Wood Chuck Cider...Where has this stuff been?

Well, I actually made it through the week. Meg's started school, Earl is now better, and my birthday was great as you can see from the pic's.

I must say I never thought this week would end. It was a hard week. I worried. I waited, and now everything is slowly getting back to normal. To celebrate my niece Rachel took me out Friday night. Now I don't want all you people to think I'm a lush. I haven't done this in probably five years. But hey, you only turn 38 once right? Well, Rachel and I decided we wanted to do something really different. After a lengthy discussion of options (one of which included going to a male strip show-which by the way I vetoed) we decided to take our chances and head downtown to Ri Ra's. I cannot say enough how wonderful this dining experience is. If you are ever in Charlotte, you must go. They have transported authentic Irish memorabilia across the Atlantic for our dining and drinking pleasure. The food, my mouth waters just thinking about it, was fantastic.

Now, you all know that I drink my red glass of wine (which I read somewhere breaks down fat cells) about twice a week. It's supposed to be good for your heart as too! However, I am now hooked on Woodchuck Cider. This stuff tastes like revved up apple juice with a serious kick. You don't even realize you butt is getting kicked until three hours later. But it is good stuff. I have never been a fan of beer, but this stuff I can drink. So that is what we ordered first. Then we ordered spinach artichoke dip (which is my favorite by far). Then Rachel and I ordered two different meals so we could split and taste. Split and taste is a great thing to do. I ordered Gaelic Steak and she ordered corn beef. (Hey, you can't go to an Irish Pub and NOT order Corn beef. I think that is a law somewhere.)

Well, when my dinner came, I was stunned. Here was this beautiful filet sitting delicately on top of potato cake with onion straws on top. Then tiny tender spears of asparagus were arranged around the steak. Well, It was layered. Oh, I forgot they also put a rasher between the steak and the potato cake. I, of course, had no idea what a rasher was...it looked like a thin piece of pork. Yummy stuff!

Rachel's meal was delivered: Corn Beef brazed with a creamy white wine sauce, with cabbage and REAL mashed garlic potatoes. OMG! Heaven could not have been much closer.

So we thought we had done a good thing, and it got better when an Irish band took the stage. They were magnificent. Let's just say I'm all about Woodchuck Cider and Ri Ra's now.

More posts coming!
Michelle