Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Big Birthday/ Big Week

I had a big birthday this past week, of course, at our age all birthdays are big. In celebration we we're treated to several meals and nights out.
On the exact day, last Tuesday, our daughter and son-in law took us to the "Oriental Wok" Hyde Park for a birthday dinner prepared by the Chef, our friend, Guy Burgess.
The meal started with an excellent seafood soup, very much along the taste range of "egg drop" but with more vegetables ( peas, asparagus, corn and water chestnuts) plus large amounts of lobster, crab and scallops, all cut into bite sized chunks. This was followed by perfectly done, extremely tender, New Zealand, rack of lamb basted with a Chinese sauce whose roots go back to the sweet sauce served with Mo Shoo, plus a little wine and herbs. Exceptional. Also accompanying the lamb was a bowl of Chinese greens in a light butter sauce. For desert it was Key Lime Pie. How could a meal be more special.
The next night we were guests of our cousins at "The Red Feather" 3200 Madison Road  (513) 407-3631. The food was great and the service horrible. I had a beet salad and a scallop dish consisting of 3 large "diver" scallops on a bed of Polenta. The light citrus sauce brought the flavors together perfectly. Because of a mix up on some of the other orders the management sent orders of Creme Brulee and a large Chocolate torte to the table for our "dolci".  It's a shame the service was not up to the food.
Another evening we were hosts at "Alfio's" 2724 Erie Ave (513) 321-0555. We had been there many months ago but found the food and service greatly improved, on this visit. I would recommend this convenient spot on Hyde Park Square. I had 3 starters, all very tasty; their take on Cioppino, which I found thin but well seasoned and plenty of seafood, a pear, fig and green salad and Argentine sausage sliders. Marilyn stuck with the wild mushroom Ravioli which she said was some of the best she has had. Everyone seemed well satisfied. If there was any negative it was the noise level on a very full Friday night.
Three other spot, "Pelican's Reef", always a favorite , Monday night for beer and a Grouper Ruben Sandwich, "Otto's", need I say more, for lunch B.F.T, E, Bacon, Fried Green tomatoes, Fried egg and cheese sandwich and their terrific tomato soup and Eli's Bar-B-Que on Eastern Ave. Lot's of good vitals to get me started on another year.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Back again

I went this morning to the Let's Eat Out course at OLLI. It was like old times. The title also refers to the first 22 days in Sept. when we were traveling. I'm not sure where to start but I'll just go in chronological order.

Sept 1 we departed for Boston and attended a funeral of or very good friends son, age 56. After the funeral we took a 5 PM flight to Amsterdam, arriving at mid-night EST. It really is an easy time change. We spent three days with friends in Holland and then flew directly from Amsterdam to Southampton UK where we boarded the Crystal Serenity for a 13 day, 5 totally at sea, via the North Atlantic back to Boston. Since this is a food Blog I won't go into detail about being pampered and over fed on the ship. Our return to Boston on Sept 19 was in time for a small, partial "family reunion".Three full days in Boston and then back to Cincinnati.
Three eating experiences, not on the ship, were a home cooked Indonesian dinner, by the wife of our host; Icelandic lobster(Langoustine) and Arctic Char at "The Lobster" in Reykjavik and the Lobster roll at the Side St. Cafe in Bar Harbor ME. I learned from the owner that Lobster Rolls come in all shapes and prices, the less costly the roll the less lobster meat and more celery and mayo. This roll was $22 and contained almost all tail meat with very little dressing. Not surprising "you get what you pay for".

This morning, when the speaker did not show up I want over some of our eating places in the area.
First, the Mason area: The Phoneitian Taverna, Straits of Mallaca and Wildflower. Then moving on into town we spoke of "Eli's" the very popular Bar-B-Q restaurant on Eastern Ave( often easier to carry out than eat in); the bar at the Residence Inn, in the old Phelps on East 4th St. Great summer roof top and very convenent in the regular bar, before a show or CSO or afterwards for a drink and something to go with the beverage.
Moving to Rookwood Plaza the conversation shifted to The Capitol Grill, a one time experience for us and Seasons 52, both upscale chains. We find Seasons 52 good with an interesting caloric controlled menu.
A full discussion  of Italian eating spots from Nicola's  to Brio and other chains. We didn't leave out Sotto, Via Vite, Prima Vista Enoteca Emilia and several others in the area.
The discusion today didn't go heavily into OTR or into KY or Dayton, all homes for enjoyable dining. More on those areas latter.
Spell check broken so good luck; as I said Were back.