Cafe Rose Nicaud

May 26, 2019

New Orleans, LA

Good morning Rose..
The Rose Benedict and the cafe are named for the 1st coffee vendor in Nola Ms. Rose Nicaud. A slave that was able to purchase her freedom from the proceeds she earned from her own business @caferosenicaud 
This sandwich OMG
An open faced biscuit with garlic mayo, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions, avocado, tomato, I chose scrambled eggs rather than sunny side up, topped with Asiago cheese on a bed of mixed greens placed gently open top of rosemary grits that had a drizzle of balsamico 
Delicious!!!

Atchafalaya

Brunch isn’t just for Sunday, @atchafalayafood it’s everyday and they have nailed it. Everything was super yum! 

Accompanied with a grapefruit Bellini although the Bloody Mary bar was extremely enticing. 

This multi-floored restaurant is really cute, excellent service and once again that Southern hospitality and charm that warms my heart. 
Even the table of businessmen seated outside next to us politely asked if we mind if they smoked their cigars, to which we replied no, it’s fine. 

Being polite and having manners I learned last evening is something that as one of my Uber drivers said.. “ it doesn’t matter what your background is or what neighborhood you’re from, down here we are raised to have manners, to be polite, to say good morning or hello”. What a lovely way to be raised. 

Cream Cheese Grits~ so creamy and tasty 

Strawberry and Sweet Potato Salad

This is absolutely the BEST salad I have EVER had! This Strawberry and Sweet Potato salad is ridiculously perfect.Charred Strawberry Vinaigrette with pickled strawberries, sweet potato crisps and topped with dried olive oil. What? I never knew nor had dried olive oil. Good AF.

Arugula & Slicing Tomato salad on a light smear of Greek yogurt, drizzled with a sugarcane gastrique, cucumber and cornbread croutons. Look at those gorgeous and delicious tomatoes

Warm biscuit with the freshest strawberry jam you can get

Breakfast Potatoes that we’re seasoned just right with the perfect amount of garlic

Vaulting Brewing Co.

Nothing better than a waffle grilled cheese with spicy tomato blush dipping sauce and a glass of vin on a chilly Saturday evening after a storm. Where can you get this amazing grilled cheese~ Vault Brewing Co - Yardley, PA💋

March 3, 2018

Homemade Delight

Mac & Cheese

Getting game day ready💚💚💚
Homemade Mac and Cheese with 5 different cheeses that I had in the fridge. 
Go EAGLES 💚💚💚

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Vegetable Lasagna

Feels like the perfect day for vegetable lasagna.
- Betsy Carbone Foye Huntthe lasagna you posted yesterday inspired me
- Antonietta Massacesi-Bevilacquacan’t wait to make fresh pasta with you
Key ingredients 
1- Fresh organic ingredients, locally sourced if possible.
2- An amazing knife to chop with. This one is my favorite, a Miyabi. Helps me feel like I’m a chef. Christopher Kearse
3- A happy spirit, excited to see the finished product.
4- A glass of wine, of course. 
And 5- an eclectic selection of music pumping through the Sonos speaker.

Dinners served💋.

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Pizza

Craving a snowy day treat? We’ve got you covered. 
Homemade 🍕 cred: Sophia💕
Yum💋

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Soft Touch Taco

Featuring the ”Soft Touch Taco” from one of my newest additions to my cookbook collection ~ “ From Crook to Cook” by Snoop with the foreword written by his girl Martha Stewart. 

Fun cookbook and these tacos delish. Only alteration to his recipe was I used a meat substitute. 

Who knew Snoop was a foodie and can cook. Haha. 

Now to just figure out how I can get to eat these with Snoop. That would be wow!!

Happy Sunday

Fiore Fine Foods

Food so GOOD.. that it’s absolutely wrong for it to be so perfect every time I dine here. Haha @fiorefinefoods 

The lineup from sweet to savory to refreshing. The dessert will truly make you want to cry with delight 
Until I get to return to Italy.. Justine, Ed, & Gina (all trained in Italy and have impeccable NYC resumes) @fiorefinefoods provide just the right dose of absolutely amazing Italian food. 
Buon Appetito

And my cocktail, as I’m feeling optimistic that warm weather is near was the Frizzante for me it’s “sunshine in a glass”
Which absolutely from the 1st sip took me back to my time on the Amalfi Coast.. not believing that I was there and thinking how lucky I am.

Pasta- just like I’ve had in Italy
- Potato Gnocchi in a light porcini butter and thyme sauce!!
~These gnocchis literally evaporate when they touch your tongue. They are so light and perfetto!!!
~A true sign of homemade gnocchi is that every one is not perfectly round. This like all of their dishes is fresh made each day.

Casonecelli - for me it reminds me of thanksgiving wrapped in a beautiful perfectly al dente handkerchief. A creamy sweet potato filled pasta with sage and balsamico.

Cheese - this presentation of Parmigiana Reggiano with gnocchi fritto( pillow like hollow puffs) with aceto balsamico. Is not only tasty but fun to eat. Break open one of the frittos, take a piece of cheese.. smear it in the balsamico and tuck it inside the slightly warm puff. Wow! It reminded me of a perfect mini grilled cheese sandwich. This cheese plate clearly represents all things good from Modena.

Torta Caprese al Limone super light campari citrus cake with a toasted almond gelato and marcona almond pieces.. absolutely one of the BEST desserts I ever had.

Milk Chocolate Budino a brown sugar plum cake with red wine caramel 

Miss Rachel's Pantry

Out of this world vegan 🌱 dinner.

Every one of the 5 courses was 💥
The setting felt as if I was in a family members home but back in the 50’s.
Each course was what I would envision a family preparing for for a special persons birthday.. bringing out all of the favorites and all of the stops 
An intimate setting allowed myself and 21 other diners to have an absolutely perfect cozy dining experience. The service and vibe were fantastic and Rachel, well she’s awesome so personable, humble and an amazing chef. Check out the pics to see all of the goodies I loved as well as the menu. 
Super yum. 
Cheers!

Cry Baby Pasta

Al dente spaghetti in a wonderfully balanced pomodoro sauce @crybabypasta

Newly opened, super cute place by well establish chef/restaurateur..casual yet extremely well managed and professional, personable staff. Fun cocktails and a nice selection of wine. 
Yes, I cried like a baby, bc I wanted more.

Top picture is a delicious Pasta Pomodoro.

Yum

Freshly toasted bruschetta with ricotta, honey and basil

Vetri Cecina

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” 
~ Benjamin Franklin

* I love to learn, and to get to do so with beautifully executed, delicious cuisine by Chef Brian paired with special wines selected by Sommelier Kyle...fantastic. Not a bad way to learn.

Featured:
~ Sommelier Series by Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia. 
~ Region of focus - Emilia Romagna, Italy. 
Buon Appetito

Vetri Pasta Magic
Yesssss!
Food is everything. 💋 Lisa Lukasiewicz Welch
#foodporn

Middle Child

Walk in it feels like a place from the 50’s
Frank Sinatra playing “Strangers in the night, then followed by Fly me to the moon and some jazz.
And showing some Eagles love as shown by their business card💚

Happy Friday 💋

*Added bonus the staff is#1! I love how they refer to you by 1st name when they serve you and when you say goodbye. Although it is my 1st time here, it felt very comfortable and familiar *

Breakfast sandwich ~ Scrambled eggs, cooper sharp cheddar, arugula on potato bread. Yum yum (Perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs)

Whipped ricotta with masala house-made Jam on milk bread with lemon zest 
(So tasty, the ricotta is so light and the jam not to sweet and perfect with the lemon zest)

Kawaii Tori Sushi

Soft opening for family & friends at Bucks County’s newest Sushi restaurant, Kawaii Tori Sushi staffed with former sushi chefs of Morimotos. Congratulations to our friends, The Cain family. 
Get ready to be wowed!  
The BEST 🍣

—eating sushi at Kawaii Tori Sushi.

Pizza Heaven

Tacconelli’s Pizzeria

This old school neighborhood pizza spot is absolutely OMG! You have to call ahead to reserve your dough as they only make so much each day. 
💯 paper thin and crispy with the right amount of garlic. The crust is so tasty, like a perfectly flavored crouton.

Featured 1/2 original and 1/2 white pizza with spinach and tomatoes. Yum💋

September 9, 2018

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Pizzeria Vetri

June 23, 2018

Philadelphia, PA

You can tell everything about pizza from the 1st bite. And the 1st bite of this, I closed my eyes and it reminded me of the pizza I had in magnificent Positano 💕
The crust is super thin, paper like not too crispy and the dough under the sauce a little soft and the sauce... perfection 
Fork and knife pizza all the way. 

Plus walking distance to the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin museum. 

Buon Appetito💋 — eating pizza at Pizzeria Vetri (1939 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia).

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Nomad Pizza

February 21, 2018

What’s a birthday without a pizza party and Aunt Tess birthday love. 💋

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Spuntino of Philly

April 7, 2019

Saturday recap..
Rock, Pizza, Gelato and Lacrosse
* watching Jordan Dream Weaver(and yes, that’s her super cool real name) channel her inner rocker girl 🎸along with the rest of her band led by Paul Green of the School of Rock at Fergie’s Pub.
Amazing young talent. I was rocking out to..all tunes reminded of me Brat Pack era movies 
#supportthearts

**the a mid day snack. At Spuntino pizza.. delizioso. That crust, that sauce ...perfect while sitting in a beautiful floor to ceiling glass window restaurant in Northern Liberties. Plus one of the owners and pizza makers is well known House/EDM DJ for nearly 20 yrs.

***and the Spuntino gelato... Basil gelato 🍨 soooo good perfect for a sunny, happy day. Super light and refreshing

****wrapping up the day cheering on Geoffrey and his Lacrosse teammates from George School alongside Stephanie Hedrick Connolly Evan Connolly Terry Hetzel. 

Perfect Saturday between the Burbs and Philly

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De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pie

March 10, 2018
Lauren Ireland- guess where we had dinner tonight. Delish! 
Thank you for your friendship and for always keeping my eyebrows on point.💋

Cafe Seventy-Two

Ewing, NJ

Great place for brunch in Ewing, NJ. Beachy, cozy restaurant with friendly and attentive service. Tons of delicious options. 
Must try. 💋 — brunching at CAFE seventy two.

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February 20, 2019

February 9, 2019

Bud & Marilyn's

Ridiculously good comfort food that feels like it’s being served in someone’s 70’s motif styled home. (Sharon Ford Cowen - after seeing your post the other day I thought I need to go back to Bud & Marilyn’s.)

The staff are extremely welcoming, the cocktails are fabulously mixed and the food.. the kind where you are so tempted to lick your fingers.

*The two woman owners of this also own Barbuzzo and 4 other restaurants on 13th street. 🙌 boss ladies!💥

So so good. Definitely left this meal feeling... tapped out. But so worth it!💋

the super yummy warm pretzel rolls that are topped with a beer cheese sauce and chives
The summer corn on the cob with miso-ginger aioli, pepitos, pepper, lime (this is the finger licking good item)

The summer corn with zucchini and squash pasta..tasty

Oh yeah, the beautiful purple cocktail called The Lakeside- vodka, fresh lime, violet and mint

Warm biscuits with honey butter

The mashed potatoes were exactly on point!

And last but not least this super tall funfetti cake with rainbow sprinkles on top of strawberry sauce. Delish!

Maison 208

On Sundays we Brunch.. and today it was at the gorgeous Maison 208 a French inspired restaurant (located in the Washington Square West section of Philadelphia).

When you walk in you’re greeted by what feels like someone’s personal upscale home. The 1st floor has one of my favorite features an open air kitchen and beautiful bar and clever birdcage light fixtures. And the sounds of an absolutely fantastic acoustic guitar player named Anthony DeCarlo.
Upstairs is called “The Social” a fun loungey space with 2 bars and an awesome retractable roof. I think the only one in Philly right now.
The menu created by season 14 Top Chef contestant Chef Sylva Senat so tasty.

The staff was personable and attentive, while having a nice relaxed and happy factor. 

Can’t wait to go back for dinner. Of which Tues-Saturday they have live Jazz upstairs from 9pm-2am. 💋 — eating brunch at Maison 208.

Creme’ Brûlée French Toast with chantilly and berries ~ absolutely heavenly and just the right amount of sweet. 

Coconut pancakes - fluffy and light 

Truffle Parmesan Fries - the perfect amount of truffle, cheese on top of a just amount of crispy french fry.

Suraya

Pics from a few nights ago at Suraya ~ rightfully voted the best new restaurant in Philly. This was my 2nd dining experience and just as wonderful.

*Think Zahav but from the perspective of Lebanese cuisine *

The space from its entrance way captures what one would believe a true Lebanese restaurant/marketplace would be. Beautiful tiles, vibrant with wonderful flavorful dishes.
The hostess and servers are extremely attentive and warm.
While the space is spacious they somehow have created an atmosphere that feels intimate as you dine.
Absolutely love the large open kitchen with counter seating.

The tapas style items we had were so so good. The kind where you use your pita to wipe the sauce from the bottom of the dish.

The cocktails are exactly on point, representative of the culture and tasty.

An absolute must dine experience.

Warak Enab - slightly grilled grape leaves stuffed with fluffy rice and served with lemon yogurt, crispy shallots and barberries.

Batata Harra - crispy potatoes with garlic, cilantro need I saw more

Fatar Meshwi - a savory wild mushroom dish

Squash blossom and zucchini special that was so so good the sauce was amazing, that I forgot the Lebanese name of.

River Cat Cafe

New Hope, PA

So what’s for brunch this weekend! Fantastic in house made breakfast and lunch dishes at the newly opened River Cat Cafe located just as you enter New Hope Borough. This 50+ person eatery has beautiful natural light that enhances the Mediterranean inspired decor as well as has river views and patio seating is fantastic. Owner Allison, an active lifelong New Hope resident and Chef Nancy have created a wonderful year round breakfast, lunch and in the Fall dinner destination with lots of tasty items on the menu. From a fabulous California Toast bar to delicious breakfast sandwiches, egg dishes, yummy waffles, in house baked goods, scrumptious energy bites and many gluten free and vegan options. 

Live Jazz will be a staple and in a few weeks a juice and coffee bar.

And to top it off parking for up to 50 cars behind the cafe 

This post is only brunch, as there are too many items to feature in just one post. Lunch I will post next week. Also you can rent the entire restaurant for your private events with your dearest of family and friends. 

Bon Appetit

Quiche with avocado

Waffle with Fresh berry coulis with whipped cream and powered sugar

Paleo Breakfast - 3 eggs on a bed of spinach with a side of meat, avocado and tomato

Smoked Salmon on toast - cream cheese, scallions, seedless cucumber, tomato and capers

Tavo toast - avocado, tomato, over easy eggs with Feta cheese

Eggs Benedict with Spinach

Brie blueberry and basil grilled cheese

Vegan BLT - Tempah Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato and Avocado with eggless mayo

And last but not least the super tasty energy bites- peanut butter chocolate chip, vegan/gluten free peanut butter bite and the banana chocolate chip bite.

Hungry Pigeon

Had to check out the #1 restaurant in Philadelphia as ranked this month by Philadelphia Magazine in their top 50 issue. 

The Hungry Pigeon located on a cute corner on Fabric Row in Queens Village.

A place that locals love to frequent for its locally sourced comfort yet creative food menus as they serve breakfast, lunch, “after school “ and dinner with a nicely sized counter bar that serves up tasty creative cocktails. And their fresh baked goods, outstanding.

The owners explained its a place where some of their dearest friends contributed to the decor from the plants to the prints to the light fixtures. Sounds sweet right. It is and they were all extremely humble and approachable although they have been selected #1. One of the owners was the former pastry chef for Balthazar for many years. 

The bread basket perfection, our meals super tasty and the drinks were right on point. And the dessert heaven!

They are known for their braised and fried chicken, being a vegetarian I didn’t try but it looked amazing as did everything that came out.(Pics of dinner/cocktails menu are at the end) my favorite of the night the zucchini and cucumber salad and the berry brioche bread pudding.

A fantastic, clever and tasty dining experience 💋

Agricola Eatery

Agricola Eatery ~ is a must try in Princeton. I can’t believe I don’t visit this restaurant more often.
This creatively decorated upscale farm to table restaurant based on sustainable locally grown and antibiotic free fare was exactly what I needed after an involved day. A fresh and comforting meal with special people, as we all do from time to time.(a few pics of restaurant and menus are within the last photos)
So check out these fabulous dishes that each of us loved. Plus it was fun to dine at a communal farm table next to 3 native French speakers. That I must admit had the most beautiful accents when they spoke..

Onto to the food💋

Salted Roasted Beets with goat cheese, pickled carrots, currants and walnuts

Fulper Farms Ricotta Gnocchi with scapes, basil and brown butter(so flavorful)

Rhode Island squid Flatbread with cherry tomatoes, olives and saffron

Local Day boat Scallops with freekah, fennel, hakurai and ramp relish

Roasted Maitake Mushrooms with grits, pea shoots, black garlic and pistachios

Berkwood Farms Berkshire pork chops with braised greens, radish, blackberries and mustard jus

And for dessert
Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp with brown butter streusel topped with a scoop of orange blossom ice cream ( I must admit of recent I’m slightly obsessed with Strawberry and Rhubarb combos)
Ricotta Poppy Seed doughnuts with apricot honey yogurt, oat crunch and huckleberry compote

Ricotta Poppy Seed doughnuts with apricot honey yogurt, oat crunch and huckleberry compote

Fond

Enjoying a “Summer Water”~Aka Rose’ food pairing at Fond. While listening to a medley of Guns n’ Rose’( cute right)

The scene- Last night was a beautiful evening in South Philly while sitting in the best table, the open air window seat for two

The experience a fabulous Rose’ dinner with a spectacular assortment of specially selected Rose’ wines for each of the 5 courses. The wines were selected by David Snyder, that is the ultimate foodie and wine connoisseur while having a day job as an Attorney @ philafoodie. 

The dining experience was wonderful before each course Chef Lee Styer and his team would come out and Chef would have each team member describe the course while David would describe the wine. 

One of the cutest things of the night was when David said ...Pairing food with wine is not about always hitting a home run, it’s like a relationship, avoiding conflict”.  💯. True that!

So feast your eyes on last night’s selections, I took photos of both those created for the menu and those that Chef slightly altered for me without protein. 

Everything was super yum! Two highlights for me were 
The watermelon starter was sooo so good the watermelon was infused with basil and topped with this sweet as candy individual kernels of cancha corn, cherry tomatoes ...absolute tasted like summer. 
And the strawberry rhubarb shortcake was divine!! While eating it I would get a random surprise sugar crystal. I took some of the chantilly and smeared it on top of half the shortcake and let me tell you I closed my eyes savoring the taste of each bit. 

Must try restaurant, beautiful corner location with a visually appealing interior I have a pic of the man that made the bar in this post as well as David the wine connoisseur. Welcoming staff and wonderfully executed food by a talented Berk’s county native chef. 

A fun night. 💋

*Plus Jacki and I each received a generous gift certificate from one of the restaurant diners ... just for being so happy and having a fun time. He’s the one we are toasting with.

The Watermelon Starter

Strawberry Rhubarb Shortcake