Eating Out: Leona's

I was first introduced to Leona’s in the mid-90s.  I was immediately in love after they brought out a fresh loaf of bread with a whipped butter.  Actually, that’s one of the things they’re known for.  The other is their fantastic lasagna.

Eventually I moved out of the city (actually about 5000 miles away) and Leona’s became a distant and fond memory.  Then we moved back, and 4 miles away from our house is a Leona’s.  My husband found some special coupons (80% off actually – oh yeah) on Restaurants.com and we planned our meal.

What was eaten:  Chicken Parmiagga – Alfredo & Mushroom

They give you two options for meal size – pleasing and plenty.  Either option comes with two side dishes (depending on what you order, you get to pick 1-2 items from their side listing).  I went with the “Pleasing” size because I was planning on ordering dessert too. 

First, let’s get out the obvious… I wasn’t concerned with calories, fat or sodium when I ordered this meal or selected the sides.  Second, I know you’re thinking that I mentioned their “fantastic lasagna” yet I didn’t order it, but you can order that as a side, so I never order it as an entrée. 

The chicken was perfectly breaded and cooked and it sat on the creamiest mushroom sauce I think I’ve ever tasted.  At first I was concerned that there was too much sauce, but I think the plate made it look like there was more than there actually was.  It was so good that I think I would order it again instead of trying something different from their large menu.

Eating Out: Sonic Drive-In

Even though I enjoy cooking and prefer a homemade meal, I must say that I do like fast food.  Sometimes I crave it.  In fact, on occasion I’ll get a taste for something stuck in my head and can’t focus on anything else until I’ve eaten it.  I’m like my neurotic Chihuahua when I pull out her favorite toy… gimme gimme gimme!!!!

When my husband and I lived in Hawaii, I used to be tortured with the commercials for Sonic.  Yes, I enjoyed the local Hawaiian fast-food-goodness of Zippy’s, and got to experience the deliciousness of Jack ‘n’ the Box (we both grew up where Ronald McDonald is king & Jack is nowhere to be found), but the ice cream and drinks from the Sonic commercials haunted my dreams. 

Okay, that last bit was a little dramatic, but I really did get semi-upset that I didn’t have access to one.

When we were moving back to the mainland, we joked that we were only going to move where there was a Sonic.  Of course, my husband, being the intelligent and practical one in our marriage (I supply the spontaneous excitement and goofiness), wouldn’t stick to the Sonic plan and moved us back to where we grew up, the Chicago area.

Eating Out - Wave

I decided that it was time to also post about some of the amazing food I have while I am out and about.  At first I wasn’t going to do this at all on this blog, and then I had this lunch.  My meal was so delicious; I had to take a picture.  Thus this new feature will pop up every once in a while.

©You Want Me to Cook?

What was eaten:  Smoked Turkey Club

First, I have to say that The W Hotel is gorgeous.  The people are really nice there and even if you sit in their lobby, someone will come and ask you if you’d like something to drink or if you need anything.  I’ve had the pleasure of staying in one of their rooms too.  Absolutely beautiful.

I’m not afraid to go out by myself – restaurants, travel, movies, spa, theater, etc…  I was single into my 30s and if I would have stayed in every night waiting for someone to take me out, I would have never done anything!  I had an appointment at Bliss Spa in the hotel (another INCREDIBLE experience) and had a lot of time to kill, so I decided to get something to eat.