In Search Of…
This page lists some of the food and drink items that we just have to try when we see it on the menu.
Edit: After adding linguine and white clam sauce, I am noticing a good bit of seafood on this list. Hmm, I guess we’re always on the lookout for seafood!
Shrimp and Grits
Joanna loves Shrimp and Grits. If Shrimp and Grits is on the menu, it is a safe bet Joanna will order it. I’m not quite sure how her passion for Shrimp and Grits got started. I will leave that for her to explain.
Joanna: I really have no explanation for how it got started, but who really can turn down a savory, creamy dish that is so easy to make and features a fancy, well cooked protein! I’ll also be including polenta under the S&G heading, along with grits or polenta with non-shrimp headliners!
Old Fashioned’s
John loves Old Fashioned’s. On the TV show Mad Men, Don Draper’s drink of choice was the Old Fashioned. One night while out, I thought I’d try one, and I really enjoyed it. I don’t remember where it was, but it must have been a good one, because I’ve had plenty of bad ones, and I don’t think I would have ordered another again if that first one was as bad as some of the bad ones I’ve had.
Tacos
You can make a taco out of just about anything. At home, we do just that. Whether it is leftovers or first run dinner at home we will turn any food into a taco. We’ve also had our share when out and about.
Sushi
Sushi is just awesome, and one of our favorite things to eat when out. Over the past several years, there seems to have been an explosion in the types of rolls available. We’ve tried a number of different rolls and always up for something new.
Oysters
We’ve been eating oysters for about a year and a half to two years now. Not sure why we tried them. I think we did it on a whim, but now we are hooked (or netted?). There is nothing like a good oyster, and it is impossible to describe to someone who’s never had one. Like a good piece of sushi, the dopamine hit from a good oyster with cocktail sauce, horseradish, and vinegar is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Here is a list of oysters we’ve tried. Although smaller, we much prefer the taste of west coast oysters to east coast. However, we’ve found several east coast we like:
East Coast:
Hog Island, VA – Mild, ok.
Tarkill, VA – Mild, good.
Salt Pond, RI – Not so good.
Spindrift, ME – Smooth, really good.
Wellfleet, ME – Cape cod, very good.
West Coast:
Kumamoto, WA – Excellent.
Chelsea Gems Inlet, WA – Sweet, very good.
Coos Bay, OR – Milky, oceany, tender, very good.
Flapjack, WA – Milky, very good.
Linguine and White Clam Sauce
We love Linguine with White Clam Sauce! We’ve had this in a number of restaurants and John has recently perfected his own. The kids are even into it and it is not uncommon to have four or more orders when the six of us go out to a restaurant that has it. How can something with that much butter and garlic NOT be good?