Date Night Out

Big Guy took me out on a date last night so once again, there wasn't anything going on in JBug's Kitchen. 

We hit The Parish, a fairly recent addition to the Tucson restaurant scene. It is a "gastro-pub" with a Louisiana twist and amazing food. To be honest I really wanted to say it was terrible because the place is going to be incredibly busy when word gets out how really delicious it is but one must give credit where credit is due, so when you go you might have to be prepared to wait. We didn't have to but fair warning, right?

Having been to the Parish before, we'd already tried the Gumbo as well as an Oyster Poorboy, so this time we went for something different although I could hear the gumbo calling my name from the kitchen. Big Guy ordered the Hot Legs le'Jean - 5 lovely little froggie appendages wrapped in bacon and deep fried to a crisp outside and moist tender inside. He wasn't sharing, mostly because I didn't ask. They looked wonderful but there's no way I could get past the fact he was eating the little gaffers that used to serenade this farm girl to sleep as one of the first signs of spring where I grew up in Northern Ontario, Canada. No way, no how could I touch any of those legs but the guy I married doesn't seem to have the same soft hearted attachment, particularly when it comes to grub. 

I ordered the Lamb Chorizo Flatbread, a crispy concoction of spicy homemade lamb chorizo with olive tapenade, goat cheese and the most outstanding herb aioli ever tasted. It is stupendous and big enough that I had to share it. We also split an order of Crawfish Hushpuppies - tennis ball sized fritters with tons of crawfish in 'em in a super crunchy coating and served with a spicy sweet dipping sauce. They are everything a hushpuppy should be and more, much much more. To say we rather overindulged is putting it mildly but we managed to leave nary a crumb behind.

If you live in Tucson or plan to visit, believe me you'd be hard pressed to find a better place to eat. The selection of craft and draft beers, great wine and special house drinks never mind attentive but never intrusive wait staff and unbelievably talented people in the kitchen will reel you in, hook line and sinker. They sure have our attention! We can't wait to go back.

As for our plans on this long holiday weekend - we've finally agreed on a backsplash tile, so once we've done a few more wall repairs, slapped on a coat of primer and a little more paint, we'll be putting the tile up. Hopefully it can be accomplished without too many trips to Home Depot and minus any finger walking through the yellow pages looking for divorce lawyers. Keep us in your prayers for peace, OK?

Personally, I think the boys might have the best idea. Trouble is there isn't room on the desk for all of us. Pity, wouldn't you say? 

A year ago - Braised Chicken with White Wine and Pancetta

Two year's ago - BBQ Pork Sandwich

Comments

[Lea]

Your meal sounded fabulous - I would def. go try that joint out! I know that you and the Big Guy will be fine with your tiling project - if things get too crazy - just fix yourself a nice glass of wine and enjoy a time-out on the veranda with the furry friends! hehehehehehehehe They do have the right idea!

[June]

Lea - you got that one right my friend. The "fun" is just about to start so I'm thinking I'll leave Big Guy to the work and I'll just join the boys immediately.

[Lorraine]

Date night sounds like just the thing before a home improvement project. No stress, great food and lots of love.

[pam]

The restaurant sounds wonderful. Good luck with your project, though it sounds to me like a "4 trips to Home Depot" project.

[June]

Lorraine - it was a much needed and definitely anticipated evening out!

Pam - I've only had one hissy fit and Big Guy's only hit the store once, but the job's not done yet :-)