Redhead Knock Out

I've been hearing about the Buttermilk Fried Chicken at The Redhead for a while now, so when some coworkers suggested we head there for dinner, I was all about it. While we waited for our table I took a glance at the drink menu and saw the magical phrase "hot chocolate car bomb". Hold the phone. Making hot chocolate alcoholic is always a good idea, but somehow combining it with an Irish Car Bomb? Genius! The description read: "Guiness, Jameson, & Bailey's Marshmallow". I didn't know there was a 'Baileys Marshmallow', but I had to have one. It was deeee-lic-ious. We ordered their famous Bacon Peanut Brittles to start, which were a yummy snack. It threw me off a bit though, because it's peanuts tossed with flavoring and not anything like peanut brittle. Then it was on to the legendary buttermilk chicken. Not only was the chicken crispy and tender and everything nice, but the accompanying corn muffin and spinach, almond & pear salad were also really impressive. Even the guys in our group proclaimed "Hey! This is a really good salad!"

My mouth is watering...

Save some room for Sala One-Nine

The Mr. was craving paella so we pulled out the trusty old Diner's Deck, and wouldn't you know it, we were only a few blocks away from Sala One-Nine! Normally when we pass it on the way home it is chock full of people enjoying drinks & tapas. Fortunately, on a Sunday night it was a big quieter and we didn't have to tackle crowds to get a seat.

I Can Cook: "Chicken" Parmesan

Lightlife Chik'n Marinara with mozzarella, spaghetti, homemade sauce, and roasted vegetables

Best Ramen: Totto Ramen

Totto Extreme Spicy Ramen

Totto Ramen has been recommended to us as a good post theatre dinner spot. After showing up at 5pm one night (when they open) and already encountering at least an hour wait, we found out why. So this time we showed up post-show on a frigid night. We braved the wait in the little shelter provided outside of the door. When we were finally ushered inside we understood the wait time- this place only seats about 12 people! But they have the routine down pat. They were ready to take our order the moment we sat down. Once we did the bowls were on our table within 5 minutes. We had to have been in-and-out of there within 30 minutes, although we never felt pushed or rushed.

The Mr. decided to go with the Totto Chicken Paitan Ramen and I ordered the Totto Extreme Spicy Ramen (which is the same as his, just with tons of extra spicy stuff!). We were both wowed right away. It was a good thing the extreme spicy stuff was served on the side, because I only used half of it and that was plenty. After a few silent minutes in the cab on the ride home we both wound up admitting that this was our new favorite ramen. We felt guilty and wrong betraying our often professed love for Momofuku & Ippudo, but our taste buds could not lie. Totto Ramen has stolen our hearts (and stomachs).

Special: Truffle Prix Fixe at Sorella

Back in December we found out about a special white, Alba truffle 4-course dinner being presented at Sorella for only $75 per person. Normally a dinner featuring so much truffles would cost quite a bit more, so we knew we had to jump on this opportunity. They led us past the front half of the restaurant which is primarily a wine bar to the back garden room. The skylights and plants made me feel a hint of spring in the dead of winter. On top of that the soundtrack was all Beatles. So far, so good.

So romantic

Breadsticks on table, cute...but sanitary? 

We didn't look too closely at the menu since we had come for the truffles, so when the first course came out we weren't sure what it was, but were excited by the generous truffle portion. We started eating and at the same time were like 'Hmmm, this is... interesting...what is this exactly?' and pulled out the menu. Uh oh, carne cruda. I know enough romance languages to parse out 'raw meat'. I was almost scared to tell The Mr. We gave it an honest try, and of course picked off all the truffles, but this course just wasn't for us.

Carne Crudo

 The second course was an onion stuffed with raisins, nuts, sausage and various other goodness. All of which of course is topped off with truffles! This was one of those dishes that had several layers of flavors. Eaten by itself, the stuffing failed to impress, but when eaten with the golden onion shell the flavors bloomed.

Cipolle Ripieni

 Course 3, was of course pasta. I chose the Tajarin & The Mr. chose the Agnolotti. Sooooo rich, soooo buttery, and soooo filling.

Pasta

The meal ended with dessert which did not incorporate truffles in anyway, I thought it would have been cute to end the meal with chocolate truffles. But it was delicious, so if that's my only complaint for the evening, you know it was a good meal! Hope they do a repeat performance at some point.

Espresso Panna Cotta