Blue Mango, Raleigh NC

I promised I would review chow places once in a while. So here comes my once because, first, we haven't had many chances to go out and actually enjoy new places - those who have little kids can relate - and secondly, the times we did go to a new spot, I did not have a camera. I kicked myself for it. 

And here we had an occasion: my birthday, 

opportunity: no kids around, and

time: thanks to 5 hour date night drop in daycare special! And I brought a camera. 

Husband decided to surprise me by bringing me to Raleigh to the Blue Mango. At first I wasn't sure if I should cry or laugh. It was an Indian cuisine place, and last time we had Indian food was not a fun experience. But looking back, it was not the food or the place's fault, we had two tired, cranky, loud children spilling lassi all over white table cloths, running around, talking loud, and overall wanting junk at McDonalds. Plus we were the only "white" looking couple in the whole place with two wild children. Phew. Speaking of feeling looked at funny :) Yep. We were "those" people. 

So Blue Mango.

Pretty great, I say. Polite staff. Nice romantic atmosphere. Smooth music. Plenty of room. We had a table for two, and from my seat I could see everything that was happening in the kitchen, including my food being prepared, bread baked, lamb kebab-ed and grilled, etc. 

Food was amazing. For an appetizer we had paneer bhurji with pooris - yummo! Light and full of flavor. 

For main dinner I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala. It was so flavorful. I could not stop eating, but the portion was enormous, so I forced myself to stop and bring some home for lunch. Husband had Mango Boti Kebab which is basically lamb kebab in mango sauce. It was DELISH! The roasted veggies on the side were so juicy, and fresh and spices just right. We had some good pivo with our meal which completed it just fine. Oh, and the huge boat like dish full of rice came in for both of us to share with our main dish. And the whole evening I heard, " You gotta make this rice," or "I like this, can you make this at home, hon?" or "you gotta learn how to make this." It was a very flavorful basmati rice. We also had Naan (indian pita like bread. Thinner than pita, with butter on top) with our meal. 

Our waiter forgot to bring out my lassi (mango yogurt drink), and when he did we were finished with our dinner. So he gave it to us for free in a to go cup. Pretty cool!

Here is before we dug in. The chef came out to greet us and check on our food. Such a pleasant guy, he made sure everything was ok and if we enjoyed ourselves. 

Nice date night place :) 

The summer has been nice and HOT. Holy southern heat! Wowsa. If its not steaming hot, its raining, Im not sure what I'd prefer anymore.
So here are Joy Gifts I am thankful for today:
1) Laughter
2) Long summer days
3) CENTRAL AIR :)
4) this little man who loved Science camp this week.
This was Lucas' first time at a week long camp. Mom was worried more than the kid, he met his teacher/counselor, went in, and waived "Bye, mom!" Over the course of the week we have accumulated rocks, leaves, water bottle filled with some pretty blue concoction that taught the kids how oil separates from water, and even a bug catcher!  1st camp - success!

5) this precious princess

6)  nap times :)
7) breakfast made by hubby on early Saturday morning
8) coffee, of course!

As I said earlier, it has been a HOT week, like steamy sauna hot. So after camp we either went to the pool or stayed in and worked on some projects. Over the last few weeks we encouraged Lucas to work on the "big" puzzle project. He was excited at first, a few times he did not think he could do it, he took breaks, sometimes few days at a time, and then I encouraged him by saying that if he were to finish it all by himself  he can pick a place where he would like to get a treat from. That got him going :)

 We are so tickled to see him finish 300 piece puzzle. Momma and daddy are so proud of you, little man.
The kid is going to think he had one boring childhood :)

He choose McDonalds. We decided to up the offer and see if he'd like to go elsewhere, and he agreed on a frozen yogurt treat.

 You so deserve it, dude!!!

Be blessed and count your gifts...

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows" James 1:7