Date Night... A couple of months back, my wife and I agreed that we would take turns planning our 'date nights'. We've been married 18 years and some times our date nights would turn into the same restaurant, same dinner and so on. Since we've started taking turns planning it, we've actually been on some really good dates. We've eaten some really good food. Played some 'championship' caliber pool (not really) and attended 'poetry slams'. Its really been a lot of fun. I tell you some of this because there was a time in our marriage, when my wife had a run of bad luck picking restaurants for us to try. So much that at one point and I quote " I'm never picking another place to eat, every where I pick sucks". Not really and I don't ever recall the food not being good it just seemed to have always been a service issue. Anyway, she's moved passed that and she knocked it OUT OF THE PARK this week...
First... This was her week to plan a date. She had researched and looked for some fun stuff to do and she decided that we would do a 'Paint Night'. We were going to eat at this particular restaurant and during dinner, we were to paint a picture of some sunflowers. We were really looking forward to this time together and we both thought that it would be really fun. Two days before our date, she gets an email, that the class had been cancelled... Now, she's on the shot clock trying to get a plan B in place and she pulled it off famously. We left the house and she said we were going to Grille 29 in Madison Al, to eat and then to a 'Poetry Slam' and a local arts mall called Lowe Mills (Huntsville Al). We started with an appetizer of Gorgonzola Fondue (WOW)... Fondue with chunks of blue cheese and lightly FRIED bread sticks. They were like a pretzel, breadstick and savory doughnut all in one. Then we had soup and salad, both fantastic. The service was exceptional and I would highly recommend this place.
Second... Christmas time, yep I said Christmas. Several years ago, we started purchasing experiences and memories as gifts for our family. We've given Journey concert tickets, weekend Bed & Breakfast reservations and so on... Last year, for our 15 year old daughter that's into theater, we bought her Phantom of the Opera tickets. This really works well in most cases. The gift is given in the winter and usually cashed in sometime in the spring or summer. Its the gift that keeps on giving. Well last night we headed to Birmingham Al for the production. My wife, once again, had looked around and found us a place to eat dinner and it was Bistro 218. What a choice !!! I'm going to share my dining experience through photos. Below is our appetizer of charred octopus with squid ink aioli, scallops on a bed of creamed corn, asparagus, roasted tomatoes and country ham with a crème brulee for dessert.
The dinner and show was fantastic... NOTE: Once at the restaurant, they asked if we were going to the theater and we said yes. They actually had a 'Theater Menu'. If we had know this it would have helped us research the menu and would have been a little less expensive. If your doing the whole dining and theatre experience, when you make reservations, ask for this. The place your dining at just might have the same option.
Third... Happy Birthday to Me. Yep, this week I turn 48 and for my birthday, my wife gave me possibly the best gift ever. Its called 'Discover the World through Food'. For 12 months, Ill receive a package in the mail. Each package will contain 7 - 8 delicacies from a different country. These delicacies will be prepared and packed by the highlighted chef, from that country on that particular month. The first month, my package will arrive from Chile.
Didn't cook much of anything this week but had great food experiences with my family...
I'm beyond blessed and I'm very thankful !!!
