It seems like everyone is out of town this weekend, so I decided to wine and dine myself tonight. (Minus the wine of course.) I did have a non-alcoholic mojito, though, which is quickly becoming my favorite fancy drink to get when out among the people that get to have the real stuff. I enjoy the way I feel in the morning, however, after having a few of those !

Yummy!!

I made a reservation on Open Table at the Herb Box for 9:30, showed up, and saw that their summer hours were until 9. Whoopsie! Right across the street was Cowboy Ciao, which I had heard great things about, so I just went there instead.

I opened the menu and started looking at stuff, and noticed something I’ve been told about before: The Stetson Chopped Salad. I was told about this salad from a friend that said it was one of the best salads he’s ever had. I just forgot it was at Cowboy Ciao! So I ordered that, and the Mini Mushroom Pan Fry. Obviously, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. Here is the salad:

source

I didn’t take a pic of the salad before my server mixed it. Here is my actual salad:

If you are ever in Phoenix, haul your butt out to Scottsdale and try this salad. It was absolutely incredible. Hands down one of the best salads I have ever had! I even managed to get the recipe for it from the manager!

I will find the ingredients, and I will replicate this salad! Just give me some time….

Here was the mushroom dish:

Their website describes the Mini Mushroom Pan Fry as “mucho mushrooms (cremini, button, oyster, cepe, lobster, black trumpet, shiitake, morel, yellow foot) in ancho cream over double-cooked polenta, all topped with grilled portabellini, avocado, Roma tomato and cotija cheese – a staple since 1997”

It was a very heavy and rich dish, and I wasn’t able to finish it. It would’ve been a perfect portion size to split with someone after the salad. The mushroom mixture was served over polenta cakes. I’ve seen so many cooking shows that have used polenta, but this is the first time I’ve ever actually had it. How crazy is that? I really liked it! There were definitely mushrooms in there that I had never tried before, as well. Needless to say, today wasn’t exactly a gluten-free day for me. It was well worth it, though .

You guys know I despise mirror pictures, but I have to show you this dress I got!

At first when I saw the style, I wasn’t a fan of the long in the back-short in the front cut for skirts. It has grown on me, though, especially with this dress. I got it at Diva’s Boutique on Mill Ave. It’s so simple, but so perfect and summery, and goes perfect with my nude heels. Those heels were worth every penny! Too funny that I got them at a store in NYC that we have all over the place here! (I forget the name of it, but it is common.) Anyway, nude heels are a staple. Go get yourself some if you don’t already own them. You can thank me later.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! I am just spending as much time off of my feet as possible, and doing my PT exercises. Tomorrow is a swim/elliptical/PT exercise kinda day for me. After that, hopefully some more relaxation without too much boredom.

Happy Trails!

Stacey