Paris Bistrot (https://www.parisbistrotlwr.com/) on Lakewood Ranch Main St. is a long-time favorite. Not only does it offer authentic French bistro food in a pleasant atmosphere, and with excellent service, but it also provides me an opportunity to speak a few words of French. I usually eat there at least four times per year and am always very happy.
The other night, my sister, a special friend, and I shared a wonderful evening there.
The three of us chose the $28.90 "Chef's Menu" of one appetizer and one main dish. Everything we had was terrific.
The appetizer my sister and my friend chose was the Hot Brie Salad of Brie cheese on toast, with honey, lettuce, and tomatoes. I had the country paté, which I choose nearly every time I dine there.
Both ladies had the Pork Parmesan - pork tenderloin medallions in a puff pastry with a cream of parmesan cheese and shredded prosciutto.
I had Chicken Normande - diced chicken breast and mushrooms flambéed in Cognac with a cream sauce.
The Chef's Menu meals always include a vegetable plus a choice of rice or potatoes Dauphinois.
For dessert, my friend and I shared Crêpes Suzettes with orange marmelade and flambéed with Grand Marnier for $8.90.
I finished my meal with a cup of espresso.
I chose the wine I almost always have there - a St. Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone. It's always good and sells for $33 a bottle. This was a 2017.
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Columbia Restaurant, St. Armands Circle - Always Nice
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota (http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/Menus-By-Location/Locations/St-Armands-Circle) is a Spanish restaurant that I always enjoy. Over the years, I've had a number of meals there with family and friends, and have never been disappointed.
I recently had a delightful lunch there with a special friend of Spanish heritage. She knows authentic Spanish food. She loved her meal, and I loved mine.
We each started with a cup of Gazpacho Andalucia - a purée of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It was topped tableside by finely chopped vegetables and croutons. It was reeeeeeeeeeeeally delicious. Each cup was $4.45.
The main dish she chose was actually a Tapa - two Empanadas de Picadillo - pastry turnovers filled with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, onions, raisins, and olives for $8. They were excellent.
My main dish was Cakes de Congrejo - two crabcakes of grilled blue crabmeat drizzled with passion fruit aioli. They were tasty and solid, unlike the mushy version I'd had at a Punta Gorda restaurant a few days earlier. They cost $15.
(Normally, I have a larger main dish like Columbia's wonderful Ropa Vieja, but this time, I went lighter to save room for a nice dinner.)
My drink was a 2015 Rioja tempranillo wine called Rusty for $11. Like all the wines I've had at Columbia, it was very nice.
Our waiter, Norbert, who was Hungarian, was exceptional. Not only was he a superb server, but he was a hilarious comedian.
The parent restaurant of the Columbia group is located in Tampa. It was established in 1905, is Florida's oldest continuously operated restaurant, and is the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It offers Flamenco dance shows, for which there is a cover charge.
I recently had a delightful lunch there with a special friend of Spanish heritage. She knows authentic Spanish food. She loved her meal, and I loved mine.
We each started with a cup of Gazpacho Andalucia - a purée of tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumber, and garlic. It was topped tableside by finely chopped vegetables and croutons. It was reeeeeeeeeeeeally delicious. Each cup was $4.45.
The main dish she chose was actually a Tapa - two Empanadas de Picadillo - pastry turnovers filled with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, onions, raisins, and olives for $8. They were excellent.
My main dish was Cakes de Congrejo - two crabcakes of grilled blue crabmeat drizzled with passion fruit aioli. They were tasty and solid, unlike the mushy version I'd had at a Punta Gorda restaurant a few days earlier. They cost $15.
(Normally, I have a larger main dish like Columbia's wonderful Ropa Vieja, but this time, I went lighter to save room for a nice dinner.)
My drink was a 2015 Rioja tempranillo wine called Rusty for $11. Like all the wines I've had at Columbia, it was very nice.
Our waiter, Norbert, who was Hungarian, was exceptional. Not only was he a superb server, but he was a hilarious comedian.
The parent restaurant of the Columbia group is located in Tampa. It was established in 1905, is Florida's oldest continuously operated restaurant, and is the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It offers Flamenco dance shows, for which there is a cover charge.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
The Kehoe House - Perfect Lodging for Savannah's Historic District
During my recent delightful visit to Savannah, I found the warm and welcoming Kehoe House Bed and Breakfast Inn
(https://www.kehoehouse.com/) ideally situated to enjoy Savannah's gorgeous historic district.
My large and beautifully decorated room was very comfortable. The evening turn down of the bed included a couple of large, delicious cookies.
The Kehoe House offered a breakfast menu that included the choice of an egg or sweet main course with sides that included fruit, bacon or sausage, grits or potatoes, and biscuit or toast. They also served juices and coffee or tea. If the menu main-dish choices didn't appeal, they offered to prepared another dish.
Breakfast could be enjoyed in one's room, or at a large dining room table with other guests. I enjoyed chatting with very interesting guests at the breakfast table.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the evening, there was a free happy hour with wine and choice of several appetizers. I enjoyed the Kehoe House label Pinot Noir and their Cabernet Sauvignon.
At one happy hour, an engaging historian gave a very interesting presentation about the Kehoe House, which was built in 1892 by William Kehoe, who had come to Savannah as a poor Irish immigrant child and eventually became a very successful foundry owner. For about 10 years, the building was owned by former New York Jets football star, Joe Namath, who purportedly intended to make it a "bunny club."
As is fitting for a mansion built for a foundry owner, all of the building's exterior stairways, window frames, columns and fences are cast iron.
There is an elevator inside.
The staff was supporting and attentive in every respect. When I left, the staff sent me on my way with a nice bag of snacks.
My cost per night, including taxes and fees, during the three midweek nights I stayed there was $298. There was an additional charge of $20 per day for parking in the nearby uncovered Kehoe House parking lot. Just beyond that lot is a covered lot where parking is $10 per day.
I discovered that I would have received a better rate had I booked directly with the Kehoe House rather than through a booking service.
It is easy to understand why the Kehoe House has nearly 1,200 excellent Trip Advisor reviews.
(https://www.kehoehouse.com/) ideally situated to enjoy Savannah's gorgeous historic district.
My large and beautifully decorated room was very comfortable. The evening turn down of the bed included a couple of large, delicious cookies.
The Kehoe House offered a breakfast menu that included the choice of an egg or sweet main course with sides that included fruit, bacon or sausage, grits or potatoes, and biscuit or toast. They also served juices and coffee or tea. If the menu main-dish choices didn't appeal, they offered to prepared another dish.
Breakfast could be enjoyed in one's room, or at a large dining room table with other guests. I enjoyed chatting with very interesting guests at the breakfast table.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the evening, there was a free happy hour with wine and choice of several appetizers. I enjoyed the Kehoe House label Pinot Noir and their Cabernet Sauvignon.
At one happy hour, an engaging historian gave a very interesting presentation about the Kehoe House, which was built in 1892 by William Kehoe, who had come to Savannah as a poor Irish immigrant child and eventually became a very successful foundry owner. For about 10 years, the building was owned by former New York Jets football star, Joe Namath, who purportedly intended to make it a "bunny club."
As is fitting for a mansion built for a foundry owner, all of the building's exterior stairways, window frames, columns and fences are cast iron.
There is an elevator inside.
The staff was supporting and attentive in every respect. When I left, the staff sent me on my way with a nice bag of snacks.
My cost per night, including taxes and fees, during the three midweek nights I stayed there was $298. There was an additional charge of $20 per day for parking in the nearby uncovered Kehoe House parking lot. Just beyond that lot is a covered lot where parking is $10 per day.
I discovered that I would have received a better rate had I booked directly with the Kehoe House rather than through a booking service.
It is easy to understand why the Kehoe House has nearly 1,200 excellent Trip Advisor reviews.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Turtles Restaurant, Sarasota Bay - It Doesn't Get Any Sweeter
What a fantastic experience - sitting outside chatting with wonderful friends at a shaded table, while looking out onto Little Sarasota Bay on a sunny day with temperatures in the mid-70's, and enjoying delicious food and drinks. That was our experience at Turtles Restaurant (http://www.turtlesrestaurant.com/) on Siesta Key.
My food and wine were delicious. I started with a cup of their signature crab bisque for $4. It was really delicious and filled with crab.
My main dish was a tasty North Atlantic salmon BLT grilled with a dill sauce for $13.
My drink was a nice White Haven Sauvignon Blanc for $8.50 per glass.
The hostess was very accommodating, the service excellent, and the prices reasonable.
Turtles does not take reservations and can be crowded.
It is located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road.
My only regret is that I don't live closer.
My food and wine were delicious. I started with a cup of their signature crab bisque for $4. It was really delicious and filled with crab.
My main dish was a tasty North Atlantic salmon BLT grilled with a dill sauce for $13.
My drink was a nice White Haven Sauvignon Blanc for $8.50 per glass.
The hostess was very accommodating, the service excellent, and the prices reasonable.
Turtles does not take reservations and can be crowded.
It is located at 8875 Midnight Pass Road.
My only regret is that I don't live closer.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Easy, Japanese-Style Carrot, Ginger, and Onion Salad Dressing
I found this great and very easy Japanese-style dressing on The Spruce Eats (https://www.thespruceeats.com/onion-ginger-and-carrot-salad-dressing-3863338) I used all the ingredients, including the optional ones. It easily serves eight. I reworded the original directions to simplify.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup chopped carrot
- 1/2 tsp peeled and minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
- Optional dash of black pepper
- Optional 1/2 tsp of granulated white sugar
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, and purée. (I used a blender.)
Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup chopped carrot
- 1/2 tsp peeled and minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons ketchup or tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt (to taste)
- Optional dash of black pepper
- Optional 1/2 tsp of granulated white sugar
Directions
Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, and purée. (I used a blender.)
Chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
Japanese Fruit Sandwich - An Easy, Tasty Dessert
For a recent Japanese-style meal for family, the dessert I served was an approximation of a Japanese fruit sandwich. It was very tasty and easy to make.
Normally, Japanese fruit sandwiches are made with a light, fluffy, slightly sweet Japanese bread known as milk bread (shoku pan) or Hokkaido bread. Since I could not find that bread, I used a butter pound cake instead.
The ingredients are simple:
- A firm bread that will not easily get mushy from fruit and that does not have non-dessert ingredients like garlic.
- Fruit that is not too juicy - kiwis, mangos, strawberries, peaches. I used the first three.
- Homemade whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream is unbelievably easy to make. The ingredients are just whipping cream, powdered sugar (optional), vanilla extract (optional). There are plenty of instructions on line.
The preparation is simple
1. Slice the bread
2. Cut the fruit and place it on the bread.
3. Spread the whipped cream on the fruit.
4. Assemble the two pieces.
When using the larger milk bread slices, the sandwich is sliced diagonally and the properly positioned fruit looks very nice from the sides.
Normally, Japanese fruit sandwiches are made with a light, fluffy, slightly sweet Japanese bread known as milk bread (shoku pan) or Hokkaido bread. Since I could not find that bread, I used a butter pound cake instead.
The ingredients are simple:
- A firm bread that will not easily get mushy from fruit and that does not have non-dessert ingredients like garlic.
- Fruit that is not too juicy - kiwis, mangos, strawberries, peaches. I used the first three.
- Homemade whipped cream. Homemade whipped cream is unbelievably easy to make. The ingredients are just whipping cream, powdered sugar (optional), vanilla extract (optional). There are plenty of instructions on line.
The preparation is simple
1. Slice the bread
Prague Restauramt, Sarasota - Czech It Out!
How do I love thee Saasota-Bradenton - Let me count the ways, er, uh, Let me count the restaurants (but not the traffic). Today, I had the very tasty experience of trying a Czech restaurant for the first time - Prague, located on Main St. in Sarasota (https://thepraguerestaurant.com/). It offers a nice variety of Central European and American dishes.
I chose one of the Happy Hour specials - a salad and a main dish with sides for $15.
There were two salad choices - Caesar and a Czech cucumber salad (okurkový salát). I chose the latter. It was on the sweet side and had a tiny bit of a kick. I loved it.
The main dish I had was the Czech national dish, slow-roasted pork with a homemade brown sauce and caraway seeds (vepřo knedlo zelo) accompanied by Bohemian dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, and sauerkraut. The combination was very tasty, down-to-earth food. I particularly liked the pork and the cabbage. The dumplings (knedliky) are boiled and look like slices of bread. They were unexciting, but went nicely with the pork.
The dessert I had was terrific - two different types of Czech rolled crêpes (palačinky). One was filled with sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum raisins. The other was filled with raspberry jam. They were topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and chocolate. The cost was $9.
I had a nice glass 2016 Lyric Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County for $10 and a cup of espresso for $5.
The drink list includes two types of draft Czech beer.
The next time I go, I intend to try another Czech dish - the roast duck Bohemian style.
The owner and staff are Czech, and the service was efficient and friendly.
There are tables inside and out.
Prague is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. It is located next to C'est la Vie on Main St. For reservations, phone 941-329-2882.
I chose one of the Happy Hour specials - a salad and a main dish with sides for $15.
There were two salad choices - Caesar and a Czech cucumber salad (okurkový salát). I chose the latter. It was on the sweet side and had a tiny bit of a kick. I loved it.
The main dish I had was the Czech national dish, slow-roasted pork with a homemade brown sauce and caraway seeds (vepřo knedlo zelo) accompanied by Bohemian dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, and sauerkraut. The combination was very tasty, down-to-earth food. I particularly liked the pork and the cabbage. The dumplings (knedliky) are boiled and look like slices of bread. They were unexciting, but went nicely with the pork.
The dessert I had was terrific - two different types of Czech rolled crêpes (palačinky). One was filled with sweet cream cheese, cinnamon, and rum raisins. The other was filled with raspberry jam. They were topped with whipped cream, powdered sugar, and chocolate. The cost was $9.
I had a nice glass 2016 Lyric Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County for $10 and a cup of espresso for $5.
The drink list includes two types of draft Czech beer.
The next time I go, I intend to try another Czech dish - the roast duck Bohemian style.
The owner and staff are Czech, and the service was efficient and friendly.
There are tables inside and out.
Prague is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. It is located next to C'est la Vie on Main St. For reservations, phone 941-329-2882.
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