I came home ravenous Friday night. The Mister said I was hangry. I was supposed to make salmon patties and a wedge salad, but honest to goodness, I just wanted to not cook but also not to be hungry. Sassy had a thing, and we had to wait to take her to the thing before we could go, which did not help my hanger. By the time we got her to the thing, it was prime time and everything was crowded of wait.
You can say it was date night, but it wasn’t a typical date night for us. One, we didn’t plan it — there was no heightened anticipation. Two, we were in our weekender clothes. Three, while he may have been wooing me, for me, it was all about the food.
We went to Gregory’s, you may recall that post, and if you don’t, that’s okay.
It was not crowded. Upon our arrival, there were several couples and a family dining.
The first thing that hit me was that it was like a piano bar, but with food instead of smoke. We both agreed the pianist played beautifully, but could have lowered the lid. He played classical, jazz, show tunes, even a bit of pop.
We were glad no one was singing. We’re awful like that.
It smelled yummy in there. My hanger plateaued.
We had a pleasant server. She recommended the carrots. More on that later.
She brought out rolls and I detected imported flour. They were so airy. I saved half to get at the leftover sauce in our next dish.
We ordered something called Julien, which was this:
I was charmed by the individual pottery and the miniature spoons. It tasted like chicken and rice. I mean southern food: chicken and rice. Except there wasn’t any rice. It was chicken and mushroom and cream and cheese and it was yummy. I’m tellin ya, throw a lil rice in there and you could pass it off as chicken and rice at any potluck. I ate the mushrooms, The Mister ate the chicken.
We both chose Caesar salads. They were good.
I liked this tidbit — salt, pepper, matryoshka.
Adorable.
As people left, the owner would come and change the red tablecloths. She asked how we came to be there, and I told her about Chad. She said, “Was long ago then,” and nodded. I’m guessing Chad is no more. Perhaps he didn’t recruit enough door hunters.
The Mister ordered lamb. He liked it.
I ordered potato cakes. (Draniki) I liked them.
They put some pork on the plate, but I didn’t eat that. Still, can we note that they serve Joey-sized meat portions there? Like, that pork’s not in my way.
Y’all, the carrots. The carrots were unbelievably good. They were amazing. I know it sounds ridiculous to go on about carrots, but I cannot explain how incredible the carrots were. They were magical carrots. They were glazed, creamed, hell, I dunno, they were delicious. I ate them all and then I was sad. I would go back, order a main course of carrots, with a side of other veg and a potato cake, okay? Just give me the carrots! Dear me. Oh those carrots.
They do not rush you there. If you like a nice leisurely meal, it’s ideal.
I’d sat next to The Mister initially. You know, romantical. But once I stopped eating, I realized I was freezing. I couldn’t feel my toes and I huddled into my husband wishing he’d radiate just a bit more heat. Every time someone came in or out, I was certain I felt Siberian winds. I noticed the children dined with their coats on. I hadn’t worn a coat. It was well above freezing. Outside, anyway.
Now, as you know, my family thinks I live like a polar bear, so when I’m cold, it’s fairly entertaining.
I said, “Oh Baby, we shoulda dined in Hell, where they always have a fire going.” He thought that was hysterical, but when he roared with laughter, he created quite a breeze, adding to my misfortune.
I moved opposite him, a good four feet from the window. Which is when I finally noticed his hat.
Heh.
We ordered a tiramisu and a Napoleon to go. We also ordered Moo some chicken and Crimean potatoes.
The Mister suggested I go out to the car while he wrapped up the check. I swear to you, the car that had been sitting out there over an hour was warmer than the restaurant.
We took Moo her chicken and then we sat outside waiting for Sassy’s thing to finish. I know you want me to say we fogged up the windows, but we played word games. Very sexy.
Once we got home, I split the desserts and it took all of us to eat them. Large dessert portions. Highly recommend the Napoleon.
Moo said the potatoes were wonderful and she wanted more of them. I like knowing she’d have a good meal there, too.
So yeah, interesting place, good food. I’d go back, but I’d wear a chic scarf and hat, and sit a lot closer to the kitchen.
One thing’s fersure — It’ll be the first place I think of next time our air-conditioning goes out.
joeyfullystated 
I drooling here about those carrots. And the pic of the lamb– oh my, it’s almost food porn. Nothing better than a spontaneous, delicious restaurant experience. Word games are sexy, don’t you say otherwise. 🤓
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Word games ARE sexy! 😛
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This place sounds and looks wonderfully eccentric, Joey. Except the lack of any heat for the customers, in my book I. That’s not interestingly odd, that’s just bad business. All the dishes seem awesome. I’d go for the potato pancakes, which bring back a lot of growing-up Polish meal memories for me.
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It’s a good place to know about, but I sure was shiverin! The potato pancakes were nom! 🙂
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I have wanted to go there for quite some time, but you know me and after 4:00 PM. I almost made it a couple of weeks ago. They were open for lunch for a hot minute( 5 days) but then went back to their regular dinner hours. I am glad you got a chance to get there and your carrots were so memorable.
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You should try it when the next hot minute comes along. They’d changed their menu from when I initially looked until I went. I was sad there were no pierogies, but it was still nom 🙂
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The picture of the Mister is great! Gosh, cold restaurants. Oh, it was Russian, right…..?
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Right outta the tundra, Lois 😉 And thanks!
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I made salmon patties just the other night! … I don’t know why restaurants have to be so cold. I’ve had to ask them to turn down the a/c, or we moved to another seat. Can’t the restaurant people notice all the customers are shivering and still wearing their coats, and do something about it? Your meals looked yummy, though. 🙂
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When we lived in the south, I always took a sweater with me for dining out — you’re right!
I will make those salmon patties soon 🙂
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It was all sounding great … and then you said the magic word ‘Napoleon’. If there is one thing I WOULD NOT share, it’s a Napoleon … and there is no such thing as a Napoleon that’s too big.
Oh dear, if I head off to the Italian bakery today to get Napoleon’s, it’s on you! 😉
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Haha! I will accept the blame for that! The Napoleon was delicious, but it was a lot, especially after all the savories 🙂
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Oh yes, you went! Sorry for Chad and tundra (or is it taiga?) but I’m glad everything was yum and that hat is adorable. Did he notice it before you took the photo?
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He did not notice. It’s a cute pic, I must say, although I am biased about the subject matter 🙂
It was tundra-esque in there!
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Sounds delicious. You deserve an indulgence! Now I’m wondering about that carrot recipe…
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I know, right? Those carrots were amazing! *wants*
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That sounds really interesting. I’m one of those who has to try new things, so I know I’d enjoy it.
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I’m sure you would 🙂
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We have all kinds of ethnic restaurants here, but I don’t recall ever seeing a “Russian” one. The food looks great. I could definitely go for that. (PS: Love the photo of The Mister’s hat.)
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Thanks! It was good, if you see one, give it a go 🙂
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Sounds and looks delish. I would have tried the lamb as well. How obliging of your mister to let you snap that. I love the ones who play along. Mine would have too. No pictures of the desserts? Bummer there. Also bummer about the cold. I hate cold. Thanks for sharing!
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Nah, we ate the desserts on our bed, in pajamas with kids and animals 🙂
The Mister is a good sport. Sometimes he even photographs his own meals.
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No borscht? (Can’t stand it myself.)
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Nope. Not big on beets, especially hot.
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I would have gone for the potato cakes as well and probably the borscht if they had it.
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You make me want to eat Russian food. I’ve always thought their cuisine was beet-based, and everyone knows beets taste like dirt.
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Hot dirt. Ew.
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Yummy! I can totally relate to the word hangry. 😉
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Good food, without a server rushing you out the door…excellent. The lamb looked like it would taste wonderful. I am also partial to potato things, so I would like all of them.
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Sometimes you just have to go out, Joey. I’m with you on that. Sounds like a great place and I’d go for the lamb myself. Sorry about the cold, but I love your husband’s hat. Très chic!
janet
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Haha, thanks!
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Yeah, that hat. He looks pretty suspicious about what you’re seeing–
Tell us more about the great carrots please.
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They were julienne and sweet, but not too sweet.. tender, but not overcooked… sauced, but lightly. Now I want s’more!
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I keep granola/protein bars handy for the hangries. Don’t know what I’d do without them to tide me over. It’s nice to know they did such a good job on their vegetarian options. Love the hat!
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Fruit is my go-to. Sadly, it was a barer cupboard time over here!
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Yeah. I hate it when I’m getting hangry and there’s nothing.
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Oh, my word, all that food looks SO GOOD! I’m getting hangry, just lookin’ at it! Maybe their heat was out that day. Maybe it isn’t always freezy-cold? Oh, dear me, I do love it when a cook makes vegetables all delicious and not as an after-thought. I had some char-grilled zucchini at Beef O’Brady’s last week that were just plain heavenly. And I made salmon patties this week, too! Great minds!
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Our server offered to turn the heat up, but I was sure we’d be gone before I ever felt a difference. If we go again in winter, we’re sittin as close to the kitchen as we can.
Lotsa salmon patty lovers in these comments 🙂
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The food sounds wonderful, but I love the hat. He wears it well!
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Haha!
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I remember it from Chad. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it this time as well. The chicken, mushroom, and cheese makes me hungry! I haven’t ever had carrots that I’ve loved so much, I’d want a whole plate of them. Makes me wonder how they made them so magical! The girlie has a Matryoska doll that I found a local toy shop when she was little. A salt and pepper set sounds cute. That hat is too funny, but the cold…not so much!! 🙂
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We had salmon patties last week with cornbread, both of my grandmother’s recipes. ❤
That lamb looks good! I accidentally tried it once at a Brazilian steakhouse. Glad y'all had fun 🙂
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The food seems very delicious. I wish to attend a live Jazz musical night someday. Thank you, Joey.
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oh I am glad I came back to find this post because I do remember “that post”
and now I want to try napoleon….
and you know, imagining you guys sharing the dessert reminded me as to how food sometimes just tastes better when someone else makes it (well sometimes – and it has to be good cooking – and maybe have that flour you like – ha)
and food always tastes better when “hangry” – ha
side note – we went to a local place (friend and I) – had xmas giftcard to use – chain steakhouse – and um, won’t be going back. At least the company was god cos she and chatted it up – but country crock for butter – sorry – that is an all time low.
the actual steak was good – but ugh – and so reading about your good experience has assuaged a little of my pain (kidding – I was not too pained… but never again – and funny but I think as I get older I like eating at home more – or just feel extra picky about where we do dine out)
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