01.18.07
Tonight was date night, albeit using a $45 giftcard we got from our credit card. We selected Romano's Macaroni Grill, opting to go to Maggiano's Little Italy next time.
Overall, I got the sense that the Macaroni Grill was basically the same as Olive Garden, only I ended up liking it a lot better. I'm not sure why - maybe it was because we had a gift card, because normally I can't stand paying $15 for a plate of pasta - but we liked it. M wife built her own concoction, and I had the Rustica, which is what I'd had the other time we'd been to Macaroni Grill down in Austin, but I remembered liking it a lot.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Camille's
01.17.07
My wife and I often try to meet for lunch on Wednesday afternoons after she goes to "Stitch and Bitch." Today we went to Camille's in Hopkins, which on the surface isn't anything too terribly unique - it's a lot like Panera or Bear Rock Cafe, I'd say, or any other sandwich and soup cafe. However, there are some notable differences. For one, this food blows Panera out of the water (I should disclose that I've never been that impressed with these types of places). Second, the atmosphere is very friendly and inviting. I wanted to take a picture of the guy who took our order, who I believe was the manager/owner, but he stepped out before I did. It was just one of those places where you want to eat, and tell other people to eat there too. So go eat there.
My wife and I often try to meet for lunch on Wednesday afternoons after she goes to "Stitch and Bitch." Today we went to Camille's in Hopkins, which on the surface isn't anything too terribly unique - it's a lot like Panera or Bear Rock Cafe, I'd say, or any other sandwich and soup cafe. However, there are some notable differences. For one, this food blows Panera out of the water (I should disclose that I've never been that impressed with these types of places). Second, the atmosphere is very friendly and inviting. I wanted to take a picture of the guy who took our order, who I believe was the manager/owner, but he stepped out before I did. It was just one of those places where you want to eat, and tell other people to eat there too. So go eat there.
Jerabek's New Bohemian Bakery
01.14.07
On Sunday, we went for a little early morning date together to our favorite local bakery, Jerabek's. I had my "usual" breakfast wrap with sausage and some veggies, and DW had a "Gypsy" coffee drink (of course), a grilled cheese panini, and a tomato tortellini stew. And then we had to end with a Creme Puff. This is also one of the only places I've found that sells Birch Beer, which a co-worker of mine had been looking all over for, so I picked up a bottle for him.
On Sunday, we went for a little early morning date together to our favorite local bakery, Jerabek's. I had my "usual" breakfast wrap with sausage and some veggies, and DW had a "Gypsy" coffee drink (of course), a grilled cheese panini, and a tomato tortellini stew. And then we had to end with a Creme Puff. This is also one of the only places I've found that sells Birch Beer, which a co-worker of mine had been looking all over for, so I picked up a bottle for him.
Zelo Sea Bass
Here's another one that had been sitting on the cell phone. See the original post for the description and raves. Yes, you want one.
Northland Inn
So every now and then we forget to bring a camera along and have to use the camera phone, which I can only get off my camera through my work laptop, so it happens more rarely. This was for when we went to a book signing by Robin McGraw and stayed at the Northland Inn. The kitchen was closing, but we were wanting something sweet, and they were nice enough to get us a slice of huge chocolate cake (and they threw in the milk for free!). Great service, and very good chocolate cake.
Molten Chocolate Cakes
01.14.07
At first we were thinking about going out for some Thai with friends, but then we decided to stay in. Just as we had decided to make some Baja Fish Tacos, our friends called and proposed going out for dessert, and through that conversation they offered to come over and bring their turkey chili.
So we went with that, which it turns out was the right way to go - I ran out to the local mart to grab some Fritos that had been requested, and the first thing staring at me was Fritos and Cheetos on sale, 3/$5. Then I went to grab a lime for my wife, and just as I turned around after grabbing one from the shelf, I ran into the produce guy who was bringing out a new box, and he offered me a fresh one. To top it off, my last item to purchase was sour cream - which was also on sale, 2/$3.
But as I was out, I noticed it was starting to snow. By the time everyone was here, we decided to go with a local dessert option, and we opted for the box of "Molten Chocolate Cakes" that I had gotten from my office party gift exchange. Here is the result - they seemed to be a bit more on the "molten" side than I expected, but it was still good chocolate, so there was very little complaining. ;)
At first we were thinking about going out for some Thai with friends, but then we decided to stay in. Just as we had decided to make some Baja Fish Tacos, our friends called and proposed going out for dessert, and through that conversation they offered to come over and bring their turkey chili.
So we went with that, which it turns out was the right way to go - I ran out to the local mart to grab some Fritos that had been requested, and the first thing staring at me was Fritos and Cheetos on sale, 3/$5. Then I went to grab a lime for my wife, and just as I turned around after grabbing one from the shelf, I ran into the produce guy who was bringing out a new box, and he offered me a fresh one. To top it off, my last item to purchase was sour cream - which was also on sale, 2/$3.
But as I was out, I noticed it was starting to snow. By the time everyone was here, we decided to go with a local dessert option, and we opted for the box of "Molten Chocolate Cakes" that I had gotten from my office party gift exchange. Here is the result - they seemed to be a bit more on the "molten" side than I expected, but it was still good chocolate, so there was very little complaining. ;)
Cajun Catfish
Another favorite, especially of my wife's - Cajun Catfish. We actually made our own cajun seasoning, which was good because we often find the stuff from the stores 'round here are way too spicy, and even though we HALVED the amount of salt that was called for, it was still a little too salty. But you just sprinkle the catfish with the seasoning and then fry it up, slap it on a hoagie, add maybe a little cheese and you're good.
Home Cookin': Mexican Chickpea Soup
01.08.07 (or somewhere around there)
We made a perennial favorite, Mexican Chickpea Soup. It's all veggie, and we swap out the squash for bell peppers. Then there's a bit of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a nice little kick. Then we played around a little bit with the salmon and made a pistachio crust for it, which turned out to be quite good. Yum!
We made a perennial favorite, Mexican Chickpea Soup. It's all veggie, and we swap out the squash for bell peppers. Then there's a bit of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a nice little kick. Then we played around a little bit with the salmon and made a pistachio crust for it, which turned out to be quite good. Yum!
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Pizza Time (Spinach & Mozzarella)
On Friday night, we went over to our friend's house for homemade pizza. And this is real homemade pizza - no Boboli crusts, no Pillsbury dough, not even a can of pizza sauce - everything from scratch. Which is usually more work than I'm up for, and to tell the truth, when I heard that the crust was still rising and that food wouldn't be up until close to 10pm, I serously considered popping in the Digiorno that was in the freezer.
But ooooooh man, was it worth it. Pizza this good almost makes me sad to order delivery. This one was the "girl" pizza (although my wife hates it when I categorize them like that) with spinach and fresh mozzarella. There was even a final touch of putting an egg in the center halfway through (so you essentially end up with an over-easy egg in the middle when you're done). I have to admit, I even liked the girl pizza, although I mainly had the one below.
* Mello Yello available! I managed to convert my friend a while back, so he often has stock available.
But ooooooh man, was it worth it. Pizza this good almost makes me sad to order delivery. This one was the "girl" pizza (although my wife hates it when I categorize them like that) with spinach and fresh mozzarella. There was even a final touch of putting an egg in the center halfway through (so you essentially end up with an over-easy egg in the middle when you're done). I have to admit, I even liked the girl pizza, although I mainly had the one below.
* Mello Yello available! I managed to convert my friend a while back, so he often has stock available.
Spicy Sausage
This is the "boy" pizza, and it was way good. The type of good in which you end up eating more than you need to or even should.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Yum- Gourmet Liege Waffles
These were really good! We got the mix in Eden Prairie's gourmet store
in the mall.
in the mall.
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