A Night of 'Joia'

Earlier this year my colleague and I worked tirelessly to negotiate the next contract for our teachers. Now that everything is wrapped up, we decided to celebrate the end of that process with a decadent dinner.

So, off we headed to a Michelin starred vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Milan.

The food is whimsical, filling, and beautiful, but most of all quite delicious.

We opted for a tasting menu. Given the a la carte prices, the tasting menu seems like the best value for the large amount of money you are going to spend.

antipasti included in the coperta, or cover charge
you must eat with your fingers, and then use the water and lemon dish to clean your hands

another antipasti...
potato and parsley with 'edible ground'
the layers of flavors changed as you ate through the 'dirt'

'travel notes'
warm fondue of parmesan cheese with artichokes and black cabbage
four different sauces to eat with the dish

'oh my dear planet'
vegetarian version of foie gras in two ways, 'au torchon' and marinated with mustard,
a slice of grilled apple and its chutney, hidden under a crunchy dome of Savoy cabbage
**this was probably my favorite course**

'inner landscape'
broth of artichokes and turnip, properly cooked and lightly spicy, with Teff blinis

'divertissement, thinking about winter sun'
lukewarm ravioli, filled with kidney beans and nuts, play of roasted vegetables,
avocado, yuzu sauce and orange broth
**second best course**

'under a thin blanket'
winter walk, green celery pesto, heart of pumpkin and pepper,
truffle sauce, parsnip, cubes of ricotta, crispy sage, pomegranate and other surprises
hidden by an impalpable and tasty blanket

'rainforest'
gelato of black licorice

'five minutes'
terrine of chocolate and passion fruit, ricciarello biscuit, chocolate mousse with
pumpkin mustard, Bavarois of chocolate and mixed berries

final bite
I don't know what it was, and I don't want to eat it again. 

Reservations for Joia can be made online.
Our eight course tasting menu was 90 euro per person.
There is a cover charge, which included 3 additional courses and a glass of champagne. Flights of wine are available at three different price points.

The service was incredible, as was the whole experience.  It's not something to do often, but for a nice evening out, it would be worth a try.

Home for the Holidays

Finding the motivation to write this blog has been difficult of late.

I'd rather be engrossed in watching the handsome Wentworth Miller in Prison Break.

For the 2nd time.

(Clearly once was not enough.)

Anywho, I spent quite a bit of time in the States in December, as my dad had some major surgery and then I returned home for the holidays.

I was also able to swing by Cincinnati for a few days with my family and college friends there.

I always wish there was more time.

My aunt treated my cousins and me to dinner at a Cincinnati favorite, Montgomery Inn.

my cousins and my aunt! <3

half slab, quarter chicken and onion straws, with LOTS of sauce!

And a trip to the Queen City isn't complete without a scoop of Graeter's!

mocha chocolate chip. my personal fave.

A few sorority sisters and I gathered for lunch in Columbus.

Laurie, Susan, me, Ellen (my big), and Susie (my little)

And then a group of us also met for dinner.

Tudor, Poprocks, Hogg, me, and Suz

Laurie and Susan stayed in Columbus with me for two nights so that we could catch up. It's always so nice to see them and I hate that our time together is always so short. Perhaps one day we'll manage to change that.

we're still working on our selfie skills. 

Once in Savannah, I had lunch with this little cutie!

#i'mstealingher

Gathered with my supper club girls for some Mexican fare at Christy's house. I swear I could eat cheese dip every day and not get tired of it.

Jessica, Lori, me, Christy and Tammy

Sheila had several of us over for a delicious dinner to complement the wine I brought home from Tuscany.

deliciousness and was perfect with that great Tuscan wine

And Janet had me over for a bowl of chili and the Georgia football game. Her chili is amazing!

again, working on our selfie game.

On New Year's Eve, I had some fun trying to record the fireworks in slow motion on my phone. Kind of fun!

Danielle and I painted the ponies my sister jokingly gave me for Christmas. Now they're on her desk!

I once wanted only a horse for Christmas.
#theneverendingjoke

It's always nice to be in Savannah with the people I love the most.

And it's always nice to get back to my own space, routine and life when I return to Milan.

I'm happy that I can have both.