The day after Phil returned from Ireland we met John and Stephanie for dinner to celebrate John's birthday. We went to Bistro Campagne because John had a taste for foie gras... A great evening for John's birthday-eve dinner. We made a good dent in the menu as noted by the red dots. My trout was a winner. I think John liked the torchon of foie gras (which was his one request.) A nice white worked well with the three fish and one chicken entrees.
then we had dinner with Zack & Becky tonight. Fun to get to see them when the girls are away at camp. Been a few years since we have had just four adults. We had a chance to find out all they have been doing in their interesting careers. Zack is very busy in the ER and Becky is managing a number of overseas initiatives for the Red Cross. They both find their work challenging and rewarding. Their oldest daughter is now the age that Zack was when he started babysitting for Phil's kids way back when. Time flies.
The following night we met Todd & Evie for dinner- Tried a new place with T&E tonight. We were doing fine until the GIANT dessert portions came. Really liked the pizza and the panino. We had a lovely outdoor table.
the salad I made to go with the pizzas....
First time at Sun Wah since we returned in mid May. Had two regular favorites. The classic egg rolls and the beef chow fun with pan fried rice noodles. Then instead of the Beijing Duck with all the fixings we ordered the roast duck on a friend's recommendation. Personally I like the duck dinner with little bao buns and like making my own crispy duck skin and scallion treats. And the fried rice is usually good and comes as part of the "package". The weak link of the package is the duck soup. Tonight we also tried the fried scallops as a substitute for our usual order of walnut shrimp (which I dollop with Sriracha for a bit of zing). The scallops were very good. The other recommended item was the duck and dried scallop soup and for me it was a hard NO. I did not like the flavor at all! Phil however brought home the left over soup. So I am the "odd man out" here I guess. But it's been years since we ordered something new so it was an excellent adventure.
and the following night we met up with Frank and his friends Ray & Lorna at Cafe Beograd...Assorted Balkan foods. Cevapcicci was my personal favorite. The burek and assorted mezz platter were very good, as was the "combo" meat platter. Both the shared desserts came well recommended by the server. I can vouch for the cake. Phil favored the crepe. Worth checking out if you haven't been.
so that wraps up Phil's first ten days back in the States... tonight we are off to Mon Ami Gabi followed by Oceanique with mike & Leslie. tomorrow night.
