The Bight | Turks & Caicos

January 1st, 2023: A sunny, sandy, sweet, and salty first day of vacation in Turks & Caicos!! We hung at The Bight Beach and Pink Bar @ Wymara Resort. 

Chocolate Ice Cream for Cam | Turks Rum Punch for Mom

The tropical setting behind us is so gorgeous it looks fake! I loved our mom/son time at the posh Pink Bar. [Bob and Ryder stayed to play on the beach]

 Cheers to a week in T+C to kick off 2023! We are excited to play on the shores of and explore this tropical archipelago.

Rincon | Road to Happieness

in order of appearance part 1

1. our Airbnb's gorgeous pool + lush backyard
2. Road to Happiness | Route 413
3. [Steps Beach]
4. happy hour @ The Beach House [perfect for sunset]
5. Sandy Beach! [surfers in high season]
6. dinner @ Roots Restaurant in Rincon Center
7. mornings @ the Airbnb - tummy time
8. afternoons - pool + hammock time
9. La Copa Llena 

in order of appearance part 2

1. look ma, no stiches! [crash @ full speed into a table outside Rincon Beer Co.]
2. and speaking of crash...we ventured to Crash Boat Beach in Aguadilla
3. Aguadilla is north of Rincon. Crash Boat Beach is a scene; lively and crowded!
4. a stroll down our street, Princesas Path
5. Rincon Bakery - get some yummy baked goods/beer/provisions
6. strawberry daquiri @ Rincon Beach Bar
7. Coconuts Ice Cream - it's the pointed toe for me
8. The Wandering Bagel food truck - just across the street from our place, so good!
9. mofongo @ The Red Flamboyan
10. brunching @ The English Rose 
11. stunning brunch views + the pool @ La Rosa Inglesia

not pictured but much love

1. outdoor oasis of pizza and sports on tv @ Mi Familias Pizzeria
2. Rincon Town Beach
3. tasty brunch @ Cafe 413
4. rainy afternoon @ Rincon Beer Company

Glass Hostaria | Trastevere

When there is a Michelin-starred restaurant run by a notable chef at the top of your street, you go! Chef Cristina Bowerman's gastronomic cuisine stands out in a sea of trattorias. It is always preferable to make a reservation at a Michelin star but you wouldn't necessarily need one at Glass far in advance. Contemporary Italian fine dining is not what the crowd in Trastevere leans towards so the sleek glass and gold-accented dining room was not busy. Because we were in town so many nights dining here was a welcome change of pace, the meal certainly noteworthy. Camden slept until dessert, the little angel! 

Dueling amuse bouche to prelude meal were crisp pickled vegetable tacos and mojito globes. Yes, it is liquid inside those balancing spheres! Then, a refreshing tomato and raspberry gazpacho. The Beef Filet Tartare appetizer with celery, nashi pear, smoked Sardinan sauce and quail egg was outstanding!

Our Massolino Barolo was an elegant, savory, refined bottle of red wine. The pasta courses were small but exquisite - Tortelli stuffed with rabbit, coconut sauce, green curry and pine nuts. Gnocci with sea urchin, black garlic bagancauda, salted lemon and truffle.

Dessert + Petit Fours were on another level. The first featured condensed milk, espresso jelly and Baileys ice cream! The second amazed with passion fruit, popcorn ice cream and caramelized popcorn.

I wrote a note with our reservation request so they knew we had a baby in a stroller and to actually make sure it was OK to dine with him. They were more than welcoming and by the end of the night I think every waitress had held and got to know Camden. It was really, really sweet!!! When we were outside at Bar Del Cinque the following evening, our waitress spotted Camden and came over to see him.

Proving you can go all out Michelin Star dining with an infant, Glass Hostaria 10/10

Glass Hostaria 

Vicolo de' Cinque, 58

00153, Rome

Townsman x Circle

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have fun plans shaping up for the new year! Speaking of, if you're getting together with a big group of friends to ring in 2018, Circle Pay is a new app you should definitely check out!

Circle. They are like Venmo, but way more fun. With an interface built around conversations where you can include GIFs and laughter-filled musings with your cash, it's like texting for money. Plus, faster cash out and designed for unique purposes like splitting checks at restaurants.

Townsman. Chef Matt Jennings chic New England brassiere where food and cocktails are devoured with utter delight. (If you are a regular reader, you know it is one of my go-to spots!)

An intimate group gathered at the convivial high top table fronting the bar, where creative and personalized Circle Pay poem place settings greeted us. Over cocktails + Townsman's signature brown bread with salted maple butter + a three course meal we caught up on life while learning about the app!

Course 1 - Seasonal Farm Minestrone. This piping hot soup served in a chic bowl was so comforting on a cold night, befitting from layers of flavor thanks to an herbed pistou. Additionally, I loved the swap in of nutty farro for pasta.

Circle fun fact #1 - No fees! No fees for sending money across border / between currencies + no fees for instant cash outs.

Course 2 - Char-Grilled Steak. The medium rare strip was tender with a rich char - another terrific cold weather dish complemented by savory roasted fingerlings and tons of braised greens over a sweet puree of butternut squash.

Circle fun fact #2 - Your money is insured. All deposits held in Circle Pay are FDIC insured up to $250k.

Chocolate Pecan Tart. The perfect personal sized tart with an equal sized scoop of luscious maple ice cream. 

Circle fun fact #3 - Group Payments. Zip money around in a group chat with up to 20 people. 

Cocktail - Senor Picante. I love when cocktails advertised as spicy actually deliver the heat! This one has tequila, sherry, fresno, grapefruit and guajillo salt.

Circle fun fact #4 - Events. You can set up an event page to collect money from a larger audience, such as fundraising for a marathon or a charity collection. I know so many of you would benefit from something like this!! (But if not, there will always be the hilarious feature that is GIPHY!)

Interested?! Sign up right this way...

This dinner was complimentary and I was compensated for my time. 

All opinions are my own. 

Townsman

120 Kingston Street

Boston, MA 02111