Sunday, February 12, 2012

REVIEW: Sushi Pop Oviedo

Impromptu date night meant finally trying Sushi Pop in Oviedo! 

It's hard to believe this little gem is in Oviedo - right down the street from our house!

First thing first, it's small...and BUSY on a Saturday night.  So make a reservation first.

They could stand to expand the wait area - but it was also a cold night - so no waiting outside!

Photo

My only complaint about the place as a whole, it was hard to order a drink.  We couldn't seem to get one while we waited, and it was slow once we finally sat down.

But with that said, everything else was amazing.

We started with the truffle salt and sauteed garlic edamame.  It one word - AMAZING.

Photo2

Then, it was sushi time.  We ordered four different roles to sample a bit of everything.

I ordered the Anaconda: tempura shrimp, Japanese mayo, topped with eel, avocado, kabayaki sauce, crème fraiche and black sesame seeds  (on the bottom of the picture below) and

the Oviedo Chicken
tempura chicken, Japanese mayo and avocado drizzled with honey mustard (the top of the picture below).

Photo4
I traditionally only enjoy a shrimp tempura role.  It's just perfect - so why try anything else?  The Anaconda was really good - and really filling. 

The Oviedo Chicken was interesting.  It was such a different sushi texture and eating it just straight up was a little strange.  But once you add some soy sauce, watch out! It's amazing! Something about the sweat and salt of it make it amazing.

Speaking of soy sauce - love the display:

Photo1
My husband ordered the Lobster and Almonds: tempura lobster, avocado, asparagus, smelt roe, yuzu tartar sauce, encrusted with toasted almonds (bottom left).

His favorite thing though, was the HOT MESS: smoked salmon, avocado and tempura flakes with honey kabayaki, topped with baked tuna, salmon, yellowtail, flounder, spicy mayo, smelt roe, chives and rendered bacon (top right).

Photo3
The menu is not your typical sushi menu - which is a nice change.  It feels like a Top Chef - inspired restaurant.  We will definately be going back.  I overheard a conversation while I was there that they may be expanding into an empty storefront next door to expand the lounge area.  That would be an excellent idea!!!!

We did not have room for dessert, but the table next to us ordered something that came with a show!

Photo5
Apparently it was the: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sorbet
sorbet made table side with liquid nitrogen, topped with marshmallow foam and peanut butter powder choice of grape, raspberry and strawberry.

Happy eating!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Cake Pops! An Adventure in Party Planning...

Birthday party fun means baking for me...

I decided to try the cake pop as an alternative to the traditional birthday cake - and also use this opportunity as a dry run for an upcoming bridal shower.  If they worked - perhaps we'll do them for that event!!

I cheated all the way.

I bought a cake pop oven maker.  It basically cranks out doughnut holes - six at a time.

I bought cake mix at the store and went to town!

I hate frosting.  It's complicated, messy, never really sets and is just hard to work with.  But I love chocolate.  So instead of any frosting mess, I ended up covered in head to toe chocolate and it was great.

We are having a penguin themed birthday party.  I knew there was no way I could make an actual penguin out of a pop - not yet anyway - so I went for ice/snowball look.

Here's how they came out....have to say - I'm happy with the results!

And again, thank you Pinterest for all the help in display and ideas!

Cake Pops! An Adventure in Party Planning...

Birthday party fun means baking for me...

I decided to try the cake pop as an alternative to the traditional birthday cake - and also use this opportunity as a dry run for an upcoming bridal shower.  If they worked - perhaps we'll do them for that event!!

I cheated all the way.

I bought a cake pop oven maker.  It basically cranks out doughnut holes - six at a time.

I bought cake mix at the store and went to town!

I hate frosting.  It's complicated, messy, never really sets and is just hard to work with.  But I love chocolate.  So instead of any frosting mess, I ended up covered in head to toe chocolate and it was great.

We are having a penguin themed birthday party.  I knew there was no way I could make an actual penguin out of a pop - not yet anyway - so I went for ice/snowball look.

Here's how they came out....have to say - I'm happy with the results!

And again, thank you Pinterest for all the help in display and ideas!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Mountain Bike Trail Adventure - DeLeon Springs

I like to think of myself as an above average biker.  I can do spin class no problem, I used to do a lot of off-road trails in high school and I found one near my house that I can knock out easy.

So when my husband suggested a birthday breakfast at DeLeon Springs State Park - I remembered reading about an off-road trail, and figured it was totally something I would love.

Well, I did love it.  But truth be told, I suck.

I SUCK!

It's an "intermediate trail."  I figured - NO PROBLEM.  BOY, was I wrong!

You can find more information about park HERE.

The trail is in excellent shape.  I started out on Hoot Owl - which is the "starter" trail.  Within the first two minutes, I was going down steep slopes and up gigantic hills.  It was insane.  Lots of tight turns, great banking, tons of hills.  INSANE.   The trail is marked nicely so you can go the "easy" way or a hard way.

I avoided the hard trails and the "jump bowl." I also avoided the "Log Trail" after seeing a picture of bikers literally crossing areas on a log.

I obviously need to do more work on some beginner trails - because I really thought I was going to die at some point.  The nice thing, the map to the nearest hospital was posted on the entrance to the trails.  Helmets are mandatory!!!

At the end, there's a jump area, which my kids are really interested in trying.

You can't tell too much from the pictures, but I promise you, STEEP!  But great! Highly recommended - but this is not for beginners!

Friday, January 13, 2012

My Favorite Today Show Moment

Well, not really my favorite moment on the SHOW, but my favorite thing because of the show.

The Today Show has always been a part of my morning routine in some shape or form.  It has made me love news, has made me go into this crazy business and is partly to blame for my celebrity affections.

There was one magical night I got to meet two Today Show anchors...and it was awesome.

Happy 60th Today Show!