‘Ode to Sweet Basil
My pace has chugged down to half, which is above yet close enough to normal in Big Bear Mountain. Sweet Basil Bistro opened January 1, 2007, which is an auspicious time to start something. In this case, Sweet Basil Bistro installed a community heart. It is the only Italian restaurant. This restaurant inhabits happiness. The exuberance of Sweet, Sweet Basil brings cheer to everyone who steps through the door.
The Sweet Basil Bistro is owned an, attractive, educated, woman, Deborah Cardinalli, a fellow Italiano. Sally Hill is the chef for the Sweet Basil Bistro. You can tell by the menu that this woman has been to Italy and studied many ways to come up with what is a refreshing high altitude menu that will continue to delight over and over. The pair finds enjoyment in calling their Italian cuisine, ‘Country Italian’. Sally’s daughter, Savannah, tells me there is a strong French current that caused many of the dishes to be creamy… Sally went to the College of the Desert in Palm Desert. She spent two years as a Banquet chef at Jackson, Wyoming. She also has extensive experience in catering.
The full bar has very erotic drinks such as the Chocolate-Cherry Martini, the Blackberry Gimlet, and the Nutty Pear Martini. The hot drinks offered are Tennessee Mud and Warm Sangui to name a few. Savannah Hill is the creator of these erotic drinks. She is shy at times and beautiful in a willow wisp way. I asked her what her philosophy was on getting to higher altitudes with these extraordinary drinks. She likes to mix with fresh ingredients and no chemicals in her drinks. For example, the antioxidants in the Blackberry Gimlet is where decadent and healthy balance one another. Savannah’s signature drink is the Sweet Basil Mojito. Instead of lime and mint, she uses basil and lemon. “Thanks Savannah.” She is making an amazing Mojito. She is now shaking the Mojito to a rhythm of her own. She puts flavor into the vibe of Sweet Basil. I will drink to that. Savannah worked in New York City. If you can do it in The Big Apple, you can do it anywhere. The Sweet Basil Mojito just hit my lips. Aah…a refreshing rocket to my palate. Sweet, sweet Basil, I adore you.
There is a birthday going on and people are happy. A few locals never tasted fine, Italian wines and true Italian cuisine until their introduction to Sweet Basil. In this, their virgin palates are being raised several notches. This is not only good for the locals, but it is also good for their children and their children’s children because they can learn to eat and expect the best when it comes to truly good food. America, wake up and eat well at the Sweet Basil Bistro. You enjoy slow food through and through. Health maintenance starts with the avoidance of fast food. This automatically narrows the chances of cancer.
There is booth and table seating. The room is intimate and everyone is capable of seeing everyone. If you don’t want people to know your mistress…she may have to wear a shawl around her head. The music here is right in the back of my head, way down…think Beyonce when her heart is open and she doesn’t know she’s famous. Man, that is a good feeling right from the Source.
The chef, Sally is so talented. The flavors and aromas penetrate through brain barriers. The Panini with grilled Portobello mushroom, melted Gruyere cheese, and roasted tomato’s on a Banquette is a mouthful of perfection. Organic ingredients are used in every meal made by those beautiful hands of Sally Hill.
You can choose from different pastas like the Orcchiette pasta, for example. That’s the pasta that looks like ½ of a bra. I truly suggest having the chefs prepare for you what they want…you will be pleased. Possibly even more than that.
Yes, every town needs a “Heart”. Sweet Basil is definitely the “heart” of Big Bear.
Dinner
Sunday never looked so good in Big Bear Lake. What is amazing about a spiritual place like Big Bear is if you go out after seven, you will get a good table and the atmosphere will be yours with very few distractions outside or inside. Loving the one you are with and eating is the perfect scenario for the perfect setting—Sweet Basil Bistro.
Sweet Basil Bistro is the most innovative restaurant in Big Bear. It is only a few months old and people are visiting internationally. Deborah, Savannah, and Judy are worth coming to Sweet Basil Bistro for a visit. The food is a bonus. Savannah wants to be on The Food Channel. On behalf of iLLogicalNews.com, we wish you all the best.
Come and educate your taste buds on the finer Italian cuisine right in your hometown at Sweet Basil Bistro. The evening is romantic with many old and new locals. There are also some weekend visitors. Sunday Brunch will be a tradition for Sunday Brunch thenceforth. Try a Lychee Bellini with Brut Lychee fruit and juice. The Special tea with Bacardi Rum is also an experience. You’ll be chasing bunnies. Why not just rub them gently for good luck? Don’t forget to share a summer Colada. This drink consists of Coconut Rum, Pineapple, and Ginger Beer topped with an abundant amount of coconut foam.
My eyes are enjoying the setting sun and my ears are pleased with the sweet humming of Sweet Basil Bistro. Today, I met the owner, Deborah Cardinalli. You can swim in her deep blue eyes. You cannot help but admire how she warmly moves. She distributes soothing air in each movement.
The portions of food distributed are great for teenagers. Bring your kids here so they can learn about what Avegula is; mushroom Ragu with Philo dough and crispy leeks. The Caprese with buffalo mozzarella is perfecto. Deborah says that love and family are what makes the food so great. Everyone here fits into the family.
Savannah is twenty-three years old and tells me that she grew up on Mac and Cheese, as she flex’s her muscles. She loves her mother and Deborah so much that she came out from New York to help out. Sweet Basil Bistro portrays feminine creative energy. Thank the Lord for women who love…
The Macaroni and Cheese is unusual in an Italian restaurant, but it comes from Sally Hill’s grandmother. Melissa Frazier, from Big Bear has been at Sweet Basil Bistro and decided to retire from all of her other restaurants. She found Sweet Basil Bistro and fell in love. “Happy is the man who loves”. Sweet Basil Bistro makes it easy. Now, I am flexing my muscles as well. Sade is playing in the back but I feel like she is whispering her sweet melodies directly into my ear…maybe that Mojito is kicking in. “He gave me the kiss of life”, she sings…
The pasta primavera and pasta with tomato garlic and basil are both winners. For desert I had mini Italian doughnuts with various dipping sauces.
Sweet, Sweet Basil Bistro, you deserve a standing ovation. A movie could not be made with enough depth and dedication to do any justice to this marvelous restaurant. Please understand that I am aware of what I am saying. I am not getting carried away. Savannah’s Mojito does not have me that incoherent. I am simply recording what I am experiencing.
Rating—Super Cool.
