Trial by Trocadero

I was at a family dinner last Saturday.  Food was only okay, and it took practically an hour after starters for the main course to arrive, but the coup de grace I only became aware of later.  My brother ordered some fish.  Kindly the kitchen had put an extra maggot on the side of his plate.  To be fair, it was trying to wriggle off, but it really spoils my impression of the place.  Very, very disappointing.

Viennese Zombie Cows

I was in Vienna a week or so back and took the opportunity to further my culinary adventures. Having convinced the waitress to read me the German menu rather than saddling me with the English one, I ordered and ate calves' liver dumplings in beef broth and then calves' brains. Cooked with eggs, you know they had to taste like scrambled eggs, and they did, though very delicately. I followed it up with some dumplings laced with ricotta in a berry sauce ('It is not what you have in your imagination...,' I was told when I jumped at the hint it was like a cheesecake). Perfectly edible. I enjoyed my Viennese fare. Great city, too.

Ginza!

Forget that other sushi place; Ginza on Ohio is the place! Not amazing sushi, just very good stuff, with a great selection. When I asked for Natto Squid (fermented soy beans and squid) the waitress said,"Nah, you don't want that. Try edamame." No, what is Natto Squid and why won't I like it. "Well, it's sticky and slimy and...wait, the chef will show you." He shoed me some sticky slimy brown beans and said few people can stand the smell. Hell, I'll give it ago! As it happens the sliminess is to do with a raw egg thrown into the mess, but not only did I eat it, I liked it! "Oh, you ate it all!"
The sashimi dinner was not as big as that in Palo Alto, but there was a very good selection of fishes. Apparently I had white tuna (and it was lovely) and the mackerel was wonderful! But it wasn't enough for me, so I had a nice yellowtail and scallion maki roll. Lovely!
I was checking the window when I left for the Sunday opening times, but sadly it's closed.
All in all where I'm going when I get back to Chicago! (That and Volare)

T-Bone Benefits

After my theatrical fare, I needed something a little more full-blooded and headed to Gibson's Steakhouse on Rush Street. When the Grim Reaper comes for me (and, after that meal, that'll probably be a lot sooner than might otherwise have been the case), at least I can say I've had some good steak in my time. Certainly my 20 oz blue T-bone qualified as a good example.

Hearts and Mind the Parsnips

Getting home last night, I decided to try the delicacy that is lambs heart. The one and only time I even touched heart was in a biology class in school. That was a happy experience, but not a culinary one. With a stack of root vegetables, I executed braised stuffed lambs hearts with vegetables a little messily, but not unsuccessfully. As it happened heart is lovely. Something of the texture of kidney or liver, but with a meatier taste. I liked it. Sadly the veg was a little too sweet as an accompaniment, especially with a stuffing that included lemon peel. I'm a savoury guy. Still another tick on the list and one I will revisit.