Have been eating more at home this past year

We still visit our little Italian restaurant Pasta Fazool when we can and made it to Bunha Faun as well this year, but overall I'm cooking more.

This could be because Chris came down and renovated the kitchen....which still needs some finishing.

I've made some chicken pot pie's with puff pastry and want to make a Beef Bourginon for tomorrow....not Dad's thing though because of the mushrooms...lol

Loving the mennonite beef we bought this year.

Fathers Day Fiasco - and Los Margaritas

So we wanted to do waterfront dining in New Hope but ended up at Los Margaritas in Southampton. I had a mango margarita.....made it all worthwhile....

T'OKAI! North East Philadelphia

So we went out to T'okai the other night....now we went there because we've ordered their food at lunch and it was phenomenal.
I had their lunch bento box and the value was really very good and the presentation was nice.

Unfortunately their hibachi just doesn't stand up to Benihana. Also Benihana have specials etc.
I don't understand why hibachi places think it's necessary to drown the food (even seafood) in Teriyaki sauce? Hibachi is a method of cooking/not a sauce.....just a thought for the day...

Chinese - Mandarin Garden

So I'm very spontaneous and was thinking we were going to grab a burger, but somehow ended up with chinese food.

I am trying the Food lovers fat loss plan so tried to "tweak" as they say my usual food choice.
My usual food choice would have sweet and sour chicken combo plate with the fried rice, egg roll, soup. So my pick instead with the encouragement of the waiter was vegetables and tofu.
I still got to have a couple pieces of the sweet and sour chicken and had my veg/tofu dish.

I was so surprised...it was very good....I am not a fan of white sauces and it wasn't in a white sauce...It was vibrant green snow peas, crispy green pepper, white cabbage, and crispy fried tofu in a spicy brown sauce.

There is just something about that homeade chinese mustard contrasted against the duck sauce.

New Years Eve Day - Late Lunch/Early Dinner

So we are going to see the Nutcracker performance and I'm choosing a restaurant for a late lunch or early dinner after the performance.
Our whole goal will be to make it out of the city before 6pm (the New Years Eve Rush).
I love the architecture at Xix but from the reviews I've read online, laissez faire service isn't going to be up to the family standards - so i'd just be looking for trouble.
Safer to pick somewhere like Upstairs at Varellis or something.