The reason for the blog

So this is my first blog....
How did this happen?

Well in March 2010 I had Gastric Bypass Surgery. I am doing great but I miss dinning out with friends and family. I hate that I carry saltines in my purse in case there isn't anything on the menu that I can eat. So I decided that I am going to write about all the places that I enjoy when I am out. Where the cool places  in the Erie Area are. Cool in the sense good food, great atmosphere, and friendly service. So If i can ever figure out this blog I would love to change my site to: Great Taste  after Gastric Bypass.

Stacini's Resturant- 11-05-2010

Stacini's Restaurant (formerly Ricci's)
1081 South Main St.
Meadville, PA 16335
(814) 336-2245
Lunch: Tuesday - Friday, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Well this is a real classy place, the menu is brief but the dished are extraordinary. When the food arrives I feel like i am watching the Food Channel. The dishes are works of art. Every time we go we sit near the sunken in bar near the back. The atmosphere is so cozy. The owner Stacy is there all the time and friendly.
Like the old show "Cheers" where everyone knows your name.Stacini's staff remembers returnees and provides excellent service. Stacini’s even offers a 10 percent discount with student ID.
MENU:
 House Salad with Sweet Italian Dressing, and Rack of Lamb

They also do receptions http://www.crawfordweddings.com/html/stacinis.html 

1201 Kitchen- 10-25-2010

1201 Kitchen

http://1201restaurant.com/

1201 State Street    

Erie, Pennsylvania 16501

814-464-8989

Chris and I were driving around looking for a place that caught our "eye. I have to tell you this place has been on my list for awhile but I always thought I was to fat or not cool enough for it. Well I was wrong. We had a great time. It is an expensive dinner but the atmosphere is really great and our waiter- Fielding- He was superb, very knowledgeable and friendly. 

MENU:
Appetizer- small plates:
Apple & manchego fondue - roasted poblano / creamy manchego / candied onion / toasted pecan  $9
Soup:
Flight of all three- all I can say is WOW! the Miso grilled corn is awesome.      $7
Dinner- Large Plates:
Pork flatiron steak - grilled hubbard squash enchiladas / zucchini rajas / garlic sauce       $22
Pan seared tuna -  ricotta fritters / pickled lemon / apple-celery slaw / jalapeno emulsion     $24
Mine was without the jalapeno emulsion,
Dessert:
Kahlua-chocolate milkshake - warm hazlenut chocolate chip cookie osmosis / coffee cream     $8

All in all the dinner was around $70 + tip for two people.

Avanti's - 8-22-2010

So for my birthday Chris took me to Avanti's Resturant
1662 West 8th Street,
 Erie PA 16505.
(814) 456-3096

I have to say the place is wonderful. .Open 7 days a week from 7am-3:30pm.  Then on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night 5:30pm-9pm. During the day the resturant is a "diner" like place at night it is transformed into a relaxed "bistro". The staff is awesome and friendly. Casual dress, which is awesome for the working class. Seating is limited but you will not notice that as you are eating large portions on piping hot plates.One side of the menu is classic meals, the other side changes with the season. The chef came out to the table and asked us how we liked our meal. This is a real nice place.
MENU:
Appetizer:
Fried Cheese Ravioli -$7
Dinner:
Shellfish Puttanesca - clams and mussels in a spicy tomato olive sauce-$24
Veal Retangellos alla Carbonara- veal stuffed pasta w/ peas, bacon and cream-$19