I took mom and BF out to Buona Sera in Red Bank for their birthdays. BF’s was last week and mom’s was much belated. We had a wonderful time. For appetizers, we shared the stuffed artichoke and Octopus Arrabiata-- this was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had, no exaggeration. The sauce had pancetta, onions, and hot cherry peppers and was just perfect. The octopus was so tender. I couldn’t stop eating it.
For entrees, BF had Chicken Paillard (grilled chicken with mixed greens), mom had swordfish over risotto and topped with spinach, and I had Chicken Giambotta. The menu said it was made with pork chops and I asked if they could substitute chicken breast and also to make it extra spicy, which they did. Everyone loved what they had. Mine was amazing. The heat level was sweat-inducing due to the whole hot cherry peppers and the sauce was rich and flavorful. We all took home leftovers (including the appetizers) but dessert was in order for their birthdays. There was no singing but there were sparklers (and a Sambuca for me-- BF had espresso). Service was excellent and perfectly timed. Thank you so much Buona Sera for an amazing night.
What a beautiful, luscious, birthday feast for your friend! I am growing very interested in the olives in pomegranate and walnut sauce and the lemon harissa hummus.
It was my PIC’s bday, so we went to a local watering hole we like for its cocktails and small plates.
The Calvados 75 was an absolute delight again, as were the broiled oysters with leek butter, and the smoked lamb chops.
Unfortunately, the Sichuan shrimp – a personal fave – had clearly not been properly drained after being taken out of the fryer, so the plate with the buttermilk dressing and whatever veg was julienned on top was slick with fryer oil. I retrieved the shrimp as soon as I noticed bc their bottom halves were getting soggy from the grease and put them on a separate plate, but the rest couldn’t be saved. Major disappointment. I should’ve sent the plate back the second I noticed, but the bar staff was pretty busy.
Drinks at the gay bar afterwards, where we also split the hummus toast with smoked duck breast.
I like pork very much, but about a year or so ago, I found that when I ate pork chops it would give me an upset stomach, so I avoid them. However, pork in dumplings and bacon does not seem to bother me. Maybe I just got unlucky with some bad chops at the grocery store a few times in a row, I don’t know.
I also really liked the Chicken Giambotta I would get at another Italian restaurant that no longer offers it. I wanted to see if it was similar, and it was actually better.
We had Pav Bhaji for dinner tonight, a remake of leftover cauliflower-potato curry from earlier in the week. I made a tomato-onion base, added extra veg (green beans, peas, carrots), let the spices and aromatics cook through, then added the leftover veg and mashed everything roughly with the back of the spoon.
Sliced bread (instead of dinner roll shaped Pav/Pao) griddled with butter because we forgot to call the bread guy about the correct bread, and sliced was already at home.
Mom refused the Pav Bhaji (which she’s normally a champion of) and opted for Kheema Aloo (Beyond Beef for the ground “meat”) from the freezer instead. But she ate well, which is what matters.
Everyone started with kabocha squash soup (soup half an hour or so before dinner is ready is a habit from my dad).
I’m sorry to hear your mom is having health issues right now, on top of your father’s passing. I’m sure she is appreciative of your help. As someone caring for my own mom, I am always amazed now when I think I am going in the right direction with comfort foods only to find out that wasn’t where her mind was at.
Spring pasta with bacon, peas, parm, and just a little cream. Because I had some fresg asparagus thinnings, I threw those in, too. Garden spinach in vinaigrette.
BF pan-seared our Frenchy butcher’s marinated (just evoo, rosemary, garlic, s&p) marbre steaks - 2 mins on each side and done - a cheesy potato gratin, and green beans sauteed in evoo, butter and garlic and topped with TJs French fried onions (i bought a ton during the holidays and they keep forever!)
but there were sparklers (and a Sambuca for me-- BF had espresso). Service was excellent and perfectly timed. Thank you so much Buona Sera for an amazing night.
and opted for Kheema Aloo (Beyond Beef for the ground “meat”) from the freezer instead. But she ate well, which is what matters.
