Top Five, For Sure

I have a really, really hard time picking favorites. I can't ever be certain enough to put the Amy's Favorite label on anything. Because what if it isn't in, say, a few days. What if I read a book that tops Jane Eyre (tough, I know), or bests Breakfast At Tiffany's (unlikely, Audrey, unlikely), or makes me swoon more than John Mayer (Gravity? One heck of a sexy song). You get it.

All of these things, in my humble, unschooled, slightly unrefined opinion, are great. But are they the best? I dunno. Quite often the rating of "All Time Favorite Forever" is completely dependent upon my mood. And my mood changes all the time. Just ask beau.

We live in a world of complete overstimulation. We have choices galore. Many of those choices are pretty darned fantastic. Can you blame me for being a little wishy-washy? (The only acceptable answer, of course, is "NO.")

Food, too, makes for an equally diverse and difficult genre from which to find my favorite. In fact, in all categories I choose to rebel against the favorite label. Instead I gravitate toward the land of "top five" lists. Sometimes they morph to "top seven" or "top 12" lists. I suppose it is annoying, but who cares? Who cares what my favorite movie is? Who gives any sort of thought to what I really, really, really love more than anything else, bestest forever?

Answer: No one. Not one single, solitary person. That includes me. I don't even give a fiddlers fart.

What is your point, Amy? Well, my point is that last night beau and I went to one of my favorite restaurants/wine bars with some wonderful friends/former neighbors who have taken military orders to Italy. It was what will probably be one of the last times we will get to see them. (Until we arrive at at their romantic Italian villa loaded down with bags enough to overextend our welcome...)

We dined at Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro in Town Center in Virginia Beach. As is common when we go there, we had a wonderful time. It is really hard not to. Well, actually, my dear friend Angela had a terrible blind date there, but that shouldn't count. It wasn't Sonoma's fault he was drunk and arrogant. And that was years ago so it really shouldn't count.

Again, I digress. Perhaps I should let the images of the evening do (most of) the rest of the talking. I didn't have my camera with me (cardinal sin, I know) so my cruddy not-an-iPhone had to do the documentation.

For the main course Todd and I had Filet Tenderloin stuffed with roasted garlic Camembert, rosemary roasted potatoes, sautéed asparagus and a raspberry balsamic drizzle. .

Beau had Pasta Sonoma: Shrimp and scallops sautéed with fire roasted red peppers, zucchini, olives, tomatoes and tossed with feta cheese and penne in a garlic beurre Blanc sauce.

Bonnie opted for the Almond Scallops with grilled banana and spinach couscous and a white chocolate mushroom.

Needless to say, we were all very pleased with our choices. We stuffed ourselves, then made room for some of the most divine desserts. I went for the seasonal creme brulee. The season is chocolate. my favorite season of all...

 John had chocolate cake with caramel drizzle.

Bonnie and Todd had what might have been a chocolate turtle. I can't remember I was thrown off by the clear sugar legs it was standing atop. Cuh-razee.

Dessert was a momentary work of art. Then all of a sudden it was gone. I don't know exactly how that happened.

Because dinner was at a wine bar we had to have wine. We opted for an Italian wine in honor of their way-too-close departure. I loved it and will be seeking out more bottles for the wine cooler.

I was really bummed I didn't take pictures of us at dinner. In order to make up for that oversight, beau and I will have to go to Italy to take a fun group shot. 

We had such an amazing time with our friends (at a favorite restaurant). I'm sad to see them go, but I know they are moving on to the next adventure. Their two adorable children with already Italian names will thrive in a bilingual school, will see the world and will eat some amazing grub. Come to think of it, it might not be too late for them to adopt me... 

So, what's your favorite favorite? Are you as all over as I am?

(The clear, professional looking photos at the top of the post came directly from Sonoma's website.)