The Italian Cafe
PIN IT!WHEW. What a day it has already been. My feelings can be summed up in just this one e-card.
Some days, I just want to scream, go on a random punchy spree and jump out the window. And, yes, you guessed it! Today is one of those days. Just a few more days and then I’m free to my own devices. Free to cook, eat, write and pet my little furry man’s face all day, which has been proven to reduce stress and homicidal tendencies.
However, my post today is not to rant. In fact, it’s to do a bit of a restaurant review! Seriously, how cool would it be to get paid to eat, drink and review? I’m pretty sure that’d be a dream job. New York Times, I’m for hire. I’m witty, snarky and sarcastic, love to eat and drink and can be pretty darn honest. And, I love eating. Did I mention that?
Anyway, for my birthday dinner, my darling husband and I went to the Italian Cafè last night, a local Italian eatery less than a mile from our house. The allure is definitely not on the outward appearance. In fact, it looks like the kind of place the mob visits and holds their “secret” meetings in the back. With that, I asked for a seat not near the windows.
[image via]
What I’ve learned through being a “foodie” is that you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. Some of the best food in the world is served out of dives and shabby looking diners. So, we went in and were pleasantly surprised by the interior. It had a vintage, old Italian feel and smelled like fresh marinara sauce simmering on the stove top.
But, I’m not here to discuss decor. I’m here to talk food! When we got the menu, we were shocked to see how long it’s been around, since 1978! In this tough economic climate, it’s hard for restaurants to survive a year, better yet 30. If it’s been around that long, there’s got to be a reason for that, right?
I was starving (partly because I hadn’t eaten since noon and partly because of the tantalizing aroma engulfing my nose) so we immediately dug into the bread basket. They had two varieties, a softer, sweeter bread and a traditional Italian.
My favorite was the sweeter kind! It almost tasted like Hawaiian sweet bread. Yum. We polished off the bread basket as we waited for our appetizer, the insalata caprese.
The mozzarella was SO fresh. As much as I love the stuff I buy at the store, this stuff tasted like it was made to order. I also loved the balsamic dressing on the salad. It was tangier than most but still had a really strong flavor. We then moved on to the dinner menu. As per our roommates suggestion, E ordered the asiago chicken with cream sauce and I ordered the shrimp scampi. The salads that came with the meal were immediately brought out. Sadly, they weren’t anything to write home about. Simple mixed greens with restaurant ranch.
By the time the entrees arrived, I was already full, but you can’t possibly pass up the entree. I mean, it’s the main attraction! Plus, they both looked absolutely incredible.
Asiago Chicken with cream sauce and asparagus
Shrimp scampi
Elliot immediately dug right into his, barely looking up for a breath. What he did share was amazing. The cream sauce wasn’t too heavy, but still very decadent and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I can definitely see why my roommates loved it! My scampi was good, but not as good as the chicken. What I loved most was how big and juicy the shrimp was.
The flavors were great I was just mainly a little dissapointed in the sauce. For a wine butter sauce, I didn’t taste much of anything. It just seemed a bit oily. However, the sauteed mushrooms were amazing and the shrimp was incredibly fresh.
Since I was stuffed way past my comfort point (let’s just say I had a bit of a Santa thing going on over my skinny jeans) I asked for a box and a cappuccino. I’ve really gotten into enjoying coffee after a big meal. It makes digestion easier and gives me a reason to slow down. E and I both eat really fast. It’s something we’ve done for a while and usually leaves us rushing out of restaurants. So, enjoying a warm cup of coffee lets me savour the experience and enjoy my time out.
Overall, I was impressed. I loved the ambiance, the food was great (especially the chicken and mozzarella) and the prices were really good. With it being so close and so affordable, it’s definitely a place we’ll visit again. With so many Italian chains out there whose menus are clichè and overpriced, it’s refreshing to be able to get an authentic, fresh meal and fabulous service without a gimmick. I mean, isn’t that what you want when you go out to eat?
Visit: The Italian Cafè, 7161 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Va 22042. Call (703) 241-1829 for reservations!
What is your favorite local resaturant? Why do you like it so much?
26: A Big Year
It’s official, I’m 26 today! I woke up to a dreary sky, unnecessarily high temperatures and hot, misty drizzle. Not exactly the best conditions to start a birthday. Then, of course, I got on the metro and the mood plummeted. Then, I made the wise decision of looking at my bank account, which made me tear up. So, I walk into work with a large, symbolic, stupid grey rain cloud over my head, fighting back tears. I get off the elevator, walk pass my bosses and they both blurt out “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!” and proceed to give me a giant hug. Mood elevated by a few points. Then I walk to my desk, and see these, and practically break down in happy tears.
Dark rain cloud immediately dissipated. My lovely boss, the fabulous person she is, got me birthday flowers! And then, in the middle of a meeting, a man showed up with a box of flowers from my husband!
These little gestures are what make birthdays so special for me. Sure the presents, the fancy dinners, the all night binges are fabulous too, but flowers at work and the small gestures really make this day amazing. The weather is still crappy and it’s still only Tuesday, but…IT’S MY BIRTHDAY. And I’m going to smile today!
Or make that face.
I’m no psychic here, I can’t look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds, see if tomorrow will bring great fortune, a baby or a house, but I can BELIEVE that 26 will be the best year thus far of my crazy, jam-packed, outrageous life and that belief is enough to push through. I mean, I’ve got some exciting things on the docket.
1. I’m going to be writing, eating and creating recipes, aka, my dream. Starting a new year, a new age with my DREAM job is fan-freakin–tastic, don’t you think? However, I may end up looking a little too much like this guy if I keep eating EVERY single thing I make, double time.
2. I’m strongly pursuing a new journey in school! And not the school you think. I still want to get my masters, but there’s another school in my future that will require less books and more of this:
and might require me to wear one of these…
and use a few of these…
Create masterpieces like this:
[via Gretchen]
and will one day (hopefully) get me one of these, with my name on it!
That’s right, CULINARY SCHOOL! It’s a long way off from being a reality, but I’m actively pursuing it, applying for it and talking to administrators at the school to make this a reality! It’s crazy, I know. I’m terrified but SO EXCITED! Cooking has become more than just something to do to de-stress me, feed me and give me content for my blog. Cooking is more than just my job now, it’s a passion. It’s something that I love, with everything in me. Call me crazy, but cooking is one of the loves of my life. Why not learn how to master it, work in a kitchen, open a new restaurant? The sky’s the limit!
3. This man, this handsome man, and I will be celebrating one year of marriage.
I can’t believe it’s been over 6 months already!! I remember this time last year, I was anxiously planning my wedding and now we are planning our 1 year anniversary. It’s nuts, time flies so fast. But it’s been a fabulous year and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner 🙂
4. This blog. This year will be SO BIG for this blog. I’m working with one of the most talented web designers out there to create a beautiful, gorgeous, lovely, perfect, fabulous site and I’m THRILLED. Carolynn from Two Brunettes is going to turn this website into a piece of art and I’m LIKE, DEAD, of excitement. I mean, look at her website? Absolutely stunning.
GUSHING. I’m obsessed.
But the most exciting thing of all about 26? I couldn’t tell you, because it hasn’t happened.
[via Pinterest]
Those moments, those spontaneous events, activities, unions and days where the most amazing UNPLANNED things happen aren’t predicted. They aren’t something I can say will happen now. And that’s the most beautiful thing about life. You don’t know what’s going to happen in a year, better yet, an hour, a day, a month. Life just happens and sometimes it’s exciting and sometimes it’s scary, but that’s what the ride is all about. I’m just blessed to have another year to be here, do what I love, make incredible friendships and live.
SO THANK YOU. All. So much for your incredible birthday wishes, your support and for being you. I love ya!
Claire
Tags:birthday, culinary school, flowers, real life, realistic life, two brunettes
Five Things Friday: BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!!
Oh, hey 26 years old. I see you hiding behind that little corner there. I know you are just so anxious to jump out and engulf me. Well, not yet. Give me just a few more days of 25, mmk? Although I’m not a big “age” person, 26 is kind of freakin’ me out. Luckily, Someecards has saved the day with the below sentiment.
25 has been a great, albeit trying, year. What I love about being 25 is that it’s SMACK right in the middle of 20 and 30. I don’t feel naive and terrified like I did at 20 but I also don’t feel mature and grown up like I should at 30. However, now as 26 looms around the corner, I’m beginning to get ansy. Like everyone, there are so many things I want to have accomplished by 30. I want to have my finances in order, tackle a race, have my masters, maybe have a kid. All of these deadlines are now closer than ever and it’s scary. So instead of focusing on that, I’m going to get irresponsibly drunk this weekend and pretend like I’m 21.
Er…maybe not 21. Maybe just party like a young 25 year old. I don’t think I can handle my early 20’s again. Now, onto five things Friday!
1. Birthday celebration number 1. E is taking me out to dinner tonight at this fabulous local Italian place I’ve been dying to go to. I plan on eating a lot of this.
and drinking some of this.
Oh and no birthday celebration is without this…
[HINT HINT ELLIOT]
Oh, silly me. I meant cake 🙂
I also think we are also going ice-skating 🙂 Low key but fun and whimsical!
2. I’m finally going out. On Saturday, to celebrate the impending day of my birth,we are hitting up Dirty Martini in Dupont, which, if you remember, is where they have the most delicious eggplant fries in all the land.
I’m so excited to get together with my best friends and just let loose. I don’t go out much anymore (bars, at least) so it’ll be fun to experience nightlife! Plus, I bought these AHHHH-MAZING birthday shoes by Sam Edelman. I saw them on Katie’s blog and immediately HAD TO HAVE THEM.
I got them in red and I’m dying to wear them out.
3. Delicious appetizers. I whipped up the last of my tasty appetizers this week for my recipe creator position! My other appetizers are live on the site now, so check them out!
Mmm, bacon wrapped dates.
4. Just 2 more weeks. I have just 2 more weeks of my contracting gig before I start this next chapter of my life as a food writer! I’m not sure how long it’ll last but I’m excited for just the chance to do it. It’s a dream and I’m getting this once in a lifetime chance to do it. I’m 25 (not 26 yet, NOT 26 yet) and nothing is stopping me (besides the complete anxiety my husband is facing because he think’s we’ll become homeless). And why the HELL not? Thank you all again for your incredible support, advice and, well, just being awesome. I don’t think I’d be able to do this if it weren’t for y’all. Actually, I know I wouldn’t have. So thank you 🙂
5. I miss Charleston.
With a city this beautiful, how could you not miss it? Every time we visit, I fall more in love with this city. Even if we don’t end up making this place our home, it will always have a huge chunk of my heart. This enchanting city will always have a hold on me. I like to think when things get bad in life, I’ll always have Charleston. And that’s something I’ll never lose.
Happy Friday to all of you! What are your weekend plans?
Eat Skinny Be Skinny: Pomegranate White Chocolate Pancakes
I haven’t had a pancake I didn’t like. Banana, whole wheat, oatmeal, apple, raisin, pumpkin, spinach, you name it, I love it. Growing up, my family used to make pancakes every weekend. Well, by we I mean my dad. I would just stir in the chocolate chips and eat the batter 🙂 Some of my favorite memories of my childhood take place in the kitchen on Saturday morning, making pancakes from scratch with my dad. And even to this day, I can’t make mine as good as his.
But alas, I try. And I think I’ve finally scratched the surface with this recipe, which I’ve deemed “Christmas Morning Pancakes.”
Oatmeal pomegranate white chocolate chip pancakes. What’s more Christmas than that? When I was whipping up this concoction, I had no idea how it was going to turn out. Not because the ingredients aren’t amazing, but because I’ve never used a fresh pomegranate before! I’ve read horror stories on how hard it is to de-seed these fruits so I was a little apprehensive. But honestly? Seeding was easy. The hard part was the clean up. These pretty little fruits are REALLY FREAKIN’ MESSY. I can’t tell you how many times this fruit squirted me in the eye, leaving me temporarily blind. Plus, it stained every clean kitchen towel we own a bright pink color. But, they are pretty to look at, dontcha think?
As messy as they were to clean up, the pomegranate seeds were my favorite part of this recipe! They gave each soft, chewy pancake a delightfully tart, bitter crunch!
These pancakes are also really good for you! They are made with no butter or oil, whole wheat flour, oatmeal and nonfat milk! A healthy and pretty breakfast! Make this on Christmas morning and enjoy with a delicious cup of nog (spiked, of course).
Pomegranate White Chocolate Pancakes
Yields: 6 large pancakes
Prep time: >10 minutes
Cook time: About 5-8 minutes per pancake
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 – 2/3 cup low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh pomegranate juice
- 2 – 3 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2/3 cup pomegranate seeds
- 2/3 cup white chocolate chips
- Cooking spray
Directions:
- Mix oatmeal, flour, baking powder, brown sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- In a smaller bowl, beat eggs, milk, pomegranate juice and vanilla extract. Make a well in the oatmeal mixture and pour egg mixture in gradually. Mix in with flour mixture between each addition. If mixture is too dry, add additional milk. Stir in white chocolate and pomegranate seeds.
- Coat a medium pan in cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter into the pan and cook until pancakes are browned on each side, about 5-6 minutes. Serve with extra seeds and enjoy!
Baked Green Bean Fries and “Good Living”
Oh NELLY! There is a NIP in the air today! Yesterday it was 60 degrees at 8am and today it was 32. I’m sort of OVER the weather’s bi polar attitude lately. I just want it to STICK to one temperature. Preferably the colder one because I want some of this stuff 🙂
SNOW!! I love snow. I think it’s because when I was in the South for college, I missed it! Don’t get me wrong, 60 degree winters aren’t horrible, but I missed snow. I grew up with snow every winter and not having it for Christmas is pretty sad!
So, before we get to these…
I want to briefly talk about this…
Good living! To me, good living encompasses everything I love about life; food, laughter, love, friendship and family. A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Foodbuzz to write a post about how the Greek traditions of good living relate to my life. To me, good living is all about having fun, indulging, laughing and NEVER taking your life too seriously.
Life’s too short! You need to enjoy your life, but also take care of yourself, mentally and physically. Eat right, work out, take your vitamins, allow yourself to make mistakes, laugh, cry and spend time with those you love. To me, that’s “good living.” Nothing more, nothing less. And part of my leading a good, healthy life is eating healthfully. Which is where these darling little beans come back in!
Part of living a long, healthy life is eating right! Which means, finding new ways to eat your veggies. As you know, I’ve never had any issues getting enough vegetable consumption, but I know others (my husband) aren’t as keen to their flavor. So last night I decided to make one thing I know he loves (french fries) out of green beans! He absolutely adored my maple roasted green beans so I had a suspicion he would love these too.
I was right! He gobbled up the entire plate in record speed, less than 5 minutes! These fries are incredible (the 2 I actually got to eat)! They are crunchy, yet soft, spicy and savory. Instead of fries with your hamburger or alongside your chicken, make these. I promise. You have just found a new way to feed your kids (and picky husbands) their veggies.
BAKED GREEN BEAN FRIES
Yields: 16 green bean fries
Prep time: >10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
What You’ll Need:
- 16 fresh green beans, rinsed
- 3 tablespoons of flour
- 1/3 cup of bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
How to Make Them:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a nonstick cooking sheet with olive oil. Set aside.
- Pour flour into one bowl. In another shallow bowl, beat egg. In another bowl, mix breadcrumbs with spices.
- Take green bean (cut in half if need be) and douse in the flour. Shake off any excess. Then dip into the egg, then completely douse in the bread crumbs. Place on the cookie sheet. Repeat with the rest of the green beans.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes or until browned and crispy.
Serve with low fat ranch dip and enjoy!
Nutritional information per serving (8 fries): 150 calories, 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein and 6 grams of carbohydrates.
As part of the Foodbuzz Featured Publisher program, I have been entered for the chance to win a trip to Greece courtesy of FAGE. You too can enter to win one of three trips to Greece by entering the FAGE Plain Extraordinary Greek Getaway here: http://www.fageusa.com/community/fage-greek-getaway
