Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

It takes months to get a reservation at Rao’s in Upper Manhattan New York.  The hundred year old restaurant hardly has more than ten tables in a corner of East Harlem.  I’ve read ”the dishes are magical” and since I’m in California, I bought Rao’s Cookbook.   It’s my way in.  I’d love to eat in the restaurant someday, but until then I THANK Anna and Frankie for the BEST Meatball Recipe ever.  I need no other.

I make the exact recipe and my own Breadcrumbs, but I bake the Meatballs instead of fry them.  It’s a lot easier and turns out great.  I bake them in a preheated 400° oven for about 25-30 minutes, and then add ‘em to simmering Marinara Sauce as noted in No. 4 of Rao’s Recipe below.

I’ve included a link to their Cookbook and posted “Anna and Frankie’s Meatballs” Recipe HERE – They’re only served on Wednesdays at the restaurant.  They really are tasty and I can now eat them all week long in California.  I’ll also freeze the Meatballs individually and reheat a few in Sauce whenever they sound good.  It’s an easy way to be reminded of their authentic Italian flavor and be transported to happiness.

Rao’s Cookbook Link:

http://02cb90c.netsolstores.com/cookbooksandcds.aspx

Easy Read Recipe Link: http://therecipereader.com/meatballs-raos.htm

Can you find the Nibbles of Tidbits rock with the Hot Dog (mustard only) painted on it?  This is sort of like “Where’s Waldo” but a lot easier.  We enjoyed the sunsets and BBQ’s over the weekend in South Carlsbad, California.  While camping along the beach cliffs, we painted rocks that we placed throughout the camp site with many others.  I wonder how many new readers we’ll gain through this mainly just for fun method of promotion.

Related Link with CAMP FOOD: http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=380

Wendy’s “Premium Fish Fillet” Sandwich is made with Panko Breadcrumbs and Cod, which made me want to try it.  The meat was white, but a bit flavorless, and the Panko didn’t make it as light and crisp as I hoped.  The Bun was good, it didn’t disintegrate as fast as other Wendy’s Buns do (too much air).  I’d like Pickles on this Sandwich if I have it again.  The Cheese was $0.40 extra.  Overall it’s an okay value.  Related Link:  http://www.wendys.com/

This Greek Spiced Baked Shrimp Recipe is lots of places on the Internet.  To me the combination sounded intriguing and possibly gross, but several food sites sing its praise.  The recipe includes Shrimp, Feta, Dill and Cinnamon among other things.  The way some raved about it made me want to try it.  So I finally made it and wasn’t impressed.  It’s not bad, but it’s not really good either.  With all due respect, I won’t be making it ”again and again” like too many exclaim.

Below are just two of the posts/links [The RECIPE] I found regarding the same Greek Spiced Baked Shrimp pictured HERE.

http://fromwhencethesweetbirdsang.blogspot.com/2008/10/greek-spiced-baked-shrimp.html

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Greek-Spiced-Baked-Shrimp-350590

And here’s a link to a “Spicy” Baked Shrimp Recipe I WILL make again:
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1146

A Glass of Cruz Garcia Real Sangria Imported From Spain.  A friend brought over a bottle the other night.  Her Mom discovered it while traveling and brought back a case.  And the following week she saw it for sale at her local Grocery Store, HA.  I guess it was bad news and good news for her.  And this bottle included a toast to my VAY-KAY the next couple days.  We’ll be back with more fabuloso foodola.  Ciao. 

Related Links:
http://www.snooth.com/wine/cruz-garcia-real-sangria-93/
http://www.expotv.com/Cruz-Garcia-Real-Sangria-Wine/1V-ZNK

We went to Il Farro Caffe Trattoria for their prix-fixe meal during Orange County Restaurant Week.  It’s a small Italian restaurant within walking distance from the Newport Beach Pier.  We tried the Carpaccio di Bue al Sedano as an appetizer (above) and the Pollo all Pizzaiola as an entree (below).

Our other appetizer was the Ravioli di Funghi al Gorgonzola, and the entree was the Braciole al Forno, translated means Flank Steak filled and rolled with Rosemary, Sage and Parmesan in a Sherry Sauce.

It was a beautiful evening, the sun was going down and the food was good.  HOWEVER, there was something that bothered my friend and me (and I hope it’s isolated) — To preface the story, we had 5:30 p.m. reservations on a Friday night and arrived on time.

We were then seated in a small area in the front of the restaurant near the deli counter, which would have been fine if it was packed.  The restaurant is divided into two dining areas.  We were being packed up front, while no one was sitting in the larger back dining room. 

I asked if we could sit in the main dining room, but was told by the server that they’re “saving that area because [they] expect to be busy tonight.”  SAY WHAT?  It wasn’t until I asked if it was warmer in the back that they moved us — The entry door was propped open near the front dining area.  It was cold.

Then it was kinda funny because we were moved to the worst seat in the larger dining room, against the half wall of the clanging bus station.  Again, this would be okay, if they were packed.  Instead, we were the ONLY ones in there shortly before our move, which makes it almost comical.

And it wasn’t that they had a lack of servers, since several (5-7) walked by without offering Water or perhaps a glass of Wine.  To us, it seemed like they were saving the comfortable dining area and tables for the more important people, and then they were just oblivious.  It got better, but I guess we didn’t measure up that evening.

Related Links:

http://www.ilfarro.com/

http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/

http://www.orangecountyrestaurantweek.com/il_Farro_caffe_Trattoria.html

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is celebrating the coming of Spring with a Tea Party at all company-owned retail locations.  Tea enthusiasts are invited to attend the Tea Party at their local The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf store to enjoy a complementary 12oz. Over Ice Tea Latte prepared with whole Loose Leaf Teas, including bold Chai, fruity Pomegranate Blueberry and aromatic Raspberry Ceylon – Invented by creative Coffee Bean team members, Over Ice Tea Lattes are Loose Leaf Teas freshly “espressed” through Espresso machines, then infused with Vanilla flavor, whisked and poured over ice.

Be sure to stop by one of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stores between 2:00p.m. – 6:00p.m. on Thursday, March 5th ONLY to try one for FREE.  I’ve been advised that all California and Arizona locations are company-owned and most, if not all franchise locations are in Hawaii, so unfortunately there’s no free Tea in Hawaii that day.  Aloha.

Related Link: http://coffeebean.com/

The Chicken Kiev Special at Ikea Restaurant & Cafe exploded when I cut into it.  Yikes, it sure had a lot of the Herbed Butter inside.  The Chicken was tender, but I realized that I’m not a big fan of Chicken Kiev.  It looks like I’ll be heading back towards the Meatballs in the Ikea lunch rotation.

Previous IKEA Restaurant & Cafe Lunches and MORE INFO:

http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=1743
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2199
http://www.ineedtext.com/FoodBlog/?p=2431