A few days closer

so we are a few days closer to the start of 2018 and I for one will be happy to see the end of 2017 - so meanwhile- LOL we have to eat.... and we went to visit Dan and Max at Blue Marlin this week.... and we also ran out for a quick meal at AMOB (Anna Maria Oyster Bar) for a dinner and stopped by Kasa Sushi - so we could wish all our Asian pals there Happy Holidays!

two great wines including the very young tasting 2005 St Aubin Chateniere from Lamy- and a light but completely correct 1996 Pommard...

Phil had the cioppino and I had the pecan crusted grouper

We tried the new dessert Andrea's Chocolate Mousse Cake- which was excellent and share sized-

and Phil also ordered the bourbon pecan pie...

then we took this Charbaut Certificate from 1985 (Neil found it in the back of the cellar) to Kasa.  It was sadly in my opinion undrinkable - Maderized and nearly flat- but we had a backup Agripart to carry us through the evening! Lots of sashimi (wild salmon and escolar and maguro and ikura and unagi etc...) and then four rolls

• the Fantasy - four raw fish in a seaweed wrapped that is almost translucent- 
• the Fire in the House with the crab and conch surrounded by the roll and alongside a boat afire!
• the Spicy Shrimp Tempura roll and 
• the Alaskan roll 

and since we will have all our meals out over the holidays while visiting Larry we are having dinner at home tonight... we have plans to return to many of our favorites and try a few new things on our trip south... so stay tuned...

still on the list

So yesterday we went to Louie's Modern for dinner for the first time since our November return.  We were a little skeptical after checking out the menu online because there was obviously a new hand in the kitchen. The menu seemed slanted to the middle east in a way it hadn't been before. Having things on a bed of Israeli couscous is fine as long as it is one of many options but having all dishes with that set-up was more concerning. But we went.

We hit the jackpot with our server Jacquie. Top notch woman with a vast understanding of food and ingredients and opinions.  We always hate it when you ask a server "Between X and Y which would you recommend?" and the response is "they are all good" - that does NOT answer the question and is a very lazy and non interactive way of dealing with the customers - it says I simply don't have the time for you or the understanding of our food to make a recommendation.  Jacquie was NOT that way. She knew her food and because she wasn't too busy in this week before the holidays was able to give us plenty of details to help us make terrific decisions.

We had gone through the menu and picked out some things we were interested in but upon hearing the specials made some changes. Each of us ordered one item from the specials and one from the menu and then we shared a stater of amazing Chicharones (maybe the best ever.)

so let's start with that and then go on-

actually all the SHARES sounded pretty good- and I was leaning towards the burrata but when I decided on the special salad with farro and currents and butternut squash, we went with the amazing  chicharones....

 Both wines showed really well - and the red was a perfect accompaniment for the salmon (my main)

Phil had the crab and shrimp Louie salad with egg, avocado and tomato and I had the special salad with the currants and farro.

then Phil had the special (Maine lobster with a scallion risotto) and I had the salmon from the menu

we both had gelato for dessert - mine vanilla bean and his chocolate hazelnut

since we were the last customers (other than stragglers from a party of thirty in the back room) we were able to catch up on all that is new at both Tableseide (first generation retired and next has stepped into the management roles) and several new places around town that they have opened.

overall we were VERY happy with the food and especially with the service.  #itsallgood - so it stays on the list!