Enjoying the Positive

This past week we headed across the river to Max's Positive Vibe Cafe. I had dined here once a few years ago and hubby had never been. We knew that Chef Frits Huntjens had taken over the Executive Chef reins and we wanted to do something positive while enjoying our favorite past time.

As we entered a reception was being held in the bar area for an unknown group. A bit noisy, but not too intrusive. While being promptly seated we noticed only one other table occupied, which was a shame since the meal we enjoyed was delicious and reasonably priced.

The wine menu listed a variety of choices, most under $30, but a few that were also splurge-worthy. We selected a 2005 Villa Mt. Eden Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley ($25). Medium-bodied with bing cherry fruit.

For dinner hubby ordered Pan Seared Flounder Filet with Lemon and Caper Butter, Sauteed Broccoli, and Hand Cut French Fries ($14.95)

He liked the flounder - moist with more of a lemoness to the sauce than capers.

I ordered Flat Iron Steak with a Green Peppercorn and Cognac Cream Sauce with Sauteed Squash, and Hand Cut French Fries ($17.95)

The flat iron was a bit thicker than expected (like a sirloin cut), but very tasy. The sauce contained a hint of mustard, too. Very nice.

The fries were kick-ass. And rival, if not surpass Can Can's frites. They were served in tall diner-syle water glasses and wrapped in parchment paper. Extremely good. And my peppercorn-cognac sauce made for the best dipping sauce for the fries.

Definitely, a most positive experience. Go get your positive on, soon.

3 Days - 3 Restaurants

What a whirlwind of restaurants and food lately. Of course, my husband going out of town really sparked this eating out spike. And it turned out to be a fairly diverse group of eateries as well.

1. Zed Café (www.zedcafeonline.com) – A recent addition to the Lakeside Ave. restaurant scene. It’s now open for dinner Thursday – Saturday and features organic meats and produce along with vegetarian dishes. Highlights included a non-alcoholic libation entitled Love Portion #9 – pomegranate juice and organic lemonade – served in very tall, vase-like glasses; Red Pepper Tart with Roasted Olives – roasted peppers and feta between very thin slices of eggplant; Tea Infused Boiled Eggs that came with the salad; and a Mocha that was about as different as one can get from the Starbucks variety (and since I ordered it without looking at the drink menu, and since mocha was not listed on the drink menu, I think the waiter just made it up!) – My “Mocha” had very little coffee, if any, in it and no steamed milk. It did contain unsweetened melted chocolate which served a similar digestive purpose that an espresso after dinner would. Espresso has always been too bitter for me, but this “Mocha” struck a better balance between flavor and bitter. Since what I had was nowhere to be seen on the menu, it will be interesting if Zed continues to serve it. I would order it again. By the way, this past weekend Zed acquired a license to sell wine.
2. Positive Vibe Café (www.positivevibecafe.com) – My friend 007 wanted to take me out for my birthday and we decided to be Positive. Positive Vibe (located in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center off of Forest Hill Ave.) serves as a training facility for persons with disabilities to learn food service skills and to help folks go on to secure employment in the community. The wait staff is made up of volunteers from the community. Positive Vibe also focuses on organic products. Highlights were Avocado Corn Salsa – the salsa had nice avocado chunks and white corn (not too spicy), accompanied by blue corn chips; Buffalo Bistro Steak – I had a choice of the 5 or 10 ounce size, I opted for the smaller version, very tasty and lean, and grilled medium rare; Chocolate Chip Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream – an intense chocolate brownie made at the restaurant topped with Bev’s ice cream. How could one go wrong? Positive Vibe has live music on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. So, what are you waiting for? Get Positive!
3. Brio Tuscan Grille (www.brioitalian.com) – Yes, I do occasionally eat at a chain restaurant, especially those who send $10 off coupons around my birthday! My hubby was finally back in town. Yesterday was beautiful and we decided to go to the Art Affair event at Stony Point and eat lunch at Brio’s. Highlights included the Ultimate Cosmopolitan – Grey Goose vodka, Grand Marnier, a splash or cranberry juice for color and a slice of lime; Chicken Milanese Pomodoro – Romano and breadcrumb encrusted chicken breast topped with melted fresh mozzarella nestled in herbed spaghetti and surrounded by Pomodoro sauce. The herbed spaghetti makes this dish and since the tomato sauce surrounds the pasta and does not cover it, I can enjoy the pasta two different ways. The chicken is tasty, too. I almost always get this dish when I go to Brio’s. It has a lot of flavor and it’s so big that I always have leftovers to enjoy for another day. Now, if only they would do a better job at pricing their wine list and if the male waiters would drop the faux Italian image…