Latest news with #CarrotExpress
Business Insider
15-05-2025
- Business Insider
We rented a 90-foot yacht with a captain to explore Miami by water for the day. It was a highlight of our trip.
In Miami, my friends and I rented a yacht with a captain and crew for four hours through Boatsetter. We went around Biscayne Bay, the Keys, and Star Island, and got to ride Jet Skis. Overall, we had a really great time, and I'd definitely rent a yacht again. When visiting Miami with a group of friends, we decided to rent a boat and spend our day cruising around Biscayne Bay. To find one, I used the boat-rental app Boatsetter, which is often referred to as the "Airbnb for boats." It connects boat owners with renters in over 700 locations around the world, from Miami to the Amalfi Coast. Here's what the experience was like. Our group chose a 90-foot yacht. The Boatsetter platform has everything from pontoons to sleek yachts available to rent, but our group of eight decided to go all out with a 90-foot Sunseeker yacht for four hours. We also added catering, a captain, and a small crew. The crew we hired included a captain, first mate, and steward. Booking was easy — we made the reservation directly through the website a few days in advance and paid in full. Our rental was $2,656, or $332 a person, after service fees and sales tax. The yacht felt really nice and spacious. We especially liked the onboard hot tub and Jet Skis. Its deck felt spacious and comfortably fit our whole group. I especially liked the hot tub on the deck, which was one of the reasons we wanted to rent this particular boat. Catering was arranged during our booking. Catering was an optional add-on, but we chose to get salads and snacks from Carrot Express, a popular café in Miami that I love. Our boat's owner also left a bottle of sparkling wine on board for us, which was a nice touch. The views were lovely throughout our ride. For this trip, we went with our captain's suggested route around Biscayne Bay, the Keys, and Star Island. As we cruised around the Bay, it was fun to see all the towering skyscrapers and different neighborhoods by boat. Along the way, we even spotted the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. I especially enjoyed taking out the boat's Jet Skis. We ended the day near Star Island, where we tried to spot celebrity homes. Our ride was especially beautiful as the sun set. Overall, this was one of the highlights of my Miami trip. The only downside of the experience is that we got back a bit later than expected and missed our post-boating dinner reservation. We didn't blame our captain, though. Several bridges along the route must be raised for boats to pass under, which can require coordination between captains and the county. This can sometimes lead to delays. Next time, I just wouldn't make any time-sensitive plans after a boat day. Despite that small hiccup, I had a really great experience renting a boat. Four hours felt like the ideal amount of time to spend on the water and and the booking process was seamless. I'd use Boatsetter again next time I'm in Miami, especially for a special occasion like a birthday. The experience can be a bit costly, but it's fun, and the views on the Bay are beautiful.
Fox News
21-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Surprising origins of popular restaurant, plus what to know about raw milk
'FRESH & SIMPLE' – Executive chef and founder Mario Laufer first started selling food from his cousin's gas station. Now, the Carrot Express founder has almost 30 locations selling healthy meals. RAW TRUTH – Mark McAfee, who leads the California-based Raw Farm and founded the Raw Milk Institute, teaches others about the benefits (and risks) of raw milk for human consumption. CARNIVAL CROWDS – Tourists flock to Venice, Italy, for the Carnival celebration, as the city looks to curb overtourism. MORNING BREW – Make the perfect cup of coffee from the comfort of your own home with these top coffee pots for every type of java drinker. Continue reading... CALLING ALL CROSSWORD PUZZLE LOVERS! – Play our Fox News daily crossword puzzle for free here! And not just one — check out the multiple offerings. See the puzzles... Fox News FirstFox News Opinion
Fox News
20-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- Fox News
Food sold at gas station explodes into health-focused restaurant chain
A Cuban-born chef who fled to the United States with his family when he was 5 years old is now at the helm of Carrot Express, a health-conscious restaurant with almost 30 locations throughout South Florida and New York. Mario Laufer's introduction to America began in 1961. But his taste of the industry that would become his career didn't take root until the early 1990s, when he started selling food at his cousin's gas station in Miami Beach. The original Carrot Express opened in 2012, not far from the gas station where he got his start making "simple but great" food, Laufer told Fox News Digital in an interview. (See the video at the top of this article.) At the gas station, Laufer would serve "simple stuff" like pita sandwiches and chicken or tuna salads. When he opened a true eatery of his own eventually, Laufer was determined to offer fresh, healthy and delicious foods. Laufer chose the name as an ode to The Last Carrot, a restaurant in Miami's Coconut Grove neighborhood that he used to frequent in high school. "I was obsessed with that place," he recalled. It was also "fresh and simple" – a formula he's tried to replicate with his menu offerings, he said. "I'm very conscious of the quality of my food and about the ingredients that I use and about the fish that I use and about the oils that I use," Laufer said. One menu item that's become a favorite at Carrot Express is Mario's Favorite Chicken Bowl. "Everybody loved it. That's how it started." It's inspired by a meal Laufer would often throw together while at work. "Everybody was wanting to know what I was eating – all my employees and all my customers," Laufer said. "So, everybody loved it. That's how it started." 1 tablespoon olive oil 5 ounces cubed chicken 4 ounces pre-cooked brown rice 4 ounces pre-cooked quinoa 1 handful spinach 1 teaspoon chopped scallions 1 tablespoon chopped almonds Salt and pepper, to taste 4 ounces citrus sauce (see below) 1 ounce sesame seeds (for garnish) (Note: The chicken can be substituted with 1 portion of tofu or ahi tuna poke.) 1. Heat olive oil in a skillet at medium heat. 2. Add scallions and sauté. Add the chicken and sauté until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Add spinach. 3. Add 1 ounce of citrus sauce, stirring until the greens are slightly wilted. Add brown rice, quinoa, 2 ounces of citrus sauce, salt and pepper and mix until everything is evenly coated. 4. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Serve in a bowl and top with 1 ounce of citrus sauce and chopped almonds. Garnish with sesame seeds (optional). 1½ ounces orange juice 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon lime juice 1⁄3 teaspoon honey 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 3 tablespoons olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Whisk all ingredients together until fully combined. 2. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator. This recipe is owned by Carrot Express and was shared with Fox News Digital.
