Seasons 52 Spring Menu

Hi Guys! The bf and I were recently invited to try Seasons 52's Spring 2012 menu. I wanted to share some of my favorite items. If you've never heard of the restaurant, they have locations nationwide, all of their menu items are 475 calories or less, and they pride themselves on using seasonal ingredients.

We were greeted with a glass of Zardetto Prosecco with Strawberry Kir Royal. So pretty!

Director of Culinary, Chef Clifford Pleau and Master Sommelier, George Miliotes joined us live from Orlando to walk us through the new menu. You could tweet them a question by using @Seasons 52 #S52Spring...I love technology. Chef Chris (North Bethesda's in-house chef) also helped answer our questions.

Appetizers included:
Artichoke & Goat Cheese Flatbread - with leaf spinach, balsamic onion and roasted peppers
Artichoke-Stuffed Artichoke Leaves - with organic arugula, Parmesan cheese and balsamic glaze
Tomato & Haas Avocado Salad - with organic arugula, balsamic glaze and grilled bruschetta

Our meal was paired with handpicked wines to compliment each dish. Let's just say I was feeling "nice" after dinner was over!

Wines included:
Aveleda Vinho Verde, Portugal '10/'11
Botani Moscatel, Sierras de Malaga '10
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Corvina Veronese '08/'09
Lioco Indica Rosé, Mendocino '11

Entrees included:
Columbia River Steelhead Trout - with spring vegetables, basmati rice and lemongrass sauce
Spicy Snow Peas & Shiitake Mushrooms - with roasted almonds
Lamb T-bone Chops - with asparagus, truffle mashed potatoes and red wine glaze
Tiger Shrimp Penne Pasta - with spring asparagus and oyster mushrooms in a light lemon-basil sauce

Mini Indulgence Desserts! Mango, Pecan Pie, Key Lime, Fruit Cup, Carrot Cake, Mocha, Lemon Meringue, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter and Chocolate....OMG. They are 375 calories each.

The bf and I agreed that our favorites were the Artichoke & Goat Cheese Flatbread and the Lamb T-bone Chops. The bf does not like goat cheese or lamb and loved them! That says a lot. I was impressed with the wine selection and was happy to be introduced to them. Check it out folks! The menu will be around for the next 12 weeks. 

11414 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852
(301) 984-5252

www.seasons52.com

Pho & Grill - Olney, MD

I'm going to try EVERY single pho place in the DMV! Ok...just kidding. It may seem like I've written about so many already, but I'm Viet...can't help it =) My dad lives close to Olney, so he recommended we catch up on life over a delicious, quick lunch at Pho & Grill.
The restaurant is located in a huge shopping center in the heart of Olney, so there is plenty of free parking.

The interior is pretty, warm and modern. I love the dark wood, wall decor and extra lighting.

As the name suggests, they offer mainly pho and grilled items along with traditional appetizers and drinks. We shared an order of Spring Rolls/Cha Gio (deep fried rolls with pork, mushrooms, vermicelli, carrots and onions served with fish sauce) for $3.50. They were delicious and freshly fried!

My mom used to make these when I was a child. It's one of my favorite items that I don't see often at other Vietnamese restaurants. We ordered the Pork Roll/Nem Nuong (fresh rice paper wrapped with grilled pork, crunchy wheat roll, lettuce, mint, carrots and cucumber served with house special sauce) for $3.50. Amazing! Similar to a summer roll, but better because of the grilled pork, and they added a fried spring roll wrapper to give it a nice crunch. I admire great wrapping like this because I've tried it before and it's not as easy as it looks!

Onto the pho. I ordered a small bowl ($6.50) and my dad and bf ordered large bowls ($7.50). The pho was good, the tendon was very tender, and the broth had a strong anise flavor.

The service was the BEST I've ever had at a pho restaurant. Fast, friendly, attentive and helpful. They have another location in Gaithersburg, but if you're in Olney, I would recommend checking them out.

18153 Village Center Drive
Olney, MD 20832
301-260-7728
www.pho-grill.com