A picture's worth a thousand words. Machine guns are cool. Megadeath seemed like my only option. Please forgive me. Adieu.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
We put the "butter" in Butterflies
For Relief Society (women's church group) I was put in charge of making the party cupcakes. So we (Matt & I) decided to have fun with it and spruce up your typical little frosted cake. We have a tried & true chocolate cake recipe that we topped with green tinted cream cheese frosting and added some small green sprinkles for texture.
The butterflies are made out of chocolate that we piped on with frosting bags - first the brown outline then the colored center. We had to move quickly because it would harden fast. Then we used toothpicks to blend them together and make patterns and swirls, finishing them off with some white sprinkles on the wing tips. We made each wing separately then piped the chocolate body on last once they were assembled on the cup cakes. 
Showing off our wax paper that we outlined the butterflies on - definitely something that requires such a stoic expression.
Tired yet pleased.
Matt's B-day + Laguna Beach = Good times
When the day starts out with scones, clotted cream and jam - nothing can go wrong! Such was March 3 - the day of Matty Lee's birth. Gifts and food were plentiful, and that weekend we were off to Laguna Beach for more celebrating and Grant & Rachel's wedding.
French 75 - fab restaurant in LB. Unfortunately the week prior was 52.80 week in Denver and we were a bit overloaded on fine dining (is there such a thing?).
The ocean never ceases to amaze and inspire - wish we lived closer, but the mountains certainly hold their own!
Grant + Rachel's reception was at this gorgeous home with it's own private beach. It was absolutely stunning and they're super happy together - CHEERS!
Gettin' my groove on (in a very white girl sort of way) and loving every minute of it!
What's a beach reception without a bonfire and s'mores? 
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Restaurants, Restraunt Week and Getting Fat
It's the time of year when a couple can binge at Denver's favorite eateries for the attractive price of $52.80. For most establishments $52.80 buys two people an appetizer, entree and dessert. Here is a list of places we went and what we thought of the experiences.
Lola-This high-end Mexican restaurant never disappoints.
We opted for the Roasted Corn Soup: crawfish tamalitos & salsa munoz, I then went with the Chimichurri Steak: sweet potato fries, long cooked spinach. Candice being the lover of fish that she is, went with Seared Red Snapper: butternut squash, cilantro-garlic sauce, crispy knob onions. The meal to this point was sublime. The dessert was a take it or leave it dish that sounded better than it tasted. of Dark Chocolate-Piloncillo Roll: whipped cream filling, roasted brown sugar pears.
Out of ten we'd give Lola 8.5-9.
Alto-The decor is sophisticated and the staff seemed courteous and prompt but that's where the complements end. We both started with the Old World Onion Soup - gruyere crouton gratin. It was similar to traditional french onion soup except the broth was less flavorful and there wasn't a large mound of melty cheese to accompany each sippy bite. I proceeded with a buffalo short rib which was again, under-seasoned and candice went with salmon which she thought was "pretty good". We finished with profiteroles which tasted similar to the ones your cheap boss gets for the office party from Costco.
Alto 6
Samba room-Latin nuevo served in luxurious Cuban-inspired decor. To amuse our bouches we went with the mini arepas and the short rib in a port wine demi glace. Both were flavorful and were wonderful latin interpretations. Our mains included Banana Leaf Wrapped Salmon with Mango-Shrimp Sauce, Yucca Mash & Asparagus and Churrasco Style Flank Steak with Cuban Black Beans, Saffron Rice, Red Onions, Avocado and Tomato Mojo. For finishers, guava empanadas and a rich tres leches were selected. All courses were magnificent.
Samba Room 8.5-9
Palace Arms-Located in the historic Brown Palace hotel this unique restaurant oozes ghostly grandeur from another era. I kept expecting to see the ghosts from Disneyland's haunted castle also enjoying the bargain that 52.80 week affords. A Caesar salad made tableside was a fun way to start the meal. Next up was All Natural Filet of Beef Rossini - Brioche, Swiss Chard, Foie Gras, Madeira Demi Glace. Candice enjoyed Great Lake White Fish - Pumpkin, Chestnut, Beurre Blanc. You'll notice a boring trend that my dear wife and I employ. We usually get the same proteins at fine dining restaurants. In my defense I thoroughly enjoy a nice bit of lobster or crab to accompany my beefy slab. Sad but true. We finished with a bread pudding bananas foster that knocked our socks off. It should be noted that Candalinicus received a fresh rose at the conclusion of our meal and the Matre 'D remembered our names as we exited. Classy joint to be sure. Overall, we felt like this was the best bargain for 52.80 week. Everything just felt like it was a bit of a step-up from other restaurants.
Palace Arms 10
Our fat has multiplied but so has our happiness. Praise be you 5280 week. Until next year. Adieu
Lola-This high-end Mexican restaurant never disappoints.
We opted for the Roasted Corn Soup: crawfish tamalitos & salsa munoz, I then went with the Chimichurri Steak: sweet potato fries, long cooked spinach. Candice being the lover of fish that she is, went with Seared Red Snapper: butternut squash, cilantro-garlic sauce, crispy knob onions. The meal to this point was sublime. The dessert was a take it or leave it dish that sounded better than it tasted. of Dark Chocolate-Piloncillo Roll: whipped cream filling, roasted brown sugar pears.
Out of ten we'd give Lola 8.5-9.
Alto-The decor is sophisticated and the staff seemed courteous and prompt but that's where the complements end. We both started with the Old World Onion Soup - gruyere crouton gratin. It was similar to traditional french onion soup except the broth was less flavorful and there wasn't a large mound of melty cheese to accompany each sippy bite. I proceeded with a buffalo short rib which was again, under-seasoned and candice went with salmon which she thought was "pretty good". We finished with profiteroles which tasted similar to the ones your cheap boss gets for the office party from Costco.
Alto 6
Samba room-Latin nuevo served in luxurious Cuban-inspired decor. To amuse our bouches we went with the mini arepas and the short rib in a port wine demi glace. Both were flavorful and were wonderful latin interpretations. Our mains included Banana Leaf Wrapped Salmon with Mango-Shrimp Sauce, Yucca Mash & Asparagus and Churrasco Style Flank Steak with Cuban Black Beans, Saffron Rice, Red Onions, Avocado and Tomato Mojo. For finishers, guava empanadas and a rich tres leches were selected. All courses were magnificent.
Samba Room 8.5-9
Palace Arms-Located in the historic Brown Palace hotel this unique restaurant oozes ghostly grandeur from another era. I kept expecting to see the ghosts from Disneyland's haunted castle also enjoying the bargain that 52.80 week affords. A Caesar salad made tableside was a fun way to start the meal. Next up was All Natural Filet of Beef Rossini - Brioche, Swiss Chard, Foie Gras, Madeira Demi Glace. Candice enjoyed Great Lake White Fish - Pumpkin, Chestnut, Beurre Blanc. You'll notice a boring trend that my dear wife and I employ. We usually get the same proteins at fine dining restaurants. In my defense I thoroughly enjoy a nice bit of lobster or crab to accompany my beefy slab. Sad but true. We finished with a bread pudding bananas foster that knocked our socks off. It should be noted that Candalinicus received a fresh rose at the conclusion of our meal and the Matre 'D remembered our names as we exited. Classy joint to be sure. Overall, we felt like this was the best bargain for 52.80 week. Everything just felt like it was a bit of a step-up from other restaurants.
Palace Arms 10
Our fat has multiplied but so has our happiness. Praise be you 5280 week. Until next year. Adieu
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