Month: February 2012

Keep Austin Weird

4 Comments
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?  Would you buy a home in every country? Own the nicest car ever created?
Whenever I have thought about having a large sum of money, one thing has always come to my mind
 vacation!! For me, traveling is one of the best things that you can do.  Seeing new sights, meeting new people and of course, trying new food!
Usually when Jay and I plan a vacation we organize and research many months in advance.  But in January I had some unexpected days off in a row and we were both in need of some time away.
One place we’ve both always wanted to visit is Austin, Texas.  I’m not really sure what originally sparked out interest but the more we learned about the quirky city the more our desire to visit grew.  After all, who wouldn’t want to visit a city whose motto is “Keep Austin Weird”.  So fun
Throughout our vacation we joked that all we did was walk and eat. 
Which was pretty true.  Austin is all about supporting local businesses, which I loved.  So most of the restaurants are privately owned and very unique.
We visited Magnolia, where “Everybody Knows, Everybody Goes’” and is, “sorry they’re open” 24 hours a day.  The restaurant was also featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!!
I tried some iced hibiscus tea, which we saw all over Austin.  It tasted very florally but when I added sugar it was too much with the sweetness. 
I had to try the mag mud, which everyone raved about on yelp.  It included black beans, queso, avocado and pico de gallo.  Basically my favorite snack served with a heaping pile of fresh tortilla chips!! I was in heaven.
But wait, there was more.
I also had love megas – scrambled eggs in spicy LOVE butter ( fresh garlic and serrano) with tomato, onion, bell pepper, tortilla chips and jack cheese.  Serve with back beans.  It was almost like an omelette, but better because there were tons of veggies, tortilla chips all melted in and the delicious LOVE butter.  When I think of tex mex, it is meals like this that come to my mind!  The only drawback?  I have been dreaming about this meal ever since we left and unfortunately I don’t know how I would recreate it!
Jay tried the famous gingerbread pancakes!
It tasted like a gingerbread cookie with butter and syrup smothered on.  Now that is something we can recreate!
Other memorable meals included

Pizza from a Hoboken-ite.  Yes, we had pizza in Texas from someone that is from New Jersey.
Real tamales and the sweetest pineapple I have ever had.
An afternoon snack that consisted of cheeses, grapes, beets, crusty bread and perfectly cooked french fries.
And if while we were in Austin we had to experience eating from a food truck!
They literally are everywhere!  I loved it because you could get any type of food on the trucks from breakfast, to a sandwich, pizza

to cupcakes!
In between the snacking and walking we did some sightseeing as well.

If I had to pick my favorite meal, it would have to have been at the South Congrss CafĂ©.  It has a warm, cozy feel with a  modern twist.  The service was better than I have experienced at most fine dining restaurants and the food was out of this world.
We ate there on our last day, during the last moments we had in Austin.  Of course I had to have chips and salsa one last time.  The salsas were all homemade, as were the chips.  I loved the variety of potatoes used for the chips.  Different textures, flavors and crunch.
I had an omelette stuffed with veggies, goat cheese and caramelized onions.  There is something about goat cheese and caramelized onions where I just need a quiet moment to indulge in the creamy/tangy flavors going on in my mouth.  A crispy, savory potato pancake accompanied my omelette and it was better than any hash brown I have ever had.
Jay’s breakfast stole the show.  Carrot cake french toast.  True breakfast decadence and sheer bliss.  Jay, who claimed to not like carrots or carrot cake, devoured every bite.  At the risk of being embarrassing, I didn’t lick his plate.  But I secretly wanted to.
Our trip to Austin was so relaxing, rejuvenating and fun!  I’m already ready for another vacation.  And why is Austin so weird? Well I’m not quite sure whether it is the people, the unique shops and restaurants, the way of life or just the fun vibe.  But I like it.  So please, keep Austin weird, because I’m sure to come back!

Winner winner, chik-fil-A dinner.

2 Comments
    Thank you to those of you who entered my giveaway!
    The following people will receive a voucher!
    • Rachel
    • Aimee
    • Alaine
    • Kay
    • Beth
        • Congrats and enjoy!! I will be emailing everyone by the end of the weekend
        Check back later this weekend for a post about my trip to Austin, Texas!! Have a spectacular weekend.

      Chik-fil-A… Giveaway!

      9 Comments
      Happy Friday!!!
      I hope you’re enjoying the last leg of your week and have fun plans for the weekend.  What better way to celebrate than a giveaway!?!
      If you haven’t heard yet


      “Chick-fil-A is offering a new Kid’s Meal, which is anticipated to be one of the most nutritious in the country, featuring Grilled Nuggets as an entrĂ©e. Compared to an “average” hamburger kid’s meal offered at fast food restaurants, the new Chick-fil-A Kid’s Meal (grilled nuggets [4-count], fruit cup and low fat milk) contains almost 60 percent less calories and an estimated 85 percent less fat. The chain also is enhancing its side choices by adding Buddy FruitsÂź Pure Blended Fruit To Go applesauce.”

      Want the facts?
      • Introduction of Grilled Nuggets
        • 4-count nuggets (80 calories, 1g fat ); 6-count nuggets (110 calories, 1.5g fat)
        • 100 percent all-breast meat chicken (not pre-formed meat)
      • Addition of all natural Buddy FruitsÂź Pure Blended Fruit To Go applesauce
        • 60 calories, 0 grams of fat and equals one serving of fruit
        • Gluten free and contains 100 percent pure fruit
        • Complements the fruit cup, which has been on the menu since 2004 (Chick-fil-A was the first quick-service restaurant to offer a fruit cup)
        • Healthier choice available to kids at no extra cost
      • Improved beverage options
        • The chain is changing its children’s beverage line to only feature one percent milk, 100 percent apple juice, its signature freshly squeezed lemonade, and water as drink choices.
      • Nutritious Kid’s Meal combination
        • The Grilled Nuggets (4-count), Fruit Cup and one-percent milk Kid’s Meal option contains only 210 calories and 3 grams of fat – reflecting an 86 percent cut in fat grams and a 56 percent calorie reduction compared to its previous offerings
      • Additional offerings for gluten intolerant kids
        • Grilled Nuggets - a gluten-free entrĂ©e option
        • o Fruit Cup and Buddy FruitsÂź applesauce - two gluten-free side item options
      I don’t know about you, but any kind of healthier choice that we can offer little ones (especially at a fast food restaurant)  is a big win!  Especially because I <3 Chik-fil-A’s grilled chicken so much! 

      So thanks to the lovely folks at Chik-fil-A, I’d love to give away 5 vouchers for a kids meal!! All you have to do is leave a comment saying what YOUR favorite meal at Chik-fil-A is!!  I will pick 5 winners by Friday, February 17th.  Be sure to leave your email address when you comment so I can let you know if you’re a winner!!

      Have a great weekend!

      The best of Seasons.

      2 Comments
      Does winter have you feeling down?  I know the feeling.  And while this winter may have been quite mild, it does not help the fact that the sun has been setting before and after most of us go to and from work.  You know what does help? 
      Dining at Seasons 52.
      After my recent visit to Seasons this fall, I was kindly invited back to try their winter menu.  I can now say that I have tried dining during every season.  Of course that doesn’t mean I won’t be back.  I have yet to dine 52 times a year, trying their ever changing weekly menu!
      I always love trying one of their refreshing and unique cocktails so I decided to taste a seasonal creation,

      SuperFruit Martini, Veev Açai Spirit, Pom pomegranate-blueberry juice with organic agave nectar. 
      The cute blueberry garnish had me hooked before I even took a sip! I loved that it was sweet, but not too sugary.    And of course I am a huge POM fan so I couldn’t resist!
      To start our meal we chose:
      Rosemary & Parmesan Cheese Crispbread

      and Garlic Chicken Flatbread with balsamic onions, roasted red peppers and mozzarella cheese. 

      Out of the two flatbreads my favorite was the garlic chicken.  I love that it was cheesy but not overwhelmingly so.  And the balance of the toppings were just right
 perfect amount of chicken and veggies.  Each bite that I took was crispy, cheesy and gave a great veggie crunch.
      If you’d like to try making your own flatbread at home, try this recipe that Seasons 52 shared with me!  I am definitely going to make these for a future post.
      Next Jay and I each had a salad.
      I tried:
      Organic Arugula Salad with truffle dressing, Portobello mushrooms and Parmesan cheese.

      I’ve been loving salads with arugula lately so this really hit the spot.  The salty-ness of the Parmesan cheese went perfectly with the peppery flavor of the arugula, topped with the creamy richness of the truffle dressing
and the earthy flavor of the hidden Portobello mushrooms made it an amazing mix of salad ingredients.  This will definitely be something that I recreate!  Jay even loved the salad, though I don’t think he knew their were mushrooms hiding within the arugula
      Jay tried:
      Organic Tomato Stack Salad with blue cheese, crispy chopped bacon, arugula and balsamic glaze.

      I loved the presentation!!! The layers of tomato, bacon, red onion and blue cheese were gorgeous.  It was a pretty hearty salad that could actually be a meal!  Definitely a tastier and fancier spin on a wedge salad.
      With dinner I had a glass of Honig, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa ‘10/’11, a sustainable, crispy, fruity white wine.

      For the main event I had:
      Grilled Swordfish Steak - over shrimp risotto with broccoli, carrots and roasted golden beets.

      I have never tried a fish cooked so perfectly!!! It was tender and flakey
just how a great piece of fish should be cooked.  And the creamy shrimp risotto left me wanting to keep eating even though I was feeling rather stuffed.  I also loved the yellow beets, a perfect winter veggie.
      And for some extra green I tried these stuffed mushrooms that had spinach inside and toasted cheese on top!

      Jay tried:
      Springer Mountain Farms All-Natural Chicken Cabernet with vegetables and Lundberg organic wild rice.

      Jay loved the chicken and said that it was cooked perfectly.  He also enjoyed the Cabernet sauce and I ate most of his mushrooms that were tasty!
      Of course we had room left for a mini indulgence! 

      I had the carrot cake and Jay had rocky road.  Both were phenomenal!! There really isn’t a better dessert that you can end a meal with.  A few bites with a ton of flavor. So satisfying yet you don’t have to feel guilty!!
      If you’d like to try a mini indulgence at home here is another recipe that Seasons 52 shared with me!
      Not only was the food healthy and beyonf tasty, the service was attentive and everyone made us feel like we were the most important people in the restaurant.  You just can’t beat a great meal and great service.  Our experience was amazing and I can’t wait to see wait Seasons has in store for Spring! 

      Restaurant Week: Amada

      2 Comments
      There’s something magical about a week (or two) where you can go to a city’s best restaurants, eat a multitude of fantastic courses, and pay only $35 a person.  I call it a dream come true, or Restaurant Week.
      Unless there is some kind of really important event holding me back, I always make it out to try at least one new restaurant for restaurant week.  It is just too good of an opportunity to pass up!  This year I was lucky enough to snag a reservation a month in advance for Amada, which I have been dying to try!!
      Not only was I excited to experience this foodie paradise and Jose Garcias’ brain child, but also to share the experience with Jay, my good friend Beth, now a food blogger (her blog is Its Good to be the Cook) and always a foodie, and her boyfriend Dahv.  There is just something about going out to eat with a true food lover and actually dining with people that “get it”.  Especially when you are frantically taking pictures of food before everyone dives in.
      Before we begin, let me give you a quick summary of Amada.  During any day of the week, diners can enjoy Spanish style tapas, inspired by the Mediterranean.  Having tasted tapas style restaurants in Spain, it is a very unique and different dining experience.  If you decide to visit, you can also try the suckling pig, which needs to be pre-ordered 72 hours in advance.  Garcias really makes every dish something you’ll never forget, using flavors that will be sure to make you return time and time again.

      During restaurant week each diner has the opportunity to order 2 first course tapas, 2 second course tapas, and a dessert.  So between the 4 of us there was a whole lotta tasting going on. 
      So sit back, grab your fork and knife, and get ready to salivate. 
      Sangria:
      When dining at a tapas restaurant and the house drink is sangria (flavors are seasonal), you just have to taste it! 
      Its Good to be the Cook: as a new wine drinker, I went with the Blanco Sangria. It was loaded with chunks of apples, pears, and oranges. It was sweet and so easy to drink. What was really interesting was there was a small sprig of rosemary floating on top.
      All I Eat Food: I tried the Tinto, Spiced Red Wine with Orange, Apple & Cinnamon.  It was perfectly sweet and refreshing yet warmed me up with each sip!

      First Course

      Its Good to be the Cook: My favorite first course was the Garlic Shrimp. The shrimp dish is served in a little ceramic pot which is cooking the shrimp as the server brings it out to the table. Needless to say, the shrimp were PERFECTLY cooked- something I rarely do well. The broth was super garlicky and had a little kick with some red pepper flakes in there too.
       
      All I Eat Food:  I was actually surprised by the croquetas de jamon and how amazingly flavorful they were!  They were crispy on the outside and soft and savory in the middle.  I’m pretty sure there was mustard mixed in with the ham, which made it a little spicy!  Then it was served on top of a red pepper spread, which I was wishing there was more of!

      Its Good to be the Cook: the Serrano  Ham came with a side of Bread, Cornichons (those itty-bitty baby pickles), French Dijon, and Caperberries. Caperberries were basically giant capers so they paired really well with the sweetness of the Prosciutto-like Serrano Ham.

      All I Eat Food: Unlike any cheese you’ve tried at a restaurant, garrotxa cheese came out on a board with garlic dulce de leche, bread and sliced apple.  Yes, garlic dulce de leche!  This dish was simple yet the flavors all came together for a serious party in your mouth.

      Its Good to be the Cook: The Serrano Ham dish just wasn’t enough ham for us, so we had to choose the Melón Con Jamón plate. Not only does this dish RHYME, but it tasted fantastic! It is unusual for fruit to be the star of a dish, but this melon gave this jamón a run for its money! I was not suspecting such huge, fresh, juicy chunks of melon, let alone the sweet sauce that was drizzled on top. Sweet and salty is my favorite combination and the balance of the two were just perfect in this plate.

      All I Eat Food: Escalivada was fantastic.  It came with small toasted pieces of bread spread with creamy, tangy goat cheese and roasted veggies. I’m a sucker for roasted veggies and the eggplant was phenomenal!!

      Its Good to be the Cook: With all the protein we had ordered, Dave suggested we get something green
 and green it was! The Ensalada Verde dish was a chopped green salad with asparagus and avocado. It was light and delicate but loaded with flavor.

      All I Eat Food: The tortilla espanola was probably the most unique dish we tried.  It was a small cake that had the consistency of a tamale and polenta.  It was very dense but once you took a bite it was creamy and buttery.

      Can you believe that was only the first course!?!  Yes I know, crazy.  Go ahead, go find yourself a snack because you’re starving and get ready for course( s) number 2!

      Second  Course:

      It may be hard to believe that we were still up for tempting our palates after all those delicious tapas, but in true foodie fashion we were ready for more!!
      Its Good to be the Cook: The Madre e Hijo makes the ranks of one of my favorite chicken dishes EVER!!  The chicken was perfectly juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor.  What makes this dish even more special is that the chicken breast is locally farmed, which is true of many ingredients at Amada.  And what a great idea, putting a fried egg on top!  MMM!

      All I Eat Food: The chicken brochette was a decision that we kind of guessed about but it was a great addition to our meal.  I enjoyed the simplicity of the chicken and how perfectly it was grilled.  And of course I enjoyed the lemony sauce it came with.

      Its Good to be the Cook:  We just couldn’t resist trying both flatbreads
 the Gambas Con Garbanzos Coca was so light and crispy!  The presentation of this flatbread with shrimp, chorizo, & garbanzo bean puree was simple yet colorful, with the shrimp cooked in a bright green pesto.  The unexpected cheese that wasn’t described on the menu looked so good that I had to break my month of “No-Cheese” diet to have a small piece.  It was worth it!

      All I Eat Food: The other flatbread we tried was Costillas de Ternera Coca, beef shortrib flatbread with horseradish, parmesan and bacon.  I’m a huge fan of flatbread because who doesn’t like crisp little bites topped with savory toppings!?  This reminded me almost of a cheesesteak with the meat and cheese and then the hit of horseradish at the end really left your taste buds dancing.

      Its Good to be the Cook:  The group thought this dish sounded so good that we decided to order TWO of the Lubina Al Pescador: a roasted Sea Bass with potatoes, arbequina olives, served with preserved lemon and salsa verde.  This plate was a great example of why Sea Bass is always my favorite fish!  I loved the light, fresh flavors that the lemon and salsa brought to the dish. 

      All I Eat Food: We had to sneak some more veggies in somewhere so we tried the setas a la plancha, or seasonal wild mushrooms.  I’ve been ordering mushrooms everywhere I go lately and these did not disappoint.  I loved the different textures and earthy flavor mixed with the zesty-ness of the sauce.

       

      After we enjoyed the plethora of tapas, we all saved room for dessert.
      The choices were:
      PASTEL DE CHOCOLATE
      Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Ice Cream
      & Chocolate-Hazelnut Caramel
      or
      CREMA CATALANA
      Vanilla Custard, Caramel Veil, Ginger & Pine Nut

       

      Naturally I chose the Pastel de Chocolate.  I was so thankful that the portion size was small, although I probably could have ate everyone’s dessert at the table
it was that good.  The chocolate cake was rich, topped with the velvety ice cream.  My favorite part was the hot fudge-like sauce on the plate and the chopped hazelnuts.  I’m a true believer that chocolate and hazelnut should be the new chocolate and peanut butter.
      While pictures may be worth a thousand words, I hope that our tantalizing meal descriptions made you feel as though you were right there dining with us during restaurant week.  And if you’re feeling like you missed out, then join us next time.  The more the merrier.  Because the more people dining with us
 the more dishes we will get to try  
      Have a great weekend!!