Surround Yourself with Love

I grew up celebrating my birthdays with my mom, siblings, uncle and his family. My siblings and I were allowed to decorate the family room with as many balloons and streamers and confetti as we wanted for each other; we even used wrapping paper to spell out our names on the walls. There was always a small corner reserved for gifts in which my mom would spoil us with toys and clothes and eventually nail polishes and accessories. It was a tradition that one week before our birthdays to go to the grocery store with our mom to pick out our cake! My mom did everything in her power to make this day just about us, to make us feel special and loved in everyday, surrounded by the people who love us. I will always be grateful for these moments and memories (even though my mom might have overdone it a bit). But, in retrospect, I wouldn't do anything different for my children.

These days, my mom works her tail off at work and isn't able to throw these family dinners as frequently. But I understand that she has the same motives to her actions. I appreciate all she does for me and how selflessly she behaves. So even though she is exhausted after work, she offered to cook me what I wished on my birthday!

For the last couple of years, I have requested the same thing: Shrimp Souvlakia on pita with tzatziki and homemade french fries. We fast from meat for 40 days before Christmas, so that explains the shrimp part. The combination is just delicious and my moms seasons and broils the shrimp perfectly (as she does everything else she cooks!) The tzatziki mixed with ketchup (traditional fast food staple in Greece) is always the perfect condiment! And of course, homemade french fries are tough to beat!

As my "cake" I picked up a variety of big cupcakes from Fresh Market down the street. Their cupcakes are always fresh and yummy! It's always hard to pick just one flavor so I got one of each :)

cupCAKE! from The Fresh Market

Although the food was amazing and the gifts more than plenty, my favorite part of the evening was, once again, being surrounded by those who love me. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect birthday evening :) Happy 24th to me!

My Siblings and (scruffy) Boyfriend!

PERSONAL: Condiments and Pairings

I never noticed until recent months how much I like to combine different condiments, or add flavors to normal foods.

This 'enlightenment' came about as I started dating my boyfriend. His mother is a fabulous cook and very much an amazing mother. Therefore, he never really went out to restaurants and such. He had/has the pleasure of home cooking. Therefore, he never needed many condiment concoctions, or wasn't aware of some different flavor combinations.

I, on the other hand, am quite different. I LOVE going out to dinner and experiencing new places (::ahem:: note theme of blog) and therefore have tried some weird things. In addition, my mother started working while I was in high school, and therefore, whenever she got home late, and I didn't feel like cooking, eating out was the option.

Nonetheless, when I started dating my beau, there were a lot of huhs? For example, we went to the diner and I suggested he have a Pizza Burger. Apparently, he wasn't aware of such a combination! I highly recommended it... he loved it! Another time, we went to a sports bar and I ordered us crab dip fries... again, he questioned it, but loved it! On another occasion, my mom had made gemista (stuffed peppers, grape leaves, tomatoes, potatoes and squash) and I urged him to come over and try them. However, I recommended that he try them with sour cream. Once again, a success!! In retrospect, I am very proud of him for trying everything, and hope he's not having culture shock to this new world of food that is gushing out of me and into his life.

However, it makes me wonder. Is it bad that we continuously are combining foods with other foods to combine flavor? Do we take for granted the simple but intricate flavors of each individual food? Or is it simply culinary genius that everyone needs to be exposed to and to continue to invent?

All in favor of culinary genius say I... I!!!!

On that note, I note my favorite combinations : Tzatziki and Ketchup, & Feta and Watermelon. Yes... that is feta with watermelon. Don't bash it until you try it!!!

Your Tasty Bud

GREEKTOWN : ZORBA'S BAR & GRILL

As mentioned in my previous blog, each place in Greektown (except for Acropolis, not really sure what they are good for?) has a specialty. Zorba's specialty (other than awkward, creepy Greek men during their late night hours) has to be meat. However, I also (very much) enjoy their Zorba fries. These fries are cut in round slices, and therefore give you a more wholesome potato flavor. Not to mentioned, they are freshly cut, no frozen fries! Sooo good with tzatziki and ketchup. (Yes... you have to try this tzatziki and ketchup combo! It's tried and true! Just ask any other Greek!)

In regards to their meat, their lamb chops are so delicious! Cooked perfectly, they are soft and perfectly seasoned. Sprinkled with lemon and dipped in tzatziki, their are simply mouthwatering! Not only that, but their lamb gyros are also very good, obviously with a side of Zorba fries. They used to be my favorite, but unfortunately for Zorba's, Greektown Grill had won that place in my heart.

I can't say I have tried much else; their side dishes are all typically good. One more mention though. Their grilled octopus is a universal favorite as well. It is cooked differently than the one at Ikaros, therefore the two don't compare. However, with lemon, the grilled taste of this tender octopus is excellent!

I definitely suggest you try Zorba's, however, I personally recommend you request seating upstairs ... to avoid the creepy old men at the bar.

To my friend Eleni, this blog is dedicated to you, in memory of your flat tire experience the last time we dined here. Not to mention your many interesting moments at the bar. #SupportAmericanTruckers , #GreekDanceOffs!

Zestfully,
Your Tasty Bud

GREEKTOWN : IKAROS RESTAURANT

Disclaimer : I feel the need to mention that this critique might seem biased to few people... My lovely boyfriend's grandparent's own this restaurant. However, the views mentioned in this blog present my views that have been present even before I started dating him an amazing nine months ago :) In fact, the experience mentioned below took place about a year and a half ago, if I am not mistaken.

If you want authentic greek food, Ikaros is where you. To me, Greektown restaurants each have a specific specialty. For example, Zorba's is known for their meats, Samos for their souvlakia, and Greektown Grill  for their authentic gyros. To me, if you want authentic greek food, the way that yiayia makes it, Ikaros.

This is exactly what I did! I wanted me amazing friends to finally (after our amazing trip to Italy together) experience MY culture and the amazing food the Greeks have to offer. Therefore, I scheduled a date to Ikaros! In attendance, myself, Mr. WompWompWomp himself (try and figure it out!), Angela and her former BF, Sheza, Rachel, Mike (what happened to him?!?!) and Stu (in hopes of potential interest to Rachel haha... sorry about that Rachele!). I don't believe I missed anyone?

Anywho, so we all arrive on our Friday evening date... dolled up and whatnot, and were seated promptly. The restaurant was fairly packed and we were seated in the far left dining room.  We ordered a few bottles of some lovely Greek white wine and many appetizers, including kalamari, saganaki, tzatziki, tiropites and spanakopites and greek salads! Saganaki is my all-time favorite app here... served with pita and a table-side show! Haha, go order it and you will see what I mean :) Everything was amazing, like always.

For dinner, I ordered the arni kokkinisto (this is normally what I order, just to note, unless I am fasting, then I go for the kalamari of the shrimp giouvetsaki!). Throughout the table I believe we ordered a pasticcio, octopus, steak, chicken shishkebabs, shrimp giouvetsaki and some other lamb dish. The arni kokkinisto happens to be one of my favorites because it always falls of the bone and if very flavorful. It is typically served with string beans in the amazing red sauces coated thoroughly. The portions are very generous. I have tries their pasticcio before and it is very good and traditional, however my mom has adapted my taste buds to the healthier turkey breast rather than ground beef, therefore, I only venture to this dish when I occasionally crave the meaty flavor. The octopus is also very good and always tender, served in a wonderful red wine sauce with onions... this is perfect with a big basket of bread and lemon! Chicken shishkebabs are served with rice and veggies and are a great wholesome meal. Shrimp giouvetsaki is my second go-to meal. I have to say this is a great comfort food on a cold, rainny day (normally typical to the weather of the Greek Independence Day parade in Baltimore in March, when I am normally fasting meat for Easter, and order this dish). It consists of shrimp in a red sauce baked in the oven over giouvetsi (a rice type grain) with feta on top! SOOO good!

To top off a wonderful meal, the restaurant always provides a dessert plate with delicious samples of baklava, kataifi and galaktobouriko that round off the Greek experience!

Overall, Ikaros provided the ideal Greek atmosphere, complete with Greek paintings and decor as well as Greek music in the background, for me to give my non-Greek friends a little taste of my culture and passion!

Kali oreksi,
Your Tasty Bud

http://www.ikarosrestaurant.com/index.htm