Happy Monday dolls. That weekend flew by a little too fast! I feel like the fog from the holidays has finally lifted and everyone is getting back into work mode. My inbox is perking back up with opportunities which I am quite excited about. My classes started and the emails are rolling in from students already. My to-do lists are growing. I swear I get more accomplished when I have ten things to do instead of two. This weekend was jam packed. My in-laws were in town on Saturday for a wedding and to look at a house that we had put an offer on. We are currently the backup offer which honestly I am okay with. The house needs a ton of a work and even our offer is at the upper limits of what we feel comfortable with. I forgot to mention it is a bank owned property that doesn’t even have a kitchen. Like the cabinets were even ripped down and taken. So yeah, you could see it needs some work.
We ventured out to Bartaco in Hyde Park to check out the newest secret taco which was an ancho-chili and coffee braised short rib. I laugh whenever I hear coffee rubbed beef because during our wedding planning Mark was so insistent on a coffee rubbed filet. Then, because our wedding was in February all the vendors changed their story for the New Year…..aka prices go up and they tried to mess with our coffee rubbed steaks. Thank goodness the non-lawyer part of this duo had every contract signed and highlighted. I never knew so much about cuts of beef when it came to planning a wedding. All I can say is I’m glad we had it, it was an amazing day, but I never want to plan another one! Okay, so moving along. When I heard that coffee braised amazingness was the new taco, I couldn’t wait to take Mark.
We have gotten very picky about going out to dinner as of late. Between the two of us, Pinterest recipes, and a fully stocked wine fridge…..it’s pretty hard to measure up to that. However, Bartaco in Tampa is one of our favorites. It consistently has great food, the service is excellent, the drinks are worth every penny, and the ambiance is breezy Florida living. Saturday was the most beautiful Florida weather. In the 70’s, no humidity, puffy clouds and a nice breeze. Does anyone else coordinate an outfit to the type of meal setting? For example, this was my sassy, bright, and festive outfit for Bartaco. I know it’s super weird right? I also give myself so much credit for wearing a white shirt with flowy bell sleeves to a place that has salsa and tacos.
Skirt Club Monaco find here ||| Off the shoulder with bell sleeves Wayf find here ||| Pink ankle strap heels Sam Edelman find here ||| Bag Louis Vuitton find here
Get ready to see this skirt on major repeat. It is so cheery and perfect for the Spring. It has an invisible zipper and a button over top tier. This Wayf off the shoulder top is lined so you don’t have to be as crazy about which bra to pair with it. I hit it with a quick steam and it stayed wrinkle free. I paired it with my new favorite pink heels. I will probably be wearing these every chance I can get. The price point is reasonable and they are insanely comfy. They are already selling out in sizes so scoop them up before they sell out!
Onto the food and drinks! I am not a big drinker as you all know but I cannot say no to their margaritas. All of their drinks have freshly squeezed seasonal fruits and you can tell the difference!
We started with the guacamole (staple every time) and the newly added Tuna Poke. Seriously, that was the highlight of the meal for me. The tuna was extremely fresh was seasoned with sesame oil and layered over avocado.
Then onto the tacos! My standard order is the Duck tacos (the only place I’ll ever order duck) Mark likes the Ribeye and the last secret taco is now a menu staple, the tuna taco in a lettuce wrap. The secret taco was the coffee rubbed short rib. I will tell you to eat those first. They taste the best hot.
For sides we went with the street corn (ask for it off the cob, heavenly) and spicy slaw.
The hidden gem on the menu if you ask me is the gelato. We order the mint chocolate chip gelato even though we were stuffed. It is refreshing, minty and the best end to the meal. Do not skip it!
We rolled home. I immediately took off my heels and skirt. It was replaced with a Patriots shirt and I tried to keep my eyes open to watch the end of the game. Tacos + tequila + gelato and I was a tired girl. I highly recommend you try out Bartaco for my local peeps. It has the best buzz around Hyde Park. There are also other locations around the US as well that you can check here. A few of you told me you went after my last review and loved it! Now back to the work week! I hope everyone had a great weekend and linking up with Biana today. Do you have a staple local restaurant that you love going to?
Love your look friend- this weekend was just dreamy! Bartaco remains one of my favorite spots in the city! How did I not know they have gelato?! Going to have to try it next time!
Your pictures look great! Love that skirt and those pink heels… And those margaritas OMG!!! :)
Brittany :)
http://www.kingdomofsequins.com
Oh my goodness, those tacos look amazing! You know I’m a sucker for Mexican and margaritas! And props to you for wearing white to a Mexican restaurant, I would have come out covered in salsa haha! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Love your entire outfit ! I’m a sucker for a pretty off the shoulder top !!! Looks like you had a fun time :)
I totally remember you talking about this place before. The dragonfly sparked my memory lol Awesome that it’s good enough for a trip or two back! A nap is always needed after a good Mexican food spot! (;
Yum, yum, yum! The tuna taco lettuce wraps look GOOOOD. Also yes – we like getting out of the house to eat, but I’ve also gotten picky because I feel like I can make a lot of those dishes better at home…um, I have yet to make it to BarTaco – whoops.
Haha! I saw your insta post on this outfit, and I was seriously impressed that you didn’t dip one of those pretty sleeves in the guac, too! <- that would have been me…
Question for ya: the LV link for your bag isn't working, but I remember clicking on one a long time ago (maybe even years?? not sure..) that sent me to the Real Real. Do you buy your bags new or used? I'm about to get my first LV, and I'd love to get a used one to save some $, but I want to make sure I'm using a good site! There are SOOO many out there…
Any thoughts you have would be helpful! Happy MLK day, Amanda!
Gahhh…. back up offer a house with no kitchen?! The most expensive thing to put in?! YIKES! It’s exciting that you all are moving forward in the process… it’s the right time, too… because I think interest rates are only going to climb higher. Good luck to you!
How gorgeous is this outfit?! Perfect for a date night out, and I totally can see how it went with the restaurant. And, I definitely want tacos now.
The guacamole and tacos both look amazing plus the whole restaurant vibe seems nice! Love the off-the-shoulder top with the pop of pink heels!
Crossing my fingers for you guys on the house and getting the kitchen that you want LOL!! Loving those shoes – that chunky heel is just perfect. Bartaco looks delicious – I want everything you ordered! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I’ve heard of this place! It looks so delicious!
xx
Lauren Elizabeth
Petite in Pearls
I am totally with you. Planning a wedding was fun for a bit, but I’d never do it again. LOL! So much stuff to think about/plan/stress over! Glad you guys had a great weekend. I went to Bar Taco in Nashville and I have to say I wasn’t terribly impressed. It was good, but nothing really made me want to return!
I love Bartaco! I’ve been to one in Atlanta and love everything about it!
Have a great week.
Traci
waltzmetoheaven.com
Oh that outfit is so adorable! I will have to recreate with some other pieces, the colors go so well! On that short rib taco sounds divine too, I must try to make something like that. Sounds like a great time! Keep me posted on the house, fingers crossed!
Thank you for introducing me to Bar Taco! I wish there was one closer to me now, but I’ll just drool over your posts instead until I can get back to one!
Their food always looks so good when you’ve shared it. I immediately crave tacos. And that skirt is so cute. Great color pattern.
I love this look on you, Amanda! You look so elegant and beautiful! It sounds like your year is off to a crazy busy start!
Best wishes on the offer!!! If it was meant to be you’ll get it and if not, that just means something better is out there for you! Then meal you had looks amazing! Coffee rubbed? Haven’t tried it, but I clearly need to. Love you outfit, you look gorgeous as always! Have a great week!