happy birthday to ME!

I love it when a restaurant surprises me.

Tonight we celebrated my birthday at Sola, and what a lovely, relaxed meal it was. Better still, there were dishes that exceeded expectations. Best of all, we had service that was ever so friendly and winning.

Let's back up. In case you don't know already, today, the 27th, is my 39th birthday. It's really not a big deal. I've loved getting a ton of FB messages, but despite my joking, I'm NOT anxious about my age. I'm 39. I can live with it.

Conrad has a ticket to Hawaii for me for my gift, so it was somehow appropriate that we opted for 1000 points (and the use of a gift certificate) at Sola, owned.operated by a chef who has a deep connection with that tropical state. We haven't dined there in ages, and even then it was brunch. Time to head back west over to it.

We'd barely ordered cocktails when a summer shower blew through. That drove us inside, but eventually we made it back outside, practically the only people sitting out on a pleasantly warm evening. Conrad had a martini (with Hendryck's - thanks Dale!) and I had Champagne. I HAD to celebrate!

We opted for sharing six appetizers to get a good selection of foods, then dessert, then cheese. We also enjoyed a half bottle of an Oregon Pinot Gris and a half bottle of a California Pinot Noir before a glass each of Pedro Ximenez with the cheese course.

The food started fine with an amuse then a dish of raw kampachi, but it blew us away when the tempura squash blossoms arrived, filled with shellfish and served with a housemade kimchi. Really? Awesome! We were tempted to reorder this very seasonal dish.

The artichoke fritters were fine, as was the tuna poke. It was when the cod with fava bean risotto came out (and the potstickers) that we were jolted again. All of the food was good, but these were the exceptional dishes that made us shake our heads in happy wonder.

Family called throughout dinner. I hadn't talked with Bella since we were up for Dad's funeral, so that was nice.


I ordered Conrad the chocolate dessert, and it was fine, but mine was the third stunner of the evening: a tart of beets and a miso creme fraiche filling. Beets. Miso. Dessert. Good gosh, was that a show-stopper. Not the first time that night we sent compliments back with the wait staff.

The wait staff, I must add, were fun. Truffles with a candle came out, but no singing (THANK YOU!). We got to discuss the food and the wine a bunch, and we really appreciate that. A vital part of an exceptional dinner.

Cheeses were last, the best being the Louisiana cheese (who would've guessed that?) in the middle of the plate.

And now? We're home. Decompressing before bed. But gosh - and big thanks to Conrad - a wonderful meal that prompts us already to find time to go back, preferably with friends.

In short: happy birthday to me! :-)

Laura visits (Sola brunch)

I'll blog the dinner Allan and Paul prepared separately - the two gentlemen deserve their own entry. Instead, a short entry to comment on the visit from a friend from home.

Laura used to live in my hometown, but the economy there, well, stinks. She and her BF have recently relocated to northern Alberta and are in the process of settling in there for at least a few years. It was good to see her - it's been a few years since last she was through town. And she looks wonderful, of course.

Saturday was a grey, dreary, slightly wet day for her arrival.

Conrad and I did our best to brighten the day, he in a shirt I like to steal from his closet, I in a bold Hawaiian print.
Dressed to whisk her off for dinner at Allan and Paul's. We had only the drive back in to town to catch up on things before dinner, and when we got home that night, I didn't last too long, I'm afraid. The drawback to an early morning run and a long day after that.

I was up early the next morning. Coffee from Starbucks. A batch of golden raisin scones in the oven. When they were done, the three of us got caught up and looked at photos. And I have to admit, it really hammered home how bittersweet an experience it was, having Laura stay. I've lost touch with so many people from my hometown, and they, in turn, have lost touch with me. A two-way street, though I often feel guilty about it.

We made our way over to Sola for brunch at noon before returning Laura to O'Hare. Conrad and I had been there once before for dinner, and we'd enjoyed it. Brunch proved quite good as well. His smoked salmon was fine,
and my Black Forest omelet was good, too.I rather liked Laura's huevos benedictos - I kind of coveted them.Best of all? The malasadas - little sweet fried bread (like doughnuts), Portuguese style, served with a mango coulis and a raspberry coulis. Yum!