MUSHY'S MOOCHINGS: HAVING DINNER WITH JOHNNY!

Friday, June 25, 2010

HAVING DINNER WITH JOHNNY!

The family went out to eat at Carino's Italian Restaurant, in Knoxville, last weekend and had a great time. We all still call it "Johnny Carino's" 'cause that's what it used to be called. Then suddenly it closed and we missed it. Now, it's back, under an assumed name, but the food tastes just like it used too - GREAT!

There's lots to enjoy on their menu too, but whatever you decide on, you've got to get the "Italian Wedge" (a hearty wedge of crisp iceberg lettuce topped with ranch dressing, applewood smoked bacon, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese, fresh apple slices and roma tomatoes)! It was every bit as good, if not a tiny bit better, as Chesapeake's!

I could only reach my dish (which was the same as Steve's) and Gary's with the camera, so here are our choices.

I had the mouth watering Jalapeño Garlic Tilapia, which is a fillet of tilapia pan-sautéed with fresh spinach, roma tomatoes, jalapeños and garlic in a lemon butter cream sauce over a bed of angel hair pasta. I couldn't believe the portions we were served and I brought half home for lunch the next day. As a matter of fact, Judy and I halved that and had plenty!

Gary decided on the Chicken Parmigiana, which is a Carino's signature "classic Italian" recipe, with special seasonings and layered with tomato sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese, served with spaghetti and tomato sauce.

Everything would have been perfect had Neena and Ron been there. Neena was a little "under the weather" so they took a rain check. It was a little funny, her not being able to make it, seeing how she was the one that called and got everyone to agree to go some 2 or 3 days earlier.

God willing, there will be many more opportunities to gather, as a family, and enjoy breaking some great bread together.

Next time you're out eating and you're disturbed by a camera flash, it's probably just me!

5 comments:

FHB said...

Love the appetizer with the roasted garlic chips in olive oil. Good stuff.

BRUNO said...

If they'd just "lose" the oregano, basil, an' especially the sage! Can't STAND anymore than a trace of any of them! They make me urp!

But I absolutely adore GARLIC! But in olive-oil? Not sure, but maybe!

I'll just settle for my favorite ethnic-dish: Southern-Fried Chicken, with a side of corn & mashed 'taters w/gravy.

And apple-pie, or peach-cobbler, for dessert...!

Shrinky said...

I'm never disturbed by any camera flash whilst eating out - it's simply a sign the table next to us are enjoying a great, good night out! Mind you, this is coming from a shameless snapaholic (grin).. Hope your friend Neena soon perks up,

rennschnecke (Starranger) said...

sad that i can not post in German !
what can i say...
... need some food now !!!!!!!!!!

*Goddess* said...

I recently tried Tilapia, thought it wasn't too bad, and then I read that it's the worst fish for you. It's apparently farm raised, high in bad fat and low in good fat. Whodda thunk fish could be BAD for you?! Aside from all that oil drenched fish in the Gulf, I mean.