Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 07:51 PM
I’m feeling so much better! 
I’m not 100% quite yet, but my fever is gone and my energy level is almost back to normal. I still have a runny nose, but the head-cold pressure is mostly gone. An early bedtime is on the agenda for tonight, so hopefully, some quality rest will help me make a full recovery by tomorrow.
The BEAUTIFUL weather also made me feel much better! 
When Mal got home from work, we took Murph for a long walk around the neighborhood. We walked and talked and soaked in the sunshine. It was nice.
Gorgeous weather obviously calls for flip-flops! 
Dinner
Mal and I worked up an appetite after walking with Murphy for more than an hour, so we headed to Finian’s for dinner.
Finian’s has been on my “Need to Try” list for years now. Everyone who I have talked to about this restaurant has raved about it, so I was excited when Mal suggested it for dinner tonight.
Finian’s is a restaurant and pub with an “old-fashioned” vibe. You won’t find funky entrees or trendy cocktails, but Finian’s serves up some quality, homestyle food.
Tonight, the dinner crowd seemed to be mostly families and retirees. Mal and I were easily the youngest adults in the whole place– although, we felt totally welcome! Finian’s has an extensive menu of mostly American-style, comfort food at very reasonable prices.
Our meal started with dinner rolls and corn bread muffins. I ate one of the corn bread muffins and Mal ate the rest!
After we ordered our food, Mal and I filled out our brackets for March Madness. This year, we’ve decided to strategically diversify our efforts so maybe we can win some money!
For dinner, I ordered the salmon salad (in honor of last Friday’s “For the Health of It” event 
). The salmon was very tasty with a buttery, herb-crusted seasoning on the outside. It was tender and “meaty.” I ate every last bite of it!
I was pretty impressed when this salad was served to the table. It was huge, but also packed with veggies– tons of tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, red onions, and sauteed onions.
Now, Mal and I are watching American Idol and eating ice cream. Aren’t you suppose to feed a cold?
Enjoy the evening, blog friends! Normal blogging to resume tomorrow.
G’night!
Posted by: Tina
Posted in: restaurant
Tags: Finian's Restaurant, Quincy
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 01:31 PM
Even though I was sick as a dog yesterday, Bertolli’s media lunch and premiere were a ton of fun!
As you know, Bertolli just launched a new series of webisodes titled “Into the Heart of Italy: Six Adventures, Three Celebrities, One Mission… To Unlock the Secrets of Italian Passion for Food and Life.” This online series features celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito and actors Marisa Tomei, and Dan Cortese as they explore the food and culture of Italy. To kick-off the series, I was invited to attend a lunch in New York City with Rocco, Marisa, Dan, and a group of 7 food and celebrity bloggers.
The event was held at the fancy-schmany A Voce restaurant in the Time Warner Center.
We were treated to a wonderful 5-course meal in a private room at the restaurant.
I was really excited about the event, but don’t I look sort of sick? 
The meal started with freshly baked bread, drizzled with olive oil. Holy yum!
There was a special menu prepared for the event. Everything sounded so delicious– and it was!
Funghi al Forno
roasted trumpet royal mushrooms, fonduta, mache, and hazelnuts
Farfalle
rapini, calabrian chilies, pecorino romano
Brasato
red wine braised beef short ribs, farro, root vegetable soffrito, marrow
I’m not really a meat person, but the beef was my favorite course of the whole meal. Yum!
Parmigiano Reggiano
primolio, balsamic
Bomboloni alla Toscana
tuscan doughnuts, bittersweet chocolate
Holy yum!
While eating lunch, we viewed the first webisode in the Into the Heart of Italy series. I usually don’t get into stuff like this, but I really enjoyed watching what happens to Rocco, Marisa, and Dan as they travel through Italy. They’re actually pretty funny together! Plus, there’s a sweepstakes tied to these series that I really want to win. I need a vacation in a bad way!!
After the lunch, the bloggers received an exclusive hands-on pasta demonstration with Rocco and Dan.
We learned how to make Farfalle!
First, the guys gave the pasta-making a try.
And, then the bloggers gave it a whirl. It’s not as easy as it looks!
Success! It’s all about the 3-finger pinch!
While Rocco and Dan chatted with us, I munched on a couple of cookies.
And sipped on some hot coffee with cream.
Group shot (minus Chris): Me, Vera, Paula, Lori, Lori, and Sabrina.
I truly loved meeting these bloggers! They were all so wonderful, and I’m psyched to add their blogs to my Google Reader.
What an awesome event! Thanks for inviting me, Bertolli!
Posted by: Tina
Posted in: Uncategorized
Tags: Bertolli, Dan Cortese, Into the Heart of Italy, Marisa Tomei, Rocco, Rocco Dispirito
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 10:05 PM
I can’t believe that I am sick. I never get sick. Ugh.
I’ve felt like crap all day– sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy skin, achy neck– and, on the flight home, I started to get a fever. I just took my temperature now and it was 100.8* F. I still can’t believe it.
I actually haven’t been fever-sick since high school, so this is sort of a big deal for me. I really don’t deal well with being sick. I’m such a baby. Anyway, I’m taking the night off and hitting hay immediately. I’ll give ya a recap of the Bertolli event tomorrow. It was a nice time.
And, here’s what I ate for dinner: Tazo Refresh iced tea + Parmesan Garlic Triscuits (aka the dinner of champions).
Good night, guys!
Posted by: Tina
Posted in: Uncategorized
