A frosty mug of root beer at Mac’s Drive-In.

Posted on August 29, 2011 by 2eat2drink

Hurry! I hear Mac’s closes after Labor Day weekend. So with a week to go, it’s time to head out and grab yourself a frosty mug of root beer and a cheeseburger basket. I recently had an opportunity to photograph a 1954 Chrysler Newport in Waterloo, NY. We stopped at Mac’s Drive-In on Rts. 5 & 20 to grab a few shots, and ended up staying for an early lunch as well. What a quaint little place for an excursion in your classic car or hot rod. Classic car night is every Wednesday, featuring (as they do every day) the full menu via drive-in service, root beer floats, ice cream and Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap. Hope you make it!

The signature meal....the burger basket.

The '54 Chrysler by the drive-in bays.

Mac's Drive-In, Waterloo, NY.

The magic of all things Disney!

Posted on August 11, 2011 by 2eat2drink

Disney World! Yes, we were lucky enough to spend a week there this June. (I’m a touch behind on my post!) Though this blog is about food and drink, our trip was definitely not; it was a chance for our 3 boys to have the time of their lives after a busy school year! While there are many fine dining choices at Walt Disney World, our fare on this trip mainly consisted of “quick service” meals and ice cream snacks, squeezed in between the amazing rides, shows, and parades that had us all spellbound. There are just so many wonderful attractions, we were constantly on the go, and found time for only one table-service meal during the entire week!

Thanks to my wonderful in-laws, who accompanied us on the trip, Heather and I did get a kid-free evening to take a journey around the world in Epcot. While strolling through the World Showcase, we stopped at the Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom pavilion for a quick bite and a drink. We noshed on the Scotch Egg, which is a hard-boild egg wrapped in sausage and fried to a golden brown, then served with mustard sauce and mixed greens. The house-made potato crisps were a nice addition. As for drinks, Heather went with the classic Pimm’s Cup, and I opted for the Single Malt Scotch flight, which included Glenkinchie 12 year, Oban 14 year, and Lagavulin 16 year Scotch whiskeys. The Oban was my favorite, but more research is needed and I’ll be working on a Scotch post soon!

If you’ve never been to Walt Disney World, we hope this post will inspire you to make the trip. If you have been there before (and if you’re anything like us!), it just might make you want to go back again and again! There truly is nothing quite like the magic of Disney.

Cinderella's Castle had fireworks every night!

Who can resist Mickey-shaped ice cream treats?!

The Rose and Crown Pub. Homemade potato crisps, a very large flight of Scotch, and a Scotch egg!

The magic of all things Disney! (via the iPhone)

Our tired-yet-excited group on the first night!

Cheers.....to our next Disney trip! (note Mt. Everest in the background)

We got Naked with chianti.

Posted on June 30, 2011 by 2eat2drink

Naked Pizza that is. Yes…the name of the chain is intriguing (and innuendo inspiring), so we thought we’d give it a try. We ordered the Mediterranean pizza for Heather and I, and a plain cheese for the boys. I think the cheese pizza was gone before we actually ate ours (due to some crazy photographer taking pictures). So, I’m pretty sure they liked it! As did we. It was very flavorful and true to its Mediterranean influence with artichokes, red onion, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and black olives. We decided to pair it with a 2007 Chianti Classico that was #47 on the Wine Spectator top 100 list, from Casttello D’Albola. The wine was marvelous. Super red in color, easily drinkable, and perfect with Pizza. I suggest you get Naked soon!

The Naked Mediterranean pizza.

The 2007 Castello D'Albola Chianti Classico catching a big breath.

Who would have thought carrots and cake go together?

Posted on June 7, 2011 by 2eat2drink

Whoever decided it was a good idea to create carrot cake was a genius! I photographed the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss cupcake, but my favorite flavor I was lucky enough to sample (after the kids devoured most of the cupcakes) was the rich and creamy carrot cake. This delightful selection of treats (for the eyes and the palate) came from Dolce Cupcakery in Pittsford….via my sister (who raves about Dolce). We’re going to have to find a chance to get back there soon to try such intriguing flavors as Foxy Lady, French Toast, Granny Apple Spice, Pucker Up, and Mocha Latte….37 flavors in all! (8-10 available fresh daily.) Let me know what your favorite cupcake flavor is…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss!

My niece trying to pick her favorite!

Heavenly clouds of cotton candy

Posted on June 3, 2011 by 2eat2drink

Quick! Go to your neighborhood fireman’s carnival! We are first night Mendon fireman’s carnival junkies. I suggest you get hooked as well. 🙂 I figured I’d try and entice you with cotton candy and a few funky iPhone pictures. I would have taken pictures of our Italian sausage and fried dough, but they were gone almost before we got them. Hope you enjoy!

Cotton candy trifecta!

Fluffy Circus cotton candy. Mmmmm!

Don't forget a ride on the ferris wheel!

Food!

Posted on April 18, 2011 by 2eat2drink

What a title, right? But that’s what we say…Let’s go to Food! Food at Fishers Station. If you haven’t been, just know that you will wait in a line outside -whatever the weather may be – and it will be worth the wait! All I can really say is… it’s truly amazing how good the pancakes are. I can’t properly explain how they just melt in your mouth… or how much my mouth was watering as I was quickly taking these pictures. I didn’t plan this shoot ahead of time, but I figured if we were lucky enough to get the table by the big window, it would be easy to grab a few shots. That table wasn’t available, and we ended up at the counter in rather dim light. That turned out to be a real treat (despite the very slow shutter speeds). We got to watch the Stewart family and crew in a swarm of activity, masterfully handling the crowd (and this crazy guy with a camera, taking pictures), being ever hospitable.

Breakfast perfection included the 2-2-2: two pancakes (looks like more than 2 to me!), two eggs, and two sausage patties, and the short stack (not so short either) with an egg on top.

My suggestion: Go there (7548 Main Street, Fishers, NY), check on the hours (they are limited Thursday – Sunday), bring cash, be prepared to wait in line, and enjoy!

The 2-2-2, two pancakes (actually more!), two eggs, and two sausage patties.

Short stack with an egg on top!

Is this stack really short? Nope. And its fantastic!

Hot coffee, and the mug says it all.....

the Ravioli Shop

Posted on April 6, 2011 by 2eat2drink

I’d heard great things, but had never been to the Ravioli Shop. So off I went to see what I could find for Heather and I to have for dinner. I decided on the spinach ravioli with tomato red pepper sauce. It was a tough call not to get the lobster ravioli. My, that sounds decadent…but we’ll save that for another post! With the addition of the rosemary sea salt focaccia bread I found on display there (all the breads I sampled were excellent!), I headed home to prep. The ravioli came 30 per box, and looked really cool in a sheet. After separating and setting up my leaning tower of ravioli, they cooked up just as directed; 7 minutes, a touch al dente. Some ravioli can be quite thick and heavy, but these were extremely light, fresh and delicious. With the addition of a little shaved parmigiano reggiano, some fresh basil and a nice bottle of chianti, this meal was superb!

The spinach ravioli.

The leaning tower of ravioli!

The spinach ravioli ready, with the anticipation killing me.....

Rosemary and sea salt focaccia bread....Mmmmmmm.

The 2008 Terre Del Palazzo Chianti was a good match.

The Ravioli Shop...go there!

Shank you, shank you very much.

Posted on March 21, 2011 by 2eat2drink

(said with my lame Elvis impression). Lucca Wood-Fired Pizza! The home of the most fabulous Neapolitan pizza, splendid pork shanks (now you get the title), and fresh flavorful salads. I thought it might be fun to do some photos at a restaurant. I mean, it’s still about food, and it looks marvelous….so why not? I apologize to those of you who live elsewhere, but this is definitely worth the trip! Heather and I frequent Lucca often, so hopefully we’ll see you there…

Charlie Augello seems to always be there creating his masterpieces. The roasted pear salad is the perfect way to start the meal. The Carolina pizza pictured has basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, spinach, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, portobella mushrooms and parmesan. Some other favorite pizzas are the Margherite and the Funghi. The pork shanks are extremely tender, the meat falling right off the bone. The blend of Sicilian spices keeps you wanting more. (I highly recommend the chicken wings, as well.) If you have room, get a cannoli for dessert.

Lucca is located at 90 West Main Street in Victor, NY. Don’t forget to bring your own bottle of wine!

http://www.luccawfpizza.com/