Dinner #1

So, Buttons and I went out for Restaurant Week last night. And it was wonderful. The restaurant was like most in our area - on the smaller side, intimate seating, and low light, which all made for wonderful ambiance. The place was even decked out for Halloween spooky! I posted the menu yesterday, and here's what I actually ate:

First Course: I actually had something that wasn't listed on the menu, it was a butterbean cake with feta cheese, topped with tomatoes and and avocados. I am sure the menu had it listed in a more appetizing fashion, but, I didn't memorize it. It was actually very tasty, and better than I expected. I was very impressed with myself for varying from the traditional salad. Buttons had the ravioli, and that was also very good. Hers was in a sauce with a lot of cilantro flavor, and that was nice and refreshing.

Second Course: I had the NY Strip. It was amazing. The meat itself was seasoned with peppercorns, and cooked perfectly (rare/medium rare). There were crisp green beans with just the right amount of flavor, and then there was the mushroom bread pudding - this was truly wonderful. It was infused with mushroom flavor, and had the perfect balance of crispness and spongy traditional bread-pudding texture. Buttons had the cinnamon seasoned pork medallions with pumpkin risotto, and that was very good too. It was very different to go from such a savory bite (my NY strip) to her pork (more on the sweet side). The pork was juicy and flavorful, and the risotto was the perfect compliment.

Third Course: Now, I am sure a lot of you know, I am off the sugar. I quit it. BUT, I figured, since I am paying for this delicious three-course meal, and it comes with a dessert, I might as well eat just a few bites. So I did! I got the honey cheese cake, which was actually a ricotta cheese cake, my favorite kind. It's a little sweet, but when paired with the honey, it was a completely different dessert, and unlike anything I have had before. Buttons had the chocolate roulade, which was also different that we both expected. The rich chocolate creme was rolled between a moist and spongy cake, and topped with a seasoned pair. This was not as sweet as I expected it to be, but still delicious.

So there you go. That's what we had at Restaurant #1. I was impressed, and I would definitely dine there again. I think it would be exciting to try the menu not during restaurant week.

I will post tonight's menu later today!