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Betzabroad…My personal recipe for tasting our big, fat, wonderful world

Betzabroad…My personal recipe for tasting our big, fat, wonderful world

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  • Special Foods for Special People

    Number one son is coming home for Thanksgiving and momma’s gotta get her groove on in the kitchen because he’s a foodie too. Day by day, I’ll begin the conglomerate of dishes to serve on Thanksgiving, and during the prelude to the big feast. Today, I tackle duck confit. Half a duck, kosher salt,3 bay leaves, peppercorns, herbs de provence, 3 cloves of garlic, duck fat and vegetable oil into the ceramic pot. Cover and cook at 260 degrees fahrenheit for 3 hrs 20 minutes. Let it cool in the oil. Remove the meat and reserve for duck rillette later this week.

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    Strain the remaining fat and enjoy this liquid gold used in a variety of ways for weeks to come. Fry eggs in it. Slather it on your turkey before cooking. Take a bath in it! Seriously, it is that good!

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    Sonny’s gonna love it!

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  • Riverfront relaxation in Rockford, Michigan

    One step inside Red’s on the River in quaint little Rockford, MI and you feel your whole body un-tense. A roaring fire pit greets you as you are led to your table.

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    During warmer months, diners may sit on their huge outside deck alongside the Rogue River and enjoy the beautiful western Michigan views and weekend downtown concerts.
    Our three entree choices were well prepared and served at a relaxed pace by our wonderful server, Mathew. A lobster grilled cheese was loaded with succulent, perfectly cooked lobster meat and accompanied by a bowl of tomato basil soup with a smokey twist and house made chips.

    IMG_1890.JPG Likewise well prepared and presented shrimp chop salad is stacked napoleon-style and sprinkled with a blanket of thinly sliced fried onion rings. The 4 large shrimp sit regally alongside the stack.

    IMG_1889.JPG Finally, an artfully prepared and well conceived “bowl” of asian shrimp with green curry that had some unexpected ingredients not normally seen. On a bed of forbidden black rice sit shrimp, piquillo peppers, shaved brussels sprouts and cilantro. A slosh of Thai green curry completes this winner.

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  • Rx…the prescription for great food

    Ah, Sunday Brunch…the great American past time for the hair of the dog or just a leisurely meal with family and friends. On a drizzly Sunday morning in Wilmington,we venture downtown, or more accurately to the artsy side of town, to enjoy brunch at a well respected eatery called Rx. We start with DIY mimosas and a bloody mary. DIY means they bring you a bottle of brut champagne and a mason jar of freshly squeezed OJ. Fun! The Bloody is spicy and loaded with veggies..a veritable salad in a glass! Cucumber slice, olives, pickle, lime, lemon…did I forget anything? Next come house made mini biscuits that are flaky, buttery and just plain delicious. We decide on a goat cheese and mushroom omelette with a side of some of the best grits we have ever eaten out. Smoked cheddar is the secret ingredient that elevates this dish from the ordinary southern staple.

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    IMG_1855.JPG Braised pork belly over these same creamy, smokey grits topped with a sunny side up fried egg is just heavenly. The grits swim in a shallow pool of the braising liquid and the egg is runny enough to add to the unctuousness of the sauce.

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    Our final entree of a take on steak and eggs is made even more wonderful by the pan roasted potatoes which serve as a pillow for the two fried eggs. And then there are the roasted green beans ( is that bacon fat they are roasted in, Chef?) salty, crisp and unexpectedly good.

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    Although we are pleasantly sated by our main courses, we cannot stop ourselves from ordering a dessert. Apple pie with goat cheese with a goats milk whipped cream atop does not disappoint.

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    Now top off a wonderful brunch experience food wise with attentive and informative waitstaff who understand the farm-to-table concept and what do you have? Rx is the right prescrition.

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  • Silver Spring gets sassy

    What would you call a place with house made charcuterie, pasta dishes, big steaks, outstanding empanadas, asian ribs and Moroccan-influenced nuances that looks like a garage filled with knick-knacks? I’ll call it delicious.
    Urban Butcher is a raucous, roller coaster ride of a place that delights the senses IF you choose wisely. You will not be disappointed by the display of meats and the hip, urban vibe.

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    Likewise, any combination of meats and cheeses, served with a BIG slice of grilled bread, whole grain mustard and cornichons is sure to make you happy.

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    Appetizers are eclectic. Mussels in a fiery jalapeño and cilantro broth are tasty. Lamb tartare is spiced with North African goodness and served atop large grilled handmade pita bread and splashed with chili oil. Perfect!

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    Our party ordered some sides to complement the above, and they were also wonderful choices. French fries perfectly cooked served with aioli and ketchup and an order of grilled broccolini served with yet another Moroccan inspired touch…grilled lemons.

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    The unexpected finale…..Chocolate soufflé in an extra large ramekin great for sharing topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream tableside!

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    I predict Urban Butcher will remain a local fave for quite some time.

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  • Cafe Muse promises to amuse

    The quaint Cafe Muse on Washington Street in Royal Oak, MI is a bargain foodies’ dream come true. Although I have dined here several other times, it has never been for dinner. Chef Greg Reyner has some skills and his sensibilities run toward restrained exotic. On a recent night, several hungry diners were treated to a “Bastille Day” Wine Dinner menu that showcased this chef’s understanding of wine pairings and spices that intrigue.

    Course One is more of an amuse bouche than anything else. Boursin and exotic mushroom mille-feuille is lacking in exotics but tasty. Paired with a sparkling Rose Cuvee Thomas Jefferson, it accomplishes its task.

    Course Two is smoky and smart. Avery tight house smoked oyster, arugula dressed with japanese mayo and duck ham really starts things up for me. It is paired with Cedrus le Blanc/ Clombard/ Ugni Blanc.

    Course Three is a delicate corn pudding as light as air topped with a small medallion of monkfish and a tomato confit. The misstep here was that the chef assumed the fish was under after sous vide and decide to cook it more. Mine was tough, hence overcooked. A delicious Viognier accompanied.

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    Course Four shows the chefs prowess with a terrine. Redolent with wild game, nuts and fruits it is topped with tiny crouton and paired with Michel Gay Chorey-les-Beaune. Wonderful!

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    Course Five is a fragrantly braised lamb shank with baby carrots and roasted cipollini onions. Cardamon and orange scent the tender meat and a Vinsobre accompanies finely.

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    Finally, Course Six is a sweet ending to a flavorful meal presenting a tart tatin laden with silky apples and farm cheese. An Eric Bordelet Sidre Tendre is an unexpected and daring accompaniment to the tart.

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    Joyeux Manger at Cafe Muse!

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  • The Morrison House revisited…

    On a slow holiday weekend I decide to give the Grille at the Morrison House a second chance to win me over.
    The cozy piano bar/grill side of the restaurant is more than enough to set the stage for a great meal.

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    Our party orders two appetizers, which our fantastic waiter, Martin, deftly separates into two servings so everyone at the table has access. Escargot in a garlic butter sauce are perfectly cooked and delicious.
    Steak tartare, unusual in its consistency, but flavorful and strangely addictive, is topped with a fried quail egg. I personally would have preferred a raw egg atop the tartare to mix into the chefs chop, but other members of my party disagreed.

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    20140707-201123-72683716.jpgOur entrees don’t fail to impress either. Vichyssoise so smooth and creamy you mistake it for creme fraiche, serves as a soft pillow under pickled hen o’the woods mushrooms, the perfect acidic accompaniment to expertly seared snapper.
    Bison hanger steak cooked to a perfect rare!
    Filet mignon seasoned to perfection and done to the temp requested with whipped potatoes and green beans bundled with chive ties.

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    20140707-202026-73226100.jpgDessert continues the wonder. Profiteroles fit for a king, stuffed with three different ice creams and topped with a dark chocolate sauce.
    Petit fours don’t stick to standards.

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    20140707-202818-73698582.jpgIt’s all good…

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  • Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake…bake me a cake

    Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake…bake me a cake

    Our last day on Cape Cod brought us to a great little bakery in Dennis port called Woolfies. A wonderful selection of baked goods, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, breads and coffee awaits the morning warrior. If you’re not a morning person, stop by later for a lobster roll on freshly baked bread! It’s delicious in here!20140629-120634-43594790.jpg

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  • La Scala hits high C

    When you find a cute little Italian restaurant that makes homemade manicotti the size of Rhode Island chimichangas in a sleepy little Cape Cod town, cantare! Visit La Scala sometime soon and enjoy a menu reminiscent of an Italian restaurant circa 1980. Recent visits sampled the Antipasto Salad, Manicotti with Meatballs, Linguini fra Diavolo, and Cannoli. Buon Apetito!

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  • A beautiful day in Dennis port!

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    A beautiful day in Dennis port started out with great breakfasts at the Red Cottage Restaurant. Quiche, eggs and grits with a big slab of grilled ham, and caramelized onion, cheese and sausage omelet. Hot coffee, great service and many gluten free options mean a 4 star rating for this little gem of a place.

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  • Cape Cod Beach Bummin’

    In a darling little town called Dennis Port, Massachusetts, we experience our first bites of summertime greatness. It is not quite high season mid-cape, so we don’t yet have to fight the crowds at the local eateries. This is an excuse to try as many as we can fit into our week here! Today, we visited the Wee Packet Restaurant on Lower County Road.

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    Butter poached lobster roll, Cape Cob Salad with lobster and shrimp, and deep fried lobster all fit the bill.

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    Wicked good!

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