Friday, March 31, 2006
Jade Monkey vs STARWARS
Another good meal at Mohegan Sun Casino. Went with neighbor,KS.
Ate at Uncas Grill [new to me] in the Earth side of the casino. Had the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad; very fresh with Shaved Parmesn, Grilled Bread and Sun-dried Tomatoes. The manager gave us an order of Succotash and Assorted Breads. The other order was a gigantic Corned Beef/Pastrami Sanwich on Rye with French Fries. Looked great.
blognote: Jade Monkey was good to me but my new love is STARWARS [slots, that is].
Ate at Uncas Grill [new to me] in the Earth side of the casino. Had the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad; very fresh with Shaved Parmesn, Grilled Bread and Sun-dried Tomatoes. The manager gave us an order of Succotash and Assorted Breads. The other order was a gigantic Corned Beef/Pastrami Sanwich on Rye with French Fries. Looked great.
blognote: Jade Monkey was good to me but my new love is STARWARS [slots, that is].
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Max, Max, I love you.......
Max Amoré in Glastonbury; always a good meal, great service and lots of fun!
Tonight it lived up to all the expectations. Went there to celebrate another birthday and use up some gift certificates [gifties rule!].
The BLD crowd and me again. Started with a 'family size' order of Calamari. This along with the requisite basket of bread and focaccio, olives and roasted garlic - we were off to a great start.
JD ordered the Marinated Grilled Lamb [special of the night] with Warm Purple Potato Salad resting on Baby Bok Choy. I ordered the same [I know this is against the rules but what the hey; I wasn't going to miss out on lamb]. BD ordered the Black Angus Strip Steak with Gorgonzola Butter [what a combo that is] and it came with Spinach and some kind of yuppie Fried Potatoes.
Three glasses of wine: two Cabernet and one Pinot Gris.
All three of us had to have the dessert special: a Creme Brulée Sampler [White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate] which was served with Tahitian Vanilla Gelato in a Almond Tuile and an Almond Biscotti. Two Cappuccinos and a Latté.
What a meal! Everything was a winner.
bloginfo: www.maxrestaurantgroup.com
Tonight it lived up to all the expectations. Went there to celebrate another birthday and use up some gift certificates [gifties rule!].
The BLD crowd and me again. Started with a 'family size' order of Calamari. This along with the requisite basket of bread and focaccio, olives and roasted garlic - we were off to a great start.
JD ordered the Marinated Grilled Lamb [special of the night] with Warm Purple Potato Salad resting on Baby Bok Choy. I ordered the same [I know this is against the rules but what the hey; I wasn't going to miss out on lamb]. BD ordered the Black Angus Strip Steak with Gorgonzola Butter [what a combo that is] and it came with Spinach and some kind of yuppie Fried Potatoes.
Three glasses of wine: two Cabernet and one Pinot Gris.
All three of us had to have the dessert special: a Creme Brulée Sampler [White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate] which was served with Tahitian Vanilla Gelato in a Almond Tuile and an Almond Biscotti. Two Cappuccinos and a Latté.
What a meal! Everything was a winner.
bloginfo: www.maxrestaurantgroup.com
Friday, March 17, 2006
Baci me, Baci you
Saint Patrick's Day and we end up at Baci! in Cromwell. J&W B took me out to dinner [boy have I been feted lately].
In honor of the dear saint, I had a Harp's ale, Country Salad with House Balsamic Vinaigrette, Guinness Skirt Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a mix of Summer and Zucchini Squash.
JB had Scallops and WB had a Pasta Concoction with a Pork Chop, Meatballs and Sausage topped with Ricotta Cheese.
The three of us split two desserts: an Almond Joy Torte and an Almond Cheesecake.
The winner was the atmosphere and later the live music in the bar. The desserts were awesome.
In honor of the dear saint, I had a Harp's ale, Country Salad with House Balsamic Vinaigrette, Guinness Skirt Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and a mix of Summer and Zucchini Squash.
JB had Scallops and WB had a Pasta Concoction with a Pork Chop, Meatballs and Sausage topped with Ricotta Cheese.
The three of us split two desserts: an Almond Joy Torte and an Almond Cheesecake.
The winner was the atmosphere and later the live music in the bar. The desserts were awesome.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
O'Rourke's Diner [a day early]
We celebrated some birthdays [one late, one on time] and St. Patrick's Day [early] today at O'Rourke's Diner on Main Street in Middletown.
Mofongoman had 'The Dubliner': an Omelette filled with Corned Beef Hash and Irish Cheddar with Fingerling Potatoes, some Sausage and Brown Bread slathered with Raspberry Preserves. BF [birthday girl] had Fish and Chips and GC had the 'Brian' Philly Cheese Sandwich. The Philly turned out to be great hunks of real steak.
All the Entrées were the winners. We skipped dessert [believe it or not!].
Mofongoman had 'The Dubliner': an Omelette filled with Corned Beef Hash and Irish Cheddar with Fingerling Potatoes, some Sausage and Brown Bread slathered with Raspberry Preserves. BF [birthday girl] had Fish and Chips and GC had the 'Brian' Philly Cheese Sandwich. The Philly turned out to be great hunks of real steak.
All the Entrées were the winners. We skipped dessert [believe it or not!].
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
KOJI [Sister of TOSHI]
Went to a play reading, 'Sleepwalkers' by Jorge Ignacio Cortinas, at Hartford Stage this evening with NO, MER and their son, NO. Good play, well staged and acted. This will probably develop into a winner.
Ate first at Koji on Asylum Street near the corner of Main. I had the Calamari Salad [$7], White Rice [$1] and a Shrimp/Garlic Butter Yakitori [$2], Eggplant Yakitori [$1.25] and a bottle of Japanese Beer. Also shared a 'Rock and Roll' Sushi Combo with the table[$15] [I think Panko is the secret crunchy ingredient in the sushi rice]. Others had the House Salad, Pork Fried Rice, and a host of Yakitori [Roasted Garlic, Zucchini, Sausage, Duck Breast with Leechi, Beef and Enoki Mushroom, etc.]
The winners were the variety of Yakitori and the Fried Rice. The Calamari Salad was excellent.
bloginfo: www.kojidowntown.com
Ate first at Koji on Asylum Street near the corner of Main. I had the Calamari Salad [$7], White Rice [$1] and a Shrimp/Garlic Butter Yakitori [$2], Eggplant Yakitori [$1.25] and a bottle of Japanese Beer. Also shared a 'Rock and Roll' Sushi Combo with the table[$15] [I think Panko is the secret crunchy ingredient in the sushi rice]. Others had the House Salad, Pork Fried Rice, and a host of Yakitori [Roasted Garlic, Zucchini, Sausage, Duck Breast with Leechi, Beef and Enoki Mushroom, etc.]
The winners were the variety of Yakitori and the Fried Rice. The Calamari Salad was excellent.
bloginfo: www.kojidowntown.com
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Noshing around Miami...
Shuckers in Normandy Shores: Prime Rib Sandwiches and a pitcher of Beer
[where the view is better than the food; but the view is free and the food is good and cheap]
Magnum in Miami: Escargot in Puff Pastry with Bleu Cheese Sauce and French Onion Soup
[where they have the best restaurant in the gayest piano bar ever]
Soprano's on Lincoln Road: Salume/Cheese Platter and Pomodori Salad with Basil/Oil
[where the beautiful people walk by your table and try not to look at your food]
Metro Café in Fort Lauderdale on the water [after the King Tut Exhibit]: Cobb Salad
[where the service is slow, the place is packed and the restrooms have the most amazing sinks]
Jackson's at Dania Beach: Hot Fudge Sundae on Crunchy Peanut Butter Ice Cream
[where the servings are too large and too expensive but who cares if you are on vacation]
Cachita's on 71st Street: Sandwich Cubano [where I can pass for an Argentine and eat the best and cheapest food with people who don't give a shit who I am because they are too busy enjoying their food] and then a Café Cortado at Blue Sky [where I can sit at a table outside and nurse a dollar coffee for as long as I want]
Las Vegas Cuban Restaurant on Collins Avenue at 71st: Black Bean Soup/Pork Sandwich
[where a homeless sockless person called me a 'whore' but excused it all by continuing on 'but you ain't my salvation']
Confiteria Buenos Aires on Collins at 72nd: Café Cortado [and 3 pastries to go]
[where you take a ticket to buy pastries and when it's your turn the counter girls treat you like you are the President of Argentina]
Bistro 71 at the Fountain on 71st Street for my Despedida [Going-Away Party by S and P]: Goat Cheese Salad, Escargots, Paté; Beef Burgundy, 2 Lamb Shish Kebab; Coconut Flan, Crepes Suzettes, Bread Pudding. A fitting [and caloric] ending to my Miami stay!
[which I think will be my new neighborhood restaurant as soon as I get off my ass and buy a condo in Normandy Shores]
[where the view is better than the food; but the view is free and the food is good and cheap]
Magnum in Miami: Escargot in Puff Pastry with Bleu Cheese Sauce and French Onion Soup
[where they have the best restaurant in the gayest piano bar ever]
Soprano's on Lincoln Road: Salume/Cheese Platter and Pomodori Salad with Basil/Oil
[where the beautiful people walk by your table and try not to look at your food]
Metro Café in Fort Lauderdale on the water [after the King Tut Exhibit]: Cobb Salad
[where the service is slow, the place is packed and the restrooms have the most amazing sinks]
Jackson's at Dania Beach: Hot Fudge Sundae on Crunchy Peanut Butter Ice Cream
[where the servings are too large and too expensive but who cares if you are on vacation]
Cachita's on 71st Street: Sandwich Cubano [where I can pass for an Argentine and eat the best and cheapest food with people who don't give a shit who I am because they are too busy enjoying their food] and then a Café Cortado at Blue Sky [where I can sit at a table outside and nurse a dollar coffee for as long as I want]
Las Vegas Cuban Restaurant on Collins Avenue at 71st: Black Bean Soup/Pork Sandwich
[where a homeless sockless person called me a 'whore' but excused it all by continuing on 'but you ain't my salvation']
Confiteria Buenos Aires on Collins at 72nd: Café Cortado [and 3 pastries to go]
[where you take a ticket to buy pastries and when it's your turn the counter girls treat you like you are the President of Argentina]
Bistro 71 at the Fountain on 71st Street for my Despedida [Going-Away Party by S and P]: Goat Cheese Salad, Escargots, Paté; Beef Burgundy, 2 Lamb Shish Kebab; Coconut Flan, Crepes Suzettes, Bread Pudding. A fitting [and caloric] ending to my Miami stay!
[which I think will be my new neighborhood restaurant as soon as I get off my ass and buy a condo in Normandy Shores]
Sunday, March 05, 2006
SoBe Wine and Food Festival 2006: Tribute Dinner
Saturday evening, February 25, 2006 at The Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Decoding Ferran Adria: The Tribute Dinner
Anthony Bourdain, Master of Ceremonies
Reception hosted by Norman Van Aken and Emeril Lagasse
Champagne Gosset Reserve en Magnum
Hors d'Oeuvres by Norman and Emeril
Dinner:
Organized Caesar Salad with Sea Urchin...José's Way by José Andres
Served with Terras Gaudia, Abadia de San Campo Albarino 2004
Usuzukuri with Dried Shiro Miso Seasonal White Fish Sashimi with Dried White Miso, Yuzu Juice and Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Nobu Matsuhisa
Served with Terras Gaudia, Abadia de San Campo Albarino 2004
'Peanut Butter and Jelly' Terrine of Moulard Duck Foie Gras, Roasted Virginia Peanut Tuile, Concord Grape Preserve, Celery Branch and Cut Celery Leaves by Thomas Keller
Served with Torres Gran Vina Sol 2004
Grilled Florida Red Snapper Salad of Crabmeat and Green Papaya, Kaffir Lemongrass Bouillin by Gray Kunz
Served with Torres Gran Vina Sol 2004
Crunchy Rabbit Kunzuri over a Soybean Purée by Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Served with Cuné Imperial Reserva Rioja 1998
Confit of Beef Tenderloin Armonia de Mascarpone & Gorgonzola Truffle Opera by Marc Ehrler
Served with Marqués de Riscal Baron de Chirel Reserva 'Super Rioja' 2001
'Black and Red' [as described by the Miami Herald: "a Napoleon-like layered dessert of raspberry jelly, dark chocolate, pistachios and fleur de sel"] by Pierre Hermé
blognote: After the dessert and before the Cigar Lounge and Sherry Bar, plates of the famous Pierre Hermé Macaroons [raspberry creme filled sandwiches] appeared on each table. Anthony, in his introductory notes, declared that these macaroons will evetually be in the Smithsonian and I agree!
SoBe Wine and Food Festival 2006: Tribute Brunch
The Tribute Brunch was held Sunday morning, February 26, 2006 in the ballroom of The Loews Miami Beach Hotel.
There were numerous chef stations around the periphery of the room. The 'Egg Kitchen" was the whole center.
The Menu is as follows:
'Biscuits and Gravy' by Chef Todd English
Rosemary Buttermilk Biscuits, Kobe Gravy and Poached Egg
Ginger Scallion 'Peking' Pancakes with Shredded Duck and Shitakes by Chef Jonathon Eismann
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Crusted Chateaubriand with Rum au Poivre by Chef Alan Susser
Spinach and Fontina Cheese Risotto with Parmesan Zabaglione by Chef Scott Conant
Poached Amish Chicken Breast, Black Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Caramelized Onion by Chef Micael Mina
Bloody Mary topped with Balsamic Vinegar
Assorted Italian Cheeses
Mini Lasagna with Porcini Mushrooms and Prosciutto
Quiche 'Tradition'
Banana-Peanut Butter French Toast
Tortulla Cup, Scrambled Egg, Crispy Potato, Grilled Ham
Bagel Chips, Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Bar
Tomato filled with Egg, Melted Mozzarella, Balsamic Vinegar
Chorizo and Onion Tortilla Espanola
by Barilla and Loews 'Egg Kitchen'
Tapas Desserts by Chef Jordi Panisello
100% Organic Breads baked by Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery, New York
Wines:
Domaines Baron de Rothschild - Reserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc, France 2004
Vina Los Vascos - Chardonnay - Colchaqua, Chile 2004
Vina Los Vascos - Caberneat Sauvignon - Colchagua, Chile 2004
