No, I didn’t run away to live in a beach front property and eat delicious food for the rest of my life.  Just internet problems on this side of the world that have prevented me from blogging this week.

But we did got away for one night to live it and eat it up South Beach style. Thanks to Tasting Table Miami‘s giveaway.

Lucky Rice is a food fest with a spotlight on Asian-inspired tastings and cocktails from celebrated chefs and buzz-worthy bartenders.

This past Saturday the festival made its Miami debut at the SoHo Beach House.

Free food and cocktails! Lucky me!

The pool area with live music…

The Sushi Samba station.  Black grouper tiradito, green apple mustard, charred pineapple, crispy malanga & crispy mochi, Japanese eggplant, porkbelly, chili…

Braised oxtail skewer, Thai basil, peach su-shoyu {yeah, whatever that means}…

The Hakkasan station.  Grilled mini chicken dumplings.  Not impressed…

The garden area…

The Suika Tonic Cooler. Such a refreshing, earthly taste…

and the Szechuan Basil Smash.  Spicy and oh so good..

The Susur Lee and Douglas Rodriguez station…

Char Sui duck sandwich with onion marmalade.  This was so delish.  Can you spot the duck ‘chicharrones‘? Oh, is the little things I tell ya!

Smoky mojo pulled pork sandwich with aji de chicharron…

Tuna watermelon ceviche. Bay scallops ceviche with celery root and black garlic. Smoked marlin tacos.  Yum!

The Makoto station.  One of the best ones.  Tataki: Popped rice, Kobe beef tataki, wasabi cream, micro wasabi…

Wonton: Mochi rice, mushroom duxelles, shallots, umami sauce…

And then, the beach front tent…

The Katsuya station.  Blue fin tuna hand rolls with nikiri soy and nori cones.  1 in my hand 5 in my belly…

Mr Norman Van Aken himself and his new book “My Key West Kitchen”…

Got to meet Todd English.  Please don’t mind the special effects my camera decided on for the occasion…

Just know that I was so busy being a fan of the chef that I overlooked taking a pic of the amazing confit pork belly and rock shrimp fried rice drizzled with sesame soy.  So good.

A very different kind of Friday night for us.

So I think free food is what it takes to get us out from our usual Friday night in.  

And a night out is what it takes to make me miss Saturday’s long run.  

Just when I need it the most.