Johnnie considered the fish sandwich ($13) because it was salmon that day, but chose the grilled vegetable one ($11). It was quite appealing, even to an inveterate meat-eater like myself. In fresh French bread, the grilled and chilled summer squash, zucchini, red onion, and roasted red pepper were delicious, nicely marinated, and mellowed by plenty of mozzarella. (Carnivore or not, I had a generous bite.)
For her sandwich side she chose iron-skillet beans, for my benefit, because I was getting the braised beef short rib ($25) with my pleasant shiraz, so she could have some of my accompanying vegetable and mashed potatoes. (The 12-ounce pork chop was also tempting.) I was glad to be reminded how good this dish can be, the large piece of boneless beef as tender as could be, and still pink despite the slow cooking. Wonderful. The mashed potatoes were creamy, tasty enough to keep returning to, despite my protein distraction, and the green beans retained crunch.
Although this is a steakhouse, other entrées include mahi-mahi — the fish of the day — plus the omnipresent seared ahi tuna ($26) as well as pecan-crusted salmon ($21).
For dessert, Johnnie chose the Key lime pie ($8), but it was thickened with cream cheese, too densely to finish. Next time: brownie sundae, here we come.
Bill Rodriguez can be reached at bill@billrod.com.
