NYC: Nolita

 

If you are looking for an adorable (and very pink) place to eat and drink in Manhattan, head down (or up) to Nolita. Nolita stands for North of Little Italy, and by golly is this neighborhood worth the stop. Ever since Pietro Lolita and Cha Cha Matcha took root, bloggers, tourists, and locals have flooded the hotspots, and trust me it's worth it. These two, hip and vibrant restaurant and cafes, are just around the corner from one another. Grab a yummy steak sandwich from Pietro, or one of the mouth watering cocktails. Then complete your trendy food tour by grabbing a beautiful tea, to go, at Cha Cha Matcha. Each place is dreamy in their own way. Pietro is pink from head to toe, or as they like to call it, "Pink As F***". Excuse my language! Cha Cha is a tropic getaway in the crowded streets of NY, where on a hot day like the one we visited, you can cool down with a delectable iced ginger matcha drink or a matcha soft ice-cream twist. The tall, thin, hipster guy working the register is the nicest man, ever! A little customer service goes a long way, no wonder people keep coming back! I couldn't help myself, but order a warm drink just for the powdered palm trees. You can't get that on an iced matcha ;) Be sure to make a stop at both next time you’re in the neighborhood! xo RCN

Morada Bay

 

I realize that the last three posts in "Explore", are all spots in Islamorada. I guess that speaks to how much I love it. Morada Bay, is a must stop in the Keys. Even if you are headed all the way down to Key West, it's worth a pull over for lunch at the Beach Cafe.

My first trip to Islamorada, we were unable to eat and visit Morada Bay because the Netflix television show Bloodlines was being filmed. Ever since then, my friend Danny has me hooked  and I am really obsessed. Link to check it out, HERE. The second visit was a success, and I was able to watch the sunset with a ridiculously large cocktail in hand.

The white sand is soft and powdery while the palms above swaying with the breeze perfect the island soundtrack. The Beach Cafe salad is my favorite, with seared Ahi Tuna. Zach loved the Mahi-Mahi tacos. You can't go wrong with fresh fish. And if you forgot your suntan lotion, there is a quaint beach shop located in a parked vintage airstream trailer right beside the cafe. I had to pick up an extra Sun Bum key lime lip balm, just because. We have already decided our next visit to Morada Bay will be for the Full Moon Party! xo RCN