Tacos & Tequila Cantina - New Naples restaurant!

One of the things that makes me smile (and there are many) is having a local, good food and fun restaurant to hang out in.  We found one!  Tacos & Tequila Cantina has all the necessary points to make it a success. Great food, good prices and a very nice ambiance.  Recently opened, we jumped in one week night to check it out and were glad we did.

Currently, King's Plaza on Davis Blvd is undergoing a total renovation which does not help a new opening let alone the existing storefronts, but having their opening prior to season was a great way to go.  They opened with a smaller menu, changed up a few things and now I believe, they have a great Tex-Mex menu that has something for everyone.

The new owner is Kelly Musico the wife of Aldo of the popular Aldo's Italian Restaurant a few doors down.  I believe their partner is Kelly's brother Dave Resch who is also the executive chef.  While we did not get the chance to meet Kelly, Aldo did come by our table and spent time talking with us.  My only advice was to step up the flavor in the rice.  As far as we were concerned, everything else was fabulous.

Walking in the door, you see a nice bar area and plenty of tables throughout the nice decor.  This place is comfortable, our server was good and the food is a great take on the traditional Mexican cuisine.  While my husband is not a fan of spicy food, he loved this place.  We chose four of the T&T Tacos and added rice and beans.  Of course, I had to add a margarita (or two) and it was very inexpensive!

They have a long list of taco's with a price range from $3.00 to $3.50.

Plenty of tequila and margarita's to choose from.

Both traditional and non-traditional starters and entrees.

Folks, this is a place you need to try.  It's fun and the food is quite tasty.  Get there now before the season begins because I predict it will be packed with a line outside sooner than later.

I'm thinking we will hit up their Happy Hour this week and check it out!  Have a great week everyone, I know I will.

Linda

My Move-In Mozzarella Class

This past week was a busy one for me and the big guy.  We finally moved into our Florida home almost a week earlier than expected.  This meant we had two days of packing and cleaning the large, beautiful home we were staying in and then getting all of it into our home.  We also had all our belongings from Boston delivered on Friday so as I sit here on the lanai writing this, my house is filled with boxes, kitchen stuff and clothes...

We did have help from brother Michael and good friends Gina, Bobby and the bonus was Adrianne who graciously added the additional support since Bob and Jim were not able to move anything due to injuries.  See, this is why family and friend's are so important in our lives.

Before we received the news from our tenant that they were leaving early, I booked a mozzarella class from Naples Tomato, a fabulous local restaurant.  Not good timing with a house full of "stuff", but off I went and enjoyed every minute of it!

Stretching the mozzarella

While I thought I would actually be making the mozzarella, it was still a great two hours of learning, eating and sipping wine.  There were more than 25 people in this class, sitting at tables enjoying the wine they provided.  We watched two of their chefs make three different types of mozzarella and then had the pleasure of tasting each one as well as the beautiful vegetable platter and bread in the middle of each table.

Mozzarella curd

Buffalo mozzarella with mascapone

Mozzarella with Prosciutto

Beggar's Purse with mascapone and fig

What a fabulous way to spend two hours.  I met new people who live in Naples, passed out a few business cards, ate and drank wine on a Saturday afternoon.  Now that's the way to get out of unpacking!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone and remember, a good life deserves good food...

Fino a quel momento (until that time)

LID

Dinner in Naples

We are spending a couple of weeks in our Naples, FL home and yes, I know - it's HOT.  Being a family affair, my sister Angela (Cookie) came down with her daughter Nicole and her beautiful granddaughter Ava.  Right when they had to leave, my sister Susan (the baby as she likes to be referred) arrived and we made it there just before she had to leave.  Susan wanted to make dinner for us on her last night and we were able to take a few pictures with our phone since I forgot my camera on this trip.

She has this fabulous chicken dish that I have named Chicken Amato.  I don't even know if it's out there anywhere, but Susan and her husband Vinny make this at their restaurant Rocco's and it's delicious.  I brought down baby artichokes in my suitcase so we decided to work together and create dinner.

I removed the stems and outer leaves from the chokes, cut them in half and put lemon juice over them.  I now know that when you get to this part, you should put the artichokes in lemon water so they keep fresh.  Oh well, you live and learn.  They were actually okay since I knew enough to add the lemon juice all over them. 

I diced red onion and garlic, sauted for 5- 7 minutes and added white wine.  In went chicken both, artichokes, salt and pepper and simmered until soft.

Now for the Chicken Amato!  Susan pounded the chicken to make a thin cutlet and floured, breaded and dipped into the egg.  She fried the cutlet and once crisp, removed from the pan and onto a paper towel to remove the excess oil.  Once they were all finished, she placed them onto a sheet pan and layered provolone cheese, roasted red peppers and prosciutto on each one.  Oh, she also topped them with a little artichoke since we had them available, but that is not in their original recipe.  These went into the oven for a few minutes only to melt the cheese and crisp the prosciutto.  She created a quick salad and we were off!

At the last minute, I made banana cream pudding.  It was the fat free, no sugar, five minute deal.  I added graham crackers and viola - dessert. 

As a family of three, we ate, drank wine and laughed the night away.  I love spending time with my sisters.  It's something I can never get enough of.  Hopefully, the next time will be with all of us! 

A good life deserves good food!

Fino a quel momento (until that time)

LID