Butternut Squash Ravioli

I know this is a bit out of season, but I guess better late than never..especially when it comes to food. I bought some butternut squash ravioli at Trader Joe's earlier in the fall and never got a chance to try them, so I recently decided that it was time. I am sure that they don't sell them in the store anymore, but in case they do, you should give them a try. If not, then you have something to look forward to next year. These little pasta pockets are filled with a heavenly butternut squash stuffing that has a hint of nutmeg and fills you with the inner warmth you crave on a chilly winter's day. They are pretty filling and would be perfect with some salad and garlic bread for a super simple and easy meal. Trader Joe's has some really delicious varieties of raviolis, so even if they don't have the butternut squash ones, don't be afraid to try a different one. Let's just be honest....these days the times when we need a fast dinner are becoming more frequent and though they aren't the epitome of a healthy meal, they are probably better for you than fast food. If you are enjoying things in moderation, then one pasta dinner won't kill you. Just make sure to serve it with healthy veggies to balance it out.

Magical Maggiano's Meal

Maggiano's is one of my favorite Italian restaurants and was so excited to hear that the butternut squash ravioli was back. In celebration of girls' night out, we went to check it out. We started off with a goat cheese, roasted pear, and arugula bruschetta. It was an interesting combination of spice from the arugula, sweetness from the pear, creaminess from the goat cheese and the crunch from the bread created a well balanced bite. It was a great way to showcase yummy fall flavors.

I always look forward to seasonal offerings, so it was a no brainer for me to try the butternut squash ravioli. I am not usually a squash person, but I do like butternut squash. It may be because it is slightly sweet or that everything tastes better topped with butter and sugar. These were topped with a light sauce and the filling had hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. The sauce was a cross between a red sauce and a cream sauce that completed the somewhat delicate flavors in the ravioli.

To finish off this perfect fall meal, I sampled the pumpkin pecan praline cheesecake. You didn't get just a slice, you got your own mini cheesecake dusted with powdered sugar and sugared pecan pieces. This was a super rich cheesecake that had a nice pumpkin flavor. The addition of the pecan added crunch and depth to the flavor. This was not just another piece of pumpkin cheesecake. Maggiano's always impresses me with the quality and creativity of their dishes. This was a meal that just screamed fall comfort. Though this special offering is no longer available, I will try to patiently wait until next year when it comes back.

Glass Wall

Let me just first start off by saying that the Glass Wall is an absolutely fantastic place! The ambiance it cozy, relaxing, and modern. There are tons of candles mixed with shades of cream and aqua. It is a fairly small place, but it doesn't feel crowded. I am so glad that I got to try here for Houston Restaurant Weeks! I started off with a chicken and tarragon ravioli. It was served with fennel and snap peas in a prosecco and herb butter broth. It was light and buttery, there were tons of textures going on, and the sauce didn't overwhelm or overpower the dish. It was delicate and the perfect way to whet your appetite for the rest of the meal to come. Since I went with a friend, I also got to try the crab cake which was served with house made potato chips, and coleslaw. The crab cake wasn't too dry and the chips added the perfect crunch to the dish. The sauce was a peach aioli which I would have never thought to pair peach and crab. But I guess that's why I just enjoy the dishes that someone else creates!

I tried a Black & Blue martini that was a combination of blueberry, cherry, and vanilla vodka and served with a slice of orange. It was a little bit like a slushy because there was a tiny bit of ice in it. The orange add a slight citrus zing to it, creating a full developed palette of flavors.

For dinner, I ordered a corn flake crusted chicken fried steak. First, let me just say that I have never order this type of dish before, but it was such a creative dish that I just had to try it. It was accompanied by a corn relish and cheesy mashed potato goodness. It had a delicious gravy that had a faint bit of heat and helped to add the extra oomph the dish had. The crust was crispy and the mashed potatoes were amazing... sad to say that they are one of my food weaknesses. For not having tried may chicken fried steaks, I would have to say that there are very high expectations now.

Last, but certainly worth the wait, is dessert. I opted for a cherry and chocolate bread pudding drizzled with chocolate sauce and freshly whipped cream. The bread pudding had a nice texture where the bread and the custard melted together so that it didn't feel like you were eating cubes of bread. The cherry added a deep fruit flavor and the whipped cream added a touch of sweetness. The tiramisu cheesecake was topped with a cappuccino cream molded perfectly to the shape of the spoon.

Overall, this was an absolutely amazing meal and I can't wait to go back and try it again. If you haven't had a chance to stop in, be sure to do so! Just a heads up, they aren't open on Sundays, so don't wait until then. Let me know what you think when you try it out. Houston Restaurant Weeks, benefiting the Houston Food Bank, will be ending soon so don't delay anymore. Try something out before it's too late!