Happy Birthday Kerry!

On Friday April 16th, my little sister Kerry turned 23. We decided to celebrate the best way we know how. With delicious food!

Kerry picked Cafe Santorini in Pasadena.



Cafe Santorini is hidden from the craziness that is Old Town Pasadena. It's close enough to walk to but far enough to be cozy and quiet.



We started with light, crusty house bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.



Then came the appetizer. Which we split. It came with dolmas, babaghanoush, cheese borek, halloumi cheese, some kind of sausage, olives and cucumbers.



Kerry ordered an extra side of cheese borek as her entree. It comes with crispy phyllo dough, salty feta cheese and roasted sesame seeds on top. It's almost as good as my beloved spanakopita.



My other little sister Sarah ordered pasta with a garlic cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and mushrooms.



I ordered kefta kebobs with rice pilaf and roasted veggies. The meat was perfection with some hummus. YUM.



Andy ordered the lamb shank in true man fashion but barely ate any of it. It was a huge portion (and had a huge bone in the center...bones creep me out.)

The mashed potatoes were delish. I stole several bites.



The birthday girl on the left and my sister Sarah on the right.



After dinner we walked over to The Melting Pot for some fondue desserts. I was pretty full already but the walk over helped.



The five of us split an order of flaming turtle (chocolate, pecans, caramel and rum) fondue.

It was fabulous. I love that The Melting Pot gives you some fruit. Fruit dipped in chocolate = love.

Since my parents were not able to attend Kerry's birthday on Friday, they decided to take us out for pizza on Saturday. It was especially nice because my littlest sister Emily was home from college for the weekend. I have 4 siblings and it's so nice to have everyone together.



Daniel and the birthday Kerry.



Kerry and her boyfriend Yigit.



My lovely salad from the salad bar. I loaded that thing with broccoli and cucumbers. I needed veggies! (and cheese.)



And managed to restrict myself to only 2 slices of pizza. (with chicken, bacon and pepperoni) I usually eat way more pizza but I am trying to slowly adjust and change my diet to the Body for Life style of eating.



My dad, Sarah and Emily. (Sarah and I are brunette, Kerry and Emily are redheads and Daniel is dirty blonde. Our family is strange.)



And an ice cream cake for dessert. I struggled with resisting this! I had a thin slice. YUM!

I am keeping track of my eating and will share my first BFL (practice) week soon!