The restaurants I've been to!

[Stokey Sue Profile]

Binky, I think many Americans would be rather upset that grits would be considered as indicative of a poor quality menu, they are a regional staple for rich and poor alike - like polenta in Italy or mealy pap in South Africa! Americans I know eat them for breakfast with a ridiculous amount of butter. Not keen myself, but can eat them

When in North Carolina I ate at Mama Dip's, a restaurant specialising in local foods, in Chapel Hill not far from Duke Medical School. The food was good, at the time (perhaps 2002?) though I understand that since the family aren't really involved any more it's not got the edge it had. Menu looks much the same, though lacks the collard greens in bacon grease that I had (may have been a special).. They told me I wouldn't like them, but they were actually quite nice.

https://mamadips.com/lunch-dinner-menus/

I see they have put the cheese cornbread recipe on the web page, might give that a whirl, it was definitely the best corn bread I've eaten. But dinner, not fine dining


For fine dining we went just up the road to the Magnolia Grill, now long gone, was very good, though not a grill as I understand it.

[karadekoolaid Profile]

The first time I ate grits was on a London Bach Society Tour of the USA, in 1974.I have to admit, I didn´t think very much of them; but then on return visits to the USA, I sort of got to like them. Perhaps it was because I´d got used to corn here in Venezuela. I´ve often thought that the slight sweetness of corn when served with something savoury is not really a British thing.
I was in Kentucky last July. The Bourbon was great; but I didn´t think the menus had progressed much from the 1970s. Here´s a menu from the best local restaurant in Versailles, KT:

RicArdo´s Kentucky.jpg

However, I ask - has British local food progressed since then? Well, although my visits have been few, I´d say yes, it has.
Incidentally, the "sides" mentioned on the menu were humongously enormous, I asked for coleslaw and was served a bucketful. The service in the restaurant was fantastic.

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I remember ordering a chicken fried steak in Raleigh NC. It came with a baked Idaho potato the size of a baby’s head which in turn came with two roughly 2 oz blocks of butter and a jug of sour cream. There was coleslaw as well somewhere. Given that the steak was about 9 in in diameter it was about enough for a family of 3. I usually lose weight in the USA - I just can’t face up to the portions

I stayed in an old post hotel with my parents in ca 1964. We were given whole trout meunière and sat and looked at them. Madame bustled over and offered to show “la petite” how to cope with a whole fish. So we all 3 learned the knack
This is the hotel, the frontage and the main dining room haven’t changed much, though I don’t like the updating of the second dining room
http://www.h-3-p.com/hotel-bar-restaurant/photos-hostellerie-des-3-pigeons.php#lg=1&slide=8

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

Huge portions. What a put off, I'm afraid.
But I would be able to eat something off the menu, yes, nevertheless.

That's a lovely looking place, Sue.
I had to look up where Paray le Monial was.

I have made chicken fried steak before. And was most impressed.
But I confess to not knowing much about States-side food.

[Lusciouslush Profile]

The first time I ate grits

The first time I ate grits was in Houston Texas sawdust comes to mind - totally bland - but then I discovered that they added cheese, butter, bacon or whatever you wanted to them - still can still vividly remember the strong Texan voice at breakfast saying ' Y'all want some grits?' & looking really surprised when we declined! Couldn't take to cornbread either.


But the seafood...……...ooohhhhh the seafood...…….

[Amyw Profile]

I’m going to Vegas at the end of the month and am looking forward to and dreading the food in equal measures . One thing I loved in New York last time were the biscuits . A flaky buttery cousin to a scone I guess would be the best way to describe them

[Renee Profile]

I had grits once whilst staying with American friends in Florida. We were travelling somewhere and stopped at a breakfast place. I thought that it was like porridge somehow, but alright as part of a meal.

[Alexandria Profile]

Absolutely an amazing jewel ..

Cuisine Indo Chine ..

Restaurant Indo Chine ..

Ambiance: An indoor Indo Chine Garden ..

Barcelona ..

[Joanbunting Profile]

Apparently this is where we are going on Feb 14th. Poor M has been tearing his hair out to find somewhere different for this very special anniversary for us.
Everywhere is closed for their winter break.
This is convenient, beautiful and very familiar but I know he wanted to find somewhere else. I'm not complaining!
https://www.leclosdelaglycine.fr/fr/page-menus-de-fetes

[Renee Profile]

I wouldn't complain either Joan, after looking at the website! What a lovely restaurant.

[dennispc Profile]

Me neither. Gorgeous.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

what time do you want me to gate crash, Joan?

[Alexandria Profile]

Joan,

Exemplary !

Happy Anniversary ..

[Alexandria Profile]

Barcelona: Born´s Best Tapas Bars .. ( Where very few tourists venture ! )

1) SET DE BORN: Artisanal Catalan Cheeses & Charcuterie. The establishment has an amazing Wine Cellar.

2) BAR DE PLA: Their specialties are traditional regional Tapas.

3) TAPAS LA BONA SORT: This is a carnivore´s paradise.

4) ALSUR CAFÉ: A perfect fusión of informal and elegant. The Tapas are remarkable.

5) ELSA & FRED: Absolutely a charming vintage designed small bar, café eatery with exquisite tapas and increíble Brunches on Sundays.

6) TABERNA TAPEO BAR: A traditional bar, serving some of the best Olivier Salad in the city. ( Ensadilla Rusa ) ..

7) SABOC: This lovely Mediterranean lunch spot and bar, serves some of the most inventive tapas in the region.

[dennispc Profile]

The Bank, Taunton.

Mussels and OH's ham hock fritters on black pudding behind.

Mussels.jpg

Mains and dessert will follow.

[dennispc Profile]

Roast duck leg plus OH's pork wellington.

Duck.jpg

Sorbet and OH poised to let the flame of the Creme Brulée die down.

sorbet.jpg

[Joanbunting Profile]

Goodness me those mussels look good but that amount would do the 2 of us for a main course - with chips of course!

Our meal last night was 6 courses but very well judged and paced so I did manage to eat nearly everything. I'm not allowed to take pictures though I wish I had for the dessert which was delicious - a tuille canelloni filled with tiramisu with raspberries and raspberry sorbet on the side. The hilarious bit was the presentation. The tuille wa on it's end with a fresh raspberry stuck in the top and a scoop of sorbet on either side. We were one of the older couples in the restaurant but we had a tennage attack of the giggles

[Alexandria Profile]

Joan,

I could just imagine this Rasberry modern take on a tiramisú !

Sounds like you have a marvelous anniversary & St. Valentine´s ..

Have a lovely weekend.

[Alexandria Profile]

Petronius,

Lovely mussels !!

[Pepper Pig Profile]

I had another terrific lunch at Quo Vadis is Soho yesterday. The best meal I’ve had since I went with a few Wildies last year. Chef Jeremy Lee was in attendance as per usual and everything was just perfect. My chum had roast salsify which I had never tasted before. Gosh, what have I missed? It was great.

And it’s almost the only time I’ve been too full for dessert.

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/jeremy-lee