"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

I have many silly (and/or slightly flawed) theories. One of my favorites is that men are either "Scarface" or "Godfather" men. My very thorough research is done almost completely using the MTV Cribs television show. There is always a Scarface or Godfather poster in a "crib" that has a male inhabitant. Generally speaking the cool, hip and rowdy men like Scarface and will feel the need to perform the inevitable "Say hello to my little friend" reenactment. Scarface is not my deal.

I am all there for The Godfather; the costumes, the acting, they even talk about cooking marinara sauce, everything about it is beautifully done. (I could really go without all the violence. I know it is the wrong movie for that request.) The Godfather men are a little more mature, cool (in the chill sort of way) and relaxed. (This isn't to say that I am any of these things.) Obviously, my research has been very limited and I have only confirmed my finding with my most reliable colleague. Me.

I know it isn't appropriate but I started thinking about "The Godfather" when I was reviewing the menu at Mozza. Everything looks so delicious and Mario Batali is all the way authentic Italian with his cooking. Not that I have ever tasted it but as you know a fluffy chef is a chef that I can trust, because they enjoy food. When Mario talks about food or his cooking you can see the joy in his eyes. I think it is only right that I help make him happy and eat some of his delicious creations.

Here are a few menu items:

Burrata with bacon, marinated escarole & caramelized shallots
Linguine with clams, pancetta & spicy Fresno chiles
Ricotta Gnudi with chantrelles
Crisp Duck al Mattone with pear mostarda & Brussels sprouts
Pan Roasted Halibut con pepe verde

Date Night: Pasadena

According to every relationship expert, married couples should schedule date nights. My husband and I used to "go out" all the time. I was at home and he has a condensed work schedule that allowed us to spend at least 2 days a week alone (at least until the kids came home). Since I started working we haven't really done anything together, except go grocery shopping and devise plans on how to minimize the amount of food that our two adult sized children eat. In light of their adult size and the beginning of the new school year it is clear that our house will be empty (and our refrigerator full) in a very short amount of time. What will we do? I don't want to stare at him while he watches Sports Center and every sports (or anything else that can be categorized as a sport) game played in the world. I don't need to do everything with him but we should be each others companion and not just parents to our children. Some of my trip and activity posts are ideas (and not so subtle hints) about what I would like us to do together. Pasadena is a place that I love, love, love. I love the Craftsman style houses, the pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, the little mom and pop stores, community activities, the list can go on and on. (uhm....I love it)

Accommodations:
The Westin Pasadena They have a ton of special offers that make the stay very affordable, especially given the quality of the hotel.

Activities:
Laemmle Theatre Built in the 1930's and specializes in showing critically acclaimed, independent feature films. (I have mixed feelings about movies being a date activity, the couple basically sits quietly next to each other. At the very least there needs to be an activity before or after the movie to make the date successful.)

The Ice House Comedy Club Paul Rodriguez and a bunch of other people that I don't know by name but I recognize their faces from comedy specials on tv. I remember laughing and nearly peeing my pants a couple of times, seems very promising.

Last but not least - Food:
Arroyo Chop House USDA Prime, dry aged meat. Boys love meat. No matter how hard it is on their bodies as they age. They love it. Something about the smell of meat awakens something in their d.n.a. I am willing to sacrafice myself and eat a delicious steak. Marriage is about give and take. I am also willing to have a delightful dessert, if it will help the evening along. What a giver.

Il Fornaio An Italian restaurant that explores the cuisine of different Italian regions (using food!!) and was also a 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient. They hearth bake their own bread and make pasta and pizza dough daily, need I say more?

To Do Trip: Chicago

Another trip that is on my "To Do" list is an extended weekend spent in Chicago. It is true, it is not such an exotic locale but I think there are some interesting things to see and do, beyond The Oprah Winfrey Show.


Affinia Hotel Chicago
A highly rated (at least on the internet) boutique hotel. Between their offers of six different kinds of pillows and the "Experience Kits", I can't see how this place could be anything but wonderful. (One kit of interest is the "Walking Tour Kit" - includes an iPod Shuffle or Nano loaded with Affinia playlists; City Walks deck of cards; city guidebook featuring popular walking tours; StreetWise city map; pedometer; and towel.)


Puck's at the MCA - Wolfgang Puck's restaurant inside the Museum of Contemporary Art. Sunday brunch is supposed to be delightful.


Buddy Guy's Legends - Blues Club and Restaurant
Crab cakes, barbecue ribs, po'boys and the blues. It would be impossible for this not to be wonderful.


The Bristol - A Neighborhood Eatery & Bar
Two dishes that say it all (for me):
1. Pan Roasted Halibut, Parisian Gnocchi, Snap Peas, Cracklin’
2. Duck Fat Fries, House Ketchup, Garlic Aioli


The Publican -
The to die for dish is supposed to be their pork rinds. Strange I know but it's worth a go. The menu lists the farms and areas that the menu items are from. (lots of fish and pork)


Chicago Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tours
Food tastings, enough for lunch, from historic "mom and pop" specialty food stores and one-of-a-kind ethnic eateries while viewing Chicago's historic architecture. The tours are only three hours long and suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Plus the guides give restaurant recommendations.


Architectural River Tour
90 minute narrated cruise on the Chicago River where you can view over 50 architecturally significant sites.


Museums in the Park - (video review from Ovation TV (link)
Adler Planetarium
The Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago History Museum
Dusable Museum of African American History
The Field Museum
Museum of Contemporary Art
Museum of Science and Industry
National Museum of Mexican Art
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Shedd Aquarium

let's chat in the hat

I am not a bar or club person and never have been. I really don't like to dance; I truly believe that people are watching (as well as, capturing all my awkwardness on their iPhones ready to upload to youtube) and giggling at my lead-foot, lumbering dance"moves".

I like tasty food (fancy isn't required) and a fun dining environment. I prefer a place where occasional loud laughter doesn't cause anyone to turn around and stare. Not at me, of course, I am talking completely hypothetically and about my "friend". It is better that I stay seated, eat and try to contain my "friend's" laughter.

Henry's Hat might be my dream come true, yummy, affordable food and a "game menu" that I can order board games to play at my table. (there is a bar with numerous televisions for people who wish to partake) The only thing I can see might be a problem, in looking at the pictures, is that there doesn't look to be to a lot of comfortable seating. I am willing to sacrifice myself to find out.

(photo credit)

have fork, will travel

TastingTable.com sends a free daily email that delivers information about local food and drink culture. In the Los Angeles edition, alerts tell of must-try dishes at forgotten restaurants, new bars that deserve buzz and under-appreciated neighborhood cook/food shops that might otherwise go unnoticed. (So far the only cities that are covered are Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. San Francisco will be added soon.)

TastingTable.com can only help with the two most important questions of the day, "What's for lunch?" and "What's for dinner?" TastingTable.com is supposed to be thought of as a food-obsessed coworker who knows where to find the best $2 tacos and which $200 tasting menu is worth the splurge. Since my friends/co-workers and I start to think about the next day's lunch while eating the current day's lunch, I believe this tool will make us much more efficient. Knowledge is power after all.

Out to Lunch in the Wild

Part of the fun of going out to eat is watching the show that goes on around the restaurant.  Yesterday's lunch at Chili's wasn't an exception.  Jane Goodall would be astounded at the very slight advances in evolution that I was able to witness.

1. Just about the grossest thing to watch is somebody dipping their toast, sausage or other breakfast item into sunny-side up eggs.  Usually a torn piece of toast is shoved around the yellowish snot like yolk, a fair sized dollop is scooped up and "the eater" leans forward with their mouth wide open and tongue slightly outstretched (like a wide mouth bass with a cow tongue).  This lovely sight is often amplified by the "eater" hunching over the side of the table with their neck outstretched like a vulture spotting a freshly run over squirrel.  Lovely.  (The only people who think that this is acceptable behavior are other SSU egg eaters.)

2.  A really attractive older woman, about 60 years old, that was very well put together sat at a table across the aisle from me.  She arrived to her table first and her date arrived a few minutes later.  They ordered an appetizer of chips and salsa, which prompted this seemingly mature woman to whip out her napkin and tuck it into her collar.  A bib for a grown woman.  One word. Sexy.  Take your chances with the salsa, lady.

3.  Children don't know how to properly hold eating utensils because they only eat chicken strips, cheeseburgers, french fries and pizza.  All are delicious choices but we are basically raising a generation of Gymboree clothed cavemen.  If they should ever use a fork, they vigorously stab at their food like they are going in for the kill.  A spoon causes them to hunch over their food, place their lips three inches away from the bowl and shovel the food from the lip of the bowl to the lips on their face.  No knives, they aren't necessary, everything must be served in bite sized portions. Just delightful to watch.  Never mind that napkins should be placed on their laps and aren't optional bib replacements (Note: This rule applies to everyone between the ages of 6 and 60 year old).