Hey all! I love avocados. If you also love avocados, you should make your way to Daytona Beach, Florida for some serious invention and fun being had at The Dancing Avocado Kitchen on Beach Street. I had a pretty fantastic time in Daytona Beach (my first time here since I was a kid!) and I couldn't wait to get to my computer and tell you about my stroll in the pouring rain. It was raining buckets when I left my hotel, but it was still warm so it was actually beautiful. I had a fabulous lunch with my food buddy, Andrew Goldwasser who I spoke about in my first post. This restaurant has a ton of veggie options for part-time herbivores such as myself, and we started off our lunch with sweet fried plantains dusted with cinnamon/sugar and served with a caramel sauce. GET AT ME PLANTAINS. Come on? Caramel sauce? Yes. Life's short eat dessert first.
I was pretty blown away by the plantains so it was difficult to have room for my actual lunch, so I brought it home and had an awesome dinner while I watched Louie Season 2. If it's rainy in Daytona beach, make lemonade, except in my case I made carrot juice. I know that it sounds simple but I think they put more in there than just carrots because that was the BEST carrot juice I ever had. I also like when juice has pulp so that was a plus about this joint. They were so friendly too; it's as if all the hippies in Daytona (really the ONLY hippies in Daytona) created a restaurant. Also, in the bathrooms they had a salt scrub by each sink, made with natural oils and smelling absolutely delicious. I used the lemongrass one, and felt for maybe 10 seconds that I was at a spa. I would totally come back here. | The second course, for me, was their Dangerous Dancer Avocado melt complete with fresh avo, sliced tomato, onion, sprouts, three melted cheeses, on multigrain dusted with their signature "dancer" spices. Side quinoa salad was yummy too, light lemon vinaigrette, lots of lentils, my dad would have gone nuts for this one. Then… I found Sweet Marlay's.After lunch, I thought I wouldn't be satisfied with my short stint in Daytona Beach if I didn't try some of the local brew. Then, I found Sweet Marlay's. It was right down the street from the Dancing Avocado! This place had everything that I love about a little coffee shop. They had comfy couches and bookshelves to start. They sold a ton of local jewelry and art and they baked all their pastries right in the back of the shop. I felt completely at home here. I wanted to sample the grub so I had an amaretto latte and a rose-water raspberry filled cupcake. |
The people that worked at Sweet Marlay's were really nice and told me where to check out before I left Daytona. I walked into this funky hot yoga studio right down the street and almost went to a class (if it hadn't of been cancelled because of the rain). Well, I worked out and therefore justified having a cupcake for dessert after eating leftovers from the Dancing Avocado.
My latte was delicious and my cupcake even better. After sitting in the car for 9 hours on the way here from Alabama, it was worth it to finally be able to walk around and enjoy the day even in the pouring rain. I walked until I found the coolest little local orange shop. They sold oranges and honey and that's about it! I couldn't leave Florida without having some oranges and my GOODNESS I have never truly liked oranges until now. I think my tastebuds have changed because these oranges tasted like candy. Actual candy. I even got some orange blossom honey, which is my favorite. A cup of tea later sounds like a great idea. The oranges would not have been complete without my new friend, the orange shop dog, Ned. Meet Ned everyone! What a love, a little toto.
Overall my day off in Daytona Beach was a success, even in the pouring rain! I had a wonderful time exploring and I found some pretty fantastic eats. I would highly recommend coming here when one can go to the beach, sit in the sunshine, eat honeybell oranges, and all while playing fetch with Ned. Til next time!
Check out The Dancing Avocado!
Also, for your sweet tooth, Sweet Marlays!
Check out The Dancing Avocado!
Also, for your sweet tooth, Sweet Marlays!