Christmas Dinner

Location was first restaurant that had a reservation opening. Try try. The Mouse studied the menu beforehand, but alas, the best laid plans … restaurant menu was special Christmas prix fixe menu. Okay, rolling with it.

Location

“Instant Bacon”

Braised pork belly, deep fried, “instant” smoked, soy glazed, served with tempura oyster. For the Cat and The Mouse, meal could have ended here. Eight paws up.

Herb-Roasted Jidori Chicken

Not bad, okay. If The Mouse had a choice, he would have a double order of pork belly. Hee hee. The turnip and the won ton were good. 🙂

Mac-Crusted Mahi Mahi

Again, not bad, okay. The Cat agreed about the double order of pork belly.

Chocolate Cake

The cherries was a nice touch. Okay, next time, double order “instant” bacon and chocolate cake.

Be safe, eat good.

The Mouse

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Brunch, Part II

Main

Snake River Farm guava BBQ Kurobuta pork shank, pan gravy, garlic mashed potato, steamed rice, haricot vert, braised red cabbage. Fall off the bone. Mmm! Both The Cat and The Mouse ordered. Leftovers! 🙂

Dessert, The Cat’s

Strawberry parfait, Italian ladyfingers, fresh macerated strawberries, mascarpone cheese, chantilly cream.

Too much dairy for The Mouse.

Dessert, The Mouse’s

French chocolate decadence cake, chocolate hazelnut gelato, mango sorbet, raspberries.

The Cat and The Mouse very happy and full. And happy birthday to Mrs. P.

Be safe and well.

The Mouse

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The Cat’s Pics

“Client” lunch with Chef H.

Shrimp Bruschetta

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Plate

So, The Cat and Chef H ordered a pork banh mi and a grilled Portobello sandwich. Server was kind enough to split the order onto two plates. No fuss. The Cat and Chef H got half an order of everything. Neat huh? Wait, where’s the Portobello sandwich?

Chocolate Cake

Chef H took the leftover cake home. 🙂

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

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No Reservations, Sittin’ at the Bar

Yesterday was the first day The Cat could sleep in (need to recover from a brutal tax season). Impromptu “hunt” for food. First choice was a 2 hour wait. Nope.

The Cat has always wanted to return to Baci Bistro. Took a chance. One hour wait, unless we were willing to sit at the bar. Go for it.

Sat right in front of the cold prep station (think sitting at the sushi bar).

Produce

.

Bar, Cold Prep, Kitchen

Super tiny space. One of the chef was even gracious to provide shaka. Hee hee.

Bruschetta

The Mouse thinks one of the better ones he has had in a while.

The Cat’s Risotto con Gamberetti e Piselli

Think Italian jook with shrimp and peas and cream and cheese. The Cat liked.

The Mouse’s Bucatini alla Puttanesca

With extra sauce (The Mouse is a product of public education). Hee hee.

Rustic, earthy, spicy, packed with umami (think Italian Ma Po Tofu, kinda). And the myth behind the recipe is interesting as well.

Yelp had a picture of Key Lime Pie. Wasn’t a dessert selection last night. The Cat sighs.

Chocolate Decadence Cake

The dense part they got right, tasted flourless to The Mouse.

Next time we go back, either make reservations, go earlier, or sit at the bar again. The Mouse wouldn’t mind sitting at the bar again, free kitchen and prep show. 🙂

Enjoy. Eat well.

The Mouse

 

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