Don't forget the expandable pants and tin foil

Yup, that's what I feel like doing right now. Dancing the sirtaki! Opah! (Cue the Greek music in your head here.)

The Beloved & I had dinner at Zorba's in wonderous Chula Vista, California. It was delicious. No matter how many fancy restaurants I go to, no matter what the exotic cuisine, I am always happiest in the midst of my familiar Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare. So is my tummy for that matter!

Mmmmm, the smells and tastes of dishes that contain lamb, tabouleh, skewered kabobs, rice, roasted root vegetables, chick peas, spinach, okra, lentils, eggplant, chicken, fish, fava beans, earthy grains and fresh herbs and spices...tarragon, cumin, saffron, parsley, shredded & dried tart cherries, oregano leaves, you name it!!!

We had the Sunday buffet which I attacked with much gusto. I mean GUSTO. Before dinner all I had today was a cup of coffee with soy milk while on our walk with Da G-Unit. Then I pretty much grazed on candy corn and flax chips all day! Ha! Not exactly a filling or nutritious diet for a Sunday.

So, by the time we reached Zorba's I was ravenous. I had THREE full plates of absolutley delicious Greek food. Then I enjoyed some fresh fruit, Greek bread pudding with grated fresh cinnamon. Note to self: wearing tight jeans for looks and sex appeal doesn't count if by the end of my meal I'm dreaming of my red house pants with the expandable, drawstring tie. I thought my belly was going to burst right through my low ridin' 501s.

I also had some halva with honeyed nut meats for dessert. Soooo good! The beloved couldn't keep the smirk off his face when I said the nut meat was scrumptious. Dirty birdie that he is, he asked if he had by chance overlooked the 'penis sausage side dish' on the buffet, or if he should check to see if the chef had replenished the 'spotted dick appetizer'. Well, he said something to that effect and it had me practically crying with laughter. He is such a snot!

What impressed me the most was the stewed lamb with veggies. Oh my God. The lamb was so tender and fell right off the bone. Seasoned so perfectly. Bobo always says that you know if lamb is done right if the marrow is as well seasoned as the meat. So, yup, Zorba's lamb was done right!

Well, as we sat there relishing our dinner, I thought of how Da Boys might enjoy some well cooked lamb as a snack. My mind starting working overtime trying to figure out how best to make off with lamb for my golden babies. Hmmmm, I couldn't very well ask for a to-go container since it was a buffet. "How uncouth and country would that make us look?", I thought to myself. No. The only solution was to nonchalantly walk out with some delicious lamb as if it were the most normal event in the world.

[I won't go into sordid details of the creative caper should Zorba's spies be lurking on this website, but suffice it to say that I was Bonnie to the Beloved's Clyde as he drove the getaway car. Vroom! Vroom! ]

Arriving at the safehouse in a cloud of dirt and gravel kicked up by the getaway car, we hid the vehicle in its hideaway shed. Da G-Unit knew something was up because mama and papa smelled of delicous goodness. Mama rinsed the spices (oh, mama also "brought home" some turkey) and marinade off the lamb and turkey. She shredded the meat and mixed it with some warm brown rice (not jacked from Zorba's) and opah!!! An after dinner treat for her golden babies!!! They seemed to enjoy the lamb almost as much as mama did! :-)

Here are my two angels. How could I resist? I just HAD to bring them some nummy-yummies. Milo actually looks pissed off in this photo because I wouldn't open the screen door until I got the perfect snapshot. That crazy mommy lady and her camera! :-) Oh, another note to self: Don't forget the tin foil for next time!

(Zorba's paper place mat doesn't exactly keep all the lamb juices from leaking out all over the purse and covering the Lancome lip gloss tube with lamb slime. Eeeewww!!!)