The Gladiator Jewelry Collection by Salt + Stone - it's Scandal-ous

The Gladiator Jewelry Collection by Salt + Stone - it's Scandalously Good!

On Saturday (11-30-13) and Sunday  (12-1-13), gemologist and jewelry designer, Jacqueline Stone, owner of  Salt + Stone, will be showcasing her beautiful line of jewelry at the SoNo Marketplace in South Norwalk CT, just in time for holiday shopping. Think Small Business Saturday! The SoNo Market Place is located at 314 Wilson Avenue, South Norwalk, Connecticut 06854

Stone, a Fairfield county native currently residing in New York, is thrilled to be heading to Connecticut this weekend to participate in the SoNo Market Place.  

And why wouldn't she be? 

After all, it's the perfect union between this European style-marketplace with their eclectic pop-up shops, eateries, food purveyors, and artists --- and Stone's innovative and sophisticated artistic jewelry designs.

Salt + Stone originated as purveyors specializing in wedding bands and engagement rings. Here's a sample of  some of the beautiful wedding sets and rings available on their website: www.saltandstone.com.

Photos used with permission
More Engagement Rings available at:
http://www.saltandstone.com/collections/engagement-rings

If you are looking for a truly unique engagement ring, or a beautifully set stone to celebrate a special occasion, designer Stone will work with clients to create a one of a kind custom piece and notes,

“I want to create beautiful jewelry that makes an impact: body, mind and soul. Fine jewelry is an asset that appreciates over time and captures powerful memories. I want to be a part of people’s stories.”

There certainly is a story in each and every one of Jacqueline Stone's pieces. I can just imagine the heart-warming tales that accompany every proposal and engagement. But the "Olivia Pope" in me doesn't want an engagement ring right now. No, the Olivia Pope in me is a Gladiator, and is looking for something strong and striking, that represents who I am, and where I want to be.

And that's why I adore Salt + Stone's simple yet striking lines from their Gladiator collection.

Inspired by Moorish architecture in Morocco, Stone was intrigued with the symbols on buildings and doors. Its strong lines reminded her of the ancient gladiators. Her research led her to find that gladiators originated as prisoners of royalty in various kingdoms. They were forced to fight as entertainment for the masses, and fought with such dignity that they ultimately became heroes.

Photos used with permission
Additional Gladiator Items available at:
http://www.saltandstone.com/collections/gladiator-collection

Stone believes the gladiators' earned respect translates to real women today who are stepping into the "Colosseum of Life" with style and grace. Just like the beautiful actress Kerry Washington, star of the ABC smash hit Scandal. She's the third* African American woman in television history to be a lead actress, and the first to star in "a show that represents a new era of post-racial television, in which cast members are ethnically diverse but are not defined by their race or ethnicity" (Vega, 2013).

And yes, Washington  is doing it with the same style and grace that Stone's Gladiator collection embodies.

Source: Wikipedia
Photo by David Shankbone

Can't you just see the ever fashionable Kerry Washington wearing these ultra-chic earrings and bangles with a classic ivory Olivia Pope outfit?  I can!

If you're in the market for a stunning piece of jewelry, an engagement ring, or want to reward yourself for your non-Scandalous strong sensibility, look no further than Salt + Stone and one of Jacqueline Stone's unique designs.

Photos used with permission
Additional Rings Available at:
http://www.saltandstone.com/collections/rings

This holiday season, as part of "Small Business Saturday" and "Cyber Monday" - I'll be shopping to support local small businesses. I hope you will be too!

Let's start with....

Salt + Stone

http://www.saltandstone.com/

Email:   info@saltandstone.com

Phone:   917.405.7244 

Like them on facebook here: facebook/saltandstonejewelry
Follow them on twitter here @saltandstone

Happy Shopping!

And, somebody please tell the cowboy that starfish ring is calling my name!!!

Disclaimer: The Gladiator Collection is not affiliated with Kerry Washington, the television show Scandal, ABC, or its affiliates. All opinions expressed in this article are my own. 

*1974 Theresa Graves in Get Christie Love
 1968 Diahann Carroll in Julia

Bistro B - American Bistro and Wine Bar in Bridgeport CT

Media Promotional Event

Real estate developer Steve Montello, Executive Chef and Owner, Jason Milanese, and Chef de Cuisine, Joseph Italiano, show their commitment to the city of Bridgeport with the opening of the delightful Bistro B, an American Bistro and Wine Bar.

Chef Jason and staff greet us at Bistro B

As part of a recent promotional event, the cowboy and I got to experience the delicious offerings available at this wonderful American Bistro and Wine Bar. And as soon as I walked in, I was "wowed" by the custom towering white cabinetry behind the bar. Clean, sleek, modern, and bright, it added a touch of airiness and organization to the overall bar station.

Tables are thick, upholstery is leather-bound and luxurious, the only drawback to the decor, is the exclusively high top tables throughout the restaurant. While some welcome the bistro / bar feeling this type of seating evokes, I tend to find it not terribly comfortable. While I'm not short in stature by any means, I still feel like I have to climb up to my seat to eat. A minor drawback, but the good thing - even the booths have "feet rests" - so while you are sitting a little high, you do have an area to comfortably rest your feet.

I started with a delicious Lemon Drop Martini, prepared by...are you ready for this? My niece-in-law, once removed. Don't even ask how I've come up with that family-designation, but take if from me, Kim, the bartender, is related to the cowboy, and she and I were both equally thrilled when we discovered the connection.

Kim prepares a perfectly executed Lemon Drop

The Lemon Drop was perfectly prepared; tart and delicious, and the sugared rim was the frosting on the cake, uh, er, cocktail!

We then moved on to some quick appetizers:  Chicken Lollipops, with a house-made barbecue glaze and blue cheese dressing. House Cured Salmon, with star anise pickles, horseradish mustard creme, and brown bread. BLT Sliders, an innovative use of the "B" for bacon, using braised pork belly, Roma tomatoes, and iceburg lettuce, with a maple aioli sauce.

Chicken Lollipops, House Cured Salmon, BLT Sliders

Loved, loved, loved, the pork belly in the BLT slider. It was delicious, and a clever take on the American classic.

We then moved to our table to continue our dining experience.

We started with a lamb's lettuce salad made with crispy fried artichokes, served with a roasted garlic hummus.

Lambs Lettuce and Crispy Fried Artichokes

We then sampled the Potato and Onion Encrusted Halibut, with forest mushroom ragout, and asparagus tips truffle.This was easily the cowboy's favorite of the night, though he was skeptical of the potato and onion mix crust, he devoured it and declared it a winning combo!  And lucky me, because he's neither a mushroom or asparagus lover, I got to have double helpings of those sides, mine and his! Just look at the broth below...and you'll get an inkling of how yummy it was!

Potato and Onion Encrusted Halibut

Next on the menu was Roasted Hangar Steak, served with pommes frittes, roasted pears, and stringed beans. This was easily one of our groups' favorites items of the night. Cooked perfectly to a medium rare, and sliced diagonally, it was truly a flavorful cut.

Roasted Hangar Steak

Next on our tasting was the Pork Schnitzel with cucumber salad mustard honey pan roast. This was one of my favorites of the night, the delicate crust outside was a great contrast to the tender pork cutlet inside. The cucumber salad was a tangy cole-slaw like side, and added a bright flavor profile to the dish.

Pork Schnitzel

Last up for entrees was Chicken Fried Chicken, a crispy Amish Chicken breast, with black pepper gravy, and cinnamon spiced carrots. This was hands down my favorite! I think it was probably the BEST fried chicken I've ever had. Crispy well seasoned crust on the outside, and moist and juicy chicken on the inside
.

Chicken Fried Chicken

A recurring theme for all of the food served was the perfect crusty coating allowing all of the food to stay flavorful. Bistro B scores high on "the sear" and "crust" allowing all of the proteins to retain their natural juices and flavors.

Last, was coffee and dessert, and Bistro B scored high there, too! Miniature French coffee presses were delivered to our tables, along with a butterscotch pudding, flour-less chocolate cake, baked on premise Madelines, and vanilla bean ice cream.

HEAVEN on a plate!

A wonderful happy ending to an equally wonderful meal!

Bistro B - Coffee and Dessert

This will certainly be one of our "must stops" when in the area, and we are already planning a return trip there!

Service was friendly, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations on additional items we should experience on our return trip (the duck confit!).

Bistro B is easily accessible from Connecticut's I-95, and, when we were there on a Tuesday evening, there was plenty of on street parking available.

I hope Bistro B will be a "must stop" for you too!

Open Tuesday-Saturday for dinner only 5-11 pm.

Closed Sunday and Monday

Bistro B - American Bistro and Wine Bar

1006 Broad Street

Bridgeport, CT 06604

203-908-4224

On the Web: http://www.bistrob.net/ 

And just prior to our visit to Bistro B, we stopped into their sister restaurant Barnum Publick House.
Check out our info from Barnum, HERE

Disclaimer: We were invited to this promotional  sampling at Bistro B by members of Bistro B's Management and Marketing Team, however, the views and opinions expressed herein are our own.

Parallel Post in the Trumbull Marriott, Trumbull CT

In celebration of their upcoming one-year anniversary in the Trumbull Marriott, Parallel Post Restaurant is launching not one, but TWO special events.

Beginning on Monday, November 18th, the restaurant will begin a "lunch club" where patrons can sign up for a complimentary loyalty punch card. For every fifth punch, participants will receive a special, such as a free appetizer, a free sandwich, or a percentage reduction off their lunch.

Also in November 2013, is the "Pals of the Post" Dinner", a one night only, five course dinner, featuring craft beers by Two Roads Brewery, wines from Connecticut Distributors, cocktails featuring Onyx Spirits, and after dinner coffee cocktails made featuring Shearwater Coffee Roaster products.  Remember, this is one night only, on November 20th. Contact farmtotrumbull@gmail.com for reservations or more information.

Cocktails bottled specially for our event
"Blog-This-Libation" - A muddled strawberry, gin, and rosemary infused cocktaild
Created by "BootLegGreg" 

At a recent fall happy hour promotion in conjunction with Parallel Post and Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine.com  I was able to meet Parallel Post's Executive Chef Chris Molyneux, who began his culinary career at my old high school mate, Paul Patrigani's place, the Captain's Galley in West Haven. Chef Chris is a strong proponent of the Farm to Table movement, honed at the Captain's Galley where Paul emphasized the support the community approach. Chef de Cuisine, Ali Goss, whose pumpkin apple ravioli I had loved at the Greenwich Food+Wine Fest, also met with our group, and I couldn't wait to compliment her on the innovative use of local ingredients.

Here's some of the samples we nibbled on during our visit.

Housemade Chips with Feta Dill Dip
Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dip

Great bar grub - crispy chips and buffalo wings

Parsnip Soup
Smoked fish spread on grilled peasant bread

Hearty Parsnip Soup and Smoked Fish Spread

We then headed into the dining room to close out our visit with dinner and cocktails.

I chose the Moon Goddess made with Onyx Spirits Moonshine, and tablemates Alicia and Renato went with the Craft Beer Bar Flight.

Moon Goddess - Beer Flight

I decided to stick with some of the lighter offerings, and went with the Norman Bloom Clams BLT with Smoked Benton Bacon, Grilled Romaine, and Spicy Tomato Broth, I also ordered a side of their Crispy Brussells Sprouts with Lemon Oil.

Another tablemade, Wendy, ordered the Adult Grilled Cheese made on flaxseed bread with truffle oil, brie, smoked onion, and pear chutney. Shared at the table were Fire Roasted Copps Island Oysters, with preserved lemon butter and smoked bacon.

The Parallel Post is a great destination, easily accessible off the Merritt Parkway in Trumbull CT. Lucky for me, I do a lot of shopping in that area, and I know this will be on my list of places to stop when out and about in Trumbull.  Seating is comfortable, the vibe is chic modern, and portions were large. Win * Win * Win !

I hope you make it one of your destinations too!

Parallel Post Restaurant

180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull Ct 06611

Phone/Reservations  203-380-6380

Located in the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway

On the Web: http://parallelpostrestaurant.com/

Like them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/ParallelPost

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/ParallelPostCT

Disclaimer: I was invited to this media event by the publishers of Connecticut Lifestyle Magazine and Parallel Post Management.  Appetizers were complimentary. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Barnum Publick House in Bridgeport CT

Media Event - November 2013

This week Barnum Publick House in Bridgeport CT held a small promotion to feature some of their delicious appetizers and specialty cocktails.

This was my first time there and I absolutely loved the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. It features a good sized bar and a small L-shaped dining room, with an open and airy feeling.

There were plenty of signature cocktails available on the menu, each designed by house bartender "BootlegGreg," but I was intrigued by one of the new offerings, a Pumpkin Cocktail made with real pumpkins and Tanduay Rum. While it was very good, I thought presentation could be pumped up a notch with an herbed garnish (maybe a rosemary sprig?) or a spiced cinnamon and sugar rim.

Pumpkin Cocktail

We sampled some of Barnum Publick House's renowned appetizers, the Stonington Calamari, Lump Crab Cakes, and Short Rib Nachos.

Barnum House Appetizers

Each of the appetizers were very good, with a slight differentiation from their traditional namesakes. The Stonington Calamari. were made in a spicy flour, with a sweet chili sauce for dipping. The Short Rib Nachos were made with a sweet seasoned shortribs, jalapenos, tomatoes,  creamy cheese sauce, sour cream, and, instead of the typical corn tortilla chips, these were made of Barnum Publick House's made on premise Potato Chips.  The Lump Crab Cakes were probably my favorite appetizer served at Barnum, made with lots of lump crabmeat, warm corn relish, lemon, and served on drizzled tartar sauce.

Barnum Publick House

For dinner, we moved down the street to Bistro B, sister restaurant to Barnum Publick House. More on our review of Bistro B HERE.

The Barnum Publick House is a great place to stop for lunch, happy hour, or dinner, and serves up some great American Pub Fare at affordable prices.

Barnum Publick House

1020 Broad Street

Bridgeport, CT 

203.690.1044

,

Support the New Covenant House - Stamford CT's Soup Kitchen

Economic hardship does not discriminate. It hits hard in all communities. 

As we head into the holiday season, and this month of giving thanks, it is so important to remember to support those less fortunate than ourselves. Although my own little household has also been hit fairly hard financially, and we find ourselves cutting back on non-essentials, we're still thankful and fortunate for the blessings we do have: a roof over our heads, nutritious food on the table, relatively good health, and of course, our spiritually rich friendships, family, and relationships.  

We are truly blessed in that department, and try to help and give back whenever we can.That's why, when I heard about the New Covenant House Harvest Table Fundraiser this month, I quickly responded YES!

New Covenant House (NCH) is Stamford’s only soup kitchen, providing meals seven days a week to qualified residents who are no longer able to feed themselves or their families. NCH also maintains a food pantry, working closely with local  food banks, care providers, meal delivery and churches.

Several times a year the organization holds fundraisers to help offset the cost of the 700,000+ meals they serve a year.  This year, their 3rd Annual Harvest Table Event was held at The Italian Center, 1620 Newfield Ave., Stamford, CT. 

In addition to the money used to support their meal program, they are seeking funds to move to a nearby location, larger in size, to accommodate their growing needs.

In addition to the ticket admission, attendees were asked to donate non-perishable items. Here's a sample of the donated items that were collected  before the event even started! 

Non-Perishable Donations

A great turnout of over 240 attendees was on hand to bid on the silent auction featuring 325+ wonderful items and experiences that were donated.

Over 300 Items for a Silent Auction

In addition, there was much support from the Harvest Table Sponsors and the many Market Place Demonstrators.

(L) Marna's Organic Baby Food from Garden Fresh Baby
(R) Kale Salda and Kale Smoothie from LaRocca's Family Market

Clockwise from Left
Cafe Oo-la-la , Maple Bourbon Treats from  Sweet Treasures, Holistic Teas from Sabita Teas

Pottery Barn

Margaret Sapir and the artisan breads from Wave Hill Breads

Irene Theriot's treats from Befores to Afters
Who needs an entree when you can have such delicious appetizers and desserts!

Ann Robertson from Dirt Floral

Welcoming Remarks

Women Entrepreneurs Panel Discussion by
The women behind Moo Chocolate and Red Bee Honey.
Moderated by Linda from The New England Culinary Group

New Covenant House's mission is: “to provide a nutritious meal to all those who are hungry. By creating a safe, warm and compassionate environment, we are taking the first steps toward empowering men, women, and children to reach their full potential and regain their dignity and self-respect.”

Won't you take a minute today to help this wonderful organization?

New Covenant House

90 Fairfield Avenue 

PO Box 10883 

Stamford, CT 06904

203.964.8228

On the Web: http://nchstamford.org/

Eat at Saugatuck Craft Butchery Westport CT and Help our Veterans

Eat at Craft Butchery, Help our Veterans

Press Release: November 8, 2013, Westport, CT:  

22 Veterans commit suicide each day according to the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.  Please help support charities aiming to bring that number to zero.

On Tuesday November 12th (Meatless Monday is on the 11th), Saugatuck Craft Butchery (SCB) of Westport will donate $1 from every lunch item ordered to four amazing and diverse veterans groups: Wounded Warrior Project, Hope for Warriors, The 296 Project and Warrior Canine Connection. 

SCB’s new location across the street from their original market now includes a café, serving a weekly, seasonally changing lunch menu. Some customer faves have included:

CRAFT CLASSIC BURGER (pink or not pink)

American or cheddar cheese, house bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, seeded brioche bun

SIMPLE BURGER

Dry-aged beef, over easy Speckled Rooster Farm egg

CRISPY BBQ PORK

Apple cabbage slaw, sour pickles, Hudson Bakery toasted onion roll

16 HOUR CHIPOTLE SMOKED BRISKET

Maple-sriracha spread, garden scallions and cilantro

BASIL CHICKEN WRAP

Pesto marinated chicken, garden lettuce, beefsteak tomatoes

ROASTED BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

 Garden kale, fennel, aged balsamic vinaigrette

AUTUMN VEGETABLE

Baby arugula, Cortland apples, heirloom carrots, kabocha and butternut squash, creamy cider vinaigrette

So grab a great lunch and help support America's returning warriors.

* In conjunction with American Made Matters and metalshopct.com

Saugatuck Craft Butchery, an old-fashioned butcher shop with modern-day ideals. SCB celebrates the skill and tradition of butchering through their unique selection of premium quality meats. Dedicated to exclusively carrying pasture-raised meat from small, local farms that share their values of quality and sustainability, SCB sources whole animals and follows a nose-to-tail philosophy, using every part of the animal.

Saugatuck Craft Butchery / 580 Riverside Ave / Westport, CT / 

Wine on 9 in the Historic 9th Square - New Haven CT

This month, on Friday, November 1st, I participated in a Wine on 9, (#WineOn9) event consisting of a "wine crawl" to various merchants, restaurants, and organizations in the 9th Square New Haven.

Poster by Thomas Drew
Source: On9NewHaven

At just $15.00 a ticket, this was indeed a bargain and all who participated received a keepsake wine glass for sampling, a map of the participating merchants in the neighborhood, and some delicious wine tastings from the Wine Thief.

New Haven’s Historic 9th Square district is quickly becoming the downtown destination for New Haven, featuring great art, food, music, and cultural activities.

Best of all, this eclectic neighborhood provides the backdrop for First Fridays On9 in New Haven.


First Fridays On9 are open-house evenings that are running through December 2013 and feature creative events showcase the wide array of shops, restaurants, marketplaces, homes, and cultural centers in the historic 9th Square neighborhood. The On9 activities typically happen between 6:00PM and 8:00PM. If you'll remember, in September we attended the #BreatheOn9 event that featured the amazing designer Neville Wisdom's Fall Fashion Show. (Read about it HERE)

Wine On Nine

I met up with friends Wendy and Greg, publishers of the online magazine Connecticut Lifestyles (http://connecticutlifestyles.com/) and together we visited a few of the participating merchants in the Orange Street / Crown Street area.

We started at one of my favorite restaurants, Bentara, where we sampled some Carmenet Pinot Noir,

Bentara - Carmenet Pinot Noir

We then moved on to our next stop at Palmieri Brasil where we sampled some Eyzaguirre Merlot.

Palmieri Brasil - Eyzaguirre Merlot

We then headed over to Neville Wisdom's Boutique where we sampled Ananto Macabeo.

Neville Wisdom's Boutique - Ananto Macabeo

Our next stop was Graffio Jewelers were we sampled my favorite of the evening, a Pfeffingen Riesling.

Graffio Jewelers - Pfeffingen Riesling

Although there were many more places to visit, as well as an informative final wine talk at the sponsoring Wine Thief, I ended my WineOn9 Tour at Thali, where Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio was served.

Thali - Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio

All in all it was a wonderful evening walking through the 9th Square with friends and visiting with the local merchants.

Greg and Wendy carried on and visited several other establishments, and I so regretted that I wasn't feeling well and able to keep up with them.

I'm certainly hoping that this event will be a repeat every year! I was pleasantly surprised that retail organizations, in addition to restaurants and wine purveyors, were participating. Many of the venues were also offering some light snacks to nibble on and pair with the wine, which was a great addition, and always encouraged when indulging with any alcoholic beverages.

Photo Source: Cookies On 9 New Haven

Next up for the final 2013 First Friday On9 Events will be Cookies On 9 (#CookiesOn9) being held on Friday, December 6, 2013.

Cookies will be baked by students in the culinary arts program at Gateway Community College.




Tickets are limited and are $25.00, click HERE to purchase yours!

Proceeds from tickets will benefit the “Neighbors in Need” dinner hosted by Gateway Community College Foundation.

Also happening that night will be an art exhibition sponsored by Reynolds Fine Art | 96 Orange Street | New Haven, titled Small Works, an exhibition of eclectic and diverse mediums, from metals to encaustics. And fun Christmas pictures with a zombie Santa (apparently zombies are hot this year - thank you walking dead) at Lipgloss Crisis Photography and Art. (Cost of pictures $10.00)

I hope to see you there! 

Barcelona Wine Bar for New Haven Restaurant Week Fall 2013

It's a favorite time of year for many. The fall leaves are beautiful, the weather is crispy cool and clear, and, although it's sad that the days are shorter because of daylight savings time; darkness at 5:00pm for some reason stimulates my appetite.

And it couldn't have happened at a better time - it coincides with New Haven's Fall Restaurant Week, running 11-3-13 through 11-8-13.You can see a list of participating restaurants HERE.

This week is incredibly busy for me, but my niece Nicole was in town this weekend, and we managed to sneak some time for ourselves and make our way to downtown New Haven and visit a new dining experience for both of us, Barcelona Wine Bar on Temple Street!

Mural in Barcelona's Dining Room

I'll admit. I was a little leery when we first got there at around 5:30pm on Sunday evening.  There were some emergency vehicles who had closed off Temple Street,  parking was difficult, and the restaurant itself is not very well marked. I knew it was next to the Omni Hotel, but there didn't seem to be a sign anywhere. And, the door to the restaurant is almost hidden. In spite of ourselves, we found it!

The hidden doorway!

The restaurant was pretty busy and despite having made reservations, we had to sit at a small two-top squeezed between two four-tops. I'm all about sitting and eating in comfort...so I felt a little claustrophobic sandwiched between two larger tables. We contemplated leaving the dining room and moving to the bar but eventually decided to stay where we were.

 It didn't help that I also didn't understand how Barcelona was offering their version of restaurant week, our waiter Ryan mentioned something about pick two here, or four here, or only one here. I was a bit confused, but after I had a few minutes to look over the menu, and he returned with my cocktail, a Lemon Something prepared by one of Barcelona's amazing bartenders, I had a better understanding of the menu, and Ryan was able to better explain how I could order Barcelona's version of the Prix Fixe Meal. And of course, it also helped that the Lemon Something, prepared with my new favorite, Licor 43, was amazing. I'm afraid I don't know what else was in it, but it was delightful, a lemony version of an orange creamcicle. So. Good.

Lemon Something at Barcelona Wine Bar New Haven
Made with Licor 43

Nicole decided not to go with the restaurant week offerings and ordered the Crispy Calamari and for an entree the  Ribeye a la Plancha. I was a thoughtful dining companion and didn't ask Nicole if I could take pictures of her ribeye. See. I'm not such a bad aunt after all!

I ordered three items off the Tapas section as my Prix Fixe Restaurant Week offering, and saved my fourth selection for dessert.

 Crispy Calamari and Pear Salad as "appetizers"

(L) Crispy Calamari with Smoked Pepper Aioli
(R) Pear Salad with Aragula, Chopped Pistachios and Valdeon Cheese

Both were absolutely delicious. The calamari was perfectly cooked, well-portioned, and the smoked Pepper Aioli for dipping was out of this world. The pear salad was delicious. The fresh fruit combined with the nuts and cheese. Heaven!

...Grilled Lamb Chops for my "entree"

Grilled Lamp Chops with Arugula and Romesco

Life. Changing. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly and well rested. The salty grilled outer coating, the medium rare meat on the inside, all combined with the peppery arugula, and the tangy Romesco sauce was an amazing flavor combination. The Romesco was the perfect blend of bitxo peppers, roasted nuts and garlic, fused together with a light oil. Mucho Bueno!

And for "dessert" - Tres Leches, while Nicole sipped on her sherry that accompanied her ribeye. Don't you just love a restaurant that pairs a sherry with a meal!

Tres Leches and Amontillado, Medium, Pedro Romero Sherry

The Tres Leches was amazing. Sweet, eggy sponge cake saturated with even sweeter condensed milk. So rich and creamy sweet that you don't think you can stand it. BUT YOU DO!!! Each bite was so good!

Nicole had never tasted sherry before, and she ended up loving the combination of the nutty richness and the light citrus flavors. Her words - "it's like cracking open a walnut and drinking it!"

Each course that was served got better and better, and in spite of my original crankiness, we ended up loving the casual intimacy of dining of Barcelona Wine Bar and we can't wait to go back again!  Service was great with only a slight wait for our check, which allowed us time to chat after dinner and catch up with one another. Food was terrific and neither of us could stop talking about how delicious everything we ordered was!

Don't hesitate to visit Barcelona Wine Bar - just look for the hidden door on Temple Street!

Barcelona Wine Bar

155 Temple St.

 In the Omni New Haven Hotel

 New Haven, CT 06510

 Tel: 203.848.3000

On the Web: http://barcelonawinebar.com/newhaven.htm

Like them on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barcelonaNH

Follow them on twitter: https://twitter.com/BarcelonaWineBa

Have you been to any of the Barcelona Wine Bars in Washington DC,  Atlanta GA, Brookline MA, New Haven, West Hartford, Fairfield, Greenwich, Stamford or  SouthNorwalk CT locations?

I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!