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Kaba Modern was robbed and subsequently, we, the audience, are robbed. Kaba Modern and Jabbawockees should have been the two finalists. Already voted for Jabbawockees 23 times to help ensure there is no “close margin.”

We are not religious people, and my husband feels guilty about that as he was raised Catholic. This Easter, we celebrated by heading to IHOP for breakfast. The new Horton themed breakfast had Easter colors in it, so we were covered.

We then went to the Utah’s Hogle Zoo. There was a new giraffe born over the winter. And he was hanging out with his mom enjoying the beautiful Spring day.

After the zoo, we went home for a nap and then baked cupcakes. Notice the Easter colors.

It was a good Easter Sunday.

My husband and I dropped off our kid at Little Gym last Friday night so we could have a date night. We decided on Aristo’s for dinner. My husband had been there several times for lunch and wanted to try their dinner.

The Food

Hummus – I am not always a fan of hummus, but Aristo’s was really good. Right texture and the presentation was great. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share as 1) we were 1/4 way through the hummus when I thought of it and 2) the owner and his family was sitting right next to us.

Chicken a la Aristo – I ordered this when I saw that it included spinach and feta. I’m a big fan of both. The chicken was roasted to perfection. The skin was light and crispy, while the meat was moist and flavorful. The meat was so tender that at one point I had my knife flipped the wrong way and it still sliced right through like it was butter. The chicken was stuffed with a spinach and feta concoction that was smooth, yet slightly gritty; nice combination of textures. The chicken lay on a bed of rice smothered with the same spinach/feta concoction in sauce form.

Lamb Shank (Day’s Special) – My husband ordered this one. He’s a big fan of lamb. The lamb lay on a bed of Orzo. The meat was so tender it barely hung to the bone, falling off with minimal prodding. The lamb and orzo were coated in a red sauce that my husband liked, but I thought was little plain. It had good texture, but that little kick was missing, it left me wanting.

Baklava – My husband ordered this and liked it so much, he would not share. So I can’t tell you how it was.

Egg Custard – It was between this and the rice pudding. The egg custard was really creamy and subtly sweet, but nothing special. The flaky crust was good, but, again, nothing special. Should have gotten the rice pudding. The kid at the next table seemed to really enjoy it.

Latte – I don’t know why I order espresso drinks at restaurants, especially lattes. It was okay. The foam was stiff and I forgotten to request no foam.

The Atmosphere

As soon as I walked in, I suspected whether the food or the service was going to be good. Clean lines and dark, rich colors. The kind of place that does not welcome children. But as we walked to the table, I noticed a couple of tables with kids as young as 18 months. The tables were covered with a sheet of paper, perfect for coloring on. Ok. May be this place was not going to be snooty like Trio Cafe.

The wait staff was very friendly. Although our waitress was a little nervous, probably because the owner, Aristo, was sitting at the table right next to us.

Bottom Line

Would totally go back to this place and bring our kid. The food is based on greek classics with a 5-star twist. If you are ever in town and have a chance, definitely check this place out.

My new favorite show is America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV. I discovered it while channel surfing during one of my trips. The dancing is so amazing and the moves so intricate, I can’t help but be awed.

I am rooting for Kaba Modern, although I think the Jabbawockeez are better; mainly because Kaba Modern reminds me of the folks I went to college with and there are girls in Kaba Modern.

We have been living on one working floodlight in the dining room and one in the kitchen. The others had all burned out. Yesterday, I finally go to Target and pick up a mess of light bulbs and one of those light bulb changer things (we have cathedral ceilings).

When my husband got home, he found me cooking dinner and changing light bulbs. I found him carrying a light bulb changer thing and a mess of replacement bulbs. Turns out he had gone out that morning to Home Depot.

We really need to talk more. Or he should get on Twitter. Next time it could be milk and cereal.

I have been trying to watch my caloric intake, thanks to @ThinGuy. The easiest thing is for me to reduce variety for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is oatmeal and a latte. Lunch is soup.

I try to figure out which cans of soup to get based on the calories per serving. Not all soups are created equal. Chicken and dumplings, 110 cal/serving. Mexican fiesta? 240cal/serving.

So I am trying to figure out how many calories are in a whole can:

We were in Oakland this past weekend. My kid and I had to head for the airport after Dim Sum with my family yesterday. I tell her to get into her car seat. She messes about; talking about the frogs we got. I tell her, again, to get into her car seat. She continues to ignore me. We are in a hurry. I repeat, loudly, bordering on shrill, for her to get into her car seat. She stops, looks at me and says, “Relax, Mom.”

She is 3. I was ready to throttle her. But her comment caught me off guard and I could only laugh. I relaxed.

It was Chinese New Year on February 7 this year. I happened to be in town a week or so after and went to visit my family. I was not prepared.

Since I am a married daughter, I was supposed to bring oranges when I visit my parents during the New Year season. When people visit your house and bring oranges, you need to send them home with oranges. Do not use the white plastic bags. White is death. Use red or pink ones.

In fact, when I visit my parents at any time I am supposed to bring oranges as I am considered a guest.

Bottom line, if in doubt, bring oranges.

My dad’s birthday was a couple of weeks ago. We never know when my parents’ birthdays are as they follow the Lunar calendar. We just know my dad’s is in February and my mom’s is around Thanksgiving.

This year, I learned that Chinese people celebrate their birthdays on or before the actual day. None of this belated birthday stuff. Don’t know why. Didn’t ask why. Just accepted it. I’m guessing belated birthday cards don’t sell well in Hong Kong.

I am on travel again. I find it really easy to find my rental car in parking lots. It’s the one that no one actually buys. But I can’t find it in the parking lot at the W. They all look the same.