"Don't you guys ever just stay home on a weekend?"
In the end, I took my lead from King Solomon and ordered both. The Pate' Trio, composed of duck, lamb and rib eye were good, with the rib eye playing first violin status and the duck a strong second and the lamb a somewhat weak third (it needed more zing).
Sheb took the safer route and ordered the Tiger Shrimp in a Lemon Butter Sauce. She reports that this appetizer was most excellent and more than worthy of a big, fat, French thumbs up.
Sheb, on the other hand went for a savory crepe option and ordered the Country Crepe, filled with Brie, spinach and mushrooms. I can only assume that it was good since I heard no complaints from her side of the table and none was left on the plate to signify that there was a quality issue.
Well, the short answer is, "No, there is just too much to see, do, experience, taste, savor, etc!"
So as fate would have it, upon our return from the Florida Keys (and for the next two consecutive weekends) we are privileged to attend the Woodstock Mozart Festival [http://www.mozartfest.org] in the quaint, and just a bit retro, village of Woodstock, Illinois... and as we are apt to do, this gives us an opportunity to sample the culinary efforts of a local hot spot and enjoy something new and exciting. For this week, it is all about La Petite Crêperie and Bistrot and all things French (with just a little Baroque thrown in for good measure).
So, what did the menu offer us? Well, suffice it to say, a great deal!
We began with cocktails; the Dirty Martini for her and I ventured into real France and ordered the absinthe. I do so love the gentle, licorice-tones and the sublime 'fogginess' that this drink offers.
As our eyes turned towards the appetizer course, we (I) found myself in a quandary... pate' or escargot... pate' or escargot, which to choose... oh my. Which to choose?
As our eyes turned towards the appetizer course, we (I) found myself in a quandary... pate' or escargot... pate' or escargot, which to choose... oh my. Which to choose?
In the end, I took my lead from King Solomon and ordered both. The Pate' Trio, composed of duck, lamb and rib eye were good, with the rib eye playing first violin status and the duck a strong second and the lamb a somewhat weak third (it needed more zing).
The escargot, on the other hand was 'TO-DIE-FOR', with all of the garlicky-goodness and buttery-richness that any self respecting French dish is renowned for. Salty, flavorful, plenty of taste and texture... what else is there to say... except I wish there had been more bread available, so I could have soaked up more of that snail-love potion.
Sheb took the safer route and ordered the Tiger Shrimp in a Lemon Butter Sauce. She reports that this appetizer was most excellent and more than worthy of a big, fat, French thumbs up.
As we considered our main course options, I decided on the lighter fare of French Onion Soup. One would expect this to be most worthy at this French Bistro, and worthy it was indeed. The tang from the Gruyere and the sweet from the onion brought a tear to my eye... and it wasn't the onion, it was my nearness to greatness. 
Sheb, on the other hand went for a savory crepe option and ordered the Country Crepe, filled with Brie, spinach and mushrooms. I can only assume that it was good since I heard no complaints from her side of the table and none was left on the plate to signify that there was a quality issue.
The dessert and cheese course soon loomed near and while Sheb was all about the cheese (not pictured) I was all about the Crepe Suzette, and while the flambe failed to perform as requested, the subtle orange notes and paper-thin crepe were an excellent ending note to a dinner composed of great food, good friends, excellent atmosphere and a quaint locale.
So... if you ever get to Woodstock, Illinois, give La Petite Crêperie a try. You might just find your 'inner Frenchmen (or woman)' and fall in love with the food of the continent!
- Chez
