Baby Bingo and Ginger Beef

I woke up early Saturday morning, not just because it was a busy day ahead, but because it was the highly anticipated "date night" that couples with small children only dream about.

It seems I wasn't the only one excited about the day, as both girls and my spouse were also wide awake with smiles from ear to ear. This, I thought was odd, as the night before was met with travel and crankiness, as we had returned from the Santa Claus Parade well past bedtime. I'm one to count my blessings, so I enjoyed this moment of bliss and got ready for the day.

We had some errands to run and limited time to do so. Today was the day, after months of planning, that I would throw a baby shower for my friend and colleague, Monica. We hurried out the door by 8:00am, headed to pick up an amazing diaper cake, custom-made that I had ordered a while back. After the pick up, we headed to the store to grab the cake and the decorations and zoom home to clean before my house would be taken over by approximately fifteen nurses, office staff, a cook, friends and family members and two adorable babies. Anyone who has ever thrown a baby shower knows the sheer chaos (and fun) it can bring. Throw two toddlers into the mix while trying to get ready and you have yourself a small breakdown. Thankfully my spouse is amazing and took the kids out for the afternoon. With the food prepared, flowers and candles about, I was ready to host.

With a great turnout, fun games and a lot of laughter, I'd say the shower was a success!

After everyone had left the baby shower, it was time to get ready for that highly coveted date night. I tend to have a bad habit of overbooking myself and today didn't prove to be any different. I had one hour to polish myself up and hit the town with my dashing date!

We were scheduled to be at the Ivy restaurant, in Ivy Lea on the outskirts of Brockville, for hors d'oeuvres and a wonderful dinner to follow. Neither my spouse or I had ever been and after checking out the menu online we were both really looking forward to the experience.

We arrived on time, a sheer miracle and were not disappointed by the ambiance that greeted us. The Ivy had undergone renovations not too long ago and not one detail was spared. From the grand entrance way with exposed beams to the magnificent fireplace in the dining room, I thought I was in heaven.

We started with goat cheese and spinach in a phyllo pastry, moved on to bite sized chicken satay and ended the mouth watering hors d'oeuvres with spicy samosas. These were just the start! Upon being seated we were given a starter menu with many delectable choices. Both my spouse and I chose the ginger beef served with baby greens and an onion vinaigrette drizzle. This had to be the highlight of the menu, it was the most tender and flavourful thing I had ever eaten. Being pregnant, I still wake up days later, craving this dish.

Moving on to the main course we again chose the same, porterhouse steak served with root vegetables and truffle french fries. For anyone who is not familiar with truffle fries, I have no idea what they are, only to say they look like french fries but taste like nothing you have ever eaten.

Normally I am not one to shy away from the dessert menu, but after all that food I just didn't have room. My spouse on the other hand, all 6 foot 3, 220 pounds of him, found the space and ordered the renowned sticky toffee pudding. When it arrived, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to try a bite (or three). WOW! I am truly lost for words. It was packed with flavour and yet looked so dainty.

I have no idea who the chef at the Ivy is, all I can tell you is that if you have not been, it is a must! From the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left, not one detail was spared. The service was phenomenal and the food is easily the best I have ever had. I'm still dreaming of that ginger beef.