Tag Archives: Dining out

Seasons 52.

6 Jan
Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if you could go out to eat to a restaurant that served delicious, fresh food, with nothing over 475 calories?  Well folks, your dream is about to come true!
If you haven’t dined at Seasons 52, I highly suggest it.  While their locations aren’t widespread yet, if there is one near your home and you haven’t visited…what are you waiting for!?014
As you can guess, their menu is seasonal.  So four times a year, their menu changes.  And then each week, another special menu is available. 
I have dined at Seasons 52 during all seasons and I would have to say that my favorite Seasons season is summer.  But don’t get me wrong, you can find something delicious any time of year.
When I recently dined, they were featuring their fall menu.  

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One of the items they are known for is their delicious flatbreads.  We tried a spicy pork flatbread.

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My favorite thing about their flatbread is that it is served on a long board…you eat with your eyes first after all! 
Next, I had a tomato salad.

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The presentation was so beautiful!  It was topped with balsamic glaze, basil and a creamy cheese.

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Some friends had this chili relleno that was too beautiful not to share!

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For my entrée I had caramelized sea scallops with pearl pasta and a mixed variety of seasonal squash!  It actually comes with asparagus but I asked for a veggie substitution, which I felt was more fall-like anyway!  This was definitely the highlight of my meal!  The scallops were done perfectly and I loved the variety of squash that was used.
Seasons 52 is also known for their cute, decadent mini indulgences!

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They are brought out and shown to you using a little flashlight.  How could you say no!?
I had the delicious pecan pie!

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So the next time you’re debating where you should dine and there’s a Seasons 52 close to home…the decision will already be made for you.  The atmosphere is beautiful, the food is top notch and the service is excellent.  And if there isn’t one near you…well you might want to start planning your next vacation according to where one is Winking smile

A heart as red as marinara.

16 Feb
So what did everyone do for Valentine’s Day?  If you braved the restaurant crowds I hope you had some  patience.  Jay and I celebrated early but we still had a great time!
On Friday, we dined at Dante & Luigi’s, which is said to be the oldest restaurant in Philadelphia!  We had been there once before for my graduation and our experience was better than the first time.
The restaurant is very old Italian and you feel like you’re sitting in your Grandma’s kitchen.  You  might as well be, because the food is that good.
We started off with a few drinks.  I had a glass of the house Pinot Noir and Jay had a Peroni.
We were also given some excellent crusty Italian bread that I dipped in olive oil.
It’s pretty rare for us to get appetizers, let alone share one, but we decided to try an antipasto freddo, a cold appetizer of  imported prosciutto, provolone & Sicilian olives.
I also had a simple house salad and Jay had the ceasar salad.  I was kicking myself after that I didn’t get that tasty salad!
For my entree I chose a dish my sister ordered last time we visited.
Farfalli & Mushrooms: Bow tie pasta with a trio of mushrooms in a basil cream sauce.
This pasta dish is unbelievably delectable.  I rarely order pasta at restaurants but this is something I can’t pass up.  The sauce is so flavorful and the mushrooms just melt into the pasta.  Definitely one of the best Italian dishes I have ever had.
And Jay had chicken parm.
He said that this is now the best chicken he has ever had.
We had to get dessert  to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Any excuse, right ;) And Dante & Luigi’s makes homemade gelato!  How could we pass that up?
We shared some chocolate gelato, which was perfectly creamy and rich.  A perfect way to end our great night!
After dining here for the second time, I can confidently say that Dant e& Luigi’s is not only one of my favorite restaurants, but also some of the best Italian food I’ve had at a restaurant.
As a reminder, vote for my cupcake!  And in case you missed the update on my last post, you can now vote once a day.  I appreciate all your votes and support.  Just click the button below and click the vote button. :)

Mexalicious oh so delicious.

13 Feb
As I mentioned in my last post, my craving for Mexican food didn’t disappear after dining out.  Naturally, I decided that a delicious recipe needed to be made!
Mexican Turkey Bake
You will need:
•1 green pepper
•1 small onion
•2 – 3 garlic cloves
•1 pound ground turkey
•1 jar salsa
•1 can tomato paste
•1 can Rotel tomatoes and chilies
•12 corn tortillas
•8 oz reduced fat cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350º
1.) Begin by chopping the green pepper and onion.
2.) Add pepper, onion and turkey to a cooking pan.  The turkey should brown as the veggies become soft.  Add garlic once turkey is mostly brown.  When the meat is brown and veggies have softened, drain any excess fat.
3.) Add salsa, tomato sauce and Rotel tomatoes and chilies.  Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.
4.) Once the mixture has simmered, spread a thin, even layer on the bottom of a casserole dish.
Place 6 corn tortillas over the sauce, followed by more sauce, half of the cheese, the other 6 corn tortillas, and remaining sauce.
6.) Cover with foil and bake for a half hour.
7.) Uncover, add cheese, and bake for another half hour. Here is a sneak peek at what the bake looked like midway :)
Remove the casserole from oven, let cool, slice and enjoy!
This dish totally satisfied my craving for something Mexalicious.  The tortillas become almost tamale-like and all the flavors just melt together!  And you could do a ton of different things with this recipe depending on you taste such as substitute the turkey for ground beef or tofu, add different veggies, add sour cream, cilantro, fresh salsa…the possibilities are endless!

Buy it, Try it.

9 Feb
I’m pretty sure  that I was supposed to be born in another country.  Or at least another part of the country.  I’m a huge fan of different kinds of food and the selection in South Jersey is just, eh.  If you want good, unique food, you probably have to venture into Philadelphia.
So Jay and I did!  We visited the Mexican Post for tasty Mexican food.

I’m a big fan of any place  that gives you chips and salsa.  I don’t care if it is a Mexican restaurant or not.  So I was a happy camper when I saw this was a part of the deal.
I had a big margarita.  The “you need two hands” kind.
Jay had a Tecate beer.
Which he went on to crush.
After a few sips of a “you need two hands” margarita, you start looking up at the lights and saying, “This is a pretty room.” Full house reference anyone?
I had a side  salad to start with a cilantro dressing.  Oh yes, so good.  I love cilantro anything.  Cilantro dressing on my queso fresco, yes please.
And then I had a big  Mexican feast.
Pork tamales with refried beans and toppings ! The tamales were delicious.  Great moist texture and the flavor was perfect.  My only complaint would be that the pork wasn’t inside the tamales, which is what I think of when talking about traditional tamales.
Jay had a quesadilla that he said was similar to a grilled cheese.  A little bit too much cheese.
We left feeling pretty full so we were thankful to have the chance to walk it off a bit, even if it was freezing cold.  I thought the food was good and it was definitely a better experience than we would have had locally, but I think the award would have to go to the Tortilla Press.
I was left once again dreaming about Mexican food long after we left The Mexican Post ( weeks?) so I had to create something equally as delicious and a lot healthier.  Stay tuned for my Mex-a-licious recipe!
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