Lola and Giuseppe's Restaurant Review

Lola and Giuseppe's is one of those hidden gems of a restaurant find... literally hidden!  I have been driving by it for years and never noticed it.  Then when looking on Urbanspoon (so sad that the app is gone) I noticed this 5-star rated Italian place near us.  

Tucked back in a little shopping strip center, the restaurant is very inconspicuous.  When you walk in, it's a tight fit... 12 tables max.  Everyone seems to know everyone else and hugs are given out as you leave, likely with a pile of leftovers.  Lola comes to everyone's table to make sure everything is perfect.

Too bad they do not take reservations, because if you don't time it right, you'll be waiting forever for a seat or may even be out of luck altogether (like the first time we attempted to eat at Lola's)!  

The reason for such a long wait is that the food is excellent.  Our first time actually getting a seat at Lola's was right after our trip to Europe, so we were in the mood for some real Italian food after getting a taste of it in Rome.  This is as close as you'll get without leaving the country (maybe even better)!

Seafood, marinara, pancetta, noodles, cream sauce... you name it, doesn't matter the region, Lola has it on the menu.  So come hungry because you'll want to eat everything!  You can definitely smell, taste, and feel the Italian passion.

More about → Lola and Giuseppe's Restaurant Review

Chicken Parm Paninis - total time 45 minutes

If you live in Ohio, you have probably heard of Melt Bar & Grilled. Even if you don't live in Ohio, you may have heard about these huge gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches on shows like Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. The first one opened in Columbus last winter (original is based in Cleveland) and I had a Parma, Italy which is chicken parmesan between two slices of Texas toast with a side of fries. While it was really, really good... I kind of feel like I might have a heart attack afterward! So I have been wanting to make a healthier version ever since.

So when Food Network teamed up with Sargento to do the Chopped at Home challenge, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to recreate this sandwich. I buy a lot of local cheeses, but I also love Sargento and their artisanal cheese wedges. I also like their commercials about how they are "real cheese people"... that cheese slices shouldn't come wrapped in plastic and I couldn't agree more!

Shredded cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich can get a little messy, but it's the best way to get all of those Italian flavors without tons and tons of cheese. Some other big differences between my sandwich and Melt's is that the chicken just has a light breading instead of being fried and the sauce is for dipping (kind of like tomato soup) because I hate, hate, hate soggy bread (can't have condiments of any sort actually touching the bread, ew). With the garlic butter, the bread ends up becoming garlic bread, so this really is a complete Italian meal without the pasta. Buon Appetito!

Read more �

More about → Chicken Parm Paninis - total time 45 minutes

Eating Our Way Through Rome

When people found out we were going to Europe, and more specifically going to Italy... almost everyone said that we were going to love the food.  That it may even be the best part.  And for someone who loves to cook and loves to learn and talk about food, I was ready to eat.

Good thing Rome doesn't have much public transportation because we were able to walk off all of the pastries, pasta, and gelato.  We ate at a wide variety of places including touristy (we were too hungry to walk further) to places at the end of alleys with only a few tables.

The slow food movement is strong in Italy, but breakfast is quite the opposite.  Italians zoom by on their scooters in their suits stopping for a few moments to order an espresso and a pastry then consume it faster than it took to order and off they go.  Not sure if it is just the ancient capital city's way of life or if it is an Italian thing, but the first day we enjoyed our cafe lattes and pastries on the patio and took our time... everyone knew we were tourists.  By day three, we were downing espresso at the bar as fast as the Romans.  You know, when in Rome...

Speaking of that old cliche, it really does carry a lot of merit.  After a couple meals closer to touristy areas, you must look at who is already dining.  If no one, including the waiters, look Italian... chances are you should keep walking even if your feet are tired and your tummy grumbling.  You only need to get a block or two away to find something more authentic.  And you won't find any Italians eating lunch at noon or dinner at 6:00 (or 18:00), meals seem to start about two hours later than our usual American schedule and last much longer.

......

After a long day of flying (and three hours of delays) we finally arrived in Rome.  Tired and hungry, we stopped at a little pizzeria and ordered some cafe lattes.  Italian pizza is a crispy thin crust and usually has some fresh produce on top, kind of like a flatbread.  We sat on the patio and watched as people walked by ruins that were unearthed in the 1700s where they were planning to build apartment building.  Now the ruins are an alley cat paradise.

 

Enjoying cafe lattes while Italians rush past our table on their way to work.  Oh, and then enjoying some gelato.  Tip, always get gelato in a cup, it melts quickly in the Roman heat.

The first day we wanted to get our bearings on the layout of Rome.  We stayed near the Pantheon and then a downhill walk to the Roman Forum and Coliseum.  There was a restaurant with a beautiful grapevine canopy.  Although it was touristy, the restaurant was packed and the food was good, also, surprisingly reasonably priced.

At the end of the alley we were renting an apartment at was another restaurant with a grapevine canopy.  Off the beaten path, the place was certainly more authentic and quite delicious.  Wine and champagne, homemade noodles, and fresh seafood.  We finished it off with some tiramisu while a street musician strummed his guitar and then walked about 20 meters to our door.

The next day, while we waited for our Coliseum tour time we found a little pub squeezed between all of the wine bars.  Although I cook with wine, I haven't developed to taste for drinking it, so we were glad to have a couple brews.

 

   

On our way back from the Vatican, we stopped for some gelato.  You can watch them make their gelato from the window so you know if is prepared fresh and in house.  This gelateria has won several awards and been featured on several travel shows.  It also has a cute little alley area for sitting and enjoying your treat.

Oh man did we get suckered into this one.  We were checking out some of Bernini's fountains at night in Piazza Navona and got some excellent photos.  However, we were trying to find a place to eat and the waiters were ushering us into this restaurant that had a giant fish tank (so maybe fresh fish?).  I mean, it was good... but like, Italian food in America good, not Italian food in Italy good.  Too bad we learned this mistake in Italy, but at least we didn't make it again the remainder of our trip.

 

Seriously, the pastries are outstanding in Europe.  I will definitely be trying to recreate this little Nutella tart.  We also poked around in the grocery store near our apartment... not nearly the size of a Kroger or even Trader Joes.  This place had noodles, meats, cheeses, oils, and wine... that's all you need... because that's all you seem to eat in Rome.  :)

After finding the Trevi fountain and Spanish Step under renovation, we did some window shopping and found a cute little panini shop for lunch.

 

Our last dinner in Rome was maybe the most traditional.  The menu was handwritten and there wasn't any english.  We used our phones to translate and speak to the waiter/owner who spoke very little english and was our first of two times we had a language barrier in Europe.  While we ate, the skies opened up and started raining on the city and cooling the temperatures.  The bruchetta was basic and so so good.  The pasta was homemade and just perfect.  A great last meal.

Oh, and I have another picture of gelato, but can't remember where in the timeline it fell... so here it is at the end.  :)

 

** For more information on the restaurants, please click the hyperlinks in each description.

More about → Eating Our Way Through Rome

Zucchini Stuffed Shells - total time 45 minutes

If you have a vegetable garden, chance are you are swimming in zucchini right now! Ours are coming in spurts... I don't notice any in the garden... and then all of a sudden there are a dozen... and half of them are giants! Eep! What to do... what to do?

The great thing about zucchini (besides the fact one plant could feed a neighborhood) is that it doesn't have a distinct flavor, so it works well "hidden" in a ton of dishes.

So of course I'm going to put zucchini in some stuffed shells. I always feel just a little bit guilty eating stuffed shells with all of that cheese. This recipe subs out half of that cheese for some shredded zucchini. That's a great way to reduce the dairy and increase the vitamin A and C, potassium, and fiber. Plus, it's a green veggie... extra healthy points! And you really don't taste it... it's just like normal stuffed shells. You have to try this, it is win-win!

Read more �

More about → Zucchini Stuffed Shells - total time 45 minutes

Creamy Salmon Pasta - total time 25 minutes

My husband and I both accepted new jobs back in December. His requires him to be at work early (and also home early) and mine some times requires late nights. This difference in work schedules has impacted our life schedules too. We're no longer waking up at the same time, which means there's an even wider gap between 'bedtimes' than there used to be. It also means he is home (usually) hours before me at night... waiting for dinner.

Can't blame him... he is usually eating lunch by the time I'm finishing my morning coffee. That's a long time to wait between meals.

So, the dinner goal is often... the faster the better! Those 8pm dinners don't work when he is going to bed right after.

This recipe is perfect for a quick dinner. And it tastes sooo good too! Not much of a mess to clean up afterward either (always a winner in my book). Salmon and a cream sauce go hand-in-hand, quite delectable. The broccoli gives it a slight crunch for texture. And the herbs brighten the dish since cream sauces can feel a little heavy. Yum! I'm ready for a second serving!

Read more �

More about → Creamy Salmon Pasta - total time 25 minutes

Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Pizza - total time 30 minutes

Seems like every night this week I've been rushing to get dinner on the table before 9:00! Whether it's work, after work activities, working on our fitness, or running after kids, we all need a quick go to meal. My first mainstay is tacos, but sometimes get tacoed out (it takes a lot of tacos to get there, but occasionally I reach that tipping point). So my plan B menu item... pizza, of course!

I always have a ball of whole wheat dough in my fridge just waiting to be made into a pizza, stromboli, or calzone thanks to GreenBEAN delivery. It makes homemade pizza night sooo easy!

Usually we stick to traditional red sauce with mostly traditional toppings. But this time I changed things up a bit by making a white pizza! And what goes best with alfredo sauce? Chicken and broccoli! This pizza has become the new favorite in our household. Can't wait to make it again. :)

Read more �

More about → Broccoli Chicken Alfredo Pizza - total time 30 minutes