Sep 13, 2009

5 Years

Brian and I decided to celebrate our 5 year anniversary by revisiting our favorite city, Kalamazoo. It's the city where we met each other, met our best friends, and eventually got married.

We started the night at the Chef's Table at Zazio's. We did this about 4 years ago and still remember the food so fondly that we just had to return. The night includes a 5 course Italian meal with wine pairings prepared right in front of you by chef John Koryki. He gives a nice lesson on travel in Italy as he prepares a meal focused on one region of the country. We went to Liguria for the night.





Our first course was focaccia with eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, and fresh vegetables. Next (my favorite) was halibut over summer squash "spaghetti" with basil oil. Then a potato filled ravioli with fresh pesto. Fourth - chicken with basil, fingerling potatoes, and an almond/pine nut sauce. Dessert was stuffed peach with amaretti and raisins, pistachio semifreddo and basil crema bruciata (like creme brulee). I will dream about this meal for years to come. I can't wait to go back - any friends want to go with us next time?!



The funniest (and most annoying) part of the evening was that there was another couple there celebrating their 49th anniversary. The wife had a few too many cocktails and had turned into a chatty cathy. She wouldn't stop pronouncing every thought to the chef. By the end of the 4th course she had disappeared to the restroom - good riddance.

We stayed the night in a beautiful suite at the Radisson - that way we could each enjoy our wine freely. Mom Burch took Charlotte for the night, so we were free to enjoy ourselves. The next morning we got up early to eat breakfast at Cosmo's. I had a fritatta with farm fresh veggies. So good! Anyone who went to WMU knows and loves their breakfast. We drove around campus, the ghetto, and down Fraternity Village Drive. Ah the memories. Our old house on Minor still looks great! (I know it's only been 5 years, but some of the houses around it really seem to be decaying.)



We ended our visit with mass at St. Tom's. Although the building has changed so much, there are still so many familiar faces. We loved the new structure. We couldn't resist taking a picture in front of the beautiful dove window.



7 comments:

Amber said...

Mmmmm, the dinner sounds incredible!! The house looks so good too! Sigh, makes me nostalgic. Happy anniversary!

Carrie said...

Wow, sounds like an incredible anniversary celebration. St. Toms looks amazing. Did you see Fr. Ken??

Angie said...

We did see Ken. He looks great- he has lost a lot of weight.

patty said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate 5 years together! Of course dad and I had such a wonderful time with Charlotte! So glad you could have some time for just the two of you as that is ever so important!

Jacqueline said...

Mmm...that meal sounds delish! Italian is my favorite. Congratulations on 5 years. That is definetely something to celebrate!

Dave, Anna and Madison said...

Who knew Kalamazoo was such a hip town...congrats on the five years!!!

Kim Davis said...

Thanks for the photos and the walk down memory lane. I hardly recognize St. Tom's!!