Happy New Year!

The mister said I don't have to cook for New Year's eve dinner because we're going to eat out. Sounded so good to me. We don't usually prepare a lot of food for Media Noche. No 13 different round fruits. No coins in our pockets. Not even polka dotted outfits. We just wear our jammies and wait for the count down.

I do miss the fireworks and the New Year noise back home in the Philippines though. Going to Inner Harbor in Baltimore to watch the fireworks was an option. But nah! Staying at home is better for the four of us. We'll just watch the fireworks on TV.

Although we were invited to a party nearby but I don't think it's a party that the kids will enjoy. I don't want to  welcome the new year without the kids either so we declined the invitation. (READ: I thought it would be nice to go since it's our first New Year party invitation with non-Filipino friends. )

For dinner, our shoes took us to...


... downtown Frederick.


It was decided that we'd dine at Jay's fave resto, Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar.


Waiting for a table was about 45 minutes long.


So we decided to walk around and kill the time. The place was deserted.


We waited for over an hour until we were seated. That was fine though. No biggie!


We've been in this place for the third time but a first to be seated near the front window behind this art work.


I like it better this time 'cause the table was bigger and it's well lighted and that we had a white cloth table cover compared to the last time we were here.


The mister had beer. I had sangria. The boy had Coke and the young lady had H20.


Chow time!

Spanish Risotto
house made chorizo, mushrooms, creamy Arborio rice and shaved Manchego - $7.25


Esparragos Fritos con Salsa Alioli
Isabella’s Signature Crispy Panko Crusted Asparagus “Fries” with Smoked Tomato Alioli - $7.25


Langostinos del Golfo Asados con Arroz Negro
cilantro roasted gulf shrimp on black rice and a rich saffron butter sauce - $7.25


Torta de Cangrejo Salteada 
bronzed all jumbo lump crabcake with wilted spinach and rich saffron butter - $10.99

We had two servings of the crabcake. It was so good. ...every morsel of it.

Langoustine and Lobster Paella
simmered in saffron rice with mussels, clams and roasted red peppers - $59.99 for 4



... and desserts were:

Pate Doble de Chocolate
double chocolate terrine, rich double chocolate cake with pistachio creme anglaise - $6.50


Chocolate Sulsida Estilo Isabella's
rich chocolate-cinnamon brownie topped with hazelnut ice cream and caramel sauce - $6.25


Cappuccino Mousse
with Espresso Crème Anglaise and Chocolate Sauce - $5.99


I enjoyed my drink! I loved the crab cake and the shrimp with black rice. The server was awesome. (I didn't remember his name. Sorry!) Everything was perfect.


We went home so busog (full).
By the way, Yna wore this to dinner. I just had to share 'cause the suit jacket was from my store and now it's in her closet. 


Minutes before midnight, the boy woke his Papa up. Many times! He did when the ball dropped  but went right back to Lalalandia! We hugged and kissed each other and had a photo op.

...9.8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I welcomed 2012 with my arms so wide open.


... and here's to looking forward to a fresh start and a better beginning!



Hello 2012!


Isabella’s Tavern & Tapas Bar
44 N Market Street Frederick, MD 21701
Tel: 301.698.8922 - Fax: 301.698.5496
http://www.isabellas-tavern.com/