Florida Lobster Feast

The weather was perfection in Florida. I don't generally do a whole heck of a lot when I'm visiting (since it's vacation), but I was excited when Dad suggested we rent a boat for a few hours. I really had no idea what to expect, but I was excited to get out on the water and enjoy the day. 

We packed a lunch of Italian subs, chips, pickles, a nummy bottle of Sancerre, and set out to discover the deep blue. 

To my surprise, Dad was the boat captain...so Bourgeois! The waterways off South West Florida are not as hard to navigate as South Carolina, which made for smooth sailing (or pontooning).

After a few hours of fun in the sun and a quick splash in the Gulf, we headed home and I slipped straight to the pool. I don't get to relax like this often, so I was planning on soaking up as much warmth as possible. I literally had the entire pool to myself the whole trip. I think all the people moved back up north for the summer...I was not complaining.

Just before turning into a lobster, I headed inside for dinner. These little pinchers were waiting, just begging me to crack them open and eat. Dad found an incredible fish market that flies fresh fish in from New England daily. The fish caught off coastal Florida are delicious, but I get how the variety can get a bit old. Dad was super excited when these guys opened and of course made friends with them quickly. 

I could have just eaten lobster, but we opted to add some fresh corn (so sweet), steamed broccoli and cauliflower and fresh baked rosemary rolls.

bon appétit

Pinchers with Bourgeois Bob

With the long Memorial Day weekend stretched before me, I made sure to get out of dodge. I had not visited my dad (aka Bourgeois Bob) and stepmom since before the Holidays, so a trip down to South Florida was the perfect destination. 

Big surprise, I was not the only person who decided to travel this holiday weekend. A mix of oversold flights and bad weather did not lend to an enjoyable traveling experience. My quick afterwork Thursday night flight turned into a Friday morning fight to an airport 2 hours from my actual destination and then a car ride across the Everglades. 

After cancellation, delays, detours and a few road bumps, I finally made it. I had just enough time to shower and throw on a sundress before my dad was ushering us into the car in order to make Happy Hour at Pinchers Crab Shack.

I love coming to Pinchers when I visit. You are guaranteed a great cut of fresh off the boat fish that is lightly seasoned with heaping side options. I hate when fish is over-sauced and spiced.

Unlike NYC, where we get excited about $1 Oyster Happy Hours, Pinchers has Oysters, Calms, Shrimp and Wings for $0.70,

I told you we rushed to make Happy Hour. We started with Oysters. Not as meaty as our Long Island Blue Points, but less salty and very tasty.

Next were the steamed clams and butter. I haven't had clams for the longest time, I had forgot how incredible they are.

I do not like wings so Dad and Denise took care of those.

I was almost too full to order, but then decided...what the heck, I'm on vacation! Dad and Den ordered the Crab Cake. They were in love with the coleslaw...another thing I hate.

I opted for the Blackened Grouper. My sides were string beans and homemade french fries. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Nothing was over sauced or salted.

The cool thing about Pinchers is it is also a fish market. Not the cheapest, but the fish is about as fresh as you are going to get.

Gosh the sun felt so good after months of frozen tundra.

Love my Daddio. More to come about South Florida adventures from Naturally Ginger and Bourgeois Bob later this week.

We may or may not have had a dinner party and invited this guy to come along.

I could just pinch your little cheeks. xoxo thanks for reading.