Red Lobster, Spokane, WA

OK, OK.... I know. A restaurant review?? C'mon, bear with me here :)

Yesterday was my Friday, and after surviving a day of giving and writing statements regarding a day-long incident from the previous day, I put my foot down and said to myself "Self, you're coming on a date with me tonight. So let's get dressed up and I'll take us anywhere you want to go." Truly, what single gal can turn down an offer like that??

Oh, what to wear... What shall I wear on this most special evening? Got it! Best jeans, best t-shirt, and favorite sneaks should do the trick. Never know what adventures I might take myself on after dinner, y'know.

So we piled into the car, me, myself and I (me just had to tag along, nosy broad that she is) and we motored on up to Red Lobster, which has just recently opened. We decided to venture there right at dinnertime, just to experience the crowds and see how the joint handled the dinner rush. The parking lot was full except for one space which appeared to have been reserved just for us. We joined the line filing into the restaurant and overheard others being told to expect a 45 minute wait. Ah, but we knew that we would never have to wait that long!! When it was our turn, we approached the podium and smiling, asked the pretty lady "What's the good news tonight?" She flashed her bright white smile at us and asked "How many?" When we responded "Just the three of us here, me, myself and I" she winked and said "I have a table for you right now." I turned to the couple behind me, grinned and winked and followed another pretty lady right to what is always my favorite table in a nice restaurant. In the bar, next to the kitchen, private and isolated from the rest of the restaurant :) This is the table normally reserved for the staff to use, therefore more out of sight. Why do I prefer this seating? I don't get ignored by the waitstaff, the food is hotter and fresher and the entertainment is priceless!

After being seated and receiving the menus, a handsome waiter named Kevin approached and asked if I'd like a drink. "Of course we would like a drink," I said. "Top shelf margarita, please, rocks." This smart man caught on quickly, as he grinned and asked if we would like one straw or three, and winked. "Just one, we'll share, thank you." As he turned away, I spread open all the menus on the table so we could look at all our options. When Kevin returned with our drink he commented that he'd never seen anyone spread all the menus out at once and he chuckled when I told him "How better to see and choose?" He placed the prettiest margarita I've ever seen on the table and we ordered an appetizer - a tasty and beautifully presented combination of fried calamari, red peppers and broccoli. The margarita had a sidecar of Grand Marnier, the perfect companion to Sauza Gold tequila, and we sipped with delight while considering our many delicious entree options.

Shortly Kevin returned with our appetizer and asked if we had agreed on a menu choice yet. I told him that while I would prefer the broiled whole Maine lobster with a side of King crab, the wood-grilled lobster, shrimp and scallops would please me more, and well, myself personally would prefer the Ultimate Feast, a Maine lobster tail, steamed snow crab legs and 2 preparations of shrimp... so we compromised and had decided that we would order the Maine Lobster and Crab Bake, with garlic-roasted Maine lobster, jumbo shrimp, scallops and a half pound of snow crab legs. He complimented us on our compromise and pointed out that this meal also comes with corn on the cob, steamed broccoli and baby red potatoes as well as a Caesar salad.

The Caesar salad was nicely presented with fresh parmesan and romano cheeses atop, and the greens weren't too cold or too warm. The dressing was authentic and not too vinegary-tasting and the included biscuits were light and freshly-baked. We did rather miss the added flourish of being offered freshly-ground pepper for the salad, but the table did have sea salt and pepper grinders available.

Our meal arrived on a hot platter and was beautifully presented. I ordered another drink and proceeded to explore the offerings one by one. Scallops aren't generally my preference, but I did enjoy the opportunity to taste one that I almost liked, then another just to make sure whether or not I did or didn't like it. The baby lobster tails were heavenly, the shrimp was tender and tasty, and the snow crab was divine. We took some leftovers home, needless to say, as the portions of both the appetizer and the entree were quite large. No lobster or crab leftovers, though!!

As we walked from the restaurant, very satisfied but not over-stuffed, I knew that we'd made the right choice and I thanked myself for the wonderful date. Driving home, I realized that the stresses of the day were gone and that the weekend was upon us... YAY!!! Needless to say, we slept well and awoke refreshed and eager to meet the new day.

Alas, 'tis now time to peruse the garden for more harvest, and begin the tasks of prep and preserve. I think today it's going to be canning beets, and freezing carrots and beet greens. It will be interesting to see just how much produce fills my shelves and freezer this year, from the small garden spaces I've developed. Catch y'all later :)