August rounds to a finish

Through some miscommunication (or cyber space gremlins) our plans with friends did not come to fruition tonight. So, since we found ourselves in Kenilworth we decided to go to The Alcove in Evanston. A terrific risotto and excellent scallops were the winners.  All our choices were well prepared. This place is really a hidden gem. A limited menu with only good choices. A decent outdoor space is a plus in the good weather. We usually BYO  (with Corkage fee) but since it was a last minute change in plans we ordered from the nice wine list by the glass Phil had a sparkler and then we both had glasses of a nice St Veran (white burg)  for a reasonable price.

Monday night - as things get busier,  we dropped in to Aroy Thai for a quick meal. Ordered the spicy sausage, spring rolls, some thom kai, pad woo sen with shrimp, and the special marinated  pork shoulder with jeow sauce, red onions, and cilantro over sticky rice made with jeow sauce. A full set of leftovers to take home.

Then Wednesday we went to Osteria Langhe where we had the favorites- Coniglio and risotto... 

 and here was some of the food!

 

Then Friday we had a great night out with Todd & Evie. Or we could call the evening "Fun with Christopher Gerber!" We ordered far too much from the wonderful selections available on their beloved menu. So we again ended up with leftovers. Tomorrow night is definitely a dinner of "this and that and the other thing."  Menu items marked. Note to self: next time , order only the burger and the yummy tete de cochon (spectacular flavors). OK and maybe be the escargot tart. Or.....

We had a lot of leftover Issan spicy Thai sausage. It gets spicier.... So tonight it became the perfect base for a tasty quiche. The eggs and cheese had a tempering effect on the increasing "heat" and it actually tasted pretty darn good. Added some Italian flat leaf parsley and chopped scallions. #diningathome

So we have reached the end of August and my road trip with TB is coming up in a few days but here are the photos of tonight's dinner out at Bien Me Sabe. Farewell to August, we grabbed a Sunday night meal at Bien Me Sabe. I had the traditional cachapa, Phil had an arepa and the chocolate dessert. We shared the shrimp tostones.

Maybe followed by photos of the Labor Day dinner on September 1st before I leave town.... 

 

Then Hawksmoor- I think I only missed one wine and one dish which is quite the relative success given the extended dinner. Truly exemplary service from Chelsea and Somm Derrick as leads for the team. The food was overall good, with some courses really excellent. It's fun to find Yorkshire pudding in the States especially outside of classic Sunday Roasts. And there were other items I consider treats not seen regularly on American menus- Pavlova, Sticky Toffee pudding to name two. The Madeira gravy on the mashed potatoes was new to us and flavorful. A lot of catching up on planning for upcoming trips by all. The evening went by quickly and despite an earlier reservation we managed to close the place down. I know, you're not surprised. The Monday BYO is a terrific draw but it's the service and food that will keep folks coming back.

Then the last of the "summer" meals -  we had an early dinner because 1. I have an early flight and 2. We wanted to eat outdoors. Nice sidewalk dining area, decent food and good service. Phil had the jumbo margarita and I had white sangria. Then I had enchiladas mole and he had the fajitas which did come sizzling (as the menu declared!). We also polished off the chips and salsa along the way.

so that brought us to just past Labor Day and our final countdown in the States. I was off with Tom on a DART trip and Phil hung out with friends and fmaily at a folk festival. But that is another post- coming up.