April 28, 2012. The Hawthornes Have Another Good Meal. In Livingston, Montana, At Montana's Rib & Chop House.

The Hawthornes are in Livingston, Montana,

getting ready to eat at Montana's Rib and Chop House.

The parking lot is full.

That's always a good sign.

Our talented, attentive waitress, Taylor,

wrote her name upside down and backwards

on the paper.

This was funny,

because when she first came to the table

to get our drink orders,

she introduced herself and wrote her name down.

I wasn't really paying attention,

and then I started thinking.

Wait a minute!

When she came back,

I asked her,

"Did you just right your name upside down and backwards?"

"Yes, I did," she proudly responded.

"Would you mind doing that again, please?"

Taylor was very patient with Rosie.

It took two takes for Rosie to get the video.

Color me impressed.

I'm going to have to try that myself.

Here's the menu for your perusal.

We both started out with salads.

I got the bonus of eating Mr. Hawthorne's croutons.

Sometimes his diet doesn't bother me that much

when I get perks like croutons, French Fries, mashed potatoes,

or the baby corn from his Chinese meal.

I ordered the bleu cheese dressing.

Delicious.

Big chunks o' cheese.

Mr. H. had vinegar and oil.

Mr. Hawthorne wanted a beef fix.

He ordered the filet mignon.

He was a happy man.

The filet came with mashed potatoes,

which Rosie scored.

Potatoes aren't on his diet.

Doesn't that steak look good?

I'd just had beef the day before at Red Lodge Cafe,

so I decided to be adventurous.

Yes, I ordered the ahi.

In Montana.

Medium rare.

On a bed of spinach.
And I enjoyed every bite.

One thing I've been really missing and craving

is greens.

This spinach was just a tease.

What I'd really love is some dark greens -

kale, collards, mustard.

My body is crying for dark greens.

I've yet to see that anywhere on a menu.

Guess one must be in the South to get proper greens.

That's properly cooked tuna.

I also ordered the side dish of squash casserole.

Kind of dry and stringy and unseasoned.

Didn't much care for this.

Would have been much better if 

they'd sauteed squash and onion slices,

added freshly ground salt and pepper,

then whupped up some eggs and milk,

and thrown it all together in a baking dish,

and topped it with cheddar cheese, Ritz and panko, and buttah,

then cooked it.

Yeah.

That would work.

Thank you, Montana Rib and Chop House

for a darn, good lunch.