Choose the Table (and a Chance to Dine With Morcilla's Justin Severino)

About three years ago, I wrote a post about family dinners, the importance of them, and how much I loved them growing up. As a family of four, we sat down to dinner every single night. I'm not exaggerating. As we got older, the family dinners still happened but were interrupted by us going to college, getting jobs, etc. Still, though, whenever we are reunited, we always sit down for a meal together.

My number one favorite movie of all time is Father of the Bride. There is a scene where the Banks family are sitting out on their back patio enjoying dinner together talking about their plans for the wedding. I think one of the reasons I love the movie so much is because some of the scenes, like this particular one, remind me so much of my own family. 

My parents have a beautiful back patio and that is where we eat each night during the summer months. They take such care of the area and our dinners are filled with glasses of wine, good conversation, flickering candlelight, laughter, and Mac is always at our feet. 

A few weeks ago, we spent the evening on the back patio having dinner for my Grammie's birthday. My aunt and uncle were in town which made it even more special. Julia Child has a quote that has always resonated with me:

"Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal." -Julia Childs

If I have children someday, I hope that I am able to enjoy family dinners with them every night just as my sister and I did with our parents. It is truly so special and something I will always remember.

As I get older, I also see the meaning of 'family' taking shape in a more non-traditional way, too. Friends have become family to me and it's just as important to spend quality time with them. I find, like with my family, my friends and I connect and get together over a meal, too.

Last week, I had the opportunity to dine at Pittsburgh's Morcilla. It is located in Lawrenceville and created by the famed chef, Justin Severino. Severino also has Cure, which I have been to and is incredible, so I was very excited to check out Morcilla!

I'm a big foodie, so when Dietz and Watson invited me to the dinner, I was very excited. We all got to dine together (other bloggers and the Dietz and Watson family) with a menu that Justin Severino designed himself around some of Dietz and Watson's products.

We actually got to have dinner with Lauren Eni, a 4th generation of the Dietz and Watson family. It was really fun and interesting to chat with her and hear how much fun it is to be able to work with her family.

The menu that Justin Severino put together was phenomenal. I'll eat pretty much everything and feel like I've tried a lot of interesting dishes, but Severino really knocked my socks off with some things I had definitely not tried before. Here was our menu:

• Green Garlic and Dandelion Soup (there was a fried egg-bacon-aged gouda espuma (fancy word for foam) on top which was incredible)
• Ricotta Cavatelli (this one was my favorite and highlighted Dietz and Watson's amazing mortadella!)
• Honey Cured Tavern Ham Croquettes
• Goat Cheese Panna Cotta with strawberry sorbet

The dinner was so intimate and beautiful. It was great to make new blogger friends as well as connect with the Dietz and Watson team. Justin Severino came out during each course to talk about what he had created for us and then spent some time chatting with us afterward, too. Talk about a really special experience.

Now, Pittsburghers, it's your chance to enter for a chance to win a seat, for you and a guest, at an exclusive, culinary experience hosted by Dietz and Watson and chef Justin Severino at Morcilla just like I got to experience! To enter, follow this link! It will be a dinner you won't forget, I can promise you that! Good luck and a big thanks to Dietz and Watson and Justin Severino for hosting a fabulous dinner and reminding me of the importance of sharing a great meal with friends and family.