We Decided Not to Wait For Valentine's Day in Baltimore

We Decided Not to Wait For Valentine's Day in Baltimore

Today is Valentine's Eve and we decided to celebrate a day early. Our plans were to have lunch tomorrow at our favorite  Restaurant Tio Pepe  in Baltimore, Maryland  

But today I had a brilliant idea. Why wait? It is going to be crowded and loud and everyone will be rushed. So we decided it is Valentine's Eve and we called for reservations. 

What a delight! They even had beautiful Valentine flowers.

The owner, Emilino Sanz and our very favorite maitre d', Paco,  greeted us with warm handshakes, hugs and a kiss. Well why not? We have been going to Tio Pepe since it opened in 1969, the year after we were married.  Our lunch was fantastic and we even shared a glass of sangria which we call Spanish Coca Cola.

We both had the seafood salad platter...consisting of a lobster half... topped with lump crab meat, potato salad, topped with shrimp, sliced eggs, lettuce, tomato, pimento and a smooth creamy dressing served on the side. We were treated to a plate of puffed potato fries.

And February 14th is  pretty special. We got engaged on Valentine's Day and have been married for 16,330 Days. You do remember  My Best Close Ever and Forever 

We Decided Not to Wait For Valentine's Day in Baltimore

Summer Fun Contest, A Big Birthday, and an Anniversary

                Fun in the Sun While the Business Still Runs.

This is an entry for the Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul Group Contest! | Fun in the Sun While the Business Still Runs!  Join in on the Challenge!

                  

It is very late but this contest is run on PST and I might make the deadline just for Sally.

It was a very special two days... a Great Big TLH Birthday and our anniversary.

Our beautiful daughter, Erica, came over and created the special Rome Cake for her daddy. Thought it would be fun to capture a few pictures to share.

   

                                
                                

                                
                           

Kathy  and Chet Rome were on the phone while Dad was opening his present, almost as good as being there.

                                

And the next day was our wedding anniversary. We've been married 16,073 Days and we decided to go to our very  favorite restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland. We have had many celebrations at Tio Pepes since they first opened their doors. Never have been disappointed with a meal. This time we did a celebratory lunch...and experienced total perfection. Just look at these exquisite treats.

                               

       A slice of pine nut roll was brought to celebrate the occasions.

                                                       

 The phone was on vibrate and no one was able to interrupt our Romantic lunch at Tio Pepes in Baltimore, Maryland

           Summer Fun Contest  A Big Birthday and an Anniversary.

                                                       

Spanish Coca Cola in the Afternoon

It was one of those special afternoons...lunch with my publisher and friend Peg Silloway. We do something every month. No matter how busy... if it's on the calendar .. we keep the date!

Today's choice was one of my favorite restaurants, Tio Pepe, where Lee and I  have been going since we were married 15,572 days ago.

My Best Close Ever and Forever 

Usually Lee and I go for a romantic dinner, to celebrate an anniversary or whenever we want that special feeling, great food and ambiance. But who says you can't enjoy all of this on a Monday at lunch with a good friend?

No one. So that's we did!

A glass of Sangria to start... which I  affectionately call Spanish Coca Cola..At first I said "no "..and then changed my mind.  Loved each and every drop and each and every piece of fruit.  It seemed to make each bite of our wonderful meals more outstanding. We shared an  appetizer of  shrimp in garlic butter with wonderful fresh bread for dipping and Peg had the rock-fish with crab in champagne sauce for her main meal.


                         


                                                       
I had the seafood salad platter..oh my.. it is fabulous. This plate consists of a half of a lobster topped with lump crab meat, potato salad (ha there was more crab meat than potatoes) topped with shrimp, sliced hard boiled egg, lettuce, tomato, pimento  and a smooth  creamy dressing on the side. I don't think anyone anywhere could have enjoyed a better meal. The food, the "coca cola" the ambiance, the conversation, the friendship...all made for a perfect afternoon.

When did you last have a wonderful few hours with a best friend and Spanish Coca Cola in the Afternoon?

 tio pepe: Blog...The Gift That Keeps On Giving

A Romantic Dinner at Tio Pepe in Baltimore, MD

A Romantic Dinner at Tio Pepe in Baltimore, Maryland

Yes, we went to Tío's tonight. No special occasion unless you count our 15,030-day anniversary as an occasion. Our very favorite restaurant is still almost unchanged even after forty plus years.

We went to Tío Pepe in downtown Baltimore when we were first married over 15,000 days ago. And after all this time, when we decide to go out for a romantic dinner, like tonight, we still are greeted like old (well we are) friends.

Francisco Lobo, the Maitre D', who we have always called Paco, treats us like royalty, telling us about the special dishes including some that are not on the menu. The chef and owner, Emiliano Sanz, studied cooking as a young man in Segovia, Spain. He apprenticed at some of the finest restaurants in Madrid before coming to Baltimore in 1971.

His unique style of combining classic techniques with regional Spanish cuisine has made Tío Pepe a Baltimore favorite. It has remained among "Baltimore's Best" for 12 consecutive years in Baltimore Magazine.

There is a wonderful selection of dishes to choose from. Our favorites include appetizers of shrimp in garlic sauce, salad Tío Pepe, crab meat in clam shells, black bean soup, gazpacho, and their famous potato puffs. Main dishes range from roast suckling pig, to the best soft shell crabs in the world, and a fabulous filet with béarnaise (Lee's favorite) along with a wonderful selection of fish including Dover sole.

Everyone always says they are too full, but somehow they manage to make room for something from the dessert tray like the luscious pine roll cake or chocolate roll cake along with a cup of delicious coffee or cappuccino.

Tío Pepe is one more good reason for a visit – don't miss this superb restaurant. We might just see you there.

When will you plan to have a A Romantic Dinner at Tio Pepe in Baltimore, Maryland?