Review - Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie - Portland, OR

Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie

After a 3 hour drive from Seattle to Portland our group was craving something sweet.  We had heard good things about a bakery in the Alberta Arts District, Garden Of Eden, or something like that.  So we decided to drive a little more to go there.  As we arrived at the bakery, we walked in, realized it was a Vegan bakery, and got terribly disappointed.  I'm not Vegan, so not down with the Vegan bakery - I've had bad experiences with Vegan Bakeries and their chickpea flour. ugh. It was pouring rain out, but we decided to walk down the street and see what we could find.  We were thinking that even a Starbucks would suffice.  

Review - Fresh Bistro - Seattle, WA

Fresh Bistro

Despite living only about 20 minutes away, I rarely make it over to West Seattle.  But the occasional stroll along California Avenue is great!   For a friend's birthday dinner, we went to Fresh Bistro.   We were with a group of about 20, and unfortunately we didn't get to sit together.  So good to note, this place isn't great for groups.  We were seated in an area with our tables near each other, but were turning our chair around to be able to talk to people at other tables.  

Review - Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream & Tea Room

Bluebird Homemade Ice Cream & Tea Room

With warm weather approaching (FINALLY!), cold treats are so tempting!  While wandering through Capitol Hill on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we hit the Broadway Farmer's Market, then Bluebird Ice Cream!  

Review - Cupcake Royale

Cupcake Royale Capitol Hill Location

Cupcake Royale

With 5 locations in the Seattle/Bellevue area, Cupcake Royale has become the biggest local cupcake brand... Each of the locations is unique, and adorable, as are the cupcakes!  The frosting can be a little too sweet, and it's very sugary.  The cake is good, and the flavors seem endless!

Review - Espressamente Illy - The Palazzo - Las Vegas, NV

Espressamente Illy

As I've stated on my blog before, my SO is a coffee snob - when we vacation he needs to find good coffee, although he will resort to Starbucks if that is his only choice.  He usually scopes out indie coffee houses with hipsters working as baristas, however, this appears to be something that is lacking in Las Vegas.

Review - Bouchon Bakery - Las Vegas, NV

Bouchon Bakery

I love that I don't have to go to Yountville to get a Bouchon Bakery fix...We visit Las Vegas frequently, and if we are at the Venetian, we stop at Bouchon Bakery.  Even if it's just for a giant Macaron or a Chocolate "Bouchon".  

Easter 2011 - Lunch and Cookie Decorating!

I wasn't raised in a religious family. And as much as I am aware that this will offend people, celebrating Easter really isn't much more than a commercial holiday to me - and I love to have an excuse to buy brightly colored decorations and get my family together!

Review - Trophy Cupcakes

Trophy Cupcakes

So in the past few years Cupcakeries have been popping up everywhere.  Every city I visit has some cupcake place claiming to be the best.  Crumbs and Magnolia in NYC, Trophy and Cupcake Royale in Seattle.  So far, Trophy Cupcakes is my favorite.

Review - Dahlia Bakery

Dahlia Bakery

Where does one find the best doughnuts in Seattle? Not at Top Pot.  Definitely not at Krispy Kreme.  They are at the Dahlia Bakery!  As you enter, you can smell the baked goodness of fresh breads wafting in the air.  You can pay more to have them served on a plate at Lola during brunch or at the Dahlia Lounge, but why?  Dahlia Bakery is right next door to Dahlia Lounge, and across the street from Lola, and a bag of 6 doughnuts is $6.  (used to be $5 not so long ago, but eh, inflation, no worries).

Review - A Piece Of Cake

A Piece Of Cake

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After Dim Sum at Jade Garden in the International District, we needed to pick up a last minute birthday cake.  My friend suggested we go to A Piece Of Cake.  I have driven by this place before but never stopped in to check it out.  But what a great hidden spot!

Review - Bouchon Bakery

Bouchon Bakery

As soon as you walk towards Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery, you can smell the sweetness wafting by.  Outside is an adorable ice cream tricycle.  I know I am far away from the city when I am in Yountville. 

Review - Tango Tapas Restaurant & Lounge

Tango Restaurant & Lounge

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I've been to Tango a bunch of times, but I have to admit, I don't really remember any of the food I've tried in the past, I only remember El Diablo, which I will discuss more below...   It's been about a year since I have dined at Tango so on a Sunday evening, while in the area, my SO and I decided to go for some small bites and El Diablo... Actually, the small bites was just a cop out.  We were going there for El Diablo.

Recipe - Monica's Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee

Monica's Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee

Recipe - Monica's Coconut Macadamia Toffee

Monica's Coconut Macadamia Toffee

Recipe - Monica's Rocky Road Toffee

Monica's Rocky Road Toffee

Recipe - Monica's Butter Toffee

Last Christmas I decided to try making toffee. My first attempt was using a recipe I found online and I failed miserably! After stirring the mixture constantly for about 45 minutes, I ended up with a sheet of wet burnt sugar and oil.  I felt discouraged, and didn't think I would ever be able to pull it off.   I learned that the separation of the sugar and oil is caused from several different factors.  If you don't stir enough, or if you stir too much.  Also if the temperature of the toffee is changed too drastically, like by pouring it on to a cold metal sheet pan, which is likely the mistake I made.  I started researching different techniques and after a couple of failed attempts, I finally came up with this version.  It's easy to do, no constant stirring, and so far, I haven't had the butter separation problem!

Monica's Butter Toffee

Pictures from L to R, Coconut Macadamia, Rocky Road, Dark Chocolate Pecan

Recipe - Triple Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

These cookies are the perfect chocolately indulgence.  They are chewy like a brownie and crispy like a cookie!  Instead of drizzling the white chocolate on top, I tried to make heart shapes, for the whole Valentine's Day theme, but the hearts didn't turn out so well.  I think that was a combination of my bad piping skills and the melted chocolate was too runny.  I'd opt for the drizzle next time for sure!

Triple Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies