Tuna, the Other White Meat

For the first 17 years of my life (aka over 2/3 of my bountiful existence), I missed out on all that is good in my mouth.  I just don’t know how I did it.  There is no way that I can’t say I was incredibly blessed growing up, but I mean COME ONNNN mama and papa brickgal, how could you deprive me for so long??? HOW!?! (is this starting to sound like a porn? my b, I will get to the point)  My name is Megan and I am here because I am a sushi-holic.

Miami, being the culinary delight that it is for my tastebuds, has a myriad of sushi spots where I can fulfill my desires.  And yes, my Brick Gals, Brickell has some of the best sushi restaurants that I most happily frequent (not tooo tooo frequent though or I could end up like Jeremy Piven – not short… but with mercury poisoning).  I’ll eventually tell you all about them, but alas, I have a life, it is Thursday, I must join my people soon.

Award for Best Brickell Sushi Takeout hands down goes to Obba Sushi.  In addition to lunch specials that include soup/salad (ok that’s kinda a given), the spot has a Spicy Tuna Roll that is, fact, da bomb.  The stork (if he can bring babies, he can for sure bring me my sushi) effortlessly flies me my tuna roll from Asia packaged in an easy box for me to pop in, pick up then takeout.  Best part?  You can order online so you don’t have to worry about the restaurant getting it wrong over the phone.  If you aren’t as awesome as me (aka work 2.5 blocks from the shop), they deliver. Enjoy ladies!

Brunch, Mimosas & Froyo: A Brick Gals Dream & Today’s Local Deals

Well, its only Tuesday Brick Gals and that means 3 more days til the weekend… Alas, Tuesdays aren’t so bad (ugh duh Tuesday Trivia at Fado) when you wake up to two great local deals in our fabulous town.  And because we’re so thoughtful (another duh.. BrickGal Moral Code #2: Help thy chicas get hooked up), we thought we’d share them with you.

Today’s Living Social Deal is a coupon for the deeeeeelish Yuzu Frozen Yogurt. Now since the Brick Gals got their butts kicked last night at Crossfit Vida, we’re not advocating you go pile on the chocolate fudge, BUT –  For $5 bucks you  get $10 worth of their delicious all natural, non-fat, pro-biotic yogurt.  You get to choose from non-fat flavors like Cake Batter, Red Velvet, Acai Berry & Peach Mango Tart (just to name a few).  Who are we kidding? No Froyo treat is complete without a topping or two- but lets keep it healthy- try out some fresh Strawberries, Kiwi, Blackberries or Granola.

And for all you Brunchin Babes, Couptessa is letting you nurse your Saturday night hangover at Waxy O’Connor’s, while watching the boats stroll by, righton the Miami River. Fact: for $14, you get to feast on their delicious brunch which includes (drum-roll please) unlimited Mimosas & Bloody Marys! I don’t think you need any more convincing then that (I don’t), but  I hear the Eggs Benedict are pretty amazing too!

Brick Gals, Bikinis & The Crossfit Challenge!

What’s up Brick Gals!  We’ve decided to incorporate the oh so important topic of Health & Fitness to our already awesome blog. Yeah, yeah, I know- health (boooring) and fitness (such a drag)- aren’t our most favorite things to talk about, and being that Brickell is filled with so many delicious places to feast our taste buds on, it’s not always easy to eat the right things. But, while that Baked Brie from Perricones may look aesthetically pleasing, come on Brick Gals, that “cheese” doesn’t look so good on our thighs- and since we’ll be spending lots more Sundays at the Mandarin’s Beach Party that means we gots to get real!

A healthy weight and lifestyle is something some Brick Gals continually struggle with, and just for you (ok obs for me too), I’m ready to start kicking butt and taking names and tackle those two once and for all. A Brick Gal like me loves to eat (in fact I’m a fatty at heart), but starting today, I’ll be hitting the mat with our friends over at Crossfit Vida in Brickell.  Wait, what? There’s a Crossfit in Brickell? Well, whadda ya know? I was clueless about that too- until I saw some crazies running through the streets near the Conrad during lunchtime and I, being an addicted runner, decided to check it out.

Dilemma… a busy Brick Gal like me (and you) doesn’t have much time for fitness. And much less, the time to plan and execute an eating regimen that will compliment that fitness plan. Heck, I’m constantly struggling just to fit in some cardio. I find myself sneaking in a spinning class during my lunch, or if that doesn’t work, eating leaves all day to compensate for the lack of the exercise. And yeah, my running and diet (I’m an avid Weight Watchers success story and highly advocate that it works)- have helped me lose major weight, but while I’ve recently neared my goal weight, (which will remain NOYB) I am still struggling with some “loose” ends if you know what I mean!

Solution… Crossfit Vida Brickell. Over the next 90 days, follow me as I tighten up all the loose ends.

Now, when it comes to lifting weights, you’re talking to the wrong girl. Lift a weight? Huh? Umm, I don’t lift anything, unless it involves lifting my hand to waive down the bartender for another drink- so when Co-Owner Mike and I peeked into one of his Crossfit classes in sessions, I was freaked the f*** out! There I saw it (aside from a few hotties), a chick shorter than me, lifting a bar with more weight on it than me! I must admit, it’s a little scary for a little girl like me to even imagine lifting something bigger than me. But Alas, I have decided, I am ready for the challenge.

I’ll show you how to still enjoy that amazing brunch at Balans, without sacrificing our oh so delicate figures!  So stay tuned Brick Gals, it’s going to be an interesting journey, but let’s kick some Crossfit Ass!

Guess What Brick Gals! Super friendly owners Mike Osuna & Nick Alvarez have agreed to offer our Brick Gals $25 off your first month! Ummm, a chance to tighten up those buns, spot a few hotties, and at a bargain deal? Yes please! For more information visit: http://www.crossfitvida.net/ or “like” them on Facebook.

Brickell Earth Day

TGIF Brick Gals!!!  I’d like to first and foremost say to all my Catholic homegals, Happy Good Friday and Easter weekend.  Be good like Jesus, or don’t.  NBD (aka “no big deal” for those non-Brick Gals reading this); he didn’t die for your sins or anything.  In addition to the religious holiday, it is also Earth Day so now on to explaining how you can save the planet one pizza at a time…

If you went out last night, more than likely you ended up stopping off at Pizza Rustica on your journey home (**cough** **cough** Jen Bunny).  Either way, eco-friendly Brick Gals should head to Piola today or tomorrow where 10% of proceeds go to Roots in the City which “provides affordable fresh produce to low-income families, public school students, community agencies and homeless shelters.”  My favorite Brickell Pizza spot is also offering a special menu where the ingredients like the scallions, fresh oregano and cherry tomatoes on my Pizza Miami Gardens for lunch today were sourced from the non-profit’s Overtown community garden.  They are also serving up salads for the skinny Brick Gals and pasta for those Brick Gals with uber fast metabolisms.

On to the take-home goodies… Besides feeling awesome about yourself that a portion of you stuffing yourself are going to support a local charity (Brick Gal Moral Code #1 – give back to the community), you may be given a bag of seeds (planting instructions included) from the Roots In The City garden.  Although I didn’t get it 😦 , you should ask.  In addition, there is a farmer’s market and vegetable exhibit with items from the garden available for purchase.  Looked cheap and delicious, and if I wasn’t going to the baseball game tonight to gorge myself on chicken fingers and beer, I would have bought the whole stand.

So Brick Gals, I think this is the one time a year where you shouldn’t feel bad for succumbing to pizza heaven. As Nike says, Just Do It.

Brickell Networking Tweetup Tonight (4/19)

Wooo Wooo Brick Gals!  It’s Tuesday so we all know what that means (see Tuesday Night Trivia).  But alas, there is great news of a tweetup beforehand!  In addition to being delicously sexy and ridiculously intelligent, Brick Gals are clearly super savvy at social media.  Here are the deets: tonight from 6 – 8 pm at Fado Irish Pub, SocialBuzzTV.com is hosting a networking tweetup.  Comp apps and special happy hour menu will appease our stomachs and of course the Guinness will loosen our goose.  Register now and I’ll see ya tonight!

No Flops Here: 10 Brickell Bars Where You Can’t Wear Flip Flops After 10 pm

One of the most beneficial reasons to living in Brickell vs. South Beach is that walking around you won’t see tourists in six inch stilettos and bandaid dresses.  True, you may still see the locals dressing to the nines around Blue Martini and Club 50 but more than likely you can stroll into the hood’s bars wearing a mini skirt and heels one night and flops and jeans the next.  But what’s more annoying than being completely overdressed? Being ridiculously underdressed.  In order to avoid the latter, I’ve rounded up 10 bars in Brickell where you should take heed and avoid flip flops if you plan on hitting up the scene after 10 pm.

Check out BrickellInfo.com for the full list.

Groupon Today: Le Boudoir

Hey Brick Gals!  Brickell’s Le Boudoir Restaurant is 50% off on Groupon today!  I sampled their fare during Taste of Brickell (the Boeuf Bourguignon with pasta was delish) and can’t wait to go for the real deal.  Ever since I studied French growing up and then on my journeys to the country as an adult, the culture and food has become a favorite.  On a family vacation a couple years back to St. Tropez, I hit up an organic market to cook my fam a meal.  My dad said I should quit my job and become a chef. False, the food was just that good.  SO my Brick Gals, take advantage of Groupon’s deal today and journey across the pond without leaving the hood.  Le Boudoir is located on the corner of 12th Terrace and Brickell Bay Drive.

 

Online Sample Sale Addiction

I originally posted my thoughts on online sample sales last fall on Single Girls Guide to South Beach.  After an outcry from friends, I bring this to you my Brickellites…

Just after we thought we got a handle on all our vices from college (ok, maybe not the binge drinking… there are still those Friday Happy Hours that get a littttleee out of hand), a little thing known as Online Sample Sales came strutting down the sidewalk like Ms. Carrie Bradshaw in the opening credits of Sex and the City 2.  From online coupons like Groupon and Living Social to fashion sample sales likeSwirl from DailyCandy and HauteLook from Lucky, new flash sale websites call our names like Tiffanys’ jewelry, hot boys and ice cream cake.  Every day it’s a struggle with these deals that can offer up to 80 and 90 % off; I mean, how can we just not take advantage? It would be a SIN to pass up a VALUE!

Had a positive or negative experience lately with online sample sale shopping? Let us know.

 

Cocktail of the Week: Mandarin Palmer

If you don’t know what or who Arnold Palmer is, let’s face it, you’re probably not cool enough to be a Brick Gal.  An Arnold Palmer drink is traditionally half lemonade and half ice tea.   In case some of you missed the boat, Arnold Palmer was a golf great and according to one website, “a world famous golf immortal and sportsman”.  I wouldn’t call him a god but in celebration of the Masters Tournament going on right now (and this absolutely fantastic Miami weather), grab your Brick Gals, mix up this faboush cocktail from the Mandarin Oriental (I snagged the recipe last week during the Sunday Beach Party) and hit up you apt pool!

Mandarin Palmer

 

 

Fill a pitcher (or glass) with ice

Add one part ginger tea-infused vodka to one part lemonade

If in pitcher, add fresh mandarin oranges to float; add one to glass for garnish

Mint leaf garnish optional

Recap Review: Mandarin Oriental, Miami Sunday Beach Party

Last Sunday, while at the first ever Sizzlin’ Sundaze Beach Party at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, I caught up with their PR Manager Allie Spang who gave us Brick Gals an early sneak peak on what was about to go down.  We were expecting first class all the way (I mean after all it is a Mandarin Oriental), but what we received was above and beyond awesome.

Mandarin Oriental Miami

Convenient? Check.

Unless you have a super sick virtual transporter, you have to walk across the Brickell Key Bridge.  If you want to drive and waste gas and kill the world, your prerogative. Valet is 11 bucks.

Get Your Nails Did

Free Spa Treatments? Check.

Hold up, Wait a Minute.  When we mentioned mini spa treatments, we erroneously left off that they were free. Yea, you heard it.  Polish changes and back massages. Free. Fact. Our bad!

Chicken Lettuce Wraps! Yum!

Delicioso Tapas Menu? Check.  Being a super chic and sexy hotel, Mandarin gets it right with the food.  From really awesome Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps to even burgers, yummmmm.

Brick Gal Becky Chillaxin'

Awesome place to relax within view of crazy awesome dancer guy? Check.

Moral of the story Brick Gals? Grab your girls and cross the bridge!  We just got some top secret new info from the peeps at Mandarin.  Wait for it… Wait for it… Now on Sundays from 12 – 2, the beach party is starting a new “happy hour” when all cocktails are $8 each! Fabulosity!

Brick Gals at the Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Another goodie you ask?  Mention Brick Gals at the bar and you get your first signature drink for only 4 bucks!

Original Post on the Mandarin Oriental, Miami Sunday Beach and Pool Party