Mac Daddy and I just enjoyed a much need and llloooonnngggg overdue date night. Yeah, we're so hip we go out in the middle of the week. Just like the clubbers in New York City who store shoes in their ovens instead of actually eating in. Or you might say our sitter was booked all weekend so we begged and pleaded to steal some of her time on a Thursday.
In any case, we enjoyed each other's company despite a seriously underwhelming dinner with mediocre service, strip mall atmosphere (granted, like everything else in Raleigh, it was in a dang strip mall), and blue hair patrons galore. I'm sure this establishment will be perfectamundo one day when we take out our dentures to slurp up the undercooked sweet potato cakes. On the bright side, I did have a near perfect dirty martini with Ketel One vodka and bleu cheese stuffed olives.
Had we been actually enjoying the restaurant we would have stayed for dessert. Something did, however, catch my eye that I just had to share with you (Apparently this joint would be a better bar that restaurant since its cocktails are superior to its food.).
Pineapple Upside Down Martini
1 shot rum (not the spiced stuff; go for light rum here)
2 ounces pineapple juice
1 shot Bailey's
1 shot butterscotch schnapps (also divine on vanilla ice cream as a grown up sundae treat)
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake it up a la Ric Ocasek. Pour into a chilled martini glass (I swear, we need an extra fridge just to have enough room to chill glasses to test all these cocktails.). Garnish with a wedge of pineapple (fresh, not the canned Dole variety). Dole has been voted off the island, remember?
Turn on some Jack Johnson and enjoy your upside down ride!
PS
Feel free to replace Jack with Diana.
5 comments:
Suggestions for your next date night dinner (cause you can't have more underwhelming food!):
Magnolia Grill- ranked 11 on Gourmet's Top 50 Restaurants in the country. Southern Gourmet Cuisine. Their appetizers and desserts are so good they make me want to weep. They use local food.
Lantern- The other Triangle restaurant on the Gourmet Top 50. Its Asian Fusion, and the food is amazing, and the cocktails are worth a trip of their own. If you're feeling just like drinks, they have an awesome bar in the back with a speakeasy feel. They use local food.
Crook's Corner- the place where Southern Gourmet started. The food is less fancy, but they have some damn good Shrimp and Grits.
Thanks for the restaurant suggestions! Have been to Magnolia Grill and loved it. Must go again. So expensive in babysitting costs to go to Durham or Chapel Hill. Must do this when my mom is in town some time.
The original upside down margarita:
1. Go to a college party. Off-campus.
2. Get a large young man to grab you and put you in a chair.
3. Have a second large young man put football shoulder pads on you (why this is required, I do not know)
4. Have two additional young men tilt your chair back so you are nearly upside down.
5. Have another person (gender unknown) pour tequila and margarita mix into your mouth.
6. Scream as the tequila runs into your eyes, rendering you temporarily blind.
7. Avoid margaritas for 7 years.
I still don't get why Raleigh won't step it up with restaurants.
Magnolia is great. Have you tried Pop's in Durham?
What about the Rockford?
Glad you love dirty martinis. Would love to send a sample of our companies product for your next home date night - Dirty Sue - premium olive juice for dirty martinis. www.dirtysue.com
Let me know,
Cheers,
Eric
et1969@mac.com
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