Not only is my BFF Anna is a great cook but she is the hostess with the mostest!

We invade her lovely home for long weekends and she manages to entertain us like royalty!

One of her specialties is this casserole, of sorts, or breakfast scramble.

She par cooks potatoes in the microwave

Chops and sautes any vegetables on hand, usually: red peppers, asparagus, leeks, and mushrooms and sets those aside

Then dice the potatoes and combine in a large skillet the cooked veggies, potatoes, some cheese then crack a few eggs on top

Turn the heat down to low and cover to allow the eggs to cook.

You’re finished!

You can also do this in the oven in a lovely casserole dish for a more elegant presentation.

Or cook the eggs seperatly and serve on top.

Either way it’s delicious!

Pier W never lets me down.

From the fantastic Happy Hour to the incredible views this place is a winner every time.

Not only is the happy hour a great value; 1/2 price bar food and select drinks, but the quality is first class.

These calamari must be some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Light and crispy calamari are fried to perfection with delicate fragrant dipping sauces; a spicy mayonnaise and a tamarind sauce.

This is a far cry from the usual bar food you’d find elsewhere and you get the incredible atmosphere as a bonus!

The view!

The wine!

The scallops!

Pan seared scallops with goat cheese, thyme and lemon gnocchi with an asparagus coulis was amazing!

Sous Chef Jack Ahern was on board this night and his precision in the execution of this dish was out of this world.

The tempura fish and green beans looked yummy…

…but I couldn’t get over the flavor pairings of my scallops.

I usually feel that mushrooms with any seafood is a risk; the earthiness of the mushrooms can overpower and compete with delicate sea flavors but it was not the case tonight.

Lemon and thyme kept the gnocchi light and the mushrooms and asparagus lent smoky and bitter notes, respectively that were enhanced by the subtle creaminess of the goat cheese.

Asparagus coulis was a light sauce of everything beautiful about asparagus!

A dream come true!

Me in a sea of men surrounded by the most glorious pizzas, ever and tropical fruity cocktails served up by a cute bartender with attitude!

Luxe was host to the G2H2 Happy Hour event in Cleveland , Oh.

The food was amazing! I know it’s a social thing but given the “circumstances” I had plenty of time to focus on the food and drinks!

This portobello mushroom, spinach, goat cheese and balsamic reduction pizza was my favorite.

Chef Marlin Kaplan knows that a light touch of fresh potent ingredients is the way to go!

I couldn’t get enough of this pizza and made myself a fixture at the buffet!

This is definitley something that I want to try at home.

Chris was adorable and he knows the food.

This tomato basil was fantastic; fresh and delish!

The setting was elegant but casual.

Sweetheart! Jen kept the fresh hot pies coming my way

Tomato and herb.

Chicken, rosemary and goat cheese was a big hit.

What would the evening be without a spunky bartender serving up the one-liners with the best mojitos in town?!

Lee was a delight!

The original Freddy was happy to join the ladies for cocktails and conversation in Shelly’s beach cottage.

Freddy as seen by artist Shelly Valisiades; respledent in a rainbow of color.

Bright and cheerful best describes Shelly’s nest.

Me, the writer, my two daughters and the Ballerina!

Every corner is filled with color and energy.

Knowing that Shelly’s forte is painting I brought the roasted garlic and white bean dip with French bread toasts.

2 cans of white beans
1 bulb roasted garlic
1/2 onion sauteed in olive oil
olive oil; about 1/4-1/2 cup

Place everything in the food processor until velvety and creamy.

Easy-peasy instant friends!

Shelly puts her heart and soul in everything she does.

Every nook is filled with love.

Inspired by a visit with my favorite aunt, I felt like nurturing her with her favorite flavors and some new decedant treats like cheeses and bread!

We enjoyed the leek and mushroom pizza on tuesday at the restaurant, however, we did have some issues.

We thaught that there was too much “sauce”. It was cheese or something, we couldn’t put our fingers on it but it over-powered the delicate flavor of the leeks and the mushrooms seemed non-existant.

I sauteed my leeks in olive oil with about 4-5 cloves of roasted garlic which I had left over and I used shiitake mushrooms.

I use the shiitake because of the intense flavor and the rubbery texture. They stand up to cooking and the flavor is rich and earthy.

I also used fresh mozzerella; about 5 1/4 inch slices then sprinkled on some parmesan; not much. Pizza is best with a light touch.

The leeks had the sweet, delicate onion flavor that I was hoping for and that sweetness accented the shiitake perfectly.

Arugula and tomatoes with feta cheese and a splash of oil was fresh and flavorful! I threw in some fresh basil for a peppery/licorice punch!

We are already missing her and looking forward to the next visit.

What to do when your favorite aunt comes into to town on a cold and rainy Spring day? Eat, of course!

And we did! Right up until we went to bed. It was sinful but the celebration just couldn’t end.

She lives so far away and comes to town so rarely…

Mushroom and Leek flatbread at 87 West, seated next to the fireplace was the perfect setting for a cozy chat.

The warmth of the fire took the chill off…

Arugula tops off the flatbread and adds nice balance to the creamy rich cheeses.

Off to my favorite spot, Tartine Bistro for great wine!

Reza, the amazing bartender knows how to pick his wines. He never dissapoints.

Peanut butter accents rich dark chocolate!

This honey ice cream was a pleasant surprise on warm berry cobbler. Mouth watering delicious!

They make it in house and it is subtle, creamy and delicious!

Dante was the scene of a fabulous late night supper and wine tasting.

Not only did Dante roll sushi just for us; Sushi is a happy hour hour item and we were well past happy hour! But he was gracious enough to accommodate my lust.

I find that it is best just to sit back and enjoy. I never order. I just graciously accept what this world class chef puts in front of me.

Hearts of palm with spinach, portobello and ginger vinaigrette was amazing with crispy fried red onions.

Our bartender kept the wines flowing as we took a world tour of reds from Italy to France, California and South America!

There were Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Pinot, Malbec…..

This was, by far, one of the best dining experiences that I have had in a while.

Dante is a true gem! In Cleveland or otherwise; world class!

Scallops and polenta are divine!

All I had to do was show up!

It took some effort not to wiggle my way into the kitchen activities and put in my two cents….but I refrained.

My girls cooked salmon, asparagus and red skin potatoes with rosemary.

My eldest even made a sauce to serve with the potatoes. She experimented and improvised; it was really good.

They set the table and poured wine. I surrendered to it all and had the best Mother’s Day ever!

The star of this meal had to be the chocolate chip cookie, ice cream sandwich!

The presentation was perfect and it was a great way to end a great meal with my two favorite girls.

After dinner we went to see Date Night at the matinee and enjoyed the rest of the sunny, chilly evening together watching chick flicks and doing homework!

OK! So it wasn’t Steve Carell but it was a real fantastic pizza!

This guy was hilarious and ate up all the attention that his “Steve Carell-esque” similarity would allow!

This pizza, on the other hand, was the real thing and Delish!

Thin crispy crust with a light touch of fontina cheese and the freshest basil pesto and olive oil.

Gently roasted cherry tomatoes “pop” when you bite into them and ooz warm tomato-y goodness.

Bongos Cuban cafe was a nice suprise in Disney World’s Downtown Disney Park.

Rice Pudding and Vanilla Pudding were fresh that day and fantastic!

Grilled onions are a favorite Cuban side dish and I am addicted to these in the summer. I make them on the grill; wrapped in foil.

Black beans and rice with sweet plantaines are a Cuban staple and the dish at Bongos is very good.

Tomatoes with Cilantro pesto is light and delicious

Mashed potatoes stuffed with ground meat is not my thing but was well received by my dining companions.

But the best part of all is the fried green plantaine. Served with a garlic, vinegar sauce which was amazing; simple but full of flavor.