Date Night

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It has been such a busy couple of weeks, that I feel like Mark and I haven't really seen each other.  Don't get me wrong, we've spent a ton of time together, but it was at parades or concerts or parties or weddings.  So tonight we've set aside a bit of time for a date night.  We're going to a great little neighborhood restaurant, Patois, that reminds me of our trip to Paris.  It is the New Orleans version of a French bistro.  We've only been for brunch (which is amazing and very affordable), but we've been dying to get there for dinner.  So tonight's the night! 

The menu is extensive and the options all look incredible.  For starters, I am between the Moules Frites served in a smoky creole tomato broth with saffron aioli and the gnocchi with mushrooms, jumbo lump crab, edamame, and parmigiano-reggiano.  I make it a point to order gnocchi or sweetbreads at every NOLA restaurant we go to.  My current favorite for gnocchi is Restaurant August and for sweetbreads it would be Upperline.

For my main course, I'm leaning toward the hanger steak with red wine and marrow reduction, red onion marmalade, and fries (I know Mark will get this and I will be jealous if I don't) or the almond crusted gulf fish with roasted potato galettes, buttered green beans, and a satsuma menieure (mmm!).

I can't imagine having room left, but the dessert menu is very intriguing.  I'd have to get the carmelized pain perdu.  It comes with bacon ice cream and candied pork belly.  Sweet and salty is my favorite way to enjoy a dessert!

Cheers!