jin loves to eat: Italianni’s ♥

Monday, August 30, 2010

Italianni’s ♥

August 28 is a very special day.

Because…

1. It is my dear sister Jerrilyn’s birthday.

Meme, as we fondly call her, has grown from the ugliest duckling ever (don’t deny it anymore) to a truly beautiful swan. She now lives in the US with her husband Ryan and their three beautiful children.

We miss them a lot.

Meme and Ryan

My super adorable nephew and nieces – Ryan (again!), Riyanne and Rochelle

Aren’t they are the coolest :)

2. Today, this is what I wake up to:

I wish it was for me from a handsome secret admirer. But the bouquet is for my mom, from her fervent not-so-secret admirer – Meme. Yes, Meme sends flowers (and cake) to my mom on her own birthday.

3. Today, my cousin Florence is on her first week of OJT at Italianni’s Eastwood. And that is why we come here for dinner. To ~~harass~~ support her.

“FLO” the bartender

4. Today, I finally meet Reign. After 11 months, 23 days, 20 hours, 47 minutes and 38 seconds. At least I got to meet her before she turns 1.

Reignah Marie Iyesha Joy Lim See. Whew!!!

Okay, let’s do an intermission before I continue with the other reasons.

This is how we carbo-load:

Focaccia with herb-infused olive oil, vinegar and parmesan cheese – the most delicious food of the night is free!

Soup of the Day – Chicken Mushroom Soup

Insalata Rucola – Cyma does it better

Herb Roasted Spring Chicken

Beef Tenderloin

Pizza Abbondanza – Classico Pizza, Pesto Mediterraneo, Quattro Formaggio

Quattro Staggioni – Pepperoni, Mushroom and Artichokes, Shrimp with Black Olives, Four Cheeses with Arugula

Lasagna

Baked Ziti

And of course, enough noodles to guarantee a very looooooooooooooooong life.

Angel Hair Pomodoro

Shrimp Fra Diablo

Shrimp and Mushroom Linguine

My grape fruit shake, personally concocted by “FLO” the bartender

Bundaberg bottles are so vintage!

5. Today, to celebrate Meme’s birthday, I wear an outfit I wouldn’t otherwise be caught dead wearing. The rule is to come in “Meme Fashion,” i.e. wild animal prints, bright and loud colors, accessory overkill, knee high boots in the heat of summer. Yup, that is my sister.

Apparently, I am the only one who takes rules seriously.

Conti’s Bananalicious Pie from the celebrant herself, the Crukitchen Queso de Bola Cheesecake and Belgian Chocolate Decadence from Frances

6. Today is also Auntie Sabeth’s Chinese birthday (yes, we all have 2 birthdays in a year. See her “Filipino” birthday here) and she happily stands in for the cake blowing.

Happy birthday, Meme! From me (dressed as you, ugh!), Jamie, Frances, Felisse, Nikko and Auntie Sab