I fondly remember the handmade cards and drugstore chocolates I received in the past, but my kids outdid themselves this year with their Mother’s Day gift: a weekend away in the New Smyrna Beach area, full of opportunities to pamper me! I couldn’t wait to get there!
I settled into the Eliza room, with its tropical rattan furniture, beautifully tiled shower, and access to a private balcony with both waterfront and garden views. This certainly makes up for years of late-night diaper changes! After enjoying the relaxing breeze while reading a book in the outdoor gardens, I decided to make my way out for a delicious dinner.
I decided on the City Market Bistro after seeing their scrumptious selection of seafood starters—how could I say no to lobster ravioli with lobster truffle sauce? The variety of steak frites dishes looked tempting, but I went with the shrimp and grits for my entrée, to keep with the Southern feel.
This weekend is all about things that make me feel good and relaxed, so I started my day with a yoga session at All Yoga NSB. There’s nothing like an hour of vinyasa flow to clear out your head and warm up your body. And the best part of yoga is that it’s for all shapes and sizes, even moms of a certain age.
After leaving the class, I stopped at Mason Bar, which serves up healthy foods made with mostly organic ingredients. I laughed to myself that, once upon a time, eating out in the morning with the kids meant a fast-food egg-and-cheese sandwich with hashbrowns, which were really French fries renamed for breakfast. How times have changed… for the better!
After a day spent outside, I was hungry for something substantial for dinner, perhaps Italian. The Garlic fit the bill nicely. The outdoor waiting area was refreshing, with its string-light-covered umbrella tables to protect me from the sun while imparting a festive feel. The décor at The Garlic is centered by its wood-fired brick oven, creating a cozy atmosphere. After placing my order for some steamed local clams to start along with a delicious-sounding osso buco, I tried to restrain myself from demolishing the basket of homemade bread with roasted garlic for smearing. If only I had left room for dessert...