Food, Glorious Food!

My birthday was last Sunday (nope, not tellin' my age) and my dear husband took me out for a day away from work and home. That's not as easy as it sounds, believe me! I am a major homebody/workaholic and getting me to take a whole day off takes quite a bit of creative effort.

He started off by taking me out to our current favorite restaurant, Sugo, in Roswell on Saturday evening. This little gem is a unique combination of Italian and Mediterranean foods. Delicious pastas, creative tapas, seafood and varieties of chicken, beef and pork dishes to please every palate. I love that they have specials so there is always something new to try. I had the most amazing diver scallops and shrimp with smoked salmon and a lovely sauce with mascarpone cheese. You just have to try it to believe it.

My husband opted, as he often does, for a variety of small tapas plates including bacon wrapped dates and piquant peppers, stuffed baked calamari and an antipasto salad with fresh mozzarella drizzled with rich balsamic vinegar. He topped that off with the Mediterranean Mussels and some of Sugo's delicious warm bread for dipping into the rich tomato putanesca sauce. Of course I had to have a taste and shared some of mine with him too. All perfect as always.

They offer a large wine list, full bar and coffee menu. Their dessert menu is short, but sweet with the expected tiramisu and divine chocolate mousse cake, but also some creative gelato offerings. Our pick: Limoncello gelato swirled in a champagne flute and topped with light whipped cream. To. Die. For! To top off the wonderful food and service the owners of Sugo sent me a coupon via email for a free entree (up to $16.95) for my birthday. How sweet is that?! Go if you get the chance (they have two locations: Historic Roswell (770.641.9131) and Roswell North (770.817.4230). Make reservations and bring your appetite!

On Sunday we had lunch at a local deli and then went to do some birthday shopping at Ann Taylor Loft - yay! My favorite place to plunder. Before starting our next adventure in shopping we stopped in at our new favorite gelateria, Dreamy Gelato and Chocolates, at the Avenue in Forsyth. It's not a chain to my knowledge so if you're not local you will just have to use your imagination. I've had several different flavors but I think coconut has to be my new fave. Yummy! Creamy, sweet and delicately flavored in a delicious waffle cone. Wow! I think I might have to get my husband to take me back tonight! If you get a chance you really must check them out.

After dashing through the rain to several other stores (how lucky am I, girls?) and tucking my stash into the car we continued on to our dinner destination. My husband likes to surprise me with interesting restaurants and he was dead on as always with Babette's Cafe in Atlanta. A quaint little provincial style establishment that is both cozy and romantic. They offer a full bar and a large wine and beer list. Prices are moderate and reservations are suggested.

It was obvious by the familiarity between the staff and patrons that this is a bistro that is visited again and again, and I now know why. The food was perfectly cooked with generous portions and delicate seasoning. We sampled several of their "small plates" including crispy potato chips baked with gorgonzola cheese, a variety of French cheese with a date and almond spread and slices of raisin walnut bread. All very unique and very tasty.

My husband had the steamed mussels in a delightfully different white wine sauce with strawberries and serrano peppers. Since it was my birthday I decided to go for the grilled beef tenderloin - I know - bad me! But it was oh-so-worth-it. Tender perfectly cooked tenderloin with a mild gorgonzola cheese sauce and a side of lightly breaded spicy onion rings. I only got past the first half of the entree and I was stuffed! My daughter was ever so pleased to receive the left-overs and devoured it sans silverware shortly after we got home. A lovely meal and a wonderful end to my 30th birthday... No - really... Okay, 31st?