Today I want to wish my darling husband a very happy 30th birthday.  I have a BIG dinner planned for this evening with lots of fun new wines so I will give you the scoop throughout Birthday Week.  For now, all I have to say, is 30 never looked so good  :)

 

Ugh.  Can.  Not.  Move.  Dinner at Abe & Louie’s is always an experience.  Add in your most favorite people in the world, a significant birthday, and some red wine and it’s even MORE of an affair.  Last night we took my mother, on the verge of a very important birthday whose’s number shall not be named, out for an early celebration at this fine steak house.  Here are some highlights:

The Aps: Tuna Tartare.  Come ON.  Also an incredible caprese salad special with the most massive beefsteak tomatoes and incredible balsamic reduction.

The Mains: Steak, steak, and more steak.  The ladies all enjoyed the Filet au Poivre while the gentlemen indulged in rib eyes, sirloins and surf & turf.

The Sides: Hashed browned potatoes, creamed fresh spinach, backed mac & cheese & broccoli with hollandaise

The Dessert: Insane chocolate layer cake

The Wine: Adessa Pinot Grigio (Veneto) & Erath Pinot Noir (Oregon) to start, then a stronger Torbreck “Woodcutters” Shiraz (Barossa) to pair with the peppery steaks during the main course.

My only fault with the evening – I forgot to take pictures of the FOOD!  Maybe it’s because I am not used to having this handy-dandy hi-res camera phone, maybe it’s because we devoured everything as soon as it hit the table, but I apologize and promise to make a more concerted effort moving forward.

Fun Merlot wine tasting tonight, then fabulous family wedding tomorrow, I hope you all have fantastic weekends lined up as well!  I’ll have lots to share on Monday, so until then, Salud!!