Hello my lovelies, oh how I’ve missed you! As we’ve just recently rounded the corner on a year of 6 feet apart, mask mandates, apocalyptic vibes, let’s focus on the positive. I’ve rounded up four of my favorite spots born from a time of quarantine. These places defied the odds and not only opened during this crazy year, but also found a special place in my heart! It’s certainly not coincidental that each of them serves one of three necessities: coffee, dessert, or wine (and some a combination of the above). Let’s be honest… in the last year, each of these has become their own food group!
We begin with some caffeine magic at Grove Surf + Coffee. Y’all, this place is dangerous, especially since it’s within walking distance of work. One of my favorite things about this spot is that they roll out seasonal specials in the cutest forms. Fall brought in a ghoulish Spooky S’mores Latte served in a skeleton, while their newest Spring Menu is giving me heart eyes, especially their Piña Collate served iced in a pink flamingo with rum and pineapple infused syrup and coconut cream. Keep your eyes peeled for the pastry case with rotating sweets from Pete’s General and Mana Bakery and don’t sleep on their quintessential Coconut Iced Latte with oat milk. I can guarantee I will also be tracking them down in the future to the Corey Ave Market where they just recently rolled out the most scrumptious looking chocolate covered frozen bananas. My fingers are crossed this becomes a regular occurrence!
Though still a spot where early morning dreams are made, our next spot leads us away from the beaches and to the heart of Grand Central to a vegan spot that holds a special place in my heart… especially on Saturday mornings! I will follow Valhalla Bakery wherever they may go, but there’s just something special about this beautiful brick and mortar with pink walls, green velvet, and plants galore. Why, might you ask is this a Saturday must? Because from the comfort of your bed, in the early morning weekend hours, checking for the daily donut flavors is imperative, followed by a quick sprint over to get them before they’re gone. Whether the donut sandwich is more your style or you are keeping an eye out for the Pistachio Rose or Guava Cream Cheese, there’s just something exciting about never knowing what new amazingness these magical vegan bakers are going to come up with.
Our next spot, Anani Bistro, down in the heart of Gulfport makes the perfect bridge from day to night. Whether you feel like capping off your morning yoga practice curled up on the blue velvet couch with a tropical Beach House juice and Lox Bagel with avocado, alfalfa, lime, and red pepper flakes or you roll in after work and sit on the porch with an Italian sparkling rosé, you can’t go wrong. Their homemade chocolate chip cookies are large enough to share and they have a few Build Your Own Smoothie Bowl choices that I’m dying to try.
Last, but not least is a spot that totally speaks my love language: books and wine (under one roof!) Book + Bottle opened right as the world shut down last year, but didn’t miss a beat. They started putting together curated cases of wine available for curbside. In my haste, I attempted not to break any speed laws, while on a quest to pick up my box of whites and rosés. My intention: to curl up in the bath tub with a glass of wine and one of my new novel choices Terra (the lovely owner) selected for me, such as Lilac Girls and Cilka’s Journey. As strictures loosened and we could begin venturing outside, they put on awesome themed events like a Harry Potter Birthday Celebration highlighted by a House Wine Tasting (Ravenclaws unite!) and an Alice in Winoland Tea Party. I’m determined to join their book club in the next month and have made it my mission to make it down on a weekend for $15 wine flights. I’ll see ya there!
If you can’t wait until June to see what I’m eating, then check more content out on Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at [email protected]. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!
