Restaurant Meme

I've been forced to do a meme. Forced I tell you! Blame Todd. Everyone else does.

The rules:
1. Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you.


Include the city/state and country you’re in.
Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Todd - The Forcer (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
Brooke (Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States)

2. List your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location.

3. Tag 5 other people (preferably from other countries/states) and let them know they’ve been tagged.

So here are my five favorite places to eat in Fort Lauderdale. It's nice to be doing this since I'll be moving away from this hellhole lovely place in the sun in the very near future.

Heart Rock Sushi - absolutely my favorite place in Fort Lauderdale. Not outrageously expensive, always clean, friendly service, and a great menu. And if you aren't into raw fish, there are plenty of other great things to eat that are actually heated to a proper temperature. The Spider Roll is to die for. Also, a shout-out to the Sushi Rock, mostly because it was the first place I went on a date after I moved to Florida.

Franco and Vinnie's/Il Mulino - two completely different places but both equally good Italian food. Il Mulino may have the best fried calamari I've ever had, including my own. It is also the only place outside of Italy where I will actually order spaghetti. Franco and Vinnie's has a special for two of Shrimp Scampi, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Chicken Piccatta that is absolutely orgasmic. Great pizza too.

Trina - this is one of those ultra-hip and trendy beach front hotspots. I don't go here very often as I am neither ultra-hip nor trendy. Also, I am poor. However, this is my favorite place for brunch - hands down the best Eggs Benedict in the free world. Or at least South Florida. Big ups for great service as well.

Rustic Inn - two words. Garlic. Crabs. So phenomenal you won't mind the noise or the service. What's better than newspaper covered tables, wooden mallets, pitchers of beer, and huge trays of crabs? Nothing. They even have a huge sink on the porch to wash yourself down with after you've doused yourself in garlicy buttery crabby goodness. Mmmmmm...you know you want some.

Southport Raw Bar/Kelly's Landing - these two places are in my neighborhood and both have amazing seafood. Southport is the place to go to have a few beers and fried anything that once swam. Kelly's is a little place right out of New England - with absolutely perfect steamed lobsters and wonderful service. The waitress there even gave me a discount because I'm a teacher - gotta love that!

Also, special mentions:
Zona Fresca - cheap Mexican food that is always fantastic. The place is always spotless and always mobbed. The boyfriends love it, so you know it's good.
Bimini Boatyard - sit out on the deck and watch the boats go by. Great spot for drinks and appetizers.
And I have to mention my favorite place in Boca - Uncle Tai's - for phenomenal Chinese food. Expensive, but worth it.

So there you have it, my favorite places to eat here in sunny Fort Lauderdale. I usually don't tag - but since it's in the rules I'm legally obligated.

I tag Egan, Rich, Chicky Babe, Michael, and Sizzle. I highly doubt any of them will actually answer the tag.

Bon Appetit!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Otherwise known as orgasm on a plate - this is a classic English dessert. I discovered it when I lived in Australia as it is served in just about every restaurant in the country. When the cake lady would drop this off to the cafe where I worked in Manly Beach, we would attack this stuff like rabid dogs. I've often said you could pour the sauce over an old shoe and you would eat it with glee.

Took me long enough to post a recipe on here. Being a former chef and all, I expected more from me. I should have posted this in time for Christmas. Oh well, try it for New Year's! Pictures are included!

The Pudding
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup boiling water
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs

1 and 1/2 cups self rising flour
or
1 and 1/2 cups flour and 1 teaspoon baking soda

The Toffee Sauce
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter

Method
Preheat oven to 350°. Pour the water over dates in a saucepan and let stand. Cream butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time. Gently fold in the flour. Add the dates (water included).

Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 7" square or round cake pan. Bake in oven for 35 minutes.

Admire new UGGs while pudding is in the oven.

Remove pudding from oven and set aside.






To make toffee sauce, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 5 minutes, stirring all the time. Remove from heat.













Cut pudding into squares and place each square in the center of a warm plate. Pour hot toffee sauce over each serving and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

Enjoy your orgasm puddin'!