Restaurants & Travel

8 06, 2014

Maggie’s Blue Rose—Mexican Restaurant on Catalina Island

2023-01-16T17:27:23+00:00Featured, Restaurants & Travel|

Sometimes we just need to get away, don't you?  This was one of those weeks, so for us that meant we were counting the hours until we could take off for a weekend on Catalina Island off the coast of California.  If you haven't been there, Catalina Island is a small island about 26 miles ...[ get the full recipe ]

28 04, 2014

Texas Traditions Are Fading

2023-01-16T17:27:24+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

J and I are back in Texas for a visit to the University of Texas at Austin.  We were invited to a reunion because UT is about to tear down the ENS engineering building where we met and studied for so many days and nights in college.  It was old and not so attractive (the hallway walls ...[ get the full recipe ]

31 12, 2013

Cucina Rustica’s Ricotta & Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms

2023-03-02T18:03:44+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

Recently, I had the opportunity to eat at Cucina Rustica ("CR") in downtown LA.  It is at the corner of Wilshire and Figueroa (888 Wilshire Blvd.).  CR offers a warm atmosphere and a cozy bar downstairs with food and great happy hour wine deals.  Try the thin-crust Vulcano pizza with pepporoni, sausage, and sliced, fresh jalapenos ...[ get the full recipe ]

17 08, 2013

Becco & MasterChef Judge Joe Bastianich

2023-01-16T17:26:48+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

On a recent trip to New York, I had the opportunity to dine at Beccco (lunch), Mesa Grill (dinner), and Butter (dinner). (See other posts for Mesa Grill and Butter under the experiences tab). I must admit that MasterChef Judge Joe Bastianich is one of my favorites, so I was excited to have lunch ...[ get the full recipe ]

17 08, 2013

Butter—Alex Guarnaschelli

2023-01-16T17:26:48+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

As you may have read in my post on Mesa Grill, I was in New York City recently and was excited when I realized that it was Restaurant Week in Manhattan!  I had the opportunity to dine at Beccco (lunch), Mesa Grill (dinner), and Butter (dinner).   (See other posts for Becco and Mesa Grill under the ...[ get the full recipe ]

17 08, 2013

Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill in NYC—Yes, really!

2023-01-16T17:26:49+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

I was in New York City recently and was excited when I realized that it was Restaurant Week in Manhattan!  What a great surprise.  I had the opportunity to dine at Beccco (lunch), Mesa Grill (dinner), and Butter (dinner).   (See other posts for Becco and Butter under the experiences tab).  All three were great experiences that ...[ get the full recipe ]

30 07, 2013

In Search of the Perfect Tempura

2023-01-16T17:25:52+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

My husband ("J") and I have been on a search for great tempura.  We are looking for yummy veggies and shrimp lightly coated with a crispy batter that doesn't leave your mouth coated in grease.  In other words, we are looking for the perfect tempura. So far our search has taken us to two local ...[ get the full recipe ]

30 06, 2013

Dinner at Coqueta

2023-01-16T17:25:56+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

Coqueta is Michael Chiarello's first restaurant in San Franicisco.  He successfully transformed a small space  at Pier 5 on the Embarcadero into a warm and cozy Spanish restaurant.  Only open for a few weeks, it has already attracted crowds and positive reviews, so I was excited to get a reservation on a recent trip ...[ get the full recipe ]

28 06, 2013

You gotta love peppers!

2023-01-17T16:21:04+00:00Restaurants & Travel|

Yes, whether mild, medium, or hot, I love peppers! But this is a special basket of peppers.  A few years ago, I sent in a video for a competition where Michael Simon would attend the dinner party of the winner.  Given that he is an Iron Chef on the FoodNetwork, I decided that one element of my ...[ get the full recipe ]

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