come dine with me...

The Jade Monkey and Vanna White were being good to me, so I decided to eat at Uncas' Grille at Mohegan Sun Casino this afternoon.

Started with a Sierra Nevada ale with the proffered trio of Breads and Succotash.

I ordered the Meatloaf Dinner which came with BBQ Sauce [on the side], a Grilled Onion and Mixed Veggies [fresh]. I also ordered a side of Brussel Sprouts which were superbly cooked in Maple Syrup.

Skipped dessert [and I need to skip it for the next three years!].

The winner was the Meatloaf with chunks of Shortribs in it and the Brussel Sprouts.

bloginfo: www.mohegansuncasino.com

Celebrated someone's 65th birthday at Restaurant du Village in Chester. The party consisted of Mofongoman, JD and BD [and you never tell a woman's age].

The Amuse Bouche was a Lobster Salad Profiterole. We started right off with a bottle of Perrier [so French we were] and informed our waitress that we were there for the Alsacienne Fest. That made ordering much easier as it was Prix Fixe with Wines included.

Started with Flame Cake made with fresh Goat Cheese, cured Ham and Onions. This course was served with Pierre Sparr: Marquis de Perlade N/V. Very tasty!

Next course no one opted for the Crayfish Bisque. There were two orders of Frogs Legs in a Puff Pastry and I had the Foie Gras accompanied by Alsatian Fruit Bread. This course was served with a Domaine Otertag, Sylvaner, Vielles Vignes, 2004. My duck liver terrine was very, very rich but the fruit bread was the perfect accompaniment.

We each ordered a different main course. JD had the Choucroute [Sauerkraut garnished with Sea Food], which was loaded with Shrimp, Scallops and Fish not just garnished. BD had the Rabbit pan-roasted with Spatzle. I had the Loin of Pork hickory smoked and sided with Horseradish Sauce, new potatoes and sautéed apples. The wine for this course was a Trimbach, Riesling, 2003. All the entrées were large portions; we were getting stuffed.

Dessert was a Farmer's Cheese Tart in an almond crust served with a strawberry/rhubarb compote. The final wine was a Domaine Ostertag again but a Gewurtztraminer, 'd'Epfif,' 2004.

We finished off with coffees and a plodding walk to the car for a nice ride home.

bloginfo: www.restaurantduvillage.com
The restaurant is at 59 Main Street in Chester, CT
Telephone is 860.526.5301

Forbidden City Bistro in Middletown has surely caught on. The house was very crowded early Saturday night.

MER and NO [TD couldn't make it to dinner] and I had gone to the Theater Works production of the Peggy Guggenheim Story. After snacks at the house we made it just in time for our 6:00 reservations.

The 'fried??' rolls before dinner were delicious and sweet with a spread the flavor of which we couldn't figure out.

MER had the Short Ribs with Baby Bok Choy and Purple Rice [what I had last time there], NO had the Fish Special and said it was fine. I had the other special of the night which was Flank Steak over Chinese 'Spaghetti' [really Chow Fan]. This was a bit spicy as advertised. We skipped desserts.

bloginfo: www.forbiddencitybistro.com

Friday evening we went out for a final dinner in Miami. Drove to upscale Weston and had dinner at Bonefish Grill. They are a chain; Outback and Carrabas.

Started with Draft Beers outside waiting for a table. Inside we had Bang Bang Shrimp and Saucy Shrimp for appetizers. Both dishes very different and complemented each other.

Entrées were Halibut with a Lemon Butter Sauce, Chicken Cobb Salad and Imperial Snapper stuffed with Crab and Shrimp. For dessert we shared a Creme Brulée.

bloginfo: www.bonefishgrill.com

Went back to Buenos Aires Pastry Shop on Collins [between 70th and 71st] for lunch.

Nice informal place, take a number and point to what you want. Tables inside and out; I sat inside as the 'summer' had just started.

I had two Beef [Carne de Res] Empanadas and a small bowl of Clam Soup with more soup [and vegetables] than clams. But the lunch was delicious!

May 1st: a very full day in Florida!

First stop: Lunch at Monty's in Coconut Grove. Above is the view from our outside table. We had Fish Taco's, Lobster/Shrimp Salads over Greens and a Popcorn Shrimp Caesar Salad. Nice meal, great view, poor service and broken sunglasses.

Next stop: the Chihuly @Fairchild installation. Tickets waiting at the entrance courtesy of a friend of my hosts. See details and pictures at www.foransolo.blogspot.com

Last stop: the Rusty Pelican overlooking Biscayne Bay. We had drinks and tidbits on the terrace. Dinner in the dining room; Conch Chowder, Conch Fritters, Stone Crab Claws. Then on to Swordfish, Fried Whole Yellow Snapper, Escargots and Stuffed Scallops. Dessert was Chocolate Raspberry Terrine and Cheesecake with Strawberries. A nice bottle of Pouilly Fumé enlivened the meal.