Couples Night

We had a relaxing Saturday night with some of our friends. We tried a new (new to us) restaurant, Helen's, and made our first visit to Bow-Tie Cinemas (the new movie theater on the Blvd).

Helen's

I should have fasted for 3 days before eating at this restaurant. It was soooo good but they feed you like you haven't eaten in days! Noah and I both had the shrimp and grits as our main course; however, by the time it arrived, we were already stuffed from the appetizers! One of our friends knows the chef and he kept bringing us yummy appetizers (like a white gazpacho and crab cakes with mashed potatoes). On top of that, we ordered three appetizers: fried green tomatoes, pig belly (gross), and wings. I didn't eat any of those appetizers but Noah said the wings were the best he's ever had (which really means something coming from him haha).

After we engorged ourselves at Helen's, we decided to see The Hangover at Bow-Tie Cinemas. We had an hour before the movie started so we got a few drinks at a restaurant across the street from the theater. I can't remember the name; however, it is relatively new to Richmond with a mountain lodge atmosphere. We want to try it out for dinner (if we can ever remember the name). So after a few drinks, we finally made it to our movie. IT WAS HILARIOUS. Girls, you have to like "guy humor" to think this one is funny. The movie exceeded my expectations! Bow-Tie Cinemas, however, did not. It is supposed to be known for "bringing style and elegance back to the movie going experience." Besides the fact that it is new and clean, there was nothing more stylish or elegant about this movie theater than any other movie theater I've visited. One of the "perks" of the theater is it's bar. No thank you. Unless you want to spend $8 on a glass of wine or beer, drink it out of a plastic cup, and sit on metal seats, go across the street if you want to have a pre-movie cocktail. You can't bring your drink into the movie either. You have to drink it in their designated "bar" area. Nonetheless, it's new, clean and close to our house so we will go back!

Just one of those days...

My mom always said, "It's not what life deals you, it's how you deal with life." Thanks mom.

You know those days when it probably would have been best if you just never got out of bed? Today was just one of those days. From the moment I woke up (at 4am), I was doomed.

I text my friend Margaret after my long day...

Me: "What should I make for dinner tonight?"

Margaret: "Taco Dip?"

Ah yes... this is what best friends are for. Tomorrow is a new day but tonight I'm going to feel sorry for myself (even though I know I have sooo much to be thankful for). HOW?

4 Simple Things: Taco Dip, Chardonnay, Ice Cream, and Noah :)

Taco Dip: This is my grandmother's famous recipe that we make EVERY year when we are at the beach for Thanksgiving. It's soo easy!

- Brown 1lb of ground beef (as lean as possible)

- Add a packet of taco seasoning according to directions

- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350

- Spread one can of refried beans into bottom of medium sized glass baking dish

- Layer next with the cooked meat, then 1 16 oz. jar of salsa (I like Newman's Own)

- And finish it off with 1 bag of shredded Mexican cheese

- Bake for 20 minutes and bon appetit!

- Serve with tortilla chips

Add wine (I love Yellow Tail Chardonnay. It's nice and dry yet has a refreshing taste and it's cheap) and ice cream...
And if all that fails, Noah can always put a smile on my face. And he will most likely make me go out with our friends and I will thank him for it later :)

So much for eating healthy today...

Fine Dining

This week was busy busy! I don't eat out a lot; however, this week, I went all out for my friends who were in town! I had never heard of the restaurants where I dined this week. Noah and I decided that we are going to try a new restaurant every week. Since Richmond is officially our home now, we need to know more about the city and what it has to offer!

Whenever I think about food, restaurants, recipes, etc., I can't help but think about my best friend, Sally. I miss her terribly! We usually talk everyday but she has an amazing job where she's touring the country promoting organically grown/ locally produced food through Outstanding in the Field. Her blog (appropriately titled "Come to the Table: Share, Eat, Learn") is interesting to read and she has taken some breathtakingly beautiful pictures! (This is a picture from Ford Farm in Sauvie Island, OR). Needless to say, we don't get talk everyday! I think I am going to try to convince her to move to Richmond :)

Restaurant 1: Cous Cous

It was a girls night on Tuesday and we went to Cous Cous. This Mediterranean/Moroccan tapas restaurant is a great place for dinner with the girls or date night! It's located at 900 W. Franklin Street. It was sooo good! There wasn't one dish I didn't like and I can't wait to take Noah there. I love tapas restaurants because you get a little taste of everything. My favs: the Sangria (the "white" one was the best...I can't remember the name of it exactly), Manchego Fritters, Saganaki, and to finish the meal off, Chocolate Bread Pudding. I can't believe it took me this long to discover this cute restaurant!

Restaurant 2: The Arcade Cafe

My collegie roomies, Margaret and Caroline, were in town from Charleston

and New York this weekend! Of course we had to go to dinner and catch up! Margaret chose this great restaurant near Libbie and Grove. We sat outside and enjoyed our tasty dinners. I don't remember a ton about the restaurant because I was having so much fun chating with my old roommates! Margaret is getting married in May of 2010 and I love to hear all about how the wedding details are coming along! I'm wedding obsessed. I miss them sooooo much! I wish we could go to dinner every week.

Restaurant 3: Coast

Coast, a relatively new restaurant to Richmond, is located 2 doors down from the Arcade Cafe on Grove Avenue. Noah chose Coast for our date night on Saturday. Noah chose the Shrimp and Grits and I picked the Wild Salmon. Both were DELICIOUS! This restaurant was the priciest of the three but definitely worth it! It was nice and relaxing after a long day at work! I love date night. It's important to have date night at least once a week (even if you cook at home) no matter how long you have been dating/engaged/married! It keeps it interesting :)

One more piece of relationship advice I learned from my mother:

Always wear something sexy to bed (don't you dare wear his old football t-shirt from high school!) My favorite lingerie designer is Hanky Panky because it's comfortable yet sexy and it doesn't wrinkle! Also, Victoria's Secret makes some cute/comfy/sexy cotton nighties. Just a little tip!

Future Brides/Friends of Future Brides:
Looking for your "Something Blue?" Hanky Panky makes this adorable "I DO" thong and it's blue! My sister gave it to me to wear on my wedding day!

Quarter-of-a-Century Celebration!

Noah turned 25 this week and we celebrated with the whole fam! We had our first family dinner at our new house in honor of Noah's big day. And when you count his brother, parents, my parents, sister, step-sisters, step-brother and their significant others, it's not a small gathering! It was lots of fun and I think Noah had a great birthday! I wanted to share the presents and menu of the party.

Presents:
I got Noah lots of goodies for this big birthday (after all he is half way to 50)!

The Blackberry "Tour"
I don't know anything about technology. But you know boys, if it's a new gadget, it's cool! He was definitely the envy of the male attendees! I have to give some credit to "Glen" from Verizon. Not only did he push Noah's upgrade up 4 months, he helped me set up his phone an hour before his birthday party so it was all ready for him. I wrapped the phone and called it right after he blew out his candles! No one knew where the ringing was coming from! It was a great surprise.

Our Wedding Book (my favorite gift!)

I used this amazing website called MyPublisher to create a book of photos, invites and letters from our engagement through our wedding. I love it! I would definitely recommend checking out this site. I call it my "scrapless scrapbook" because I scanned our invitations and letters from our friends and family into the book. It is so easy! Here is mine if you want to check it out: A MyPublisher PhotoBook created by Meredith Greenbaum.

Now for the menu:

Hard-Hitting Mac and Cheese
I found this recipe from Noah's ESPN Gameday Gourmet and it was delicious!

Easy and yummy (Although I would recommend adding a little more salt)

Ingredients:

1 box Macaroni (1 pound)

1 T Vegetable oil

1/2 cup + 1 T butter

1/2 cup each of shredded Muenster, mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, Monterrey Jack

1 pint half-and-half

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

1/2 pound Velveeta, cut into small cubes

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 1/2 quart baking dish, cook macaroni for 7 minutes, drain and return to pot, melt butter in saucepan and pour over mac, add 1.5 cups shredded cheeses, half-and-half, Velveeta, eggs, salt and pepper. Spoon into baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly (about 35 minutes).

Krups BeerTender

Noah and I got this as a wedding present from one of his best friends. I have to admit when we received it, I could think of a million things we needed more. However, it is actually really cool and everyone loved it! Thank you Williams-Sonoma!

If you live in Richmond, you can get the 5-liter Draught Kegs at Total Wine.