shall we order...

Where were we?  Oh yes, about to order I think.  The menu was teeming with mouth watering yummies.  Being a vegetarian who doesn't eat fish or gluten makes these waters, at times, a bit tricky to charter.  If I wasn't this girl, I would be ordering the "Artichoke Gratin with Pita Chips" for a starter, followed with the "Warm Asparagus Pizza" (or "Artichoke Tortelli").  If I were a sexy, sophisticated type of gal (or one who drank alcohol more often than once or twice a year), I would have ordered the "Apricot Manahttan".  I wanted ALL the sides - every. single. one. of. them.  Yes, those are the things I would have eaten - including that yummy smelling bread with the chunks of sea salt and flavored butter, instead I ordered this.

I know, not exactly what you were hoping to see here but my choices were limited.  I will say, that "Arugula & Sour Apple" salad was near perfect (maybe a few more candied walnuts but that's just me).  It was all for the best considering what followed - I'll get to that in a minute.  My mother does not have a gluten allergy and she loves fish so this is what she ordered.

Whoopsie!  I was not fast enough with the camera.  That WAS the "Maple Bacon Glazed Scottish Salmon with Sweet Potato".  I will let the plate speak for itself.    This came next.  Hazardous - proceed with caution.

Old me would have been all over those donuts.  Throw the word "anglaise" in anything and I want to eat it.  New me chose the only gluten free option offered. 

It was divine - almost too rich, if that is even possible.  I very much enjoyed devouring that little gem, and how cute is the presentation?  I find it prudent to mention again, I had only had a salad up to this point and I gave the little peanut butter biscotti type cookies to my Dad.  Guilty conscience taken care of.  Know what wasn't taken care of?  My desire to see the ladies room.  Check it out!

Now, look closer - real artwork - not some generic mass produced, over used poster (I have art issues).

Now lean in even closer - POW!  Get a load of the blast of color in that chair/pillow combination.  

Need to wash your hands or freshen your make-up?   Step right up.

Snapped two more shots for you on the way out.  Thought these cushions were great and look at that lamp behind the bench.

Okay, let me pan out a bit so you can see the most amazing thing about this fabulous place.

That's right people.  It is in the MALL.  It is on the perimeter, so you enter from inside the mall.  They have an outside patio and it actually outside -  which means it basically borders the parking lot.  You completely forget this while you're inside.  You are transported to a world of chic sophistication.  I hope you've enjoyed the tour of my lovely Friday afternoon lunch with my parents.  If you are in Scottsdale, AZ and would like to see it for yourself - here is the info.  Thanks again Mom & Dad!

out to lunch...

Sometimes you could probably hang an "out to lunch" sign around my neck, but Friday I hung it on my front door.  My parents were down in the city for a few days and lucky for me, they arrived right around lunch time.  Let's go!

I'm a girl who loves interior design.  I love fabrics, lamps, chairs - all of it.  I appreciate good design in every arena.  You know you're in for a treat inside, and I mean a TREAT when this is on the outside of the restaurant.

Let's hurry inside shall we?  I am a bit of new convert to the fan club of the color orange.  It happened a few years ago when we decided to go more "modern" with our remodel - big fan now, big.  This orange glass planter box, full or orchids was the first thing I saw when I walked in.  Who doesn't love orchids?

My eyes were drinking the sweet design nectar and then I looked up and saw this!

Seriously, that's ONE of the chandeliers.  Something simple for the entryway darling. 

"Lunch for one?" she asked.
I wiped the drool from my mouth and explained I was meeting someone.
"Would you like to look for them?" she continued, politely handing me a tissue.
Are you kidding me?  I will be looking in every nook and cranny of this place lady!
"Uh, yes.  Thanks." was all I could mutter as I turned my head to look inside first.  Look what I saw. 

The tables and chairs were great but I couldn't keep my eyes off that ceiling.  More chandeliers.  These were holding on to an equally fanfreakintabulous ceiling.  That's not wallpaper, it's actual dropped fretwork.  That's all I have to say about that. 
"Do you see them in there?" said the now interrupting voice.
"Uh, no.  Thanks."  more drool.
"They might be outside on the patio" she said.
"Outside?  Patio?....uhhhhhh okay."  I couldn't wait. 

Follow me outside.  Walk past the bar, which I can only tell you was equally juicy with well appointed details, but there was an odd couple sitting at the bar and I didn't want to stop and take photos, let's just leave it at that.  Walk through the blue trimmed glass doors and past these perfectly painted iron chairs. 

We won't be sitting in those.  Nor will we be sitting in those white fretwork chairs nestled up to the two-sided fireplace.  The fireplace wasn't lit because it was a glorious 75 degrees outside people.  More gloriousness!  Imagine how cozy it would be in the evening though.  Romance lives!  Wait, is someone calling my name?

Bittersweet.  I found my parents waiting for me in a booth.  Bitter, because I had to stop wandering, sweet because my parents are the best companions and LUNCH was about to begin.  We will be sitting in this cushioned booth.  Here, scooch in next to me.  I'll take the green pillow and you can have the blue. 

"Would you like something to drink" or some other polite mumbo-jumbo was uttered.  I wasn't listening because she was setting these glutenated rolls down.  Willpower is my middle name.  I must keep repeating........"these will make me feel very sick, these will make me feel very sick".

I'll be back with more of this tour tomorrow, because there was an actual meal to be had at this palace of dandy design and delishisness.  Oh yes, there was lunch and maybe a dessert.  Did I mention the bathrooms.............