It always seems like a good idea to wait and post in the morning, but here it is 5:30 and I can’t even seem to form a sentence… blech. I think coffee may be in order before class.
Anyway, yesterday my mom and I met Lauren’s mom, Linda, for lunch. Linda might be even more of a restaurant freak than I am and she always has really great ideas for places to try. We decided on Alo, which is owned by the same couple as one of my other favorites, La Duni.
Alo features “Mexican and Peruvian Street Food” and mostly serves tapas-style plates for the table to share. The decor was awesome; where La Duni is more elegant (think lots of votives and roses), this place is more trendy and laid back. I loved the brown and green color scheme and wanted to steal several of the light fixtures… even the seasonings were chic:
Here are the little plantain chips they give you when you’re seated:
I ordered the Pulled Turkey and Dried Cherry Salad with Green Apples, Walnuts, White Cheddar and Lime-Mustard Vinagrette:
It was right up my alley. Dried cherries are always amazing on a salad. I was surprised at how similar shredded turkey tastes to shredded chicken on a salad- I guess I expected a different texture or something.
I also snagged one of my mom’s Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce. I love the little mini-cast iron skillets they serve them in:
Next time I do want to try sharing some of the smaller plates. Looks like I’ll be dragging Brian there soon.
A couple of weeks ago we met Lauren and Robert at one of our local bars and they introduced us to some of their new neighbors. It turns out that one of the neighbors, Shawn, owns a website called Dealoco. The site basically scours the internet for deals- kind of like Woot, but with more than just electronics. Anyway, I got into one of my usual food-nerd discussions with him and his wife, Angela, and told them how I was looking for a decent set of (not super expensive) knives for class… so I was super excited when Shawn emailed this link to me yesterday. It’s a really decent deal from Amazon for NICE Wusthof knives (not the stamped jobs from Target which happen to be sitting on my counter right this minute). Anyway, I’m definitely considering ordering and thought you guys might be interested as well.
Off to get ready for class. We’re cooking today! Ratatouille, Rice (which I don’t think I’ve ever made- other than the instant brown variety), Fried Chicken and Alumette (Shoestring) fries.
Happy Friday 
I hope you have a great class today, sounds like you are making some really good stuff. I would love to try Ratatouille. I am right there with you when it comes to rice – I’m a boil in bag girlie!!! Enjoy your Friday.
Have you heard? Williams-Sonoma is having a sale!
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My mouth is watering. Hmmm….almost lunch time. Yeah!
Wow that restaurant looks great.. I have never had enchilades so not sure if i am a fan or not but they sure do look good!
Oh man that restaurant looks great! Yum
hope you had a good class!
I will definitely have to check out that restaurant. I would want to steal the green plates.
Please let us know the secret to perfect rice. Personally, I think it is a rice cooker. ha
Alo! That restaurant sounds great! I love the combination of turkey/chicken with dried fruit like cranberries or cherries!
Dealoco sounds like a great site – thanks for the tip!
Hope the cooking went well
Oh yum, plantain chips?! So jealous! Hope your wknd was great!
P.S. I post at 5:30 -ish too. You’re right – it’s hard!