Friday, January 6, 2012

Here's A New Rosie Game: Mediocre Meals At Anonymous Restaurants. Name That Restaurant!

Rosie has had some mediocre meals at restaurants lately and I thought we'd share them with you. There's one catch: she doesn't tell you the names of the restaurants. Don't worry. The voices only talk to me. This may very well be a new feature in my blog: Guess where Rosie didn't like her food. Heh.
That narrows it down, doesn't it?
You can put your guesses in the comments section. On Sunday, December 11, Mr. Hawthorne and I headed to Restaurant #1. I've been meaning to try this place ever since the chef made a presentation at the Seafood Series Cooking Classes at the North Carolina Aquarium in Manteo. I'd admired this particular chef and was looking forward to eating at his restaurant. I don't think he was at the restaurant this particular day. Today, there was a limited menu tucked into the regular menu and, honest to goodness, I saw nothing on it I wanted. So I got a cheeseburger and I never order a burger. Ever.
Here's my burger. What can I say? It was a burger. Nothing to blow my skirt up. That cheese really doesn't look appetizing. But here's where the kink was: If I want a burger, then I want fries. Extra crispy. Fries were not offered. Potato salad was. Huhhhh? It was OK potato salad - more like chunky mashed potatoes - but I want fries with a burger. I know they have a fryer in the kitchen. How 'bout some fries, folks?
Mr. Hawthorne had the fried fish po boy. The fish was very heavily breaded and died a fryey death. The piece I ate was dry as dirt. Rosie no likey. The restaurant was not particularly crowded that day but the service was slow. Our waitress really didn't make herself that available. The gentleman at the table next to us actually went up to the bar to ask for a refill of tea. It was several more minutes until the waitress came with his tea. Bottom line: It was a disappointing meal. PS I left Rosie's "business card" in the sugar packets on the table. On Saturday, December 31, Mr. Hawthorne, Middle Hawthorne, and I headed to Restaurant #2 for lunch, thankfully armed with a gift certificate.
So far, it looks promising.
I ordered a house salad. No croutons were in the salad, so we asked for crackers and got a basket of club crackers. No variety. Middle Hawthorne had a curry hummus appetizer. I didn't much care for it, although I liked the chipotle sauce. I didn't bother taking pictures of my lunch partners' meals since Middle Hawthorne hates it when I do that. Mr. Hawthorne had the fried oysters. I had one and it was quite good. Lightly breaded and lightly fried. Didn't like their coleslaw. I've had coleslaws before which have this particular off-putting flavor in it and I'm thinking it must be the type of mayo they use. Middle Hawthorne had the fried mahi mahi and he liked it. I didn't try any, so can't comment. Here's my meal:
I ordered the grilled tuna, medium rare - "more rare than medium, please." I got medium gray. Fail. I love a black bean and corn salad, but not this one. There was no kick to it. Very bland.
And if a rice, black bean, and corn mixture is going to dominate the plate, then it should rock it. This was nondescript. Bottom line: At least we weren't paying for it. Now, for fun, go ahead and guess the restaurants.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wait, is that an ice cream scoop of potato salad AND shredded lettuce for the fryless burger??

Rosie Hawthorne said...

Yes indeedy, Anony.

WyldGade said...

I'm going with Black Pelican on the first one and Tortuga's Lie for number two.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the second one, but my guess is The Red Sky Cafe for the first one.
From B-town

Anonymous said...

Plaza Azteca numero dos?

Rosie Hawthorne said...

Ding,ding,ding. We have a winner for one of the restaurants. I will not say which. I want more entries.

SweetPhyl said...

#1 is Red Sky and #2 is the Dirty Bird (a.k.a. the Black Pelican).

Wes will be crushed when he reads this! I've had some of the best plates of my life at Red Sky or one of his catering events. The Dirty Bird is hit or miss...

Rosie Hawthorne said...

DingDingDingDing!

Yes, SweetPhyl. You got 'em both.

Pained me to write it since I was looking forward to the meal.

Maybe Wes won't read this.

I gave him a glowing review when he was at the NC Aquarium's cooking class and I also enjoy his TV appearances. That's why I wanted to come to his restaurant.

SweetPhyl said...

Well color me tickled! I may just have to celebrate by taking me and the man out for steamed oysters at the bird...their saving grace!

Rosie Hawthorne said...

I just might have to crack open some oysters myself tonight. Got a bushel in my fridge right now.