Trading Red Roses For Red Meat!

If you’re anything like me you don’t really dig the whole hoop-la of a fancy schmancy dinner just for Valentines Day. I detest red roses and rubbery tequila lime chicken by candlelight. It takes quite the menu to get me interested and it has to be a rock-star opportunity for me to actually put on my skinny jeans and get a sitter. Side Note: I actually have never met a woman who loves Red Roses.  Perhaps save the 50$ and take her out for a nice Red Steak instead. Heck, I’d take a Red Beet over a Rose. Just a thought.

The problem is there are so many places that feature a Valentines Menu but are any actually skinny jean and sitter worthy?

Don’t fret I’ve been on the case for you, but mostly for me. I think it takes a truly great place to actually feature off menu items to take V-Day out of Sysco’s hands and turn it into a culinary art project.  So far, this is what I have found to be worthy.

San Antonio, Tx

SAY SHE ATE TX  This totally hip and incredibly delicious food truck is gettin’ all fancy with a one-time popup restuarant. They are featuring a 3 course menu with cake pops to take home to your kiddos or to eat in the car (which I will be doing). If you’re solo or detest V-day you can grab a bite of this deliciousness at the truck itself which will be the “kitchen.” These guys even make thier own pepper jam. Nuff said.

 (Photo Credit: SaySheAteTX)

Cost: 40$ a person. Reservations still available. Call or text 210-446-8257 Menu: Online

RoMo’s Chef Rob is always making something flavorful and worth your bite/trip to the west west side. I believe there is also a flower and a special treat offered to all reserved tables. If you’re single check out the RoMo’s official Singles Awareness Day meal which will be featured the Saturday prior to Valentines.

 (Photo credit: RoMo’s)

Cost: 80$ for a couple if you are wine pairing an extra 35$. Reservations still available. 210-521-7666 Menu: Online

The Monterey Nothin’ says lovin’ like a pig’s head. Show your sweetie you savor her senses with a dish like this…

If the Valentine’s menu is anything like the New Years Eve menu then you are gettin’ lucky in more ways then one. Promise. The Monterey not only is the home of one of Texas’s rising  Chefs but it features local, organic, grass fed, farm-to-table food. I’m not sure about candlelight but you can swoon over your love on the back patio, there’s even a couch.

Francesca’s at Sunset Why not go big and have a stay-cation while you’re at it? Really, surprise your Foodie Mama and book a night at the Westin La Cantera. Get in on this menu at Francesca’s and heck you can even go in the hubba hubba hot tub after this meal and kiss under the stars. Awww. On that note here’s a sneak peak of another exclusive Valentine’s Menu. If it’s anything like the brunch I had a few weeks ago… I’m jealous. Pictured below is the Steak and Eggs at Francesca’s, it was as good as it looks.

Price:  65.00 per person call (210) 558-2253 to make your reservation Menu: Online

I Hope this helps make your Valentines Day less Hallmark and leaves more of a Hell-A-Va-Good-Food Mark-Spark.

Let me know if I missed your favorite spot. We’re all about sharing here. Cheers.

For the past 2 weeks I have lost my sense of smell and TASTE! Damn you Texas Ceder. Even after a plethora of Neti Potties I still I wake up each morning and run down stairs sniffin’ anything I can get my hands on and chuggin’ OJ to see if I can taste it. I admit it I’m desperate. A foodie loosing her taste/smell is like Dolly Parton loosing her Tatas voice. My master palate has been put on pause and my master love affair with the edible on hold.

(Oh-Beautiful plate of food. I cannot taste, there for I am not.) I know I’m really deep.

As much as this has been a curse it has given me time to reflect on how much my senses of taste and smell mean to me. As much as food, flavor, taste, smell, and chasing food dreams rules most of my life. This month I asked myself, “at what expense?” Truthfully, I have yearned for a ripe grape to burst into my mouth or to indulge in my rich dark morning coffee, or even to smell my babie’s fresh-from-the-tub hair. Yet I notice that I have been much more easy-going. *Gasp* I know it’s hard to believe.

Full Disclosure – some of you may have seen me throw a food tantrum when my food dreams are spoiled by mediocre food or bad service.  I shamefully remember dragging my family around NYC with a crazed, hypoglycemic look in my eyes so angry that I couldn’t find a real smoothie when I craved one.  Let’s not forget how often I send dishes back to the kitchen for being slightly burned, under ripe, or drenched in dressing.  And I wish I could take back the dirty looks I shot at my hubby when he forgot the butter on my blueberry pancakes.  I know for a fact I have made some of you cringe when eating out with me.  Perhaps, there is room for a new balance of having high standards without the tantrums or melt downs and keep some chutzpah.

As much as I miss my tastes I have a new committtment to my love affair with the edibles. Deep breath…Ok, I think I can..I think I can…

Dear Food, If I’m really hungry…I will love you even if you’re not perfect. I will eat you even if you’re not exact. I will cherish the moment and still keep my standards high without costing me my friendships or my marriage.

Fewww it’s nice to get that one off my chest. Ok, universe I promise to behave… now can I have my senses back?

Where does your balance of annoyance and high standards lie? Bring your shame game up a notch or two. For me, I see loosing my sense of taste has gained my sense of perspective. Is being a hungry witch-on-wheels really worth the perfect bite?  I think not.

 Tastefully balanced,

One Saucy Mama.

I love Boulder

Not only does my kid brother live there, but Boulder is a mecca for good food, mountain activities and good living.  There are more Tibetan prayer flags in this town than there are bike paths.  And that’s saying something.

I would like to condense my Boulder love into 5 must eat Boulder bites. I’ll leave it up to you to find these places and visit Boulder on your next Bohemian dream vacation.

In no particular order, if you’re lucky enough to be in Boulder for 5 days or even 5 hours check out these bites…

1. The Junk Burger from Mountain Sun Brewery.  Get a side of BBQ sauce and ask for blue cheese crumbles as your cheese and you’ll be drippin’ grass fed beef down your arms with a huge smile from ear to ear.  For extra points get there during happy hour.

2. Grilled Veggie Sandwich from The Kitchen and go for the garlic fries. The Kitchen is a total farm to table dream eatery. The kids menu should be modeled around the country. Fist pump for the Kitchen also providing healthy AND delicious kid options.  They got the colors, the smells, and the flavors perfectly in line for your kiddo to have a healthy delicious home grown meal. I digress, but please check back soon for my post on “Family Welcome Dining.” Pictured below is the Grilled Veggie Sandwich from the kitchen.

3. The “Cozze” pizza from Pizzeria Locale.  What the heck is “Cozze”? A thin wood fired crust covered in a zesty marinara sauce and sprinkled with plump mussels. I was a bit hesitant about this pizza as it has no cheese…that’s right folks no friggin’ cheese. Coming from a cheese hound like myself, I promise this pizza will deliver itself.  For extra points ask your server to tell you the stories behind the pizza oven and about the prosciutto slicer.

4. A potsticker or 4 potstickers from Zoe MaMa’s. Zoe Mama’s is a cozy small grab n go joint featuring Chinese street food.  It is owned by a sweet Chinese lady that everyone calls “Mama.” Let me tell you Mama makes a mean potsticker among other dishes in her small wholesome cafe.  She came out from behind the counter and played with my kids for 20 minutes on my 2nd time in there.  This lady could melt ice cream with her eyes alone.  A chat with Mama is worth the trip all by itself.  Those pot stickers are filled with fresh shrimp, luscious pork, and a hodge podge of veggies.  A place like Boulder caters to all of your food quirks so if you’re in to vegan, gluten free, dye free or locally grown they have great options.  For extra points get a hug from Mama. Pictured below are the “original” potstickers.

5. Fried Cauliflower with Cumin Yogurt from Cafe Aion. This small plate will make a big impression. Holy cow speaking of cheese, that was cheesy.  If you’re not a big fan of cauliflower I still dare you to try these.  A nice crisp, refreshing, creamy cumin-infused yogurt dip balances the comfort food and healthy side of this dish.

Travel. Eat. Enjoy.

There’s More Then One Way To Slice Some Meat

Come to find out Thomas Keller is an All American Man despite his French food skills.  If you can believe it, TK was born in California and raised primarily in Florida. You may be asking yourself “did she just Wiki this?” No folks, I heard this information from the famous Food King himself. Of course I wish I would have asked something more clever.  When I got the chance to meet King TK I asked, “So where are you from?” The most plain yogurt first question EVER. Oh well, I was star struck.

Wait Let me rewind…

Not Your Average Meat N’ Potaters

Pictured above is The Liberty Farm Pekin Duck snuggled with Chanterelle mushrooms, Arrowleaf spinach, Salsify and Oregon huckleberries.

Pictured above is Snake River Farms ” Calotte Dr Boeuf Grillee” accompanied by Pommes Sarladaise, Tardivo Radicchio, Nantes Carrots and Burgundy Truffle.

Translation Please?  Sexy ivy league beef takes a joy-ride on seered potatoes rendered in duck fat and happy carrots snuggling with crisp radicchio.  It’s the happiest pile of meat and taters you’ll ever take to dinner.

Pictured above is Broken Arrow Ranch Venison, spooning with Red Wine Braised Cabbage, Compressed Pear, Tokyo turnips and Juniper Sauce.  This was my brother’s favorite dish of the evening.

What was my favorite slice of meat?…

Drum Roll…

Thomas Keller.

I got to meat the most incredible culinary master Chef in the world.  He has soft artistic hands and I got all tingly when I shook them.  Did I mention the silky smooth hands of a master?  I never thought during the 18 courses of a dreamboat dinner I would hear, “would you like to meet Chef?”

Some people dream to touch Kim Kardashian’s dreamy round booty. I dream to hold the hands of King TK sometime again. Soon real soon.

Cheesed to Meat You

Let’s be honest I could have eaten mulch for the the rest of the evening and I still would have had that entranced look on my face. I barely remember what happened after I touched the hands of King TK. Luckily, I did document.

Speaking of cheese. Pictured above is the cheese course. A smooth cheddar crisp basking in a berry compote that was as tasty as it was pretty.

This pig in the clouds is Guava Sorbet, Moscato d’Asti (a sweet dessert wine) and Young Ginger.  I like ‘em young and spicy.

Pictured above is Pommes Anna Funnel Cake, Pruneaux d’Agen (stuffed prunes), Rum Anglaise and salted carmel ice cream.

That my friends was the best 30th birthday that a North Country gal could ask for and the most memorable meal of 2011.  I hope you all get a chance to feast your eyes on Thomas Keller. But save those velvet hands for me.

Happy New Year and thank you to the 16 of you who have signed up to read this saucy blog.  I appreciate your support. Cheers and may 2012 bring many pleasurable meals.

5 places I will be fantasizing about this New Years Eve as I sit in San Antonio babysitter-LESS and in my hummus stained yoga pants (my kid has a real thing for hummus).

Liquids and Solids in Lake Placid NY. I would like to ring in the New Year not only in my hometown, with my favorite people on the planet, but in this hip place with ecclectic farm to table fare.  Oh and maybe sipping on a balsamic fizz and kissing a local ski bum. Amen.

I’d eat these scallops and crispy sage again in a heartbeat! (Picture taken from my Fall 2011 trip to Liquids and Solids).

Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder CO. Exceptional Italian fare with an impeccable wine list, not to mention a hottie Top Chef Master Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson and even cuter Sommeliers. What better way to ring in the New Year than with some good ole fashioned eye candy AND good eats?

I never thought I’d love sardines (pictured above).  Actually I don’t love sardines, except when I’m at Frasca.

Flour and Water in San Fransisco. New Year = New Restaurants. This new restaurant delivered the best service I had in 2011.  The food compliments the service with delicately perfected house made pasta, oven fired pizza, and this dish with a light green Romanesco.

 Candle 79 in NYC Speaking of green spikes. Why not start your New Year with some elegant roughage and a clean colon? Twice I distinctly remember having vivid dreams about this place.  I am not ordinarily a big fan of vegan dining.  I think that making really good vegan food is very very challenging and most chefs just don’t make the cut.  Candle 79 is the exception in my book.  The dishes are artistically plated and the ambiance is wonderful but most importantly, the meal is succulent and delicious.  I’d trade some bubbly for a shot of wheatgrass any day.

The Ravenous Pig in Orlando FL All this vegan talk has got me craving bacon and cheese. I would like to nestle up in a cozy chair tonight at the Ravenous Pig. The meats are house cured and the flavors are surely a way to rock in the New Year.  I particularly loved the unassuming atmosphere at this spot.  Given the clientele and the location in Winter Park Florida I feared the staff would hoity toity their way right to my black list.  Quite to the contrary though, everyone from the busboy to the chef who came out to greet our table made me feel like I was coming in for a meal at home sweet home.

(Above is a picture of the house cured charcuterie and cheese plate, photo credit: urbanspoon)

Come on make me jealous… Where will you be having your last supper of 2011?

Where ever it is, I hope you enjoy your last bites of the year. Cheers and thank you for reading.

I know, I’m really milking this French Laundry thing for all it’s worth. People, a 5 hour 18 course dinner needs the tender lovin’ care that it deserves. The posts just keep getting better, like an aging wine.  Speaking of which, you must be wondering..”What the hell did she drink with this over-the-top meal?”

Fish, Wine and Truffle Time

Tip: If you’re a wino newbie like me then trust the Sommeliers. I know it sounds like I’m trying to lure you into a white windowless van. Really, if there ever was a time to trust, it would be at The French Laundry.  I promise no sketchy vans are waiting for you in the parking lot.

My bro was my date and he’s pretty handy with wine so I had the inside scoop on everything we tasted.  If you have any younger siblings who are searching for a career path, tell them to become a Sommelier.  That way you can take them to The French Laundry with you once they achieve international wine stardom. The Sommelier was our master tour guide walking us threw the grape vines of Tuscany.  Each tasting was wonderfully paired like pearls and white teeth.

Tip:Start off with Champange or something bubbly. It’s a celebration.

Wine and Fish go together like Fish and Wine

Here is the Sautéed Fillet of Atlantic Suzuki.  Alongside this delicate fish was freshly plucked broccoli, crisp red radish, zesty navel orange, crisp cashews, Padrón peppers (Spanish pepper) and green orange Aigre-Doux

Above is The French Laundry Caesar Salad. Also known as: My Best Bite Of The Evening. In one nibble I was brought back to a rained-the-enitre-week-vacation that my family took to Maine. I remember the rain and the lobster: buttery, juicy, tender, screaming to be tasted. These sweet-butter poached Maine lobster mitts were accompanied by pain perdu (the forgotten bread), parmesan pearls, romaine lettuce and a hen’s egg emulsion. I will never look at  ”Caesar Salad” the same way again. Damn You Frenchy!

Bread and Budda

Tip: Don’t fill up on the artisan bread.  This stuff is worth its weight in gold.  It will rock your pants off and will require some serious self control to avoid over indulging. Oh and by the way there were TWO choices of butter.  One local butter which was creamy and delightful. One from Vermont with a touch of sea salt and a slice of heaven. Ok, I’m bias.

Family Plug: My Dad has an in with the French Laundry butter maker, Diane Sinclair. She is my new Butter Goddess (sorry Paula Deen). DIane is a fellow Vermonter and her butter tastes as if it were churned within minutes of arriving at your table. Satin sheets of butter. Who knew butter could be so sexy. Hi Dad.

White Truffle My Palette 

Tip: If you are lucky enough to go to French Laundry during truffle season, order the damn truffle course. Order It. Order It even if it means eating Ramen noodles for the next month. Order it if it means selling your house and moving into your parents basement.

White Truffle: The Definition of Inner Beauty. I know the above pictured truffle looks like a calcified pile of cow dung. Trust me, it tastes like a piece of heaven in a gold plated hand basket.  This truffle is legit. We are talkin’ probably smuggled in by the Italian mafia legit.  The truffle lives in the sexy mahogany box and it’s keeper is Thomas Keller. Rumor has it Chef Keller sleeps next to this box and sniffs the truffles in his sweet dreams. The white truffles are white glove delivered and if you order them you will feel for 5 minutes of your life that you are the King or Queen of Spain. They shave the white truffle at your table side and yes, the whole place watches.

What I named…White Truffle Nectar Of the Gods Dish: ripples of white truffle laid to rest peacefully on top of  velvet risotto that was infused with white truffle shavings and finished with a white truffle nectar.  That’s a lot of truffle.  Tasting this dish is equalvalent to suckling the teet of a White Truffle’s ripe bosom.  If you’re into that sort of thing.

My Last Few Bites of Truffle Nectar Of The Gods.

WIne Changer: For the first time ever, I smelled something in the glass. That “something” was the smell of truffles. There is seriously a wine that smells like truffles. There is a God. Sorry yellowtail I think we should see other people. I am forever changed and will be pairing all of my meals from now on.

The wine that changed my life I enjoyed with white truffles:

2001 Fantoni Barolo Riserva “Vigna dei Dardi”
The grape is Nebbiolo (Nebbiolo means
‘grape of fog’). It was like drinking sips of truffle grapes draped in red velvet. Oy Vay. I’m salivating like a truffle dog.

Documenting my last bite of truffle and my sniffer filled with a Truffle wine scent.

Oh man, I’m crying right now. I have to go to the bathroom and get a tissue.

Speaking of bathrooms and tissues. I know you’re just dyin to see what the French Laundry water closet looks like.

Pretty sure Cindy Lauper has used this cashmere toilet paper.

On that note come back soon for Part 4.  There will be meat and Thomas Keller is gonna get involved.

*For more Wine Information visit my favorite wine blogger: Do Bianchi

Defining Delicious Defines A Foodish: A fetish of any and all things food related.

The Mama Foodist: Anything for a good bite. Most likely followed by a trail of cheerios.

Learning Tower This is the BEST thing I have ever spent 200$ on for my kids. I say this with no strings attached. You put this tower up to the counter and you get to cook, laugh, talk, crack eggs, relate and create with your kiddo. Available in all sorts of fab colors.

An Apron and Mini Apron From Anthropologie or Etsy. My daughter loves to have matching aprons and we make cupcakes in them (I know too cute).  It’s just one of those things you can’t ever get back.