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!