Chicken Marsala

  

Little Pricey

I will occasionally purchase online a coupon for a discount at local restaurants.  Buying a coupon for Ruth Chris at a $100 value for $ 50 is a sweet deal.  Sometimes purchasing a coupon will allow me try a restaurant I have avoided for some time due to price, food selection or other reasons.  I decided to try a local fine dining Italian restaurant. I was told it was pricey but I was prepared.

I ordered Chicken Marsala.  I have enjoyed this rich flavor over the past years and I knew what I was going to be served.  I received one chicken breast filet pounded flat slit in two, dusted in flour then pan saute'ed topped with one mushroom sliced so fine it was in 15 pieces.  Beneath the one chicken breast was a small collection of haricots verts.  Haricots verts is an expensive way of saying “green beans”. 

I spent the next few minutes having a discussion with my waitress on how to order a side Caesar salad.  Everything on the menu seemed a la carte and I notice side salads were missing on the menu.  She tried to exchange it for my haricots verts, but I wanted green beans and would gladly pay for both.  At this moment, I noticed my wife’s eyes starting to light up. I knew then I went down a road less traveled.  How dare I ask for what I would like?  After all, I am paying for it and that has no reasoning.

My wife ordered Ravello – sautéed shrimp, crawfish, mushrooms, spinach, tasso and sun tried tomatoes in a basil sherry cream over linguini pasta.  I encourage her to order a side salad but she just wasn’t up for it at this moment.

Fresh bread arrived with olive oil and herb ashes. It was a nice touch.  We each had a glass of Columbia Crest for $8.95 each. I understand that wine in a restaurant is more expensive normally by the glass but I could have purchased a bottle for the price of one glass.  I’ll give them benefit of doubt; maybe they have it brought in daily from Washington State.

Our food arrived and was set on a pristine tablecloth.  The candles were dim and the presentation was beautiful.  I must admit that the chicken marsala was wonderful and the haricot verts were green as ever.  To my surprise the best thing I ate this week was out of my wife’s plate. The Ravello she ordered was magnificent.  It was rich in flavor and you could taste each individual ingredient. It was exactly how this dish should taste. This dish should be an experience worth going back.

The over all dining experience was great but the dishes were over priced for the portions.  When you serve someone green beans, call it “green beans.”  No waiting in long lines to be seated. It would be a great place to propose, only 20% of the tables were occupied and if she declines only the staff would know.


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