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.
Angharad
July 8, 2010 at 7:34 amChocolate 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…
Mo@MommyRD
July 8, 2010 at 7:40 amGah! 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?
Rebecca
July 8, 2010 at 7:43 amYou and Tina ordered the exact same thing! Which I’m sure you probably know already! 🙂 I’m so jealous of the swanky hotel!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please
July 8, 2010 at 7:44 amMmm… any restaurant that serves soft pretzels is definitely a winner!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
July 8, 2010 at 7:44 amWow 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!
Camille
July 8, 2010 at 7:46 amOh my lord, that pretzel bread… oh my lord. I want to steal a loaf then dissect it for a recipe!
Jessica @ How Sweet
July 8, 2010 at 7:48 amThat chocolate cake is insane. I need some.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
July 8, 2010 at 7:49 ami want to lay in a bed made of that chocolate cake. and take some starbursts for the road too 🙂
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
July 8, 2010 at 7:49 amI 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.
Laine
July 8, 2010 at 7:50 amThat is a gross amount of tuna that they served you. It does look yummy though, but what a waste.
Courtney
July 8, 2010 at 7:57 amHoly 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 🙂
Liz
July 8, 2010 at 7:57 amWhile 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 😀
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
July 8, 2010 at 7:59 amwow that chocolate cake looks so yummy! Actually, all that food looks and sounds awesome! Love that they serve soft pretzel rolls!!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
July 8, 2010 at 7:59 amwow that chocolate cake looks so yummy! Actually, all that food looks and sounds awesome! Love that they serve soft pretzel rolls!!
Therese
July 8, 2010 at 8:01 amWhat an awesome looking meal! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip!
Sarah for Real
July 8, 2010 at 8:01 amLol love the title!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
July 8, 2010 at 8:02 amI 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.
Allie
July 8, 2010 at 8:12 ami 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.
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
July 8, 2010 at 8:12 amThat place looks great and the chocolate cake looks fabulous!
Chelsey
July 8, 2010 at 8:18 amThat 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. 🙂
Run Sarah
July 8, 2010 at 8:21 amThe 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.
Krista (kristastes)
July 8, 2010 at 8:27 amI have a soft spot for soft pretzel anything. I am from philly, I guess it is a requirement!!
jenna
July 8, 2010 at 8:42 amLooks like a great resaurant!!
lol i always steal mints from the womens restroom 🙂 I dont’ get out much either apparently!
Lindsey @ Foodie on the Rocks
July 8, 2010 at 9:02 amUmm, pretzel bread?? Take me there now, please. Pretty please??
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
July 8, 2010 at 9:17 amI would get really excited about a bathroom that had starbursts, and I don’t even like them that much, ha! Yummy cake!
Lisa
July 8, 2010 at 9:17 amPalm trees! Looks like heaven!
Rachael
July 8, 2010 at 9:34 amPretzel 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..
Foy Update - Garden. Cook. Write. Repeat.
July 8, 2010 at 10:05 amI 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.
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies
July 8, 2010 at 10:30 amHoly crap — so much food!! It looks amazing though.
Daisy
July 8, 2010 at 10:30 amI 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.
Monique@She's Going The Distance
July 8, 2010 at 10:31 amPretzel rolls!??! How do I get my hands on one of those?! 🙂
Devon
July 8, 2010 at 10:42 amI have an unhealthy obsession with pretzel rolls!
Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa
July 8, 2010 at 11:05 amthe tuna! the cake! so delicious!
Corinne (breathe and savor)
July 8, 2010 at 11:07 amwhat flavor starbursts!? (i dont get out much either) 🙂
Annie@stronghealthyfit
July 8, 2010 at 11:37 amI 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.
Kate
July 8, 2010 at 11:47 amI’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
neiry mae
July 8, 2010 at 11:49 amis “pictures don’t really do this bad boy justice” what she said? 😀
Molly
July 8, 2010 at 11:49 amThat cake looks so good! Cake is one of my food weaknesses :]
Stacey @ Tipping the (Kitchen!) Scales
July 8, 2010 at 11:57 amLooks like you guys are having a fab time. I also hate it when restaurants serve hugh portions, I really hate to waste food!
Maura @ theMOHdiaries
July 8, 2010 at 12:07 pmScottsdale looks great & I’m so enjoying all the photos between you and Tina! That soft pretzel roll looks delish! Have fun 🙂
Jaclyn
July 8, 2010 at 12:18 pmMore 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?
Leanne
July 8, 2010 at 12:54 pmJenna- 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. 🙂
Jenny
July 8, 2010 at 1:12 pmThat is a monstrous portion of tuna! Still looks darn good though:)
Allison
July 8, 2010 at 1:34 pmYour 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!
amanda
July 8, 2010 at 2:15 pmThat 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. 🙂
Lisa (bakebikeblog)
July 8, 2010 at 2:16 pmoh my – that is one fancy looking choc cake 🙂 Have fun!
emily
July 8, 2010 at 3:22 pmwhat resort are you all staying at?! it looks amazing!! i live in scottsdale and i would love to come check it out!! 🙂
jenna
July 8, 2010 at 4:20 pmFor privacy reasons, I don’t like to say where I’m at until after I leave but I promise to tell you tomorrow!
Courtney
July 8, 2010 at 4:08 pmWow the tuna did look like a large portion, but so delicious!
Can you post a few photo’s from the hotel? It looks amazing!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
July 8, 2010 at 4:08 pmMmm…chocolate cake is soooo my type of dessert. Everything looks amazing! 😀
Oh, and I would have snagged some starbursts too. 😉
Suzanne de Cornelia
July 8, 2010 at 4:58 pmLooks 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.
ashley
July 9, 2010 at 3:47 pmmmm Mastros! I’ve eaten at the one out here in Thousand Oaks and that Pretzel Roll is seriously the best thing ever!