Ciao Bella--Destin, FL

Craving authentic italian while in Florida?? Or maybe you are afraid to eat seafood because of the crazy oil spill? Well, this is the place to go!! This is a MUST when traveling to Destin for vacation.


The house white zinfandel is by far the best wine I have ever tasted. I could drink the entire carafe!
We like to start out with a caprese salad or bruschetta. (note: they are the same but the bruschetta comes on bread and is a chopped up caprese salad). We also love their infused olive oil and bread. Everything just bursts with flavor!!


The pizza is good (margarita pizza pictured above), but personally, I prefer the spinach tortellini (pictured below).


Actually, every time we go someone gets something different and we have not tried something that we do not like! Now, I have been to italy and the food over there is much different from the italian here in the US. Well, this is one of the few restaurants in the states I have been to that closely resembles authentic italian food. Still hungry after all that food? Or maybe you are full? TOO BAD! The canoli's are also a must! Sooooooo good!! I highly recommend this little place. Especially in the afternoon when you can sit outside under an umbrella.... Perfection!


((For location and directions, click this sentence))

The Melting Pot--Nashville

So pretty much one of the best places to be on the planet! This place is one of my all time favorite places to eat at and well, just go! The staff is so nice and accommodating to your every need, which is a double bonus! This 4-course meal takes about 2 hours to fully consume and I love that about it! It is such a great place to talk and get to know people in such a fun atmosphere. The Nashville Restaurant in particular takes you off the street and down, underground into a whole new, lovely area. The lighting is low, except at the tables.


The first course is cheese. The cheese comes with unlimited dippers including apples, veggies (carrots, celery, cauliflower), an assortment of bread chunks, and occasionally, chips.



The next course is a salad and boy do they have a great house salad! The salad is served with a garlic and wine seasoning that is optional to add to the salad, but I have fallen in love with!


The main course is meat and comes with an assorment (depending on what you order and when) of meats.


You pick the broth that you boil your food in and get to actually cook your own food! It is also served with unlimited veggies and at least 5 different dipping sauces! *A secret: mix the 'clover' sauces (3 different sauces served in a clover shaped dish) together to create Cur-plun-ki; it. is. amazing!* Green goddess is another specialty sauce that is sooooo good on mushrooms and potatoes.


The last course is dessert and it is great! You pick a chocolate or create your own. It is served with cheesecake, strawberries, bananas, rice crispies, and these amazing oreo or graham cracker covered marshmellows. mmMMmmm.



In addition to the awesome food, they have AWeSOmE grown-up drinks! Whether you want something refreshing like the sangria, or chocolately like their famous ying-yang drink..they are all (that I have tried) GREAT!
I give this place about a thousand thumbs up! And with all their specials through-out the year, every visit can be different if you want. Personally I LOVE experimenting and trying out whatever their newest thing is!

If you'd like to visit the website, click here.
I am even a club fondue member and get free chocolate on my birthday!

Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards
6211 Patton Road
Arrington, TN 37014-9116

This was my second time to visit this Winery/Vineyard. The first time I went was during the week last summer. This time, it was a bit crowded. You only get to sample 4 of the wines and no bottle of wine is under $14. The main reason I enjoy this place is because of the picnic area outside. They have plenty of picnic tables and are situated on a hill, so you have a GREAT view! They also have live music, I believe, but I really don't care for that. We bought 1 bottle of wine, but brought 2. Personally, none of their wines are really that great. I enjoy most sweet and semi-sweet wines, but other wineries I have been to have much better tasting wines, for MUCH better prices!

I would only recommend this place for picnic and enjoying great scenery. The wine is nothing to write home about. If you are looking for a good winery, I suggest Sumner Crest Winery. It is my personal favorite. Others I enjoy are on the "Rocky Top Wine Trail" in Pigeon Forge. Both places let you try as many wines (if not all) that you want, give you MUCH bigger portions, and the cheapest bottles start at $10.

YAY

this will be for whenever i go anywhere and do anything