Going beyond chocolates & flowers...

Have you ever seen those commercials for Edible Arrangements and wondered if they're really all they're cracked up to be? Let me be the first to tell you, if you're getting one from the Burlington location, they are! I had always wondered what they were like, and I guess at some point I mentioned that while watching their commercial. For Valentine's Day this year, my boy picked me up one of these. The fruit was fresh, perfectly arranged, and overall -- delicious! For a fruithead like me, it really ranks in the top ten gifts.

Stuffed Cupcakes for my Valentine

This year, I made some cupcakes inspired by these, except I made them more Valentine's Day friendly by adding CHOCOLATE!

I stuffed devil's food cupcakes with strawberries, and frosted them with vanilla buttercream.









































A new outlook on chocolate-covered strawberries. =)

Chocolatísimo dessert @ La Gloria de Montera

Pizza Jardín

If you're in the mood for pizza, check out Pizza Jardín (c/Goya, 5, and other locations). They, of course, have classic combinations, like sausage and onion, or mushroom pizza, but if you are in the mood for something a little more daring, you'd be in the right place. They have everything from the classic Margherita to the Cuatro Estaciones ("four seasons" -- tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, York ham, shrimp and tuna -- a regular item on pizza menus here), the Calzone (which includes olives and asparragus), the Piamontesa (goat cheese, onion confit and apple), the Jamaica (which includes roquefort and banana), the Texas (chicken & BBQ), and the Hawaiian Tropic (which has not only pineapple, but mandarin, too). Last night, I opted for La Cosa Nostra (tasty cheese pizza topped with stuffed mushrooms -- filled with ham & garlic), and my friend had the Texas. All in all, they have more than 25 different pizza options, as well as salads, pastas, entradas (apps), and fondues. Their desserts are quite tasty, too -- try the chocolate fondue with fresh fruit. =)

mini-bite :: Giuseppe Ricci

If you are in the mood for gelato or caffé, head over to Heladería Giuseppe Ricci. They have numerous gelatos (including cream and fruit flavors), coffee drinks, hot chocolate (a la taza y Cola Cao), crepes, muffins, donuts, pastries, and gofres (thick waffles with your choice of toppings). They also have mini desserts, called pecados (sins). Try the pecado tiramisú!

Bites in Sevilla

Last weekend, we went to Sevilla. I was looking forward to experiencing Andalucían food and culture, but to tell you the truth, we had some pretty bad food experiences (paella that barely resembled paella, for example) and had a hard time finding nightlife that didn't involve riot police...

However, two places shone through the smog:

At Café de Indias (one of their many locations), my friends enjoyed batidos de chocolate (chocolate milkshakes) and I had a marruccino (espresso, foamed cream, and cocoa) and a slice of delicious chocolate cake layered with cocoa mousse.

At Mario, an Italian restaurant, my friend had the gnocchi with salmon and I had a refreshing insalata caprese. Much better than that fake paella. =)

Pix from Café de Indias

mini-bite :: Cacao Sampaka

Visited Cacao Sampaka on calle Orellana, 4, today with a friend for some hot chocolate. She had the versión suizo (super smooth REAL hot chocolate with whipped cream), and I had the versión azteca (80% cacao with spices... super intense but delicious). They also serve a tradicional chocolate a la taza (70% cacao with cinnamon). Excellent...

Chocolatería San Ginés

We've visited Chocolatería San Ginés a few times now. They are famous for their chocolate a la taza (thick, delicious hot chocolate) and churros. They also have other drinks, like coffee and tea infusions, but the chocolate is to die for. As for food, they have porras (fried dough similar to churros) and a few different bizcochos (tea cakes). They're open some nights until 6am.

Tiramisú de Turrón

MyDessert @ Ginger on Saturday Night
(two chocolate fondue for my friend)

Do you... fondue?

What a New Year's celebration! Last night my boy and I got together with some friends (and their dogs!!!) for a fondue night... We started off with a cheese fondue made with a tomme from Willow Hill Farm. For dipping -- fingerling taters, broccoli, carrots, bread cubes, apple wedges, chicken bites, and mini smoked sausages. We finished with champagne and a chocolate ganache fondue. For dipping -- shortbread, green grapes, strawberries, bing cherries, orange segments and apple wedges. Talk about a great ending to 2007!