My favorite way to take advantage of the spring + summer months is to dine outdoors. No matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner… if the weather allows I will always choose the outdoor seating option (even if it means waiting a little longer). Charleston, SC has several outdoor seating (or al fresco if you’re old school Italian) option around town! From soul food to French food and everything in between, there is something for everyone.

Continue reading 7 Outdoor Dining Spots in Charleston, SC at Shades of Pinck.

With the kids finally out of school for summer break, we decided to take a trip down to 30A with some friends. If you haven’t heard about 30A, I hadn’t either, so don’t feel bad. I was first introduced to the scenic highway in the panhandle of Florida when the Miss Tennessee from my class at Miss USA got married there a few years back. Since then, I have continued to hear how great it is from other friends and now bloggers, so we wanted to see what all the hype was about.

Continue reading A PINCK Guide to: 30A at Shades of Pinck.

Every Spring Break we take an annual trip out West to ski Beaver Creek Mountain, just outside of Vail, Colorado. It’s become a tradition that we all look forward to. And after having to skip last year because of the mandatory shut downs, we were all extra eager this year. But we never stay in Beaver Creek for the entire week. Not only are we kinda over the snow after a handful of days, it’s also gawd awful expensive.

Continue reading What We Ate While In Hawaii at Shades of Pinck.

Last week I had the pleasure of dinning under the stars in the heart of Charleston at Hotel Bennett’s restaurant Gabrielle. The weather was perfect, the conversation with some of my favorite Charlestonians was motivating, and the food was simply amazing. It was truly a memorable evening!

Gabrielle, under the direction of Chef Michael Sichel, recently released their fall menu and I fell more in love with each dish that was brought out.

Continue reading Dinner in the heart of Charleston // Gabrielle’s Fall Menu at Shades of Pinck.

Late last year a new restaurant opened on Huger Street. And thanks to its crisp white exterior and massive street-front windows, I couldn’t help but notice it every single day I’d drive pass. But what was less obvious to me was what exactly they were offering.

Almost immediately after exterior renovations were complete, the name of the restaurant was reveled in large pastel letters (in a rather modern font) that read “Freshe Poke”.

Continue reading Freshe Poke // Huger Street at Shades of Pinck.

There are two types of restaurants in Cuba: government-owned restaurants ..and paladares (or family-owned restaurants). While vacationing in Havana we tried to only dine at paladares so that we could get the most authentic experience as possible. But don’t get me wrong, a family-owned restaurant doesn’t mean you’re eating in someone’s kitchen. On the contrary, most of these restaurants are found in super nice, genuine establishments.

Below you’ll find a few of my paladares highlights that you HAVE to try while in Havana!

Continue reading Paladares // where to eat in Havana at Shades of Pinck.

My absolute favorite meal during my time in Havana came while dining at La Guarida, a paladar!

The restaurant is located in a massive multifamily building with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows and a few staircases that would make any architecture-lover swoon. The walls are covered in chipped paint, which may sound as if the building is unkept, but really just adds a level of authenticity that is welcoming. The walls of the actual restaurant are covered in one-of-a-kind artwork, photos of celebrity guests, and artifacts like old movie posters.

Continue reading The one place you HAVE to eat at in Havana! at Shades of Pinck.

Have you ever wanted to try a prestigious Michelin starred restaurant, but didn’t want to pay the hefty price tag that comes with it? If so, your best option is to try to get in for lunch! Although it will still be way more expensive than a Chick-fil-a sandwich combo, it can end up being only a fraction of the cost of a traditional tasting menu.

While in Chicago, I found two great lunch options that have both been awarded one Michelin star:

1.

Continue reading “I’ll take a Michelin star (or 2) for lunch, please…” // Chicago at Shades of Pinck.

A great view, a list of pretty much any type of wine/liquor you can think of, and great music….what more could you want on a summer day?

If you plan on visiting the Riverwalk, make sure you make time to stop into City Winery!

Not to be confused with their actual restaurant location on West Randolph, this City Winery is pretty much just the bar version located on the Riverwalk and is only open during the summer.

Continue reading The Riverwalk bar worth stopping into // Chicago at Shades of Pinck.

There is no better feeling than being able to check something off of your bucket list!

While on my latest trip to Napa, I did just that. I was finally able to dine at THE French Laundry. You know…that world famous restaurant that has received like every honor & accolade imaginable and takes months to get a reservation?! Yeah, that one! Anyone who is anyone has eaten here (think: athletes, politicians, food critics, movie stars, EVERYONE).

Continue reading The BEST restaurant in the world, no really // The French Laundry at Shades of Pinck.