Happy Birthday Andy Jimmy!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

When we met, I hated him. Now he is not only my former business partner, personal advisor, eating buddy, but a great friend. Years ago we were partners in an event planning company and partners again in an organic baking company, Latch Key Kids.

Andrew celebrated his birthday with cupcakes and champagne.

Like the cotton candy...Cute idea, right?

OK, if you know Andrew, you know he can't do anything simple or small. How many different kinds of cupcakes would he have at his birthday...5. How many cupcakes? 150.

Old Fashion Chocolate with chocolate frosting.
Orange Cakes with rhubarb curd & buttercream frosting.
Ginger Cake with ginger cream frosting.
Almond Cake with almond cream, mascarpone, and white chocolate frosting.
The Gluten-free option: Angel food cake.
YUMMY!!!!

Andrew is also a dad. Here he is with Nadia.
So Sweet!!!

Happy Birthday my friend.

xoxo, G

TWD: Banana-Coconut Ice Cream Pie

How can you resist? Go ahead, it's so tiny...mini Banana-Coconut Ice Cream Pie. YUM!!!
Hiding in each bite is a perfect slice of banana on a toasted coconut crust.
The crust is so good, I wanted to make extra just to sprinkle on fruit or ice cream later.

OK, I did not make the whole pie like in the recipe, why, I am forever on a diet and I didn't want to have a whole Ice Cream Pie staring me in the face. Thank God, because this pie is "Off the Hook!!" Toasty coconut, creamy, vanilla, ice cream with a hint of banana and a little bit of rum.

YUM. YUM. YUM!!

For the recipe, see Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan or checkout Spike.Bakes and don't forget to check out the other TWD bakers.

Bye Bye Brasa...We'll miss you!

I don't remember the first time I dines at Brasa, but it was oh so many years ago. The food was outstanding, creative and a dreamy mix of flavors. The service, not so good. It seems to me, that Brasa opened during a time that the economy was good and there were a million other restaurants sprouting out everywhere.


Even with all the choices in Seattle, we returned to Brasa many times. A little off the beaten path, I noticed that Brasa became the secret spot for many "hush-hush" meetings. The dim lighting made for a great hiding place for those who don't want to be seen...seriously.


OK, enough of my gossip spreading, but trust me, besides Canlis, I have never seen so much ...anyway...


My husband texted me yesterday that Brasa is closing. "What??" We were just there a couple weeks ago. If I knew then what I know now. We had just had a few yummy snacks at a private opening at Pintxo and headed over to Brasa for a lite dinner and some privacy.


Brasa was a little busy in the main dining room, but plenty of room in the bar. We sat at a nice quiet table by the window. I just love Brasa...the decor is beautiful. We ordered a couple cocktails and reviewed the menu. Since Brasa is closing, I won't go over the series of wierd stuff that happened while we were ordering...several items 86'd, the wierdest being "We have the lamb burger, but we have no buns". "What??" Anyway, my husband ordered the lamb burger, sans the bun, with a salad...delicious. I had originally wanted the octopus, but the server came back and said, "We're out". I ordered the clams, again, "Out". I finally settled for the Chorizo Pizza...YUM. We ordered a few other side stuff...delicious. By the way, the service was OUTSTANDING.

Alas, if the rumor is true, I am sad that Brasa is closing. Event with the quirky service, the food is and was always awesome. I hope the rumor is not true, if so, I hope they re-open somewhere.

Churros with chocolate...very happy ending!

Let them eat cake!

I will be the first to admit, I love weddings!

This year 2 of my cousins are getting married, so I get to go to at least 2 weddings in 2010...YIPPEE!!!

Yesterday, my cousin Anthony married is longtime girlfriend, Janelle. I met Anthony for the first time when he was 4 years old. I was attending college in San Diego and spending Thanksgiving with family in Los Angeles, CA. We were all gathered at Anthony's grandparents home, where the food is always soooooo awesom! I kept hearing both my Aunt Ann and Uncle Louis yelling, "Anthony!" Then I heard stomping on the piano, then "Anthony!" I never had brothers, so I was a little unfamiliar with what was going on.

The groom Anthony, me & my other cousin Justin at the reception...FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

OK, Anthony was so adorable, but man, what a hand full!!! A few years later, Anthony was the altar boy at my sister's wedding...so cute. By high school, Anthony was 6'3 and 290 pounds...and "Yes" played football. We spent a few holidays together and I swear...that boy can eat and we wouldn't have it any other way. He later attended University of Idaho and played football for the Vandals. Needless to say, Anthony's wife has her hands full.

"We love you Anthony and are very happy for both you and Janelle!"

Could this little beauty gazing at the cake be dreaming about her own wedding day?

I happened to snap this picture with my husband in the distance...19 years ago, he was the young groom.

Anthony and Janelle...Happily Ever After.

TWD: Quick Classic Berry Tart

OK, TRUE STORY...
I went to the Opening Day of the Broadway Farmer's Market in Seattle this past Sunday. My favorite Farmer's Market. I bought grassfed beef, a tomato plant for my mom, Organic baby turnips and baby carrots, tomatoes, baby arugula, fresh pasta, potatoes, leeks, AND raspberries.

I have been so busy with work, family, life, this week I looked forward to Tuesday so I could bake!!! See these 3 lonely raspberries? That's all that's left. Not enough to make my tart!!! I'll have to wait for this weekend to make the Quick Classic Berry Tart.

The recipe this week was chosen by Christine by Cooking with Christine and can be found on page 377 in Baking from My Home to Yours.

The Best Cappuccino in Seattle ~ Vivace!!!

The best choice, Cappuccino and a Chocolate Croissant.

Can't go wrong with this combination, right? No matter what coffee drink you choose, at Vivace, the coffee is the BEST and a work of art. I know, I know...whatever! My Blog, My opinion.

The crazy sugar splurge choice, Whoopie Pie and an Americano. So you think, hmmm, I want something sweet. Get the Whoopie Pie. Seriously! Two cakey brownies drizzled with chocolate and creamy frosting in the middle. Reverse cupcake, but not an "I'm over it" cupcake.

I wish I had invented this version of Whoopie Pie. To be honest, I've never had a whoopie pie. The thought of a eating a mass produced "hostess" type snack with marshmallow in the middle is just gross, but I know Vivace wouldn't sell a product that wasn't delicious, maybe offbeat and unusual, but always delicious.

Years ago I was a partner in an organic baking company, we use to sell our Lavender Vanilla and Chai Shortbread to Vivace. One day I'll share the recipe. Mmmmm...YUM!!!

The breakfast replacement, the Ham and Cheese Biscuit and a mocha. So you don't want something sweet. The Ham and Cheese Biscuit has ham and cheese in it and on top.

Shut up!!! So good.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I never thought I'd ever be a mom, but here I am. Thanks Tyler...I love being your mom!

I gotta tell you, it could not have been easy to be my mother (or father) so to my mom...THANK YOU!!!

Happy Mother's Day to my Beautiful Mom!

Happy Hour: Calcutta Grill

Let's face it, Happy Hour at the Calcutta Grill at the Golf Course in Newcastle is always better when your out with awesome friends.

No one judges you if you eat hot wings.

BUT, order the healthy Mediteranean Plate, so you don't feel any guilt for eating Hot Wings.

Cocktails, fun food, great friends and an awesome view...Priceless!

Eastside Eats: M O D Pizza...Made on Demand

I ordered the Lucy Sunshine. Ok, what's in the Lucy Sunshine? The perfect blend of Mozzarella, Parmesan, Artichoke, Garlic and the signature red sauce.

Ty ordered the Calexico. Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Chicken, "HOT" buffalo sauce, and Jalepeno. The buffalo sauce must have had a little sugar in it, because I could really taste something sweet. Not may favorite pizza, but I've never liked the idea of BBQ anything on pizza. Yuck.
Personal opinion only.
Lastly, the Dillon James. Kinda boring, but I didn't pick it.

OK, the main deal with MOD Pizza is MADE ON DEMAND. I have to say, I picked these pizzas up and didn't call in the order ahead of time. I barely remember the wait. The pizzas were done right away. The crust is thin and I think the crust must be partially baked before they are topped with the variouse options.

Will I go back? Of course. Definitely a better fast food option than XYZ Burger Joint, right?
You be the judge.

Pintxo...YUMMY Bites

Just in time for the Seattle Summer Scene...Pintxo with their local play on the traditional Spanish Tapas, will open their doors to the public on May 6th. Get ready!
I love starting with dessert. Rice Pudding, "I love you!"
Creamy, Sweet with a little spice. Perfect ending, however in my case, Great Start!

Tuna Meatball. I could eat these all day, every day.
The tuna meatball has such a nice balance of flavors and sits on a soft, slightly sweet, little bun.

Hmmm... Should I have another? Yes. Again, let me say, the Rice Pudding is so creamy,
sweet and delicious.

Guacamole? No, this pea spread with the slightest hint of smoked paprika is a must have!

For those of you who know me, Spanish Chorizo and a glass of red wine is the perfect dessert.

Pintxo will be open on May 6th. Stop in and be the judge.

Enjoy!