The Best Thing I Ever Ate
I happened to catch an episode of that Food Network show "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and it got me thinking. If I had to come up with a list what would be on my "Best Thing I Ever Ate" list. And then at 4 am when I couldn't sleep I came up with my Top 4 and then started pondering in what order should I present them? So I'm starting with 4 and working my way up. What would be on your list?
4. Frozen Bahama-Rita from Bahama Breeze. When I started thinking about the Best Thing I Ever Ate I knew this had to be on there. Yes, it's from a chain restaurant, something I wouldn't even consider putting on there and yes, it's a drink but I feel like I should pay tribute to this. We used to have a Bahama Breeze location in our town and it closed and now I get to visit a Bahama Breeze location when we vacation in Florida every two years. I have to wait 2 years to get this drink and it's literally all I can think about when I am down there. Then when I am able to get that brain freeze from drinking it too fast all I can think about it "OMG this is so worth it!" The kiwi, strawberry and mango ices swirled together with that Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila is amazing. But the best part is the Cactus Juice you pour over the top. It's sweet and pucker-y all at the same time. Which makes this the Best Thing I Ever Ate...errrr...Drank!
3. Fresh Peach Glace Pie from Monica's Pies in Naples takes my number 3 spot for the Best Thing I Ever Ate. Monica's Pies is the cute little roadside house that specializes in Grape Pies, and is a great usage to using all the leftover Concord Grapes grown in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Monica started making pies with her mother and now she sells her pies out of a shop that is attached to her house in Naples, near Canandaigua Lake. Her Grape Pies are delicious as well but her best pie hands down (I think) is the Fresh Peach Glace. It's her feature pie for the month of August when all those fresh peaches come into season and her pie crust is mounded with large slices of fresh peaches, and topped with a sweet peach glaze. When a friend first told us about this pie my husband and I made the 45 minute drive to Naples to pick one up. We ate the whole thing in one sitting. I'm not too proud to admit that. Nowadays, we pace ourselves but I think it's only because our kids enjoy it too. Fresh Peach Glace Pie from Monica's Pies in Naples, takes my Number 3 Spot of the Best Thing I Ever Ate.
2. Meatballs from Pasta Classics located at the Rochester Public Market is my pick for #2. I'm Italian. I grew up eating homemade sauce and meatballs every Sunday at my Grandmother's house but I swear I've never had meatballs quite like the ones Vince makes. The flavor is absolutely amazing and perfectly seasoned. But the best part of these meatballs is the amazing amount of moisture that you get when you bite into these meatballs. It's a meatball that I can easily say is better than Mama's Meatballs.
Drum Roll Please....
My Number 1 pick for the Best Thing I Ever Ate is...
1. Lamb Normandy from Sboro's in Watertown, NY. I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday Dinner for my husband's company at Sboro's two years ago. When I was placing my order I mentioned to the waitress that I couldn't seem to decide between the Duck on the menu or the Lamb. She recommended the Lamb to me and said it was her favorite thing on the menu. I placed my order for the Half Rack of Lamb and anxiously awaited my dinner. My lamb came to the table and my husband leaned over and whispered, "I should have gotten that." It was gorgeous. Perfectly cooked to perfection and encrusted in walnuts with a bleu cheese sauce it just paired perfectly with the lamb. It was hands down the best meal I have ever had at a restaurant. At one point I remarked to my husband that I wish it wasn't bad etiquette because all I wanted to do was gnaw on the bones when I was done. Gross I know but it was that good. If I could have licked my plate clean and gotten away with it I would have. However, I don't think my husband's customers, clients or colleagues would have appreciated this. Let me put it this way. My mouth waters even now 2 years later. My salivary glands burst forth like a dam every time I even think about it. If it wasn't a 4 hour drive from our home I would eat there every week and order the same thing. I'm sure Sboro's offers other delicious fare but I will never know because I will only order the Lamb Normandy. Which is why this will forever and always be my Number 1 Pick.
*On a Side Note...if anyone is reading this from Sboro's, I would sell you my first born for the recipe. I'm just a simple home cook but I would love to try to make this at home. It won't be half as good but please. I'm begging you. Did I mention I have twins? Because that first born thing...it would be like 2 for 1.
4. Frozen Bahama-Rita from Bahama Breeze. When I started thinking about the Best Thing I Ever Ate I knew this had to be on there. Yes, it's from a chain restaurant, something I wouldn't even consider putting on there and yes, it's a drink but I feel like I should pay tribute to this. We used to have a Bahama Breeze location in our town and it closed and now I get to visit a Bahama Breeze location when we vacation in Florida every two years. I have to wait 2 years to get this drink and it's literally all I can think about when I am down there. Then when I am able to get that brain freeze from drinking it too fast all I can think about it "OMG this is so worth it!" The kiwi, strawberry and mango ices swirled together with that Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila is amazing. But the best part is the Cactus Juice you pour over the top. It's sweet and pucker-y all at the same time. Which makes this the Best Thing I Ever Ate...errrr...Drank!
3. Fresh Peach Glace Pie from Monica's Pies in Naples takes my number 3 spot for the Best Thing I Ever Ate. Monica's Pies is the cute little roadside house that specializes in Grape Pies, and is a great usage to using all the leftover Concord Grapes grown in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. Monica started making pies with her mother and now she sells her pies out of a shop that is attached to her house in Naples, near Canandaigua Lake. Her Grape Pies are delicious as well but her best pie hands down (I think) is the Fresh Peach Glace. It's her feature pie for the month of August when all those fresh peaches come into season and her pie crust is mounded with large slices of fresh peaches, and topped with a sweet peach glaze. When a friend first told us about this pie my husband and I made the 45 minute drive to Naples to pick one up. We ate the whole thing in one sitting. I'm not too proud to admit that. Nowadays, we pace ourselves but I think it's only because our kids enjoy it too. Fresh Peach Glace Pie from Monica's Pies in Naples, takes my Number 3 Spot of the Best Thing I Ever Ate.
2. Meatballs from Pasta Classics located at the Rochester Public Market is my pick for #2. I'm Italian. I grew up eating homemade sauce and meatballs every Sunday at my Grandmother's house but I swear I've never had meatballs quite like the ones Vince makes. The flavor is absolutely amazing and perfectly seasoned. But the best part of these meatballs is the amazing amount of moisture that you get when you bite into these meatballs. It's a meatball that I can easily say is better than Mama's Meatballs.
Drum Roll Please....
My Number 1 pick for the Best Thing I Ever Ate is...
1. Lamb Normandy from Sboro's in Watertown, NY. I had the pleasure of attending a Holiday Dinner for my husband's company at Sboro's two years ago. When I was placing my order I mentioned to the waitress that I couldn't seem to decide between the Duck on the menu or the Lamb. She recommended the Lamb to me and said it was her favorite thing on the menu. I placed my order for the Half Rack of Lamb and anxiously awaited my dinner. My lamb came to the table and my husband leaned over and whispered, "I should have gotten that." It was gorgeous. Perfectly cooked to perfection and encrusted in walnuts with a bleu cheese sauce it just paired perfectly with the lamb. It was hands down the best meal I have ever had at a restaurant. At one point I remarked to my husband that I wish it wasn't bad etiquette because all I wanted to do was gnaw on the bones when I was done. Gross I know but it was that good. If I could have licked my plate clean and gotten away with it I would have. However, I don't think my husband's customers, clients or colleagues would have appreciated this. Let me put it this way. My mouth waters even now 2 years later. My salivary glands burst forth like a dam every time I even think about it. If it wasn't a 4 hour drive from our home I would eat there every week and order the same thing. I'm sure Sboro's offers other delicious fare but I will never know because I will only order the Lamb Normandy. Which is why this will forever and always be my Number 1 Pick.
*On a Side Note...if anyone is reading this from Sboro's, I would sell you my first born for the recipe. I'm just a simple home cook but I would love to try to make this at home. It won't be half as good but please. I'm begging you. Did I mention I have twins? Because that first born thing...it would be like 2 for 1.
Comments