I was so excited to visit Jiko located at the Animal Kingdom Lodge as the first dinner we were having upon our arrival at Walt Disney World on April 8^th.  Why was I so excited about our visit to Jiko? One reason was I couldn’t wait to catch up with some great friends and the other was Jiko has its own designated Gluten Free Menu!!!!! It is the only restaurant I have come across at WDW that has a dedicated menu and lots of delicious choices. Anyone with food allergies would appreciate LOTS of choices and safe food!

We were coming directly from the airport and meeting friends who had not been to Jiko before. We ran into a little traffic and they arrived first. Our reservation was held for the 15 minutes we were delayed and upon check in at the podium, we were greeted and my allergies were confirmed by the host. We were seated immediately at a table for 4 by the windows where we overlooked the courtyard and beautiful water feature there. We were also in view of the large oven and cooking area. The lights overhead are flying birds and span throughout the restaurant. As always the details and theme set the tone for our meal.  The atmosphere was comfortable.

As we looked over the menus the chef came out to address my allergy needs and I asked a few questions and chose my dinner selection. Because gluten is not my only allergy, we still had to tweak my choices to exclude garlic, soy and seafood as well. My combination of allergies can get complicated and sometimes pose a challenge for the chef but he did not miss a beat. He knew what all the ingredients were in each dish and guided me to my choice.

Our server returned and the others in our party were not ready to order quite yet. We asked for server recommendations for some authentic African cuisine and he left to let us discuss and ponder for a few more minutes. The non allergy sufferers decided to share two appetizers; the first was one of the Wood-fired flatbreads called KG’s Peri-Peri Roasted Chicken , Lamb Chopper Cheese, and Pickled Sweet Bell Peppers $10 and the Crispy Beef “Bobotie” Roll Cucumber Raita, Green Mango Atjar and Roasted Groundnuts $9. I could not partake in these selections and decided to save my appetite for my entrée although there were actually FIVE gluten free appetizer choices ranging from salads to soup to grilled wild boar. For our entrees we were not a daring group and all ordered the Oak Grilled Filet Mignon at $44 with variations on the sides and accompaniments. On the gluten free menu it came with Roasted Potatoes instead of the Ancient Grain Rice Pilaf but the Brussels sprouts and South African Wine Reduction were the same. I asked for a different vegetable choice and went with asparagus. One of the things I try to do when ordering my meals is to scan the menu and put together a meal combining choices from the various dishes. The chefs at WDW are always more than happy to get creative and “make something up” to satisfy my allergy needs and palate.

After ordering we were brought two types of breads with butter. I was served gluten free crispy flat bread with a kick to it. I didn’t care for it but everyone tried it and thought it had an interesting texture and flavor. The others were given a basket of soft sliced bread that they loved and devoured. The appetizers arrived and were shared by all but me and they raved about them. Both of those choices were beautifully presented, served hot and fresh. The Bobotie Roll had a spring roll texture on the outside and an awesome taste to the beef filling. The flatbread had explosive flavor with a crispy crust and they loved it. Our server’s suggestions were appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed by the rest of our party.

At a relaxed pace the dishes were cleared the steak knives were set and our entrees arrived. My steak was perfectly prepared and delivered to me by the server who confirmed that it was the allergy plate. The meat had an oaky flavor to it and was moist and tender. Although I did not try the wine reduction, our dining guests both enjoyed it. I loved the combination of the roasted potato and those who had the rice dish also commented that is complemented the meat well.  I cleaned my plate as did my husband Tom even though the meal was generously portioned. Although I did not still feel hungry, I have a weakness for dessert especially if there is a gluten free option that is unique. I was so excited to see a Cinnamon-Chocolate Flourless Cake with Sesame Crisp, Chocolate Sauce and Herb-Citrus Salad $10 on the menu and decided to share that with my friend. The others chose the white Chocolate Cheesecake $9 served with a pineapple frozen sorbet type garnish. I was told that it was amazing!

Our dinner lasted a good three hours. We were visiting and catching up with friends and the server respected and paced the meal accordingly. He was attentive, our glasses were always full but we never felt at all rushed. The food was unique and well prepared with great flavor combinations. I appreciate and love that they have an extensive gluten free menu. It is so refreshing to have so many entrees to choose from as well as appetizers and unique desserts. Our meal came to $187.97 with our Tables in Wonderland 20% discount. Gratuity of $42.29 (18%) was added and we threw in an extra $5 because the service was so outstanding for a total check of $248.00. Jiko will be a regular stop for us when visiting WDW and is worth the trip to Animal Kingdom Lodge and the price!

Betsy’s Diner
457 Main Street
Falmouth, Massachusetts
1-508-540-0060

Have you even had a craving for good diner food? Then Betsy’s Diner in Falmouth, MA may be the place for you.

Betsy’s is a small old fashioned 50′s style diner located on 457 Main Street in the heart of Falmouth, MA on Cape Cod.

Kevin and I discovered Betsy’s Diner about 15 years ago while visiting family and it had been quite a few years since we have been so two weekends ago we decided to make a return trip for breakfast.

It was a chilly Sunday morning as we met some others for breakfast and surprisingly Betsy’s was not that crowded. We walked right in and sat at a table almost immediately. Our server greeted us in the normal diner fashion.

We all looked over the breakfast menu, which is served all day by the way. For those with a nice hearty appetite you may choose from the Heavy Hitters on the menu which consists of 9 choices as you can see from my photo of the menu below.

Kevin chose the # 3 Heavy Hitter which consist of two eggs with toast, homefries and your choice of bacon, sausage, or ham. Kevin chose the sausage.

Two others in our group chose the # 9 Heavy Hitter, the Betsy’s Super Platter which consists of two eggs, two pancakes, toast and homefries and your choice of bacon, sausage, or ham.

I have seen pancakes with various toppings but to be honest I have never experienced filled pancakes before. My sister ordered the banana filled pancakes which looked so delicious and moist! The bananas were mixed right into the pancakes and I do have to admit the aroma was amazing! To me the smell of great food is almost as important as it’s taste and my sister did enjoy her pancakes.

If you ask my friends and family which type of pancakes I would order they would all answer quickly with a firm “Chocolate Chip”. They all know that I’ll incorporate Chocolate in food anyway possible. On this particular morning my cousin happened to order the Chocolate Chip pancakes and when I speak of that aroma above…..Oh my, I almost jumped across the table. Well I behaved myself and let my cousin enjoy them but it wasn’t easy.

The very first time we ate breakfast at Betsy’s about 15 years ago I had two eggs, cheddar cheese and ham on plain bagel and it was one of the best egg sandwiches I have ever had! So on this morning I ordered my egg sandwich the very same way and again it was so delicious!!

I did notice Belgian Waffles to be on Betsy’s menu and these are only served from 6-11:00AM and you may add banana’s, apples, or blueberries for an additional charge. Omelettes you say?….you may create your own in the “Omelette Construction” area of their menu and I noticed that you may substitute egg beaters and egg whites for an additional charge. There are also many breakfast side order choices available to choose from.

All in all I love the 50′s style theming of this diner and the old fashioned stools at the counters. You’ll find a tabletop jukebox from that era on a few of the booths in the diner and some of the old fashioned signs adorning the walls are neon! Of all the times we have eaten breakfast in Betsy’s we have never experienced bad service or a bad meal. Our food has always been served hot and the diner seems to be kept very clean.

The next time you are visiting Cape Cod Massachusetts and are looking for a nice little place to stop and eat a good and hearty breakfast I highly recommend Betsy’s Diner located on 457 Main Street Falmouth, MA 1-508-540-0060

Pass That Plate! – Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas

Several years back, I was writing a story in which the main character was a chef. She had this idea of opening an Italian tapas restaurant. How could that not be a hit, she wondered. Everyone loves Italian food, and everyone loves appetizers.

I abandoned that story, but I’m sure it would’ve worked out well for my protagonist – most things did. But as I said, I was writing that many years ago, and never really thought of the idea again.

One day about a year ago, we noticed that the Italian chain next to one of our favorite Irish pubs had closed down. A huge ‘Now Hiring’ banner hung in the parking lot for the soon-to-come restaurant – Spuntino Wine Bar and Italian Tapas. I was so excited, though I had no idea what to expect, since I’d never been to any tapas restaurant. And I was worried that this would be another chain… which generally means sub-par “Italian” food.

As it turns out, Spuntino is not a chain. That’s not to say it won’t end up with multiple locations, since the owners run franchises of some very popular chains (including, I just discovered, the above-mentioned Irish pub next door).

Dan and I visited Spuntino soon after they opened, and have returned several times since. On our most recent visit, we were joined by Dan’s cousin Steve and his girlfriend Dominique. They are both foodies and wine lovers just like us.

It was a Saturday night, and we arrived around 8:15.

It was fairly busy, and we were told the wait would be 45 minutes. We found a spot at the bar. The bar area is on the left side of the restaurant. The bar top itself is a gray and white marble slab, and at one end, you can watch as Italian cheeses and cured meats are cut to order.

Since we had a substantial wait ahead of us, we ordered our first bottle of wine. We chose a dry, sparkling red – Lambrusco Tenuta Pederzana ($40). Dry sparkling reds are just slightly sweeter than regular brut champagne. This was a perfect pre-meal drink.

It was just short of 45 minutes from our arrival time when our pager went off. We were escorted to our table on the other side of the restaurant. The center section is the largest, with butcher block tables and slick, semi-circle booths. The smaller section on the right side, where we were seated, is more rustic. Dark wood walls and small wire-and-bare-bulb light fixtures make this section very cozy and intimate.

A ‘Reserve’ wine list was on our table when we sat down. Dan and Steve each pored over it. Our waiter came over and offered to send the sommelier to our table. I’ve honestly never been to a restaurant where a sommelier was on hand at all times. She soon arrived, and was incredibly pleasant and knowledgeable. Steve is a recent graduate of the Viticulture and Enology program at Washington State University, so he knows quite a bit about wine. Even he learned a great deal from the sommelier – though not nearly as much as the rest of us, of course.

The boys chose Rocca delle Macie, a Super Tuscan.

Roccato Rocca delle Macie, 2000, $80

Our sommelier offered to decant our wine for us. Older wines need to breathe more than most. We gladly accepted the offer. Still, even once decanted, we all realized that this wine would need about an hour to breathe before reaching optimal taste. That in mind, we chose another bottle to drink in the meantime. Dominique dubbed this our ‘appetizer wine’.

Aglianico is a grape I’d never heard of until I started going out with Dan 4+ years ago. It’s not easy to find… but the few we’ve found have been pretty spectacular.

Aglianico del Vulture, Bisceglia ‘Gudarra, Basilicata ’07, $55

Our previous trip to Spuntino found us ordering the same bottle, and it was off… Corked, maybe. It tasted like wet leaves. When we pointed this out to our sommelier, a new bottle was brought to our table immediately. The same thing happened on this visit. Sometimes wine isn’t stored properly – it happens. Our sommelier on this visit tasted our wine and knew right away it wasn’t right. A new aglianico was brought to our table, and it was perfect.

But on to the food! We like to space out our meals all the time, no matter what type of restaurant we’re dining at… but this is especially important at a tapas restaurant.

We started with bruschettas. They are priced at $3 each, or 3 for $9, or 5 for $14. We chose 5, of course.

We chose the following, from left to right:
Cannelini Beans, Gorgonzola with Apples and Walnuts, Prosciutto & Mozzarella, Ricotta with Roasted Grapes, and Basil Pesto.

I don’t like beans, and in this case, that worked in my favor. Steve and Dan thought the Cannelini Beans were bland and boring. The Gorgonzola with Apples and Walnuts was absolutely delicious – perfect mix of sweet, salty, and earthy. It’s my favorite. The Prosciutto & Mozzarella was also great – almost no fat at all in the prosciutto, which is hard to find. The ricotta and roasted grapes was a sublime creamy and fruity combo. The basil pesto got raves as well.

Our next course was all about meat and starch. We all wanted meatballs! We thought, from reading the menu incorrectly, that we had ordered 2 lamb meatballs, and one spicy pork meatball. What arrived at our table, though, were 3 orders of 3 meatballs each, leaving us with 3 spicy pork, and 6 lamb. We didn’t complain and ate all of them happily… in addition to the Crispy Meatballs (, the Arancini, and the Truffle fries that we ordered for this course.

Spicy Pork Meatballs, $6
These were actually quite red pepper-spiced. Very tasty.

Naked Lamb Meatballs with Rosemary and Olive Oil, $6
I adore the flavor of lamb and rosemary. I believe I ate more of these than anyone else. The boys were much more interested in the spicy pork.

Crispy Meatballs – Two Classic Meatballs fried in wonton shells, $6
Deep fried meatballs. Need I say more?!

Truffle french fries with truffle oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and herbs, $6
These were unanimously voted the best truffle fries any of us had ever had. No question. Crispy, and with lots of truffle oil. We could smell the truffle oil from another table while we were still enjoying our bruschettas, and that’s what made us order them. So glad we did!

Arancini – Risotto balls with peas, mozzarella, and tomato sauce, $6
Rice balls are one of my favorite things to eat in the world. While these aren’t the best rice balls I’ve ever tasted, they are quite good. Dan usually doctors his up with red pepper flakes and parmigiano cheese. I just add a little salt and I’m good to go.

At this point in the meal, we decided to take a short food break. We savored our wine, we talked, we laughed… Dan and Steve, besides being cousins, are basically best friends, so we spend a good amount of time together. In light of that, it’s such a blessing that Dominique and I hit it off immediately. We’re like sisters. Good fortune, for sure!

We decided that some vegetables might be good idea with our next course, so we ordered the brussel sprouts and the asparagus in addition to two pastas:

Asparagus with prosciutto,$5
This was a special that night, and is not on the regular menu. The prosciutto was crispy, like bacon. Very good!

Brussel Sprouts – sauteed with Parmigiano Reggiano, $4
Nicely sauteed, great freshness and flavor.

Truffle Funghi Risotto – Fontina cheese melted in risotto with portobello mushroom and truffle oil, $10.
Aside from simply saying ‘Oh My God!’, I don’t think there are words to do this justice. We were all making various ecstatic faces and noises while eating this risotto. It’s just that good.

Wild Boar Ragu – Cavatappi with Spuntino-made Wild Boar Ragu, $8
You may recall from my Jiko review that I tasted wild boar for the first time only a few months ago. This was quite a different preparation, but it was also delicious. The pasta had a great texture, and the wild boar ragu was seasoned very nicely – like a high-end spaghetti with meat sauce.

We finished up that course and our wine, and the sommelier came over to talk to us again. She really was wonderfully engaging, and had an impressive resume of her sommelier experience. Listening to her talk was a pleasure, and she spent a great deal of time with us. It really added a special feeling to the meal.

Now, there was no way we were leaving without dessert. How could we? We chose 3 desserts to share:

Tiramisu – Deconstructed Tiramisu, ladyfingers dipped in espresso, and tiramisu mousse, $5
The mousse was creamy and tasted great, but I found the ladyfingers a bit too crispy this time. On previous visits, they were more spongy and more to my liking.

Ciambelle – Spuntino-made donuts with chocolate sauce, $5
These are essentially zeppoles. They arrive at the table hot and covered with powdered sugar, and are served in a paper bag, like zeppoles from any good pizza joint. They are fabulous!

Chocolate Rum Tartufo Gelato, $5
This was also a special and is not on the regular menu. Unbelievably good – especially once we decided to see how the ciambelle tasted with a dollop of gelato on top. I have thought of that flavor combination every single day, at least once, since that night. Mouth watering!

Quite a lot of food, it seems, but since there were 4 of us, and we shared everything we ordered, none of us were feeling overly full. This is not the type of place I would recommend to people who don’t like to share. Sharing not only allows you to taste more of the menu, but to interact with your dining companions even more. It creates conversation and enhances the meal, making it a memorable event.

Great atmosphere, incredible food, friendly, attentive service, and surprisingly reasonable prices. They allow (and even encourage you) to take your time with your meal, to really enjoy everything. You never feel rushed or like they’re trying to turn tables, no matter how busy the restaurant is. We couldn’t ask for more, and will undoubtedly return!

Mamma Mia!

OK, show of hands, who likes Italian food?  Hmmm, just about everybody.

Now, show of hands again, who likes ABBA?  Hmmm, not quite as many.

Just so there is no confusion; this review is about good neighborhood Italian food, not a haunting song or broadway musical. 

Over time, we’ve found that some of the best Italian food can be found in some of the most nondescript places.  We’re talking about good, solid, unpretentious Italian food.  Just a step or two up from a basic pizza joint.  A place that does a land mine business in takeout pizza’s but also serves the Italian basic dishes like spaghetti & meatballs, veal parm, gnocchi,  manicotti, lasagne… You get the idea.  This review is of just such an unpretentious restaurant located right on the waterfront of Plymouth MA. 

Mamma Mia’s in Plymouth is one of five restaurants owned by the same family.  All five are similarly unpretentious.  Walk in and there is no overblown quasi-Italian opera music, no red and white checked table cloths, no smell of aging cheese.  Its just a cozy restaurant. 

The Plymouth location has a nice view of the working harbor from many of the tables inside, especially those on the second floor. 

But we didn’t come here to look, we came here to eat!  Those who arrive at busy times, especially in the summer season, may well be in for a long wait to be seated.  We usual go at off times to minimize the wait.  Service is typically quick and pleasant in this restaurant.  You’ll be asked for a drink order very quickly and there is no pressure to order up-scale water, or wine, with your meal.  The wines offered are inexpensive.  In fact none of the bottles on the wine list were over $30. 

Since we visit frequently we normally don’t look at the menu any more but we do ask about any daily specials.  On a recent trip we decided to go with one “tried and true” dish, the Veal Parmesan ($14.95), and one dish that was more unusual for us, the Chicken Broccoli Ziti Alfredo ($12.95).  The Veal Parm normally comes with either spaghetti or ziti but you can order it with homemade noodles ($1 up-charge) if you prefer.  The Chicken Broccoli Ziti Alfredo is also offered with a garlic and oil sauce instead of the Alfredo sauce.  We decided to try this dish with homemade noodles rather than the ziti it normally comes with.  While we waited, our server brought over some piping hot rolls fresh from the oven. 

As we’ve gotten older, my wife and I seldom finish a full meal.  The serving sizes at Mamma Mia’s are pretty large so we usually just eat half and bring the other half home with us for lunch later in the week.  Today was no exception. 

The Veal Parm is a very simple, traditional dish.  Two pieces of veal, pounded thin, are breaded and fried.  They are then topped with a slice of Parmesan cheese and broiled to melt the cheese.  The veal is served over a bed of al-dente pasta (ziti in this case) with a thick tomato sauce.

The Chicken Broccoli Alfredo was something different for us.  Chunks of chicken and broccoli tossed with homemade noodles and the Alfredo sauce.  We found this dish to be quite tasty and the sauce was rich, not too heavy. 

Mamma Mia’s is also renowned for its pizza.  There is typically a steady stream of people coming in for take-out orders.  For those eating in the restaurant, it seems like over 25% of the patrons are there just for pizza.  Their style of pizza is thin crust with a zesty tomato sauce.  Pizza toppings include all the traditional ones plus a few unusual choices like grilled chicken, pineapple & ham, or buffalo chicken.

For those who have saved room, there are four items on the dessert menu.  Cheesecake ($5.50), Chocolate Cake ($3.95), Tiramisu ($5.95), and Cannoli ($3.75).  Of these four the Cannoli is pretty much a tradition to finish off a simple meal. 

After eating it is very nice to wander around Plymouth harbor to help work off some of the food.  Or at least let it settle.  As mentioned above, the working harbor is directly across the street. 

Just a short walk away is the historic harbor where you’ll find Plymouth Rock and a replica of the Mayflower. 

Bread Heads
16 Duke St. E.
Kitchener, ON
Breadheads.ca

A taste of Italy via Ireland?

I don’t know about the rest of the folks out there that have ever been to Italy but I find it incredibly hard, almost impossible to enjoy pizza back at home after sampling the fare of the mother land. We had the absolute fortune of spending some time in Italy last year and of course had to sample the pizza in different regions to see what if anything changed. We really enjoyed the pizza in Rome and Florence but I must say the pizza in Venice was like a gift from the gods. I don’t know if it’s the water, the flour or the fresh ingredients but I can cause my mouth to water just thinking about it.

I can probably count on one hand the amount of times we’ve gone for pizza since we’ve been back home only because we know nothing can compare to what we experienced overseas…..or can it? We recently read a review of a small little bakery/restaurant in town that made traditional pizza in a traditional wood oven. After reading the favorable review we thought we must give it a try. Although I was excited to try something new I must admit I didn’t hold out much hope that it would be a reasonable facsimile to what was served to us in Venice.

Let me start by giving a little background of Bread Heads. This establishment was started by a couple who emigrated from Ireland of all places. That alone was the cause of some pessimism on my part. What I did find intriguing though is that they started as a mobile unit with a wood oven installed to the back of a portable unit which they took to local events and street festivals. They had quite a bit of success that they searched for a brick and mortar location to better feed the masses that were quickly forming. The store front, albeit small is quite charming. Walls decorated with local festival and concert posters as well as a stack of pizza oriented books to peruse while waiting for your order. The seating situation consists of a small counter on the main floor and another in the basement. You won’t find traditional tables and chairs in this joint. Bread Heads caters mostly to the downtown working crowd and the hours reflect the same. It is typically open from 9-6 with a few nights until 7:00 but they don’t start baking in the oven until 11am.

Known for the wood fired pizza they also have a small menu of made to order melts and sandwiches all served on fresh daily baked bread. Everything they prepare is done in the wood oven. Pizza, sandwiches, roasted veggies, etc. In fact, they don’t have a traditional oven or cooktop on the premises. I know this because you are literally stepping right into the kitchen when you walk through the door. The restaurant owners stress that they try to source as many local ingredients as they can in order to preserve the freshness as well as support the local community, everything from the vegetables, meat right down to the wood used in the oven.

During our first visit as much as the sandwiches and melts sounded interesting we had to go for the pizza. I opted for the Duke – sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, pepperoni and caramelized onions. My lovely wife went with the Duke as well minus the onions. We watched as they made our pizzas. Each 9” personal pizza ($8 – a steal) was made from scratch from forming the crust to caramelizing the onions. Once the pizzas were ready to go in the oven it was no time for them to be ready. Literally a few minutes. This must be due to the intense heat of the oven. Served simply on a piece of cardboard covered with a checkered paper it was delivered to us at the counter. This is when the heavens opened up and angels started singing. And this is coming from a guy who is not the least bit religious. This pizza was out of this world. Crust was perfect with a few dark edges giving it a nice smokey flavor. The cheese melted perfectly and the freshness of the ingredients really popped. I can almost bring myself to salivating while I type this out…so so good. It was so good in fact that we returned the next weekend in the name of research to confirm our findings. On our second visit my wife tried the Quattro Formaggi – olive oil, mozzarella, asiago, fresh parmesan and white truffle oil while I went for the Pesto – sauce, mozzarella, fresh cherry tomatoes and pesto. Equally fresh and equally tasty.

I can honestly say that I think about Italy and more specifically Venice just about every day. It’s such a wonderful city with incredible food. Although I can’t be serenaded on a gondola or walk over countless bridges trying to find an off the beaten path boutique I can have pizza that is better than anything else I’ve ever had this side of the Atlantic. All I can say is that if you are ever in the Kitchener area and are looking for a place to eat, run, don’t walk to Bread Heads. In fact, I think I know exactly where I’m having lunch this Saturday.

As our day in Boston was coming to a close Kevin and I thought we would have dinner before heading towards home. One of our favorite places to eat in Boston is the Union Oyster House.

The Union Oyster House is famously known as the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. Their doors have been open to diners there since 1826 and the restaurant is located on 41 Union Street, right on the famous Freedom Trail and only one block from Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

I just love walking through this area of Boston. There is so much history in the old buildings and I like to think to myself….oh if the walls could talk imagine how much we could learn.

We arrived within a few minutes of leaving Haymarket and were able to get seated fairly quickly as we had walked over earlier in the day and made a reservation as they are recommended. When you first walk in you will see a large live Lobster tank and the famous semi-circle oyster bar where Daniel Webster often punctuated his speeches with visits to this oyster bar where he drank a tall tumbler of Brandy and water with each half dozen oysters and seldom had less than six plates. Unfortunately since the restaurant was quite crowded in this area I was not able to get a photo of the oyster bar.

We were seated on the second floor of the restaurant and I do have to admit I liked the journey to our table. You will find a pictorial of Boston’s history adorning the walls throughout the restaurant and the dining rooms are also themed to the era. Our server whose name was Brooke, was very pleasant and come to find out she has been working at the Union Oyster House for many years. We started off our meal with their famous cornbread. Which I must say was very warm, moist, and delicious!

I do recommend bringing your appetite along as the menu has many choices from fresh seafood, soups and chowders, meat and poultry dishes, and all types of salad ( including Lobster salad rolls and platters ). There are too many to mention so I will name just a few of the appetizers available you can chose from. You may order Mussels, Steamers, Shrimp Cocktail and Fried Calamari. There is also the Hot Oyster House Sampler for two which includes Union Grilled Oysters, Baked Stuffed Cherrystones, Clams Casino, Oysters Rockefeller and Shrimp Scampi.

Kevin ordered the 1/2 dozen Freshly Shucked Wellfleet Oysters for $15.95.

Ok…..I do have to admit that I have never tried an Oyster this way and don’t think I will in this lifetime, but Kevin really enjoyed his.

I went with a more common appetizer, a cup of the Oyster House Clam Chowder for $6.50. All I am going to say is that Boston in famous for their clam chowder and the flavor was amazing! There is nothing better than a nice thick and creamy chowder, especially since it was a cold day. It really hit the spot.

Kevin decided to choose his entrée from the Fried, Grilled, and Broiled section of the menu. To name a few of the choices available Fresh Boston Scrod, Sea Scallops, Tender Shrimp, Native Swordfish, and Salmon. Kevin ordered the Tender Sweet Fried Clams at (Market Price). As you can see from my photo, bring your appetite as you receive quite a large portion and a baked potato. YUMMY!!!

I am a lobster girl all the way and oh my there were so many ways you could have your lobster! From the Live Lobster Pot I mentioned above, you can have from as small as 1 1/4 lb. all the way up to 3, 4, and even 5lbs of Lobster all at (Market Price). To name a few you may also choose from Lobster Scampi, Lobster Newburg, or even an American Bouillabaisse which I like to call throwing in everything but the kitchen sink, Lobster, Steamers, Mussels, Shrimp, Fish, Littlenecks, and Scallops all poached in a seasoned broth, served with fresh garlic bread. I thought I would be different and tried the Union Lobster Special, which as you can see, is a baked medium Lobster with a New England style Seafood Stuffing topped with claws lazyman’s style, warm butter, and potato’s. I wasn’t sure what I would think of the seafood stuffing and I was pleasantly surprised.

The menu here is quite large to mention everything in my blog and I did notice there is also a kids menu available. I highly recommend trying the Union Oyster House if you are in the Boston area. We had impeccable service and enjoyed our meal. The food was served hot and not rushed, which is always a pet peeve of mine. This did not happen here, each course was spaced out nicely.

When leaving the Union Oyster House make sure to stop and take a look at the model of a ship located on the first floor as you head into the Union Bar area and make a stop in the Union Goods store before leaving. You may find something unique to being home with you from Boston.

For more information on the Union Oyster House and a complete menu please visit their website www.unionoysterhouse.com. I do hope that you enjoyed our day in Boston and all that we experienced. I am going to end this blog with another little fun fact. Did you know that the toothpick was first used in the United States at the Union Oyster House?

Menu: http://www.plantersinnsavannah.com/menu.htm
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/the-olde-pink-house-restaurant?ref=10069&ttr=1&scpref=41
Email: theoldepinkhouse@bellsouth.net

On a driving trip to Orlando in October, my wife Valerie and I decided to stop in Savannah Georgia along the way.  We had such a good time in Savannah that when we did another Florida driving trip in March we decided to stop in Savannah again.  We were both interested in seeing this historic city for a number of reasons.  We both are fascinated by US history, we love to explore new places, and we had read the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” which is set in Savannah.  You may have seen the movie by the same name but the book has much more Savannah “texture” that you don’t get from the movie.

Of course dining in this fine city is also an art. Many of you are familiar with Paula Deen from her cooking show and recipe books featuring southern cuisine.  So, you’d think that a stop at her restaurant “The Lady and Sons” would be in order.  Well, it wasn’t.  My wife is proud of being one of the GRITS.  That’s “Girls Raised In The South”.  In her case, “The South” is Lafayette, LA, which is some distance away from Savannah both physically and epicurean-ly.  Now understand, we weren’t looking for Lafayette food in Savannah.  For our first visit (i.e. before Foodie Tales) we were looking for some good southern food representative of the area.  We checked around and had several people recommend the “Olde Pink House”.  After looking at their menu on line we decided to make reservations there.

The restaurant is located at Reynolds Square in what was actually a house for one of Savannah’s leading families.  The restaurant got its name because it is built out of brick that was painted white.  Over time the color from the brick has leached through and makes the building look pink.

In October our reservation was for 7:15 pm and we arrived about 45 minutes early thinking that we would have a glass of wine while we waited.  I was a bit dismayed to see a large crowd of people standing around outside on the sidewalk and stairs as we walked up.  With trepidation that we were in for a long wait I approached the podium to give our names, mentioning we were a bit early.  The hostess didn’t bat an eye and we were immediately ushered into one of the several dining rooms. 

We had a similar experience in March with a 6:15 reservation.  We had arrived in Savannah around mid-afternoon that day and after doing some touristy stuff we were hungry.  This early in the evening there was no waiting crowd and we were taken immediately to our table.  This time we were seated in the ballroom, an elegant room that is a recent addition to the restaurant but looks as though it is right out of the original period.

Noticing some impressive looking old portraits on the walls as we walk to our table, I asked who they were, thinking they may have been the original owners.  Well, the joke was on me as they were just portraits of unknown people that somebody had picked up for decorative purposes. 

Shortly our waiter stopped by to say hello, bring us a breadbasket and take our drink order.  First, a word about the breadbasket would be appropriate…drool.  It’s a basket with three different breads; a yeast roll, corn muffins and biscuits.  The biscuits are slightly sweet because they add a bit of honey to the dough when making them.

Those who know Val & I will not be surprised to learn that we were planning on having a bottle of wine with our meal.  But, how do you choose a wine until you know what you are eating?  It was time to peruse the menu.  Immediately there was a problem, everything sounded so good.  How could we decide what to order?  This is where a good waiter really enhances a dining experience.  After discussing our likes and dislikes and getting suggestions on the best items on the menu we ultimately narrowed down our choices to a manageable number.  That meant it was also time to order wine!  Here the waiter suggested a Marques de Morrieta 2006 white that is not widely distributed.  The price was right and that’s what we went with.

In October Valerie and I shared the Shrimp, Crab and Sausage Spring Roll, Honey Mustard Drizzle ($9.95) appetizer.  These were marvelous.  A mixture of shrimp, crab and sausage, along with some cabbage and unidentifiable other vegetables are rolled into slim tubes of pasta and flash fried in very hot oil.  This produces a crispy outer shell with an inside that is just bursting with flavor.  This was worth a repeat on our March visit but I hogged them all for myself.

Valerie had the Sautéed Local Shrimp w/Country Ham Gravy & Cheddar Cheese Grits Cake appetizer ($9.95) that she loved. I’m not a fan of grits but I had a taste and it was actually pretty good.

In October, Valerie went with our waiter’s recommendation of one of the restaurant’s signature main courses, Crispy Scored Flounder w/Apricot Shallot Sauce, Creamy Grits & Collards ($26.96).  This is a nearly whole flounder, with only the head missing.  The fish is scored in a crisscross pattern, glazed with the Apricot Shallot Sauce and broiled.  This produces a sweet coating and the broiling leaves the flesh in little bite sized diamond shapes that are easy to pick up with a fork.  Valerie enjoyed this very much although she was a little disappointed in the flip side of the fish, which didn’t get the benefit of being exposed to the broiler.  I went with a different recommendation, the Crab Stuffed Grouper, White Wine Lemon Sauce, Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Beans  ($31.95).  It was a very flavorful fish and the crab stuffing was a very nice touch.  The wine was a nice accompaniment with both dishes.  This was also worth a repeat in March and just might be my choice again for the next time we stop by – yes it was that good.

Valerie choose a different main course this time.  Originally she was going to try the Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops over Fettuccini but our server subtly suggested that she would be happier with the Almond Encrusted Tilapia w/Shrimp Herb Butter, Creamy Grits & Mixed Beans ($24.95).  Don’t let the green sauce put you off on this dish, it may not be visually appealing but it is really very tasty.

After finishing all this food we were both stuffed and thought we would skip dessert and wind up the evening with a cup of coffee.  Our waiter was no fool though and left us the dessert menu just so we could see what was offered.  A couple of things immediately jumped out at us; a chocolate cheesecake with house made rocky road ice cream, and a Saint Germain Crème Brûlée topped with berries and whipped cream.  Ultimately we decided to split an order of the latter along with some decaf cappuccino.  As we slowly walked (waddled?) back to our hotel, we agreed it was a marvelous finish to a nice evening.

If you go, reservations are highly recommended.  You can place your reservations by phone or on line through Open Table.  Plan on spending a little time exploring the nearby Reynolds Square area too with some pretty dramatic lighting on the various buildings.

Total cost of our meal for two, with wine, was about $135 plus tip on each visit.  Not an inexpensive place but well worth it for a fine dining experience.

We flew in the day prior and coming from the east coast we were of course up bright and early. The first stop on our culinary adventure was The Griddle. This establishment was previously blogged about on this very site by John Magi. I will not go into great detail as it was covered quite well in the aforementioned blog. A couple things I did take away from what John had said was that this place can get a line up. We took that warning seriously and arrived at The Griddle right around opening. We waited maybe 5-10 minutes as they slowly filled the restaurant. I loved this place right from the get go, the crowded seating area, the fast talking ADHD host to the extensive breakfast offerings. I had a difficult time deciding what to get but went with the “Cobb” omelet sans avocado. I know I’m in California but I just can’t do avocado.  The hashbrowns and omelet barely fit on the large oval plate. The omelet was filled with chicken, bacon, green onions and blue cheese. My wife had the Mom’s French toast. Oddly enough she has never had French toast before but we were told this was their specialty. The recommendation did not disappoint. This dish was thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. As we were leaving the small in stature hyper host thanked us by name and wished us a good day. Ordinarily not a huge deal but with the amount of people he sat in that hour I found this astonishing. I am a breakfast lover. I like it for lunch, dinner, snack….you name it. All I can say about The Griddle is that it is one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. I would almost book a flight back to LAX just to try another omelet.

Another favorite spot for us in California is the LA Farmers Market. Another location that has been discussed here on the Foodietales blog. We don’t always come here specifically to have a meal. Sometimes we just like to browse and shop the market and The Grove. That being said it is impossible for me to head to the market without a stop at Bob’s Doughnuts. This was stop number 2 for our mid morning snack. I don’t like to mess around with Bob’s. I like a plain old glazed doughnut for the most part. I have tried others but nothing beats the simplicity of a regular ole glazed for me. We actually stopped here a second time on this trip and had to get another ……..stop judging me until you try it.

After a quick stop at our hotel to drop off some purchases we decided to head down to the Hollywood & Highland center as they were setting up for the Oscars which were taking place the next day. It was hard to see anything with all the chaos but just a glimpse into this world was quite interesting. While at H&H we decided to have lunch. This is where some people might think I’m a little crazy but if I’m being honest one of my guilty pleasures in regards to chain restaurants is California Pizza Kitchen, yep, CPK. After such a large breakfast and a doughnut (or 2) we decided to go a little light for lunch. We shared a pepperoni pizza and each had a salad. My wife had the Classic Caesar and I had the Caramelized Peach salad. This consisted of field greens, spinach, warm caramelized peaches, cranberries, red onions, toasted pecans and gorgonzola tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette. This was possibly one of the best salads I’ve ever had. It was no Cobb from the Brown Derby but man was it good. The Caesar was quite tasty as well and the pizza is always good as well in my opinion.

Now for me the thing that I was looking forward to most was dinner. We had a 7:15 reservation for the Tam O’Shanter. The Tam is LA’s oldest restaurant run by the same in the same location for 90 years. It is located at 2980 Los Feliz Blvd in Los Angeles. 323-664-0228. The history of this restaurant is why I needed to try it out. Walt Disney himself used to frequent this place on a regular basis and I couldn’t pass that up. Stepping into this restaurant it appeared they hadn’t touched the décor since the 70’s but in a good way. It was unassuming and quite comfortable. It seemed that every room led to another. I was almost convinced we’d walk to another county before we’d see the end. I had done some menu research prior to our trip and knew right from the get go that I was going to order the Brussels Sprouts ($8) with smoked bacon and caramelized onions. We also ordered the Mac & Cheese ($7) to share. The Mac & Cheese was ok but in my opinion the Brussels Sprouts stole the show. I’m sure my wife might argue that point. For our entrees I ordered the Toad in the Hole (Yorkshire pudding, filet mignon, cipollini onions, sautéed mushrooms and cognac @ $25). This dish was tasty but a little heavy on the mushrooms for me. The filet mignon though was almost perfect. My wife ordered the Corned Beef and Cabbage with roasted fingerling potatoes, heirloom carrots and Dijon mustard ($26). I’m not a huge fan of corned beef but this dish went over so well that I’m sure she would fly an order home if it would stay fresh. The dessert special on this day was Red Velvet Souffle. I consider myself a bit of a soufflé aficionado and this was just ok. Two of my favorites are available on Disney Cruise Line and this did not compare to either but was still good enough to round out a fantastic meal. We had the pleasure of speaking with the manager briefly about the history and Walt Disney in particular. He and his staff were fantastic and I would recommend the Tam O’Shanter to anyone looking for a good meal with a side of history.

Mac & Cheese

Corned Beef

Brussels Sprouts

Toad in Hole

Needless to say after a day like this I was in a bit of a food coma by the end but I could not imagine spending my birthday any other way with any other person. Special thanks to my wife for making this day something to remember and allowing me to gorge for an entire day. After all, it’s my birthday.

TICO
222 Berkeley Street
Boston, MA 02116

http://www.ticoboston.com/

When looking for a place to eat in a large city, the choices can be overwhelming. Add in dietary restrictions, and finding a place with safe quality tasty choices and great atmosphere is rare! We chose TICO for a midweek outing because of their allergy friendly reputation.

TICO was not difficult to find right off the Massachusetts Turnpike on Berkley Street in Boston. Parking is at a premium but TICO offers valet for $12. There is a garage close by as well if you prefer not to give up your car with the keys. We chose to valet. There was a short wait as being a Wednesday there was only one attendant. It is also easily accessably on the T.

We had made a reservation so upon entering the restaurant we were greeted, checked in and seated immediately. The atmosphere was hip and lively. There were lots of people enjoying after work drinks in the seating nooks tucked around the restaurant.

Our server was a friendly young woman who immediately attended to us and knew the menu inside and out. When addressing our food allergies she knew exactly what we could eat and all the ingredients. She was knowledgeable and made suggestions of her favorites that were gluten free and garlic free.

The menu was varied and creative and encouraged sharing. It was set up in sections of appetizers, tacos, small plates and entrées. It had a very cool option to pay a per person fee for the whole table and to do a chef chosen tasting.

Tastings: Let Us Choose for the Whole Table; Kind of Hungry? $35 per Person, Forgot to Eat Lunch? $55 per person, Full-on Tico Experience $85 per person.

We found a couple things that looked particularly interesting to us so we decided to order a la carte. We started with tacos; Lobster and Avocado $12, Tender Pork with Spicy Cucumber $10 and Crispy Fried Chicken with Fennel Slaw & Spicy Buttermilk Dressing  $11. They came two to a plate and we shared those. They were made on corn tortillas and the lobster and pork were both gluten free. The next course was small plates and we chose Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Kumquats, Mint and Jalapenos $9, Tico’s Mac ‘N Cheese with Serrano Ham and Crunchy Bread Crumbs $9 and Chicken with Spicy Pomegranate $6. The chicken was the only gluten free option we chose for the second course. We ordered two entrees; one was the “Golden” Chicken with Peruvian Asparagus, Crispy Potatoes, Red Chiles and Scallions $25 and the other was a gluten free garlic free variation of the Grilled Prive Bavette Steak with Romesco, Broccolini and Red Bliss Potatoes $29. The potatoes were not gluten free as they were fried in shared oil, so we substituted a butternut squash puree instead and left out the Romesco as well due to the garlic.

We were totally impressed with the freshness and quality of the food. The flavor combinations were creative and delicious! A huge treat when you have food allergies! Upon being served with our entrees we realized that they had not made the substitutions and the steak had to be sent back due to gluten contamination. This is where they truly shined! The manager immediately came to the table assuring us that the meal was being remade and not re plated without the potatoes. In the mean time, she was bringing her favorites made safely for the allergies while we waited for the new entrée. We were served with Shredded Cabbage and Vegetable Salad with Salsa Verde and Crushed Almonds $8 and then the Taco with Bacon, Cabbage and Green Tomato with Chipotle $9. Both were outstanding as was the steak meal when it was served correctly. The extras were on the house and she also did not charge for the steak entrée. The staff was apologetic and their recovery was perfect. We left full and happy and with no allergen reactions!

The bill for 4 was $95 without the steak entrée. We had a living social coupon that we purchased for $30 for $60 worth of credit so we paid the difference of $35 plus the tip. TICO was a great experience! We enjoyed being able to share many different dishes in a fun atmosphere with an allergen knowledgeable staff and kitchen. We will go back and bring our friends!

Some of my favorite foods come from religious orders. Whether its crafts or foods, many religious orders support themselves by the labors of their hands. There are a number of monks and nuns who are producing some fantastic food products that are worth a taste.

I first discovered Our Lady of the Mississippi Abby Caramels, located in Dubuque, Iowa, while watching a food show on foods from unexpected places. The caramels were simply made with great, natural ingredients.

Following the rules of St. Benedict, as is common with many religious orders; the nuns of the Our Lady of the Mississippi Abby have been making delicious plain or hand-dipped vanilla or chocolate caramels for almost 40 years. The sisters moved from Massachusetts to Iowa in 1964 and started making cookies. However, cookies were difficult to ship as they easily broke during shipping. They then went into making Christmas wreathes; however they found that was only viable around Christmas. Their motherhouse in Massachusetts agreed to give them a recipe for caramels that they themselves received from a Greek candy maker. One of the sisters said, “We don’t change the recipe and we don’t give it away. It’s really a secret recipe.” Monies from the sale of the caramels and their other products go to the basic support of the sisters.

According to their website (www.monasterycandy.com), the order is a cloistered, monastic community of Trappistine nuns of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Nearly all of the sisters are involved in the candy-making production and about 90% of their annual sales occur from September through December.

The caramels are so smooth and delicious that it makes not eating the whole box almost impossible. These caramels give new meaning to ‘religious experience.’ They are available either plain, dipped in milk or dark chocolate or as an assortment. Prices range from $6.80 for an 8-ounce bag to $48.00 for a 5-pound box. In addition to caramels, the sisters also make Swiss and Irish Mints, assorted truffles, hazelnut meltaways, caramel and chocolate fudge sauces and maple syrup. Orders are shipped via UPS or, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, picked up at the Abbey.

Heading from the Midwest to the Northeast is The Abbey of the Genesee. Bordering Pennsylvania and located in the southwest corner of New York State Genesee, New York, the monks dedicate their lives to assiduous prayer through solitude and silence. The monks observe silence and only speak, when necessary, in a limited way. They participate in farming, cooking, maintenance, care of the infirm and other activities. In order to support their lifestyle these monks make a number of delicious food products including Trappist preserves, homemade cakes and Monks’ Bread.

I have tried a few of the varieties offered and the Monks Bread (www.monksbread.com) white bread is unlike any other white bread available. The bread is tender and soft and has a unique flavor. In addition to their white bread, the monks also bake wheat wholegrain, multigrain with flax seed, Genesse rye with caraway seeds, sunflower with rolled oats, maple cinnamon and raisin cinnamon. During the holidays the monks also make a fantastic holiday bread, fruit & berry and 20 grain with golden raisins.

The homemade cakes are delicious. They bake six different varieties: cranberry orange cake, chocolate chip cake with or without whiskey, blueberry cake with our without whiskey, date nut whiskey cake, brownies with walnuts and monk’s fruitcake with or without whiskey. And surprisingly, regardless what is generally thought about fruitcake, the monks’ fruitcake is delicious. The monks’ make their fruitcake in a 10-ounce square, a 2-pound oblong and a 2-pound cake in a decorative tin and either with rum or without. These cakes are definitely a must-try.

Located about 14 miles west of Charlottesville, Virginia is the town of Crozet. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains this town, population: 5,565, is home to a simple, yet beautiful, red brick monastery. The monastery belongs to an order of Trappist nuns – Our Lady of the Angels. Down the hill from the Abbey, next to rolling pastures of farmland, is a red and white barn where these Trappist nuns make some of the most delicious and creamy Dutch-style Gouda cheese you will ever taste.

Since 1990, the Our Lady of the Angels (www.olamonastery.org), like the other orders, has been making this fantastic cheese to help them remain self-sufficient. The nuns follow traditional Dutch methods when making this delicious Gouda cheese.

Their cheese culture is shipped fresh from Wisconsin. According to their website, the Grade A milk, from grain-fed cows, is purchased through Dairy Farmers of America. The cheese curds are cut by hand, packed in forms and pressed. The wheels are immersed in a salt brine then cured. Prior to shipping, the nuns dip each wheel of Gouda in a protective red wax coating. The result, when all is said and done, is a semi-soft, mild and mellow Dutch-style 2-pound wheel of Gouda goodness.

Regardless of your religious persuasion (or not) these and many other delicious foods made by religious orders, not to be left out Mystic Monk Coffee and Trappistine Candy are a gastronomical pilgrimage waiting to be had.