New Years Resolution...Write More Often!

There, now that we're clear that I will make a concerted effort to write more, I can move on to more important things!


I did a great deal of cooking over the holidays...food, food and more food. But alas this irresponsible blogger did not take pictures nor notes.  Shame on me.  I do remember a couple of the successful recipes I used!:


Appetizers:
Devils on Horseback (bacon wrapped dates):  http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/devils-on-horseback-edf
Pigs in a Blanket: http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/vgnextoid=2cbabe916ecc7110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&backto=true&backtourl=%2Fphotogallery%2Fbar-snacks
Deviled Eggs: http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/creamy-deviled-eggsbackto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/bar-snacks#slide_10


Sides:
Honey Roasted Root Vegetables:  http://www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/supper-clubs/supper-club-menu-detroit-00400000056050/page7.html




I'd like to add an additional feature to The Way to One's Heart...I am also going to write about/review restaurants.  There are so many new exciting places my husband and I go to and I'd like to remember which are redo's and which, well, are redon'ts.  


New Years eve my husband and I tried a restaurant a mere 10 blocks away which neither of us had ever been to:


Locanda Portofino 
http://www.locandaportofino.com/primi_di_pasta.html
110 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-2070


We give it a B-/B.  We've been to many Italian restaurants.  It was far better than some and not nearly as good as others.  The ambiance was lovely and the wait staff was very attentive, though its hard not to be in such a small restaurant.  For an appetizer we split the Calimari.  There was nothing very special about it.  It was simply dipped and batter and deep fried, served with a lemon wedge.  My husband quickly asked the waiter if there was a sauce they'd perhaps forgotten to bring us.  No, apparently Calimari is served only with a lemon wedge in Italy.  They get points, however, for bringing out marinara sauce in which to dip the squid after we'd asked for it.  I think a lemon wedge would suffice if the Calimari itself were more flavorful.  Daniel got the pasta special of the evening, the Lasagna and I got the Linguine tutto mare.  Both dishes were once again, fine.  Nothing special, unimpressive.  We both get the same dishes at an Italian restaurant called Saporis (www.sapori-mdr.com/) and they are far superior. Sapori's is a lovely date place right on the water if anyone out there is looking to do some wooing or simply looking for really good Italian food, excellent service and sometimes some freebies from the chef!  No dessert was had at Portofino and was left after a fast, unimpressive 45 minute meal.  That said, its always fun to discover new places and there's nothing wrong with getting to spend a few minutes looking into my sweetheart's eyes over wine and candlelight.  


I hope you and yours had a healthy and happy holiday season and New Year....now let's get excited for all the wonderful things 2011 holds!