Catch with a side of Christian Louboutin

The #thirdee celebration continued into the evening. After a rest and quick change following an afternoon of sunshine and rose, the Frans (plus a few others) headed to Catch in the Meatpacking District for dinner. Catch is a contemporary American seafood restaurant who's chef, Hung Huynh, won season 3 of Top Chef. Most dishes are meant to be shared family style, which made it just right for my birthday dinner. 

Mer pre-ordered, so the menu was set, and I waited in excitement as each dish arrived. We sat out on their newly opened rooftop, which was incredible but slightly chilly as the sun set. I was grateful when they switched on the heat lamps. 

(Photo c/o emmgrp.com)

Feeling adventurous, I started with a cocktail. They have a delicious cocktail menu, right up my alley, but I ended up choosing the Pink Sangria - Rose, Hennessey, Apricot & Peach. This is the Seraphina - Ginger infused Bombay Sapphire Gin, Watermelon Juice, Lemon & Agave. 

Michael and Lindsey (love them) treated the table to a bottle of bubbly in honor of my birthday. What a delicious gift!

First out were the Parmesan-Truffle Fries. Truffle...cheese...french fries? I died and went to heaven.

We were treated to a couple sushi rolls next. First, is the Hellfire Roll - Spicy Tuna two-ways, pear and balsamic. Second, the Catch Roll - Crab, Salmon and Miso-Honey.

These little bites are the Crunchy Rice Cakes - Tuna Tartare over a rice cake.

This was a show stopper - Macaroni & Lobster Cream.

Finally, the Sake Chicken Lettuce "Cups" - Marinated Chicken, Hoison and Crispy Sweet Potato.

Next, came presents. The Frans truly out did themselves this year. I have many "love languages", but "gift-giving" is definitely a way I enjoy being loved.

This is very shallow, but nice shoes are the perfect gift to get me (note to future husband). I know I can't take any of them with me when I die, but man do they look pretty on my feet and make me feel fierce.

A girl never forgets her first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes. Elegance. Red Bottoms. Luxury.

After contemplating my wish, I blew out the candle, my heart overflowing with gratitude and joy. I had an overwhelming sense of love in my heart and I don't for a second take for granted this beautiful life I get to live.

You could say I was the "lady in red". Gosh my Frans are gorgeous.

xoxoxoxo

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.