The title is a nod to the “before and after” category on Wheel of Fortune. I’m a proud game show nerd.
Though I admit to having a slightly irrational fear of flying (nothing a good cocktail can’t cure…) it is amazing that through the magic of air travel, I can be in Chicago for lunch and, four hours later, arrive in paradise for dinner with Mama Bender.
I’m in Arizona for the long weekend and excited to hang out with the fam. While waiting for my brother to finish his work at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center, my mom and I hit up True Food Kitchen for a “truly” delicious meal.
We kicked things off with a pair of Cucumber-Citrus Skinny Margaritas. These were made with Casa Noble Silver Organic Tequila, lime, fresh mint, soda and orange. They really hit the spot!
We decided to keep the “twin” theme with our meals, too, starting with a half bowl of miso soup made with wild mushrooms and scallions. By far one of the best miso soups I’ve ever had.
We also shared two appetizers: edamame dumplings with daikon radish and white truffle oil…
…and herb hummus with pita bread, tomato, onion and feta cheese. I honestly can’t say enough good things about each. The edamame dumplings were so unique (the stuffing was literally puréed edamame beans), and the hummus portion was generous, with perfectly toasted pita.
Last but not least, we each got a Mediterranean Chopped Salad, made with cucumber, olive, cherry tomato, quinoa, feta, Marcona almonds and lemon oregano vinaigrette. They gave us a generous portion so I took about half home with me. I can’t wait to eat it for lunch tomorrow!
Well…I suppose that wasn’t the last dish. Our waitress twisted our arms and we wound up ordering off the dessert menu, too. 😉 The Banana Chocolate Tart was incredible! It’s served over a mesquite flour crust, which gives it a nice smoky aftertaste, and is surrounded by crushed brazil nuts. Yum.
It was quite the welcome meal. When we arrived home, I was also greeted by these lovely pink roses!
Thank you for the valentine, Mama Bender. I’m excited to spend the weekend with you!
While I was at the airport, I snapped a picture of today’s #FebPhotoADay: phone. Remember these?
I’m sure there will one day be a generation who hasn’t the slightest idea what a pay phone is. And, as Susan pointed out on Instagram, I can’t believe the price has gone all the way up to 50 cents!
Do you have a favorite phone from your lifetime?
Might be an odd question, but I distinctly remember my hands-free Clueless phone and how much I loved being able to talk to my friends in a high-pitched squeal or low-pitched “man” voice.
I also loved my very first Nokia cell phone because of a little game called Snake.
Those were the days…
Abrazos,
I remember a Pink High Heel Phone I had when I was a teenager 🙂
That is amazing. 🙂
Have fun at home this weekend!
Wow, that phone is, like, totally rad!
For sure, Cher. 🙂 Thanks, Cara!
First, I can’t believe it cost 50 cents to make a phone call!!! Second, I loved snack!
I can’t believe it either! And hurray for snake!
Enjoy az! Great meal-the salad looks unique and sounds yummy! My first cell phone was blue. I have no idea what brand it wad but i adored it
Thanks, Erica!
Have fun with your family this weekend! 🙂 I remember I had a phone in my room that would completely lite up when the phone rang! Haha, it was totally a phone you would have seen on Full House.
Thank you, Hope! I love the lite up phone! Full House was pretty amazing, too. 🙂
Snake was the BEST game. Looks like a great meal- I keep hearing about that restaurant! Have a great long weekend!
It truly was – I think they try to bring it back but it just isn’t the same without the right old school phone. Hope you have a great weekend, too!
I loved playing Snake on my dad’s cell phone. When I got my first cell phone it had Tetris and I loved playing that as well. I miss those days.
Old phones also remind me off my early teenage years. There was a pay phone in the gym where we would have basketball practice after school. When practice got over, I would dial my home phone and jiggle the receiver so my mom would know to come pick me up. Free phone calls! We would also do this to our friends and then we would answer when they called back.
Aw, Tetris! Another classic – and I used to have to call my family after basketball practice, too! Love your free phone call trick. 🙂
your meal looks amazing!! yum yum! Hope you enjoy your time with your family 🙂
I remember I had a Garfield phone that looked like he was hanging on by his claws on the wall… i loved that thing!
Thank you, Christina! I loved Garfield, too – so great that you had a phone with him hanging on the wall. Classic!
All that food looks great, but I have to say the Cucumber-Citrus Skinny Margarita wins! Yummmmm. I love me some tequilla! 🙂
Haha! You and me both, Mattie! 🙂
[…] not really, but it was delicious! We stopped at the restaurant again for lunch after enjoying it so much last week. The Cucumber Refresher was made with cucumber – surprise! – and honey lemonade. I […]
[…] as we did the last time we visited, Mama B. and I started out with Cucumber-Citrus Skinny Margaritas. Casa Noble Silver Organic […]