My Life in Rewind: Restaurant 3 August 4, 2009

For Casey’s birthday (waaaay back in April), I took him to dinner at Restaurant 3 in Arlington. Neither of us had been there and it seemed like a great place to celebrate his turning 33. I made the reservations on OpenTable (which I LOVE) and mentioned that we were celebrating his 33rd birthday. I really wasn’t thinking about the correlation between the name of the restaurant and his age. Apparently, a lot of folks go there to celebrate 3rd, 30th, and 33rd birthdays, anniversaries, etc. When we were seated, they had even printed up special menus for the occasion.

For starters, they brought out fresh baked bread with butter and tapenade. Oh, not just any tapenade, the BEST tapenade I have ever eaten. Of course, I’m a sucker for olives. Is it wrong to want to lick the little plate?! Casey ordered their bone-in ribeye with creamed spinach and mashed taters (that’s what we call ’em down South). I thought the steak was good, but that creamed spinach was phenomenal! I went with the duck breast. Typically, if it’s on the menu, I order it. If prepared well, it is the most tender and juicy meat you will ever eat…Restaurant 3 did not disappoint. Mine was served over top a sweet potato hash and garnished with a fruit gastrique (that’s just fancy talk for a garnish). Unbelievable. Totally plate-lickin’ worthy!

Dessert was a tough decision. Coffee and doughnuts, Bourbon Pecan Pie, or Candy Bar Pie? I’m pretty sure we couldn’t have made a bad decision, but we opted with the Candy Bar Pie. It was like having a snickers and a heath bar mushed up into a cookie crust…complete with candle!

I give Restaurant 3 high marks. The food was delectable and I felt that they went the extra mile to make our celebration special. We definitely plan to go back!

Stonewall Kitchen January 7, 2009

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…
Prior to the new year, I was talking about the various vendors that we enjoyed at November’s MCES. Based on the crowd surrounding the Stonewall Kitchen booth, we weren’t the only fans there. I’ve yet to try one of their spreads, dips, or mixes that I didn’t like. I hold a deep disdain for celery, but if anyone could make me change my mind, it would have to be Stonewall. For those who know me, you know that’s saying a lot! The quality of Stonewall products is just that good.

Their jam selection is endless and endlessly delicious. Looking for a two-second appetizer, take a block of cream cheese and cover it with their Hot Pepper Jelly, serve with Wheat Thins or Chicken in a Biskit crackers. YUM! Spread their Mimosa Brunch Jam on a buttermilk biscuit for a treat reminiscent of my southern childhood. The Holiday Jam was a favorite in the Moore household this year, but you’ll have to wait until the next holiday season to pick up a jar of this cranberry-orange delight (or check out the sale items).  They seem to offer everything under the sun.  I especially like their packaging. The labels look to be handwritten giving me the feeling that I’ve brought home some of my Aunt Emma’s homemade goodies. 

Stonewall is based in York, Maine; however, you can find their products at many grocery and specialty food stores.  If you happen to live in the DC area, you can head over to National Harbor and check out their newest company store….but you better wait until payday!

Sahale Snacks January 1, 2009

If you’re a nut for nuts, then you’ll love Sahale Snacks. Using only natural and organic ingredients, Sahale takes various nuts and combines them with dried fruits and unique seasonings and spices. We’ve tried the Valdosta (pecans, cranberries, black pepper, and orange zest), Soledad (almonds, apples, flaxseed, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper), and Cashews (with pomegranate and vanilla) and have loved each of them equally.  The serving size on these snacks is 1/4 cup. However, if you can stop at just 1/4 cup, call me. That will make you one of the most disciplined individuals that I know!

Augusta’s Creations December 31, 2008

I l-o-v-e pimiento cheese. However, Casey doesn’t quite harvest those same feelings. This is why I don’t make pimiento cheese at home…because I couldn’t let it go to waste. I would feel obligated to eat it…ALL of it. At this year’s MCES, we stopped by Augusta’s Creations for a sample. This family-owned business is located in Charlotte, NC, and specializes in pimiento cheese, buttermilk pie, and chicken pot pie. I know that sounds like a totally random selection, but if you think about it, these are all wonderful southern comfort foods. We sampled their jalepeño pimiento cheese and instantly fell head over heels.  If you’re not a fan of spicy, then don’t worry because the jalepeño doesn’t add spice, it just enhances the flavor.  As a matter of fact, it enhances the flavor so much so that Casey and I were fighting for the last bite! This snack is rather inexpensive running about $5.99 for a 1/2 pound tub…which won’t last long, at least in our house. The only kicker is the $25 shipping. Why so high, you ask? Well, the pimiento cheese is perishable and must be shipped in a cooler.

As a side note, it can be spelled pimento or pimiento (my personal preference).

Wissie Cakes December 30, 2008

Wissie Cakes is a family-owned Viginia Beach-based bakery named after the family’s Grandmother Wilson. Their pound cakes are to die for! They are melt-in-your-mouth moist, and my personal picks are the almond pound cake and the coconut pound cake. I am often chastised because of my love of fruitcake, but if there’s a chance that you can be turned…Wissie can do it! We purchased one of each of the three flavors mentioned above and, in our household, they didn’t last for long. For the ridiculously low price of $6.95 per loaf, there’s no reason you shouldn’t indulge. Besides there are still a few days left before you have to follow through on those New Year’s resolutions!