Date Nite

Before I get into the fun that we had today, a recap of Wednesday’s dinner.  Stuffed peppers!  These were totally awesome.  Best stuffed peppers I’ve ever made.  Rice, onions, mushrooms, and lots of chopped artichoke hearts.  Topped ‘em off with ketchup which carmelized perfectly under the broiler.  I think the trick to peppers is letting them cook long enough to soften.  I think we baked these for a hour and they were just perfect.

On to the big date day!  Ryan planned a lovely afternoon and evening to celebrate having survived a busy work season.  This was probably the toughest year yet, just because of how many hours I was working.  But, all that work made the indulgence that much sweeter.  Ryan started out the afternoon with a massage at the Buttes Marriott resort.  1 hour listening to calming music and having the masseuse work out the kink that’s developed on my left shoulder.  Ryan spoils me rotten!  After that, I drank copious amounts of water, cleaned up in the ladies locker room and then we headed to dinner.  We headed to the Biltmore and made it to True Food Kitchen for our 7:30pm reservation.  I’ve been there once before and loved it.  It was fun to go back and explore even more of the menu.

One of my favorite things about their menu is the beverage menu.  They have all sorts of fancy non-alcoholic drinks.  I got the Red Moon made with Pink Grapefruit, Yuzu, agave and soda.  I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather since yesterday.  Sinus problems, fuzzy head, headachey, I figured a good shot of vitamin C would keep it from getting worse.  Ryan ordered a honey lemonade.

For the appetizer, we had the Lettuce Cups stuffed with Shitake Mushroom, Tofu, Cashew and Ginger.  They had such an intense umami flavor and the butter lettuce was velvety.  I could have eaten 20 of them.

For the main course I ordered the TLT – Tempeh Lettuce and Tomato.  It was on perfectly toasted bread with smooth avocado.  The tempeh bacon was perfect and the flavor was right on.  Could have fooled me that it wasn’t your standard BLT! I had sweet potato hash as the side.  Roasted and carmely.  I love the little crunchy bits.

Ryan ordered the mushroom ravioli.  It had chanterelles, organic ricotta and a kale pesto.  I had to have a bite or two.  Yes, not vegan, but sometimes the foodie in me overrides everything.  It was divine!  The pesto was light and garlicky.  The corn and tomatoes made it very summery.

For dessert we split the chocolate cake with non-dairy ice cream.  This cake was like heaven and had crunchy cocoa nibs to add texture.  I could have crawled inside that little bowl.  Good thing they gave us little spoons, otherwise I might have swiped the whole thing in one bite.

Not to be that cheese-ball who brags about her awesome husband, but I can’t help it.  He’s amazing!!!!  Thanks for a wonderful day Ryan.