marTini Tuesday: Bahama Breeze Luscious Libations

I met my known-so-long-feels-like-a-sis pal S the other night for dinner at Bahama Breeze in King of Prussia and it was great to catch up! We settled in the bar area for dinner- her with an applewood smoked bacon burger and me with lobster and shrimp pasta, our meals were heavenly...but I know, I know, you want to know what I drank!

Dear readers, I will not disappoint you, for a had the Strawberry Fusion Martini. Made with Van Gogh Vanilla, X-Rated Fusion liqueur, a splash of Sweet and Sour all blended beautifully with real strawberry puree.

 

This martini was thick with flavor and bits of the strawberries, as straining it would have kept out most of the essence. It was garnished with a sweet strawberry to add even more fun to the martini! It also took a while to drink, was cold, sweet but not cloyingly so, and very delicious. I recommend this martini to all, it compliments any meal and tastes great!

 

 

 

After Thanksgiving & Shopping, Relax at Maggiano's Little Italy KoP

Bring it on weekend: Maggiano’s Little Italy KoP is ready!

Thanksgiving is upon us, and while we are so excited for turkey and stuffing, there are many good vittles to be enjoyed over the holiday weekend.

If you are hard-core Black Friday shopping at the King of Prussia Mall or want a night out to relax after cooking an enormous turkey, look no further- Maggiano’s Little Italy King of Prussia to the rescue!

The décor is immensely soothing, with old-school jazz playing, warm wall tones, dark-wood tables and chairs, and the smiles of the servers just for you. When I arrived, I bellied up to the bar and ordered a mojito or two, which was delicious and fresh, quenching my thirst. The club soda, mint, lime and rum were an excellent combo. My dinner companion enjoyed a crisp glass of chardonnay.

 

Once we were ensconced in a cozy booth that over looked the dining area, our super-cool waitress Vera brought us pear bruschetta to enjoy- crisp and savory, this was a great start to our meal.

 

My dinner companion enjoyed the shrimp polenta- this flavorful entrée was full of plump juicy shrimp and vegetables over polenta.

 

I tried the Rigatoni D, but with shrimp and chicken. This savory cream sauce over rigatoni was just fantastic!

Oh boy...now to make room for dessert. We shared the tasty tiramisu with rich cream and chocolate as well as the creamy sweet pumpkin cheesecake, with soothing cappuccino.

 

Maggiano’s KoP offers a sweet happy hour from 3-6pm with various premium drinks at – you guessed it $3-6! Maggiano’s Little Italy also offers space for events, weddings, dinners and banquets.

So relax after Thanksgiving, shopping (if you are out there!), or just feeling the need to celebrate everything or nothing, go out and enjoy some delicious Italian food.

Mangia!

 

 

marTini Tuesday: Creating a Thanksgiving Pumpkin Martini

So, here we are in another edition of marTini Tuesday! Just a few days before Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all I have- actually I am thankful and grateful for what I have year round, but I'm just spelling it out for y'all today.

Things I am immensely grateful for:

• My immediate family: Maman, Dadu, Budman and his fiancée Ms, and Meem
• My friends: I'm so lucky to have so many amazing friends that I cannot name them all, but they know who they are and have supported me through some incredibly rough times, especially recently. I try to do a lot for my friends and I really appreciate those who take time for me, listen, ask me to hang out and spend time with them, and just laugh and have fun with. Having just one friend is a gift, having many is a blessing.
• Having a job. To work and support myself in a way that I love is satisfying and soothing. Of course, nothwithstanding, I work way TOO much, but that's ok. That beach house ain't gonna buy itself.
• My kitteh. No words can describe this gorgeous spicey meatball. Just luv.
• A house and car, nothing fancy, but they are mine.
• Being able to write and share my travels and fun with you, my readers!

I've been on the hunt for a pumpkin martini and many places seem to run of of the pumpkin vodka or puree so I've decided to take it upon myself to create the best one I can make.

Most of these fall flavor concoctions take on the likes of pumpkin pie- pumpkin vodka or vanilla vodka, caramel vodka or liqueur, pumpkin puree, ginger ale, Kahlua, cream, milk or half and half, and a spice to round it out- nutmeg, vanilla sugar and my favorite, cinnamon.

A few friends sent me recipes to try, and after playing with the ingedients, I think I have one.

I think I created a pretty delicious libation here, if I do say so myself!

I went with some vanilla vodka, pumpkin puree, a shot of ginger ale made from my SodaStream, Godiva caramel liquor and cinnamon. I call it Engchik’s Pumpkin Pie Martini! Enjoy!

Hope you have much to be thankful for, and Happy Thanksgiving from Engchik and have a wonderful weekend!!!!!!

marTini Tuesday: Peddler's Village Martinis (hint, there is apple involved!)

marTini Tuesday

If you are in Bucks County and in Peddler's Village, you must stop at the Buttonwood Grill for a bite to eat and some amazing drinks.

Buttonwood is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a charming airy atmosphere that reminds you you to settle down and relax once in a while.

I had the hot apple cider before dinner, and made with cider, buttershots and Svedka vanilla, this was a warming, delicious pre-dinner drink!

Across the street at the seasonal and swanky Earl's Bucks County, I enjoyed some of the freshest food I have ever had the pleasure of tasting, and I enjoyed a Spiced Caramel Apple martini.

Created lovingly with Domaine de Canton, Pearl Caramel vodka, apple cider and lemon juice, this drink was refreshing and tasty- with all the flavors of fall.

So if you are looking for some fall fun, go to Peddler's Village and enjoy one today!

And don't miss their Grand Illumination this weekend, Friday November 16 from 6-10pm- winter wonderland starts here!

MarTini Tuesdays- Kickoff!

Hello my foodie friends!

Today I am kicking off a new segment to my blog: MartTini Tuesdays!

I simply adore a great drink, and so, I'll pay homage to my favorite liquor libations- in a martini glass, of course- every Tuesday!

Today is Election Day, so get out and VOTE and then have a drink! And by drink I mean martini.

Let's start with my refreshing pear martini from the Melting Pot in King of Prussia, PA. In addition to kick-ass cheese and chocolate and main-course fondues, this selection of restaurants offers amazing drinks to complement it's cheesy (or chocolaty or savory) goodness.

Pear vodka, fresh squeezed pear juice with a slice of ripened fruit was just so delicious, I couldn't help myself. I only had one, but I sure could have had another. Cold, icy smooth and sweet - but not too- it was a perfect end to a long day.

My friend was more in the mood for something sweet, so she opted for the S'mores Martini. Vodka, toasted marshmallow syrup, chocolate swirls filled the cold glass, while the rim was dusted with graham cracker crust. As the Pièce de résistance, were three skewed Oreo-covered marshmallows placed above the rim. She was pretty darn happy. Who needs the camping, we've got your s'more right here!

Do you have a favorite place for your martinis? Where? Tell me and it could be featured in MarTini Tuesdays!

November 2

Day 2- mini goal for today- going out and bringing a smile to my co-workers, and going to a benefit tonight that will help a fallen police officer's family.

make someone smile today!!!

Welcome November

So, November has arrived, and upon its opening is riding the coattails of the most horrific storm the East Coast has seen in quite some time, and at least in my active memory. Hurricane superstorm Sandy wrecked a lot of my beloved Avalon NJ, along with AC, LBI, Manhattan, and my little village next to Phoenixville. Its crazy, but we are cleaning up and trying to get power back and keep spirits up. Now that I have power back, I can focus on work, blogging amid some fall fun, as well as helping those in need.

Goals for November 2012
- Begin my barre/ballet classes
- Better weight training
-Work out at least 4 days a week

-Work harder at my job
-Write more
-Sleep more
-Spend more time w family and friends


What are your November Goals?