Today was Linnea's birthday! She got to choose what to watch and where to eat: In the Valley of Elah and 220 Merrill. Why do I feel like I am benefiting more than the birthday person, with a movie treat and food? I guess as long as there is good food, I always feel that way in another's party.
I had a warm, creamy minestrone to fill my empty stomache; I have skipped lunch again because I desperately needed a nap after such few hours of sleep. Yes, the glutton was surpassed my monsterous desire towards sleep. Yet I know that if it were not school food but something better, sleep would not have conquered me!
Lizz ordered Chicken Tosca again, which she liked from last time's lunch. This time, instead of the brussel sprouts "she childishly refused", carrots were served. I like Salvatore's Tosca with mushrooms better, but this is pretty good too, especially with the artichokes.
Owen did not order anything! What a sacreligious act! Yet he took for me the picture of Rick's order, roasted chicken. Umm, this was good. Maybe I do understand why Rick orders chicken so often!
Linnea ordered a daily special, risotto with swordfish and red pepper sauce. This was very good, I thought, especially the sauce. Though Linnea thought it was a little underdone, I enjoyed such texture as well. I think I am growing to like risotto, though I am quite picky about the sauce and such. I did not like the risotto that was served with lamb shank that much, but this was, in my opinion, best of the day.
The short ribs with horseradish, one of the daily specials, ran out by the time we got there. So, I ordered Veal Marsala. I never thought I liked veal that much, and yet everytime I see veal on the menu I am strongly drawn. Am I a in-love teenager finally admitting inexplicable attraction or something? I probably like beef-in particular skirt steak or ribeye-or tender chicken better, and yet I like veal in various dish.And this was good. I liked the sauce with mushroom. I was not very happy with the accompaniments, however. Carrots are too plain in color-I prefer green, or something to go with carrots! And I don't like capellini-angel hair pasta. Linnea enlightened me that it is served often because it takes little time to cook! I don't like the texture of such thin noodle and it was rather bland. Still, overall I liked it because the main part was good.
So? I really like and liked 220 and was honored to have a birthday dinner with the Rattners.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINNEA!
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