Stage four: Dependence

Stage three: Risky use

I often forget that there is a whole other street behind Franklin that features little house-like eateries.  Need to remember this the next time Franklin (my dependence) falls a little bit short.

 La Residence was offering a tasting menu event at the time Dad purchased this Groupon.  And it was very nearly the best meal I had this past year.  Looking at, thinking about, scarfing down French food always makes me want to go to culinary school.

 "Hey, Amelia, what'd you do today?"

"Oh, I went to the public library [which is quite lovely by the way] and gawked at cook books I wish I owned."

French food always makes me want to work my way through a cook book.

 This surf'n turf was quite possibly the best thing I put in my mouth this past year.  Forget steak and lobster - I'm all about the pork belly and scallops.  (And while we're at it... forget mashed potatoes which have never been my preferred side due to horrendous memories of potato flakes - I'll take carrot puree).  The entire thing was playing around in pork fat, and it was fabulous with the heavy saltiness of the pork and the subtle sweetness of the scallop and the acidity from the slaw and wrapping it all up in the carrot mash.

Look at that char.  Look at it.

Excuse me while I put on a bib.

Highlight of dessert was those three cake croutons.  Must always toast pound cake before consumption.

Speaking of the popcorn in the corn soup (a little bit of inception?), I could really go for some microwave popcorn now.