What's for Dinner?

[Skinsfan1311]

It’s been on the list for a while. The problem has been finding somebody to watch our 6 year old who is very 6.

Benadryl. Rope.
Problem solved.
You're welcome.

 

[RedWolf]

So true

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Last night, I got an annual treat. I do A TON of work for my daughter's swim team, and the swim team gave me a gift card to L'Auberge Chez Francois. They've done this the last few years. Chez Francois is a French fine dining restaurant, often in the top 10 restaurants in VA and has had national recognition for years. It's been a staple in the community for generations. It's located in the rolling hills of Great Falls, VA, literally in the middle of nowhere. There isn't another commercial establishment within 5 miles.

They opened a Brasserie called "Jacques" in the basement a number of years ago. Somewhat more casual dining experience, and less ghastly expensive (still ghastly expensive, just slightly less so), however still absolutely incredible food.

So my wife and I went yesterday, compliments of the swim team, to Jacques. Our $235 gift card BARELY covered our meal, so this isn't a "let's just drop by" type of place.

But man oh man, was it good. The best French Onion Soup you can imagine, and I had a Beef Wellington (yeah, not French, but whatever), and it was second only to the Beef Wellington I had at Gordon Ramsey Steak years ago, and it was close. Melt in your mouth good.

We also had a Grand Marnier souffle. (Which you have to order at the same time you order dinner.)

I like to think of myself as a rather good cook, but when you go to a place like that, it's an entirely different experience. Anyway, if anybody needs an "occasion" restaurant for a splurge night, look it up. It's amazing.

Here's a picture of Jacques. Jacques is on the ground floor from this vantage point, but it would normally be a walk out basement because the building is on a hill. The main restaurant are the big windows on the second level, which is actually the first level.

View attachment 13300

I have to check this place out for special occasions.

Never knew this place existed either, and I drove through Great Falls daily to get to work for 20 years.

Thanks!

 

[RedWolf]

I was a Saucier in San Antone

 

[RedWolf]

I have to check this place out for special occasions.

Never knew this place existed either, and I drove through Great Falls daily to get to work for 20 years.

Thanks!

This place is tucked away and not on the normal Drive

 

[Boone]

I smoked/grilled a 2nd tri-tip last night. Plan for today is to cube it and along with some garlic mashed potatoes gonna do a Shepherd's Pie with it.

 

[Boone]

 

[Boone]

Really good dinner last night. It was collard harvesting time in my garden, so picked a ton of them. Cooked them all up with some ham hocks, garlic, and chicken stock. Dish I made called for seasoning and cooking chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, then nestling them into a bed of collards and potlikker with some jasmine rice in a dutch oven. Topped with a mix of oven dried collard chips, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Covered and cooked in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes or so. Simple dish but really really good. Of course homegrown collards don't hurt.

 

[RedWolf]

Really good dinner last night. It was collard harvesting time in my garden, so picked a ton of them. Cooked them all up with some ham hocks, garlic, and chicken stock. Dish I made called for seasoning and cooking chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, then nestling them into a bed of collards and potlikker with some jasmine rice in a dutch oven. Topped with a mix of oven dried collard chips, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Covered and cooked in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes or so. Simple dish but really really good. Of course homegrown collards don't hurt.

Sounds really good!

Mine are simple...and similar
2 slices of thick cut smoked bacon, diced
2 medium yellow onions
Collards, thick julienne
Chicken stock
S/P
Sugar, light amount
Apple cider vinegar

The trick is balancing the sugar and vinegar. It is secondary to the collards and pork.

 

[RedWolf]

I smoked/grilled a 2nd tri-tip last night. Plan for today is to cube it and along with some garlic mashed potatoes gonna do a Shepherd's Pie with it.

Would be good with braised lamb shanks also!



This guy is really really good and does a lot of classics. Made me think of your pie

Smoked lamb shanks are also amazing!

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Made shrimp & grits for dinner last night...no pics,. I usually fry up a little Andouille and saute the shrimp in some of the grease, than finish it off with some chicken stock and butter.....but used bacon instead. It was still pretty damn good!

 

[skinsmarydu]

Made shrimp & grits for dinner last night...no pics,. I usually fry up a little Andouille and saute the shrimp in some of the grease, than finish it off with some chicken stock and butter.....but used bacon instead. It was still pretty damn good!

Another one of my favorite dishes! First time I ever had it was at Paula Deen's son's restaurant (Bubba's) on Wilmington Island when we lived there...and then I started doing it myself. Very comforting.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Another one of my favorite dishes! First time I ever had it was at Paula Deen's son's restaurant (Bubba's) on Wilmington Island when we lived there...and then I started doing it myself. Very comforting.

...and insanely easy, and cheap, to make!

 

[skinsmarydu]

...and insanely easy, and cheap, to make!

Yeah, I usually have some broc on the side. It's a great dinner!

 

[DWinzit]

An interesting dinner plate I recently was this combo that might sound strange but was really good and mixed many textures and flavors -
Six large seared diver scallops and a substantial serving of delicious gochujang marinated pork belly, served with a side of house-made kimchi for a refreshing and tangy complement, and a bed of jasmine fried rice. The jasmine fried rice was loaded with veggies and egg and really, the kimchi was with the rice. I am not a kimchi guy but it went really well with this crazy mix.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

An interesting dinner plate I recently was this combo that might sound strange but was really good and mixed many textures and flavors -
Six large seared diver scallops and a substantial serving of delicious gochujang marinated pork belly, served with a side of house-made kimchi for a refreshing and tangy complement, and a bed of jasmine fried rice. The jasmine fried rice was loaded with veggies and egg and really, the kimchi was with the rice. I am not a kimchi guy but it went really well with this crazy mix.

Sounds awesome. Any pics?

 

[Boone]

That does sound amazing

 

[DWinzit]

Sounds awesome. Any pics?

Only from the restaurants menu. The plate I received had more jasmine fried rice than the pic shows

 

[skinsmarydu]

Redskinskinfan & I have had a wild weekend of food!
I was sick all last week, so she brought me a plate of everything awesome ... (good grief, I think her stuffing is the best I've ever had), banana pudding and fruit.
So last night I made salmon, au gratin taters and butter beans with garlic Texas toast. We had dinner, then she came back for the game.

 

[Ashburn Dave]

Last night, I got an annual treat. I do A TON of work for my daughter's swim team, and the swim team gave me a gift card to L'Auberge Chez Francois. They've done this the last few years. Chez Francois is a French fine dining restaurant, often in the top 10 restaurants in VA and has had national recognition for years. It's been a staple in the community for generations. It's located in the rolling hills of Great Falls, VA, literally in the middle of nowhere. There isn't another commercial establishment within 5 miles.

They opened a Brasserie called "Jacques" in the basement a number of years ago. Somewhat more casual dining experience, and less ghastly expensive (still ghastly expensive, just slightly less so), however still absolutely incredible food.

So my wife and I went yesterday, compliments of the swim team, to Jacques. Our $235 gift card BARELY covered our meal, so this isn't a "let's just drop by" type of place.

But man oh man, was it good. The best French Onion Soup you can imagine, and I had a Beef Wellington (yeah, not French, but whatever), and it was second only to the Beef Wellington I had at Gordon Ramsey Steak years ago, and it was close. Melt in your mouth good.

We also had a Grand Marnier souffle. (Which you have to order at the same time you order dinner.)

I like to think of myself as a rather good cook, but when you go to a place like that, it's an entirely different experience. Anyway, if anybody needs an "occasion" restaurant for a splurge night, look it up. It's amazing.

Here's a picture of Jacques. Jacques is on the ground floor from this vantage point, but it would normally be a walk out basement because the building is on a hill. The main restaurant are the big windows on the second level, which is actually the first level.

View attachment 13300

We're doing this place tomorrow. It's the wife's birthday so we're getting dressed up and have reservations for the upstairs. She thinks it's too expensive but she's worth it.