Out on the Town

Things are really jumping around here. I've grown and grown and now am in third trimester marathon freak out. There is so much to be done and my list just keeps getting longer. Which means in a non pregnancy mind there are some things to do, but nothing major or really of any importance. But to me, I need to get a going. So to share in the fun around here I'm going to up my postings. Part because I agreed to a bit of research, part because lots of cooking is going to happen. I'll be keeping you up to date with my great freezing (more to come), and all that comes out of my kitchen and others. Now hurry, we must get everything done. Including going out before we can never leave the house again. I mean at least not for 18 years.

I will readily admit that I don't get out much. I mean I leave my house, we're not talking agoraphobia or anything. Part of it is occupational hazard, I mean how often does a work at home, pregnant housewife, with only one air conditioned car, who's living on a budget get to eat at all the hip and swanky gigs around town? When Aunty T is in town, that's when. We adore Aunty T on every level. She's the one who takes the kids to a movie and lets them eat whatever they want. She's the one who will come over and play hide and seek even in the heat. She rocks the Guitar Hero, buys the cool school clothes. But she was mine first, so I get to go eat with her ALL BY MYSELF.



With the clock a tickin' on this whole third baby arrival I was so excited to blow dry my hair and check out one of the spots in town that I've been dying to escape to, Radio Milano. I think I read a review in the paper about a year ago. I don't even remember the specifics but it sounded like a fun evening.

Radio Milano is part of the LGO series of hospitality joints around here. Chelsea's Kitchen, Postino Wine Cafe, Le Grande Orange Grocery. All of these are a big hit in Phoenix. I needed to be part of the buzz.

Radio Milano has such a subdued urban hip feel. It's not over the top in any direction and feels very comfortable. The decor is very warm, but still a bit trendy. Notice the super cool red lamp in the background (Aunty T was seriously close to swiping it and running out the door, if we didn't have to wait for the darn valet they may be short a lamp).

We were seated right away even though it was fairly jumping Friday night (I was out on a Friday night). They have some cool deals too: kids eat free before 7:00pm, and cocktails and wines were 1/2 off until 7:00. No wine for me but the wait staff was very helpful with Aunty T's wine. Right away we noticed Bacon and chive deviled eggs. It made me wonder why, with how insanely good deviled eggs are, why don't you see them on more menus?



These tasted just as good as they looked. I'm a total geek for super cool server ware, so again if it wasn't for valet, I may have high tailed it with the wood devil egg server.

It was hard to narrow down our choices, but the good thing about eating with Aunty T is she's all about sharing, so we get to eat MORE! We decided to split the mushroom risotto and the special - grilled swordfish with chimichurri. Holy cow! I haven't had such good risotto in a long time. I make a lot of risotto and do enjoy what I make, but Radio Milano's had such a good depth to it. Then the sword fish, mmmmmm. It was very moist not at all dry. The chimichurri wasn't overpowering, but just a fresh little spike to the wood flavor of the grill (I wish I had pictures, but the place gets a bit dark and food with flash doesn't look so good).

Now the only thing I do remember about the review was that Howard said do not leave without a slice of Olive Oil cake. I had made a couple olive oil cakes this Christmas as gifts, but we didn't get much of it. Radio Milano's version is studded with pistachios and served with cream and berries on the side. When Howard is right, he's right. This cake is so moist and delicate, but perfectly balanced with the rich olive oil.

I'm so glad that I had my "me time" as number 1 called it. I want to go back again and again. Perhaps I'll drag the wee ones. I mean they can eat free and all, and they are sort of cute.