rant/rave: a bite of the past

So this picture is quite old, like from last spring.  It was taken when Magnum bars made their American debut. 

This is the double caramel.  What does that mean? Well it means that there is an ice cream bar, covered in chocolate coating, dipped in caramel, and then covered in chocolate coating again.

Yes, it sounds ridiculous. And it is. But back in my italy days we ate them all the time...Well i'll be honest, I ate them all the time, everyone else ate them occasionally.  But hey, you walk everywhere when you live in europe so it was fine.  Those were good times. 

And until reunion #2 can happen, magnum bars will have to suffice as a trip down memory lane.

xoxo

some food for thought in la

There was lots of good food at home, no surprise there.

Mom and I had brunch at the Dish, one of the best places to have breakfast in LA.

I had the banana pancakes, with banana cream.

The ladies and I enjoyed some mimosas while watching the Rose Parade. Always a winner in pasadena

Nelson and I had lunch at Carmines, amazing italian. 

Nothing like fried mozzarella and a meatball sub to get you through an 80 degree day in december... 

oh sorry.

 

Oh yeah and then he took me to the fair oaks pharmacy and soda fountain for some to die for ice cream. Absolutely amazing. The brownie sundae with strawberry ice cream:

Oh and the last time I was in town, over Thanksgiving, Nelson and I went to Il Fornaio and had the dessert plate. Also spectacular.

I sure do love food.

xoxo

birthday #24

Last week it was my birthday. Yes only number 24. 

I was home in LA for the Thanksgiving holiday so I got to spend the time with my friends and family. It was fabulous and of course, filled with food. 

Mom and I spent the day together eating and shopping (two things we do quite well surprise surprise)

(Mom loves taking pictures of her daughters with topiaries, ridiculous)

We went to Mi Piace for lunch, one of my favorite Californian/Italian restaurants before hitting up the stores in Old Town Pasadena.

We had the calamari to start. So delicious.

Then I had the Rigatoni con Salsiccia which was also fabulous - rigatoni with sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and broccoli. There was one baby penne, adorable. 

For my 'cake' we stopped by dots cupcakes and picked up some minis!

We tried the fleur de sel chocolate, chocolate and vanilla, double chocolate, dulce de leche, sweet potato, and heath bar. All so good but the fleur de sel was our favorite. 

Don't worry, we didn't eat them all at once!

That night, I met up with my besties and headed over to Bottega Louie.

An absolutely amazing, yet affordable restaurant in DTLA.

We had french fries and bruschetta to start. 

Then I had the short ribs over polenta, which melts in your mouth.

For dessert we shared the grand macaroon and tiramisu.

Then we headed to the parlour room to meet up with more friends for an easy night out.

Overall it was an absolutely delightful day! 

Thanks to everyone who wished me well and made me smile.

xoxo