Other than it rain, it was a great day! (Except for the fact that everyone is going to bed but me – because I am blogging!)
Mom and I finally got a break in the clouds and went for an hour walk this afternoon (dad was out walking with his magazine!) It started raining again just as we got back home – we were lucky! I was pretty starving when we got home and decided to spoil my appetite with some yogurt. Topped with some blueberry preserves, power bar + House Hunters!
We headed to Karen’s at 6:30 for cocktail hour. She had ALL THE BEST!!! How is a girl to choose!?!
I went with a tiny pour of the Frei Brothers. Yum!
Karen also made delicious bean crostini
Followed by a little of the Edna (saved the red for the restaurant!)
Our friend Martha (Bartha!) and her parents joined us all for dinner tonight.
We arrived at Mama Ricotta’s at 8pm for our table of 8. It’s our new favorite Charlotte restaurant!
Dinner wines. The Quattro Mani was amazing!!!!
Exhibited here (Glass #1 of 2)
Kanz and I were in charge of ordering family style for the table. I decided on two salads:
1) The Sicilian Roasted Red Pepper (Sicilian-style roasted peppers, pine nuts and raisins tossed with mixed baby greens in extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar – a ‘must try’ with our grilled crostini and house made mozzarella.)
2) and the Chopped (Gorgonzola cheese, romaine lettuce, walnuts, diced Roma tomatoes, Gaeta olives, red onion, pepperoncini, garbanzo beans and carrots tossed in a light Balsamic vinaigrette dressing.)
Both were excellent! (I also had half of that slice of mozzarella toast)
Dinner wine. I had every intention to make tonight moderate, but I got swept up in the moment.
The entrees were fabulous!!!! We ordered them all family style and I had a taste of each
Penne alla V Vodka Penne pasta tossed with sautéed pancetta in pepper vodka, spicy tomato cream sauce.
Pollo Carciofi Tender chicken scallopine with artichoke hearts in a light sauce of lemon, white
wine, and capers served with creamy polenta and vegetable of the day
A baked pasta dish with ham, spinach + tomato in a cheesy cream sauce (special of the day)
Plus sides of
Sautéed Broccolini with Chopped Tomato and Garlic and Grilled Vegetables
I had a taste extra of 2 of the pastas.
But the dessert was KILLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We ended up getting 3 for the table and I had to taste one of each (plus a little more than a taste!)
- Amaretto + Pumpkin Cheesecake
- A killer Health + Caramel Chocolate Torte
- And the Nutella Pie. OMG. OMG. A blend of nutella hazelnut, chocolate, and dulce de leche on a graham cracker crust. Heavenly!!!!!!!!!!!
Tonight was supposed to be moderate, but not quite so. Although I feel OK, so I guess that’s what matters most. Hoping for blue skies in the AM so we can go on our planned hike!
Nite!
Oh She Glows says
There should be a warning before this post!! Now I’m hungry right before bed. hehe. You look like you had a wonderful time…and I’m sure it was definitely a ‘worth it’ moment!
Emily W. says
Im glad you had an enjoyable time! It looks great!
Kerri says
Mmm..the dessert looks divine. Also, I am going to copy those italian salads.
Alison says
Love the yogurt pics. That’s my favorite snack right now.
Nutella pie sounds unbelievably good! Glad you had a fun night.
Kori (All Things B.) says
Dinner looks amazing Kath! I’m visiting family in NC in a couple weeks and may just have to try this place out! Thanks for the drool worthy recap!
Run Sarah says
Everything looks delicious- especially the desserts!
Lisa says
House-made mozzarella? Nutella pie? If I’m ever down your way I’ll definitely make a stop at Mama’s!
sue says
you two did a great job ordering! i need that nutella pie!
Hallie says
Looks amazing! And you have such a great attitude/relationship with food that I think many of us who have sustained weight loss really struggle with. It’s really refreshing 🙂
Runeatrepeat says
I am seriously drooling over the nutella pie!!!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
Next time I go out to eat, I’m going to call you and you can order for me too, okay?
Nicole says
Your choices of food are fabulous! I am droooling over those desserts.
Have a good night! 🙂
Lisa says
looks like someone was a bit tipsy last night!
Niki says
Every thing looks great!! Especially the Nutella pie!
Maureen says
Haha, nutella pie is not what I would expect to find at a fine restaurant! Your dessert plate looks soooo tasty though. Yum!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Everyone needs a splurge every once in a while. What a fun and DELICIOUS evening. I’m drooling over the food at that restaurant. YUM! Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Lauren says
Oh. my. gosh. those desserts sound divine! Great job ordering for the crowd 🙂
VeggieGirl says
Blueberry preserves + crostini + Nutella cake = HOLY YUM DELIGHTS.
Watching House Hunters = yay 😀
Nate says
I figured that one of y’all would order the Penne a la Vodka. It is the best think on the menu. Nice work.
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
That crostini looks so tasty and nutella pie!!! I can only imagine how heavenly that must have been. Nutella is my favorite food.
zestycook says
The dessert Kath!! Yum 🙂
Marisa (trim the fat) says
OMG – what a FABULOUS meal! Right up my alley =)
Brittney says
Wow…that Nutella pie sounds amazing!
Angie says
Looks like a fabulous meal! To me, a meal like that is worth it every time! Have a great weekend with your family!
Katharina says
The amaretto pumpkin cheesecake sounds incredible!!!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
love that dessert and mozz toast!! Looks like you guys had a fun night! 😉
Heather says
Glad you and your mom got to fit in a nice walk together!
Sounds like you and Kanz did a great job of ordering! Everything looks so good. Sometimes you just have to splurge a bit in order to fully enjoy the moment. I love how honest you are about feeling a little guilty about the night, yet are able to be ok with it. I really admire that :)!
Leah @ Simply Fabulous says
You always show such great enjoyment of your food!
Talk about balance! I love how healthy you eat, but you also know when there’s a time and a place to splurge a bit! You are not afraid to show it on here! (at least I don’t think so?!).
Hope you enjoy your weekend Kath!
K says
I’m not much of a dessert girl but holy cow I would have died and gone to heaven with those!!
Jess says
Those desserts look amazing! In fact, all the foods do!
Kath says
Thanks for the nice comments everyone!
K
Diana says
Looks like a fun time! I still can’t get over how good that carciofi dish was! And that polenta…try that one next time…it was sooooooo good! The nutella pie sounds amazing…I’m going to have to check it out next time I’m there!
Have a great hike! 🙂
EatingRD says
wow, looks delicious! I have to say I get caught up in the moment as well sometimes . . . great food, yummy wine and even better company! that is the best 🙂
Michelle Hisae says
Don’t worry about it so much – when the family is over, enjoying the occasion, and the wine and dessert, is what matters! 🙂 Looks like you had a fun night.
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats says
OMG everything sounds delicious!! what a great menu it sounds like!!
Jennifer says
Nutelllllaaa pie….. MMMMMM.
Erin says
Nutella + dulce de leche + graham cracker crust = absolute perfection in my book!!!
What a fun evening. Ok to splurge every now and then. Esp when family is visiting!
Jordan says
I tried the Mark West pinot noir this weekend and it was great!