This Week's High Notes: Palm Beach, Grilled Cheese & a 420 Birthday Bash
From sushi bars to Cindy Lou’s cookies—come hungry.
Hi friends 👋🏼
Burned out. Behind on everything. Trying to be the mom, the boss, the partner, the friend—all at once.
So I stopped.
My friend Anna and I hopped on the @gobrightline and gave ourselves a quick 8-hour escape to Palm Beach. No pressure to “do it all”—just what felt good: a beautiful brunch, a walk to the beach, rooftop drinks, and the kind of real connection that fills you back up.
It wasn’t a vacation—it was a reminder.
To focus on the 24 hours in front of you. Not next week, not next year. Just today.
🌴 The Palm Beach Escape I Didn’t Know I Needed
We started at The Brazilian Court, which is absolutely stunning—but very “everyone here eats at 4:30 and is asleep by 7.” Chill? Yes. Electric? Not quite.
We had brunch at Café Boulud, which totally delivered on the food (of course it did—it’s Daniel Boulud). No surprise there. But the service? Ehh. Let’s just say Daniel probably isn’t handling the front-of-house—classic hotel restaurant management setup, where the chef brings the magic but isn’t always steering the full ship.
A friend ordered a reposado on the rocks and it came over small ice, already half melted. We asked for a large cube—yes, they had them—and after a few back-and-forths (including the bartender pouring the old drink over the new ice... oy vey), it finally came together.
Here’s the thing: you’re paying for it, so ask for what you want—but do it kindly. Don’t antagonize service staff—they’re there to help, not battle. Lead with warmth and you’ll usually get exactly what you asked for. As they say: more bees with honey.
But hey—service aside, the gazpacho was fresh, the burger was delish, and the vibes were relaxed in the best way.
We strolled Worth Avenue, walked barefoot on the beach to catch the sound of the ocean and soak in some good vibes, and ended the day with cocktails at the Restoration Hardware Rooftop. Chic, calm, and exactly the energy I needed. Drinks were dialed-in, food was great, and I highly recommend the whole trip. Just arrive 20–30 minutes early (unlike Amber 😂), and grab a yogurt parfait from Joe & the Juice or an Italian sandwich or bombolone from Rosetta Bakery.
🍣 Two Sushi Spots That Woke Me Back Up
In the past couple of weeks, I had two sushi meals that seriously delivered:
Aoko – Downtown Miami’s best-kept secret. Elegant omakase, warm service, and a vibe that makes you slow down and savor. The chefs come from Yasu Tanaka and Makoto, so you know the technique and flavor are on point. Sit at the sushi bar if you can—they’ll always make you feel special. And if you’re feeling adventurous, let the chef take some liberties. It’s worth the risk.
Uchiko Miami – Opened just last month in Sunset Harbour, and honestly? I like it way better than its older brother Uchi. It's bold, buzzy, and bursting with flavor—but way more relaxed, cool, and not overly crowded. I brought my son, daughter, stepdaughter, and my son’s best friend (ages 13 to 16), and after the last bite, my son’s best friend looked up and said:
“That was the best Asian meal I’ve ever had.”
Iconic. Also: get the Yuzu G&T. It’s botanical, refreshing, and my absolute go-to.
🎉 420 Is Coming—And I’m Celebrating with Cheese, Chill, and My Son
This Sunday is 4/20, and I wanted to make sure you were fully stocked and inspired before the weekend hits. I'm sharing my favorite recipes for celebrating 420 the delicious way—and no, you don't need cannabis to enjoy them (but if you do, I see you).
It’s also my son Adrian’s 14th birthday.
He’s 6'1", an epic bass player, an amazing athlete, endlessly kind, hilarious, and gives the best hugs. Watching him grow into himself has been one of the greatest joys of my life—and I’m feeling it big this year.
So in his honor, and in celebration of whatever version of 420 speaks to you, I'm sharing two household favorites:
🥤 Frozen Banana & Date Smoothie – the one that’s saved our mornings for years
🥑 Ultimate 420 Grilled Cheese – gooey, crispy, endlessly customizable (guava jam? chips? Do you.)
And yes—I’ll also be celebrating responsibly with a fat J, ideally packed with some Dutch Hawaiian or Jack Herer. Surterra is my go-to dispensary these days.
But tell me—do any of my fellow stoners find it impossible to locate the classic strains we used to love? Everything now is Cookie Pops, Grape Cakes, or Truffle Two-Step.
Whatever happened to Sour Diesel? Purple Haze? Gorilla Glue?
Bring back the heirloom strains—just like food, we want the real-deal originals. We miss them
.
This year, we’ll be celebrating with some Grateful Dead grilled cheese and probably a cookie (or two) from Cindy Lou’s Cookies. Because let’s be honest—what’s 420 without cookies?
🕯 Horseradish So Good, I Could Cry
Passover brought all the feels—and all the flavor.
I discovered my new obsession: Bubbie’s Horseradish. It’s got the perfect level of heat with just the right acidic bite. I could eat charoset and horseradish sandwiches all day long (my fellow Jews out there, you know what I mean 😉).
We made matzo pizza in the air fryer using For Good Sauce, and two types of matzo brittle:
One with dates + almond butter
One with caramel + candied pecans
Finished both with a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt. Yes, we went to three stores to find it. Worth it.
🛒 Grocery List Obsession: Muscat Grapes
Muscat grapes
.
Sweet, jammy, floral, and luxurious. They’re everything. Add to a cheese board, yogurt bowl, or just snack straight from the fridge.
✨ What I’m Loving (and Talking About to Everyone)
🎧 Podcast: I was featured on the first episode of I Want Her Shoes —a beautiful conversation about food, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and identity. Give it a listen.
🎮 Show: White Lotus. That blender scene?? HOW DARE YOU use a dirty blender from the night before to make your smoothie?? I gasped out loud.
🍐 Condiment: Gables Delight Pear + Truffle Jam. Perfect with cheese, toast, or straight off the spoon. You’ll want to hide the jar from your family.
Thanks for being here, for being curious, and for always wanting to taste what’s next. If you loved this one, forward it to a friend who could use a little reset—and maybe a grilled cheese too.
Until next time,
xx
Nicole
Mom, Chef, Entrepreneur, Explorer of Flavor & Life