Shopping around for food
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
I am impressed with my brilliance on this latest ‘food’ decision’. (It’s so rare I get to brag about any good choices I make that I immediately jump on the opportunity).
Tez and I decided recently it was time for another night on the town. For both of us that usually equates to a cheap burger and drink somewhere and, when really stretching the energy and finance level, perhaps a movie or local music event. This past weekend however we kicked the concept over the fence.
We’d agreed two months back that a Christmas present for ourselves this year would be a fancy dinner at a location we typically can not afford. Time for some fancy-dance spoiling. I took it a step past food.
We took a page from the ‘tourist in your own town’ book and used it. On Saturday night we packed up my oxygen machine and tanks, change of clothes and swim suites and checked into the Hotel Eldorado.
The classic Tudor style iconic hotel (built in 1926 by English Countess Bubna) already has a legacy, and since its relocation and recent connection with the Manteo Resort – has become even more inviting.
Tez and I checked in Saturday afternoon, wandered around the hotel and grounds for a bit and then went to the lounge. Once we soaked our souls with a drink or two there we wisely relocated our bodies and soaked them in the swimming pool (Tez did) and hot tub. I enjoy the relaxation and social aspect of hot tubs. My beat up and in-need-of-tender-care body LOVES hot tubs.
When I win the lotto a hot tub is mine!
Dinner was next on the menu. Once every moth or six weeks I try and write a restaurant or pub HodgePodge critique – so how can I go wrong with the Hotel Eldorado?
Dining critiques are difficult enough for the average healthy writer but having survived five oral surgeries from Osteomyelitis makes it difficult. I have only three teeth in the top of my mouth, none in the bottom, a titanium plate instead of a jaw, and more than a dozen screws holding it together. Naturally my taste buds are trashed and my tongue and lower face mostly numb so its challenging to finding something on the menu. Anything such as a steak must be tremendously rare and tender to eat, and sadly enjoyable salads can’t be chewed.
Places with such top end menus as the El often leave me short on choices. (Peanut butter sandwiches not on the list). What I did find was Halibut and chips which was good, but I admit to being a tad disappointed. I can’t eat fries and they would not replace them with an alternate such as mashed potatoes or yam fries. The fish portion was heavily battered.
Tez enjoyed her huge portion of a roast turkey club sandwich. Her clam and seafood chowder – excellent. Overall: regarding meals it was good but we were not blown away.
That happened the following morning.
The Sunday Brunch at the Eldorado is well known as a great idea. I am now labelling it a ‘must do’.
While the tab is a tad high it is well worth it. The choices are endless in eggs (scrambled, poached, easy over, eggs Benedict, even a personally ordered omelette) and sides such as French toast, sausages, ham, bacon, roast, pancakes, and waffles. A table full of various fruits, jams, and sauces featuring European brecky treats fill up a quaint corner.
There are all the juices one can dream of and a table of deserts as well. Breakfast decadence personified.
I admit to three trips.
My only concern is how I can talk Tez into letting us go back this weekend!
Tez and I are planning more date nights soon, so I’ll continue more food reviews in the next couple weeks. We’ve decided to start experimenting a bit with the warm weather on the way.
For date nights Tez does her research with a little on-line searching finding meals somewhere with an event of some sort connected i.e.: cheap movie night, hockey game, shopping… Ever wise of the purse strings, Tez recommended a year or two back we opt for a ‘cheap Tuesday’ movie which we also figured may have equated to a less crowded evening.
Since most pubs provide good food and the choice in great restaurants is across the board, it is hard to go wrong.
In addition, my good friend Brian is back from his travels, and we can renew our Beers with Brian feature. After all with so many new brew pubs in town someone has to do the research.
If you have any favourite places for us to check let us know.
