Sunday, September 20, 2009

Foodie Giveaway

It's definitely time for a giveaway folks, I have so many things to celebrate. My dear friend Allyson delivered Jack Thomas on Saturday evening and I couldn't be more excited for them. Woo Hoo, you did it girl!

I'm also just getting back into town from an overnight in Frisco, Texas where I was able to celebrate the engagement of a dear friend from college. And here's a shout out to the Bat Girls who made the party so much fun. You chicks rock and I can't wait to hang out with each of you in November at Holly's wedding in Mexico.

I returned to Austin Sunday around noon, just in time to crawl on the couch and snuggle under Jim's arm to watch football. I'm learning to be excited about football, but I was more happy to be home in his arms more than anything. Good to be home, with the dogs laying on either side of me, with small piles of laundry separated on the kitchen floor waiting to be washed and dried, with ESPN or some form of sports on TV, where I can go without makeup, wear my hair in a bun, and fall asleep under a blanket on the couch. There simply is no place like home.

Speaking of cool places, if you live in the Austin area then you must take note of a new (new to me) restaurant near Mopac and Lake Austin Blvd. I met some friends at Fabi + Rosi to enjoy their special Restaurant Week menu. The restaurant is tucked away in a neighborhood, where Zoot used to be located. It's adorably decorated in black and white (my fav) with crystal accents everywhere, although don't let me lead you to believe this is a stuffy place - extremely comfortable, a relaxed elegance.  For $25 per person you could choose one selection from the menu below:

Appetizers (choose one)
PORK BELLY
On a bed of spinach with walnuts, apples, and Blue de Aveurne

WILD ARRUGULA
With overnight tomatoes and shaved parmesan

HOUSE MADE CHICKEN LIVER PATÈ
Gewuertztraminer gelee and cornishons

Entrées (choose one)
JAEGER SCHNITZEL and SPATZLE
Local farm raised pork loin, German pasta, creamy wild mushroom sauce

LEMON VERBENA RAVIOLI
Hand made raviolis filled with a ricotta and herb blend, served in a light prosecco sauce topped with crawfish tails

BEEF TENDERLOIN
Truffled potato soufflé, chilled haricotes verts tomato salad

Desserts (choose one)
BELGIUM CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
TONKA BEAN CRÈME BRULEE
BEE STING CAKE
 
What would you have chosen? There were five of us eating together so I was lucky enough to taste everything except for the Wild Arugula Salad. The pork belly was very good, although I was slightly disappointed in the portion sizes. I left stuffed, so I hate to sound like a piggy (pun intended) but I was expecting to receive a slice of pork belly slightly smaller than a deck of cards with all the layers of melty deliciousness. Instead I received two slivers the size of a stick of gum that I thought may have been overcooked. I have to say the meat paired excellently with the Stryker Chardonnay that we were drinking. My favorite entree was the Lemon Verbena Ravioli and favorite side was the Truffled Potato Souffle - they were to die for. The Bee Sting Cake was great too, the almonds and honey atop the sponge cake tasted like a sweet brittle and then the bottom layer was a vanilla custard. oh yum...
 
Okay, enough of me going on and on about what I consumed at dinner tonight. In honor of my friend Allyson who gave birth to a sweet baby boy who I'm dying to meet, in honor of my friend Holly who is getting married in November, in honor of the Bat Girls who are super fun but frankly need to learn how to take a shot, and in honor of my new restaurant find and the deliciousness that they served to me tonight....
 

I'm giving away this cute gift basket which is stuffed with some neat chocolates, decadent cookies and some fun snacks. It's tied with a black and white ribbon too, which reminds me of Fabi + Rosi.

To enter yourself into the giveaway simply leave a comment on this post and let me know what you are celebrating this week. Brag a bit, on you or a friend or family member. We all have something to celebrate, even if it is that you simply remembered to brush your teeth before you ran out of the house this morning. Thank God I keep an emergency kit in my desk drawer with backup toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant.

One entry per person. Contest entry time ends on Tuesday, September 22 at 11:00 PM central time. I will select one entry using the random integer generator and the winner will be announced Wednesday morning along with my new favorite hamburger recipe. Ohhh, I can't wait to read what exciting news you have to share!

16 comments:

  1. Our youngest child is turning 20 on Tuesday. His Mom and I have certainly enjoyed the shenanigans of his teen years (and prior:-). The thing is for us it seems like a milestone and we think about when we did the same thing. Boy how times have certainly changed. His dinner of choice for the evening is Olive Garden for the endless pasta. We are all excited!

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  2. Celebrating the fact that two friends who have had major surgeries recently are doing well and are expected to make a full recovery!

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  3. Celebrating the fact that all the celebrating around here is over for awhile. After 15 birthdays (no lie) in the last 6 weeks, I'm ready for a break.

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  4. After being "homeless" for 3 weeks, our house was finally finished last week, and we got to move in over the weekend. So tonight, I get to go straight home, cook dinner for the first time in a month, and spend time with my hubby!!! Yay!

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  5. I'm celebrating 13 years with my best friend (and husband.) We met at a dorm cafeteria in college and have been together ever since.

    I'll also celebrate that you've given me a great idea for a sisters-in-law get-together. I've been racking my brain and would like to try Fabi + Rosi. Thanks!

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  6. I'm celebrating five years of being a breast cancer survivor this year and just glad to be here. Thanks ! I am blessed.

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  7. I'm celebrating my great Aunt's 92nd birthday, today! Wow, I just hope I live that long. How wonderful is that? Just think of all the things she has seen, and done with her life.

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  8. I'm celebrating the beginning of potty training my little boy. I don't know whether it's defeat at the moment but he's trying so hard. =)

    Jessirenae485@aol.com

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  9. I'm celebrating THREE things this week within three days! Ah. My birthday, our wedding anniversary, and then the hubs birthday! Oh my.

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  10. I'm celebrating a good grade on my Spanish test and the fact that a friend of mine had her baby boy and he's so beautiful and healthy.

    Thanks for the giveaway,
    Lauren

    lauren51990 AT aol DOT com

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  11. I am celebrating my first born and only daughter turning 12. I was devastated when I found out I was pregnant and like I mention on my blog, what I thought was my biggest mistake turned out to be my biggest blessing....she changed my life!!!

    www.mycrazycrazylifeingilbert.blogspot.com

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  12. I'm celebrating my best friends birthday. It's the first time in 5 years I get to spend it with her since we just moved back. I'm also celebrating my 3 yr starting preschool, not crying once, and no potty accidents :)

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  13. This week we are celebrating the fact that we are moving!
    We are moving to Boston, even though it's in 9-10 months.
    We have been celebrating every day this week :)

    Ashley
    Mandy I just love your blog, sorry we do need to get together for coffee somewhere.

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  14. I hoping to celebrate a cold taking leave.

    Chocolate will definitely help in any regard.

    Thanx for the giveaway!

    daldak01@yahoo.ca

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  15. I'm celebrating making it through the day! :) Hoping the medication the doctor prescribed my son today works wonders and excited that my friend is now cancer free!
    Mandy Nix
    stevenenix@comcast.net

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