Brio, Bruschetta and Pear Berry Martini!

While we have been in Naples even though I cook most days there are some luxuries that I must allow myself and lunch seems to be right dining out choice for several reasons, price and serving size.

  A few dollars less expensive (cheaper) and honestly I really don't care to take home leftovers so choosing lunch to dine out is a favorite of ours.  Lunch is anywhere from 12 to before 4 and that is what we consider when we decide to eat out.  If  you can do it and have some time before 4 p.m.  you may want to catch the luncheon menu.  Some restaurants do serve luncheon size portions all day.  You just have to ask! It really is about portion control with every meal and I am sure most enjoy a meal out now and again so just ask!

Our dine out today was Brio (sister to Bravo). Very nice Italian Restaurant that has several locations.  Menu pretty much the same.  One thing I did note was Bravo serves their bread with dipping oil.  Brio serves it with butter.  Love it both ways so that didn't effect us either way.

I started my lunch with their homemade minestrone.

Then on to:Bruschetta Quatro

Krispy Bread toasted and topped with several different toppings.  Panchetta, red roasted peppers, steak and tomato mozzarella.  Quatro (4) different toppings.  Great way to sample them all of them..Bon Appetit!

Pear, Berry Martini!

Small dessert of Tiramisu.

The St. Patty's Day parade..Wow

Festival Food and more at St Katherine's Greek Festival!

This was our first year attending St. Katherine's Greek Festival and I was excited to get to see traditional food and festivities being enjoy by local residents. I found that those I associated with were so friendly.  I really felt extremely comfortable..As though I was family!  Chatting with the people who volunteer so willingly in food preparation and time is not only heartwarming but made me want to see more of this type of fellowship in all walks of life.  It was very uplifting and made me smile.. Enjoy!

First View..

Koubrambiedes..A buttery cookie rolled in powdered sugar

I think Baklava....???

These reminded me of Italian Biscotti..They are called Paxemadia.. Delish....Of course we bought some!!:)

Lots of desserts and I meal too !  We didn't get a chance to sample any meals :(..Next year for sure :)

Loukoumades.  Hot deep fried dough puffs, drenched in syrup and dusted with cinnamon

Hubby in line waiting to purchase some Loukoumades..

Just a small example of some Greek folk dancing

More!!!

Of course a view of sun setting while at the festival

Lunch at Rose Haven with the gals!

Today I was invited to share an afternoon lunch with 34 women from our small village.  The food was wonderful, the conversation was great and it was a terrific way to spend a few hours with friends. 

Rose Haven is a beautiful "Victorian House" from the 1800's that has been recently restored int the Butler Area.  Butler, PA is approximately 30 miles north of the city of Pittsburgh.  The owners originally are from California where the hostess had two antique stores.  They moved to this area, carefully measured and planned where each piece she would bring to her new home would be placed. Every detail was carefully orchestrated to make you feel as though you were back in time.  I loved it!!

The home is gorgeous with rose adornments scattered over various rooms.  Tastefully decorated with period items spread through out this beautiful home.  Here are a few photos I would like to share with you.

Story has it that the top knob would not be placed until the home no longer had a mortgage.

Home is where the heart is! Family, Friends and Good Food!

Yesterday my hubby and I went to visit mom.  We visit at least once a month and although I absolutely hate the 5+  hour drive one way the moment I see mom all my anger leaves seeing her smile.  She is lonely I know and won't move closer to me because she really likes where she lives.  She has a small but comfortable efficiency apartment in a lovely graduated community.  When and if she needs extra care she'll be able to move into another area without any problem. That is a great comfort to my brother and I.

I bring small mini meals which she freezes for later and desserts too.  She loves the pampering. While we are there I make any necessary calls and errands for her. Some times we eat in the dining room or cafe but most times she likes to have me all to herself so we sit and chat for several hours and I bring a pizza or cannoli or danish from one of our loyal bake shops.(Royal Bake Shop) Main Street in Exeter, Pa.

Cream filled Cannoli's!! The best!!

In the evening now and again we get to visit friends or extended family.  This visit we were able to connect with some high school friends and have dinner.  It was truly an enjoyable few hours.  We enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant, Valenti's. It is located on the main street in Exeter, Pa.  The food was fabulous and a great value!  Homemade Italian items and their weekly special of Lobster Tail.  Amazing!  Prepared to perfection and presented beautifully.  We have been there before and I swear it gets better with each visit, if that is possible?  My compliments to the owner and chef Michael Valenti!!

Al and I with Mildred and Anthony!!

Homemade chicken vegetable soup..Hearty for sure! Loaded with chicken and veggies

My favorite.  Tender and oh so delicious Lobster tail with drawn butter..Fabulous!

Chicken Caccitore..

Lemon Lush..I remember that dessert from long ago!

Recipe for a Watermelon Margarita!! Ole!

Last minute plans sometime turn out the best and tonight was one of those great nights.  First to a movie (Bourne Legacy) Boo!! Waste of time.......................................

 Next on to dinner at Bravo Italian Restaurant.  A+ to the lovely server and manager who were so pleasant and very accommodating.  The special drink this evening was a Watermelon Margarita!!!!  Yum! and another A+ for them sharing their recipe.  Enjoy!!

Watermelon Margarita

4 cubes watermelon
2 oz. tequila
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
lime wedge
sugar rim

Yummy and the bartender shared the recipe 

Sweet but with a hint of lemon shrimp appetizer to share.

Shrimp Fra Diablo

Cafe Kolache!

We've been to Cafe Kolache before but today I brought my cell phone and took lots of great pictures with the intention of sharing the Cafe Kolache experience. I felt my fellow foodies would just love hearing about the great Slovak/Czech cuisine. Unfortunately my camera malfunctioned and these are all I could retrieve :(

If you don't know much about Kolaches, the one thing that you have to be told is that the dough is sweet, perfectly sweet and just makes every bite be oh so yummy.

My Mom and Grandma made cheese kolache in a cookie sheet but on occasion they would make the dough in dough balls rolling them into squares and fill them with raspberry or prune filling. It would be a treat especially at Easter.

Cafe Kolache makes Breakfast Kolaches also.  These fluffy dough pockets are filled with egg, cheese and bacon as well as breakfast sausage, ham and Swiss and so many more,  The list goes on and on.

Their traditional Kolaches are filled with Cottage Cheese or Prune as well as many fruit Kolaches.

This cafe has lunch Kolaches as well.  I have personally tried the Spinach and Feta which was fabulous.

I also must mention that they serve salads, soups and today had a featured quiche of which I HAD a great picture but!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Grrrr yes that's one that I lost!!

 Happy Baking and Cooking!

***If you would like to check them out on the web their web address is www.cafekolache.com  or you can like them on facebook (facebook.com/cafekolache.