Weekend Food

Lately, I have had the urge to spend all day in the kitchen just cooking and baking away.  Maybe it is the result of the cold winter days, but this gnocchi in tomato broth keeps screaming my name, perhaps served with Salsa di Parmigiano and Francis Ford Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon.   


This winter salad on Studio Cuisine look delicious. 




Of course, I can't forget dessert, these Kitkat cheesecake bars look amazing.

Scenes From Christmas

We had such a great Christmas filled with family and friends. I tried to focus on relaxing and enjoying all the sweet little moments that come with Christmas. I made some last minute gifts of orange ricotta cakes and snow globes, my son set up a hot cocoa station for Christmas morning, we received some Christmas cookies and Santa stop by delivering some lovely gifts.

Christmas Party Ideas

Shot glasses made of ice, which are great for doing fun party shots such has espresso flavored vodka, peppermint schnapps or Jagermiester.

Also, chunks of fresh bread to dip in cheese fondue, Swiss and Gruyere cheese, yum. Every party should have bread and cheese, really that is all I need.

Shot glass molds

Mayer Brothers Cider Mill

Recently, I have enjoyed two treats from Mayer Brothers Cider Mill, thanks to my dear friend Roger, donuts and caramel apple pie. I am not really a donut person but these were so, so good. The apple cider donuts were moist, because they are made with their cider, and perfectly cakey. I prefer a cake donut.  The maple donuts had just the right amount of maple flavor, not overpowering.

The caramel apple pie is a must for Thanksgiving, but I think if I served it again I would drizzle more caramel over the individual pieces.

However, you must get there fast because the bakery and store are only open through Thanksgiving. I'm definitely heading back before they close for the season.
The Cider Mill Store will open this year from August 17th until Thanksgiving.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

1540 Seneca Creek Rd
West Seneca, NY
14224-2522
716-668-5260

The Viking Lobster Company

Last weekend was my dear friend Roger's Birthday. Luckily, he picked The Viking Lobster Company for his dinner celebration.

 One of the great things about the restaurant is they don't serve alcohol so you can bring your own.  This saved us money, because we tend to drink a lot and we were not limited to an overpriced wine list.  Plus you can bring the wines you really enjoy.  As you see we each brought a bottle of wine, good thing there is no corking fee, and somehow we manged to drink it all. 

 

I'm not sure what was better the food or the service?  They both were by far the best I have had in a very long time.  The seafood was so fresh and cooked perfectly, which can be hard to do.  We ordered two of the Admiral's Feast so we could try everything.  Fresh scallops, shrimp, fish, crab legs and lobster.  We stared with clams casino and lobster egg rolls, unfortunately they were so good I forgot to take a picture.  You can also choose between soup, seafood chowder or a seafood gumbo, or a salad.  

 

I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone I could.  This is definitely the best place for seafood in Buffalo.  The food, the service and the casual, friendly atmosphere can not be beat.  I am already trying to figure out a time I can get back there.  Reservations are recommended. 

Mangia - Orchard Park

 

I don't get to do local restaurant reviews very often, not as much as I would like too. We went to Mangia in Orchard Park, NY on Friday night. It is a lovely Italian Restaurant with a nice atmosphere, exposed brick, a quaint patio and a beautiful bar with a great wine selection.

I started with the Crabcake Arancine, which is risotto mixed with crabmeat, breaded and fried with a Remoulade. I really enjoyed the crabcake. They did not skimp on the crabmeat which is nice because you could taste the crab more so then the risotto. The Remoulade was fine but I really just like to taste the crabmeat without any kind of sauce. I didn't try the Hot Stuff Peppers but I was assured they we excellent but very hot.

The Caprese salad was very fresh and well seasoned. This is one of my favorite salads.

For dinner, we both had the Lobster Ravioli in a Prosecco sauce. It was excellent, the ravioli were stuffed with a decent amount of lobster and the sauce was delicate and enhanced the flavor of the ravioli. I was stuffed but I could not stop eating the ravioli.

We were too full for dessert so we took the Tiramisu home for later. I have to admit this was the only disappointment of the evening. The Tiramisu was not good, it barely had any lady fingers, it mostly just too much run filled cream.

Summer Party Ideas

 Some spikes lemonade

 or some adult Popsicle's

 delicious sandwiches

personal pie slices are perfect

when enjoying an outdoor movie.

Thinking About....

Summer is going by so fast. It's almost the middle of August and I feel like I have been so busy that I haven't had anytime to relax and just enjoy the weather. All I keep thinking is how much I would love to sit out on the deck and enjoy one of these lovely cocktails this weekend.



Frozen Lemon Vodka Slush

Strawberry Margarita Popsicles

Strawberry Champagne spritzers, 1 bottle of Sake, 1 bottle of champagne, 1 pint of strawberries, 6 Meyer lemons, fresh mint and some Vanilla stevia.

Lime Sorbet Margaritas. Salt the rims of the glass the place two scoops lime sorbet in the glass and pour 1 tablespoon of Tequila over the sorbet. Its like an adult slushy, Yum!!