I am way behind on my writing. We have been busy the past few weeks and when I did have free time I couldn’t find the motivation to put pen to paper.
Shane and I were given the opportunity to have a date night last week. I have been waiting to try a new restaurant so it took me no time to decide what to do.
Richard Blais, Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars winner just opened a new restaurant in Little Italy and it just so happens to be across the street from a new winery. We have been to San Diego Cellars a couple of times but its been during my pregnancy so I have been eager to try their wines.
We spent an hour at SD cellars while waiting for our reservations. Conversations flow easily with Todd, the winemaker and he was filling us in on his future wine making endeavors.
Dinner time rolled around and I walked into Juniper and Ivy like a kid waking up on Christmas morning. I had been waiting for this day for almost a year, to say I was excited is an understatement. We started with a nice bottle of Italian wine to pair with the Kurobuta pork meatball and bone marrow with crispy oysters to start.
I had never had bone marrow before and I was pleasantly surprised. The meatball, topped with a mole sauce was also good.
For our main dishes, Shane tried the pork porterhouse which the waitress claims to have made grown men cry. I wouldn’t go that far but it was pretty darn good. I went with the white bass in a Veracruz sauce served over mashed black eye peas. I wasn’t thrilled with my decision, turns out I don’t love mashed peas but the fish was perfect.
We couldn’t leave without trying a dessert so we easily agreed on the Yodel. A devils cake rolled up in a white chocolate ganache, covered in dark chocolate along some hazelnut brittle and deliciously dressed in hot chocolate. We indulged and every bite was delicious.
It was a great night and I would recommend you try both San Diego cellars and Juniper and Ivy if you are in San Diego, they live up to the hype.
It was so nice to get out of the house with my husband and have time just the two of us, talking, dining, drinking. I didn’t worry about the kids, I didn’t feel guilty being out, I was just happy.
The Art of Thyming 
Awesome! So glad you two got to have much needed couple time!! 🙂 Now on to the food and wine…mmhmmm..The set up looked lovely! I’ve had bone marrow before..but only to use while cooking (in lieu of butter) so it was good?? how do you eat it? That dessert?? what?? wow..I could go there right now..just for that roll!
You eat bone marrow like a spread, it’s so buttery and fatty. I don’t think I would ever brave making it myself though, leave that to the experienced chefs.
Yes, that dessert what so good!
Hi to the Shane family, So glad you got a fun night out. The food looks great. I hope Averi behaved while you were out. You all must be doing just fine now that you are “4”. Tell me when you get a chance, the actually birth date of Averi. I failed to put it down. Also, I asked your parents to find out what you need now as I want to send something for Averi. I haven’t forgotten you. Look for it before too long. Lots of love, and hugs for the little girls. Aunt Carolyn