It’s been a busy summer for us all, but we recently decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner out, in our respective cities. We can’t wait to be together again (hopefully, soon!) and DINE out as a group.
One of my favorite restaurants in Denver, especially in the summertime, is Blue Island Oyster Bar & Seafood. It’s located in Cherry Creek, which is a walkable neighborhood, with a ton of shops and dining options! I asked to sit outside on their patio, since it was such a beautiful evening.
My husband and I went for happy hour because they have great deals on a lot of menu items. We ordered a dozen oysters - six of those being that day’s happy hour oysters from Blackberry from Chesapeake Bay, VA. I’m personally a fan of East Coast oysters vs. West Coast. What about you?
We also opted for a few different kinds of tacos, a side of crispy Brussels spouts and a side french fries - all on the happy hour menu!
I then asked Reine to share her dining experience at Batuqui on the Falls:
Whenever I’m in need of a cozy place to enjoy a comfort meal, especially during these crazy July thunderstorms in Ohio, you can find me at Batuqui.
Located in the small village of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, you might think Batuqui is just another century home. However, inside lies an abundance of history, culture, and authentic Brazilian dishes.
Carla and Gustavo, natives of Bahia and Mines Gerais, came to the U.S. over 20 years ago and brought with them the most authentic and flavorful tastes of Brazil.
You will likely catch me with a Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail, made with Cachaca, sugar, and lime. I started off my meal with an order of Pao De Queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread. It’s served warm and has a delicious flaky yet chewy texture. For my entrée, I had the Xim Xim, a Brazilian stew made with chicken, coconut milk, and carrots, served over white rice.
I have yet to make it to dessert in all of the times I’ve had the pleasure of dining at Batuqui, but the next time I go I will be sure to save room for one of their coconut butter cakes. Hopefully, I’ll be trying it with our DINEvent team!
Next, Anayis tells us about her night out at Toro in Boston. Anayis and I recently traveled to Spain together, so she had a blast at this Spanish tapas restaurant in the South End.
While Spanish is not a cuisine I often seek out, it is one I thoroughly enjoy, especially on the heels of spending a week in Spain. A tapa is an appetizer or snack in Spanish cuisine. Combined, many tapas enjoyed together make a full meal! Tapas can be served hot or cold, and come from the land, the sea, and the earth.
At Toro, my friends and I kicked off our meal with Pimientos (above left), Atún Crudo (above left center), Croquetas de Bacalao (above right center) and Burrata (above right).
I find it utterly impossible to enjoy tapas without indulging in a Tortilla Española. It is made up of egg, potato, onion, and a LOT of olive oil. I love this dish so much that I made one at home last week! The secret to a delicious tortilla at home is tons of olive oil. Similar to the way chefs use butter to make everything taste better in a restaurant, one must load up on olive oil at home to mimic a true Tortilla Española.
Last, but certainly not least on my essential tapa menu is paella and patatas bravas. This Paella Valenciana is served with shrimp, mussels, clams, chorizo, and chicken.
To top off an already incredible meal, we added Filete a la Plantxa at the last minute. This dish was one of my favorites of the night. I can’t resist a spicy chimichurri!
My first dining experience at Toro certainly won’t be my last. Their sister restaurant, Faccia a Faccia, is a local favorite for me. Rachel and I actually dined here when she visited Boston in June. I look forward to trying other JK Food Group spots like Coppa and Little Donkey.
Have you had any great dining experiences lately? We want to know all about it in the comments!
Setting The Table,
Rachel