Agliolio Italian Bistro & Wine Bar

2258 N Congress Ave, Boynton Beach FL

Did you ever notice that you seem to find some great places when you aren't really looking?  Brian happened to drive by Agliolio Italian Bistro & Wine Bar the other day while picking up a package from the post office, and hasn't stopped mentioning this place ever since.  We both constantly crave Italian food, and its just minutes from where we live.  How have we not been here sooner?

Anyway, we decided to try this place out for a belated Valentines Day dinner last night.  The name of the restaurant 'Agliolio' is derived from the Italian words for two prominent ingredients in many Italian dishes, aglio meaning garlic, and olio for olive oil.  Their menu covers pretty much all of the traditional Italian favorites--chicken parm, bruschetta, pastas, and pizzas--you get the picture.  But their "Pasta-Bility" concept is a fun little feature, allowing you to choose from a selection of their homemade pastas and then choose the sauce and additional toppings of your choice.  So smart!  I mean, how many times have you gone to an Italian restaurant and either you, or someone in your group, asked the waiter to either change the type of pasta or sauce from what the menu lists?

Brian stuck to his typical pick, the chicken parmigiana, and asked for linguine with vodka sauce (P.S...that's my handsome dude above--charming right!!? HA!)
I chose to try the eggplant rollatini, breaded eggplant sliced thin and stuffed with a creamy ricotta filling, with melted mozzarella on top.  For my pasta choice, I went with linguine as well, but opted for the creamy pink sauce and a topping of roasted garlic.  Both of our meals came with a garden salad and bread, too.  I was so stinkin' stuffed afterward, but we left verrrry satisfied!  (I actually just finished my leftovers for lunch today, yum!

The restaurant was packed on a rainy Friday night in Boynton Beach, but getting a table didn't take long at all--we sat at one of the hi-tops.  We're going to have to come back during their happy hour 1/2-price drink specials--daily from 3pm until 6:30pm, with extended happy hour until 10pm on Wednesdays.

Note: For those living just a bit further north of Boynton, there's another location in Wellington too.

Buon Appetito! 

Lakeridge Winery

19238 US 27 North, Clermont FL
Open Monday through Saturday 10am until 5pm
Sundays 11am until 5pm

For Labor Day weekend last year, Brian and I drove a few hours North to spend some time with his parents in Wildwood, FL.  While we were there, we took a trip to Lakeridge Winery in Clermont, FL, which is ranked as Florida's largest premium winery.  Sitting on more than 120 acres of land, the winery offers daily tours and complimentary tastings seven days a week.  Yes, you heard me--FREE tastings!

The forty-five-minute tour is very informative, starting off with a video describing Lakeridge's history and describing their wine-making process.  Following the video presentation, you are brought on a guided tour around the winery, including views of the bottling and labeling stations, packing area, and a beautiful view of the vineyards.  The tour ends at the tasting area with more than 7 free tastings of their wines.  My favorites here include both their Southern Red and Sunblush wines.  And if you like sparkling wines, Pink Crescendo is equally as tasty, and perfect for special occasions.

Lakeridge Winery also has a fantastic gift shop, with awesome wine and champagne gadgets, dipping sauces and marinades, home decor, and gifts.  And each of their wines are available for purchase in the gift shop as well, with a discount available if you purchase six or more bottles.

Tip: Check out their website for a calendar of monthly events--they usually always have some type of festival or musical event going on each month.  Fun!

Cherry Republic

6026 Lake Street, Glen Arbor MI
Open Sunday through Thursday 9am until 5pm; Friday and Saturday until 7pm

It's a rainy and gloomy and, believe it or not, a chilly Saturday here in Southeast Florida, so I'm staying inside for the most part this afternoon.  For some reason I can't stop reminiscing of the trip Brian and I took back in June of last year to the upper Northwest portion of Michigan, or what I referred to it as the pinky of the state (Ha! Get it?! Oh boy I'm an odd duck...)

I don't think this trip could have been any more relaxing, wonderful, and perfect.  From the friendly people everywhere we went, to the absolutely stunning blue-green waters, to the calming and peaceful lake house we were staying at-- I am officially in love with this state.  It's just gorgeous.

While we were there, Brian's friend's mom suggested we stop at Cherry Republic if we get a chance to sample their cherry wine (tastings are complimentary!) We actually visited two of their locations while we were in Michigan--one in Glen Arbor, and the other in Traverse City--I recommend checking out both if you can.

My absolute favorite of the wines were the Balaton and their Cherry Hard Cider.  The Balaton--a red cherry wine that has that mulled wine flavor to it, giving you that warm fuzzy sensation with each sip, perfect for holidays or on a chilly day.  The hard cider was very similar in flavor, just with that hard cider twist to it.  We loaded up on bottles from here and a few other wineries as well, actually just finishing our last bottle very recently (pout pout sniffle sniffle).  

So on a chilly rainy lazy weekend, I find myself craving this wine, equally for the mulled spiced taste and for its ability to make you feel nice and cozy and relaxed...

Oh my gosh! I can't believe I almost forgot to mention their AMAZING line of sodas too, "Boom Chugga Lugga!," infusing the Michigan Cherry theme into the flavors.  I'm in love love LOVE with their Cherry Ginger Ale, slightly sweeter than regular ginger ale, and in a light pink hue.

P.S...I've just requested a catalog from these folks, so I think I'll be ordering some select beverages sooner rather than later...