Dining Out: Pierce's BBQ

My step-daughter asked for one thing during our weekend away in Williamsburg: a trip to Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que! A local staple and a tourist Mecca, the barbecue is tasty and worth the wait, the small restaurant and the even more minuscule restrooms! This is a time when splurging for a "combo" is worth it, especially when it comes with tasty classic crinkle cut fries and a homemade cookie.

While not the North Carolina style barbecue I usually crave, the Pierce's sauce and simplicity of its food make it a great lunch spot. Family friendly and always consistent, we stop there whenever we are in the area.

Dinner Out: Yo Yo Sushi

I have been eating sushi as long as I can remember. My grandparents lived in Hawaii and I remember the summers we visited I was gobbling ahi tuna. For a long time, I was leery of sushi outside of Hawaii and California or high dollar restaurants. Now it is like there is a sushi bar everywhere! My favorite spot is a drive from home but close enough to my husband's job that he goes there for lunch just to make me jealous. Yo Yo sushi has never disappointed me, including tonight, date night with hubby. The chef special rolls were interesting (tuna and macadamian nuts?) and delicious. A little shumai to start and Sopporo beer and I thought about my grandparents and was thankful my hubby loves it as much as I do!

Dinner Out: Five Guys!

Today was a day I forgot to eat lunch and tonight it was just me and the boy so I felt I was justified in a dining splurge. And by dining splurge I mean a calorie splurge. So one of my guilty pleasures is a cheeseburger (with mustard and pickles no less) so off to Five Guys Burgers and Fries we went. How do you say no to peanuts right before dinner when he loves them so?
I got my usual, little man got his kosher dog and we shared some fries. I may be playing some Just Dance tonight to work off some of it but it was delicious.

I have had In n' Out and I had my first taste of Smashburger when I was out in Arizona this spring. But Five Guys will always hold a special place in my burger loving heart...if for no other reason than it was what I had when we brought our little guy home from the hospital. Happy food memories!

Travel Spot: The Arrogant Butcher

Nothing like a Friday night out with a great friend in a busy city like Phoenix right? When Amy was planning places for us to go on my visit to Arizona, she let me know Friday we were going to dinner at The Arrogant Butcher, another awesome AZ restaurant from Fox concepts which coincidentally also operates the fabulous place I ate last year, Culinary Dropout. The Phoenix Suns were home (and playing across the street) so no reservations, but we were absolutely okay hanging out in the bar and having a few drinks before dinner. In fact, for a busy Friday night our table wait was only one beer long!

The dining area was very cool and nicely separated from the bar area.

Our server was Mark ("like what you make on a paper" is what he said when he introduced himself...and I will consequently never forget his name) and he was also Amy's server the last time she dined there. He was FANTASTIC and the moment we said we wanted to start with items for Charcuterie, he helped us build a very tasty selection:

In all honesty Amy and I could eat bread and meat and cheese as a meal, probably daily. In fact we joke about starting a "Charcuterie Diet", but it really was delicious and just the right amount to start.

Dinner was a tough choice even though the menu is very straight forward (only 12 entrees in all) and Mark sadly told us they were already out of their Friday special, the King Crab Cioppino. Seafood still sounded good to me so I went with their scallops...mostly because the menu said BACON.

Melt in your mouth buttery scallops, bacon, cranberry beans, spinach and delicate pasta shells....oh my. It was incredible. Amy chose the sweet potato tortelli (her personal favorite):

Mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and hazelnut in a light creamy sauce and those sweet potato tortelli! I was lucky she felt generous enough to spare one for me to try. At this point, in all honesty, we were stuffed, but I could not leave without dessert (and frankly Mark is quite the convincing guy). We selected the warm peanut butter cup.

Let me explain that you are looking at a dish of warm fluffy peanut buttery goodness in which a large dollop of chocolate gelato has been placed and on the side are two peanut better cookies with chocolate centers. I love peanut butter. I LOVED this dessert...I just could not force myself to finish it and almost considered taking it to go!

Thank you Amy for another great restaurant selection. Thank you Mark and the chefs of The Arrogant Butcher...I WILL be back and next time I am bringing my scallop-loving husband!

Travel Spot: Pita Jungle

My first day out in Arizona was a shopping and lunch day with my pal Amy and her cutie-patootie 6-month old Benjamin while her oldest was at school. She asked me what I was in the mood for and my criteria was simple: I wanted something I could not get in Virginia Beach. So she selected Pita Jungle.

Pretty unassuming form the outside and located in a strip mall, it is a very simple and open space with lots of tables. Walking in you also can't miss the wood fire oven:

My stomach was still adjusting to a time change so I selected a burger...specifically I selected one of their house special burgers, The Kafta Burger: Angus beef mixed with parsley, jalapenos, onions, and pomegranate molasses, on Ciabatta bread with chipotle hummus, and a chopped salad of lettuce, onions, tomatoes, and sumac, served with garlic new potatoes. Should be no questions as to why this was my selection right? And it arrived looking like this:

Excuse me why I salivate remembering...Amy ordered one of the lunch specials, the black bean burger, also a gorgeous plate of lunch food:

I will go on record as that it was one of the best gourmet burgers I have had (more on another burger adventure in a future post) and the freshness of the ingredients was readily apparent. In fact, it never would have occurred to me to put hummus on a burger. Combine that flavor with the chopped salad and deliciousness was in the house.

I briefly considered taking half back to Amy's house...that thought was short-lived. It was just too good! I wish VB had more places like this that make things like lavash and hummus and their own pita chips. I think I may try to recreate that burger..maybe this Memorial Day party will be a burger bar instead of a hot dog bar!

Dinner Out: The Cellars Restaurant

So what are two people to do when their 12 year-old has a church lock-in and the YMCA is offering Parent's Night Out for the 4 year-old? Go out to dinner of course!! The husband and I had snagged some super cheap Restaurant.com certificates over the holidays and this opportunity presented itself to use them. I made the decision we should try a place we have been meaning to go to, but for whatever reason hadn't made it there for a meal yet. We decided on The Cellars restaurant.

Located in the "cellar" of The Church Point Manorhouse Bed and Breakfast in the Virginia Beach neighborhood of Church Point, I was immediately struck by how beautiful the setting was, even in cold drizzle. It was a quiet night and they sat us near the fireplace:

The restaurant has a very nice wine list. We had already decided we were in a Pinot Noir mood and after having a great experience with an Oregon winery once before, we selected the 2009 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Whenever we use a gift certificate or Groupon or any kind, we usually splurge on an appetizer. I had reviewed the menu on their website and was immediately drawn to their hush puppies not just because I happen to enjoy hush puppies, but also these words: Edward’s Surry Ham Pimento Cheese. I cannot remember if in any blog I have ever shared my love of pimento cheese, but I have one. My grandmother used to make the most wonderful pimento cheese and I still crave it to this day! The plate did not disappoint:

My husband enjoyed the pickles the most and I was free to indulge in all of that pimento cheese! 

We were also presented with an amuse bouche to start our evening which sadly did not photograph well if only because I did not have a chance to set my camera just right for fear my husband was going to eat my portion! It was a thick square of apple smoked bacon topped with homemade potato salad and crisp potato straws. Enough said.

Then it was entree time. I have mentioned before my husband's love of crab cakes so it was no surprise he went straight for them on the menu. The baby spinach was a win for him too:

My entree is ultimately why I chose this restaurant for this particular night. Osso Bucco is a favorite of mine. Traditionally made with veal shank, the chef at The Cellars used pork shank. Between that, the bourbon sweet tea braising and the Israeli Cous Cous Mac and Cheese, I was sold. I may have cried had they been out of it.

The husband helped me eat some of that mac and cheese which was incredible and may prove to be a future inspiration for a dish of my own. The "star of the plate" as they say was indeed the pork; tender, flavorful,falling off the bone and the reduction was a perfect compliment.

Despite New Year's resolutions and making a personal practice to minimize sugar, no dinner out is complete without dessert. Frankly, I have been very good with my sweets intake and have been sticking to only one sweet treat a week. Sweets in all honesty have never been my downfall. I could have gained 10 pounds just eating pimento cheese! Anyway, we decided on their chocolate torte with caramel sauce and candied hazelnuts. I think the picture speaks for itself.

It was a beautiful meal and a beautiful setting. Thank you to our server Anna and to everyone who had a hand in our delicious meal and wonderful evening!

Wordless Wednesday: Yummy Dinner at The Public House

Travel Spot: Culinary Dropout

Going through my photos I realized I never shared one of my favorite dining experiences while I was in Phoenix, a fabulous place in Scottsdale called Culinary Dropout. My friends raved about this "gastro-pub" with it's drink options and food of high quality and creativity and reasonable prices. When I walked in, the interior was so cool!

And the wait staff looks like they could just be clientele...jeans, flannels, rock star hair....an awesome ambience to say the least.

The menu was so unique but because at this point I had a very impatient and whiny 3-year old on my hands, I went straight for the drinks...and saw this drink appropriately called "Bells and Whistles": Maker’s Mark, bell Pepper Jalapeno Simple, basil, honey, and Lemon. and it was DELICIOUS!

Now any one who knows me, knows I am a sucker for gnocchi  (although I have still not mustered the courage to make Fabio's gnocchi recipe yet) and I have tried it at many a place. So when I saw "ricotta gnocchi with sausage and mushrooms" my mind was made up. 

and every bite was a creamy and savory delight...almost pushes me that much harder to try my own gnocchi...I'll let you guys know of course if I do. Regardless, next time I am in Arizona, this place will be on the list to return to...and maybe next time WITHOUT kids!

Travel Spot: Litchfield's at Wigwam Resort of Arizona

So the hubby, son and I traveled to Arizona to see a very dear friend of mine and her family. We arrived on a Thursday and left on the following Monday, but even with a short trip we had a great visit, enjoyed the weather and ate very well.

One of of our meals was on Mother's Day: a brunch my friend made reservations for at a restaurant located at the Wigwam Resort in Glendale, Arizona. Litchfield's  put together a great brunch set-up with the starters and dessert being served buffet style and then each individual chose their own freshly made entrée.

If I have never espoused my love for lamb on this blog or even if this is a restate of a previous exclamation: I LOVE LAMB! So I thrilled when I saw a mixed grill of lamb chops and shrimp and no one at the table was the least bit surprised when I ordered it. Even better, it came served atop a mushroom and goat cheese tart atop a bed of spinach....

Feel free to lick the screen.

It was in fact just as delicious as it looks...with perfectly grilled chops and shrimp and a luscious flaky tart I can't wait to attempt to recreate. And honestly I am also a sucker for presentation and the wooden skewer of shrimp perched int he chops and then stacked on the other items was a feast for the eyes as well.

I could eat there again...maybe I'll even take a look at the rest of the resort next time!

Dinner Out: Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro

I certainly love cooking and consequently eating, but I also love having the opportunity to go out to dinner and let someone else do the hard work for me (and of course get some more ideas for myself to try at home!) Recently, hubby and I took a Saturday night when we didn't have our daughter, put our son with a sitter and headed out for a nice meal.

Our choice was Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro located in Virginia Beach's Town Center. Known of it's wine as the title implies and with over 300 varieties on premises, it is also a spot for delicious food. Hubby and I had dined there previously but it had been almost 5 years ago and for no other reason than we just forgot to go back!

So of course we started with wine ( I love Catena's malbecs) and we also started with a lovely crab and artichoke dip.

Then when our server mentioned that the chef had a caprese salad as his special tonight, I couldn't resist and if this picture is any clue, it was fabulous!

With tomato season to look forward to I am all about making my own version. Not sure if I am ready to make my own mozzarella as they do at the restaurant, but I'll be willing to pay for a super nice balsamic to even try to come close to this deliciousness!

Dinner was also divine...and I wish I could remember all of the delicious ingredients that made up this beef tenderloin over a risotto cake served with asparagus:

I only wish I had kept out my camera for dessert but honestly, it wasn't on the table for more than 10 minutes before it was devoured. Again, the server only said a few words and I was hooked. In this case those words were: Crème Brûlée, bourbon, chocolate and pecans. Enough said.


Thanks Sonoma for a memorable early anniversary dinner.