Neyla: Georgetown, Washington, DC

This was a beautiful dinner I shared with my youngest sister just days before she delivered her youngest son, Anderson. Beautiful night in Georgetown.

Definitely a memorable meal!

Watermelon & Haloumi Watermelon, Haloumi Cheese, Mint, Cilantro, Sherry Syrup 7
Neyla SaladBaby Greens, Mint, Radish, Tomato, Pistachio, Coriander Vinaigrette 7
Sambousik Beef, Labneh, Short Dough Pastry 2 each – 4 / 4 each - 7
Gambas a Pil Pil Shrimp, Garlic Chips, Tomato, Chilies, White Wine, Olives 9

Sustainable Wine

OK, so I've tried a few "Organic" wines and they have all been fine. What kills me is that there are so many wines out there that cost less, taste better, you know what I'm saying. Anyway, I tried the Sustainable Red by Parducci. Not bad. I was paging through some old Wine Spectators and nibbling on some granna. The Sustainable Red...Perfect match.

Ciccetti Kitchen & Bar

Adorable so far...

Cocktails are good and Proseco is served by the glass!

OK, I'm not a pickle person and these pickles are sooooo sour.

My husband loved them.

Pizza Margherita and an order of the Greek style fries and feta yogurt.

Good start.

Must have been our lucky day... We didn't order the Pizza Margherita, we ordered the pizza du jour. They delivered the wrong pizza, let us keep it, and then delivered the right pizza. YUMMY!

Peppers stuffed with salt cod. To be honest, I was really enjoying the beautiful patio and people watching that I don't remember if I liked the pepper dish or not. I want to say, "I liked it!"

Pork Belly, fig jam, and polenta cake...GET OUT! This was so good, I wished I had ordered this first. I was getting a little full, so I didn't gobble this whole thing up. Delicious!

OK, another, "I wish I had ordered this first!!!" Lamb Ravioli, yogurt, mint and brown butter...nuf said.

Good Morning Smoothie

I love a good smoothie in the morning. Today, I had some fresh raspberries...YUM!

8 oz. unsweetened almond vanilla milk

1/2 frozen banana

1 cup fresh raspberries

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

1 T green powder

Blend.

Enjoy!

Comfort Food: Three Cheese Macaroni & Cheese with TOPPINGS

So, a few months ago, my husband came back from a business trip and said, "You know, the other night we had a macaroni & cheese bar after our meeting". What? YUMMY! I did not grow up eating macaroni & cheese, not event the orange stuff that many Americans have been eating since they had teeth. To be honest, I don't think I made it often for my son, even when he said, "Everybody gets Kraft!!!"

Well, if someone would have made this creamy, salty, tart, PERFECT sauce for me when I was young, I would have been drawn to mac & cheese like an addict to CRACK! I'll be honest, I just googled "macaroni and cheese" and hoped for the best. This recipe is the best ever. Give this recipe a try. Don't be overwhelmed by the number of ingredients, it's worth it.

3-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe courtesy Costa Vanikiotis at Eveready Diner, Hyde Park, NY
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Serves: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:
* 1 tablespoon salt, plus more for pasta water
* 1 pound large elbow macaroni
* 6 tablespoons butter
* 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 3 cups milk
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
* 1 pound white Cheddar, shredded
* 4 ounces Romano, shredded
* 4 ounces Asiago, shredded
* 2 cups bread crumbs (suggested: panko (Japanese) available at most markets)
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In large pot filled with water add 3 pinches of salt and the macaroni and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and let cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain. Set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt butter. Sprinkle flour over butter and cook 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking until a roux or paste forms. Add cold milk and whisk vigorously until dissolved. Cook sauce on medium-low heat until thick and bubbly. Add heavy cream, all cheeses, 1 tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon pepper. Cook until cheeses are fully melted, stirring occasionally.
Add cooked macaroni to cheese mixture and mix thoroughly. Place macaroni mixture in a 13 by 9 baking dish and top with bread crumbs. Place in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Top with fresh parsley and serve.
For variations, add cooked lobster meat, truffle oil, bacon and/or garden fresh vegetables.

Add a few toppings and you've got a great meal.

Serious Pie

My husband and I were heading to Chocolate box to pick up some things for a care package for our son who is away at college. OK, first things first...LUNCH. I want pizza!!!
Every now and then, I crave pizza. If the wait is not long (I don't make reservations) and I just happen to be in the neighborhood, my choice is Serious Pie. He's a wine guy and ordered a cold glass (or two) of villa giada monferrato chiaretto rose. I'm a beer girl and ordered the snoqualmie "pga" amber on tap...YUM.

Couldn't decide which starter, so we asked the server to suggest something...The Special. Mixed greens, citrus vinaigrette, goat cheese (I think), fennel and beans. Wow, a perfect blend.

To be honest, when I find something I like, I stick to it. I love the pizza with clams and pancetta...mmm! OK, this visit we ordered the (ha, ha) the Special Pizza of the Day: house salumi, sauteed greens, and some cheese that was a little too mild for the pizza, but still delicious.

OK, if you're looking for a quick and cheap pizza joint, Serious Pie ain't the place. However, if you have the time,

it's worth every penny!

Farmer's Market Finds: Japanese Cucumber Kimchee

I was so excited to find this...Japanese Cucumber Kimchee!!! Don't get me wrong, I love the stinky cabbage kimchee, but the cucumber kimchee is so good.

First of all, no rotten smell, so my husband will eat it. Crunchy, spicy, salty. Great condiment.

We had the kimchee with roast duck from KauKau, sauteed pea vines*, and jasmine rice.

Delicious!

*A quick mention. If you are able to find pea vines, buy them, bring them home saute some garlic in olive oil for 2 minutes, take out the garlic, add butter to the pan throw in the pea vines, flip, cover for a minute, salt, pepper...YUM!