Last night Ralph and I went to fish for their Maine Event, a seven course meal featuring fare from Maine in each dish.  Each course was served with an Allagash beer (also from Maine).  There was not one bite that wasn’t outrageously delicious.  The first dish was clam chowder, which was so perfect that it got me ready for the other delights that I was about to eat.  I don’t know if there was a sea creature that I didn’t eat last night!  A few highlights were the peekytoe crab dish that had avocado and a bright citrus notes, the scallops with beef cheek and red beet (and I don’t even like beets!!), and the blueberry buckle served with honey ice cream.  I’m angry at how fiendishly incredible that meal was; I wish I were eating it right now.  I didn’t even take any photos because I was in a food trance.  Go there immediately.

 I want it based on the name alone, but I think it would be perfect for pickling small amounts of stuff in case your harvest of let’s say cucumbers was less than abundant (it is).

Later that night Ralph and I attended my friend’s wedding, which was lovely and she looked fabulous.  The (food) highlight of the evening was the mini cheesesteak bar.  They had a person frying up the meat and onions to order and they had whiz, pickles, American cheese and other fixins.  I thought that was just the cutest idea and it was a hit. 

Sunday, after a very rough start (I may or may not have drank all the wine in Philadelphia), I grabbed some food at Parc.  I had the quiche lorraine and haricots vert, both were rich and tasty.  The quiche was cooked beautifully; still moist and soft and filled with cheese.  I didn’t order a bloody mary, but I did have a sip of Ralph’s and it was really good with just the right amount of spice.  It came with a lime, mini pickle wrapped in a paper thin carrot slice and an olive.  Next time I go, I’ll definitely be ordering one.

Except for brussel sprouts, I’m down with German foods.  It’s in my blood I can’t help it.  So when a coworker brought me a baby packet of German candy, Brause-Stabchen, I was thrilled.  At first bite of the cola flavored stick, I thought it was good, but then it delighted my tongue with fizzing action very similar to Zotz centers (thank you sodium hydrogen carbonate).  It has 5 flavors: apple, orange, lemon, cola and himbeer (raspberry?!)  You can buy them at a German Deli, once they restock on my new favorite treat.

My new best friend is the crockpot; we hang out all weekend then part ways by Monday with little more than a tupperware container of leftovers.  So far, my favorite dish has been beef stew.  There is something so comforting about beef stew on a cold and snowy day and we’re had plenty of those this winter. 

Crockpot Beef Stew:

Throw in 2 pounds of cubed beef (raw or browned), 2 chopped carrots, 3 chopped celery stalks, 16 oz beef broth, 1 onion chopped, 2 white potatoes cubed, 2 TBS tomato paste, 8 oz red wine, mushrooms (however many you want).  I let mine hang out on low for 12 hours before digging in.  Serve with a nice crusty bread and you’re happy, full and warm!  When there was just a little stew left, we threw it over some beef ramen noodles and it was awesome.