Winter Evenings on Marco Island

by Cindi Sutter & Laura Chin, Tastemaker in Residence ---Photos courtesy of Teri Popp

Marco Island, FLA is the perfect escape for a group of Minnesota friends...so over the next few weeks, we're going to say TGIF Spirited Style as we join them around their favorite drinks, meals and tables.

It wouldn't be Florida without a Key Lime Martini. "I opted to leave the graham cracker crust off the glass--I think the cracker crust makes the drink too heavy and dessert like--we drank them as cocktails before dinner." - Teri Popp.

Great food, great friends, and great conversations add up to make one great vacation-especially when you can work in a gourmet kitchen. From enjoying artisan cheeses and ultra fresh shrimp with snow crab claw appetizers from the Paradise Seafood and Gourmet Market on Marco Island, to an American meal featuring parmesan encrusted chicken with all of the fixings, to a Chinese feast, everything tastes better when you are sitting poolside and on a large water canal off the Southern Gulf Coast. Just grab a Key Lime Pie Martini or a cucumber vodka, straight up, and enjoy the view in style.

Gathering to watch the sunset in Florida is a giant excuse for a walk on the beach, sharing cocktails, lots of appetizers and in general, friends gathering to celebrate the joy of a warm respite from a long Minnesota Winter.

Laura Chin's families culinary skills are renown. So on this particular evening a team of friends share in the prep and fun of entertaining Chin - Chinese Spirited Style. Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon and Decoy Sauvignon Blanc was served with the Chinese Feast.