Definitely feelin’ the heat down here in Scottsdale but loooovin’ the swanky hotel I’m at for the Thermador event!
Love the view of the mountains in the distance. And the palm trees that remind me of home.
Dinner last night was at Mastro’s and was a lot of food. Way too much in my opinion, although it was very very good. I just hate the waste factor that comes along with restaurants serving overly large portions. I’m pretty sure I got served an entire seared tuna, straight from the sea. Pictures really don’t do this bad boy justice.
I probably only ate 1/3 before major tuna overload set in and I had to set down the fork. It was pretty intense.
But, any restaurant that serves soft pretzel rolls is a winner in my book!
And my chopped salad was delicious as well. It had blue cheese crumbles, parmesan cheese, artichoke hearts, olives and a blend of three lettuces in it. I’d like to recreate this at home, but try it with feta instead of blue cheese.
However, the real winner of the evening was this monstrosity. And I say monstrosity out of love, I assure you. For how could you not love a big slab of sinfully rich, moist chocolate cake?
Gah. I don’t even remember the last time I had a big ol’ piece of chocolate cake.
Well, actually I do remember. It wasn’t that long ago. But still. This was the real deal. Looking back, I probably could have eaten the entire thing, but then again, I didn’t really want to be rolling around with stomach pains all evening. So, I ate about a third of it and called it a night.
On my way out, I took some Starbursts from the women’s bathroom because I don’t get out much.
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Chocolate cake makes me happy. I think I talk about loving it more than I actually ever eat it…but it’s good to be picky, right? Only have the chocolate cake that deserves to be devoured? That’s my M.O. anyway.
I’d love to go to the southwest – never been! I might melt though…
Gah! You went to my favorite restaurant! We love to hit Mastros for a shrimp cocktail, vino and pretzel bread. Oh, and the live music in the bar. Did Palmer play last night?
You and Tina ordered the exact same thing! Which I’m sure you probably know already!
I’m so jealous of the swanky hotel!
Mmm… any restaurant that serves soft pretzels is definitely a winner!
Wow that dinner looks amazing! I love when places serve pretzels instead of bread – there’s one place in DC that does it and I go there just for the soft pretzels!
Oh my lord, that pretzel bread… oh my lord. I want to steal a loaf then dissect it for a recipe!
That chocolate cake is insane. I need some.
i want to lay in a bed made of that chocolate cake. and take some starbursts for the road too
I saw the meal on Tina’s blog and I still agree seeing it here–the chopped salad looks the best. Yes, even over chocolate cake. (Now if it had been with cream cheese frosting…) I need to recreate that tonight.
That is a gross amount of tuna that they served you. It does look yummy though, but what a waste.
Holy Cow. The pretzel bread at Mastro’s is one of my favorite things…probably ever. After eating dinner at the one in LA, I was still thinking about that bread the next day. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did
While I completely support your starburst filching I just have to wonder why they were in the bathroom to start with, haha. That cake looked absolutely, ridiculously good. I would have demolished that. And then eaten everyone else’s leftovers
wow that chocolate cake looks so yummy! Actually, all that food looks and sounds awesome! Love that they serve soft pretzel rolls!!
wow that chocolate cake looks so yummy! Actually, all that food looks and sounds awesome! Love that they serve soft pretzel rolls!!
What an awesome looking meal! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip!
Lol love the title!
I agree with you about the portion sizes. That’s a lot of food and when you are traveling you can’t take the rest for lunch. But it looks good.
i am all over free candy. i love the southwest. i think it’s beautiful, but that may be becuase i am from the northeast and the grass is always greener.
That place looks great and the chocolate cake looks fabulous!
That is a ton of food!!! It all looks delicious though – my favorite chocolate cake is from Maggiano’s. Granted, I can’t eat it, but it’s still my favorite.
The hotel looks AMAZING! The chopped salad and chocolate cake both look delish too…and pretzel rolls instead of regular bread? So much of an upgrade.
I have a soft spot for soft pretzel anything. I am from philly, I guess it is a requirement!!
Looks like a great resaurant!!
I dont’ get out much either apparently!
lol i always steal mints from the womens restroom
Umm, pretzel bread?? Take me there now, please. Pretty please??
I would get really excited about a bathroom that had starbursts, and I don’t even like them that much, ha! Yummy cake!
Palm trees! Looks like heaven!
Pretzel bread is pretty close to perfect in my book. And that is an epic piece of tuna; I only wish that restaurants paid more attention to the sourcing and origins of their seafood – it would be awesome if more businesses and markets adopted sustainable seafood policies.
Enjoy the Southwest – my favorite part of the country. Definitely a desert girl..
I know this sounds weird, but I actually bring my own tupperware with me to restaurants. Yes, even the fancy ones. If they served reasonable portions this wouldn’t be a problem. Although it is kind of nice to have lunch for tomorrow all ready to go. Today I’m having half a sweet potato and 1/2 a chicken breast left over from eating out yesterday.
Holy crap — so much food!! It looks amazing though.
I commented on Tina’s blog this morning about how it’s too bad that restaurant wasted so much tuna. Crazy! but glad you enjoyed your meal.
Pretzel rolls!??! How do I get my hands on one of those?!
I have an unhealthy obsession with pretzel rolls!
the tuna! the cake! so delicious!
what flavor starbursts!? (i dont get out much either)
I left this same comment over at C&C, but that tuna is definitely 3-4 actual portions! I know you know that already. What’s the deal? THat place looks like it’s ‘fine dining’- usually they get portions pretty much right.
I’ve been reading your blog for over two years and I love it. Lately I’ve been laughing out loud at nearly every post! Your writing has always been great, but lately you have really found your voice!
Keep it up!
Kate – Portland Pollyanna
is “pictures don’t really do this bad boy justice” what she said?
That cake looks so good! Cake is one of my food weaknesses :]
Looks like you guys are having a fab time. I also hate it when restaurants serve hugh portions, I really hate to waste food!
Scottsdale looks great & I’m so enjoying all the photos between you and Tina! That soft pretzel roll looks delish! Have fun
More bathrooms should stock Starbursts… And while we’re at it – am I the only one who thinks they should make packages of just red & pink?
Jenna- that tuna looks amazing but I agree with you the portion sizes look way too big. Congrats on the willpower to put the fork down while eating that chocolate cake.
That is a monstrous portion of tuna! Still looks darn good though:)
Your meal looks huge, but completely fabulous! Hhhmm, I think I’ am due for a giant slice of chocolate cake! By the way, check out my new blog, http://www.runningwithmascara.com! Looking forward to your next post!
That cake looks soooooo delicious…I probably would ate almost all of it I wouldn’t eat all of it. ha ha I love the fact you stoled some Starbust from the women’s restroom.
oh my – that is one fancy looking choc cake
Have fun!
what resort are you all staying at?! it looks amazing!! i live in scottsdale and i would love to come check it out!!
For privacy reasons, I don’t like to say where I’m at until after I leave but I promise to tell you tomorrow!
Wow the tuna did look like a large portion, but so delicious!
Can you post a few photo’s from the hotel? It looks amazing!
Mmm…chocolate cake is soooo my type of dessert. Everything looks amazing!
Oh, and I would have snagged some starbursts too.
Looks delicious~~although servings are enough for three people–and I agree, prefer smaller portions so don’t waste food. The hotel looks like where a friend and I stayed and had dinner with local friends. ‘Twas a lovely time.
mmm Mastros! I’ve eaten at the one out here in Thousand Oaks and that Pretzel Roll is seriously the best thing ever!