Posts Tagged ‘ lobster ’

Rosebud Blossoms in Spring

Monday, April 1st, 2013


It was late Friday night and LC and I still had not decided on dinner plans, so we got in his car, as we often do, without a specific destination in mind. He turned left, then right, passing a number of restaurants that we didn’t want to visit. LC wanted to watch the NCAA tournament and I wanted high quality food….two things that usually don’t go hand in hand.

We were running out of options when we drove by Rosebud. I spotted big screen TV’s behind the bar so we decided to give it a shot. We had eaten there once before a couple of years ago, the memory of their earthy mushroom toasts still fresh in my head.

The space is deceptively large, with dining rooms to the left and right of the entrance where the bar is located. Wood and exposed brick combine with shades of deep yellow for warmth and Southern charm.

We took the last two seats at the bar, his eyes glued to the TV, mine glued to the menu. Mushroom toasts were long gone, but there was a list of specials that included lobster lettuce wraps, so we decided on those and an order of Brussels sprouts to start. A split of Freixenet prior to our dinner prompted me to order a glass of cava while LC couldn’t resist a skinny margarita.

Halved and roasted, the sprouts were large but tender, tossed with a maple sambal glaze. No complaints but the Brussels sprouts war is currently being won by Hearth in Sandy Springs. Two leaves of butter lettuce were generously filled with lobster salad but I was surprised that there was no dipping sauce, making the lettuce wraps anticlimactic for me. LC used the remaining maple sambal glaze to add flavor….a good idea but I had already eaten my plain wrap.

As we often do, we ordered an entree and side to split. A massive Riverview Farms pork chop was cooked medium-well and served on a tangy sweet bed of braised red cabbage. Pears are a natural accompaniment to pork, here served pickled, and arranged on top. An enormous potato and kale casserole may not have been my first choice as a side, but the crunchy bread crumb topping convinced me it was the right one. There was a good bit of fat on the chop, but we carefully cut around it and didn’t leave a morsel of meat on the plate.

Our attention was divided between dinner and dunks, but during commercials we watched the bartenders shaking up some pretty cocktails. Perhaps in an unwise move, I decided to follow my bubbly with a drink called “Mexican firing squad special”, made with tequila, lime, and housemade grenadine. A dash of bitters floated on top along with a preserved black cherry from a $100 can imported from Italy. (Yes, they are worth it).

Although we don’t visit often, I can see why chef Eyester’s restaurant is consistently packed. The ambiance is warm and inviting and the food is what it should be….delicious. The final score? Rosebud 1, hunger 0.

1397 N. Highland Avenue 404-347-9747

Rosebud on Urbanspoon

Decadence at Davio’s

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

I’m going to have to eat my words. Maybe with some pesto. I always tell people I hate Italian food, when the fact is, I really only hate what most Americans consider to be Italian food, like spaghetti with meatballs and marinara.

A recent assignment took me to Davio’s, a relatively new Northern Italian restaurant at Phipp’s Plaza. Like all Italian restaurants, there are pastas, but none of them with marinara. Instead of pizzas you’ll find Tuscan white bean and hand-rolled gnocchi with basil truffle oil.

This is the fourth Davio’s location in the U.S., the first opening in Boston in 1985. The company has grown slowly, taking its time to perfect the concept before branching out to different markets. White tablecloths, upholstered seating, and fat columns give the space a traditional fine dining feel. I ordered a bellini followed by an unusual selection of an off-dry riesling. Both were fantastic.

The menu reads like a study in decadence, from seared foie gras to lobster risotto, until you get to the section titled Marchi. This section is a brief list of Davio’s trademark Spring rolls which come in four flavors that mimic other dishes, for instance the Philly Cheese Steak Spring Roll. They even sell them wholesale to supermarkets. I don’t get it. It’s as out of place as pizza at a sushi bar. But we were obligated to try them, so we ordered the sampler. As expected, LC loved the crispy fried rolls, especially the Buffalo Chicken. I was not impressed.

In addition to the Spring rolls we ordered the steamed mussels to share. The aromatic broth, flavored with ginger, lemongrass and fresh basil had a little kick, but I found the shellfish to be on the small side. LC devoured them as I focused on my foie gras. Seared and paired with roasted Georgia peaches, I initially thought the kitchen had plated an enormous serving of foie gras with no peach because the port glaze made everything look the same. Even our server thought they had made a mistake and whisked the dish away for repair. Meanwhile, I requested some undressed field greens on the side, my favorite way to cut the richness of foie gras. Our server returned, explaining the peach was hidden beneath two lovely slices of the goose liver. I proceeded to cut a piece of each and brushed a few leaves of baby romaine through the port glaze. Heavenly.

That was just the appetizers. The next dish was ravioli stuffed with Maine lobster in a rich basil cream sauce. Pastas come in two sizes so we ordered the small bowl and treated it as a side to accompany an 8 oz. center cut filet mignon. I couldn’t pass up the pan roasted Brussels sprouts while LC had a hankerin’ for the green beans with crispy pancetta.

Our steak was kitchen split, each half (that looked to be around 6 oz. each rather than 4 oz.) individually seared to a perfect medium. Served with caramelized onions and two housemade sauces, horseradish cream and a citrus herb sauce called prezzemolata, it was the best steak both of us had eaten in years, perhaps ever! Each bite melted in our mouths, after which we exclaimed “Oh my God, this is amazing!” It was so incredibly delicious, no sauce was required, but the prezzemolata was terrific so I couldn’t resist dipping a few bites in. We savored every morsel.

Brussels sprouts were roasted until tender and tasty. Lots of porky pancetta punctuated the skinny, whole green beans. Despite its richness, we polished off the lobster ravioli and had the nerve to order dessert.

I was disappointed to discover this Italian restaurant did not serve gelato, so we opted for what seemed to be the lightest, a strawberry parfait with vanilla ice milk and lemon pound cake croutons. A textural delight, it would have been better without the hint of lemon, and with a dollop of whipped cream.

But why stop there? Our server, who’s timing was impeccable, suggested we take home a second dessert, the traditional Italian tiramisu. Sadly, it didn’t even make it to the refrigerator.

Certainly not inexpensive, Davio’s is the perfect choice for a special occassion or if your pockets are particularly deep. Do I like Italian food, you ask? If it’s Davio’s, I love it.

3500 Peachtree Road 404-844-4810

El Farallon at Capella Pedregal in Cabo

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Once again, I’m off to Mexico!

Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a week since me and B had dinner at El Farallon in Cabo San Lucas. Its spectacular setting overlooking the ocean along the cliffs of the Pedregal Mountains makes it one of the most romantic destinations I have ever visited. Too bad I wasn’t there with a hot man! Ladies, this is where you want to be when your guy asks you to marry him.

The Baja Peninsula is known for its abundance of fresh seafood. El Farallon brings in the catches of the day from the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez and displays them by the kitchen so diners can make their selections.

Having had enough tequila throughout the day to tranquilize a gang of lucha libres, we switched it up to champagne. Seated near the rocky cliff wall surrounded by the warm glow of candles, the weather was perfect. Then along came CG with a bottle of champagne in hand. He escorted us to see the “boat display” to choose our fish, but we both had lobster tunnelvision.

El Farallon has a set five course menu that begins with chips and guacamole made in a traditional molcajete, chunky and delicious. The next course was mussels in a tomato broth. Both B and I dislike tomato with fish so although the mussels were good, it was not my favorite dish. The guacamole was so good I requested a second helping.


A trio of appetizers were delivered. Seabean salad was rather forgettable (I, in fact, couldn’t remember it). Seabass ceviche was tasty but, again, had tomato in it which I found a little unusual. Crispy fried calamari was the winner of the three.

I don’t remember ever seeing a menu. This is unfortunate because having it in front of me now, I see we could have ordered the mixed grill of fish, which includes a lobster. Then we could have tried lots of different fish, but rather, we ordered two lobsters, each one the size of my head (too much of a good thing?)

For her sides, B chose roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus, which she said were very flavorful. My grilled corn was sweet and salty with a satisfying toothesome quality….amazing. I also tried the cilantro rice merely because it had the word “cilantro” in it. Our lobsters were grilled and succulent served with a selection of sauces. B asked for drawn butter that we both dipped into. One of the sauces, most likely the chile ajo, was good and spicy.

There were two choices for dessert and I believe I chose the arroz con leche, but it never arrived. The bill did, however, with each lobster having a $20 upcharge beyond the $80 prix fixe. Thanks for the heads up, Senor Server.

Despite the misunderstandings and missed desserts, it was still an unforgettable meal, at an unforgettable place.

Fat Thursday at Pappadeaux

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012


I’m a food snob, so it will come as no surprise that I try to avoid chains much like I avoid sick people and crying babies. I cringe at the thought of thousands of containers of “product” distributed to restaurants nationwide, containing identicle crab cakes, egg rolls, frozen cheesecakes.

But sometimes dining at a chain is unavoidable, like at a recent business dinner. The location was negotiated based upon accessibility to the interstate (nearly always a bad sign), and its proximity to all guests.

Don’t get me wrong, I love some chains, like the much maligned Krystals and the simple yet delicious Wendy’s. Fast food chains, however, are a necessity of life, filling a literal void on grueling road trips, providing a consistant product whether you’re in New York City or smalltown USA.

Pappadeaux, and other concept chains, are another story. They thrive on tired themes that appeal to (you guessed it) middle America. LC and I pulled up to the huge stand-alone building, its sprawling deck awaiting warmer weather, decorated with copious neon signs lighting the way to a smorgasbord of Cajun and Creole seafood favorites. At least it’s a theme I like.

Jambalaya, etouffee, and gumbo anchor an extensive menu of every kind of seafood, all available fried, broiled, blackened, steamed, or grilled. Several creative, and caloric, specialties caught my attention, like the Texas redfish, grilled with Maine lobster, avocado, sauteed spinach, and roasted tomatoes in a white wine lemon butter sauce. Another paired grilled jumbo scallops and shrimp with mushroom risotto, spinach, and herb butter. That’s what LC ordered for his entree.

The organizer of the dinner had mentioned martinis and lobster earlier in the day and I was having a hard time steering away from either one, but first, I was intent on having something Cajun. So I talked LC into splitting a bowl of Louisiana style seafood gumbo. We requested hot sauce on the side, fully expecting the soup to be pretty mild. And it was….until we added the hot sauce. But the bowl did contain copious amounts of crab meat, shrimp, and oysters, plus a few chunks of tomato and okra.

Everyone was drinking martinis, mine being the only real one, made with Bombay Sapphire. I ordered my lobster grilled but didn’t care for the mashed red potatoes and broccolini sides that came with it, so I switched them for onion rings and spaghetti squash.

There’s a fine line between under and overcooked lobster, and Pappadeaux unfortunately crossed it. My crustacean was a bit chewy, but had a nice grilled flavor. The stringy texture of the spaghetti squash didn’t appeal and my onion rings never showed up….a blessing in disguise. I was hoping they would offer a comp’d dessert to make up for the snafu….and they did!

LC’s dish was tasty, although there was no hint of New Orleans on the plate. Meanwhile, martinis were being delivered to our table at a furious pace, adding fuel to the boisterous banter.

On cue, our patient server brought out the tray of desserts, each one enough to serve four. I chose the bread pudding, of course. A couple of cheesecakes and a chocolate cake joined the fattening fray. Made with apples and raisins and resting in a pool of creme Anglaise, it was not overly sweet. I was pleased with my selection.

Pappadeaux’ menu states that the seafood is fresh, as in not frozen, as in “swimming yesterday”. Not bad for a chain. I bet the place will be crawling with crawfish and Carnival revelers soon!

5635 Jimmy Carter Blvd. 770-849-0600

Goodbye to Bluepointe’s Magic Lobster

Monday, January 9th, 2012

A sad goodbye to the scene of much debauchery….
It’s hard to believe I haven’t reviewed Bluepointe until now. The restaurant is an Atlanta staple and the scene of so many memorable (and crazy!) evenings. Like crashing (former) Dallas Maverick’s Steve Nash’s private birthday bash upstairs and my own private birthday bash several years later, complete with champagne and lobster.

As I’ve said in a recent post, I’m a sucker for tradition. Or perhaps I’m merely a creature of habit. I always get the lobster at Bluepointe. In my many visits I have tried practically every dish until I discovered the lobster. Since then, I’ve been loyal to the 2lb. shellfish in curry.

The peanut crusted grouper is awesome and so are the scallops. The calamari appetizer used to be very spicy and amazing but it has become increasingly boring over the years with the predominant flavor being soy.

And ever since me and AD attended a Veuve party at Bluepointe I can’t seem to order anything else to drink there. Many bottles have been consumed since then.

My visit to Bluepointe last night was an exercise in irony. Or deja vu. I was wearing the blue dress, the same one I wore to my birthday dinner. I had champagne and lobster. And I was with LC….just a different one.

Seated at one of the more intimate tables near the bar where me and AD used to sit, LC was somewhat intoxicated and rather ravenous. I asked for a dish of the rice crackers they used to have at the bar but was disheartened to learn they no longer serve them. I would have dumped the snacks in my purse just for old time’s sake!

We started off with edamame and ordered two more appetizers to share. Wanting to try something different I chose the calamari salad. Although it has been many years, I always associate fried calamari on greens with one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants in New York called OG (Oriental Grill). Theirs was a perfectly assembled dish of impeccable field greens, fried calamari, and a slightly sweet Asian dressing.

I was impressed with Bluepointe’s version, with tempura calamari, arugula, sweet mango, crispy apple, cashews, and razor thin radish slices, lightly dressed with a subtly sweet Asian vinaigrette. A perfectly balanced composition, both in flavor and texture.

LC wanted to try the short rib wontons in umami broth. Umami is the culinary buzzword de jour, loosely translated as indescribable deliciousness. The Japanese are so cerebral. Three wontons filled with beef swam in a brown broth. Sorry, no umami, just a fistfull of salt in the overwhelmingly soy based broth. More champagne.

We had much better luck with the dependably delicious curry lobster. Served with baby asparagus, bok choy and Asian long beans in a slightly spicy yellow curry, it was as succulent as ever. The enormous lobster makes two generous entree portions. As a side, LC couldn’t resist the corn mash, yellow corn with lots of butter, which turned out to be his favorite dish of the evening.

For dessert I went back to my usual chai creme brulee. Not a fan of lemon sorbet I asked to substitute the orange sorbet which came out in a fun cube shape. The candied ginger on top of the crispy sugar really makes it special. We scarfed it down, along with another glass of champagne.

Now we were ready to dance!

Bluepointe on Urbanspoon

Holiday Surf ‘n’ Turf

Thursday, January 5th, 2012


Remember when the holidays were a time to relax with family and friends? That’s right….when you were a child. After that, it’s all financial hardship and stress.

Once family time was over, B and I had a chance to exchange gifts and enjoy some adult beverages and conversation. A bottle of Gloria Ferrar Brut started off the evening by my gorgeous phat tree.

Then we were off to one of our favorite spots, Top Flr, but alas, it was Monday and they were closed. B suggested another of our old haunts, Livingston, just a mile down the street. Perfect! Although chances were not good that our buddy Zeb, the chef, would be working the day after Christmas.

We had little company aside from our friendly bartender. But we were in luck to visit on Millionaire Monday, Zeb’s special two course dinner for $18 every Monday which features such rich dishes as lobster and steak. B and I decided to order one of each and create our own surf ‘n’ turf.

But first, we sipped an impressive red that was spicy and deep. A spinach salad with gorgonzola, vidalia onions was drizzled with candied bacon vinaigrette provided a simple and satisfying start.

We ordered the filet medium-rare. B requested it on the rare side and after some thought, I agreed. Best too rare than overcooked. Our plates arrived, thoughtfully kitchen split. The baby filets were unfortunately cooked medium with no rare in sight, but the lobster was perfectly poached. It was a meal that could have been decadent if it weren’t so light.

The bartender topped off our glasses as we chatted. Just then, a gentleman (and I use that term loosely) appeared at the bar. He and his new bride were apparently staying at The Georgian Terrace for their honeymoon. Dressed in a garrish pinstripe suit, he was a minister, and needed advice on what alcoholic beverage to buy for his new bride. We suggested champagne so he ordered “the cheapest one”. His ridiculous demeanor made us laugh, but it wasn’t until his departure that we noticed a flyer he had left outlining the services he offered through his business, Non-Negotiable Ministries.

Valuable services such as Prophetic Miming (who doesn’t need that?), Preaching (of course) Food Catering, and the all important Armour Bearing (WTF?), all available regardless of race, creed, or policy. What if your policy is not to hire ghetto preachers?

Best of all, his food catering business is called Fix-It Preacha. I swear. Even me and B couldn’t make that up!

(If you are interested in honing your prophetic miming skills, just contact me, I have the minister’s number.)

659 Peachtree Street NE 404-897-5000

Red Lobster….a Christmas Eve Tradition

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

Ditto for 2011….

There was a time when Red Lobster was almost fine dining. On weekends the lobby would be full of men wearing suits, waiting for a table with their families, their wives dressed in skirts, well-behaved children in tow.

Well, those days are gone my friend! Foul-mouthed unkempt white trash was the standard as me and my family waited for a table this Christmas Eve. Screaming kids are usually seated next to us these days, but we got lucky this time.

We used to go to fancy restaurants on Christmas Eve but one year we ended up at Red Lobster, and we’ve been going there ever since….sort of a bastardized tradition at this point.

The restaurant’s decor used to be more nautical kitsch, but they’ve toned it down a bit over the last decade. No more enormous plastic fish or nets, just dark wood walls, and tables dimly lit with dock lanterns.

Our dinner began with salads, Caesars with balsamic dressing on the side. A basket of those addictive cheddar garlic biscuits came out. We tried not to eat them, but the temptation was too great.

My Mom decided to go light and ordered the glazed salmon with broccoli. Dad got the rock lobster, shrimp scampi, and grilled shrimp. I ordered the Maine lobster, grilled scallops, and grilled shrimp combo with a baked potato on the side, although the combos now come with rice pilaf….how 1989!

I asked our server the difference between Maine and rock lobster and he said the rock could be tougher at times. However, it turns out that variety is also much larger. Oh, well. Everything was drenched in butter and cooked perfectly. My Mom’s salmon was OK. At least she didn’t leave stuffed like me and my Dad.

Sure, Red Lobster’s reputation has evolved over the years but if you can look beyond the abysmal atmosphere and unsavory fellow diners, you just might get a delicious lobster!

Nava Nails It

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

More Southwestern love….
Nava is like an old friend. I think about visiting yet rarely get a chance. But when I do, I’m reminded of why I love her. She is consistent.

Sure, menus that constantly evolve showcase a chef’s creativity, but there is something to be said for perfect duplication. You can count on the same bread, the same taco, the same fritters, even with a change in chef.

Nava’s Southwestern theme has remained intact over the years as well, with American Indian blankets, pottery, and exposed wood beams dominating the dining room.

Some dishes have been added recently to coincide with hot food trends, like their ceviche bar, a collection of six types of ceviche made with various fish and shellfish marinated with an array of accompaniments. And Nava hasn’t failed to join the taco bandwagon, with a whole section devoted to the craze.

Another example of sticking to what works is Nava’s green chile lobster taco. It was a Kevin Rathbun original and remains on the menu to this day. A simple combination of succulent lobster meat and a little cheese wrapped in a soft spinach tortilla, accented with cascabel cream, salsa fresca, then drizzled with tequila sour cream. I would have one for dinner, but first let’s start with the ceviche our group of four shared.

LC and I met our company’s marketing genius CF and business associate JH at Nava’s intimate bar inside. We considered checking out the patio bar but it was simply too hot. Instead we cooled off with margaritas, then headed to a sunny table by the window.

We chose two ceviches, one made with mahi mahi and jicama and the other with shrimp and jalapenos. Both were light and fresh. CF is from Mexico, and therefore a ceviche expert. Both of us loved the crunchy cubes of jicama combined with the citrusy fish. The guys made sure not a sliver remained in the dishes.

As LC tried to decide on an entree, the others had determined they would share a few things, including another ceviche and some tacos. Remaining true to form, I ordered the lobster taco. However, wanting to experience a little diversity, I also ordered the alligator taco with smoked bacon, candied jalapenos, and killer crema. It sounded fun, creative, and delicious, but unfortunately they had sold out. So, I got the smoked chicken taco, which I thought was the same as the one that used to be on the appetizer menu. When it came out I took a bite and realized that beneath the tender shredded chicken was a good bit of green chile grits. A drizzle of annato sour cream finished the taco, and despite my lack of love for grits, so did I.

Meanwhile, I had effectively coerced LC into ordering the only entree I had ever tried, the spicy jumbo shrimp. I remembered it was a rich dish composed of two small black bean and goat cheese enchiladas topped with big juicy shrimp. A pineapple scotch bonnet glaze provided heat. My fork kept finding his plate!

While CF and JH munched on their tacos and ceviche, I could hardly take my eyes off my lobster taco. I shared with LC, already feeling the heavy burden of cheese, tortillas, and the unfortunately awesome bread that our server delivered prior to our meal.

Nava is not authentic Mexican, but I think it’s safe to say that it is an authentic representation of new Southwestern cuisine. CF agrees, and she should know. Speaking of authentic, I have accepted her challenge to a guacamole making contest….aye carumba!

Another margarita for dessert and we were off in our shiny black limo for a night on the town.

3060 Peachtree Road 404-240-1984

Eastlake Pro-Am Schmooze

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011


Last year, LC asked me to accompany him to the dinner that preceeds the pro-am golf tournament at Eastlake Country Club, which in turn, preceeds the Tour Championship. I didn’t take my camera and regretted not blogging about it for a whole year….until last Sunday.

The event was held in the ritzy clubhouse. LC and I arrived and quickly assessed the crowd. CEO’s and celebrities were around every corner. Passed hors d’oeuvres like caramelized onion sliders and individual shrimp cocktail cups were plentiful, as was the booze.

As we ordered martinis, I casually mentioned that my mission for the evening was finding the lobster salad that I fell in love with last year. Luck would have it that I was standing next to chef Michael Diehl’s wife, who introduced herself, then brought out her husband to meet me….nice!

Like last year, each room hosted several tables with chafing dishes containing everything from mini crab cakes to spice-rubbed ribs. A carving station featuring beef tenderloin was in one corner, a lovely display of sushi in another. As I made my way to a buffet to sample a few dishes, a gentleman seated nearby said hello. He looked familiar, very familiar. Turns out it was Craig T. Nelson. Moments later we struck up a conversation with the lone rocker dude in the room, Tommy from Kiss.

Tender slices of the beef tenderloin were accented with sweet caramelized onions. It was impossible to try everything, but the chef clearly put his heart into every dish. Delicious.

Initially, I did not find the lobster salad. LC and I continued to mingle, meeting pro golfers Stewart Cinck and Bill Haas. Eventually I ran into chef Diehl who explained he had transformed the room temperature salad into a warm dish that was near the beef.

Huge chunks of lobster were paired with potatoes and dressed with plenty of olive oil and herbs. I preferred the former version but could hardly complain….hundreds of plump lobsters gave their lives for this decadent dish!

Miniature desserts were displayed, and devoured, during the auction, presented in a hilarious manner by a comedian there to play in the pro-am tournament. Cheesecake lollipops dipped in a variety of chocolates and sprinkles stood up in little cups of pink sugar….so clever!

One of the best schmooze events of the year, I’m already looking forward to next year’s lobster salad.

Deja Vu at Cafe on the Avenue

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010


Like last Thanksgiving with my folks, we went to dinner at Cafe on the Avenue again. Another case of deja vu, we were seated at the same table and ordered practically the same thing.

It’s a charming, cozy cafe in a renovated house set among antique stores and gift shops. Seems like the sort of place that may do better business at lunch when they offer an impressive array of salads and sandwiches.

We started off with a little wine. I vaguely recalled not loving the salad dressing before (although I could be mistaken) so I ordered the Caesar to start. My parents each got the house salad with no complaints. Garlic bread sticks were served alongside.

All three of us ordered the surf ‘n’ turf skewers, a combination of grilled steak, lobster, shrimp, and peppers on two skewers served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables. First of all, why not separate the seafood from the beef so diners can order the steak the way they like it? Last year that wasn’t an option. Me and my Dad ordered this entree and the chunks of steak came out very well done, just the way he likes it.

I, on the other hand, prefer my steak cooked medium or medium-rare. This year I asked again, expecting a “sorry, they’re already skewered together” response. However, our server, who may have been the owner or manager as well, said she would see what she could do to accomodate me. Meanwhile, my Dad confirmed that he wanted his the regular way….overdone.

When the entrees arrived, I began removing the chunks of lobster and steak, and the shrimp that anchored the ends of each skewer. Fantastic! My steak was medium and extremely tender. And, unfortunately, so was my parents’ steak. My Dad had to send his back to be charred while I quietly enjoyed mine. Mom didn’t complain much but I could tell she would have liked them cooked a bit longer.

The meal wasn’t perfect, however. Each skewer had only one piece of lobster (same as last time). Rice pilaf was merely buttered white rice, as far as I could tell, and the vegetable medley of squash was entirely unremarkable. Already pissed off about the steak, my Dad noted that there were no grill marks on the shrimp like before. True.

Altogether, I would recommend it if you happen to be in Crystal River. The neighborhood’s upscale vintage vibe is a nice change of pace from the area’s down-home country spots.

On a side note, John Travolta and Kelly Preston have a house nearby that is perpetually “under construction”. We drove past and it is gorgeous! My Mom suspects the pile of dirt on the otherwise pristine driveway is simply a decoy.

631 Citrus Avenue, Crystal River, FL 352-795-3656

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