Monday, May 29, 2017

May 29, 2017 - Sandy's Kitchen - Mesa, Arizona

My neighbor Sandy Wilts is still trying new foods to eat.  She cooked up this soup.  I loved it...but bear in mind that I love dill pickles in any form....

Dill Pickle Soup

From the kitchen of Sandy Wilts

Mix the following in a sauce pan:

5 1/ 2 cups chicken broth
4 cups chopped potatoes
3 cups chopped carrots
1/ 2 cup butter
Boil until the vegetables are tender.

Add 1 cup dill pickles, chopped

Mix in small bowl:

1/ 2 cup flour
1 cup sour cream
1/ 2 cup water
Stir until smooth.  Add to the chicken broth mixture.  Stir until smooth.

Add 2 cups dill pickle juice.  Salt and pepper to taste.

Serves:  12


Can add chopped cooked ham or well drained browned hamburger.

Sunday, May 21, 2017

May 20, 2017 - Dominick's Steakhouse - Scottsdale, Arizona


Today was my grandson's 15th birthday.  He chose Dominick's Steakhouse for his birthday dinner.

After we ordered drinks we were served a small hot cast iron skillet of rolls.  They were delicious.  You did not need butter on them.  They had a crunchy crust…sprinkles of parmesan cheese and oil.  Just pull off tiny pieces of the roll on your bread plate and enjoy.



Our appetizer was the Seafood Tower – Oysters – half from the west coast and half from the east coast – Judson liked the west coast oysters the best; and Shrimp – those very large, large tasty shrimp.  One shrimp was sufficient for me.  Along with a tray of three sauces – Atomic Horseradish, Creamy Mustard and Cocktail Sauce.  The Cocktail Sauce was house-made.  It tasted perfect to me…just as I like it.  In the center of the tower was a dish of Champagne Mignonetti.  I really liked the taste of it.

Birthday Boy Judson ordered the Steak Farina – bone-in filet with a fried egg served with grilled garlic toast. 



I ordered the Petite Filet Mignon (8 ounces).   I ordered it “medium” and it was served exactly as I wanted.  I shared my steak with Jonah.  Their steak is aged for 25 days.

Jody ordered the Bone-In Short Rib – braised and served with peppercorn sauce.  Joshua ordered the Sea Bass.

We chose three sides – after much discussion Judson prevailed with the Hand Cut Fries – sea salt – truffle oil and shaved parmesan.  I tried several and they were delicious.  Even his Father tried several after trying to persuade him to order the  Mashed Potatoes;  Sauteed Sweet Corn – with cilantro and chopped parsley; Roasted Brussels Sprouts – sea sale and crisp bacon.

For dessert Judson chose the Chocolate Torte with raspberry sauce for his birthday treat.  It was served with a Caramel Nut Sea Salt Gelato.  It tried about three big tablespoons and it was delicious.  Of course, I loved the gelato.  If you know me…you know that any gelato is my favorite.

And…an order of beignets served with vanilla sauce and chocolate sauce.  Delicious!


Great ambiance and impeccable service.

Dominick’s Steakhouse
15169 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85654
(480) 272-7271
dominickssteakhouse.com
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
            Friday – Saturday 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

May 10, 2017 - Urban Taco - Phoenix, Arizona

My cousin Tiffany Patrick who lives in Reno, Nevada was in town working in her company's Phoenix office.  We decided to get together and have dinner.

Tiffany and I started with margaritas and a basket of chips with five different tasting salsas….homemade salas.  We chose Roasted Corn and Garlic Crema – Cucumber – Avocado and Garlic Crema – Green Chiles and Cilantro Aioli and Chimichurri (Southwestern).  I liked all five of them.  We can really pick ‘em.  The Roasted Corn and Garlic Crema has a nice kick to it. The Cucumber was calm and peaceful.  It was a good chaser after the Roasted Corn and Garlic Crema…every once in a while you could taste some heat in the Avocado and Garlic Crema…it had a very smooth consistency…but I have to say my favorite..and that was hard to pick was the Green Chiles and Cilantro Aioli.

Tiffany ordered the Pork Verde Burrito – a huge tasty entrée stuffed with lots of pork…not too much rice…or beans. The fork tender pork burrito with verde sauce atop was served with black beans, rice, pico de gallo, oaxacan cheese and cilantro.  Tiffany really liked it.

I ordered two Urban Gourmet Street Tacos – Fish Taco – Beer battered catfish – fried with cabbage and radish slaw, avocado crema and cilantro…just delicious.  My second taco was Chicharones Taco – fried pork belly with a mixture of what tasted to me to oaxacan cheese, grilled pablano, chipotle salsa, queso fresco and cilantro.  Nope..I checked the menu it was fried pork belly, tomato, chipotle salsa, cilantro and queso fresco.  I was very close.

I promise on my next visit to try the Octopus  Asada Taco -  marinated and grilled octopus, onions, poblano, cilantro and queso fresco.

These were the largest street tacos I have ever eaten.  What a lovely meal.  I enjoyed every bite of it.  It was voted Reader’s Choice “Best Mexican Restaurant” in AZCentral.com’s Fall 2015 BEST awards.  Also garnering second best salsa by Phoenix Magazine in 2015.


From Urban Taco’s webpage:  “Every one of Urban Taco’s Salsas are made in-house and are owner Tim Perkins’ main passion.  Tim and his wife Lisa opened Urban Taco in 2014.  Tim brings a lifetime in the food and beverage business to the table with over 25+ years experience in the restaurant and hotel food and beverage industries.  Tim is a Phoenix native and has a special place in his heart for the neighborhood where Urban Taco sits.  Urban Taco dedicates every Monday as ‘Madison Monday’ and donates a portion of the day’s proceeds to benefit Madison area schools.

Urban Taco
Mexican
6522 N. 16th  Street
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 368-2708
urbantacos.net
Hours:  Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9 :00 p.m.
                               Friday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
                               Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

May 1, 2017 - Antonio's of Beacon Hill - Boston, Massachusetts

Jo Martin and I visited the Museum of African American History this morning in the West End - Beacon Hill section of Boston.  We walked from there to Cambridge Street.  We decided to have lunch before taking the Red Line to Harvard.

We chose Antonio's because the luncheon special was Pasta with Bolognese.  As you know from following this blog that I love Bolognese.  We both ordered the special with an order of Garlic Bread.

We left full and sassy from the a very large portion of linguine in Bolognese sauce. I always think of this as a sauce that is a mixture of the North's white sauce and South's red sauce and meat.  It was a very small cafe - simple Italian...but very good food.  We were very happy that we made this choice from all the others along Cambridge Street.

April 30, 2017 - Cafe G - Boston, Massachusetts

Jo and I visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.  We enjoyed lunch in the museum's cafe...Cafe G.  It was wonderful...first class service...first class food.

We started with an order of Black Olive Tapenade with Olive Oil and Crostini.  It was delicious.  One could really taste the freshness of the olives.  I have a feeling that it was made on site.  The crostini were hard as I love them.  We even tried some on the fresh baked out of the oven bread that was served with butter.  Delicious.





Jo ordered the Gnocchi with Salmon and Mussels.





I ordered the Bell & Evans Chicken Salad  - dried apricots, pistachio and served with potato crisps.  The dressing was very light....white meat chicken...just excellent



Dessert – Nasturtium Cake – with Mango Sorbet and Green Almonds.  All on top of a graham cracker or cookie and butter crumble.  And two real nasturtiums....which we ate.




Café G
25 Evans Way
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
(617) 566-1088
Hours: Friday – Monday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m   
            Tuesday – Closed
            Wednesday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
            Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.          

Monday, May 1, 2017

April 29, 2017 - Legal Sea Food - Boston, Massachusetts

We walked the harbor from the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum to Legal Sea Food where we had dinner…waiting to get on the water ferry back to the Charlestown Navy Yard.  Jo and I shared Legal’s Signature Crab Cake Combo  one jumbo lump crab cake, grilled shrimp and scallops, mustard sauce, seasonal salad .The seafood tasted delicious.  It was grilled to perfection. We thought it was the best seafood that we have eaten to date in Boston. For dessert - Key Lime Pie served with  lime cream and  pomegranate sauce.


They were served us each a plate of half the entree.  I thought that was wonderful cusotmer service.

Legal  Sea Food
255 State Street
Boston, MA
(617) 742-5300
Hours:  Open Daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

April 29, 2017 - Union Oyster House - Boston, Massachusetts

As we strolled back downtown from the North End we decided to have lunch at the Union Oyster House.

The service was started with hot...corn bread right and butter.

 Jo ordered the Fried Oysters.





I ordered the bowl of New England Clam Chowder.  Just as I like my clam chowder.  Lots of huge pieces  of clams...thick, creamy broth...lots of pieces of potatoes .…yummo.  I loaded my chowder with lots of oyster stew crackers.  I love those crackers.




For dessert – Boston Cream Pie...homemade cake layered with a cream filling...frosted in a tasty dark chocolate...still cold out of the cooler...and topped with sweet whipped cream. 

"Billed as the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the United States, the Union Oyster House first opened its doors as the Atwood & Bacon Oyster House in 1826.  Charles Forster of Maine was the first American to use the curious invention of the toothpick on these premises.

A favorite haunt of President Kennedy, this touristy restaurant has a top-class raw bar, and serves both seafood and steaks in atmospheric rooms with creaky floors, low ceilings, and wooden booths.

JFK’s favorite booth has been dedicated to his memory.  The charming façade is constructed  of Flemish bond brick and adorned with Victorian-style signage.  With its scallop, clam, and lobster dishes – as well as the de rigueur oyster – the menu hasn’t changed much since the restaurant’s early day (though the prices have)."


Union Oyster House
41 Union Street
Boston, Massachusetts
(617) 227-2750
www.unionoysterhouse.com
Hours:  Sunday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
             Friday  - Saturday 11:00 a.m.  10:00 p.m.
            Bar is open until midnight
T-stop:  Haymarket


April 28, 2017 - Maria's Pastry Shop - Boston, Massachusetts

While we were walking on the Freedom Trail we stopped at Maria's Pastry Shop.  I ordered the Lobster Claw filled with a thick creamy vanilla filling…Jo ordered the Cannoli filled with the thick creamy chocolate filling…we sat in the shop…watched the people…listened to the Italian..and enjoyed our pastries…OMG!  The most delicious pastry I have ever eaten.  Welcome to the North End.



Jo's Chocolate Cannoli


My Lobster Claw

Maria’s Pastry Shop

46 Cross Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02113
(617) 523-1196

April 28, 2017 - Luke's Lobster - Boston, Massachusetts

While Jo Martin and I were walking the Freedom Trail, this was our lunch stop.

  We ordered the Lobster Roll…mine with Cole Slaw…Jo’s with Lobster Bisque…yummy.  I thought mine tasted better than the one I ate last night at Pier One.  They were served on grilled and buttered rolls.  That made all the difference in the world.




Lobster Roll with Lobster Bisque




Lobster Roll with Cole Slaw



Lobster Roll - Close Up


The sign said that today our lobster came from Tenants Harbor, Maine.

Luke’s Lobster
294 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
(857) 317-4839