Going out for some Cold Cheese Pizza!

Until I moved to this area ( Pittsburgh) I had never eaten cheese pizza where the cheese was served cold.  Yes COLD!  I'll tell you I was very skeptical.  My hubby found the place (Beto's) on his own and tried it.  He loved it and after months of his trying to talk me into going for this type pizza I finally gave in.  This was my second visit and I have grown to really like it. The crust was light and so crispy and the tomatoes were seasoned perfectly.  By the amount of customers I saw coming and leaving with pizza I'd say their pizza business is very successful.

 Freshly made dough(they allowed me in the kitchen)with what appeared to me as freshly seasoned  tomatoes topped with loads and loads of shredded provolone cheese.  The cheese is put on top of the baked crust and it's cold! Note:  They bake the crust with the tomatoes until it is crispy and then take it out of the oven and then with huge handfuls top that crust with the cheese.

Before you say "NO WAY", you really have to give this type pizza a chance.  I said that and now think it's pretty darn good!  My only complaint is that FOR ME there was way too much cheese because I love the tomato taste.  It is piled so high and is hanging from the baked crust so I told them "light cheese for me".  They obliged but I could tell they don't get that request often.

I did see some people ordered toppings galore on top of the cheese.  I think one was topped with a heaping amount of ground sausage.  I am still in awe how well received this pizza is here.  The place was jammed!

 Here's some photos I took with no complaints from them..They allowed me in back to see a bit of their work.  I didn't hang out long because they were so busy I didn't want to get in their way.

My opinion (I know no one asked) is this place is GREAT!!!!  I can't wait to go again!

Happy Going out for pizza,

M.J.

Good Food and a rainbow too!

I know I'm not complaining because all good things come to an end and before I know it I'll be home and complaining that we never go out!  Not really!  I have said that I do enjoy a good meal out on occasion but most days I'd prefer my own home cooking and I am happy to say so does my hubby!  I do have to give him credit though he cleans up most nights and that takes a lot off me so I can start to unwind after a baking or cooking filled day.

We enjoyed a quiet dinner at a local eatery and it was good!  Salad, warm bread and focaccia..Dipping oil too!  I 'd have to say this meal was starting off in the right direction..A great salad with fresh greens, carrots finely shredded, lots of Greek olives (I love them)cucumbers and red onion.. I asked the waitress for extras and she obliged pleasantly..Our dinner was for two and honestly that plate was loaded with chicken Parmesan, baked Ziti and pasta Carbonara..In the center was placed beautifully steamed and lightly seasoned broccoli.

On our drive back we saw the prettiest rainbow..An ending to a perfect evening for me!

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Being entertained by Kaluha and Cream!

Our Sunday evening included a wonderful dinner show at Tropical Palms.  We enjoyed Prime Rib, salad and baked potato and for dessert a delightful strawberry mousse topped with whipped topping and chocolate shavings. A little wine for our health too!!!

We had the pleasure of being entertained by another husband and wife duo called Kaluha and Cream!  Kaluha is the female vocalist and did numberous songs starting from the big band era right up and including Whitney Huston.  A fabulous 2 hour show..

Yummy!  Chocolate cookie base, strawberry mouse and topped whipped cream and garnished with shaved chocolate.

Sunday Evening Venue! Dinner and a show!

I haven't thrown in the towel with baking and cooking but as I posted a few days ago I am also taking a much needed break and am enjoying getting out and checking out some shows and restaurants in the Naples area.

Tonight we went to a great restaurant and not only had a delicious meal we saw a wonderfully talented duo.  Husband and wife team whose name is Billy Dean and Dawn.   Guess what?  Dawn was originally from South Hills in Pittsburgh..What a small world!  Dawn has the most amazing voice and range, totally awesome...High, hitting the highest notes, low and deep singing Elvis and in between such as New York, New York..Songs from Phantom of the opera, Sonny and Cher and so many popular tunes that we were totally in awe..Billy Dean plays the keyboard and saxophone.  Great, Great Great!

Google them and you'll see for yourself!  Here's some pictures of them and the great food!

copyright 2012 I like to bake and cook!

Pork filet wrapped in bacon

Billy Dean and Dawn

Picture is a little dark but I think you can get the jist!

My steak salad experience at Noodles!

On and off the past month we have been going out for a  relaxing bite at some local restaurants.  Not being home and having all my kitchen tools to make the meals I usually do really bugs me so some days my hubby and I go grab a bite and enjoy some local fare.

Yummy plus two!

Over the weekend we visited a really cute eatery called Noodles (loved the name).  It is in Naples, Florida.  This was our second visit and we will visit this place for sure again.  Our meals have been consistently wonderful.  My hubby has had chicken picata, the first visit and chicken parmesean this time over fresh homemade (yes homemade on the site noodles, pasta.) I have stuck to my oh so favorite steak salad..  This salad was perfect both times.  Loaded with gorgonzola, asparagus, medium size pieces of tenderloin, red onion, ripe tomatoes,Greek olives, both bibb, romayne and red leaf lettuce and drizzled with a balsamic glaze.  Tastefully presented and served with great focaccia bread (bread could have been warmer)..  Quality ingredients at their finest.

I definitely am going to try to duplicate this salad !  Wonderful!

A beautiful Naples sunset!

Taking a break from cooking! A great evening!!

Last night my hubby decided I needed a bit of a break and took me out for a very nice evening..Hope you enjoy my little recap of the evening!

 As soon as we entered the restaurant the aroma of garlic permeated the air and I knew I was going to feel at home. Our waitress was very cordial and explained to us that they have recently moved to this location and expanded their menu to include some family favorites of the owner who is from Italy,Ronaldo, stopped by our table to chat and told us a bit about the reason he decided to bring a little more to his restaurant by expanding the menu.

A beautiful walk after dinner

Ravioli, (meat) were a definite plus for my hubby..They were his Mom's specialty and Bruschetta, delicately placed Roma tomatoes in a beautiful balsamic reduction topped over freshly baked Italian toast.  It makes my mouth salivate as I write it.  .Wonderful!   I felt like eating some pizza (this restaurant was voted best pizza in this area 2 years in a row) so I  chose to have an Ameritcana personal pizza.   Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, pancetta in a light crust..Baked perfectly and it was so large hubby ate what I couldn't devour after his Ravioli.

Delicate crust, lightly seasoning fresh sliced tomatoes and pancetta (ham)

Bruschetta

Cannoli and cheescake

Did we have room for dessert?  Let me just show you!  Homemade Cannoli ( no institutional cream in this delicious treat and of course Cheesecake!!!  Yummy!!! Bon Appetit!!!

To put a perfect end to a perfect evening we strolled 5th Avenue where the merchants and restaurateur's arrange for music by local artists..A fun evening!

Dinner with our cousins! Great company and an A+ meal

We're home after spending a few days visiting my mom.  I bake and cook for days before I visit her to bring her some home cooked meals and desserts. I package  and label them so she can have a variety of items I know she enjoys.  It makes me feel pretty darn good!

This visit we also had the opportunity to go to dinner with my hubby's cousins and their spouses..I have felt like family with these great group of people for what seems like forever and they have always made me feel welcome.  Hubby and I love the hours we spend with them laughing and reminiscing. We get one of the waitresses to snap a group photo and I try to take as many food pictures as I can.. 

 We ate at Anthony's Restaurant  in Old Forge, PA. The meal was absolutely delicious..from stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari to gnocchi , chicken francaise, veal parmigiana, flounder with huge pieces of crabmeat and asparagus and Italian pork chops to name a few as well as delicious homemade Italian bread, soup and fabulous desserts.  Several of us had different specialty wines and cocktails and of course a cup of coffee to seal the deal.  Here are several photos I'd like to share...from my family to yours.

Eating in Nonna's Kitchen! A wonderful Sunday feast

Maria(Nonna) and I

My hubby planned this dinner after meeting Maria (Nonna) several months ago at the Columbus Day Parade in Bloomfield, PA.. Maria has a beautiful Italian Gift Shop called Merante Gifts and when we were walking on Liberty Ave in Bloomfield (Little Italy) we came across her gift shop and decided to browse while the parade was warming up.   Italian Bowls and dishes, anything and everything Italian Maria has displayed beautifully in this very Italian gift shop.  While I was browsing, my hubby was asking lots of questions (Maria even runs trips to Italy). She told him she serves dinner upstairs by reservations and would email him with the menu so we could check it out..  What a menu from soup to nuts!!!! Once we decided who would be coming with us to experience this Italian culinary experience we were into planning our meal..

Artichoke drizzled with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Italian Wedding Soup

There would be a total of 8 of us, all good friends who enjoy eating as much as we do, fine food to be sure.  Maria (Nonna) does this with ease and perfection, homemade wedding soup, with tiny meatballs,greens, small tortellini swimming in a savory chicken broth(some chicken pieces too)and piping hot!! They way I like it..Oh I must mention we sat at a large dining room table that seated 8 comfortably..Maria was right before us cooking and we were able to see everything she did.. Clean, cozy kitchen with all the normalizes of your own home kitchen and we all felt extremely comfortable...

Gnocchi with Bolognaise

Pollo Nastro Azzurro

Zucchini al Forno with Pancetta

After our soup came Ricotta gnocchi in a delicate Bolognaise sauce..Seasoned perfectly, soft and tender little pillows served  hot and right off the stove..Maria moved easily and effortlessly..not a bit of stress, as though she were cooking for her own family...We felt at home!

On to the main course which was Pollo Nastro Azzurro...Thinly sliced chicken rolled with prosciutto, asiago cheese and delicately cooked. Absolutely wonderful!  Our side was Zucchini Al Forno with Pancetta (Zucchini baked with onions and pancetta with light soft bread crumbs as a topping.. Something new for my tastebuds and I loved it and so did our friends...

Layered with prosciutto and asiago cheese

Made from scratch Italian Rum cake

A classic Italian salad and served after dinner with a lemon and olive oil dressing with a hint of mint. Refreshing and delicious to say the least..

A small taste of Lemoncello for a after dinner drink and yes Rum cake and Expresso!  Both being perfect! Nothing more can I say but Maria  is one heck of a cook!  Word of mouth says Lidia paid her a visit and she may be on one of the local channels in a review soon..  Can't wait to see it!!  We made reservations for the same day next year..   A great Christmas Tradition.

A Christmas Toast

Thank you Maria...I don't give many A+'s but you get one for sure!!!

If you are interested in dining with Nonna or cooking classes you may want to checkout Maria's website
www.merante-gifts.com

Dining out at Mallorca! Dinner with friends

Mahi Mahi

Veal Marsala

Driving into the city I quickly snapped this photo...A beauty!

Looking down one the streets we passed on the way to the restaurant.

 It was the perfect night to dine in the city..The weather was beautiful and there was a slight breeze..

We'll do it again!!!

NEPA Pizza: Hometown Favorite!

When I was living in NEPA(short for Northeastern PA) and that is where I grew up, pizza was the in food...We had pizza parlors almost on every corner.. or a diner..You'd go for pizza after a football game or for french fries with gravy at the local diner..Mom would order pizza on Friday's or she'd make some but mostly we'd have it any day and anytime..I'll be telling my age but we would get 12 cuts for $1.00..and it was wonderful. and seldom did you get a topping ordered..Maybe pepperoni but mostly it  was cheese and tomato pizza (or as we called it plain).  I lived across the street from one pizza parlor and it was one of the best pizza parlors around..

About 10 miles from where I lived one of the areas was and still is called the Pizza Capital of the World..That is where we were last night..and the pictures above show that scrumptious, cheesy tomato cut/slice that in my opinion can't be duplicated...My hubby and I search but it seems that in the city they love mozzarella and provolone cheese and just about everyone orders the works..The more toppings the better...I like those cheeses too but back in NEPA their pizza cheese is definitely not those two..We figure it to be a mix of American, brick or sharp cheese..and fresh tomatoes..no canned stuff on this pizza..and the crust crispy and so light..ahh some things you just can't forget and I can't wait to go back for a visit..Love the area and love the pizza!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!yummy

Summer Dine Out: It wasn't the whole package!

Last night we went to dinner with several friends and then to see a great Rock n Roll group of entertainers. We  enjoy getting out and one of our highlights in our dinner..We have frequented this restaurant on several occasions and the food is usually of good quality...Seasoned perfectly and complimented by its side dishes..Tonight two of us  felt there was something different than we had experienced before..I'll start by saying that it wasn't busy at the time we were there so I only expected it to be perfect and it just wasn't..I want my meals served HOT (steam arising from them)..Well not exactly but I do expect them close to that.  The lettuce in my salad was wilted, appearing to have been laying in the dressing, the veggies were diced which was fine but having the lettuce looking like it had seen a better day ruined the salad..and it was warm!!! Not good!!! My entree was done to my satisfaction inside(I asked for medium well(I usually try to explain, light pink in center) and they usually get that.. I will go there again and give them another chance but my rating is a C..I want my salad crisp and my food HOT!

Out to dinner! Italian again!...... Am I crazy?

I have blogged almost, if not ,every day since I decided I was going to try this new adventure blogging..I really am into it and I took a break yesterday and went to dinner with some friends..(good friends I may add)...I have to say I make  Italian food often(my husband enjoys it) but I find it a challenge when I go to an Italian Restaurant to see if their food compares to mine..and most times it just doesn't....and I find that the more I cook the less I want to eat out unless I am assured it is going to be wonderful..I look to people who have the same tastes as I do and value their opinion so I rated last night a C+ and our friends agreed..the best part of the meal was the salad..I'll show you a picture..It looks similar to the one I make often....SO NOW I SAY GIVE ME A STEAK...I'm taking a break from Italian...

Hello Blogger's: Our dinner at Spadafora's

Now this was a good meal!  If I don't name the place you'll know why...If I name the place you can be assured it was a note worthy meal. The Menu was appealing and just enough selections to chose from.  .We started with appetizers and wine..both very good! Spinach dip with pita bread as well a Caprice Salad..Both of which were tasty. and presented well..Our entrees were presented beautifully and tasted wonderful..Cooked perfectly!  I had Stuffed chicken with Brie and Bacon bits topped it..served with couscous..Portion was average and the only thing I didn't care for was the couscous and that was only because it had no flavoring and was bland..Could have used a little something..My hubby had dessert which was a lava cake which I did taste ..He added vanilla ice cream to it which was a good choice for an added touch. I'd go again!!!!!!

Hello Bloggers! Just a note on an evening dine out with friends!!

Tonight was a beautiful night and we had a lovely dinner with friends..My husband chose it so it was an ITALIAN RESTAURANT..I cook many Italian Meals but he always likes to check out those restaurants.  It was a 45 minute drive so I sure hoped it was worth the drive..My opinion on this one was that is was good but lacked some qualities of a very good Italian Meal..  First the plus, good Italian Red Wine(Cabernet) and the Marinara was decent..Surprisingly...I am fussy with my sauce(don't like seasoning to overwhelm sauce so this wasn't bad..Salad was disappointing...not an olive or a peppercini anywhere to be seen..and what happened to good Italian Bread..no where in sight! and  no appealing desserts..Bummer ..thought maybe a Cannoli or an Almond Torte..NOT!
I'll be posting some more yummy recipes soon..Happy Baking and Cooking!