Cadaques, Exo, Banter

Michael and I went to Cadaques (http://www.cadaquesny.com/cadaquesny/Welcome.html) with Dina and Dmitry on Friday night.  Williamsburg is hopping!  After dinner, we walked over to the Meatball Shop so Michael could have a chocolate chip cookie and espresso ice cream sandwich for dessert :)

Dinner was good:  Pan con Tomate with Manchego cheese; Patatas Bravas with spicy aioli; Vegetable Platter with Grilled vegetables-Patty pan squash, Brussells sprouts, pearl onion, fennel, baby carrots, piquillo peppers, cherry tomato, asparagus, Japanese eggplant, zucchini and romesco sauce; Garlic Shrimp-seared shrimp, corn, zucchini, piquillo pepper and mojo picon verde; Octopus with tomato confit, fingerling potatoes, asparagus, piquillo coulis and squid ink.

The octopus was out of this world.  Everything was really good.  The red sangria was good too, although they call it a large pitcher, when we would call it small.  And at $25 per, we had two, was pretty pricey.  Service was fine.  Although people seated after us were served before us, but our food was hot and delicious.

I was also at Exo Cafe on Austin Street last week.  (http://exocafe.com/).  We shared spinach-artichoke dip (very small portion) and then had sandwiches on ciabiatta bread-grilled cheese with tomato (really good) and grilled chicken.  Service is average.

Michael and I tried Banter on Queens Boulevard next to the Midway Theatre too.  We shared mac and cheese - small portion but tasty, nothing to write home about.  I had Shepherd's pie (hot on the outside, lukewarm on the inside and very average taste).  Michael had a Banter Turkey burger-it looked dry to me, but he said it was fine.  A few beers and an Irish coffee to top it off.  They have a large beer selection, but please don't confuse that with a good or varied beer selection.  It was all just average. 

I've cooked a bit too...and Friday night we are going to Denise and Joe's (our favorite place to east in Forest Hills!!!).

xo

Since Jan. 24

Obviously home from Ithaca, actually been there and back again. Anyway...

Michael's mom had surgery (and she is doing really well, home from Beth Israel in one day).

We've been to El Quijote, Dani's, Bonfire, Artichoke Basile's, 5 Burro, Dirty Pierre's, Exo Cafe and Canterbury Ales.

I've made chili, pork roast, mushroom soup, chicken soup, and assorted minor dinners.

Tomorrow we are going for our annual Valentine's Day dinner (but never on Valentine's Day) to Bistro Sk on City Island.  Friday night is pizza night at the Creutz' and we have no plans for the weekend.  I think we need a rest.

xo

PS: Sorry for the minimal details. Maybe I will get a second wind...