After arriving at my sister-in-law, Kay's house after midnight, our friends, Mike and Jean insisted on treating us to a 40th anniversary celebration dinner the following night. They came from quite a distance away to pick us up to take us to an Italian restaurant they discovered on Yelp. We met Mike and Jean in the Netherlands several years ago when we were on the same bike tour and became good friends.
The restaurant is called Baci Anaheim. It used to be Baci di Firenze Trattoria. The owner is Vittorio and he was wonderfully friendly and accommodating as could be.
I couldn't decide what to order but settled on a scallop and shrimp dish.
Unfortunately, Vittorio said they had only two scallops left so I'd have to make another selection.
Then the appetizers came. Mike and Jean had ordered four different kinds of appetizers which Vittorio split up for all of us.
There was Bruschetta Romana, Mozzarella Caprese, an artichoke with pine nuts and another dish that I can't remember. It was fabulous and I knew I wouldn't be able to eat much more so I asked for a side spinach salad instead.
As Vittorio was passing by he teased me asking if I'd found a scallop under the spinach leaves yet.
Art loves eggplants so he ordered Melazane Parmigiana. He said it was excellent.
I can't show Mike and Jean since I haven't gotten permission to show their photo on the web.
You can catch a glimpse of my delicious spinach salad here.
The food was amazing!
I've never seen lemon sorbet served this way. It was refreshing and wonderful. Art loved it.
Art and I would have shared the sorbet but Mike and Jean insisted I have a dessert also. I sure did! This chocolate gelato really made the meal memorable.
The atmosphere, the food, the ambiance... everything had us remembering our trip to Firenze (Florence).
The friendship, the laughter, the easy camaraderie had us remembering the Netherlands.
Mike is a pilot for Continental and would be flying out the next day.
It makes me smile to think that one pilot treated us to a trip to California. A second pilot treated us to our first sumptuous meal in the Golden State.
It truly started our trip off gloriously!
The restaurant is called Baci Anaheim. It used to be Baci di Firenze Trattoria. The owner is Vittorio and he was wonderfully friendly and accommodating as could be.
I couldn't decide what to order but settled on a scallop and shrimp dish.
Unfortunately, Vittorio said they had only two scallops left so I'd have to make another selection.
Then the appetizers came. Mike and Jean had ordered four different kinds of appetizers which Vittorio split up for all of us.
There was Bruschetta Romana, Mozzarella Caprese, an artichoke with pine nuts and another dish that I can't remember. It was fabulous and I knew I wouldn't be able to eat much more so I asked for a side spinach salad instead.
As Vittorio was passing by he teased me asking if I'd found a scallop under the spinach leaves yet.
Art loves eggplants so he ordered Melazane Parmigiana. He said it was excellent.
I can't show Mike and Jean since I haven't gotten permission to show their photo on the web.
You can catch a glimpse of my delicious spinach salad here.
The food was amazing!
I've never seen lemon sorbet served this way. It was refreshing and wonderful. Art loved it.
The atmosphere, the food, the ambiance... everything had us remembering our trip to Firenze (Florence).
The friendship, the laughter, the easy camaraderie had us remembering the Netherlands.
Mike is a pilot for Continental and would be flying out the next day.
It makes me smile to think that one pilot treated us to a trip to California. A second pilot treated us to our first sumptuous meal in the Golden State.
It truly started our trip off gloriously!
I love eggplant and that picture has me drooling.
ReplyDeletegreat friends to have, lol, you made some lovely memories for sure,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful dinner! And it's also wonderful to have such good friends who send you places AND feed you such sumptuous meals. Happy anniversary once again, Kay! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, DJan! I can't believe we actually celebrated our anniversary again!
DeleteWhat a special time. The good friends you have show what good friends you and Art are to them.
ReplyDeleteAren't you 2 the happy couple..... a glorious 40 years and all that heavenly food in front of you. Friendship.... just a perfect blendship.
ReplyDeleteyou certainly know how to celebrate and live an interesting retirement life!
ReplyDeleteWhat magic stuff. Gifts from the sky. You two are well loved everywhere. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful and fun. Those Italian chefs like to keep everyone happy and full. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteThere was something about that place that just really gave us the feeling of being in an Italian ristorante.
DeleteI love Italian cuisine! In fact, it is my all-time favorite. Whenever I go to an Italian restaurant, I always order the eggplant parmagiana. So far, Romano's Macaroni Grill serves the best. So glad you all had such a great time.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a rich life in so many ways!! It must be that you live your life in earnest.
ReplyDeleteL...w
We are grateful for all our wonderful moments and try to savor and record them.
DeleteHooray for the pilots in your life, Kay! I'm glad you had a good trip, but am wondering if I misunderstood...did you go out for Italian food after midnight? You and Art must be a whole lot younger than I am!
ReplyDeleteK
Oh gosh, no! We're not that energetic. We went out with Mike and Jean on the following night after we slept in pretty late and recovered that morning.
Deletewhat a wonderful dinner and celebration with good friends!
ReplyDeleteI am with Art when it comes to eggplant. No matter which cuisine I enjoy, I have eggplant. had an eggplant sandwich when Mage and George were here.
ReplyDeletePS Yes, John fell over at Rudolf's feet. So funny and embarassing too. He has a huge poster from the dance on his wall. Dianne
Truly a night - and a meal - to remember:-)
ReplyDeleteYou were truly flying high, thanks to the pilots in your life. Luck you!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS Kay and Art on 40 years marriage. That is a big achievement and both of you do not look much older than 40 in the photo. You both look truly happy - a great photo. And a great celebration.
ReplyDeleteI love the comment you made Kay on another person's comment that you record all the wonderful moments in your life. If everyone in the world did this it would be a far happier place. We are quick to talk about the low points in our life but we do not give enough focus on all the positives life brings. You are an inspiration to us all. Seriously.
Gosh, I wish I knew a commercial pilot or two.
ReplyDelete