks of this tropical city I love, Miami. My family and friends can always come to me when it comes to dining out. I can't take all the credit though. I'm fortunate to have a large eclectic group of family and friends that live or visit some of the hottest cities/countries across the globe. So it's always wonderful when I fly into one of their cities, get a recommendation, and find myself somewhere brand new. 

      Then there are the days where I'm not on the run. I have a day off, the theatre is dark, someone's birthday is coming up, or time is just simply standing still. My body says stay in bed but my mind wants some sort of stimulation. That's when I get in the kitchen, bring out the flour, eggs, sugar, extracts, milk and all my other weapons and create something brand new or try out a recipe that I saw on Pinterest or maybe from my collection of books that I'm always expanding. 

    You will see a variety of dishes, desserts, and drinks from trendy places to mom 'n' pop's from my favorite spots. I'll even add in there my family, friends, and my very own creations. I've noticed that many actor/singers start their own charities, fashion lines, perfume lines, make-up lines, and of course TRENDY LOUD RESTAURANTS! All of those are great, hell I would love to have all of them but I'll start out with something small -- when I've put a few bucks away! I already have the vision and sketches in mind for my restaurant. I can't say too much cause I would have to "patent" that first. Just know you would hear jazz from different era's, think speak easy days, vintage furniture and other decor accents, not to mention amazing architecture to really sell it.It would have a separate bakery too!  During the mornings and afternoon the bakery would be blazing it's ovens to provide fresh baked goods for all the patrons in Miami. Yup, one day I'm going to give the beautiful people of Miami a wonderful eating experience.

        Well that's my first blog--EVER!!!-- SALUTE, CHEERS, PROST TO GOOD EATS AND GOOD HEALTH!

All the best,

Caro

In Vino Veritas

*looking for a particular place to eat/drink? I'd love to recommend you one! Comment or message me.