On Tuesday, I was able to go Wildwood BBQ. Wildwood BBQ had the ambiance of a true authentic BBQ joint, but unfortunately, it didn't taste like it. They were good things and they were bad things, but nothing that I haven't had before. The ribs, which were decently good, were a little tough and didn't meet the expectations that I originally had. While the sauce that accompanied it was quite good, it was disappointing that the sauce was better than the ribs themselves. The side dishes were pretty good too and definitely better than the ribs, but that's the thing. You can't have your sides and your sauce being better than the star of the dish. Overall, I can't say it was one of the best experiences, nor can I say that it was worth the $50 I paid (including two pitchers of beer), but it wasn't bad either. It was so-so at best, but hey I guess you can't win them all.
On Wednesday, I was able to go to one of my old favorites that I was able to go to last year, Delmonico's. And to say the least, it was better than I could've imagined. Last year, Delmonico's was really good, but it wasn't that wow factor I really wanted. However, this year, with the same expectations, Delmonico's definitely stepped up and gave me that WOW meal I've been so desperately been searching for. For the appetizer, a very simple scallop and bacon dish, but a dish that was simply cooked to perfection. The flavor when you put the scallop and bacon together was an amazing combination of the sweetness from the scallop and the saltiness from the bacon. For the Entree, I had a 20 oz. boneless porterhouse that was exponentially better than those typical chilis, applebees, and outback steaks. The steak was quite tender and cooked to a pretty good medium. It was pure and simple, a steak with some salt, pepper, and olive oil with a beautiful char cooked very well and the result, a wonderful flavor with every bite. I wish it didn't end, but sadly it was gone before I knew it. Finally, for the dessert, i had a nice apple tart, but the experience would've been complete if only I had the baked alaska. Unfortunately, they ran out of the baked alaska, but the apple tart was a definitely good substitution. The apple tart was flaky with again a simple filling that was just a very nice way to end the meal. If there's one thing this meal taught me, it's the fact that if you prepare simple, yet fresh ingredients together properly, the flavors are just as good, if not better than a complicated recipe. It's an ideology that I support in cooking in that less can certainly be more!!
Finally, today was an experience that not only definitely exceeded my expectations, but gave me the restaurant that would impress me. This is more than a WOW meal. This is a meal that was perfect on all accounts and for a decently cheap price. For the appetizer, i had a wonderful steak tartar. The flavors of the steak, coupled with a fresh baugette as a nice medium to spread the tartar was an astounding combination that put a myriad of flavors in my mouth. Tartar is something that I don't get to have often and to have it part of the restaurant week menu was a chance I couldn't pass up and I'm so thankful i didn't For the entree, I had a beautiful skirt steak with french fries. That skirt steak was cooked to a perfectly amazing medium rare, and each bite was so tender and had so much flavor that I couldn't say the words to describe it. That's how good it was. Honestly, this is the best steak I've had since Alberto's skirt steak with Chimichuri. The french fries were double fried and cooked really well and had the lovely church ans flavor that you want in french fries. Finally, their homemade coffee ice cream with doughnuts was a wonderful way to finish the meal. What I loved about the ice cream is the fact that it wasn't too sweet. It still had the texture and flavor of ice cream that I love so much without the abundance of sugar in it. And if you're wondering what this restaurant is called, well it's no wonder they're called Quality Meats. Thank you quality meats for giving me the complete meal experience I wanted. (I hope I'm not hyping it up for other people too much)
If there's one thing that this restaurant week has taught me, it's the fact that not only am i an avid foodie, but how much joy and how much there is to experience with food. Food is such a simple thing, but one that can be molded in so many different ways. And it is these different perspectives on food that really get me to continue to love food like I do, both cooking it and eating it. While there may have been disappointments and great experiences, I finally got to experience restaurant week to the fullest and who knows I may be back for more next week. And even though I spent over $150 this week in food and the fact that my body hates me, it was more than worth it. Yet the one thing that's so amazing with food is that there's still so much more to experience and I know this is only the beginning of my culinary adventure. Only time will tell what else I will experience, but so far the ride has been great.
P.S. Let's continue the adventure and for anyone who says it isn't worth it to spend $50+ on a meal, trust me you don't know what you're missing. Try these restaurants while you can. (If you need someone to subsidize your meal partially, I might be able to help you there lol! MAYBE!!) It's an experience that you are missing out on and definitely better than those fast food and chain restaurants.
P.S.S. Pictures will hopefully be up soon!!!!
