miscellaneous
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS! I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHECK OUT MY BLOG, AND FOR ALL THE INTEREST YOU HAVE SHOWN IN IT SINCE I BEGAN THIS VENTURE FIVE MONTHS AGO.
I ’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING MUCH MORE WITH YOU IN THE YEAR AHEAD. HERE’S TO AN EVEN MORE DELICIOUS 2011!
My husband and I brought in the New Year last night at a charming French Bistro called Mon Ami Gabi. I actually prefer dining in little bistros over more expensive, formal and sometimes pretentious restaurants. Mon Ami Gabi is part of the Lettuce Entertain You Group Restaurants based in Chicago, our old hometown. Although it is a chain of six to date…two in the Chicago area, one in Las Vegas, and two in the Washington, DC area, it has none of the negative connotations we usually associate with chain restaurants. It’s simply delightful, and has never disappointed.
With its warm, cozy and spirited ambiance accentuated by the tastefully done holiday decorations this was the perfect place for an early dinner before a movie. Our adorable waiter Ivan who was extremely friendly and attentive brought a small plate of tasty vinaigrette dressed shredded carrots along with the wonderfully warm french bread and sweet butter. We began by sharing a chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail and an order of mussels Mariniere, served in a white wine and herb broth. Dipping that delicious crusty French bread, which is charmingly placed on the table in its own bread bag (see the photo above),into the warm broth from the mussels is reason enough to order the mussels!
We moved on to lovely salads…the house with an olive vinaigrette for him, the fabulous caesar for me, and on to the classique steak frites for each of us. With champagne and wine it was a perfect meal to close out 2010.
From there we left for a movie around the corner, after which we went back to Mon Ami Gabi, waited a bit for a table in the lounge and capped the evening off with dessert as we listened to a jazz trio. We shared the apple tarte tatin and a trio of profiteroles filled with ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce. A dessert wine for me, and we were home in time to watch the ball drop in Times Square.
It was a great New Year’s Eve, and my thoughts are already going to what to blog in 2011? Hmmm… French onion soup, steak frites, apple tarte tatin…the possibilities are endless! a bientot (bye for now)