I had been meaning to eat at this new restaurant in town called Tilia since before it even opened. My friend from book club, Cuellar, had gotten a job there while it was still being built and could not stop gushing about the food, the space and her coworkers. I’d never heard anyone so genuinely excited about the place they worked. And her enthusiasm didn’t stop once the restaurant opened. It actually multiplied.

After a few failed attempts (lonnnnnnnnng wait times), we finally got to go eat there last night for Brad and my 4 year dateiversary. And let me just say it was TOTALLY worth the wait. We sat up on the counter/bar right in front of the kitchen, so of course Brad was in heaven. The chefs were all super nice and helped us decide what to order. Cuellar helped out in her own special way—I texted her and asked what we should order and she said, “Everything!!!!!” Ha. So here’s what we ended up ordering, a kind of Greatest Hits compilation of their most popular small plates. And let me just say, we were not disappointed once:

• Grilled Bread with Prosciutto + Fresh Mozzerella

• Shrimp with Spring Peas, Spicy Scampi Sauce and Grilled Scallion

• Roasted Chicken Thighs in a Sort of Jerk Chicken Style

• Scallops with Curry, Carrots and Marinated Mushrooms

• Caramelized Brussell Sprouts, Walnuts and Ham

Good Lord, I am SOOOOOOOO happy I started eating meat again.

This was, hands down the most enjoyable meal I’ve had in Minneapolis. And in a long time. The food was all amazing. Fresh. Flavorful. Unique. I found myself wishing I could somehow apply to be a judge on Top Chef…if THIS is the kind of stuff they eat. Also, I was wondering why anyone would pay $6 for a friggin McDonald’s value meal when they could pay $8 for the most AMAZING jerk chicken in the world. Totally beyond me. Aside from the amazing food, the service was fantastic, the atmosphere rich and inspiring. It was just the perfect little dark, romantic restaurant. I felt like we were in New York or something. I walked out of the restaurant, holding Brad’s hand, feeling as though I was in a different world. Just feeling so full and blessed and grateful. I was in heaven.

The girl from My Drunk Kitchen is hilarious and adorable and I want her to be my friend.

Love this idea of framing a recipe or list of ingredients. Very, very sweet.

Meal Snap Photographs Your Food and Automatically Estimates the Calories You Ate »

I adore this short video on how to cook quinoa. I’ve been kind of on a health thing recently, so this is especially interesting for me. Anywho, it’s from the blog My New Roots, which I think I will be frequenting a lot more after today :)

I am DYING over this adorable “Jamie’s Family Christmas” segment with Jamie Oliver cooking pancakes alongside his two “honey bunny” daughters (who look like friggin clones of him). Seriously this video could not have more adorable crammed into it if it tried (including the bomb-ass set design!)

What movie does this scene remind me of? My very favorite part of the otherwise so-so flick The Holiday.

Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting »

Brad made these RIDICULOUS cupcakes for the tea party this weekend. You literally first have to bake a pumpkin pie and then bake those pies within cupcakes. It was crazyyyyyyyyy delicious (essentially a pie baked into a cupcake). Rich, creamy and perfectly yummy :)

11 Delicious Pumpkin Recipes »

It has SO felt like fall these last 2 weeks and put me in the mood for some baking—which is actually perfect timing since my 2nd Annual Fall Tea Party is quickly approaching. Mmmm…wonder which yummies I should bake all by myself with no help from Brad at all (something easy AND delicious).

I found the coolest project EVER today called “They Draw and Cook.”

Founded by adorable couple Nate and Salli, this website encourages chefs to draw their favorite recipes and artists to cook up their favorite recipes. Anyway, send in your favorite recipe illustrated beautifully by October 10 and YOU could be in their upcoming cookbook! Pretty neat. I’m trying to get Brad to enter one of his creations, but his “I’m not really an artist” moaning is kind of bumming me out, so I might stop trying to win that battle.

Anyway, enjoy and bon appetite!

Classic Food Combinations »

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Wheel of Nutrition »

This is SUCH a great idea! Thanks to Kendall (and Swiss Miss) for sharing :)

Sweet Liberty.