Sunday, January 23, 2011

FTBG Chocolate Festival 2011

Today is the final day of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens Chocolate Festival.  I try to make it every year and made it this year on the last day.  I was so bummed that I would, yet again, miss my chance to eat from a food truck called the GastroPod.  But there they are, like a mirage!

First I got there early and manage to snag a parking space right next to the entrance.  The thrill of this set the tone for the rest of my day.  Walking through the lush green foliage I come upon the old 1962 gleaming silver Airstream shining bright in the beautiful sunlight of a clear cool day.  It was like a mirage in the desert tempting a poor soul dying of thirst.   YUM!  All this and chocolate too?  Too much for yours truly.  I simply had to stay until noon so I could have lunch.  I ordered the banh mi pork tacos and the short rib sliders.  My sister and I tried this and the highlight of both of the sandwiches were the delicious pickled veggies.  The tiny pink orchid plant below actually emits a smell of chocolate!  It is called...the chocolate orchid plant.  And believe me, it smells like chocolate.  What a wonderfully scented plant and I can't wait to get one for myself. It was a nice crowd and picked up some lovely spices and teas to round out my day.  I actually didn't buy chocolate. Just wasn't in the mood but I can't wait to make some strawberry dream tea!  Wonderful day with perfect weather!