Guys. I have to tell you about dinner last night.
My parents wanted to take me to a nicer dinner before I head back to Chicago (on Saturday – so soon!). Well, tonight I’m having friends over. Tomorrow we’re doing our traditional New Years’ Eve night of appetizers and desserts and family games, and my dad is going to be at a friend’s poker game on Friday. So, last night was the night. We went to Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant and it was so good. All three of us could not stop raving about how delicious everything was.
So… what did we get?
Five glasses of wine for three two people. It is a winery, after all. 😉
We opted to forgo a “real” appetizer, mostly because we were looking way ahead to dessert. That didn’t stop us from demolishing this loaf of pretzel bread, though.
Both of my parents got a surf and turf option (filet & lobster for my mom, filet & pistachio-crusted grouper for my dad). Their meals were a lot like what I typically get at nice restaurants.
I, however, decided to switch things up. I went for a cheesy polenta and grilled shrimp meal with tomato-braised kale. It’s the kind of meal my dad often goes for, and while I like my “usual”, this was absolutely delicious. I had never had polenta before, and loved the cheesy richness. The kale was crispy perfection, and the shrimp had a wonderfully smoky flavor.
After we ooh-ed and ah-ed over our amazing meals, it was time for dessert! My parents both think they “won” dinner. We all agree, however, that I won dessert.
My dad got a standard but still-fabulous cheesecake with a tart raspberry sauce.
My mom got a butter cake with a citrus cream and a berry sauce. It was lovely, but we agreed that the Ocean Club butter cake we had over the summer was even better.
I got a Reese’s chocolate chip cookie. It was a hot, gooey, perfect chocolate chip cookie in a little skillet that could have served all three of us. There were halved Reese’s cups pressed into the cookie, and melty vanilla ice cream on top. I don’t think I stopped smiling the entire time I ate it.
I won.
Needless to say, we left the restaurant absolutely stuffed. But it was a night with food as good as the company, and those are the best nights.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten recently?
I made my own almond butter last night and that was pretty epic! The best thing I’ve eaten recently was a fresh mozzarella and basil sandwich. I am loving that combo!
Homemade nut butter is the BEST. I have no idea why I don’t make it more often… I guess all the options at the store are just too tempting 😉 And that sandwich sounds amazing! Melty cheese ❤️
Mmmm amazing!!! I want all of that!
I’d eat it again 🙂
Haha, the whole time I was reading what your parents had for dessert, I was thinking (and actually said out loud) that if you “won” dessert, in my book it had better be chocolate! Oh my, did you raise me one on that statement because it was chocolate AND peanut butter. Which is like my favorite thing in the world. I say you totally won!! I was melting just like the ice cream on top at the sight of your delicious dessert! Cookie + peanut butter + chocolate + ice cream = dessert heaven…
I never know how to answer this question…too many good things to choose from! I think right this minute it would be a tie between last night’s dinner (chicken topped with Monterey Jack in a mushroom-onion-garlic sauce) and a slaw I made the other day with shredded cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and zoodles in an Asian tahini sauce. I’m normally not one to rave over salads, but for some reason, I keep craving that and wanting to make it again!
Haha almost every dessert I fall in love with has some sort of chocolate. This one just happened to have a bunch of other fabulous things, too! 😉
That chicken sounds awesome! And I’m slackin’ on the veggies lately, so that salad sounds particularly wonderful, too.
I’m drooling over all of this food, it looks incredible! The best thing I’ve eaten recently was some delicious Chinese Food!
Ahh it’s been a little too long since I’ve had good Chinese food! That sounds lovely!
OK. Why do I have a feeling that there will not be ANY of those leftover hanging out in your fridge on Saturday or Sunday? Maybe just a drizzle of that dessert of yours? Or mom’s? or dad’s? Oh well, I am sure to find something yummy to whip up.
See you Friday!
There’s plenty of food – just not from this dinner 😉