Monday, July 23, 2012

Some thoughts

We go out a lot, probably 4 to 5 nights a week. It's our social life and a good chance to visit with friends. However I do like to eat at home and Marilyn and I share both the planning and cooking, I am a combiner of items while she is more of a purist.
Recently field ripened tomato's have come to the farmers market and consiquentially these have been front and center on our menus. Today I bought cucumbers which Marilyn will marinate, in the Danish fashion, and we will add some slices of sweet onion before we serve this, chilled, over fresh tomato slices.
Yesterday I used some of the same onions as an addition to our Sunday morning scrambled eggs. I chop and saute the onions, until brown, in butter with a touch of Worcestershire and a pinch of herbs. After I pour in the eggs, usually more whites than whole, I douse the concoction with a good helping of grated Parmesan Cheese. Cook till almost firm and remove pan from the heat which allows the eggs to firm up as they are placed on the plate.
I've also found that eating my dry cereal, bulk Granola and Fiber One, with peach or raspberry Yogurt makes a delious breakfast and more than satisfies my sweet tooth.

Oh yes, we have eaten a couple of meals out since last posting. One at "Parkers Blue Ash Tavern" 4200 Cooper Road 45242 (513) 891-8300  a neighborhood stand-by for the Blue Ash area and a very passable lunch or dinner spot. While Marilyn had the house Cheeseburger I experimented with the Caesar Salad topped with a good sized helping of deep fried Calamari. Filling but not too healthy if one is watching intake of fat or salt.
Another night we went to "Maggiano's Little Italy" in the Kenwood shopping Center. We used our head and split a large chopped salad and an order of Veal Marsala. As most of you know "Maggiano's" is a chain but their food is quite acceptable. The chopped salad, a mixture of head lettuce and romaine contains also chopped tomato's, cheese, bacon bits and avocado. The dressing is light but slightly spicy and refreshing. The Veal order contained 3 medalions, easily splitable, and a large amount of buttom mushrooms. There is enough, nicly seasoned wine sauce, to well moisen the angel hair pasta with which the veal is served. A pleasent, reasonable dinner and not at all bad for a chain.

I've rambled enough so I'll call Marilyn and get the "spell checked" before it's posted.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Cincinnati

Now that we're home and back to a normal routine, which includes "eating out" I'll try to bring things "up to date". Places I have written about, recently, will only be listed with a comment. Anything really new will receive more attention.
"Cafe Mediterranean", Blue Ash, excellent Zucchini Pancake, new to the menu
"Maribelle's", new location, 3235 Madison Rd., Oakley (513) 321-9111. They have moved into the spot formerly occupied by "Hugo's" and have upgrade their "bar food" menu. Had an oyster salad, interesting but skimpy on the oysters( three small) and a grilled salmon on a bed of greens. Good but not outstanding.
"Abigail Street" 1214 Vine. In my opinion the best of the "hot new" spots in the Gateway District on Vine.
Small plates but interesting selections and excellent preperation. For 6 people, a few night ago, we divided 3 appitizers, a tangine of summer vegetables served on cous-cous, cold marinated and spiced vegies and English pea crostini. Four main courses, none exceedingly large, lamb sliders ( 2 orders), lamb shank, scallops( 1 order, not enough) and halibut. Dessert was deep fried donut rolls. A good wine list and most libations are available.
"Oriental Wok" Regency, they fixed a grilled whole bass which was "out of this world"
"The Rookwood" 1077 Celestial St, (HINT) oysters are either half priced or $1 each on Sunday night, to clear the inventory.
"The Precinct" There are several new menu items, which Marilyn and I each tried. She had wonderful Dover Sole and I chose the brasied short rib, served on Pappardelle

So now were up to date after our trip West, the World Choir Games and, of course, a stop at Camp Nebagamon.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Home again

We were gone for almost a month and when we returned we volunteered for the World Choir Games and so have been very tardy about posting. Reporting on West Coast eating places only serves a few who read this and happen to live there or travel as we did.
I will mention some spots we enjoyed so if any of you are following in our footsteps you'll have a name as a starting point.
Ashland OR (Oregon Shakespeare Festival)
"Morning Glory"-excellent breakfasts and lunch
"Thai Pepper"- Asian, get a table overlooking the creek
Mendocino-Ft.Bragg area
""Libby's Restaurant" Philo, CA- homemade Mexican
"Chapter and Moon"-Ft.Bragg CA-Noyo Harbor- fresh seafood and salads
"Herons By the Sea"-Ft. Bragg CA-Noyo Harbor-ditto
Eugene OR
"Off the Waffle"-store front- just what the name implys, waffles you can imagine
"Cafe Marche"- excellent dinner spot
"Sweet Life Patisserie"-a wonderful bakery that is perfect for dessert( by the slice) and coffee
Seattle WA
"Coterie"- fairly expensive but most interesting food and wine
"Toulouse Petite"-huge, wondeful menu for all three daily meals, especially breakfast and lunch
Delta(Mason) WI
"Delta Diner"- Nowhere, but a Chicagoian gave up the financial business nine years ago and moved to the "north woods" to run a place Jane and Michael Stern should visit. It's about 7 miles south of Iron River WI but doubt that any of you, except family, will make the treck, even though it's worth it.

I'll get back to Cincinnati area in the next blog.