A Melange of Dinner (or supper depending on where you are).

G and I often argue over what to eat for dinner. Wait. Argue is too strong. We disagree sometimes, and other times we just can't come up with an idea. As many food magazines as I read, and as much food television as I watch, I can't always come up with an idea when it's late and I am tired and dinner dishes seem like an enormous task to undertake.

This was exactly the case a few nights ago. G had some errands to run after work, and I gamely came along. But the later it got, the more the idea of 'what to have for dinner' loomed over us. It was a dark cloud. Nothing sounded good, the weather was brutally cold, and the will was gone. Fortunately, there's always Rashnaa for a taste of the good stuff.

I was hungry and ready for something slightly different from my usual butter chicken platter. So chicken biryani with chickpea curry won the day.

I know I have said it before, but I love Rashnaa. The food is amazing, and it's completely reasonably priced. The plate you see above you was very doable at less than $10.

I had a most delicious chicken biryani with a chickpea curry that is absolutely without a doubt one of the best things I have ever had. It also comes with a side of the thickest, spiciest raita. Yum. The nice thing about Rashnaa is that it is quite a bit spicier than Indian food, but always reasonable, provided that you don't get over boisterous about how spicy you want it...Really lovely.

While G was in the Big Apple, I wanted to try to make spaghetti carbonara. I've never ordered it in a restaurant, so I wasn't certain that I would even like it, but I have been intrigued at the thought of making it. Plus, when G's away, the pork gets made!

Well, the carbonara was not a success. I mean, it was tasty, but the eggs scrambled and well, that's about all the disaster you need to know...


I think Tyler Florence led me astray with the recipe, to be honest. He said to mix the cheese into the beaten egg prior to mixing into the pasta, but it was so incredibly thick that there was no way it was going to do anything but scramble. So NO, I will not give Mr. Florence the benefit of having his 'doesn't-work' recipe included here!

A few weeks ago we had a doozy of a snowstorm, and I had a doozy of a day that was one of those VERY rare days where I end up not eating all day (and believe me, this almost never happens). When G and I finally hooked up at the end of the day, the only thought on my mind was FRENCH FRIES. And the best place to cure a fry craving for me is Utopia. And it didn't disappoint.

And what did I have with those delicious fries? A wonderful pesto chicken wrap. It was really really good, and I am somewhat embarrassed to say that I ate the whole bloomin' lot. And also under $10. It rules! The downside to Utopia is that it's wicked wicked wicked slow. And there's also a patio in the back that is completely horrid to eat in, so if you can't get into the main restaurant, my suggestion is to go elsewhere. But when the seating is right, and your food eventually comes, it is unbelievably delicious.

Another stormy night, G and I decided to have breakfast for dinner.


It was good.

(hee hee)