http://www.themangolassie.com/2007/06/rainy-night-respite/ Going Gourmet on a Shoestring Budget Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:21:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.themangolassie.com/2007/06/rainy-night-respite/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Pie Baker Mon, 04 Jun 2007 21:13:54 +0000 http://www.themangolassie.com/?p=258#comment-96 I have enjoyed Selmarie for many years--a welcoming and delicious spot in any weather! I have enjoyed Selmarie for many years–a welcoming and delicious spot in any weather!

]]> http://www.themangolassie.com/2007/06/rainy-night-respite/comment-page-1/#comment-94 Popover Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:17:37 +0000 http://www.themangolassie.com/?p=258#comment-94 Rainy days are some of the best times to experience restaurants -- fewer customers, cozy atmosphere, and no distractions outdoors. Last Saturday, Toffuti Cutie and I found ourselves at the Farmers' Market in downtown Madison (WI) when the slight drizzle that we were enduring as we were admiring the vegetables and flowers offered around the Capitol Square became more of a rain shower. So we ducked into Tutto Pasta, just around the corner from the Capitol Building, for lunch. Known for its huge menu of Italian pasta dishes, we chose two of the restaurant's excellent salads. Cutie ordered a tasty green salad with blue cheese, blue berries, pine nuts and a beautiful slice of salmon on top, dressed with a raspberry vinagrette. I selected the Ensalada Maria Elana, largely because it is identified by the middle names of two of our granddaughters -- Ayden Marie and Audrey Elana. It was similar to the Cutie's salad, but with large slices of pear in lieu of salmon. Mint ice tea accompanied. What a lovely interlude on a rainy day. Rainy days are some of the best times to experience restaurants — fewer customers, cozy atmosphere, and no distractions outdoors. Last Saturday, Toffuti Cutie and I found ourselves at the Farmers’ Market in downtown Madison (WI) when the slight drizzle that we were enduring as we were admiring the vegetables and flowers offered around the Capitol Square became more of a rain shower. So we ducked into Tutto Pasta, just around the corner from the Capitol Building, for lunch. Known for its huge menu of Italian pasta dishes, we chose two of the restaurant’s excellent salads. Cutie ordered a tasty green salad with blue cheese, blue berries, pine nuts and a beautiful slice of salmon on top, dressed with a raspberry vinagrette. I selected the Ensalada Maria Elana, largely because it is identified by the middle names of two of our granddaughters — Ayden Marie and Audrey Elana. It was similar to the Cutie’s salad, but with large slices of pear in lieu of salmon. Mint ice tea accompanied. What a lovely interlude on a rainy day.

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