New Year, New Food to Discover!!!!

Hello all - HAPPY NEW YEAR,

     Now that we are in 2013, there are gonna be alot of things happening on LisasBestof that I am excited to share with all of you!!!

     In the upcoming year, not only will I still be blogging about the amazing food around the city but also, I am going to expand my blog to include: details and planning for the wedding of my good friend, Kathy Maire, tons and tons of recipes - food, desserts and more and introducing the new, tasty (if I may so myself) home-'made' 2 Local Girls - Treat shop, which specializes in all different treats and desserts; cupcakes, cakes, cookies, etc along with Dog Treats. 2 Local Girls - Treat shop can also offer catering declicious foods for different event needs. Yes, although currently amateur, this is the wonderful beginning to share my culinary and pastry skills to the world.  Contact info for ordering to come soon!

     Like it says in the post title; 'New Year, New Food to Discover' and I hope to continue to find all things amazing when it comes to foods and desserts and share it with all of you. Also, please comment and share with me any wonderful recipes or restaurants that need to be discovered or recognized. Til the next post, Happy Eating!!!!

Ibiza Tapas & Wine Bar

This was my first time dining at Ibiza. However, my friend has been to Spain and vouched that it was not authentic in anyway.  It was more an Americanized version of the spanish tapas, especially the portions. As a food critic/blogger, I ordered many different items from the menu, including: Bruschetta, Crab Cakes, Four cheese lobster ravioli, Spanish meat and cheese plate, and the Patatas bravas, along with the initial bread and hummus. The bruschetta was the best thing that I ate; however, not sure that it originated in Spain and the bread and hummus was equally delicious. The crab cakes had entirely too much spanish mint in the batter, which overpowered the crab. The four cheese lobster ravioli was underdone; even under al dente. For an establishment that portrays high-class, noodles should be one of the easiest things to make. Also, the four cheese sauce was too dense and too thick; it did not complement the lobster at all. Then, there is the meat and cheese plate. There was such an abundance of balsamic marinated olives, that the balsamic ran into the meats and cheeses and that flavor was absorbed into everything. Finally, the patatas bravas. This was, by far, the worst dish on the menu. In fact, just looking at the menu online, it is no longer indicated as an item. It was pretty much chunks of potatoes with Frank's Red Hot poured on top. There was no developed flavor of the sauce. Unless, there is a coupon or special advertised, I will not be returning to dine at Ibiza.

La Casa in Shadyside has a more authentic tasting Tapas and Casbah & The Wine Loft have incredible meat and cheese plates.

Moreover, the service was awful. The waitress was training someone and he was just following behind her like Lurch from The Munsters. He did fill my water glass, but that was only once. Even with two people working the tables on the back porch/patio,   it took a little while for them to return to the table. No where near good tapas.

Let me know what you think or if there is another hidden Tapas gem!