Fresh peach cupcake at Judy’s on Cherry, a hearth-fired Euro café and upscale restaurant in Downtown Reading.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
The bruschetta at Cafe Rinaldi in Old Forge.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
London broil at Judy’s on Cherry, a hearth-fired Euro café and upscale restaurant in Downtown Reading.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Cinzano at Pazzo on Route 315 in Jenkins Township.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
Chicken Rinaldi at Cafe Rinaldi in Old Forge.
Courtesy of Mike McGinley
McGinley
It’s been a whirlwind of a week.
I’ve talked to many colleagues and friends over the last week, and that’s how they’re feeling too.
In a way, I counter long, busy workdays by going out to dinner and socializing. That always seems to relax me.
I took it to a whole new level in the last week, though.
Multiple special occasions called for more nights out than normal.
I’ll just share my top stops from the week today (especially since I’ve written about others before).
It was my friend Tara DeGiusto’s birthday, our family had a special dinner, and we embarked on a short road trip. All that combined meant I ate very well last week.
Let me share some of the details.
Tara opted to go to Pazzo (Route 315 in Jenkins Township) to celebrate her birthday and some other meaningful occasions happening in our lives.
The atmosphere there is truly the best for catching up with friends, relaxing and just feeling good about yourself.
We had a lovely table right in the bar, and we got to catch up, celebrate and imbibe in a super classy setting.
I always crave the stuffed long hots there; they are absolutely my favorite compared to anywhere I’ve been. They’re made with cheese and topped with marinara.
Also on the appetizer front, the pine nut encrusted ahi tuna is a great option.
I had the out-of-this-world Cinzano entrée for dinner. It’s a sauteed chicken breast, wild mushrooms, prosciutto, marsala wine sauce, whipped potato and sauteed spinach.
Two days later, Oscar and I were on a little road trip to Reading and happened upon Judy’s on Cherry — a hearth-fired Euro café and upscale restaurant in Downtown Reading.
They make amazing little pizzas right in front of you and have the most scrumptious bread (the carbs were worth it).
I had the London Broil with chimichurri sauce — a marinated, hand-carved shoulder sirloin served with roasted jacketed new potatoes and an array of local summer vegetables.
Oscar had the Limoncello chicken with saffron aïoli — a boneless Bell and Evans breast in a luscious lemon basil broth with roasted sweet garlic cloves and sundried tomatoes; it was served over capellini and a vegetable accompaniment.
The lights, high ceilings and artwork really added to the ambiance.
Finally, on Saturday night we had a family dinner at one of our favorites, Café Rinaldi in Old Forge. The Chicken Rinaldi is always a consistent and delicious dish, and again it did not disappoint (I haven’t ordered anything else there in years). It’s a boneless breast with hot Italian sausage, roasted red paper and a creamy balsamic dressing.
On another note, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the absolutely amazing bruschetta. It is toasted Tuscan bread topped with fresh diced tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella and spices. Simply the best.
All that said, I’m on a diet this week and will hopefully be back to my normal weight soon.
If not, at least I had several enjoyable dinners to remember.
***
Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.
Mike McGinley is a Times Leader columnist who is often called a man about town. Email him thoughts at mikejmcginley@gmail.com.