Deirdre was her usual adorable self. My cheeks hurt from laughing so much. Have you ever met someone and just immediately clicked as friends? That is how I feel about Deirdre, we could be sisters. We always have a great time when we get together. In fact she and I are going to try to get together next week for a girl’s lunch. We could talk for hours!
Now the food…..Ian had a few new items on the daily specials. Here they are:
The strawberry pizza had my name written all over it. I may need to do a healthy vegan variation of that soon. With a little luck we will get more fresh organic strawberries this weekend from the CSA then the pizza will be coming up in a few days. Since Ian is now making whole wheat dough it did occur to me I could take some almond feta and get him to put that on a pizza for us. We may just have to do that sometime soon. Since even Ian approves of the almond feta (and yes he is definitely omni) I don't think he will mind. At least I hope not. ;-)
Dan and I decided to split the marinated crimini mushroom appetizer
as well as the fattoush salad.
Next we split the whole wheat linguine in a tomato and artichoke sauce with portabellos, fresh basil, onions and garlic which he added extra veg to for us. :-) Ian had intended it to have smoked buffalo mozzarella, which we had left off. Honestly we thought it was great without the fromage although the white bits would have been a nice color contrast.
The food was great as was the company. Overall it was a great night. Not a bad way to spend a Wednesday. I hope you all had an equally enjoyable evening. I will chat with you tomorrow.
Oh yum on the strawberry pizza. Can't wait to see what you come up with. Love strawberries with spinach an balsamic vinegar anyway. I would think that pasta dish would be just fine without cheese. Looks thick and hearty just as it is. I have a dear friend I've known since about the age of 5 who is like my 2nd sister. We have literally stayed up until the sun came up talking away.
ReplyDeleteHeather,
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I was eyeing the pizza last night. It sounds great doesn't it? I was looking around to see if any table near us had it. But I have eaten Ian's food enough I can imagine the items he included which weren't listed. I should have asked him the details when he came out to sit down, but I was too busy catching up with him on his family.
The pasta was SO good. We had a carb fest yesterday with the pita and pasta. In the old days we would have done that any night of the week. No carb addicts at my house. ;-)
Isn't it odd how some people you just click with? I have had those stay up all night talking sessions too. My husband never understands, LOL.
talk to you later,
Ali
Wow, beautiful looking food. That Ian did it again! We are growing strawberries in our garden, but our first red one had three holes and two worms squiggling inside it when I picked it. Boo.
ReplyDeleteBlessed Mama,
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your first strawberry. I thought about growing them. But Dan told me his family grew them when he was a child and that birds were a big problem. Have you had that issue yet? I would love to grow some at my place.
Dinner was very good last night. Ian did a nice job as always. He changed the regular menu for the warm weather too. We noticed he added both whole wheat pizza dough and pasta.
talk to you later,
Ali
Not so much birds as worms as squirrels. However, since we have so many fruit trees now, I'm sure I'll be waving my fist at many a bird soon.
ReplyDeleteBlessed Mama,
ReplyDeleteI hope you figure the wildlife thing out. In Italy you see dark nets over fruit trees to keep birds away. They must sell things like that here too. You may want to check on that if birds become a problem.
enjoy your weekend,
Ali
That was the first thing that caught my eye!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it sounds amazing and I am dying for you to make this one!
I just realized I missed commenting on this blog. I am glad I found it!!! Excellent post.
Brandi,
ReplyDeleteThe strawberry pizza sounded so good to us. We were kicking ourselves for not taking any nut cheese with us. I know Ian always has those ingredients on hand. I may get him to make one with my almond feta the next time we stop in.
talk to you soon,
Ali
Oh so you do eat some flour and oil sometimes...that is a suprise after your recent posts.
ReplyDeleteI think I know that restaurant...I live in Balitmore...it looks a menu from Donna's.
Thanks for the update
Corey,
ReplyDeleteFirst I have to apologize for not posting your comment. The chef did not want me to name the restaurant and I have no idea how to edit that from your comment, or if it is possible. That being said you are correct, but which one? Feel free to email me at veganepicurean@gmail.com
When we go out sometimes pasta and bread is all there is that will provide adequate calories. It is my last choice but I didn't want to put the chef out any more than we already do. Since you know the restaurant you know there is little that is vegetarian let alone vegan. I am always asking the chicken stock, veal demi glace, egg and cheese to be substituted. When the restaurant is packed I know what a pain that is.
Alicia
Thanks for your response; I totally understand about the limitations of vegan choices; but you really come across very unforgiving on your "rants."
ReplyDeleteI know it's Cross Keys, because anyone who follows the world of gastronomie in Baltimore will have been curious about the whereabouts of "Ian"...I know which Ian you're talking about...I've been a fan of his for some time.
Cory,
ReplyDeleteAt home I am extremely unforgiving. My husband calls me the nutrition nazi and I have earned that name which you could guess from my rants. Were it not for my hubbys prodding there would be no "cheating". He would tell you once every 6 weeks isn't enough. ;-)
Glad you know Ian's work as well. We just adore him. He is very sweet to accomodate us especially since I know it kills him to leave out the "animal products".
Alicia
I am more familiar with his work than you will ever know.
ReplyDeleteCory,
ReplyDeleteAre you the same Cory we know?
Alicia
No hon, you don't know me. I'm just Cory from the block.
ReplyDeleteCorey,
ReplyDeleteLOL, loved the hon that was cute. You know how I have to ask "Ian" if he knows who you are. I am guessing you worked with him since he doesn't typically get friendly with customers. He is quite the character isn't he? We have become very friendly with him over the last 4+ years, before we were vegan obviously. ;-) We got very spoiled having him around the corner. Eating his food so often has done wonders for my cooking.
Alicia