The Aussie Who Ate The Big Apple

My Favorite Blog Posts for 2012! Thank you TUMBLR

Well, here we are again. A new year! 

January 2013 marks 2 full years of blogging on Tumblr for me and I am so happy to be able to share my stories, travels, recipes and passions with you all.

I appreciate all the questions, emails and love that you send! 

Looking forward to some massive accomplishments in 2013…. are you ready? 

HERE are my favorite posts from the past year!

Curating the menu for Tiffany & Co’s launch of their Tumblr blog! 

I was so honored to be a part of this night & to be representing an iconic brand like TIFFANY & CO.

Taking an epic trip to Nicaragua to celebrate turning 30! 

Wow, what an adventure! Staying at the gorgeous Casa De Olas in San Juan Del Sur, we saw jungle beaches, amazing sunsets and I even caught a Tuna off the coast! 

Re-discovering the city I love from the WATER! With Benchmarc Events Summer Cruise!

I ended up on 3 of the cruises this past Summer. Incredible food, booze and outstanding views of the city!

 

Out of all my TACO recipes (and you know there are a tonne) I think this was my favorite and y’all at TUMBLR seemed to agree! 

Kit is a massive fan of tacos and so we tend to eat them maybe once a week. From roasted veggies, beef, shrimp and fish- we try it all…

If I am a taco lover than I am a LAKSA freak! Here’s one of Kit’s favorites…

I always tend to change up my recipes but this one was so spicy and so so good! 
 

Finding a new Aussie obsession in NYC - Pie Face! 

Ah, after living in NYC for almost 13 years - sometimes I just need something that reminds me of home and thankfully Pie Face is bringing the iconic handheld meat pie to Manhattan!

Celebrating my 30th Bday on Thanksgiving with the most amazing breakfast spread. 

Although this year I wasn’t able to get home to see my family, I was really lucky to have Kit, his sister and mum to celebrate my birthday with AND the most delicious breakfast spread I have ever seen. Thanks Russ & Daughters… and Sugar Sweet Sunshine for my cake! 

WalkAbout: Tower 7 - Wrightsville Beach, NC

Well kids it’s been a while since I wrote either a review or a WalkAbout post. So I figured I would tell you about one of my favorite spots in the WB.
I spend a lot of time in Wilmington, North Carolina because quite a few of my best friends and my boyfriend are from here. It’s sort of become like a home away from home for me too.

I have been eating at Tower 7 for a few years now and I just think they really have it together. The atmosphere is fun, the food is always good and well, who doesn’t love a good margarita?
They also own a few other restaurants around town, so check out their main site HERE

We we’re in town for my best friends engagement and spent tonnes of time on Wrightsville Beach. Both days we were there, we stopped in for a bite. It became a running joke that every meal, someone would suggest Tower 7. It really is that good. Haha!

Delicious Margaritas at Tower 7
Definitely try a Margarita. They are delicious. You can choose frozen or on the rocks. Try one of the more high shelf tequilas if you wanna get crazy or start out with their Wannabe.
What I love is that Tower 7 features 100% Blue Agave Tequilas, makes their own sour mix fresh everyday. That’s what I’m talkin bout!

Now, I am usually a Baja Fish Taco girl all the way…. but I really wanted to try something different. And sometimes a change is good!

Today I went out on a limb and tried the MALIBU SHRIMP TACO- Grilled Santa Fe Marinated Black Tiger Shrimp, Salsa Fresca, Shaved Red Cabbage & Monterey Jack.
This shrimp taco was delicious. Lot’s of perfectly cooked shrimp that had some nice flavor from the grill. I added some of their hot sauce and was in heaven.
*You will find quite a few hot sauces on the table but don’t be afraid to ask your server for their favorite.
They also give you a side of either mexican rice, beans or tobacco onions.

The second time we went, I still felt like I should try something different from my usual Baja Fish Taco, so I went for this puppy.
SAN FELIPE TACO- Dos Equis Beer Battered Cod, Salsa Fresca, Avocado, Shaved Green Cabbage, Cotija & Yogurt Ranch.

Definitely filling and I loved the avocado added to the taco. Cabbage and cheese were on the bottom and added a great texture balance to the crispy fish.

TIP: If you are Gluten Free, choose one of the homemade corn tortillas instead of flour.

If you are in Wilmington, NC, make sure you stop by the beach and also do yourself a favor and stop into Tower 7. I have never had a bad meal there.
Lot’s of surf videos playing, pretty people in bathing suits walking by. Fun, sunny and delish!

*also while we were there Hilary Swank was eating across from us. So you never know who you may spot in there…

WalkAbout: Merkadito Del Mar. Puerto Morelos Mexico

This past weekend, Kit and I took a quickie vacation to Mexico. We stayed in one of those all-inclusive type hotels, which for drinks… (hello pina colada’s), was great. But for food… it left a lot to be desired.
I had read that the little town closest to us was a fishing village called Puerto Morelos.
I found a bunch of blogs and reviews about little seafood spots and I knew we had to make our way down there.
On our last day, we got a $9 cab down to the Puerto Morelos dock and walked around looking for a couple of restaurant names that I had on my list. Instead, we stumbled upon a beautiful little spot right on the water called Merkadito Del Mar.
The entrance from the street takes you through their kitchen and small bar area to their two level back terrace, overlooking the ocean.

The views were spectacular and almost immediately we were presented with about 4-5 different bottles of salsas/ sauces and a brown bag of Tortilla chips.

The sauces ranged from creamy and almost mayonnaise like to spicy/hot and oil based. We watched as locals and other diners took chips and mixed and matched their sauces straight on top for a perfect little bite.
For our food, we ordered three things to share and downed a few cerveza’s while we were at it….

The Tostada loaded with fresh shrimp aguachile with avocado, shredded cucumber and neon pickled onions.

The shrimp were so fresh and had a wonderful sweet and delicate flavor…. And then came the POW from the serranos. Hello…. Well I guess what this mayo sauce is for!

Next up was the Ceviche Mixto with pulpo (octopus), shrimp and white fish. With shredded cucumber, avocado, red onion & cilantro.

The octopus was so so tender. If I could eat this dish over and over again, I would be so happy. Super fresh, perfect balance of acidity from the lime & chili.

Lastly a Taco Pescado with cabbage, creamy chipotle sauce & poppy seeds.

There is something about eating a fish taco, actually being in Mexico and by the ocean that just made this little morsel perfect.
The service was great, everyone was patient with my limited Spanish and one of the owners even called our cab driver from his cell phone to tell him we would not be leaving. We couldn’t resist staying for sunset and ended up walking the 45 mins back along the back to our hotel.

If you are in this area, make sure you stop by for some delicious and fresh seafood in the most beautiful surroundings.