last night the hubby and i celebrated our 3 year anniversary. it was a quiet, intimate night [the joys of a wednesday] and we kept things pretty low-key this year with just dinner for two at a new restaurant we'd been dying to try. peter also brought home some champagne, flowers, and dessert [a fav - macaroons!] for afterwards, which was a lovely surprise. that man - let me tell you - he can get pretty darn romantic when he wants too....
so jack went to the babysitter and we got all done up for our night out. it was lovely and just what us two love-birds needed.
as for attire, i decided that a bright sunny yellow top was a nice change to the classic black that i normally throw on for a date night and glammed it up with a soft creamy-gold skirt. i also grabbed my newest stella & dot sparklers [this necklace can be styled 5 different ways! damn, it's really awesome!] and found it the perfect addition to my outfit. because as we all know, in my opinion, nothing says romantic and sexy like some beautiful sparkly jewels!!
on saturday night, the hubby and i got a babysitter for jack [thank you babcia!] and we had ourselves a proper date night. and woah, was it needed.
it had been ages since pete and i had sat down, just the two of us, over some good food and wine and just chatted, without distraction from a certain wee little fella. just us two adults, enjoying each others company.
after unsuccessfully getting a reservation at another place [maybe next time!], we crossed our fingers and tried to book a table at another fairly new restaurant, called XIX [Nineteen] that has been on my 'to-visit' list for a while. and as luck would have it, they squeezed us in!
as we arrived, i was pretty impressed with the decor. it was dark and moody and just the sort of romantic atmosphere we were looking for. the clientele on the other hand, ranged a little older than expected [think early to mid 50's-ish] and a very classy bunch. then after we thought about it we weren't that surprised at all considering the owners come from blackhawk golf course [a private swanky club], so it's kind of expected.
the menu was filled with many creative dishes, especially the appetizers [holy moly, we wanted all of them!] and we had a hard time choosing what we wanted to order simply because they were all drool-worthy. after settling on some mussels [smothered in a gorgonzola cream sauce] and ahi tuna [with spicy thai noodles] to start, and duck breast [with a hoisin chicken confit] and blue crab crusted grouper [in a wild mushroom friscassee] for our mains, we devoured each and every morsel. they were delicious!
and although a little on the pricey side, the wines and drinks were very reasonable. which, in our opinion, is very important. so in the end, they balanced each other out.
also, while on our date, i realized something....that these type of nights are crucial. just me n' pete out on the town. it's crucial for many reasons, but mostly just to keep things exciting. and a little romantic. and just help to keep our relationship flowing. babies are fun, sure. but diapers and spit up, not too sexy.
which brings me to another point. these kind of nights are crucial to my own sanity. i loved getting dressed up, curling my hair and putting some make-up on. wearing heels again! oh, how i've missed my heels! for a few moments tonight, i completely felt like myself again.
and so we decided on our way home, that we were going to do this every month. plan a day each month just for ourselves. for me and for peter. for our relationship. and for jack's grandmothers [because i think they totally look forward to babysitting!].
it really was the perfect night that i was hoping for, out with my sweetheart.
and then seeing that little boy when we got home was damn awesome too.
Last night, Peter and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. We decided to keep things low key this year, especially with us just getting back from our summer travels, a baby on the way, and well, with it falling on a tuesday, however it was still very special. It served as a nice reminder that sometimes the smallest jestures mean the most.
We shared personal love notes written to each other, dinned at [my now new favorite restaurant] the Red Ox Inn, shared some pinkberry yogurt for dessert, and reminisced about our favorite wedding memories. We also spoke about our dreams for the future and the type of parents we want to become, amongst sharing a bunch of kisses. It was really a beautiful night.
p.swe had the most unreal meals at the Red Ox Inn. I HIGHLY recommend going there if you live in Edmonton. For my main course, I had a vegetable lasagna [which was an unusual choice for me, but sooooo happy I went with it!] which was loaded with homemade pasta, spinach, sauteed mushrooms, bechemel sauce, carrot puree sauce, roasted cauliflower, brown butter ricotta cheese, parmesan baked topping and drizzled with truffle oil cream sauce. Pete had the most tender and delicious flank steak with a mushroom demi glaze sauce placed on top of a green onion cake.
Both where omg good. seriously. and you will need a reservation.
On another note my laptop screen got smashed up [insert very sad face here] so it'll be getting fixed for the next week or so. Please forgive the lack of quality pic's...it's going to be a work in progress till she's back in business.
I've been sitting on this post for a while now. Months in fact, and not for any good reason besides the fact that I've been a little lazy lately. I guess brewing up a baby will do that to you.
Anyways, for those of you who don't reside in the Edmonton area or have no reason to visit anytime soon you may find this post a little boring [and the pictures salivating]....however, for you Edmonton folks I highly recommend checking this place out the next time you're wondering what's for dinner.
It's a little place called: Vivo.
See our couple's date group {and I say 'couple's date group' not because we actually have a club or group of any sorts but because essentially if we're heading out to dinner in a group, this is who's coming} have been meaning to get into this place for ages, but could never get a reservation. This place is busy and you must go in a group, which is not a rule but highly recommend. Its family style eating [family style = big platters of food all shared as a table] and serves up some of the best Italian you've ever tried. Even the pasta is homemade. yum.
The interior is dark, but inviting and you can dress up or down. Whatever your pleasure [i do recommend dressing a little nicer however. But then again, any excuse to get dressed up is a-okay in my books!]
And the wait staff know their food and wine.
We had just a lovely evening with some very good company and just writing this post is now making me crave a little warm grilled caesar salad. Mmmmmmm.
Highly recommended!
warm grilled caesar salad.
the men.
parpadelle. my fav.
the ladies. with our glorious winter tans ;)
fettucine alfredo. amazing.
the extra touches.
the surf n' turf platter. not it's actual real name, but a little mix of fish and farm.
up close and personal. whitefish + lamb + chicken + steak + salmon. and brussel sprouts.
On thursday night, husband and I had the pleasure of each others company, a hockey game and the best pizza in the city.
I just have to share my love for Tony's Pizza Palace. This place serves the best pizza in the city.
Hands Down.
It's a place that is perfect for families. It has that small town restaurant feel with dark walls, dim lighting and {lets go with....} "classic" decor. Kinda a dive, but then again, not really. However, the pizza is to die for.
The Classic New York is as close to the real thing as you can get. And trust me, I have eaten many a slice of authentic new york pizza pie during my cruise ship working days in actual New York. And this pizza is very close. Thin crust, a spicy sauce, and the perfect amount of cheese.....sigh. Can you tell its my favorite?
I also tried it Pete's way: folded in half and eaten like a sandwich. And this fork and knife girl thought it was pretty darn tasty that way......
So you need to go there. Trust me.
Then the hockey game. Amazing seats, our favorite team {Go OIL!!!} won, and we even ran into a couple friends of ours.
We shared a few laughs, a few drinks, and celebrated a probably-never-see-again 8-point performance from Sam Gagne!
3. Paris {land of love + eiffel tower + baguettes}
4. South of France {great wine + classy people + sunny white beaches}
5. Greece {sunny black beaches + sambucca + baklava} AND STILL TO BE DECIDED ON: **Italy {wine + pizza + spaghetti}
Heaven for 25 Days!!!
And because we are sooo very excited, on Friday night {date night}, husband and I celebrated!
Celebrated with a 'Taste of Europe'.
Toad in the Hole + Fresh Melons = A Taste of Britain.
We stayed in and made ourselves a tasty feast featuring a flavor from all of our European stops.
Appetizer: Toad in the Hole - but in a bite sized version {England}
For dinner: Chicken Mushroom Stuffed Crepes {France} with a Caprese Salad {Italy}
Dessert: Baklava {Greece}
After thinking of my {ohh-sooo-clever} date night idea, I knew right off the get-go that I was going to serve Baklava for dessert. I have been dying to make this for a while now, and I finally had the excuse to do it {recipe here}.
Baklava = A Taste of Greece
Then I thought of a "French themed" food that we could have, and instantly thought of those amazing Chicken Mushroom Crepes that we served at our wedding.
Caprese Salad + Chicken Mushroom Crepes = A Taste of Italy + France
And of course, I couldn't forget one of my most favorite salads.....a simple Caprese salad {basically bocconcini cheese, basil, and tomatoes with a drizzle of oil and balsamic vinegar}.
The only place that really stumped me was England. What on earth do those Brit's eat? Bangers + Mash came instantly to my head, but I was already salivating over the crepes, so I really couldn't serve another main course. And I needed an appetizer. Do the English even serve appetizers? So with all my questions, I went to my main source for British intellegence. My BFF, Fiona.
And for those of you who don't know Fi, she's straight from across the Pond. Cool accent and all.
So she had a little laugh over my questions, especially this one "Do English have appetizers?", and informed me that I could serve Traditional Toad in the Hole {but in a bite sized version, rather than the large main course typically served} and a side of thinly sliced melon + berries.
Done and Done.
Toad in the Hole + Melons.
I opted for a Jamie Oliver adapted version, complete with an onion gravy and it was delicious!! {Jamie's dinner recipe here. My appetizer version here.}
We completed our date night by watching 'Crazy Stupid Love' {cute movie by-the-way, and when I mean cute, I actually mean Ryan Gosling is too die for sexxxy. OMG}, and sipping on some French Wine.
It was an awesome night hanging out with my hubby and my bells. And now, I cannot wait to taste the authentic versions of this menu........
And just about the most Awesome of Awesomest People {yes, that's a word. try it out.}
Why you ask?
He surprised me with a Date Night {last Saturday} that was just heavenly!
The atmosphere, the music, the food, the man. It all just played out to be one of those happy + perfect nights. Love you Mister.
So let me back up a bit......last week husband told me about a little dinner surprise that he had planned for Saturday night. I was to make zero/zilch/Nada plans with anyone so that he could take me somewhere that he had been eyeing up for a few days.
So I listened like the good wife that I am. And I was so happy that I did.
We got a little dressed up, and husband drove to our destination....All the way to 118th street {now for those of you who don't live in the vicinity of Edmonton, let me inform you that this isn't the classiest part of town}, which had me more than a little curious. Actually kinda worried.
But then I saw it.
A brand-spanking new restaurant, which we basically opened up, called NOLA.
And it was a Creole Kitchen.
My Absolute newest FAVORITE flavors of food. I seriously just can't seem to get me enough Cajun spice. Oh New Orleans, how I wish you where my next door neighbour. We would be bestest of friends.
The atmosphere was pretty cool. The food was scrumptious...They even had authentic crawfish! With an authentic chef straight out of the Big Easy armed with his grandmother's homemade recipes {prepare for salivating.....}
We started out with a couple of drinks off the cocktail list. Me with a Mint Julep {a southern classic, bourbon with honey + mint. Oh yum} and Husband tasting the Cajun Bloody Mary {spiced with horseradish}. We also dipped into the free corn bread with honey butter. Yum. Yum.
Then we dived into the BBQ Shrimp with white cheddar grits as an appetizer.
Which, I am convinced that I will be tasting those grits in my dreams.
Then we shared the Crawfish Salad, which is like nothing you will have ever had before. Not 1 piece of lettuce in the whole plate. Potatoes, Crawfish, Beans, Asparagus, Sausage. All spiced with the perfect blend of Cajun. Oh Yum. Possibly the best 'salad' we've both ever had.
Then for our mains, Pete ordered the Oven-Fried Chicken with Buttermilk mashed potatoes {I mean, can you get anymore south than that?}, and I ordered the Crawfish Etoufee with Rice and Veggies.
Both where very tasty meals, however, I do have to mentioned that I'm not the biggest fan of just 'one' dish meals so that's my only real complaint with mine. Other than that the food was Delicious and very reasonably priced. I'd definitely go back again. And again.
Oh and did I mention that Nola has live music every night?
Well, they most certainly do!
And that's exactly how we finished our night {we stayed for about 4 hours, that's how nice of an evening we had there!}, with some pints of delicious dark beer, and listening to one hell of a musician.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce a new friend, Brian McLeod {on the right}.
He has the voice of an angel. A gentle soul. And He is going to be big. Mark my words.
Here's a video. And it gives a very cool short story of his young, but exciting life. Enjoy Friends.
